SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS
"A good education is an essential part to success. However, one must have a certain respect and admiration for those who have made their marks without the benefit of the traditional university. The benefit of the traditional that we call street has given birth to some of the most successful and insightful people in the world.
Many of us would not be here today were it not for the skills and knowledge we acquired and the dues we paid on the streets. There is no replacement for the street sense and instinct. There is no school harder than the School of Hard Knocks." - ANON
I never attended university, yet I retired as senior mechanical engineer in the highly specialized section of Refinery Piping and Plant Layout and Design. The University of Hard knocks, and the experience acquired thereby, eventually earned me corporate membership and Certificate from The Association of South African Registered Engineering Technicians. It still proudly hangs on my office wall!
If you are not able to, or will not be able to, attend formal training in the Arts, so what!. Listen to your heart and your instincts, not to other people who insist on pulling you down with negative remarks and advice. Persevere, no matter how long it takes you, no matter how many tears you shed along the way. Give honour and recognition to all the people who have helped you along the cobbled road to success.
Seek out positive artists to be your mentors, join your local art club or society, buy as many art books as you can, re-join your local library. If you cannot find a personal mentor, don't worry, that is what this website is all about. The Paint Basket has had wonderful feed-back from all over the world of how we are helping from absolute beginners through to art teachers. Let this site be your 24 hour a day mentor. Use the forum to post questions, send us scans of your completed project and we will give you feedback on them, etc. Isn't it amazing how the attitudes of others always tends to rub off on those around them - a sour workmate can quickly turn others sour. But on the flip side of the coin - if you mix with positive people, you also stay positive. Anything you count worthwhile is more than worth the effort, time and money you put into it.