In the late 2000s, British artist Benjamin Shine began experimenting with tulle – the delicate netting used in ballet tutus.
Instead of using paint or pencil, he folded and layered fabric to create portraits that looked like they’d been sketched in smoke.
At first, his approach confused people. Some in the art world didn’t know what to make of it. He wasn’t doing what “real artists” were expected to do.
But Shine kept going.
Over time, his technique evolved. His portraits became recognisable.
Today, his work appears in major galleries and private collections around the world.
No one starts great. That includes public speakers.
People often say, “I’m not a natural speaker.”
The truth is, no one is.
Speaking well – like making art – is a skill. And, like any skill, it develops over time and with practice.
Each talk is a step forward. Your structure gets tighter. Your stories land better. You connect with more meaning.
You don’t need to be natural. You just need to start – and keep going.
Timeless Presenter, my new book on the principles of communication that never expire, will be released soon.
If you’d like to be notified when it’s out, you can join the early access list here.