Perception and Distortion

What we think we see is very different from the raw data that hits our retina. Our brains warp and remodel everything we see to fit into what we think we know about the world.

By the time an image has been projected onto our retina, has stimulated the appropriate light-receiving cells, has transferred visual data to our brain, has been interpreted at base-level cortex and higher-thinking cognitive levels of our minds, has been categorized, compared to what we already know, and emotionally processed, by the time all this has happened, what we think we “see” has been interpreted and distorted and edited so to have nothing to do with the original beams of light that entered our corneas. The original data has been distorted; not distorted “beyond recognition” but distorted TO recognition.

The artist must learn to recognize these distortions and exorcise them, or use them. When we look at our own work and are not happy with what we see, we are becoming aware of our unconscious distortions. It’s an uncomfortable feeling, but it helps us learn. We must learn to recognize and edit out unconscious distortions, and learn how to present truly “raw” data to the viewer, just as real life presents raw data.

This is not to promote what is commonly called “slavish copying.” Artists can and should choose to distort the image, choose what to emphasize, choose what to leave out, choose to guide the viewer. But any distortion has to be intentional, deliberate.

Even abstract artists I know talk of trying to become aware of the unconscious associations, influences, references and baggage visible in their art. They attempt to only present visual information with intention.

Lack of intention, or ignorance on the part of the artist is always painfully obvious to the viewer, consciously or subconsciously, and detracts from their experience of a work of art.

The pursuit of art is learning to throw away unconscious distortions and replace them with conscious choices.

Kind of like life.

Talent is a Myth

People have told me I have “talent” all my life. Maybe I do have some. But all “talent” ever did for me was make me able to draw a marginally better bunny rabbit than my classmates in second grade. The difference between a “talented” seven-year old’s drawing of a bunny and another kid’s drawing of a bunny is minimal. They are both seven.

Everything after that is sheer work. Sheer number of hours spent putting pencil to paper or brush to canvas. Sheer practice. It’s an enjoyable kind of "work", but it is still work. I draw marginally well because I drew every day between age 3 and age 21. If you did anything every day for 18 years, you would have some degree of ability.

It’s not talent.

Talent is a myth.

The myth of talent cripples.

We like to think of artists being born, being magical, special, different. Once we think of ourselves as “artists”, it makes everything we do have a special weight: The weight of having to prove that you are a “real artist’ with everything you do. There is little room for error. Creating a “bad” work of art throws artists into despair. They feel they are not “really” an artist.

No one is “really” an artist. The people who work hard at their craft every day for years and years get better at it than those who don’t.

I can be stymied by the imagined imperative that everything I create, every mark I make, must indicate my unique, intelligent and inherent talent, and any failure reveals a lack of uniqueness. If I spend my time evaluating myself, there is a defensiveness that obscures the art. Defensiveness makes art that is fearful. Defensiveness makes art that “protests too much.”

To truly learn, and to truly create, we must shed all ego. The idea that “I am an artist” must go out the window. The wondering “am I good” must be driven out of our heads. Just keep going, don’t stop, don’t look back, don’t evaluate, just produce.

Don’t wonder if you have talent, or insist you have talent, or hope you have talent, or beg your teachers or peers or critics to tell you that you have talent. Don’t despair when you realize you have no talent. Talent is a myth.

Work hard at your art. Then you will be a true artist.