Late Bloomers and Geniuses – New Year Approaching
Just finished Malcolm Gladwell’s What the Dog Saw. Galdwell is always an interesting writer who takes things we think we know about and makes us look at them in new ways.
If you, like me, are thinking about the New Year, take the time to read his essay, Late Bloomers: Why do we equate genius with precocity?.
To summarize: Some artists and writers are like Picasso. Made lots of art, started young and carried on throughout his life creating masterpiece after masterpiece. Other artists and writers are like Cezanne. Painted a long time, but really only became a great painter later in his life and frequently had to be supported emotionally and financially by his friends and family.
Picasso knew what he wanted to paint, executed it and that was that. Cezanne painted the same subject many times, refining, exploring, always seeking, seldom finding.
That doesn’t mean Picasso was a better artist. Gladwell’s conclusion is that late bloomers proceed by trial and error, use the process of making art as a way of refining their vision and revel in the process, not the end result. This takes time.
I find it very reassuring as I approach the New Year, with a not-very-clear idea of where my art wants go, that others have trod this path before me. Some of us come to art relatively late in life after perhaps being successful in other venues; spend a lot of time experimenting, refining, thinking; and find fault many times in what we do create.
Gladwell’s essay made me realize all of this is part of the process for late bloomers and there is nothing I need to do but carry on searching in the New Year by making more art.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I think the main thing to hold in mind about “late bloomers” is not so much the “late” thing, but the WAY of working that is inherent in Gladwell’s designations. It just takes time when process IS product.
Great post Virginia, I feel much better about being a late bloomer now! It makes sense – i wasn’t ready earlier.
Comforting and inspiring Virginia. Happy New Year.
Well said! And thanks for saying it. I needed to hear it as another year comes to an end and my novel lays unfinished….
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! And hope all of your cookies turned out sweeetttt.
Dawn
I also love Malcolm Gladwells’ books! One of my students recently recommended “Outliers” about “Success” and his theory…It answered many of my questions about “coincidence”, and “luck” vs. hard work, and skill; and how it all plays into success. His 10,000 hours of preparing to become a master is pretty thought provoking as well. Excellent, easy reading.
Thanks for this from another late bloomer.
what a great post Virginia, thanks for writing it.