Failing Creatively: Is Art Nature or Nurture?
Art is a skill that anyone can learn... right?
When I was young and would visit my grandparents, my grandpa had this back room, it held a lot of stuff and was basically was a utility room for my grandparents. At the very back of this room, my grandfather had a large workbench that took up the whole width of the room, and on it he had all sorts of tools for stained glass. When I was still to small to even really see over the bench I remember going back there and watching him work. He would carefully trace the shapes he needed and cut the glass, then he would wrap the edges (I think with copper?) before getting the torch to solder the pieces together. Often when he was done he would then build a frame for the piece.
When I was in first or second grade I remember my mom wanted to upgrade her kitchen cabinets so my dad took them down under the guise of getting them refinished. While my mom thought my dad was fixing them in his usual procrastinating way. What he really had done was take them to my grandfather to get help putting stained glass in the cabinet doors. When they finally came back my mom was so surprised that they had done that for her and she loved it.
These are two stories about my grandfather, who was my main obvious connection to art as I grew up. I thought that I was surrounded by scientists. As I grew I learned that I was surround by more creatives and artists than I could have ever realized. Many of my family members were artistic, be it through crafting, painting, music or more.
I should be clear that art is a skill that anyone can learn, while some are born with natural inclinations, if you want to be artistic or creative then it is absolutely something that anyone can pick up and learn with time and determination. My own natural ability always leaned more towards sketching and pencil art than painting but that doesn’t mean that I cannot learn the skill with time and practice.
That said I think we all have creative people in our lives and families who inspire our natural talents. For me that was my grandfather initially and as time went on I found that there was inspiration all around me. Watching my grandfather work was a formative memory from when I went to visit him as a child. Though seeing my mother when she had a project in mind and would start refinishing furniture was also artistic and creative. Or my aunt who painted watercolors. As I learned more about my family I found more inspiration around me.
With that I ask you all this week to think about your inspiration. What set you down your path of creativity? Was it a family member? A teacher? A friend? Did you have a natural talent that you fostered or was it shear determination and interest that propelled you to create art? Do you have a favorite medium? How about a favorite game or movie that inspired you?
I am going to leave you with a photo of my grandfather’s stained glass. I look forward to having the perfect window to hang it in someday.
Till next time keep failing creatively, and see you soon.
Thank you so much for joining me on my journey.
Remember that supporting me with follows or donations funds my creative practice … But honestly follows are great, I try not to hide things behind a paywall
What an interesting article you’ve written! So awesome that you have many creative family members! I think art is a skill, but I believe it’s only obvious to those who make art. For everyone else, it’s a talent. Art is skill combined with a distinctive artistic vision and voice, aesthetics, and narrative. All of these are unique to each artist.
My favorite medium is watercolor. I think I might be somewhat of a misfit though. Oil paintings are much more in demand among collectors… and they cost a fortune, too. Not to mention that people travel to cities like Paris and Amsterdam to see oil paintings. Yet I choose to stick to watercolor… I enjoy its transparent nature, versatility, and beautiful luminosity. It’s also non-toxic and a more ethical, more environmentally friendly option (compared to oil-based paints, for example, although these days, you can probably find non-toxic alternatives).
Thanks for sharing your grandfather’s stained glass - it's beautiful!