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The maturation of the art community in Dripping Springs has been remarkable in recent years. Along the way, the commitment of many art gallery operators along with the Dripping Springs Art League have been driving forces for that evolution. In the process, they have also helped to nurture a supportive environment for emerging artists like me where we can discover and develop our artistic inspiration.
As a part time artist, I have always enjoyed discussing my artistic journey with friends or professional acquaintances. I also find it interesting that in those conversations, I frequently hear others enthusiastically proclaim their lack of creative skills or inspiration. “Oh, I don’t have an artistic bone in my body…” But when I think about it, I find it surprising that otherwise capable and talented individuals would so easily dismiss their ability.
That used to describe me; that is, until it didn't.
Creative inspiration, even for those who don’t think they have it in them, is not just possible, it’s probable, if you open yourself up to it and are willing to take a first step. More in a moment about my own experience in taking that first artistic plunge.
The Prodigies
Admittedly, some artists are simply born and presumably were raised in environments that recognized and nurtured their natural abilities from an early age. I think of these artists as the Prodigies. That label is not to imply that their artistic talent is greater or more advanced than all others; only that their ability was evident early on in life and they were able to do something with it. By nature, children are drawn to experimentation, and these creative minded children were allowed or encouraged to create.
History is chocked full of them in every creative discipline; Picasso, Beethoven to name just a couple of well-known examples. I had the chance years ago at Cleveland’s rock-n-roll hall of fame to read some 2nd grade writings of Jim Morrison, the rock icon of the 60’s. Even at an early age, his creative genius was striking.
The Achievers
Many other creators, while not naturally gifted at birth, per se, advance their artistic skills and talent by simply working hard at it. Through practice, formal education (schools), informal training (apprenticeships) or trial and error, so many artists have found success both commercially and personally out of pure dedication to the work. I like to call these creators the Achievers.
The Experimenters
I fall into a group which I label the Experimenters; meaning artists who happened upon their vocation simply because they tried something. I was in my mid-forties and had just emerged from a long and difficult period for my family. I can recall the moment very clearly. I was at work, not focused whatsoever on my job, when the idea of learning to oil paint just popped into my head. Prior to that, I had scarcely ever picked up a brush aside from home improvement projects.
A quick internet search turned up a beginner community education class the following week and I’ve never looked back. Twenty years later, I’m what you might call a Sunday painter, devoting time to art when my work and other commitments allow. The punch line here is that I’m proof that artistic inspiration, on some level, is present in anyone if you are open to it.
Over the past two decades, even with my limited available time for art, I’ve zeroed in on the types of painting projects that both stretch my creative boundaries and bring satisfaction in creating them.
My Message to You
The message for those who have considered pursuing the arts in any discipline but for whatever reason, have dismissed the idea, is to just start! Find a class, as I did, or talk to artists about their experience. Most importantly, don’t allow yourself to get caught thinking about whether your work will meet expectations. Your personal reward won’t be in just the outcome, but as you’ll discover, more so in your own act of creation.
