This is the last ‘Art Truth’ I wish I knew:
I used to think that I needed to be born with this special magic sauce called “talent” in order to be an artist. 🪄
In fact, if you ask anyone about being an artist, they’d day you need “talent”.
But I would learn that this is the biggest myth about being an artist.
Here’s why:
I once watched a documentary called “The Long Game” which documents the story of Leonardo Da Vinci. ✏️
He’s the dude that created the most Famous painting in the whole world – The Mona Lisa and the Last Supper.
I thought Leo was talented right from birth.
But apparently not.
Young Leo started drawing at the age of 10-14~
And he would go on to struggle and practice art for the next 30 YEARS! Before creating his first master piece ‘The Last supper’ at the tender age of 43-46 😏
And He created the Mona Lisa at 51.
and some more later on. And some before.
But his life defining work came after 30 years of practice and study. ✍️
Same with Miyazaki.
• He Made his first film at the age of 41 after 10-15 years in the animation industry.
• And his top films in the last decade.
That’s when I realized the truth.
What we call Talent – is just the lack of an “off Switch”
• These folks DON’T STOP.
They keep going for decades before seeing any rewards.
It’s hard to suck at something when you have been doing that for 20 years straight.
In fact, IMO – Calling these folks “talented” is an insult to their existence. 😤
It’s essentially saying “You have achieved all the things you have accomplished because you are born with something that I don’t have”.
This is a Losing mentality that has ZERO upside.
THE GOOD PART: We have access to the same thing these folks do (If not more). That means – If they can put in the work, so can we.
That right there,
Is the Winning Mentality. 💪
These are all the lessons I’ve learned in the Last 10 years that has shaped me as an Artist.
1. Art Style is not Found. It’s Built.
2. Drawing is NOT Art.
3. You can’t be Happy everyday.
4. You CAN make money with Art.
5. Most Artists are NOT that “Talented”.
Feel free to check them out on my blog, in case you missed the email.
I genuinely hope these help you be a better artist 🙂
Best,
Kesh.
P.S. 48 Hours to go! 🔥
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