where to go from Calgary?

For the past three years, I have been searching for a place to study. Since there is no Classical painting instruction in Calgary, I have been at a crossroads. I have given serious thought to the following:

• Academy of Realist Art, in Toronto
• New York Academy of Art (still VERY interested!)
• The art academy in St. Petersburg, Russia, where my teacher went
• Palette and Chisel, in Chicago
• Mims Studio, in North Carolina
• Gage Academy of Art, in Seattle (where Juliette Aristides teaches)
• Studio escalier (for a summer intensive; hoping to go in summer 2010)
• Other places

I have thought of moving to Thailand, or Mexico, or Peru, or somewhere else that is cheap, so I can simply paint all day without having the distraction of work.

I have considered going back to Taiwan to study with Teacher Clock.

I have thought of moving to Taos, to be close to David Leffel. (I even asked him during the workshop if there was an advantage to living in Taos; ie: could I paint with him? He laughed and I think said no, but said I should visit. But I don't know if he meant visit Taos, or visit him, and if he meant visit him, did he really mean visit him?)

Anyway, after asking David's opinion, I have decided to move to New York to attend the Art Students League, where David's student, Gregg Kreutz, teaches. His style is very similar to David Leffel's (and Rembrandt's...), and it would be thrilling to study with a student of The Master. I figure 4 years there would put me in a pretty good spot to consider teaching, or even opening my own studio. Of course, there is the problem of affording to live in New York without working, studying full-time...but I'll make it happen. (I may end up working part-time, or teaching privates. And will hopefully make some money selling works, and maybe getting scholarships. Or maybe a sponsor. That'd be cool. My mother just told me that she sponsored someone working in Africa: sent her $25 a month for 5 years. Maybe I can convince someone to do that.) I am hoping to get some shows and to sell some pieces, and it has occurred to me to approach our art-buying CEO to see if he's interested in purchasing one or more of my works as a charitable donation, but not sure yet how to do that. I also knew someone in Taiwan who had a sale of works when he was leaving the country. Not sure how he did, but it was kind of a fundraiser-type thing. Maybe I could do that. Not sure where else to sell, though, since I am not in a gallery, and won't be any time soon.