IS TALENT SOMETHING WE ARE BORN WITH?

 Hello dear readers and fellow bloggers! In this post, I'll let you take a peak at some art and illustrations in my sketchbooks. We'll also talk art. As I started learning more about art, I noticed that many artists often get triggered by the word 'talent'. I didn't understand why until I gave it some thought. To understand what might upset or even offend artists when people say they are talented, one must ask what is talent?

Is talent something we are born with? If you think it is, answer me this- Why I couldn't paint well before I took art classes and started practising more? If painting is a talent one is born with, why I couldn't paint like this thirty, twenty or even five years ago? Why I couldn't paint before I actually invested time in acquiring skills that art takes, before I worked for it? Have I been reborn or is art a skill that anyone can develop? A skill you can even lose if you don't use it? Obviously I wasn't born again, so the natural assumption is that I wasn't born with the painting skills I have today.

Besides  a peek into my sketchbook, I'll also share some outfits, but all in due time!

Has anybody really been born with some ability or skill? The whole concept is kind of nonsense if you think about it. Some people will say they are a self-taught artists, but what does that even mean? Were they brought up in absolute isolation in a cell? Did they really spend their lives without being exposed to art in any shape or form. Probably not. They probably learnt art by studying other artists and people, either consciously or unconsciously. We all start picking up skills and abilities from the moment we are born. We all start learning from birth. Nobody is born with any skill or ability.

Nevertheless, Cambridge English dictionary defines talent as talent as 'a natural skill or ability to be good at something, especially without being taught'. That would mean I'm not talented, because I have been taught. That would mean that no artist in history was talented because all artists were taught (either self-taught or taught in a more or less formal way by someone else). Every artist was taught art. Every artist learnt and studied art. Every artists worked for it. Nobody was born with a developed ability or skill. Human beings just don't work that way. We're born knowing nothing and we slowly master everything from chewing food to sending people in space. We learn everything one way or another. Sometimes faster, sometimes slower. We learn and acquire skills and abilities gradually.

I mean every baby is born without any abilities, even the basic ones- like being able to control your own bladder. A baby doesn't have any knowledge and skills, let alone the knowledge and skills that it takes to make one realistic painting or play a classical piece of music on an instrument. The idea that the child is born with an innate ability to be a painter or a pianist is quite insane if you think about it. Nevertheless, there is something to it. Two children might be taught art, but only one will embrace it and become an artist. Was that child that embraced art simply been born an artist?

What would be more accurate to say perhaps is to say that some people are born with a sensitivity to something, an aptitude or an inclination for something. Some people are born with artistic inclination or aptitude. Some people will be attracted to music or painting from an early age. However, unless they put the work in, they will never learn music or painting.

I'm the living proof of that. I've always loved art, but it was only in my late twenties that I started studying art techniques. I've always been drawn to visual art, but I acquired real tangible art skills only in my late twenties and thirties. I'm still extremely far away from being a master of art, or even understand all the intricates of classical and academic art. It did get better at art. I got better when I started developing my art skills. Why did I wait so long to start learning art techniques? I honestly can't remember. It doesn't seem credible that I was a victim of believing in talent. I think I was always at least somewhat aware of the effort it would take. That could be it, perhaps I was just afraid of the time and effort it would take. Perhaps I was just distracted by other things and creative pursuits. For a long time, writing was my thing. Anyone who has scrolled down through my sometimes almost endlessly long wordy posts might have noticed that I have a thing for writing. However, back to the topic of talent!

Personally, I don't mind being told that I have talent. I don't hate the word 'talent'. I use it myself all the time to refer to other people. If you do something creative and I admire it, I would definitely describe you as talented.  However, I don't use it in the sense Cambridge English dictionary possibly implies it should be used. For me, talent is being extraordinary good at something. The fact that someone was taught (either self-taught or by somebody else) is understood for me. Of course the person must have worked on their skills. On the contrary, the idea that being talented is being good at something without being taught makes no sense to me.

Interesting, The Merriam-Webster definition for talent is slightly different:

a

: a special often athletic, creative, or artistic aptitude

b

: general intelligence or mental power : ability

2

: the natural endowments of a person

3

: a person of talent or a group of persons of talent in a field or activity

I don't have a personal bias for British English, but as an European teacher, this is typically the variety of English that we teach in schools. Nevertheless, I have to say that the definition of talent in American English makes slightly more sense to my thinking process right now. Still, both British and American English definitions tie talent to a natural ability. The American one at least includes the word aptitude which: 'implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it.'

