Can anyone be an artists?
I was asked, “Do you believe anyone can be an artists or is it an innate talent?“
Yes, I believe anyone can be an artist — taking into consideration the “10,000 hour rule” (Gladwell 2008). If you spend 10,000 hours continually working at something (approx 4 hours a day for roughly 7 or 8 years) you’ll become proficient enough to be an expert in that field. So if you pick up an instrument and work at the craft and continue learning all you can for that amount of time you’ll be a pretty dope musician. If you draw and sketch or paint for 4 hours a day, you’ll grow into being a dope artist.
This reminded me of a conversation I had with a good friend and an amazing Singer/Song Writer, Tyra Dennis. She had the opportunity to meet Ray Charles and he told her something that had a lasting impression on not just her, but everyone who she has shared the story. She said that Ray asked her and her classmates, “how often do you practice each day?” Being the dedicated and talented musicians they are, they confidently answered, “About 5 or 6 hours a day.” Ray looked at them and said, “I’m Ray Charles the legend, I practice 12 hours a day, and I’m Ray Charles”