When people ask me what I do, I answer “I am an artist”. Often times the response is ‘I would have guessed that. You seem like an artist.’ But I have always wondered what does an artist seem like? Is something more communicated in the words; “I am an artist?” Is it an aura, attitude, feeling or a certain look that speaks out?
While an artist is defined as a person who practices one of the creative arts, a performer of some type or maybe a person skilled at a particular task or occupation, I was sure there were preconceived ideas about being an artist. I was interested in finding out.
(I happen to have been a painter for 25 years, and a fiber artist for the last five years.)
I decided while I was at the airport waiting to board a plane for the Thanksgiving holiday I would do a quick survey of 15 of my fellow passengers and ask ”what words come into your mind if I say to you I am an artist?” I was not too surprised by their answers.
A few people wondered what kind of artist I was, and had no other thoughts enter their minds. But, the majority mentioned the following words :
Creative ( mentioned many times), with one woman getting a dreamy look in her eyes saying, “I wish I was creative.” Associations like unemployed, a special breed, gifted, risk- taker, open- minded, free- spirited, right-brain, left- brain, admiration, edgy, a little kooky, a certain demeanor, and a distinct personal style were all mentioned.
But then I realized that what other people thought an artist was, although interesting, were answers to the wrong question. What I really wanted to know was what does being an artist mean TO ME. What hidden meaning do I subscribe to being an artist?
After many hours of examining my thoughts I came up with the following:
I tell myself I am an artist when:
1. I need to dig deeper for a creative solution to the problem at hand and that I have the ability to do so.
2. I am seeking permission to be okay with my critical nature regarding visual things. I have a strong desire to change and try improve how things appear. I tell myself this need to create, to reinvent and to perfect is okay.
3. But sometimes I am just looking for an excuse- stereotypical it might be, for one of my antisocial, or quirky behavioral traits .
I guess I would sum up being an artist as having the license and the responsibility to ask What if…????????
I would love to hear what goes through YOUR mind when you say you are an artist. Please contribute and post your comments and thoughts.
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Call yourself whatever you choose...after all, they are just words...but always do what you are passionate about doing.
who would use "i am a vendor" in place of artist?
I frankly have no problem in the least identifying myself as an artist. I have a degree in it, so that ought to be enough. There are plenty of "economists, historians, chemists," etc. identified that way. But beyond the education and authenticity that allows, I also create art that is certainly recognized as such. I have also identified myself for quite a while as a "potter," but as my work progresses away from functional work and more into sculptural pieces, I feel even closer to the level of "artist." One thing is for certain though- I'd prefer "artist" ANY day of the week over "vendor." That title is just plain demeaning for anyone who devotes their life to their art.
Marsha, Believe me there is an art to marketing your product and it is no fun . especially for one who just wants to create things.
I talk about this on my blog at: why AM I WRITING A BLOG NOW? check it out.
An artist is quite simply a person who produces works in any of the arts that are primarity subject to aesthetic criteria. This word is not a judgment on whether or not someone has reached a certain, subjective skill level. Don't overthink this.
I am an oil painter and really enjoyed reading the comments above. I, too, have found it difficult to call myself an artist. I was a elementary school teacher and educational consultant for many years, but during that time I worked to improve my painting skills and become an artist. I'm not sure what an "artist" really is, but as a teacher, I have had people tell me I looked like a teacher or they knew I had to be a teacher. Sometimes I was offended--even though I know that I was a fabulous teacher. And there is definitely an "ART" to teaching, just as there is an art to many of the things mentioned in the previous posts. I think my painting and hand built pottery is reaching the level of "ART", so that makes me an artist I guess. I think it is in the product--but you can't let it speak for itself. Sometimes you have to toot your own horn if you want to be a professional artist--make money. It's called marketing. And I'm quite sure there is an "ART" to that too.
I never call myself an artist and I cringe when someone calls themselves that. I think the term is used way too much by people who have no clue as to what art is. Btw, all those descriptions are stereotypes that people have. It is my opinion for all the stuff that is being made, very little of it rises to the level of art and there are even less artists, whatever that is.
Having said that, I think you are on the right track. It is enough to try to reach new levels, to have breakthroughs, and feel unsatisfied with where you are at. I'm probably describing myself. It's really difficult coming up with a concept, a new way of seeing things, and then executing that concept in a visual medium. It isn't enough to just master a technique and settle for what is comfortable. Not only is there way too much of that, but, the system is set up to reward the safe and easy.
When I was in grade school our teacher told us a story about an apprentice musician who was told by the master that he couldn't play the organ without permission. His passion to play led him to break into the church and practice a few chords. Not knowing very much he randomly pushed the keys playing a chord that was so perfect, so amazing, that the sound reached the heavens. However, when he went to duplicate it, again, he could not find the right combination to recreate that wonderful sound. He spent the rest of his life trying to duplicate that perfect sound, but, never did. I thought I dreamed this up, except that the Moody Blues did an album called "In Search of the Lost Chord." So, I know there is a fable somewhere. I have Googled it a few times with no success. If anyone knows where that comes from, would you please post it here. Now, the message behind the fable is something I think of a lot when I am making work. I am tryng to make the perfect pot, with colors that are more amazing than anything you've ever seen. Of course, I always fail at that so I have to keep making pots until I create that piece.
Artists take their greatest pleasure in creating objects of beauty and/or meaning, especially for the enjoyment of others. I believe artists can be in most fields: architecture, culinary arts, photography, sculpture, painting, sewing, writing, fashion, decorating, gardening, to name a few. If you have the artist mentality, it has probably been evident since childhood. And if people want to judge you and put a label on you such as "good" artist or "bad" artist, that's their problem. You know who you are.
Ahh, it's that old story "show them, don't tell them."
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