What is normal anyway

As I sat at my desk thinking about the week ahead, I realized that I almost always start the morning with the same sentence, "It's just another normal day". This is usually in response to someone asking about my wellbeing in passing before I have had my coffee, however, the sentence lends itself to deeper introspection. Why do I use this same apathetic phrase? More importantly, how does this relate to art?

As artists, we have a unique capability to see the world in a different light. Not only do we see the "big picture", but we also see the many layers that created that picture. Our minds are filled with explosions of colors, details, and textures. We perceive perspective and composition as our thoughts buzz with the excitement of bringing the world to a two-dimensional space even before our brushes touch the canvas. Yet, I wonder how many of us are trapped not ever transforming that capability into ability.

You see, these two words, though they sound similar and interchangeable, have entirely different meanings. As artists, we all have the capability to engage in imaginative and creative thinking, but ability is not a given. It is a skill that must be fostered. As we hone our technique and learn to observe the world around us, our ability to truly see the world begins to develop.

So, I ask you, how are you starting your day in front of your easel or sketchpad? Are you trapped in the same apathetic loop of, "It’s just a normal day in the studio?", or are you bursting with excitement wondering where your mind's eye will take you? My challenge to you for the week is to forget the apathetic normal. We are artists. We were never normal to begin with. Instead, let's allow our curiosity to propel us forward as we step out from capability to ability.