(RG note) Nearly a thousand artists chose to add comments into our comment box in the recent survey. I read most of them. Several things stuck out for me. One was the importance of grandparents and other relatives and family friends. While the positive effect of parents figures prominently, it's as if there is sometimes a natural alienation that takes place within the immediate family. Someone quite peripheral may turn out to be the catalyst that tips one into art. With regard to grandparents, one wonders if there is a natural or genetic tendency for interests or ability to jump generations. Also, there were more than enough people reporting negative or non-existent art encouragement at home. See Andrew's statistical conclusions below. At the same time positive affirmation in childhood, from no matter what source, seemed to be the most prevalent.

(Andrew Niculescu note) Three thousand four hundred and fifty-five artists participated in this survey as of 2:00pm PST, Thursday, May 13, 2004. The calculated percentages have been rounded up. Since I like numbers so much, I thought I would cross-reference some of the results. Here are the conclusions:

Of the professional artists (part and full time), the majority was praised or encouraged early by both parents(64%) and grandparents(52%). The majority of parents(76%) were in some sort of visual arts. Most professional artists(60%) do not wish they had taken a different and more creative life-path than they did.

Of the amateur artists(serious and otherwise), the majority was praised or encouraged by parents(77%), grandparents(61.5%) and also had a significant teacher(77%) who played a positive part in their early efforts. The majority of parents(77%) were in some sort of visual arts. Most amateur artists(61.5%) wish they had taken a different and more creative life-path than they did.

(RG note) The selection below is my doing. I was at first inclined to pick only the positive and uplifting ones. I also realized that there is power to be gained from hearing about abuse and negativity. In these anecdotal remarks, I realized that it would be statistically impossible to obtain a balance, so I really just picked out a few. Thanks to everybody who responded. Your ongoing comments continue to be archived in confidence.

It's been about 5 years since I've come back to my art after more than 20 years hiatus. I have an art degree from a major university. One of my professors, Wayne Thiebaud, was the most influential. After 31 years, I will have the opportunity to gift him one of my recent prints at a black-tie dinner in his honor, here in my small town this coming Friday night. I am so grateful.

I was the art star in school, favored by teachers, made to feel special. Parents did the general stroking thing and stayed away from specifics -- heavy duty support in materials and work space from dear old Dad. It was more about the activity than displaying early efforts -- activity and exploration were supported but never pressured. I never had a specific idea of what my parents expected from me, only that I was capable and the activity was accepted and considered highly meaningful.

I think we all sometimes wish we had taken another path--sometimes we wish it to be more creative, or in another creative field. Sometimes I think that being a doctor would have been the ultimate choice.

When I was a young curious child my father encouraged me to "use my imagination". When I asked what my imagination was, he said, "use your imagination". This has stayed with me as a beacon on the mysterious path of the creative life.

I've done creative dance all my life, with nothing but discouragement from family. My grade 8 art teacher failed me when he lost one of my paintings and accused me of not handing it in. I have only recently given in to/begun to nurture my need to create visual art (age 57). Life and Peace at last!

Growing up in the UK during W.W.II meant art materials were almost impossible to obtain. This narrowed activity at school and at home. Pencil and charcoal were available, however, so drawing was the major art activity. How's that for lucky!

John Gnagy was the biggest detriment to my art - he made my mother think that real artists could draw without looking at things, so she was convinced I had no talent. It was Betty Edwards' book that set me straight too many years later.

My childhood summers included daily walks with my grandmother and mother around their gardens, and building things with wood scraps from my grandfather's woodwork shop. In the tall grass of an empty lot I created "rooms" and mazes. Does being an "only child" increase one's creativity?

I crave so many different forms of art that no matter what I focus on, I am unsatisfied because I am neglecting other passions. I stick mostly with fine art because it yields so much. My father was a very successful professional fine artist and an inspiring role model. Three of my sisters are in fine arts. But my mother and grandmother, neither of them artists, were the nurturers of our artistic passions and discipline.

I believe that the creative process is one of self-determination and has little or no relevance to parents, friends, peers--in other words, it comes from within.

I believe in both nature and nurture - I think it is no coincidence that I am a practicing scientist and artist who later discovered I came from a birth family containing both, despite the fact that my adoptive family not only contained no such role models but was violent and emotionally abusive.

One parent hoped I would become a worker for god, the other hoped I would find personal fulfillment. The result: I've spent many unproductive years astride the fence between the extremes of self-sacrifice and self indulgence.

