Is it really talent?

Doug Ridley · #1 11-04-2006, 10:02 AM

Wondering what others think about this. If this has been discussed before I'll delete it.
It has long been my contention that what most people call talent is nothing but the result of a lot of time and hard work. I have long believed that most anyone with a reasonable amount of manual dexterity can learn to do what we do, and eventually do it well. When we used to set up at shows often folks would say "You are so talented" or "I could never do that". My stock answer was that they could if they wanted to badly enough to spend enough time on it. I would also say that talent is one per cent inspiration and 99 per cent perspiration. That being said, I also believe that there are some people who have a gift and can do amazing things right from the start. These are probably the true artists.
What are your thoughts?

Lynn O. Doughty · #2 11-04-2006, 10:17 AM

Doug.....I agree with you completely. However, I would never tell the viewer or prospective buyer/collector that they could also do what I do. That would give them the idea that "Gee....If I can do what he does why should I waste my money buying one of his pieces when I can go home and make my own?" I think it's better to just say "Thanks for the compliment" and then stark working up an answer for the next invariable question...."How long did it take you?"

Irish · #3 11-04-2006, 10:25 AM

Oh - Lynn! So true. And after that they start to tell you about their five year old neice that is a budding crayon artist!

Talent and well developed skills go hand in hand. What we give time to we perfect. I am reminded of the art shows where someone is 'discovered' as if they just started painting yesterday. The truth is that they have been painting/carving/burning for many many years to create the level of expertise they are showing.

Susan

Nancy-ID · #4 11-04-2006, 10:33 AM

I totally agree with Doug also, I would add though that I think other than calling it talent I would say one "has an eye". I don't think I could explain that very well but I think you all know what I mean.

Lynn: why does everyone always ask as you said, "How long did it take you?". I never have an answer for that because I never keep track of time

Irish · #5 11-04-2006, 10:40 AM

Nancy, I don't know what Lynn will answer but I learned what I believe is a perfect responce to that question years ago from an art instructor ... His answer, "A LIfe Time!" As he explained to me he could not have painted That Painting one day sooner without all the learning, practice and experiences that went before it.

Susan

Kenny_S · #6 11-04-2006, 10:41 AM

So Doug,Lynn, Susan, Is it safe to say you all don't have talent????

Irish · #7 11-04-2006, 10:45 AM

Kenny, Good to see you friend!!!!

I grew up in a household where there was always some form of arts or crafts happening. The joke is that my Mom, an oil artist, handed me a crayon before I even learned to walk ... I grew up an artist.

Now in that same household there was not one musical instrument. My folks only used the radio for the news programs ... I failed forth grade flute (no one on this earth fails flute ... but me), I failed at eight grade band too ... and my son tells me to "Please don't hum along with the car radio, Mom!!!"

I do believe that talent is a learned skill and I believe that it is learned at an extremely young age as the way one expresses themselves.

Susan

Doug Ridley · #8 11-04-2006, 10:47 AM

Ya, but I had no eye 'til I had been carving for a while. (sometimes I wonder if I do now). I believe the "eye" is developed over time and repetition. Lynn, I don't worry about telling people that they can do it 'cause 999 out of 1000 will never try it anyhow and of the few who do most will give it up pretty quickly as too much work. I have had quite a few come to me saying they want to learn to carve but very few (read one) who actually stayed with it. Besides Lynn, I don't believe you could convince very many that they could do what you do. I don't even believe you can convince a lot of the carvers on this board that they will ever reach your skill level. Irish, that's a good answer to the age old question of how long.

Lynn O. Doughty · #9 11-04-2006, 10:50 AM

Some people, carvers included, think that how long it takes to do something is the most important thing. I know a carver who actually writes on the bottom of his pieces how much time he put in. Guess he works by the hour. I always try to ignore that question or usually respond that I don't really keep time.

Like anything, it's the sales pitch that also completes the sale as much as the item. I've been to enough shows that I can usually spot a prospective buyer right off. That's the person I hone in on. Anybody else it's just polite responses and agreeable head nods!

Kenny_S · #10 11-04-2006, 10:57 AM

I agree somewhat Susan and not to DRAG this out longer, you have to have the "Talent" first, or the eye or the nack or whatever you want to call it. Some people have the "Talent" to sing and then most of us don't have that "talent" or the eye, or the nack, or the Gift. It is given to us. It is then up to us to develop it more.
Best to you all, I am out of here