Great thread. Always good to read inspirational things!
For me, I always loved Pixar's film Ratatouille, not just for its story and characters but for its message. One of the main protagonists, Remy (who is a rat) has a real talent for cooking. The problem is, he's a rat, so obviously people are not too accepting. But throughout the film the phrase, "Anyone can cook" is repeated.
At the end, one of the characters, say:
In the past, I have made no secret of my disdain for Chef Gusteau's famous motto: 'Anyone can cook.' But I realize, only now do I truly understand what he meant. Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere.
I think it's really inspiring to know that where you come from, who you are, what your education is, etc. doesn't necessarily dictate your path as an artist (or who you want to be).
You must be imaginative, you must be strong-hearted. You must try things that may not work, and you must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from. Your only limit is your soul.
^ Another great quote from that film!