Now, a natural liking for some activity or subject seems like a better description of what we usually define as talent. Dictionary lists talent and aptitude as synonyms, so I guess dictionaries ate on the right track at all. Dictionaries are never wrong. They reflect the changes in human language. Not all changes are for the best, but it is not the job of the dictionary to have an option on changes. The job of a dictionary is to report on opinions. In that sense, both the Merriam-Wester and the Cambridge English dictionary are doing their job. 

It has just occurred to me that 'talent' might be defined differently in different societies, cultures and languages. I wonder if my native tongue has to do something with my definition. I have been speaking English ever since I can remember and I still spend a large amount of time teaching English, but I'm not monolingual. So, I wonder how other languages I speak influence my definition of a talent.

 Being exceptionally skilled or good at something is what talent is for me. That is also what Croatian dictionary says. Has Croatian language influenced my personal definition? How do Slavs do the talent talk? Now, that I think about it, you'll probably find almost no mention of this definition of talent as an innate ability among Slavs. That's because Slavs believe in methodology.  Culturally, we're brought up with this idea that you have to not only work for any skill but also adapt the correct methodology.

When I was growing up, I often heard thing like: "It's five percent talent, ninety-five percent work!"  or "It's ten percent talent, ninety percent work!" Nobody every said it was half half. Certainly, nobody in their right mind would ever say that talent is one hundred percent of what it takes. 

Talent talk is a perhaps a bit more quiet in our society, but it is still there in different ways. We are something a bit negative when we're talking of talent. We don't assume that it is something you're born with, that talent is something that is given to you at birth,  and yet we might assume that someone is born without some ability. I think in Slavic societies we also often assume that some things are inherited, but that's a whole new topic, so I won't get into that.

 Have you ever heard of anti-talent? If you're an English monolingual speak of course you haven't, because that word doesn't even exist in English. If it would mean anything, it would perhaps be that someone is against talented, not something that refers to the person itself. Anti- is a negative Latin prefix meaning opposite or against (like for example antibacterial or antivax). This Latin  prefix is often used in Croatian with the word talent, but it doesn't exactly mean untalented, for that we have a normal negative prefix -un (in Slavic languages -ne). 

Funny, how this Latin prefix adds new meanings. Anyway, I'm definitely guilty of using that 'anti-talented' word, and I often use it when I get frustrated with someone not being able to do something. On the other hand, I don't think I have ever in my life used the word 'untalented'. Perhaps I assumed that talent is not something you're born with. Perhaps I assumed that it is more a liking for some subject or activity that an innate skill or ability?

What is the meaning of all this linguistic talk? Just to point out that different cultures might define talent differently, but still come across definition problems. As I have demonstrated, talent can be controversial word in English.

 In Slavic languages, you can be 'against talent' that is 'anti talent' and it doesn't mean that you're against talent as such but rather that you yourself don't posses it. Perhaps this word even comes with the implication that you never will. What is the difference between being 'opposite of talented' and being 'untalented'? Well, untalented is simply the absence of talent while the against talent thing is a bit more complex. 

Does it imply someone who doesn't want to learn or doesn't want to put in the work? Obviously, one can analyze Slavic definitions of talent and still come out confused, even as a teacher. While the definition of talent can be pretty straightforward in Croatian, its antonyms are more numerous and here the confusion could start. The reality is- the talent talk is probably complex in any language and culture. 

So, for me talent is a positive word. It doesn't mean anything bad really. I don't know when this shift happened and in what countries, this linguistic shift when talent started to mean something you were born with. I do, however, finally realize why so many English speaking artists don't like being called talented. Maybe it rubbed on me a little, as well. Maybe I sometimes replied with- Thank you, but this actually takes a lot of time or something of the sort.

The word itself has perhaps acquired new meanings in English- or perhaps it has lost its original meaning. Whatever be the case, I now finally understand why even fashion illustration artist frown at being called talented. It's not talent, it's work they often say and reply in their comments. Of course they are right, but the people complimenting them are also often right. I think talented still means accomplished to many people, and it does to me. Still, it can be tricky word sometimes and that's what this post is all about.

