Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.” ~Aristotle

I love this quote by Aristotle. It reminds me of what Malcolm Gladwell wrote in his book: “Outliars”. Ten thousand hours of deliberate practice are needed to achieve expert-level mastery in any field. While the 10,000-hour rule has become widely known, some argue it’s an oversimplification. They emphasize the importance of the quality of practice over just the quantity of hours. Regardless, the rule highlights the significant time investment required for true expertise.

As an artist I am often asked how long a certain piece takes to paint. Each individual piece may take a day or two or more depending on the actual size and complexity of the painting. It is not the time that an artist takes to make the one painting. It is the years and years of practice. time spent in classes, time spent reading articles about composition and color that need to added to the time spent. It is the time spent finding something interesting to paint. The time deciding the best composition and color combination add to the time over the years.

I personally collect books by artists I love and read them often. I collect art magazines and scour them for paintings I enjoy and respect. I keep files with examples of ideas I want to incorporate into my artwork. I always have a folder on my computer of things I want to paint next.

When I lived in Washington State, I had a much larger art studio. I did big abstracts, which I sold via an interior design and decor store. I don’t have that connection where I now live. When you move to a new area I think it is hard to reinvent yourself for the area.

The painting at the top of the page is 10″ x 20″ which I completed in two days. I think painting vineyards is a challenge. Trying to make rows of growing grapes interesting and colorful is not easy. I must have repainted the rows several times before I was content with the result. When I looked back, I realized the tree was fading into the background. It did not stand out the way I wanted. At that point in time, I lightened the rows, so the tree would stand more as a focal point.

I have a T-Shirt that says: ” Art is intelligence gone creative”. It is a compelling statement that highlights the connection between intellect and artistic expression. 

Here’s how intelligence and creativity intertwine to create art:

•  Intelligence is the ability to learn and understand, providing artists with the knowledge and skills necessary to create. This includes understanding artistic principles, techniques, and historical context.
• Creativity is the ability to generate original and unusual ideas. It allows artists to transcend mere technical proficiency.
• Artistic talent emerges from a synthesis of creativity and intelligence. Imagination is combined with an understanding of various factors. These factors include culture, emotion, and technical aspects.
• Art serves as a channel for artists to communicate ideas, evoke emotions, and tell stories. This requires a level of intelligence to effectively convey meaning through chosen mediums.
• AI tools can help in artistic creation. However, they presently lack the emotional and conscious elements. These elements drive true human creativity. AI can analyze and mimic patterns, but human artists infuse their work with personal experiences, intuition, and unique perspectives. 

In essence, art is more than just raw creativity or intelligence alone. It is the intelligent application of creative thought and skill. This application produces something meaningful and impactful. 

Every artist I know wants to create something beautiful or thought-provoking. They make you look at things in a different manner. This all takes time, merged with intellect and creativity.

Next time you want to ask an artist how long a piece took to paint, stop to consider asking a different question. Maybe ask how long they have been studying art. Ask how long they have actually been applying paint to canvas.