When I was in college, I had a friend that could sing beautifully. I have no musical ability. She was rehearsing for a show one night and I was amazed. “How can you sing like that? I could never do that.” I told her. She said she didn’t know how she did it. She just opened her mouth and it came out. The more she practiced the better it became. She wanted to know how I could draw like I did. I told her that I just started moving my pencil and the drawing started to take shape. The more I did it, the more pleased I was with what I saw. She had a great talent for music; I had a small talent for art. We both enjoyed what we did, and we did it every chance we got.
A talent is defined as an innate ability. Innate means possessed as an essential characteristic. I worked in a daycare center when I was in High School. If you have spent any amount time with a room full of two-year-old, you know that they all have innate abilities. Some of them build amazing things from blocks. Some love to talk and have advanced vocabularies. Some are natural leaders or athletes, and a few have remarkable abilities. I wonder what they would become if they were allowed to develop their abilities freely.
I talked with someone recently that did not believe in talent. Just hard work. I have also read an article or two that tried to say the same thing. I can’t agree with them. Even if I spent the rest of my life trying to sing, I would never be a great singer. I wouldn’t enjoy it and it would be a waste of my time. I don’t believe you can do anything you want just because you are willing to work at it. It takes a bit of talent. I also don’t believe talent can take the place of hard work. Having an innate ability to do something doesn’t mean you can do it automatically.
Tell me what you think.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:00 am
I’m glad you enjoyed my posts. Thank you for the encouragement.
I agree with perfection being boring. It’s the little mistakes that make everything interesting. I love hand made pottery. It’s the slight imperfections that give it personality. A cast mug will never have the charm of a handmade one.
February 28th, 2007 at 12:00 am
I agree with you. I myself am an audience. I appreciate the artists of the world, whether they be painters, singers, writers or great in sports.
It’s not in me to “do” but I sure can appreciate. All through school and since I’m the one making the applause. However, practice makes better…not necessarily perfect (perfection is boring) so hard work is also involved. But, without the inate talent no amount of practice is ever going to make a great artist.
Enjoying your posts. Keep up the great work with your pencils. The pictures have turned out beautifully.