What a Virgin Artist Can Teach You
I have been a visual artist, painting and exhibiting for over 25 years. During this time, I have run many art classes. My absolute favourite was to focus on workshops to increase creativity with ‘virgin artists’. I love a good virgin and here are 3 tips from newbie painters to inspire your creative productivity.
My classification for a ‘virgin’, is a person who does not consider themselves to be an artist. They have come to the workshop to just have fun and they have no intention of a further commitment. They are completely new to the painting process, in fact, this could be their very first time. The best attributes of virgin artists are, they don’t argue, they will believe what I tell them and the experience is an adventure.
At the workshop
Here is the experience
You walk into the workshop space, it is filled with tables and chairs. You have never been here before, in fact, you have never done anything like this before. You smile to the other participants gathering in the room, even though the feeling of panic is slowly creeping up your back. You don’t know what you are doing and you wonder how you got talked into this.
The art workshop has begun. You have been given an enormous range of coloured papers and pictures, along with paint, glue and scissors. You don’t know where to start. The teacher smiled and told you to choose whatever felt right. “Just work with the colours and textures that you like”. So you pick up a few papers of your favourite colours, some with printed images and a few other shapes.
You begin to glue them onto your canvas. At first, you think this is silly, but then you relax. You start to really look at the beautiful colours. You run your finger along the edge of the thick ornate paper and it makes you smile. The magic begins. You start to create.
You forget where you are. You stop worrying about what the others might think. You definitely don’t care about what they are doing, because right now at this moment, you are creating a masterpiece.
Everybody has the capacity to increase their creativity because we are all born with an unlimited supply. Creativity can be nurtured, developed and increased. It can also be limited, shut down and ignored.
If you can think, you can imagine and there lies the engine room of your creative power.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world”
— Albert Einstein
Virgins don’t know how to do it
Be teachable
A virgin artist will not argue. They will not contradict or demand that their opinion be heard, because they don’t know what they are doing. This acceptance of their lack gives them a vulnerability that makes them teachable. They will receive instruction and they will try anything.
We live in a time when knowledge is power and resources are endless. Whatever we want to know, we can find it within a few seconds on the internet. Everybody knows everything, but if you want to grow and develop your creativity, you have to remain teachable. It is an attitude. Learn new things. Be willing to try something you haven’t done before. You may feel awkward, but the experience could be exhilarating.
“Sometimes, not knowing what you’re doing allows you to do things you never knew you could do.”
— Nell Scovell
Virgins don’t know how good they are
2. Believe in yourself
A virgin artist is willing to try anything. Most people, when faced with an unknown experience will become insecure and defensive. A virgin already knows they are clueless, there is no expectation. So finding out they are a creative genius can really change their life. I have seen the most amazing works of art created by first-time virgin artists. They just needed someone to give them permission to try.
You have to be your own cheer leader. You have great ideas, some of them might even work! You won’t know unless you try. My virgin artists are given all of the tools, the right environment and someone pushing them on. You can do this for yourself. Give yourself the right opportunities and allow yourself to excel.
“Do you have the courage to bring forth the treasures that are hidden within you?”
— Elizabeth Gilbert
Virgins want to have fun
3. Find what drives you
Your creative productivity increases when you are passionate about what you are doing and when you are having fun. Find what drives you.
Virgin artists allow themselves to make mistakes. They are exploring a new medium and in doing so, they are finding out more about themselves.
They may never return to paint with me again, but the courage they have gained through the process will help them in other areas of their lives.
Have courage, takes risks and discover something new.
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go”. — T.S. Elliot
Be a virgin again and try something new. Be teachable, believe in yourself and find what drives you. It could help you to see life from a different perspective and this could lead you anywhere.
Froyle Davies
I’ve been a visual artist for over 25 years and now I tell my stories.
Let me inspire you with this beautiful free print, ‘Above the Stormy Waters.’
Cheers Froyle
