When I first came to the nKs in the autumn of 2000, I was already an oil painter with a certain direction.  Much of my vision of 'what I would like to see happen with painting' overlapped, and was enhanced and clarified by my 2 years attending the school.  I think that the exercises we did in my first year were a significant contribution to creating an enhanced vocabulary for my work as a painter, but perhaps more significant was the interest, belief and excitement the teachers had in my path of artistic discovery.  I can only say I feel 'lucky' to have had this experience.