Far too often when I'm doodling an eye, I hear people say to me, "I wish I could do that." What? Draw something? Distract yourself from what you should be doing? Pick up a pencil!

What they mean is they wish they could sketch realistically. These comments get me thinking about artists and non-artists on a larger scale. Why are so many people satisfied with thinking they can't be artists? When the truth is, they probably already are very artistic and creative thinkers. And if you're really not, all it takes is a little discipline and effort.

I decided to let everyone in on some secrets about art and creativity that I've learned after years of art classes and practicing my craft. Here's 5 reasons why, "I'm not an artist" is a dumb excuse.


1. Being good at art is a skill to be crafted, not a personality trait.

Sure, some of us are born with an eye for design and a steady hand, but just like musicians, artists have to spend years perfecting their technical skills. And that creative, unique "something" that you think you will just never have? Artists develop that over time as well. So unless you've taken years of art classes and devoted hours of practice to the medium you claim you'll never be proficient in, I will continue to think most of your shortcomings are just the result of laziness.

2. Art is about intention.

How many of you look at a men's urinal and think, "what a breathtaking piece of art?" I'm gonna just go ahead and guess none of you. But when Marcel Duchamp put one on a pedestal and called it art, it was. That work of art completely pissed off art critics and snobs around the world, and it is still making people scratch their heads and think today. If the Dada movement (and basically every piece of Modern art) doesn't tell you that anything can be art if you intend for it to be, you're not really paying attention.

3. There are creative ways to do anything.

There are a hundred different paths you can take to get to one destination. According to CSUN, creativity is defined as the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others. To me, this means if you have the ability to see things from a different perspective and enough ingenuity to solve your own problems, you're a creative individual.

4. Not all artists can paint.

Art encompasses painting, sketching, pottery, sculpture, dancing, theater, graphic design, and so much more. Just because your fine motor skills aren't up to par with that of DaVinci's doesn't mean you can't find your niche in the arts world.

5. Remember what we learned when we were little: We can be anything we want to be.

Pretty much speaks for itself. You can be as creative and artistic as you're willing to work to be. Now go do it!

Labels: 5 reasons, 5 reasons why, art, Art History, artists, banksy, creativity, excuses, intentional art, painting, sketching, van gogh