While reading Iulia’s interview with Kathryn Elyse Rodgers, a fashion illustrator whose works I love, I stumbled upon this question: “What are the most challenging aspects of your job?” Kathryn’s answer was not surprising for me so as, I believe, any artist has the same problem - the lack of time:

Illustration wise, is keeping up with everything since I have to do it all in my spare time. I’ve had some very overwhelming days, because I want to do almost every project that is requested, but there is only so much time in a day and at the end of the day I’m the only one that is working on it. I can’t go out and hire help. That is one huge challenge. It’s all on me! I love it so much though, that it’s completely worth it. I just have to start deciding which projects are more important, and which ones I have to let go of. The biggest stress for me is time.

So I started thinking whether it’s possible for someone else to “take” your talent and to do your job for you? Perhaps some of you will say NO! I would have said the same a while ago, too. A while ago, until I have read Coco Chanel’s story and until I have seen Karl Lagerfeld’s Spring Summer 2010 fashion show for Chanel.

So, the hypothesis I’m proposing is: You can “teach” someone else your talent. But, you really have to be passionate about what you do, love it with all your heart. So much as to give up your ego. You have to be willing to give your talent away. You really have to be grateful for what you have received and be generous. It’s more about the attitude than the action itself. The actions will actually follow. I believe this is what Coco Chanel did. That’s why the brand survived it’s creator. Her talent is still alive though the first hands that materialized it into clothes don’t exist anymore.

I agree, to “teach” someone else your talent is a big challenge, but there’s nothing impossible, right? What do you think?