The Myth of Talent

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talent

There are too many variables involved in the processes and events related to achieving success. My original intention for this post was to put together two variables: talent and hard work. Specially for artists it seems like these two are either a blessing or a frustration. However, after consideration I decided to focus on the myth of talent by itself instead. Next post I can concentrate in the myth of hard work because each one of these two elements deserve their own discussion.

What is talent? According to the dictionary, talent is “a marked innate ability, skill, aptitude or faculty“. In other words, you do something right naturally. We know that talent by itself is not enough to grant you success in most cases. Talent requires for us to work on it, learn and perfect what we naturally do. I’ve been drawing since I was 4 years old but if I didn’t practice and learned new things I could be probably drawing the same way I did back then. I’m pretty sure my drawing skills changed with time and practice. I’m pretty sure that since my first sculpture in 1997 my natural ability has changed because I’ve been practicing and learning. The innate ability is important for sure but if we love it and want to be better at it we need to put some effort to improve. 

Cultivated talent is sadly not enough to grant you success. It is just one variable in the equation. Judging for some artwork out there selling for a lot of money, some might argue that talent is not necessary. Someone marked a canvas with a crayon and since someone said it is art and it is backed up by an effective marketing machine then it is art, becomes famous and successful. Someone painted a box like a third grader project and because they made it into a ‘prestigious’ gallery then we can call that success. Honestly, I’ve seen successful art that my kids can do better. It is very frustrating when we see ‘overrated’ get recognition when ‘overqualified’ can’t even get the job.

The myth that all you need is talent is just that, a myth. At the end it goes back to the love for what you do and doing what you love. Trying to compete with what people call talent is fruitless. Do not compare yourself with others that make things different from you. Don’t let an elitist few to put you down because you don’t make the cut into their purpose. Follow your own purpose. Develop and improve your talent. Add knowledge and experience to it. It could pay off eventually but it will satisfy you always.

Comments (12)

  2. Peter Gaskin

    Good article! There must be a thing called talent but it takes many forms – for some there does seem to be an innate talent for technical wizardry – by this I mean the skill to replicate in art form – Millais, Klimt et al and countless modern artists. This is a definite and recognisable talent whether the work is liked or not. Then there is creative talent – this is much more subjective and I agree – heavily influenced by marketing and success breeding recognition. The art world seems in a state of flux with some truly talented individuals but also a lot of over-priced corporate and soulless work (but then again we all like different things) – and yes I agree styles do change as you practice and you must keep on if you love what you do

  3. jose ney mila

    Strongly agree Ivan .
    It’s like the saying that says it all depends on who sponsor you . Unfortunately in many cases , that’s true talent .
    And as you yourself say , go our own way though not give us fame but it will be comforting , keep learning and improving ourselves is the mission of any artist , including any human being.
    Muy de acuerdo Ivan.
    Es como el refran que dice: todo depende de quien te apadrine. Por desgracia en muchos casos, ese es el verdadero ¨talento¨.
    Y como usted mismo dice, seguir nuestro propio camino aunque no nos dé la fama pero si será reconfortante, seguir aprendiendo y superandonos es la misión de cualquier artista, incluso cualquier ser humano.

  4. Joanne Wasylishen

    There are millions of people out there that create art, they do it because they love it, because something calls to them to create.
    Art can be a good friend, a healer and a pain in the butt. But looking at any of the arts, there is a small group of artists that make they’re way onto the red carpet.
    The term struggling artist is not a myth, it is a reality, make art because you love doing it, because something inside you calls.
    Create because you need to, true artistic talent is not a learned skill, it’s in your DNA, it is a need! Not everyone is going to make a living at it and that’s just a fact. Be a Try-er, give it all you’ve got and be humble, for it is a gift. If you see yourself getting angry at the art that is being celebrated, take a break. Any actor or musician will tell you, “do it because you love it” those are the people that typically succeed, these are the people who do it for love.

  5. Austen Pinkerton

    The reason, Ivan, that there is so much bitterness and resentment amongst so many talented artists who struggle and remain impoverished, while other’fashionable’ ones who know the right people and toe the party line become rich, is because the world of contemporary art has never been so divisive. a talentless few become wealthy, while those with real talent struggle to earn a living and to practise their art. This is because the world of contemporary art is at a crossroads. We are told that art is all the ‘idea’ (conceptual art), and the craftsmanship and skill are considered irrelevant. This is patently rubbish. And it is because we are on the brink of a revolution in which the idea of the ‘Avante Garde’, the ‘Shock of the New’, which has reached its ultimate conclusion in conceptual art, will be replaced by a return to realism, craftsmanship, and beauty….this is as Kenneth Clarke foresaw so many years ago. But how much longer do we have to wait before they wake up and smell the coffee??? The party’s over.

  6. RJT Haynes

    Not to get on a soapbox, but… My favourite absurdity is people who assume that, because they can’t draw, their art is by definition of some higher order – as if someone were to claim to be a better kind of musician because he or she couldn’t play an instrument.

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