Is Artistic Talent Genetic?
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Posted over 3 years ago
The post asking if you are the "only artist in the family":http://artbistro.monster.com/discussions/9-ask-an-artist/topics/55-are-you-the-only-visual-artist-in-the-family, sparked this related but different topic. Is artistic talent genetic? Does it run through our genes? |
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| Posted over 3 years ago What I think the case is that those with artistic parents tend to copy what they do. The children are exposed to that behavior and so they follow along with it. I think people who have artistic relatives in the family are more likely to become artists just because they see it more often than just in school. I grew up watching my mother paint flowers and animals on the walls when I was a little girl. I was inspired and intrigued by it. I kept on drawing and painting but my mom stopped. My second sister was born and saw me draw and she did the same, and when the third was born she copied my sister and I. And when the final sister came she did the same exact thing. My sisters and I still draw and love it. But I am the only one in the family that has a raging passion for fine arts and –must- create or else I feel empty; while the others have a passion for something else. Another portion of my family is really into music and has a strong talent for it. But I have no skill in it at all while my third sister is more of a musician than a painter or craftsman. There are a bountiful amount of dancers and singers in my family but none of my sisters or I have the talent or will to do such things. Our ancestors where writers too; we are basically a melting pot of artists, and I have noticed that those in our family that don’t draw tend to write, and those who can’t draw or write sing, and those that don’t do those dance, and then there are those who do all of that or a combination of it, and then there are the “weird” ones who have no interest in any of it. They are the ones who are interested in science, math or law, and there aren’t many. So perhaps it does come down to genetics. Usually anyone I know that are artists have another relative that was a talented artist as well. Ack, I am going around in circles. Hehe. Maybe it is a combination of both exposure and genetics. |
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| Posted over 3 years ago In my family ,all 3 kids are artists.But are parents are not. My fathers family had 12 children.!..none of them are artistic and none of thier children and grandchildren are not. My mothers side doesnt have any artists either. My daughter which is 18 now,draws very well,and shows potential. My sisters son (22 years old )is starting to find that he has alot of talent also. So whatever it is..The "Talent" is very strong in just the kids in our family ,starting with us and is starting to show up in our kids , but showed no sign of itself anywhere before myself,my brother,and sister.....very strange. |
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| Posted over 3 years ago I am adopted and don't know where my talent came from but, it seems that my grandson has inherited the visual artists soul. My ex and I both were visual artists and my daughter claims she can't draw worth a darn. She is blessed with excellent writing skills. I guess talent will burst forth somehow.
"May the fragrance of roses cling to your hands." ~Toni
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| Posted over 3 years ago being an artist to me is all about having the confidence to share an emotion, a thought, a moment with others or no-one. Art can be images, words, notes, nature, as long as it's an expression. My father is a creative thinker, a chef, a house builder and he also draws. He is a retired police Capt. and a private dic. He never took an art class in his life and he grew up dirt poor in Il. my mom is also a creative thinker, she is the biggest dreamer I know. she also works in Law enforcement as a translator for the courts. Two jobs that are totally disassociated from the arts world, yet I consider them my inspiration for being an artist. My mom has 9 brothers and sisters. her brothers are all craftsmen: welders, carpenters, builders. |
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| Posted over 3 years ago
valerie said: This is a very thought provoking question and perhaps I come to it from a different perspective because of what I have experienced and seen Pierre experience as he continually deals with this situation.
