Talent
Fri ,23/04/2010Let’s talk about a mysterious word tonight, the word: Talent.
I have used it a lot, talking so much about Spencer Bell yesterday. I do hope you know about Spencer Bell, being in here with so many posts dedicated to him. If not, do yourself a favor and check out : http://www.Spencerbellmemorial.com . But let’s get back to the subject.
It is another one of those numerous words that don’t really make any sense, even though it is used so often. I have been told i have got talent, by different people, some I know, some i don’t, well didn’t. And i do use it too. However, i am not sure it has the same sense for them as it has for me.
I have been thinking about it for a while. What makes you an artist or a scribbler.
I will not have the pretention to define those notions all by myself. But here is what came from my brain.
I do believe that talent is a shortcut to describe a chaotic mix of certain dispositions.
Every person that enjoys art, can create art. To be an artist you first need a certain sensitivity. While it is true that some people do not have it, it is pretty rare to be completely deprived of that sensitivity.
Most people do enjoy a good song, or a beautiful painting, or a harmonious display of colors on their walls..
The second thing needed, is work. There are techniques to be learnt. While teaching art “class” is a concept to be discussed, it is true that certain techniques can be taught. Of course, you can also discover them on your own. However, is it really needed to rediscover the wheel each time? For a painter, you need to train your body, so your hand will be able to draw what your eye see. It is something than can be learnt. I sucked at drawing at the beginning. But with training, you can do something acceptable in the end. I am not lying. I have proof that i won’t disclose in here but I could show you, if you wonder.
Same with a writer. You need to keep learning words, searching for rythms, and rhymes.. Idioms that could describe life and things around you. Each art has its own demands, its own difficulties. Well, i am sure you catch my drift in here.
The last thing needed, is the most difficult one. It is my personal belief that most people thinking they’ll never be artist are simply missing out on this one. You need guts! To just jump in the raging flow and see if you can swim. Guts to try, and then guts to show it around, guts to receive the critics, bite your tongue and go back to it, guts not to fall in the easy path and really try out your weirdest ideas. It is true, sometimes I feel very silly, searching the whole house for some red and ending up drawing with my lipstick because I could not find my pastels or pens… But the results are always interesting. For you and others. For example, drawing with a lipstick is very pleasant because it truly slide on the paper, better than any pen I had. And it gives the drawing a good smell, which would not have happened with the pastels.
So this could sum up my definition of talent: Sensitivity, Work and Guts.
If you combine those, you’ll be an artist, AND a talented one.
Because with all those, you can observe and extract from life, what people need to see or hear, what will touch them.
And this, my friend, is art.
so anyone who is awake feel free to tune
