Nacht

Actually, speaking from somebody who knows absolutely nothing about painting (and basically anything else), I do see how your art connects with your statement. I really like your paintings, and your message certainly got across to me, and your portraits have an emotional depth/intensity I find very impressive. Well I'm not saying these to flatter you and I understand that artists should be able to deal with critiques, and of course I don't know anything about painting. But having read the comments above I feel like telling you that I'm moved by your paintings.

Thanks! Lady rainicorn the link you posted is really interesting and I like it, and michaelwebster that is certainly an option too. I think I should probably put up a link to my work so maybe people could give me some feedback/criticism (really like the other thread and I'm impressed by everybody's work), but unfortunately my website is under construction and the only thing I have right now is a deviantART profile, which is only accessible to DA users. Are people on DA? In any case I'm already feeling a bit clearer about where I should start looking. Thanks a lot!

Wow thank you so much guys!! I really appreciate your wonderful advice. For now I'm thinking that a post-bac program would probably be most appropriate, because aren't residencies for more experienced artists?? I have the impression that you have to already be an artist in order to do a residency (especially a funded one). In any case, the only problem is that post-bac is not cheap (though of course much cheaper than MFA), and I have to bite the bullet and use up my limited savings instead of taking up a job to earn more. But I guess if I really want to do this I've got to make some sacrifice...My greatest fear is that I might not have enough talents no matter how hard I try.

So I love photography and have done a lot of art photography on my own, and I'm thinking of applying to an MFA program. However, there's the thing: I majored in something completely unrelated to art as an undergraduate, never took an art class (not to say photography), never had any formal training, never had any art-related professional experience, never had anything. I was tyring to prepare for another career but decided to pursue art instead, so that's why all my previous experiences (even internships and jobs) are completely irrelevant. Therefore, I have nobody to write me a recommendation letter. Well, basically I have nothing but my portfolio...Umm, given this highly disavantaged background, should I even bother applying? Do people like me actually have a 1% chance of getting in? I feel like I would never be able to get in unless they think I have the talents of a real genius, which is of course unlikely...Would really appreciate your opinions. Thanks!