Those following the journey of Selene, a sharp economics undergraduate, and his father, a professor of psychology, will recall their enlightening walk through the pine forest, their sail on Mystic Lake, and a spring afternoon on their garden lawn, where they explored intellectual growth from various perspectives. Today, under the gentle warmth of spring, they step into Boston University’s Art Galleries. Let’s join them on this creative and philosophical stroll.
Is Artistic Ability A Gift?
As they entered the gallery, Selene’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. At the same time, his father’s smile held that blend of wisdom and gentle mischief familiar to anyone who’d ever been charmed by a professor who loved questions more than answers.
“So, Dad, do you think artistry is a gift? Like something dropped into a lucky few?” Selene asked, glancing at a vibrant abstract piece.
His father chuckled, adjusting his glasses thoughtfully. “Ah, an excellent question! And I’d say every field, from economics to art, loves to debate. Is it talent, training, or perhaps a delightful mix of both? It’s like believing one is born with intelligence, like blue eyes or curly hair. But just as we can strengthen our muscles or improve our fitness, why not cultivate the mind, even the artistic one?”
Selene grinned, nodding. “That makes sense. I’ve seen people hone skills in sports or even finance, after all.”
“Precisely. We’re all born with different seeds of potential,” Selene’s father continued, gesturing toward a portrait nearby. “Take beauty, for instance. Nature may bless some bodies with it naturally, but its real glow comes from health, self-care, and what we put into our bodies and minds. Artistic ability, too, can grow—if we nurture it.”
They stopped before a particularly intricate painting, and Selene recalled a memory. “Funny, though—I was never one of the ‘natural artists.’ As a kid, I remember trying to draw. Well, let’s just say it wasn’t my calling.
His father laughed, patting him on the shoulder. “You’re in good company! I once had a friend who couldn’t draw to save his life, yet he was an impeccable sculptor. As he’d tell me, ‘Art is more about seeing than simply drawing,’ and perhaps that’s true of life itself. It’s about recognizing the shapes and patterns around and in us.”
“Speaking of shapes and patterns,” Selene began, his gaze lingering on a Pollock-like painting, “what about the artists who weren’t exactly… naturally gifted?”
“Ah, Jackson Pollock!” his father exclaimed, following Selene’s gaze. “Now, a man reshaped the art world, but by all accounts, he didn’t start as the prodigy you might expect. He wasn’t born with a brush in his hand. Rather, he was head-over-heels in love with art. This relentless passion made him ‘pour’ his very being onto the canvas.”
Selene laughed, “I love that—he poured himself onto the canvas. And it worked!”
“Indeed,” his father mused, nodding with a twinkle in his eye. “This idea reminds me of Twyla Tharp, the choreographer who once said there are no natural geniuses. She claimed even Mozart wasn’t simply ‘gifted’—dedication engulfed him. In that sense, genius can often be a slow-cooked meal, nourished by hard work and persistence.”
Selene visibly moved and returned to the painting, his mind buzzing with newfound respect. “So maybe all of us have our kind of canvas—be it in art, sports, or, who knows, in relationships or careers. And with enough love and dedication, we can paint something meaningful.”
As they wandered deeper into the gallery, Selene couldn’t resist asking his father, “So, Dad, why does it feel like art is something… I don’t know, mystical? It’s as if some people just have it while others only appreciate it from afar.”
His father smiled, glancing at an abstract painting that seemed to swirl with unbridled energy. “A mystical air indeed! But art, like anything, can be seen in layers. On the surface, it seems like a gift, something innate and untouched. Yet beneath that layer, there’s a lifetime of growth, of bending and stretching oneself—just like building any skill. I think that’s why it resonates with people. It’s both beyond us and a part of us, and in some ways, it reflects the journeys we all take.”
Selene nodded thoughtfully, thinking of his journey through economics. “Art and economics are worlds apart but need the same dedication. And, come to think of it, don’t we sometimes romanticize talent just as we do with beauty or health? We see the final product but not the effort behind it.”
His father’s eyes twinkled. “Exactly! It’s easy to see the flower and forget the roots. In art, as in life, everything we admire has a story hidden within it. Take Jackson Pollock, for instance.” He gestured toward a painting nearby that seemed to echo Pollock’s signature chaotic brilliance. “Pollock was no ‘natural.’ He was a man consumed by art, driven by a need to experiment, to redefine what it means to paint. And though his early works weren’t remarkable, he evolved. His poured paintings were his way of speaking in colors.”
“So, it was Pollock’s obsession that transformed him?” Selene asked, his voice softening.
“Yes, his obsession—and the resilience to keep going. Passion alone is only half the story. Real growth comes from the union of passion and dedication.” His father paused, smiling. “It’s a bit like fitness. We don’t just admire a healthy person for looking fit. Behind that strength is discipline, the everyday practice of nurturing oneself.”