So, if I tell you that you're talented, don't be offended. I'm not saying that you haven't worked for it. I'm not assuming that you were born with it. I know that is nonsense. Many children might respond favourably to music, but only the little girl who played violent for eleven hours a day will be the first violin. It is possible to acquire any artistic skill at an adult age, of course, but typically one doesn't become a first violent if one doesn't practice for childhood because that's how education system and selection works in our world.

You can master any skill or ability if you put both effort and will into it. That's the truth. Talent? That comes after the work. You'll never know whether you can be talented until you do the work. It would be great if we knew right away, but alas just doesn't work that way. Does that mean you have to do all that work to even see if you're talented? That's certainly one way to look at it.  There are many ways to look at it. Maybe the mystification of art is what we need. The understand that while everyone might learn to do art, few are really willing to put in the hard work.

This is a pencil portrait drawing study done by pencil, if I recall well, I did it while following a YouTube video from Jake Don't Draw . His channel is really fantastic at explaining art in a simple and approachable way.

NOW LET US TALK EARLY SPRING OUTFITS WITH A SHORT  CAMEL COAT

In this post, I'll show you four different ways to style a short camel coat. Let's start from the first styling that started as a home outfit and was layered for an early spring outdoor outfit. As you can see in the pictures above, I took some pictures with my sketchbook in an outfit consisting of a lilac shirt, a vintage blazer, cord jeans and stilettoes. However, I decides to ditch the stilettoes for a walk outside and instead opted for high heeled studded boots. I also layered with a camel coat and wore a mini bag. I'll add some outfit details later, because it's almost midnight but it is still all quite sustainable in my fashion files, don't worry.

FOUR WAYS TO STYLE A SHORT CAMEL COAT- LEADING TO 42 DOCUMENTED WEARS ON MY BLOG!

I POSED NEXT TO THE CELEBRITY STRAY DOG THAT MATCHED MY OUTFIT

This stray dog is a local celebrity. Many have tried to adopted him and accept him into their families, but he would always escape capture. They named him Oliver, although he doesn't seem to respond to it. My husband affectionately calls him A Bag of Fleas- a name he actually responds to. Anyway, Oliver is a very friendly dog and he appears to be quite healthy, happy and active, for all his unkept appearance. The word is that he regularly eats at one of the families that tried to adopt him, but he still hasn't given up on his independence. He was so kind as to pose with me for the pictures. Isn't it nice when celebrities are down to earth like that? 

A MINI BURGUNDY LEATHER BAG- I bought it in Borsa store in Mostar,  I'm not sure how many times I have worn this bag more than thirty times for sure, most recently in this post. 

I often link up this post when I talk about this burgundy bag (even though it focuses on a pair of sandals, it features around 15 outfits with this burgundy bag). In this post focusing on a cherry print dress, you can also see a lot of different ways to style this mini burgundy bag. Moreover, in this post focusing on a white tunic, you can also see a lot of different outfits featuring this bag. You can also see how I wore it in October with a blue dress and a grey blazer.

SEE 7 WAYS TO STYLE THIS BURGUNDY BAG IN THIS POST 

WITH A MATCHING JACKET AND A MAXI SKIRT HERE

WITH A  NAVY DRESS, A YELLOW BLAZER AND A MUSTARD SWEATER HERE

WITH A YELLOW BLAZER AND BLUE JEANS

WITH A GREY COAT AND BLUE JEANS

WITH A MAXI GREEN DRESS AND BROWN SANDALS

I EVEN ILLUSTRATED THIS BURGUNDY BAG AS WORN WITH A MAGENTA COAT

 & 2 MORE WAYS TO WEAR IT

...and here with a lilac set and a camel coat and a blue skirt and a black puffer jacket.

...and here with a lilac set and a camel coat and a blue skirt and a black puffer jacket.

...and here the burgundy bag a maxi green knit dress and a leather jacket.

....and here the burgundy bag illustrated and worn with a black outfit

...and here the burgundy bag worn with a yellow turtleneck and floral dress, black boots and  a short black coat.

...and here with a grey dress, a brown hoodie coat and brown boots

...and here with a grey suit, a beanie and pink heels.

...and here with a yellow jumpsuit and magenta coat and pink heels.

I colour-coordinated with celebrity stray dog in Mostar!

