Art: Who Can Do It? Is Talent Required?
At this point you may be wondering if you are going to be able to learn to draw and paint.
Is art for the selected few with "talent" or can anyone join in the fun? Betty Edwards used a clever analogy in her book, "Drawing on the Artist Within" that went something like this: imagine if we taught reading the way we teach art.
The teacher supplies lots of materials (in this case books) for the children to handle and manipulate while the teacher waits to see what happens.
The teacher does not tamper with the child's spontaneous attempts to read for fear of spoiling creativity in reading.
If a child asks, "How do I read?" the response is, "Just be free, do what comes, use your imagination and just enjoy it! Reading should be fun!" The teacher watches to see which children show talent for reading, the implication being if a child isn't talented, instruction won't help.
Let's say 3 out of 25 children manage somehow to learn to read.
No doubt someone will say it's genetic - Aunt Bessy was a good reader and so it must run in the family.
Meanwhile, the other 22 children will grow up convinced they can't read, have no talent for it and can't learn.
This sounds absurd when we are talking about reading, but it is exactly what happens in art education and is equally as absurd.
Desire not talent I don't mean to say that there isn't such a thing as talent.
There is but talent isn't necessary to be successful in art.
People with less talent and more desire will go further than those with talent and no desire.
The Los Angeles TImes printed anartile that concluded in a five year study of the nation's top artist, athletes and scholars, it is drive and determination, not great talent, that lead to their extraordinary success.
New Pathways for Creativity to Flow Perceptual skills of drawing are all teachable.
What is not teachable is creativity.
Creativity is innate.
However, by learning the basics of seeing as an artist sees, you can lay down new pathways in the brain through which your creativity can flow out, so you can express your own unique sense of beauty in your own totally unique way that feels right to you.
Personal Style Creativity, aesthetics and personal style are already here.
The way you dress, decorate your home shows your taste, and it is very personal.
There is no right or wrong to it.
It simply is your style.
It is what you love.
I good teacher can help you bring forth and develop your personal style, but you do the work.
You unfold yourself, you discover who you are, and you say what it is you want to say, in the way you want to say it.
You make your own choices.
Beyond Limits The more skill you have to ground you, the more freedom you will feel to fly high.
You'll feel more certain of yourself and that confidence builds courage to go beyond your previous limits.
First build a strong foundation, then get curious and discover what wants to be expressed through your art.
Anyone who wants to can learn these skills.
I have seen people who think they have little to no talent, learn how to draw and paint beautifully here at Austin Art Classes.
It is my sincere wish for you to know and experience fully the wonder and delight of your own beautiful and true artistic creative Self!
Is art for the selected few with "talent" or can anyone join in the fun? Betty Edwards used a clever analogy in her book, "Drawing on the Artist Within" that went something like this: imagine if we taught reading the way we teach art.
The teacher supplies lots of materials (in this case books) for the children to handle and manipulate while the teacher waits to see what happens.
The teacher does not tamper with the child's spontaneous attempts to read for fear of spoiling creativity in reading.
If a child asks, "How do I read?" the response is, "Just be free, do what comes, use your imagination and just enjoy it! Reading should be fun!" The teacher watches to see which children show talent for reading, the implication being if a child isn't talented, instruction won't help.
Let's say 3 out of 25 children manage somehow to learn to read.
No doubt someone will say it's genetic - Aunt Bessy was a good reader and so it must run in the family.
Meanwhile, the other 22 children will grow up convinced they can't read, have no talent for it and can't learn.
This sounds absurd when we are talking about reading, but it is exactly what happens in art education and is equally as absurd.
Desire not talent I don't mean to say that there isn't such a thing as talent.
There is but talent isn't necessary to be successful in art.
People with less talent and more desire will go further than those with talent and no desire.
The Los Angeles TImes printed anartile that concluded in a five year study of the nation's top artist, athletes and scholars, it is drive and determination, not great talent, that lead to their extraordinary success.
New Pathways for Creativity to Flow Perceptual skills of drawing are all teachable.
What is not teachable is creativity.
Creativity is innate.
However, by learning the basics of seeing as an artist sees, you can lay down new pathways in the brain through which your creativity can flow out, so you can express your own unique sense of beauty in your own totally unique way that feels right to you.
Personal Style Creativity, aesthetics and personal style are already here.
The way you dress, decorate your home shows your taste, and it is very personal.
There is no right or wrong to it.
It simply is your style.
It is what you love.
I good teacher can help you bring forth and develop your personal style, but you do the work.
You unfold yourself, you discover who you are, and you say what it is you want to say, in the way you want to say it.
You make your own choices.
Beyond Limits The more skill you have to ground you, the more freedom you will feel to fly high.
You'll feel more certain of yourself and that confidence builds courage to go beyond your previous limits.
First build a strong foundation, then get curious and discover what wants to be expressed through your art.
Anyone who wants to can learn these skills.
I have seen people who think they have little to no talent, learn how to draw and paint beautifully here at Austin Art Classes.
It is my sincere wish for you to know and experience fully the wonder and delight of your own beautiful and true artistic creative Self!