Looking to becoming an artist
I'm currently in my last year of highschool and am worrying about what to do after university. I really don't know how to get into the business, where to begin where to get experience and stuff like that, currently I'm drawing and painting, digitally, a lot and I'm going to try my hand at 3d modelling and animation. I'm just really scared that I'm not going to be able to get into the community. I live in Tzaneen in Limpopo, as far as I know there isn't really a studio or dev team I can talk to around here. What can I do during my studies and after to get noticed? This is really a big dream of mine and I don't want to give up on it. Also sorry if I put this in the wrong category or anything
Comments
Not only do you have more free time during your day to try stuff out, learn things and take steps in your art (believe me, you're never less busy than when you're at school) - you've also got the luxury of time before you have to "decide" anything even remotely permanent. It sounds like you're certain you're going to university, that's a rare privilege, and one you can wring a lot of things out of if you approach university as not just a place with courses. University is a chance for you to hone your art by making small games, or animations, or writing short stories, or hanging out with philosophers and scientists and humans you find stimulating/arousing. University is a lot of free time to build yourself the beginnings of experience that will eventually turn into a life. You don't need to rush that.
As for getting into making games... Congratulations! You're in :) Now make stuff! That's all you need to do: Paint over screenshots of prototypes here, message people whose games or art you like and strike up conversations, ask questions and learn. There's no secret society, no community that people have to allow you to join, just make things and you'll be "in". Maybe you won't be getting paid immediately, but you'll be building your portfolio to the point where paying jobs will happen. If you're smart and tailor your portfolio towards things you love doing that are also gaps in the local market (so not trying to do concept art, basically) that'll move much faster.
But mostly, relax. You've got time. Use it.