The Art of Preserving Childlike Wonder in Mastery
In the world of art, a professional level is the result of discipline, hard work, and certain moral principles. However, achieving high craftsmanship by no means implies the abandonment of the freshness of perception that was once inherent in a child’s worldview. Even an experienced artist can retain the ability to dream, play, and see the world in vibrant colors without losing their original sincerity.In truth, genuine art is born from spontaneity and the innocence of looking at the world. All those years of diligent practice and deep reflection should not erase the liveliness and immediacy that distinguish the child’s view, free from prejudices and conventions. It is precisely this ability to see the world with untainted eyes that transforms professionalism into genuine creative flight, allowing the combination of a rigorous approach with the magic of unexpected ideas.Ultimately, the harmony between professional skills and inner freshness becomes the key to unique creativity. By preserving childlike openness, any artist can not only perfect their craft but also offer the world that genuine energy and joy which are the essence of true art.
Can one consider oneself a child upon reaching a professional level in art, and how does this affect self-perception?The answer to your question can be formulated as follows. Achieving a professional level in art demonstrates high mastery, which demands discipline, persistent work, and certain moral values. However, this does not mean losing the inner, immediate freshness characteristic of a child’s perception of the world. Even an experienced artist can maintain that capacity to dream freely, play, and perceive the world without excessive prejudices, intrinsic to childhood.As one author writes in one source: "Childish judgment is ontological. Therefore, for me there was no art that was good or bad, but simply art and non-art, and I know that my judgment was honest and unpretentious." (source: link txt) This thought indicates that in the purity of perception characteristic of childhood lies a genuine sincerity that is sometimes lost in a professional approach.Another excerpt emphasizes that even if a child grows up and is “already big,” their inner world remains childlike as long as they allow themselves to play and enjoy life: "Of course, he is not small; children are never small in their own eyes, children are always, from the second day of life, 'already big,' but if he is playing – then it is good, it means he needs it, which means that childhood has not yet left him, and it is a great folly to expel childhood from a child and a child from childhood." (source: link txt, page: 379) Thus, maintaining childlike immediacy and a playful spirit ensures that professional maturity does not deprive a person of the ability to experience the joy of creation, to see the world more brightly, and to perceive life unsullied by the strictness of adult logic.In the end, one can say that even with all the knowledge and skills of a professional in art, a person can preserve that childlike openness and sincerity, which positively influence self-perception and allow for free creativity. These two aspects – technical professionalism and the vivacity of the inner world – can and should coexist, mutually enriching the creative personality.