first, i must say that i regret putting off reading this book. i have only finished the first chapter and feel i have not only learned some new things about learning, but discovered a lot about who i might could be as a young artist.
the whole first chapter basically discusses if art can be taught or if it must be just pure genius. it also discusses the many different types of new artists and their ways of approaching a subject. the author states that there are three types of new artists: conformists-predictable, anti-conformists-predictable as well, and non-conformists- unpredictable. conformists go along with whatever they are taught, anti-conformists go against everything they are taught, but those non-conformists lie in the happy medium. non-conformists listen to instruction and take advice but will not let it change their mind or opinion, unless they see that their opinion should be changed.
i personally feel that art can be taught and is a subject of discipline, but i also know that there are born artists out there, few, but they still exist.
i really like the way the author uses little story lessons to make you see his ideas in a different way. it really helps me understand the point he is trying to make. the Zen story about the artist coming to the Zen master with his cup already full was my favorite. it is so true, and i see myself doing the same frequently. often i find myself wanting to be so knowledgeable of something that i will come to a teacher with a "full cup" instead of coming with an empty cup.
another key idea that was stressed in the chapter was that it is not about finding answers to the problem necessarily, but finding new problems to try an solve. i want to be a better seeker.
i cant wait to read and learn more :)
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