--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is the ability to determine…" description: "\"It is the ability to determine consciously what it is that interests him, and why, that differentiates the artist from the art student.\" — John F. Carlson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97a/john-f-carlson-25416_ability_it-is-the-ability-to-determine-conscious_2510979.jpg" --- # It is the ability to determine consciously what it is that… ![“It is the ability to determine consciously what it is that interests him, and why, that differentiates the artist from the art student.” quote by John F. Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97a/john-f-carlson-25416_ability_it-is-the-ability-to-determine-conscious_2510979.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97a/john-f-carlson-25416_ability_it-is-the-ability-to-determine-conscious_2510979.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97a/john-f-carlson-25416_ability_it-is-the-ability-to-determine-conscious_2510979.jpg) > “It is the ability to determine consciously what it is that interests him, and why, that differentiates the artist from the art student.” [John F. Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-carlson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True artists choose subjects they are genuinely curious about, unlike students who follow assignments. **In simple terms:** Artists follow true interests, not just lessons. Key Takeaway Pursue what truly fascinates you. Themes creativity self‑direction education Mood inspirational reflective Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career choices - art projects - learning paths Key Concepts intrinsic motivation artistic identity Questions to Reflect On - What drives your creative choices? - How do you differentiate passion from obligation? A Different Perspective Students can also be deeply motivated by curiosity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Art Student](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-student-738866/) [Art students](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-students/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Consciously Interests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciously-interests-1155300/) [Determine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determine/) [Determine Consciously](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determine-consciously-1155299/) [Differentiate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differentiate/) [Differentiates Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differentiates-artist-1155297/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Interests Differentiates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interests-differentiates-1155298/) [Students](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/students/) ## Related quotes > [A very young painter is seldom alone. 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Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-carlson/) > [This art of conservation is strength, and makes the masterpiece a masterpiece. Otherwise, the man who simply brought all the different colors obtainable, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-carlson/this-art-of-conservation-is-strength-and-makes-the-masterpiece-a/) [John F. Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-carlson/) > [The eye and soul are caressed in the contemplation of form and colour. The subtle changes of colour over a surface - transitions that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-carlson/the-eye-and-soul-are-caressed-in-the-contemplation-of-form-and-colour/) [John F. Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-carlson/) > [It is a curious fact that out-of-door nature is to the beginner an enormously overloaded 'property room.' He sees, for instance, the myriad of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-carlson/it-is-a-curious-fact-that-out-of-door-nature-is-to-the-beginner-an/) [John F. Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-carlson/) > [Too much reality in a picture is always a disappointment to the imaginative soul. We love suggestion and not hard facts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-carlson/too-much-reality-in-a-picture-is-always-a-disappointment-to-the/) [John F. Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-carlson/) > [Reserve is strength; overstatement is weakness. No one cares to hear the singer's topmost notes when the voice is 'nigh onto breaking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-carlson/reserve-is-strength-overstatement-is-weakness-no-one-cares-to-hear/) [John F. Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-carlson/) > [A picture is a work of art, not because it is 'modern,' nor because it is 'ancient,' but because it is a sincere expression…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-carlson/a-picture-is-a-work-of-art-not-because-it-is-modern-nor-because-it-is/) [John F. Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-carlson/) [Explore all 23 John F. Carlson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-carlson/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. 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