If you want to be a respected artist without a degree, you must focus on your portfolio. Even if you have a bachelor of fine arts, you have little credibility unless you display your talents. Many burgeoning artists build a portfolio -- collection of their most prized works -- by taking an internship with a more experienced artist or an entry-level job that involves art, such as a production artist or creating basic art for companies, such as a logo for a business card.
Many art institutes will accept you into an advanced art program as long as you can demonstrate the skill level of a respected artist. Self-taught artists often learn on their own and by studying the works of more respected artists. Some of the best artists come from all walks of life. Eddie Arning, for example, was an Austin-based artist that began learning art as a form of therapy in his mid-60s.
Many artists hold full-time jobs in other fields while they develop their artistic skills. While they establish their name in their field, they constantly network and circulate their work. Enter your work into contests, such as an art festival if paint or film festival or you work with video, and try to get your own show at an art gallery. In 2011, many well known artists do not have good fundamental skills but are more famous for the message they send or some unique trademark associated with their work. For example, eccentric artist Morris Katz often used toilet paper to create his works.
Depending on what you work, some formal education might be a necessity or extremely helpful to your career. For example, illustrators for medical textbooks often need courses in biology. Alternatively, you might work an entry-level art job full-time but also enroll in a degree program part-time to enhance your skills and network. One of the most important characteristics of a great artist is perseverance. You will be rejected or criticized harshly at some point in your career, especially your first few visits to an art studio, according to Valerie Atkisson of ArtBistro.