My grandmother was my inspiration. She was a very talented woman whose creative outlets were expressed through crafts. She sewed, embroidered, knitted, made clothes, did tapestry and a huge variety of other textile crafts. She also drew, painted, gardened...

Parents who are sporty encourage their offspring in sports. I'm not sporty and neither were my parents but music and art were praised and encouraged and my siblings and I are all artistic. Is art, and not sport, in my family's genes, as we were encouraged in this direction?

My parents let me take art classes after school, but they were pretty neutral about it. They discouraged me from making art a career because "you can't make a living at it" as conventional wisdom said. Since I had great marks in the sciences, I took their advice and got my degree in computers. After 15 years as a systems analyst I went back to art full time.

The most significant discouragement about any artistic pursuit in my life came from "art teachers" in elementary and junior high schools (I'm presently 54 years old). I didn't fit their plan. Unfortunately, I took their criticism and disinterest in my ideas and work seriously until I figured out for myself that they were unimportant compared to the way making art made me feel inside. For that, I am grateful.

I am sometimes disappointed that I cannot have a meaningful discussion about art with my mother, but she is always proud of what I do even if she doesn't understand it.

My art is something that has to be expressed. In growing up, it is not like I had a choice. This was my only choice and I have suffered for it, but I am grateful.

I did not have a lot of encouragement, but, due to family dynamics I think I became determined on my own to use my talent as a source of self worth...a way to gain attention and approval. Anyone can do it if they get over the fear.

I am 71 and have been an art professional since High School. My paternal grandfather was a farmer/blacksmith and could make most anything that he needed. Same with my Father. I grew up with love and plenty of tools and curiosity and inventiveness and support. Same for my children. As adults they are in the business and do well and work for themselves. Laughter and love is important.

As a child I watched my dad draw cartoons for me and it fascinated me. He never pursued art in any way but I think it opened my eyes to it. It was not until I was 20 years old that I decided to make it a career when I finally asked myself what I wanted to do with my life.

The one thing that I do regret is that although my parents encouraged my artistic bent, they were against going to school for art. They felt that formal training would compromise my ‘voice'. I have since acquired tools that would have been helpful if gained earlier on.

Because I was a horse crazy child and teenager and drew almost nothing but horses, my art was not encouraged by art teachers although I received praise from my parents. My mother discouraged a career in art as impractical, and since abstraction was the norm in art school at the time, I pursued a degree in English instead. Many years later I took a summer drawing class at a local college and enrolled in art school in the fall. I am now a professional equine artist who is branching out into other subjects.

I switched into studio art in college at the age of 27. A friend who was majoring in interior design at U of Houston taught me how to draw mechanically in an afternoon. I saw instantly that I could "draw!"

I know of many artists who have "horror stories" of being treated negatively toward their art as they grew up. Little (or larger) episodes here and there where people condemn, belittle, mock, etc. their artwork and/or artistic endeavors. I have many, many of these myself. However, art has always been inside of me---just waiting to be released. So, although I remember all of these potential setbacks, they probably only fueled the creative fire even more.

Both my brother and I were strongly discouraged for materialistic reasons. My father's quote: "Art goes begging". My brother is 11 years younger and stayed in Germany. I left when I was 21. Both of us independently and living miles apart became artists just before turning 50.

Artists are 'born' not made. It is up to the individual to develop that talent. Here is part of a poem that I wrote prior to my artistic awakening.

  The dream was there
  Just out of reach
  Shifting like sand upon a beach
  My eyes were blind
  For they could not see.
  The highest obstacle in life was ME!

My father was a structural engineer (nature) but I grew up with my stepfather, a commercial artist and a frustrated portrait painter (nurture). How that plays into the creative process, I don't know, but when I was going through a very painful divorce, I began painting seriously (I am an art teacher) and have been very successful. I have found that when I am emotionally stressed, my work is much better.

I had a mother that supported me and a father that discouraged me and teachers that supported me and teachers that discouraged me. I was motivated by all of them, strangely enough, but I recognize the positive support was less stressful and if all I had was negativity, I would probably not be an artist, I would only be angry. However, everyone deals with things in different ways and there will always be exceptions.

My grandfather was an artist, earning his living colouring in B&W photographs for Sears, my mother is an artist - though not professionally, and I was brought up surrounded by art. My parents had a friend, Christianna Pflug, who used to come to our cottage and draw beautiful things all day. It was her I wanted to copy - her art not her life, she committed suicide at an early age.

