ARTISTIC ABILITY...NATURAL OR LEARNED? - By Autumn Boyet-Stinton (Original Article Written 7/13/2008)

This is a GREAT question...and one that has been and will probably always be debated...

Here are my thoughts:

ART is in EVERYONE and EVERYTHING.  The ability to tap into that creative quality varies from person to person.  Some people are just more in tune with their creative side.  Some people are born that way...others are taught and have their creativity NURTURED...others find their way into their creativity as a result of events.  But the point is....it is in all of us to begin with. 

We are each masterpieces in our own right...so of course there is ART and talent in EVERYONE. 

Therefore, I would argue with anyone that says that you can't teach anyone to be an artist. 

I think an example worth considering is that woman that we've discussed in previous posts (Dr Anne Adams - Canadian scientist who died of a rare brain disease)   She was a analytical person who was not "ARTSY" at all.  However, after something changed in her brain, she was able to connect with the "torrent of creativity" in her mind. 

ART is different for each person.  ART is painting to one person, mowing the lawn to another, cooking for someone else, and raising children to yet another.  The point is...ART is not definable by one person...what is ART to me is not to someone else...and just because a teacher can't see far enough into someone to find their ART, doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. 

So....no matter who you are...I believe you are an ARTIST.  It is just a matter of finding your sweet spot and appreciating what it is! 

As for me personally, ART has always been a part of my life.  I took all the classes in school and got all the scholarships and learned all the stuff I was supposed to.....but it wasn't until later in my life that I gained an APPRECIATION for what I had inside of me.

The sudden and unexpected death of my daddy was a re-vitalization of ART in my life.  I was a daddy's girl and I had come love him so much more than I can ever express...He was my friend, and my hero and so much more...I came home from his funeral and picked up my brushes for the first time in years and painted a picture just for him.  In the middle of the hot summer, I felt cold, barren, empty and alone...and I painted that along with the cold and snow that my dad loved....Here is what I painted:

"SIMPLE SNOW" - For my dad. © Autumn Boyet Stinton 2003

Then a couple years later, as I was facing a brain tumor and brain surgery...I was once again reminded that life was precious and it struck another cord with me. 

In a matter of a couple years, my art went from knowledge to FEELING  - and for me....that is when the expressions became potent.  Whether or not my creations came out like I wanted them to...I learned to accept what I was expressing...and that is an ART in itself! 

That being said, not everyone wants to delve into their creativity.  It can be a strange place....there are all sorts of emotions tied into our creativity.  Some are scary and some don't make sense.  Honestly, I've been painting before and started crying.  Reaching that place in our souls can be quite moving. 

I love that I am able to find expression and sharing here with you all! 

Here's to cultivating the ART in ourselves and sharing it with others!