Outliars

Has anyone read Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell? I've only read the first two chapters, and I'll admit, it makes me feel so behind! Part of his theory is that successful 'outliers' , such as Bill Gates, are not only successful because they work hard or have a high IQ, but that there is more to it. They were born during an advantageous time, had opportunities in school, supportive families, or of the appropriate culture. Anyways, what gets to me is this story about 10,000 hours. That's how long Gladwell argues it take to be a master at something. The Beatles were successful because they played at clubs that had 4-6 hour sets instead of the typical one hour set--forced to try new things, play more (aka practice) as well as grow confidence, they were way about 10,000 hours by the time they made it to the US shores, and way way beyond it by the time they release their best know albums "Sgt Pepper" and "The White Album".

So maybe you think, oh that's great, I can do 10,000 hours....until you look at the math. That's seven years if you let yourself sleep, eat, and have some what of a life....that just makes me feel late to the race when it comes to art. But then again, I'm young, I can still burn midnight oil and make up those hours....but in what direction should I choose?

Wait, I just thought of a comforting thought. That makes me feel okay. So I don't have 10,000 hours in much anything besides sleeping, reading, and oh breathing....so I shouldn't be expected to be an expert as a painter, as a graphic artist, or even a cook. I'm just figuring this out. And that's a sigh...of relief, I can lower the bar until I get to 10,000 hours, then it's go time.

PS I have have shifted the focus of my blog to be more full--not just my projects, but also thoughts about being an artist in general. They tend to be a bit raw and stream of consciousness. Hope you like to hear what's going on in my head. Think of it as legal eavesdropping.

PSS Something to think about. Say out loud, "I am an artist" Does it feel weird to you? Like you should say it softly? I was talking to a new friend of mine who has a degree in photography, but it still felt odd for her to admit that she's an artist. As if we cannot be an artist unless people recognize our work as if it were a Warhol, McDonald's logo or Spielberg's film? Even if you don't get your income as an artist, I believe everyone has some creativity--- it could be knitting, making a card, organizing your living room, taking pictures on vacation, how you fold your clothing or weaving challah bread. We are all artists. Why does it feel so taboo?