Like all kids, I drew and painted, but it was on a family trip to Taos, New Mexico, at the age of 9, that exposure to the many art galleries there caused me to realize that I was an Artist. I also had an aunt and an uncle (not professional) who were artists and very encouraging.

Maybe from having two working parents I learned to be self-reliant. Did things my way, loved drawing and painting and pursued an art career. I took advice from an instructor to attend Art College and after 6 years (1973) I have lived off of my work. Still stubborn, determined and loving every day. Key that started my journey was the movie Moulin Rouge. Too young to understand but old enough start my journey.

I am from a large family with non-creative parents. My ability to draw was recognized as exceptional by a teacher in grade one. That feedback and the encouragement of my family were the keys to my conscious decision to pursue a gift that felt tremendously fulfilling and has won me positive praise on an ongoing basis throughout my life.

Encouragement came as a "way to keep her quiet" during illnesses, long term bed rest, etc. It came without understanding the "real work" of the artist. Doing art, yes. Being an artist, no... was the real message. I thank my mother first and foremost...and then my father for supporting her in her efforts with me. My siblings were the most unsupportive folks in my environment then, and remain so today (even though we live half a continent apart now).There is no wonder at that...a sickly child, near death's door too often...is quite a drain on a family and certainly takes the focus from others. My mother's sister, my wonderful "Auntie" was a needleworking fiend. She was next in line to my mother as a nurturer of the making of things. The added piece of nurturing was how she supported the rebellious in me...another god-send. Then came two teachers who related to art as a spiritual endeavor. They had the bigger view of the work.

Younger child: drew tiny concentric circles and dots at 18 months...now a highly talented artist, working in his field. Older son: more interested in cartoons and creating on the computer...now a highly skilled graphics artist, working in his field, plus doing fine art. I tried to talk them both out of majoring in art!

After just starting to walk, one of my earliest memories (which is imprinted with my mother's horror) was finger painting a major portion of the bathroom with (you-know-what).

I was raised to be an intellectual, a person of logic and book learning. Art was never encouraged; quite the opposite, I was told I was "not an artist" and "couldn't draw a straight line". It wasn't until my late twenties that I fully realized my creative potential and began making art. Nurture outweighs nature? I think not!

I was raised by my grandparents and taken out of school at age 15 to take care of my ailing grandmother. I married young, to an abusive husband, and didn't realize a career in art until age 27. No art training aside from 'lettering' at night school. I now paint and teach.

My mother was prevented from attending art school and discouraged me as well, yet painted some on her own. Her actions spoke louder than her words. Her stepbrother (as in no heredity involved) painted our portraits. Aha! Regular people could do this, not just famous artists. An aunt took me to museums and ballet and was generally responsible for my cultural exposure. P.S. Those portraits were the only artwork on our walls. P.P.S. I do portrait commissions among other things.

Although my mother encouraged my art, my father gave me the impression that it was just a frivolous thing and not something one should consider as a career. Despite my Fine Art Diploma I never actually "believed" that it was possible to make a living at it until recently.

My father, a big city boy who settled in the Colorado Mountains, was a carpenter/independent political candidate/classical pianist who had an interest in acting when younger. My mother wrote beautiful letters and gave her all to five children. My under-educated European grandfather loved reading about Egyptian art. I had eccentric neighbors to observe and teachers who recognized my potential. I love what I gave myself...all of the arts...but especially now, my painting and my poetry.

My grade 5 teacher asked me to teach the class how to enlarge and draw an Easter project. I had no problems...but I couldn't figure out why they couldn't draw like me.

I am a musician and a painter. Both my parents were good singers, my grand father was a chorus leader, my aunts all sing and do crafts. My sisters and I all learned the arts when we were young: piano, dance, painting, violin, and guitar. My daughter is a dancer. The survey does not reflect that.

While one parent nurtured me, the other put my efforts down. But I grew to realize that nothing I did would please the negative parent. That allowed me to just move on with my life.

When I was 12, my Aunt Jean bought me a French paint box filled with what I later realized was very expensive oil paints and brushes. A successful painter herself, she gave me lessons and praised my efforts. And, she chastised my mother for ignoring my art works. I will always love and be grateful to her for what she did for me.