#outfit number two 

ANOTHER OUTFIT WITH THIS SHORT CAMEL COAT, A GREEN MAXI DRESS AND A CORAL RED CROSS OVER MINI BAG

There is something new in this outfit and that would be this coral red mini bag. It was a gift from a teacher friend of mine. The outer items in this early spring styling are older, some a bit more and some a bit less. 

This outfit was more comfortable as I opted for black studded boots with almost no heel. I wore a relaxed hairdo and mini sunglasses my husband ordered for me a while bag. So, another gifted item in this post.

Sustainable outfit files- how I wore it before?

THE GREEN MAXI DRESS (New Yorker)- I actually have two outfits with this maxi green dress in this post. You may remember it from my Hutovo blato travelogue when I wore it for the first time. 

THE STATEMENT BLACK BIKER BOOTS WITH STUDS AND BELTS- Italian brand, they were bought in Retro house store in  Mostar in 2025. You can see how I styled these black boots with a green maxi dress and a biker jacket for a visit to Hutovo Blato here when I also wore this green dress.  You can also see how I styled these boots with a floral dress for a visit to Split in 2025.

#outfit number three

#3 A CAMEL COAT STYLED FOR RAIN WITH A FLORAL EDI SKIRT

Sustainable fashion files- How I wore it before? Well, I linked up this camel coat below. I have been reaching for it often this Spring. It's light colour is ideal for creating early spring outfits. 

As you can see, when I styled it for a rainy day in Mostar, I wanted to add colour. I wore a cobalt blue turtleneck, a floral fashion Edi wool and silk skirt and a pair of high heeled boots. I don't think these boots appeared on this blog before. I bought them this January in a retro store in Mostar, together with a similar pair of biker studded boots and a pale pink pair of laced up high heeled boots you've seen on my blog a lot of times. 

Isn't this panorama of Mostar absolutely lovely. These images were taken near hospital on Bijeli brijeg. This post over the stadium offers wonderful views of Mostar city. If you are new to my blog, and want to see more of Mostar, feel free browse my blog. I have a ton of posts about Mostar.

HOW I WORE IT BEFORE? Let's do the sustainable fashion files party link up.

THE FASHION HOUSE FLORAL EDI SKIRT- See twenty ways to style it in this 2024 post!

THE COBALT BLUE VINTAGE TURTLENECK- See two more ways to style it in this 2016 post!

THE GREY BLAZER- See a dozen ways I styled it in this 2025 post that it includes a lot of links to my older outfits with this blazer.

With this post today, I have shown you 42 ways to style this H&M camel coat. THE CAMEL COAT- See 37 wears to wear it in this recent post (and this styling marks my 38th documented wear).  When we add these 4 outfits, we have 41 ways to wear this short camel coat on my blog!

#outfit number 4

#4 ANOTHER RAINY DAY EARLY SPRING STYLING WITH THIS SHORT CAMEL COAT BUT THIS TIME FOR A VISIT TO MEĐUGORJE

Time to share another rainy outfit. All my umbrellas are from Borsa store in Mostar, and so are most of my bags. This cross over black bag is old and you had the opportunity to see it on my blog lots of time. The same goes for this pair of pointy faux snake print shoes.

While in Međugorje, we paid a visit to restaurant Fili and this is where this photograph was taken. My sister in law have me this necklace for Christmas and I have been wearing it a lot since. 

I practiced my art skills while I was waiting for food in the restaurant Fili (highly recommended) in Međugorje (Bosnia and Herzegovina). 

As you can see, I carried my sketchbook with me, and when an opportunity to practice sketching presented itself, I took it. I sketched this lovely floral arragement.

It is one of the art tips I found online- always carry a sketchbook. Use every opportunity you have to practice. I cannot say that I use absolutely every opportunity, but I'm definitely making the time in my life for art.

Practice doesn't always make perfect, but it always makes better.

Almost finished fashion acrylic paintings of the outfit I wore in my last post

Short coats are very practical in early Spring time or when Spring just decides to be on the colder side. They help us create a polished look, but keep us warm all the same. I have been relying a lot on my short camel coat, but also on my short black coat. 

Anyhow, do you have a favourite among these looks?

I hope you have enjoyed this post. It ended up being longer than I planned and somehow turned into an art discussion. I did say that I wanted to do more writing on my blog, so perhaps I'm on the right track. Feel free to join this art discussion. What is talented for you? How do you define it?

Thank you for visiting. Have a lovely day!