This is a topic that I am often confronted with as a teacher. Typically, a potential student will ask me this question, and then look into my eyes earnestly, as if the answer will determine their success as a creative person.
This is a topic that I am often confronted with as a teacher. Typically, a potential student will ask me this question, and then look into my eyes earnestly, as if the answer will determine their success as a creative person.
What I usually say is that I find the question irrelevant. I ask them if the idea of painting is interesting to them. I want to know if they like the process of making images. Do they have the ability to move through frustration or confront obstacles? How accepting could they be when they try to paint one thing and end up with something different?
The general public seems to like to romanticize the idea of artistic ?inspiration? and creativity. If one is ?born to be a creator? then the average person if ?off the hook.? They don?t have to confront their own capacity to create if they are ?born to do it.?
What I usually say is that I find the question irrelevant. I ask them if the idea of painting is interesting to them. I want to know if they like the process of making images. Do they have the ability to move through frustration or confront obstacles? How accepting could they be when they try to paint one thing and end up with something different?
The general public seems to like to romanticize the idea of artistic ?inspiration? and creativity. If one is ?born to be a creator? then the average person if ?off the hook.? They don?t have to confront their own capacity to create if they are ?born to do it.?
How much more difficult it is to imagine that finding one?s creative abilities takes patience, time, work and practice. Even the difference between the professional artist and the amateur once can be just ?showing up for work? whether one feels like it or not. For the professional, the act of creation is a day at work. True moments of inspiration do occur. Inspiring moments can take you by surprise, often while you are working. At this point, the skill is learning to ?be present? as new ideas lead you ? often in a direction you did not expect. The artist must then have the courage to try new things and take chances.
So, if you want to discover your creative side and think you want to paint, commit yourself to going through the process of learning and experimenting with basic art concepts. Don?t be judgmental or ?lay your abilities on the line.? Allow yourself the leeway to explore and make mistakes. Try to enjoy the process of learning. Put less importance on the finished work. If this attitude is maintained over an extended period of time, it is certain that there will be worthwhile results and you can experience great joy in the discovery of a new dimension of yourself.
How much more difficult it is to imagine that finding one?s creative abilities takes patience, time, work and practice. Even the difference between the professional artist and the amateur once can be just ?showing up for work? whether one feels like it or not. For the professional, the act of creation is a day at work. True moments of inspiration do occur. Inspiring moments can take you by surprise, often while you are working. At this point, the skill is learning to ?be present? as new ideas lead you ? often in a direction you did not expect. The artist must then have the courage to try new things and take chances.
So, if you want to discover your creative side and think you want to paint, commit yourself to going through the process of learning and experimenting with basic art concepts. Don?t be judgmental or ?lay your abilities on the line.? Allow yourself the leeway to explore and make mistakes. Try to enjoy the process of learning. Put less importance on the finished work. If this attitude is maintained over an extended period of time, it is certain that there will be worthwhile results and you can experience great joy in the discovery of a new dimension of yourself.
For me painting is sort of like dancing – some people do have a raw/natural ‘talent’, but it is raw/natural and it can only reach it’s full potential once one perseveres and believes. This is why you see many who don’t have that natural ability but are more actively creative than those who do have it but don’t use it. I think that having a ‘talent’ means that one’s creativity is more dynamic and accessible.
This is my opinion 🙂