I strongly agree with the contention that creativity is nurtured. I do believe in raw talent, but the nurturing is the critical part. My creative nurturing was subtler, but I was very active in nurturing my children and they are both very artistic, in both performance and visual arts.

Sometimes art (creative field) picks you.

My father was a frustrated musician. He played professionally, but never achieved the status that he dreamed of. I would say that his unfulfilled dreams had a profound effect, both positive and negative, on me growing up and becoming an artist. In some ways, I regret the absence of a real hero (an understanding mentor) in my life.

Because I didn't think I had enough "talent" to earn a living by being an artist, I became an art teacher. Now I know that being a good teacher - especially of art - is a talent in and of itself. It has also helped me to develop my own art and I hope to pursue my own work more fully when I retire (soon).

Despite my father's refusal to let me go to art school, I earned a BFA and studies in Paris. My sister's disapproval almost destroyed me. Nevertheless, I became a self-supporting artist -- 20 years later. And learned to listen only to the "voice within".

Early on, I realize now, drawing became a way of disassociating from the mounting drama of mom and dad.

I was an active drug/alcohol addict for 20 years. I have 17 years of sobriety now. I am constantly reminded of the healing properties of art in my everyday life. Without my ability to express my feelings through my chosen medium, I can say that I would probably not be alive today.

I can't remember not drawing - the only discouragement I got was when I did something a little risqué (a drawing of my mother in her underwear when I was 6!)

You asked if my parents were involved in the visual arts (which they were not) but you did not ask about grandparents - of which my grandfather was an artist.

We were about 10 and 12 and on Saturdays we visited the art galleries and museums in town. Nobody ever told us or showed us, but my sister and I just did. That's how we got to know the collections, our favourite pieces of art and the artists who made it.

My mom is a commercial artist as well as a fine artist. My two children draw very well. There was much competition from my mom towards me and my art growing up, so I think that it discouraged me a bit. I did get encouragement from her, but also much criticism. I think I might have done more with my art if the criticism wasn't there.

My parents and grandfather (maternal) were creative. I was expected to perform; too much stress. First husband angry that I wanted to paint. Husband two hated my abilities. Husband three supportive (another artist) - I paint more. Still have old demons. Five years of art therapy. So glad I had the help!

I don't remember a lot of encouragement from my parents regarding creativity. I had one teacher who was particularly discouraging. Both parents are extremely creative, however neither entered into a creative field. I struggle with my creativity every day, but I am determined to push through, thanks to Julia Cameron of The Artist's Way, and Deepak Chopra, author of Seven Spiritual Laws of Success.

I used the excuse that I did not have the backing of others for years. Recently, I began to accept what happened in the past is enabling me to fully enjoy the moment, therefore I am being more creative not only in the studio but in my personal life.

The wonderful smell of oil paints takes me back 40-some years when my Mom bought me my first paint-by-number kit. She's 85 now and still has my very first painting but now she's also impressed by my 'did-it-myself' endeavors.

In my generation, when I left high school, my family would say, "That's a nice painting, dear, but what are you going to do?" Our options seemed to be teaching, nursing or marriage. It's been a long road, but the vision of my mom making little clay animals at the side of a muddy creek kept me from straying off the path.

I am grateful to have a successful art career despite the constant thwarting of my efforts by my parents. Onlookers have told me many times over that they are obviously jealous—something no child wants to acknowledge. But my maternal grandmother was always my "champion", as well as several teachers while growing up, and my passion for painting filled any gaps. Knowing that my grandfather and great grandfather were artists (my great grandfather supported a family of 12 on his art alone during turn-of-the-century London) gave me a sense of purpose and placement in this world as well.

I learned later in life that my attorney father always wanted to teach and write mystery novels! He had 8 kids and a wife to support, so never did get to writing. When he passed I resolved to not let 'life' get in the way of my own pursuit of painting, to finally go for it full tilt. Thanks Dad! But it was always Mom who encouraged me: perhaps she knew a lot more about life's disappointments than I did...

It has taken many years of hard work to achieve a level of personal success. While my parents are now most certainly proud of my artistic accomplishments, I know there were many times in the past when they questioned what I was doing and wished that I would get a "real paying" job.

Having Dyslexia it was natural to find something I could excel in. Being a shy child I could enjoy the arts by myself and be happy. Parents were too busy keeping us fed to take note of my talents. They did read good books aloud to the family. I am the only one of four children to follow the arts.

