blueBanksia

by Hugh Mackay

Sydney is endowed with a rich artistic life. Writers, painters, poets, photographers, singers, dancers, actors, architects and designers thrive here. From the beginning, serious attention has been paid to theatres, galleries, concert halls – as well as public art – for the delight and stimulation of the populace.

Yet Sydney continues to suffer from the social ills that plague most large cities. Our enthusiastic attendance at galleries, theatres and concert halls doesn’t appear to subdue our anger, relieve our stress, or incline us to become friendlier to each other. Those of us who love the arts like to believe we are “improved” in an almost mystical way by our exposure to various art forms. But where is the evidence that theatre or concert goers are better citizens – more attentive, say, to the needs of the marginalized or disadvantaged – than non-attenders?

by Nita Leland

(Or, Advice from Someone Who Has Been on Both Sides of the Easel)

1. First, select a workshop that has something specific you want or need to learn, such as drawing, design, color or experimental techniques. Don't take a workshop just because everybody else you know is going.
2. Look for an instructor whose techniques or expertise fit in with your artistic goals.
   

by MIchael Brinkley

1. You have to be born with a natural talent to create art

This has got to be the laziest excuse I have ever heard for not becoming an artist. Let me be perfectly clear. People are not born with natural artistic talents above anyone else. The reality is that as we grow we develop interests in other things and we focus our learning on those things. Historically we focus on those things that we need to learn in order to survive. We learn skills that we know we can use to make enough money to provide for our future families. Because of this, we never spend any time really focusing our attentions on creativity. The bottom line is this, everyone can become an artist if, and only if, they have a true desire to do so. The hard work, dedication and self confidence that it takes to become an artist tends to turn most people away. So, they use this excuse above all others.