PS "Do you need a Masters Degree in art to be an artist?"

Funny you should say that. I have a very good friend at USF who studied art there, and he is very good. His art is traditional, although he doesn't reject 20th century art outright, he is quite selective about it and is appalled by all the bullshit in the art world and what nonsense passes for the avant-garde.

He learned early on his classes were a waste of time (art turned to BS long before the other disciplines did) using the university facilities and collections, and the few teachers he respected, to teach himself traditional technique. He went to classes just enough to get his bachelors degree, and then refused to go any further because it was a waste of time.

He earned his living like a true artist, working as a lowly clerk in the bookstore, but soon became involved in the union there and rose to become the head of the (non-academic) union at the college, quite a powerful and influential position. He earned his living by working for the state, lived his intellectual and public life in the union movement, and painted strictly for personal fulfillment and a few private commissions, mostly portraits. He was very good at all three. He's retired now, married a beautiful girl, and is one of the most kind, sane, decent and intelligent men I know, and one of the happiest.

Sometimes you just have to take charge of your own education.