|
I think with all crafts it takes a certain amount of work to get to where you understand just how far you have to go. Some people will push on and achieve an objective level of greatness while most are stuck in mediocrity. One melodramatic take on this was Salieri's view in Amadeus.
Almost anyone can achieve a workman level in a craft. I do not believe that everyone can go beyond that. It takes a blend of inspiration, perspiration, and something intangible to transcend the ordinary.
It also takes more than raw talent. I had a friend who I thought was an amazingly inspired mixed media artist. His visual ideas were clever, creative, and generally outstanding. But his preparation level was near zero. If something didn't turn out right the first time he'd just drop it. So his actual skill was weak. His work was always sloppy and missing fundamentals. He would never be a great artist. I always supported his efforts (e.g. fronting money for a tee shirt run) but I ended up seeing a pattern that never changed. He would always be a mediocre artist, and tortured soul.
|