It just comes naturally, right? No. You are, or you aren't. I don't think so. I'm just not artistic, yet how many times have you seen someone be so creative in their lives, but they don't recognize it as creativity?
The only truisms that I subscribe to is that everyone is creative, because it's part of being human. It simply manifests itself in different ways. Being tactful, for example, requires a huge amount of creativity, but people who are tactful and yes, kind, are not recognized as artistic. Maybe they need to start wearing black berets and drinking copious amounts of coffee or wine. Or adopt a holy than thou attitude?
I'm a teacher, the other day I had to tie a fourth grader's shoe discreetly in a cafeteria full of his peers. This had to be done quickly and covertly so as not to embarrass the child. How many times have you done this type of thing in your life, and then come home from work and berated yourself because you didn't finish a painting? Recognize your creative energies in everyday life, and give yourself a pat on the back!
Struggled with this one. I made the background too dark initially and it overpowered the 10x10 canvas. Ended up going over it with watered down white gesso. Then I used cerulean went up and down the value/tint scale worked it monochromatically and stamped into it.
