TheStranger

I feel John Currin really pushes the concept you mention of making paintings that know the history behind the medium and uses that as his theme--- pushing boundaries of pornography and art, naked and nude. So that is an interesting approach. I may tackle more specific issues of today in my paintings as it seems necessary.

Good luck on your applications!

I think using traditional methods but speaking in the language and context of our time gives a very interesting take on things. So our philosophies aren't very different. I very much prefer art that is interesting to look at and also has a strong captivating idea that may also speak to our generation. My old professor also reccomended Indiana University at Bloomington, though I am initially worried that it's in the midwest and not super close to NY. I'll have to take a look at New American Paintings next time I'm near a bookstore. This is the year to do all my reseach as best as I can. Are you already in grad school?

Thanks for the reply. I wouldn't change who I am for the school BUT I am willing to go towards a direction if I thought it would be good for me too as well as the school. I know conceptual work is "in" it seems. I have discussions with my professor about this from time to time. I really want to go to Yale as I really want to eventually teach and having a good name school behind me as well as good networking connections near NY would be....well...perfect. But your assumptions are close to mine that Yale is more conceptual. Did anyone here who got into Yale do more 'traditional' painting?

Hi, I decided to take a couple years off after my BFA in Drawing and Painting to work on my portfolio to apply to a grad school. So these years off is kind of this investment and I want to know my progress is leading myself in the right direction. So I've completed 6 or so paintings and drawings so far and plan on having 16 by November 2011. My parents, friends, co-workers...they all know what my dreams are and why I am taking two years off in between my education just to work on my art. I am getting really paranoid whether the schools I will apply to will be cool with my traditional approach and art. "Fire Escape" Oil Paint on wood panel 48" X 60" "Human Nature's Vertigo" Oil on Wood Panel 30" x 48" "Bus Stop" 18.25" x 29" Charcoal on Stonehenge Paper "Beyond" 60" x 82" Oil on Canvas "Between" 36" x 60" Oil on Canavas ***IN PROGRESS, will be done by Janurary**** "Black Friday" 38" x 50" Charcoal on paper ------------ ------------ My main theme is of nature and the manmade world. In a nutshell paragraph: The sense of belonging is a powerful and natural need for everyone, and this necessity starts from being aware of one’s own identity. Just as an infant will find their identity upon differentiating their unity with their own mother, humans have separated themselves from their once undifferentiated unity with Mother Nature. Human beings are trapped in a limbo where they no longer belong to nature---yet don't quite belong behind the man-made walls and in the structured environments they have built around themselves. I am also finding out having one theme may be alright, but it's the overall feel of your work that ties it all together enough instead of one theme throughout. So I am beginning to include social aspects into my work and may have one or two more themes. These are currently the schools I want to apply to by December & Janurary 2011 as I heard they were th the best ones: Yale (CT) (dream school) SAIC Chicago (IL) UCLA (CA) Columbia (NY) Hunter (NY) Tyler (PA) MICA (MD) I've read posts here and it seems RISD is also a good painting school. Please please please leave any helpful insight, criticisms, advice and inside wisdom on my goal for the end of this year (I have all this year to improve and figure everything out). I know a lot of you have already gotten in or have gone through the whole application process and even interviews. Sometimes I wonder if I'm too 'traditional' to go to really good schools and that they're only interested in avant guard approaches (It's a big worry for me as I am very observational and love oil on panel and charcoal). Thank you guys. Another worried art person, TheStranger

When your looking at the department to apply to, and it simply states "Painting" and not "Painting and Drawing," am I to assume they still embrace drawings in your portfolio?

I was fortunate enough to get an interview with a "New Old Master," F. Scott Hess. A realist figurative artist, he explains his trials and tribulations in becoming an artist through his life and gives good advice to those looking towards grad school. He touches upon what he feels art is and his views on art history and how to make it as an artist. Thought you guys would appreciate it! It's split into 4 parts:

I called Yale and they said they just want the natural look of the art on the wall...it's not really for scale. They just don't want artists to crop or taper the edges off digitally. FYI....

How awkward to photograph a small drawing near the floor or next to a door? It sounds unprofessional as photos go. This means I'll have to re-shoot everything.

Under the rules to apply, they state for Yale that you need to include the wall so they get a feel for the size. When I retook photos of my work to include the wall, it seemed like it was just my work with the white wall as a 'framing' of sorts. Is this what they mean?

Hi, I'm new to this forum and I found it randomly a little bit ago. I graduated with my BFA about a year ago. I am roughly half way done with making my portfolio to apply for an MFA program. Yale is my current dream school. It has a strong art program, a strong name and good opportunities for networking. I am a figurative artist who uses oil paint. I will upload some images of my current work I plan on submitting soon. I was curious as to who here has applied to Yale and how the process was. And if you did apply, and got an interview or even got in, how was the whole experience and if you have examples of your work you submitted can I see? Thanks....I did realize I did not see a lot of figurative work here.

Great art program. Has very talented figurative and abstract artists. Got my BFA there a year ago.

I finished my undergrad at CSULB and I must say they have a strong art program there. I cannot personally attest to their sculpture masters program...though from what I've seen it's pretty avaunt garde.