Table of Contents
How do you know if you’re an artist?
If you make art, you are an artist. It’s not dictated by financial success or professional success. But if you don’t make art, then you aren’t an artist anymore. Loneliness is not something we talk about easily but artists can’t ignore the subject. For most artists, solitude is an everyday reality. Is being an artist lonely? You bet, and some people cope better than others. Artists are both born and taught, says Nancy Locke, associate professor of art history at Penn State. There is no question in my mind that artists are born, says Locke. Many artists arrive in the world brimming with passion and natural creativity and become artists after trying other vocations. Is there an age when it’s too late? Adults can learn to draw if they have enough time, practice on a daily basis, and have plenty of patience. There are countless videos, courses, and books, that teach the basics of drawing. Anyone can become a better artist and improve their level of skill with the right work ethic.
How do you know if you’re artistically gifted?
Artistically gifted students typically exhibit a strong sense of creativity. They are risk-takers who employ innovative methods, use interesting materials, and test artistic boundaries. For example, when the rest of the class is still drawing stick figures, they’re experimenting with three-dimensional figures. The Talented Artist Myth Some people believe that the heavens above gift precious few mere mortals with the talent of art. However, that is most definitely not the case. Art, like anything else, is a skill. It is a muscle that you exercise and develop. Creative people have a heightened sensitivity to their surroundings. Their sensory experiences (i.e. the way they perceive sound, light, smell, etc.) are intensified. They may pick up on the little things in the environment that others miss or see patterns where others see randomness. It can be very hard to be close to an artist because they think so differently from the average person. Some of their common and less desirable personality traits are neurosis, self absorption, moodiness and disorganization. Your art portfolio should show a diverse range of skill and visual experiences. Demonstrate that you are able to use and experiment with a range of styles, mediums and techniques and can control, apply and manipulate mediums in a skilful, appropriate and intentional way. Amabile’s componential model of creativity (Amabile, 1983, 1988) consists of three components—domain-relevant skills, creativity-relevant skills, and task motivation—that are all essential for creative performance.