How utterly insulting, right?

I was thinking about this the other day - thinking about how quickly we tend to call other people talented when we believe their artwork (or whatever it is that they do) is really well done! But 'why' to we call them "talented"?

Definition of talented: (adj.) having talent or special ability; gifted.

Ok, then...

Definition of talent: (n) a special natural ability or aptitude: "a talent for drawing."

I kid you not! That was the example given!

So you mean to tell me that whenever someone has the ability to draw something that is truly a great work of art, they acheived it because they were 'born' with this ability - because they are "gifted"? Is there no great artist that had to have been hard working to get to that point of greatness? Is the world really 'this' full of people that are just born to be better artists (or whatever) than the rest of us! If it is so predetermined, then why do the rest of us act like we can someday do what they do? Will the rest of us 'someday' be talented - someday be gifted?

On the other hand, why do we feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside when someone tells us we're talented artists (or whatever it is you do)? Why do we beam when we believe that someone else thinks we're talented?

My theory: Being told I'm talented puts me back into my childhood years. I think anyone who has been a "little artist" their whole lives could relate. "Talented" is a word parents use to describe a child's work that may (or may not) be so great! I remember showing my artwork to family members and hearing them talk among themselves about how "talented" I was. And I loved it! I beamed!
We call other people "talented" because we all know from our own experience that 'that' is a sure fire way to make people happy! And it 'works'! We 'do' get happy! We feel that same warmth of appreciation we felt when our parents (or whoever was there) looked at our artwork and called us "talented". Ever find yourself doing the same?

My problem with this: We aren't talented. Granted there may be some people who it comes to them easier, but in no situation is a fine piece of work a result of talent. It is a product of 'skill'.

Definition of skilled: (adj.) having skill; trained or experienced in work that requires skill.

Definition of skill: (n) the ability, coming from one's knowledge, practice, aptitude, etc., to do something well

'That's' more I like it! 'That' sounds like art! We can only become better artists with the skill we gain - with the skill that we 'all' work for! The skill that we acheieve with every piece of paper we scribble on - with every stroke of a brush or swipe of a pen, with everything we do in art, we slowly learn how to get the effect we want in our artwork. We begin to create more effective pieces and, more importantly, we begin to create our own style! This takes so much more than just a little blood, sweat, and tears. To have your hard work belittled by "talent" is just unfair to your real achievements!

Everyone likes to hear their improving or that did a particular piece of art significantly well. Just remember to give credit where credit is due. Regardless to what level of skill they have, it was skill that brought them that far nonetheless.

So here's to all my readers, all deviants, all artists:
Fuck talent! We are nothing shorter than 'skilled'!