In How to Be an Artist, Jerry Saltz begins with a simple but powerful declaration: “Step One: You Are a Total Amateur.” This passage stands out because it challenges the fear of inexperience and reframes it as an advantage rather than a weakness. Saltz argues that being an amateur is a strength because it means you are free from rigid expectations, open to experimentation, and unafraid of failure. Every great artist starts as an amateur, and expertise is something developed through persistence, not something granted at the outset.
This idea resonates with me because creative pursuits whether in art, writing, or any other form of art are often blocked by the fear of not being “good enough.” Society tends to value mastery and dismiss the early stages of learning as unimportant, but Saltz suggests the opposite: those early stages are essential. Being an amateur means you are actively engaging in the creative process, rather than passively admiring from the sidelines.
Saltz’s words remind me that creativity is not about perfection; it’s about the willingness to create despite imperfection. It suggests that failure is not just inevitable but necessary. When I read this passage, I thought about how often people hold themselves back from trying something new because they feel they lack talent or expertise. But if being an amateur is a necessary step, then there’s no shame in starting from the bottom.
This passage also makes me think about how many great artists, writers, and musicians likely struggled in the beginning. Even when I started playing sports I wasn’t good at all and people hated when I was on their team because I was inexperienced. Now I am a really good athlete and everyone would love to have me on their team. If we had let self-doubt stop us, our work would never have existed. Saltz’s message is a clear embrace of being an amateur. It is not a barrier but a beginning, full of possibility. Creativity thrives when we allow ourselves to start imperfectly and improve along the way.