A friend recently shared the above sentiment with me and I have let it simmer in my little artist's wanna-be heart since then.
There are so many things I wish I could do and they are usually supplemented with "Talent notwithstanding, I'd be a..."
Where do I begin?
Ballet Dancer: It could be the addiction to teen-angst movies like Center Stage and Save the Last Dance and the slightly off-putting love affair that began with my sister's life-size poster of Mikhail Baryshnikov, but I've always loved the idea of donning some pink tights and a black leotard and pirouetting my way across stage. We'll pretend it's weak ankles that keep me from Swan Lake and not a fear of being lifted or my propensity for dizziness when turning in circles.
Sculptor or Potter: I love the idea creating beautiful hand-crafted pottery or artful pieces made of metal. And haven't I taken courses at local artists studios. But much to my dismay the outer limits lives of artists are cemented in one disturbing foundation - math. You'd be surprised how much measuring and arithmetic is involved in art. Stupid art.
Photographer: I hang out with some pretty awesome photographers. In fact, I was raised by some pretty good photographers. And while I can boast being Photo Editor of my high school newspaper - that was primarily because I was willing to spend a week of my summer vacation at MSU to tinker around with other geeky shutterbugs. And I was able to take an occasional "cool" photo. But then you see people who consistently take beautiful shots and you think "I am such a poser". For now, I'll have to settle for the occasional "cool" photo and some decent photo editing skills (see photo above).
Musician: This is a big one for me. "Talent notwithstanding" I'd chuck the Cube Farm and make my living as a singer/songwriter. And don't think for a second I haven't given it a go. I've taken guitar lessons and aside from the nasty callouses I was able to procure, the ability to make my left hand do one thing while the right did something completely different was beyond me. I've dabbled in some singing, but mostly of the harmonizing with the car radio variety. Sure, I'm the lead vocalist of a band called Two-faced Mary, but it wouldn't take you more than 3.2 seconds to figure out why we call it "vocalist" and not "singer". I've tried hanging out with singers and musicians to see if any of their ridiculous talent would rub off on me, but so far - no luck.
I suppose I should be happy that I can string a few words together in a way that is not all-together unpleasant, but that doesn't keep my heart from longing for a more "lead in the school play" talent. 'Til then, I'll just keep trying to get away with what I can.
4 comments:
I've always been of the 'I don't know anything about art, but I know what I like' school of art appreciation. A friend of mine once took an art class. For one of her projects she created a Christmas Tree with ornements telling the story of her family and her life. Another student didn't bother doing his project, he showed up drinking a Mountain Dew. When he finished the Dew, he wadded up the can and turned it in as his project. The Popcan Artist got an A and my friend got a stern talking to about her lack of talent and inability to understand art. Yep, you're right; Art is what you can get away with.
I think you greatly underestimate your talent. In my humble opinion, you "get away with" quite a bit! You're amazingly talented.
It's just crazy to me when a talented artist...aka...EDH... don't think they're artistic... the world has gone mad.
"Talent notwithstanding, I'd be a..."
...millionaire
Then I could be anything I want to be and no one would say boo! It's not like I'd have to make a living at any one thing, and I wouldn't have to develop or be born with any talents. People would like my stuff because I have money :).
Seriously though, I agree with everyone else. Often what the world terms artistic just doesn't do it for me. Everyone has their own eye and their own interpretation of every painting, sculpture, photograph, song, etc. In the end, what's important is that it is pleasing to you. And, if it pleases a few others along way, all the better.
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