The Early Works.

Back in 2001, when I still lived in Washington, D.C., the Smithsonian Art Museum was featuring an exhibition of early sketches from some of the greats, Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Picasso and others. One fine weekday afternoon, I wandered over on my lunch break to take in what I assumed would be the raw seeds of genius. Now, let me preface this story by saying that I’m not well versed in art history, and what little I do know was absorbed by osmosis, growing up around a sister who exited the womb with a passion for the stuff.

And so, I entered the museum fully expecting to be blown away…to witness that it’s just in the cards for some people. They are born, and from a young age, talent just pours out effortlessly from their bodies. I hurried past the Greek and Egyptian wings, anxious to see if these preconceived notions about genius would be proven right. As I approached the exhibition, my pace slowed until finally I came to a stop in the center of the main room, where I then sat down on one of the large wooden benches. I carefully scanned all of the sketches, taking in the subtlety and simplicity of the collection as a whole. While some were quite stunning and full of emotion upon close examination, the majority of early sketches were just that. Most of us (common folk) would never know them from the student drawings hanging in our local high school.

Strangely enough, for this very reason, the sketches in that collection have stayed with me and I’ve thought of them nearly every day since. Taken together, they convey the message that greatness is available to all of us. Each of the artists featured rose to new heights by rolling up their sleeves and practicing every day, constantly improving, constantly editing their own work. The sketches capture the humble beginnings that we each face when learning something new. Genius is often an illusion. For most people associated with that title, their talent was the bi-product of hard work and consistent effort. Perhaps a less romantic view of success, but one that I’d choose every time.

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