Discussion about this post

User's avatar
M. Louisa Locke's avatar

I did find this fascinating! Hopefully very encouraging for other artists of any sort. It reminded me that my mother painted in oils as a hobby all her life, and while they were competent, I never felt they were truly inspired or beautiful. Then, in the last years of her life (she died in her late sixties) she shifted to water colors, and I have two still lifes that I found delicate and lovely. While I never had the goal of becoming a great writer, I have been happy to have become a writer of light fiction that people enjoy, and that success didn't come to me until my sixties. Just glad I didn't die before 40, because....well, for lots of reasons...but also because it would be sad not to have experience the satisfaction of fulfilling a dream I'd had since I was 12.

Expand full comment
Rona Maynard's avatar

I have looked at many Van Goghs over the years and entered into his world. He had a vision. Executing his vision was not about draughtsmanship. You make an excellent point about the astonishingly short time in which he produced his great work—the paintings that expressed his unique and unforgettable vision. Without incredible tenacity, he couldn’t have done it. But hard work alone won’t make an artist in any medium. I have seen people work hard to become writers and never produce any memorable writing. So I’m a believer in talent, although vision will do as well.

Expand full comment
14 more comments...

No posts