As an artist he would like people to buy his works because of their own merit and not because of a signature. For most of his life he painted under a childhood nickname, bearing scars from the family politics. Pierre is either the grandson of Henri Matisse or the step-grandson of Henri Matisse depending on who in the family you talk to. They are long on talk and short on DNA. Long story short - Pierre knows Jean Matisse is his father. However if genes play a pivotal role in artistic ability than everything hinges on the gene pool. If not than having grown up in that family of artists including not just his grandfather but his father and mother as well, than he learned by imersion in the world of art and exposure to many artists rather than the gene pool. Pierre's grandfather taught him color after his mother tired of trying. He avoided any composition that reverted to anything close to his grandfather's art for years and painted under another name. Walking away from the family in his early 20's. As he approached 70 he realized what he owed his parents and grandfather and wanted to recognize them for the gift they had given him through their artistic and parental influence as artists. It was only after he took back his family name signing his art Pierre H. Matisse that his art began to change drastically. He felt released to be who he was and he finally found his voice artistically. He quit worrying about if his line looked like a Matisse or his color was reminiscent of a Picasso or how much DeVlaminck had influenced his knife stroke. Also this may lend itself to creativity in general look at business entrepeneurs as one prime example. However it should be readily noted that perhaps the gene pool does exist based on the preponderance of those in a family that exhibit no ability in the same or related disciplines. |
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| Posted over 3 years ago One thing that makes the question hard is that art hasn't always meant the same thing. |
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| Posted over 3 years ago i like de comments of gooberita |
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| Posted over 3 years ago I think that what we see in our families shows us options. I grew up around art and theater, so I see working with them as an option. Social work is a profound and regular part of my father's side of the family. My mother's side is full of the arts. I am a social worker who created an arts organization that does a lot of socially oriented work. |
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| Posted over 3 years ago Tough question to answer clearly. I think some people are born with talent, for sure. I think "real genius" needs that extra boost of genetics to change the world. Some people have a natural propensity towards math, I don't, and I never will be a genius in that field, but I can sure put in some hard work and learn the ins and outs of formula's and theorem's... No one "just makes it", I dont think there is anyone who just looks at a piano when they are 4 years old and instantly knows how to play it with all the skill and passion of Mozart.... usually when someone comes "outta nowhere" there has been 5, 10, 20, 30 years of preparation and sweat. So yeah, talent is genetic in a way, but the hard work to become a real professional, a real success, that is not entirely genetic, that is learned, its hard work and passion that makes us a success. I think when all is said and done, Hard Work/passion is more important than Genetics. Michael Jordan was one of the greatest basketball player's, he was left off the his high school team cause he wasn't tall enough... here are some quotes as to why he was successful... “I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come. I don't do things half-heartedly. Because I know if I do, then I can expect half-hearted results.” “Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” |
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| Posted over 3 years ago I think genetics do produce the talents. My family has a history of artisit people from glass makers to painter. The spark that egnites the artistic side of the talent I am not sure. |
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| Posted over 3 years ago I don't believe that talent is necessarily genetic. I think any art can be learned given practice, exposure, guidance and health. I think the real question of talent is the willingness to think about the world and comment upon it. The real breakthroughs from talented artists has always been taking an existing concept or form and reacting to it. So I would posit that talent has its seeds in being encouraged to question the world around you, planted in the soil of learning, nurtured with patience and practice, and finally blossoming through the communication of your own original thoughts. In short, it's not inherited. |
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| Posted over 3 years ago Everything is genetic! |
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| Posted over 3 years ago I'm not sure that artistic talent is genetic. What may be related to our genes is the artists ability to think differently... to explore the world from a different vantage point. Given this inclination, environmental support becomes a factor, with family support and encouragement playing a big part in artistic development. Also, I do not think the educational system has any positive effect... if anything the effect is a negative one! Grade and high school seems to diminish the creative impulse rather than encourage it. In my case, I have been an advertising photographer and graphic designer for the last 35 years. My grandparents who raised me were mill workers with third grade educations. However they encouraged me to follow my soul and to think differently. My wife studied art in college, but never pursued it as a career. Our son was encouraged from an early age to use his creative gifts and develop his talents. He is now a computer animator in NY! I recently learned about my father's family after years of trying to learn about their lives. One of my father's brothers was a concert pianist! My father's uncle was White House photographer for Harry Truman! Maybe there is a genetic predisposition that controls our thought processes, and we find art to be a way to use that to exprress our feelings. |
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| Posted over 3 years ago I agree to NEEHA's opinion. |
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| Posted over 3 years ago psychologists says that all peole born with talent. Society just help them to open themselfs. Sometime a child who can draw very well in his childhood after 20 years become a famous phizic and scientist. Talent - like a channel in a radio waves: if u are talented person u can do any job and be talented. U have to choose just a radio-channel u need for this activity. |
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| Posted over 3 years ago High artistic achievement by siblings is rare. |
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| Posted about 3 years ago
yusufumar_m said: ya, i remember a quote, but not about siblings - about parents: "The nature has a rest when make children" so usually If parents were genius, their children often arent most famous and talanted.
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| Posted about 3 years ago Hmmm...
