Debunking the Myth of the 'Artist Gene

Creativity, And What I've learned

I’ve always been creative, but I thought one needed a particular gene to paint, draw, or write well, giving all the credit to an artist’s genetics.

I would hang out at art supply stores and bookstores but never picked up a brush. I kept all my writing in my head.

One day, as I browsed through an art store, I remembered a book I wanted on art history.

The owner went into the back room to place the order. She walked by me and said, “Lu, look in the gallery while you wait.” As I walked in, I felt the space, which was ablaze with colors. There were assorted paintings, all different, beautiful, youthful, and accessible.

When the owner, Fadwa, returned, she asked how I liked the show. “I love it, I said, so bright and each one unique.” She asked if I looked at the bios under the paintings. I walked over and looked from one painting to the next, stunned. The artists were all between the ages of 5 and 12. I asked who taught them.

“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.” Pablo Picasso

She handed me the artist's name, Natasha Piskunova, who taught lessons from her studio to children and adults. She taught her students to paint using Russian Gouache, which is vibrant in color.

When I returned home, I contacted her and began taking classes once a week. I sat at an easel beside hers, soaking up her every word. Natasha spoke with a beautiful, deep Russian accent.

My lessons were as wonderful and dramatic as she was. She clearly loved what she did.

I will share with you what I learned after taking six lessons. She busted all my preconceived notions of what it takes to create art.

She told me I had a natural talent and that if I continued to practice I would become a fine artist. I felt as though a puzzle piece snapped into place. I could hear the sound. I walked out of her studio glowing.

Like any other art form, whether painting, drawing, music, or writing, mastery comes with practice and the courage to try out new ideas.

There is no silver bullet, but the process is joyful. Let your creativity out, you may be surprised at the result.

Share your creative journey. I’d love to hear it.