Spent many frustrating years in unsuitable occupation...finally had the courage to jump off that ship four years back. New creative opportunities have been appearing ever since. I'm 50 years old and have never had this much fun "at work." Am now able to see all those "Dilbert years" as stepping-stones to the delightful place I am today!

I did not start out in art, but came to it after a life-changing event. It made me realize "I" was the one to find it within myself to do it and not wait for the "okay" from others. That would never come first.

Parents emotionally distant, controlling, brutal. Scorned artists as drunkards or homosexuals. I was forced to hide artistic desires till 45 years old. Now I sculpt, write poetry, and paint with pastel. Art frees me!

Amongst my peer group, we refer to ourselves as "first generation artists", torchbearers who are largely self-lit, with no role models within our families as to how we should live this peculiar life. Not without struggle I promise you. I couldn't imagine that I would be where I am today without having that particular hurdle in front of me.

In my life, as important and maybe more important than my immediate family's attitude towards the arts and my personal expression, is the larger cultural context. I grew up in the multi-cultural mix of Southern California. The variety of residents introduced new foods, music, dance and art into our everyday experience. Free libraries and affordable museums abounded along with sponsored free music festivals in the summers. The positive impact of those experiences on me is immeasurable. As a mother, not only do I nurture my young daughter's art experiences, I volunteer in the larger community to share my gifts with others. When we nurture our community's cultural life we ensure that our children have enriching artistic experiences outside the domain of the home.

Father a creative, encouraging, enthusiastic person with writing, conversational and gardening skills who encouraged me to find my own path in life and not to be afraid to hold a minority opinion. I was brought up in London U.K. and taken to art galleries, concerts, beautiful buildings and to meet interesting people, as soon as I could walk.

I had an aunt who was a professional artist, mostly ridiculed by the family until she eventually committed a suicide. My parents were completely insensitive to art, but very appreciative of crafts (mostly for money-saving reasons). My grandfather was most influential in my childhood, spending countless hours telling me stories from the mythology and from his life. I draw as far back as I can remember - always images from my head. I don't have children. I am now a realist painter - an amateur with an ambition. P.S. I am a woman in my late thirties - somewhat androgynous, which is I understand, the next best thing to a man-artist.

My gender has played a significant role in discouraging me from art. Men dominate the ladder of success, probably because they have a woman in the background who's doing the laundry. Or maybe we women are just inferior? I wonder sometimes. But I still have hope.

I do feel that I have inherited my talent at least partially from my grandfather. Even though he was not serious about his work and had no training or ambition to go anywhere with it, he was very talented and my first role model.

How very true about our parents' dreams. My mother always had a desire to attend an art institute, but culture and my Dad didn't permit her to do so. Hence I was fortunate to get a lot of encouragement from her when I entered an art college. I think she still sees her dream being fulfilled as I continue my quest into my work with a passion.

At about age 16, I would often draw on my white bed sheets with ballpoint pen until I fell asleep. It's a wonder my mother didn't punish me, but she never said anything, and I thank her for that. Art is healing and I have evolved from having to create, to deliberately choosing to create. (still evolving in Georgia)

There was a study that came out of McGill University (I believe) a couple of years back that tried to correlate different social factors to creative personality. Surprisingly one factor stood out, and not the one they were expecting... the common thread was "warring parents", a certain level of conflict in the home! Explanations, I would imagine, are still being formulated.

My parents both wanted careers as artists but neither of them "followed their bliss". When I began constantly drawing at the age of two they were unfailingly supportive of me, my dream, consistently until their deaths.

Perhaps a child who spends a lot of time alone finds a joyful companion in creativity.

As much as I got a lot of attention early on for my artistic ability, I also got mixed messages from some teachers. My parents were fearful and negative when they realized I was going to pursue art seriously, as a career. The aunt who supported my creativity intensely would have been happier herself as a full time artist. She worked in an office and died at the age of 50, four days before my 18th birthday. Presently, my father freely insults my work. My mom tries to be supportive.

When I was nine years old, my mother was torn away from me and hospitalized in a tuberculosis sanatorium, and my father was overseas as a soldier in W.W.II. I was sent, along with my three siblings, to another province to live with relatives. Away from my parents, and feeling grief-stricken and "orphaned", making art came to me as a miracle. I didn't know I could be good at something. To my astonishment and pride, I could shine as a creative soul. I was no longer an unwanted child of the universe. I was special.