A question for artists - how do you react when someone says that you have “god given talent”?

I was about to compliment the first dog but then you wouldn’t like that :P

I don’t have the same problem, but I have “imposter syndrome”. I often think I don’t deserve the praise and I just trick people into thinking the artwork is great. I’ve seen better artworks than what I produce and I don’t believe I’m that good.

Maybe you are encountering the Dunning-Kruger Effect, thinking everyone can do the same thing you can? Drawing, like many other things, actually take a little of aptitude.

I’m not a visual artist, more of a creative writer – I have written short stories and some non-fiction articles and chapters, and I have occasionally been complimented for my style and plot (in the fiction).

I would find the “god given talent” phrase insulting. It implies that I didn’t have the internal capabilities to be creative and successful, and that something else other than my own work was responsible for my skills.

That’s bothersome. It takes away the impetus to do more of my creative art, because it suggests that I won’t get credit for it.

What about atheists? How does god-given talent apply to them?

Nobody’s ever used that exact phrase to me but people tell me I paint beautifully. I usually say thank you (if I remember to) and then say, “I’ve been working at it off and on for 20 years.” I don’t say that anyone can draw if they practice because I do think there is some innate talent or proclivity involved but I do agree with you that it also takes work and practice.

I don’t have anything to add, I just wanted to link this relevant comic: http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/326/104/e0b.jpg

I used to write well, I was even published on a fairly small scale. People would periodically tell me I had a “god given talent” and I took that to mean exactly what they intended, as a high compliment. I don’t believe in god like that, but to take offense at such a thing seems silly to me.
I never inferred that they were saying I personally had nothing to do with the quality of my work.

Talent (God given or otherwise) is a starting point not and ending point. What you do with that talent depends on how hard you work at at it. Not everyone has that talent, I’m living proof of that.

I would get that on ocassion when I was younger and a serious classical guitar student. Some people really are born with a natural talent. I was not one of them though. I never could break through a few of the more difficult techniques that separate average from professional.

I ignore that part.

Don’t be discouraged with that comment. Keep in mind what @Jaxk has said above.

I am not an artist and I don’t recall ever having that said to me, but if someone ever did, I would mention the 10,000 hour rule popularized by Malcolm Gladwell. You are about 10% of the way.

I wonder why this keeps coming up lately? I’ve seen a few cartoons in the last year or so about this, including the one Mariah posted. The 10,000 hour rule also seems to get brought up regularly.

I’m not an artist. I’m wondering what will people say about me as being “God Gifted”?~

“Perhaps, but I’m sure the long hours of practice plays a part in my talent, too.”