Have you guys ever heard that old folktale about the mockingbird's origin?

I don't remember where I first heard it, but it goes some something like this:

All of the birds were going to the wise-old owl to finally gain their voices. They lined up on the old tree in which the owl lived, but the little mockingbird, being so young, had fallen out in the rush as everyone pushed to get the best voice offered by the owl.

So, it went that the little mockingbird, no matter how hard it tried could not get back to the owl to gain it's voice. Hours passed, and every bird had it's voice except the mockingbird. Upset that she'd have the last offer, she finally got to the owl. When the owl realized what had happened, he gifted  her with the best voice of them all--the ability to have them all. She could mimic all the other sounds made and she was happy.

Or something like that.

There's several things wrong with it, that I find. But, my biggest problem is the gift given.

This may just be me, but imagine only being able to mimic others. I understand it's supposed to teach some lesson about being last isn't always the worst, or something. But, I'd hate it.

There's a sort of joy that comes from knowing that what you did came from you and it wasn't taken from another. A euphoric feeling just by being original.

For me, this is especially true in Art. See, if I try to do something off the top of my head, something new, it never turns out right. In order to get it to look good, it has to come directly from a photo or another drawing.

Exhibit A:

Done from a photo

Vs.

Original

I mean, being able to do this is cool and all, but it irritates me that I can't do an original drawing with the same effect.

I know a lot of people who can draw a person and get it pretty anatomically correct without any specific reference.

Even though most people have one art style because the flourish in originality over mimicry, it's still got to be amazing to have creations that looks good done that way.

An example:

(Drawing just happens to be Loki, cause that's my most recent screenshot)

I can't do this. I can draw this specific one, if I'm looking at it, but I couldn't do that on my own.

I guess my biggest problem is that I don't like being the Mockingbird. I want to be the canary or the woodpecker. I want to be original, but I can't because it doesn't happen for me.

I don't know, but I'm done now. I've bored you enough.

Good day all,

Architect Out.