# You can have one person's artistic ability: Who, what and why? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 13, 2009, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-have-one-persons-artistic-ability-who-what-and-why/517393 "2009-11-13T01:48:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-have-one-persons-artistic-ability-who-what-and-why/517393/21 "2009-11-13T18:59:29Z")
I’ll take Prince for the win. Then I will be able to sing, write, compose, and produce music of several genres, play every instrument needed extremely proficiently, and I’ll have good taste in clothes, and _bonus_ I will be very pretty. ---
**Author:** ![Speak\_to\_me\_Maddie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Speak\_to\_me\_Maddie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speak_to_me_Maddie)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-have-one-persons-artistic-ability-who-what-and-why/517393/22 "2009-11-13T19:05:49Z")
I also find the premise a little shaky. I’m not sure that talent is something entirely separate from inspiration, training, and experience. But playing along, I’d initially say the writing talents of an author who has the ability to put things perfectly, for instance Willa Cather or the aforementioned Terry Pratchett. Or perhaps the ability to fully understand human behavior and express it in a story, like Shakespeare. Then again, many great writers die destitute. Is making money a talent? If so then I’d like Warren Buffett’s talents. Or maybe Walt Disney’s, and create great art and great wealth. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-have-one-persons-artistic-ability-who-what-and-why/517393/23 "2009-11-13T19:17:20Z")
Well, I’m too old to do anything with this body and athletic talent so something in the arts would be nice. Just offhand I would love to have the musical talent (including the knowledge) of [Derek Trucks](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Trucks). He’s recognized as possibly the best slide guitar player living today so my lack of journeyman callouses wouldn’t hinder me too much. ---
**Author:** ![Oregon\_sunshine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/50afbb/32.png) [@Oregon\_sunshine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oregon_sunshine)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-have-one-persons-artistic-ability-who-what-and-why/517393/24 "2009-11-13T19:31:35Z")
I’m pretty good at drawing, but not anywhere near as good as Ingres. I would borrow his (or something like his) mad drawing skillz, if I could. Examples: [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Ingres\_-_Mme\_Victor\_Baltard_&\_sa\_fille\_Paule.jpg](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Ingres_-_Mme_Victor_Baltard_&_sa_fille_Paule.jpg) [http://chawedrosin.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/ingltier.jpg](http://chawedrosin.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/ingltier.jpg) [http://chawedrosin.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/ingwoodh.jpg](http://chawedrosin.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/ingwoodh.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-have-one-persons-artistic-ability-who-what-and-why/517393/25 "2009-11-13T19:41:39Z")
Peter North ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-have-one-persons-artistic-ability-who-what-and-why/517393/26 "2009-11-13T20:02:38Z")
Ability, not attributes. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-have-one-persons-artistic-ability-who-what-and-why/517393/27 "2009-11-13T21:07:02Z")
[Alan Lee](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Lee). ---
**Author:** ![Rib\_Eye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/53a042/32.png) [@Rib\_Eye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rib_Eye)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-have-one-persons-artistic-ability-who-what-and-why/517393/28 "2009-11-13T22:09:10Z")
> [@An\_Arky](#): > > Peter North Come again? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-have-one-persons-artistic-ability-who-what-and-why/517393/29 "2009-11-13T22:13:19Z")
Marcel Duchamp. Only I’d do everything more than once. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-have-one-persons-artistic-ability-who-what-and-why/517393/30 "2009-11-13T22:47:17Z")
I’d like to have the talents of Kate Bush. So equipped, I could damn well produce more than one album every twelve years, and **tour**! ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2009, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-have-one-persons-artistic-ability-who-what-and-why/517393/31 "2009-11-14T01:46:10Z")
Dance like Michael Jackson. Women dig a guy that can dance. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2009, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-have-one-persons-artistic-ability-who-what-and-why/517393/32 "2009-11-14T10:26:41Z")
OK, it’s a blustery, funny old morning here in blighty so I’ll plump for the one man who could capture such a scene. [J.M.W. Turner](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Joseph_Mallord_William_Turner_024.jpg), _the_ master in my opinion. The greatest impressionist in my opinion. Heck, the greatest painter. Oh! and Prince, I do realise I’m being greedy though. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2009, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-have-one-persons-artistic-ability-who-what-and-why/517393/33 "2009-11-14T10:38:05Z")
I listen to a HELL of a lot of music, and I study a HELL of a lot of art. And this is a really, really tough one. But I’m going to have to go with Keith Jarrett. That guy is the goddamn grand master of the piano. ---
**Author:** ![Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abby_Emma_Sasha)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2009, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-have-one-persons-artistic-ability-who-what-and-why/517393/34 "2009-11-14T11:28:26Z")
Well, I can sing, and I’m glad for that ability. I’m no dancer, really, but at clubs I can boogie. Can’t do much else but cook, I’m proud of my culinary skills. I would give all of this up if I could paint like Monet. I love his art. I love dabbling at painting, but my results are akin to a kindergartners playtime. I can barely draw a straight line. Oh, if I could only paint or draw, that is a talent I want so bad. I envy the sketch artists I see in the parks, why can’t I have that talent? Alas, it is not to be. I then hang my head in shame, the poorer it is to be me. But I cook a mean pot roast. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2009, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-have-one-persons-artistic-ability-who-what-and-why/517393/35 "2009-11-15T21:34:02Z")
[quote=“BubbaDog, post:23, topic:517393”] Just offhand I would love to have the musical talent (including the knowledge) of [Derek Trucks](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Trucks). He’s recognized as possibly the best slide guitar player living today/QUOTE] 1. I worship Duane Allman. The Art Tatum of guitar, IMO. 2. Derek Trucks is the only guitarist I’ve heard who deserves to be called “possibly the next Duane Allman.” Is it pure coincidence that he’s nephew to one of Duane’s drummers? I mean, what were the odds? FWIW, check out Debashish Bhattacharya sometime. Then imagine him doing a record with Derek. It would sell a bazillion copies. . [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-have-one-persons-artistic-ability-who-what-and-why/517393.md?page=1)