Can Do

A certainly family member who shall remain nameless has what I call 'that old can't-do attitude'. But she's not the only one. Over the years teaching high school I heard many of my students tell me "I can't do that" when confronted with a new skill. Automatically, without evening thinking of a different reply. Just an immediate denial. Nope, not gonna do it. There are two interpretations of that response:
A) I'm too damn lazy to try and it doesn't interest me.
B) I won't look cool in front of my friends because I'm insecure and afraid of failure.

Which brings me back to art and creativity. Among my adult friends I often hear a response to doing art akin to the idea that art is magic and certain people are magicians. Lines and squiggles, paint and clay, turn into recognizable objects, clever patterns, appealing designs. Presto! Still they sigh and say "oh I wish I could be an artist but I don't have any talent." If wishes were horses they could ride a palomino into the sunset. So after many years of hearing this I finally have a response. I say "If you want to play a musical instrument or learn to cook what do you do?" The usual response is "I'd sign up for a class." (cricket sounds, while they mull their answer over). I then say "Well, why don't you sign up for an art class?"  (pause). What it then comes down to is another variation of responses A and B that my high school students used to give me. But my thought is if you want to do something just try it. There are so many classes and courses, so many online resources, so many guides and tools and DVDs, it's almost irresistable. Which brings me to one friend, who, when she turned 50, got that artistic urge and asked my advice. I pointed her first to basic community center arts and crafts classes, suggested trying an art journal or doodling in a sketchbook, trying different media to see what appealed to her. Long story short, and certainly more her own desire and drive than my brief advice, she is now a college student working on a degree in art. It's not always been easy. What new skill is? But she has now demystified the magic of art. Early semester clumsy sketches turn into more refined drawings. Awkward lines becomes elegant. Observing becomes second nature. Hand-eye co-ordination sharpens. Ideas flow more easily from brain to fingers.

Remember as little children we struggled to walk, and talk, express ourselves, tie a shoe, scribble trees on paper, do happy dances to music. We didn't give up then. It was a natural impulse to persevere. We weren't aware of looking or feeling foolish, only of completing that goal and grinning broadly when we achieved it. I think I can. I think I can.