From Amateur to Artist
“Every artist was at first an amateur..” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
This quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson is in my mind today - a solid reminder that no matter where I am now, I will always be striving for more. There is a sense of peace in this - even the most famous and successful folks in the world started as novices. My 2024 has been a year full of travel, love, and a TON of inspiration…but very little actual art made. That can feel frustrating at times when I go back into my studio and gear up for some final works of the year. I can hesitate at times to start actually painting, and only when I am able to reset my mindset am I able to push through that mental block into productivity. Every artist is well acquainted with self doubt and self-criticism, we forget that art is an ongoing process and not a final outcome.
The most common things that non-artists say to me is that they “can’t draw” or that they “aren’t artistically talented”. Yet when you ask many experienced artists what they think of their level or body of work, and they often will only show you other artists who are on a level they feel they aren’t even close to or they will say, “It’s just practice”. The truth is somewhere in between natural talent and practical study. There is a natural proclivity to creativity or manual dexterity - but there is even more to be found in learning, practice and repetition. When I find myself feeling frustrated or stagnant in my creativity, I ask myself if I am practicing or being complacent. Am I doing the work or am I merely expecting results? I put myself back in the amateur role and take a class or try a new technique! As soon as I don the safety of beginner’s mind, the magic unfolds. Mistakes become lessons, and uncertainty transforms into the raw material of innovation.
A good measure of the tricks and tools that I know (and most other artists know) are learned. We started as amateurs, then learned the basics, built upon that solid foundation and only then did we learn how to improvise and combine tools and skills! From anatomy basics that I have repeated so often they are second nature (the corner of the eyes should line up with the edge of the nostrils, the pupils line up with the corner of the lips) to composition basics (the rule of thirds and how to draw in perspective), these learned skills have become a strong basis that enable me to work with less effort through drafting and construction of more complex work. Only once I have those fundamentals down can I layer creativity on top while still making an image believable to the viewer. I have seen artists with tremendous heart and dedication grow ten-fold over artists who seemingly have a more innate talent through sheer effort and consistent work alone.
I invite you to join me today in assessing where in life (and art) you are feeling masterful, like an amateur, and where you have room to grow. While we cannot control the ebb and flow of the creative tides, we can put in the work and there is no denying that constant effort is a sure-fire way to improve whatever you put your energy towards.
I’d love to hear if you have any areas where you are feeling like an amateur and a master and how you can lean into it more! Drop me a comment below or message me directly!
~Your Friend,
Rose