Selene laughed, catching on to his father’s analogy. “Ah, I see! So if I trained my drawing skills with that same dedication, I might become an artist?”
His father raised an eyebrow, grinning. “Why not? Artistic ability might feel like magic, but it’s often about learning to see, to notice the lines, shapes, and shadows. Betty Edwards taught this beautifully in Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. She reminded us that drawing isn’t about moving a pencil; it’s about training the eye. You’d be amazed at what happens when you stop trying to ‘create’ and simply start seeing.”
They continued walking, their steps falling into a gentle rhythm. Selene’s father then pointed to a more classical painting. “And think about children. Artistic giftedness isn’t just skillful drawing. According to Ellen Winner, truly gifted young artists show an unstoppable drive—a ‘rage to master,’ she called it. Imagine a child so captivated by their art that nothing distracts them, not even a call to dinner.”
Selene chuckled, picturing it. “Sounds intense! But maybe that’s the same spark we find in other fields. Like a scientist absorbed in their research or an entrepreneur bringing their ideas to life.”
“Precisely,” his father agreed. “And that’s where society and culture come in. Artistic talent flourishes not only because of the individual but also thanks to the environment around them. Artists like Picasso didn’t emerge in a vacuum. They had mentors, muses, and societies that challenged them.”
“Like how athletes rely on coaches and supportive communities to thrive,” Selene added.
“Absolutely. And let’s not forget that creativity exists in layers, too. There’s the ‘little-c creativity’ about individual expression, like a new twist on a recipe or a novel way of organizing your day. Then there’s ‘big-C creativity,’ the kind that redefines a field. For most artists, little-c becomes a stepping stone to something greater. This transition is as much about personality traits like curiosity and risk-taking as it is about skill.”
Selene looked around, absorbing the wisdom in his father’s words. “I guess that’s what makes art and life so intriguing. The way our gifts and the world around us shape us. But, Dad, can anyone do anything with enough passion and support?”
His father looked at him warmly. “I believe that each person has a unique way of leaving their mark, but the key is embracing both the gift and the growth. Like a garden—some seeds need more care, while others flourish independently. But with love and effort, they all blossom.”
As they reached the final gallery room, filled with serene landscapes and minimalist sculptures, Selene’s father leaned in and asked, “Selene, if you could create anything—no limits, no expectations—what would it be?”
Selene thought momentarily, eyes fixed on a sculpture that seemed to dance in midair. “I think I’d create something that captures a moment. Something that makes people feel like I do right now, like they’re part of something bigger and meaningful.”
His father’s smile deepened, and he gently touched Selene’s shoulder. “Beautifully said. That’s the essence of art, isn’t it? Whether it’s a painting, a poem, or even an idea, true art allows us to step out of ourselves and connect with something beyond. In the end, it’s not about talent or genius alone. It’s about expressing something true, something deeply felt.”
They lingered in silence, feeling the quiet weight of his words as they stood among creations that had once been born from someone else’s dreams and reflections.
As they walked toward the exit, Selene broke the silence, his voice soft with awe. “You know, Dad, I think I understand now. Maybe the real gift isn’t the ability but the courage to share it and let others see what’s within us. Pollock, Edwards, Picasso—they weren’t just artists; they were brave enough to be vulnerable.”
His father nodded, a glint of pride in his eyes. “Exactly, my dear Selene. It’s easy to look at masterpieces and assume they were inevitable. But every brushstroke, every note, every word is an invitation. The artist is saying, ‘Here I am. Will you walk with me for a moment?’
They reached the door, sunlight spilling over them as they stepped outside. Spring’s fragrance hung thick in the air, mingling with the city’s hum, a symphony of life in all its vivid colors.
Before they left the gallery, Selene paused, looking up at his father with a playful and sincere smile. “So, should we call it ‘The Gospel of Artistic Courage?'” he joked, a glint in his eye.
His father chuckled, wrapping an arm around Selene’s shoulder. “Perhaps! Or maybe just a spring stroll—a simple journey, but one with a few new seeds planted, don’t you think?”
They laughed together, feeling the gentle warmth of the season as if every conversation they’d shared had bloomed into something more. As they walked away, Selene thought that this conversation, this day, would stay with him, rooted deep within, as he continued to grow and explore his gifts.
If this article has stirred a question or sparked your curiosity—a deliberate thought or a fleeting idea—there’s always room to explore more. Keep learning and stay curious. Together, we can uncover deeper insights and resources. Happy reading!
List of Principal Sources:
- Winner, Ellen, and Gail Martino. Artistic Giftedness. In N. Colangelo and G. Davis (Eds.), Handbook of Gifted Education, 3rd ed., Allyn & Bacon, 2002.
- Morriss-Kay, Gillian M. “The Evolution of Human Artistic Creativity.” Journal of Anatomy, vol. 216, 2010, pp. 158–176. Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford, UK.
- Dweck, Carol S. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Random House, New York, 2006.
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