Is the gift for creativity genetic? Although I beleive that many aptitudes can be traced to genes, I think that we are not limited to our genetics. However I am far from the only artist in my family or my family line. If you are board do some research on the meaning of my last name and look up my cousin's website. His name is Kai Richter and it would take me too long to find the link but if you want it I can E-Mail it to you. Best Regards, Chris "Crazy" Wimble |
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| Posted about 3 years ago mmmmm...I don't really think so. I think those who are surrounded by it are more apt to become an artist. As in my family. My mother, father, grandmother, two of my cousins, and brother are all artists. My brother works for Wizard. My father did freelance sculptures, and one of my cousins is an author. But, I was predisposed to it, so becoming one was almost an assured thing. My hu*****and on the other hand, had NO artistic people in his family. He became one on his own and through his own accord. It wasn't until he met me that he really found a love for it. I think it has more to do with personal drive and your personality. Some people like the idea of being an artist, but they just have no drive to keep going with it, persevere through the learning faze or aren't creative enough. (Although I also believe creativity can be exercised enough that any "non-creative" person can become an artistic genius.) I know, I take a lot of the fantasy out of being an artist. I don't believe you have a "gift", it's all learned. Anyone can do it. It's just whether or not, that they want to. |
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| Posted about 3 years ago I think a lot of it has to do with upbringing. If a kid makes a piece of artwork and is praised highly for it they are going to want to do even better to gain more praise. I actually hated art classes when I was a kid, I was into science and astrology. Funny how things work out :) |
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| Posted about 3 years ago I think its a combination of both, but its a fact that the genes are in almost everyone. take an example of someone created an art piece and other one who really finds it actually and appreciate it. both has that viruses of being an artist. the difference is how our brain evolves. to me its most likely "have to be" inside someone, n a little workout could make the differnce. My 3 younger bros are in the field of CG art, one good in Character design n animation, other two in product modeling and architecture. on the other hand i although know 3D Max and Maya, but seldom try things myself, in me the form of art is like "Improvement", i like idea creation, editing and giving final touches to the work. |
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| Posted about 3 years ago I do think that it is a bit genetic, but not entirely. No one else in my family is an artist. My mom likes crafty things like cross-stitching and quilting and scrapbooking, but my dad is a nuclear engineer. He and I are opposite sides of the spectrum. But it does have to do with upbringing for sure. I had great teachers that got me really into art, and then my family was totally supportive. My dad even tries to understand it when I show him something I like or explain my work to him. I know that he doesn 't totally get it because he's the opposite side of the brain, but he tries and that's all I can ask for. But then, there was something inside of me that I believe is the genetic part that MADE me have to do art, even before some teachers. |
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| Posted about 3 years ago I think it is a gene and EVERYONE has it. But, it takes someone or something to expose it. My wife, who has always said, "I can't draw a stickman!" was a fine example - with a little instruction and a short course on "seeing", she was successful in pencil sketching in a few days. Later she told me, "I didn't think I had it in me!" If you've never been snow skiing, you don't know how. But after a few hours on the mountain, eventually, you are skiing! :) |
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| Posted about 3 years ago I am a first son, and I've been drawing since I was 6 years old. Albeit the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (what else is a kindergartener going to draw?). My grandma was a graphic designer for 30 years and was an avid painter, as was her father-in-law, who came over on the boat from Ireland. She taught me to paint when I was very very young. And then my Aunt Theresa on the other side of the family is an on-again-off-again installation artist, and her first marriage was to a Filipino artist. Her first biological child, Tosha, has majored in art, and my grandma made parallels between her and me. Now my little brother just said he's going to drop out of graphic design and pursue auto mechanics. So sadly, I do think it has a lot with being the first born, but there are many cases where that's not true. I guess it all depends on individual experience over time. |
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| Posted about 1 year ago
Do I smell gas...??? Seriously now, I don't know of any gene[s] specifically expressing for artistic talent or, for that matter, "human nature" as might be posited by a socio-biologist. But should it ever come to be known, likely it will be several actors affecting targeted allels and in a manner or arrangement statistically unique to the individual -- i.e not "passed down". (In the interest of full-disclosure I'm compelled to state I've family on the teaching faculty of three medical colleges who are currently active in genetic research, as well as maintaining a clinical practice geared to genetic counseling. )
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| Posted about 1 year ago
jhaber31 says ... One thing that makes the question hard is that art hasn't always meant the same thing.
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| Posted about 1 year ago
I know of someone who finds it very hard to live in a family of scientists because he wants to be a painter instead of working as a science research specialist. His family firmly believes that Art is just a hobby of the privileged, and not a real profession. He is then forced to take up a bachelor's degree in Physics (Education) because he thinks it's easier than becoming a full pledged scientist like his sisters and parents. He just can't understand where he got his artistic genes from because it doesn't seem to be evident in any member of his family.
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| Posted about 1 year ago
more often than not , yes it is genetic to a point .
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| Posted about 1 year ago
Both my parents had the artists bug in them but never did anything with it. My two sons, I would say, were born with the ability to draw but they don't want to follow those steps. I still remember the first time I held a brush in my hand and how my father taught me to use it. Some of my siblings are also artistic but they never did anything with their abilities.
Failure is a good teacher, but regret is a bitter taste to your soul. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Have a great day, Patsy
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