By Kelly Smith At what point does one begin to call oneself an artist? Does your skill level decide whether or not you are an Artist? If so, what separates the Artist from the Crafter? What separates the Amateur from the Professional? Must you obtain a certain percentage of your earnings from your art before you are a true Professional? Is being an Artist all about the simple basic need to create? Finally, do you decide when you are deemed worthy of this title or do you rely on the opinion of others? Several Artists weigh in with their opinions…read on… What part does technical skill versus creativity play in this question? Non-artist Bryan Sprouse (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=610278612&v=info&ref=ts) believes you are an Artist when others seek you out for your skills. However, if you practice technical skill alone with no creative drive of your own, you would be called a crafter instead of an Artist by many. What exactly defines the term Artist rather than crafter? Christy Nicholas Jackson (http://www.greendragonartist.com) explains her perspective, “I think that when you start creating your own things, you are an artist. For instance, there is a difference between someone who does a cross stitch and one who creates one, between someone who does a bead pattern and one who creates one. Someone who paints a 'formulaic' piece and one who creates something original…” Elizabeth Lord (http://www.facebook.com/Tantlian?v=info ) wrote, “I think some aspects of artistry that separate the crafter or amateur from the artist is training, peer recognition and the ability to sell items for a good amount of money.” Ash Evans (http://www.ashevans.com) believes that while anyone can call themselves an Artist; it takes something more to be called a Professional, “When can you call yourself a professional? When you have a  distinctive style for one… When any person familiar with your work sees a new piece and knows it is yours. Style and quality of work are two very big milestones you have to achieve before you can put professional on your resume.” Image shown left: "Phoenix Moon" by Ash Evans.
Some hold that once you simply create art, you are then an Artist. Connie Persampieri (http://www.thedreamling.com/) wrote you are an Artist “…as soon as you show consistent creative output, and you show consistent improvement.” The term “Art” is, of course, subject to many interpretations. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Billy Tackett (http://www.billytackett.com ) holds this view: “You are an Artist when you create art...The tough part is defining art. Art is a very personal thing.” Cathy Holford (http://pixie.freepgs.com/ ) has very straightforward thoughts on the matter of when you are an Artist, “To me, it's simple- When you start creating!” Christina Lynn Myers (http://www.christinalynnmyers.com) shared her thoughts, “I think you are an Artist when you feel confident enough to say you are an Artist and give yourself the respect to own the "label" of being an Artist. Also, and most importantly, have a dedication to the craft of making art for a lifetime and never giving up on your love for it.” Image shown: "Underwater Friend" by Christina Lynn Myers 
Jessica Börjesson (http://www.artfulcolors.com) believes that you are an Artist,”… when you create your own art because it’s just as natural to you as breathing and eating, and you can’t live without doing it, when you NEED to do it to feel whole and complete as a human being.” David Joseph Gough’s (http://www.davidgoughart.com ) opinion is this, “For me, the difference in the parameters of merely being and 'being' an Artist, pertain to the ultimate need to express something innately resonant in being, beyond the constraints of any commercial or egotistical need. It is a function that is as necessary as breathing, it informs everything you do, it is your church and your solace, it comforts ... you in your miserable solitude, it is euphoric and infuriating in its gradual revelation, it is the only thing you long to be remembered for, it sustains hope vaingloriously, when all of life's accounts are bankrupt. That is what it is to be an Artist.” Kirstin Mills (http://www.kirstinmills.com) has similar thoughts on the matter, “For me being an Artist is a way of life: or rather, a way of approaching life. A friend of mine takes care of her family in a way that can only be described as pure ... artistry. Another presents food with such flair and originality that she too could be called an Artist: someone who indulges in that particular art. Some others enjoy appreciating color and patterns in their mind as they walk past a brightly flowered garden. In this way, they too are Artists. In short, I think it has to do with passion and true love for a subject. An artist is someone who excels in what they do because of their passionate love for it.” We can thus conclude that purely the act of creating alone makes us an Artist to some and for others, it runs much deeper. Some create out of enjoyment and some create because it is so deeply ingrained in their Artist soul that they cannot bear not to. Ellen Million (http://www.ellenmilliongraphics.com) puts is like this, “If you ever feel a pull to create that outweighs all common sense or reason, you are an Artist.” Thus giving more weight to the stereotypical “Crazy Artist!” Maybe you proclaim loudly from the tops of the hills to everyone that you are an Artist. Maybe you are still unsure and being convinced by others that you, too, could be an Artist. Regardless of where you are in your artistic journey, ImagiCon (http://www.imagicon.org ) welcomes you with open arms! We have an Art Show in which you can reserve space to show your art to the world. We also have many discussion panels and workshops designed to provide you with information, insight and advice from many seasoned Artists who are at the top of their game. Join us at ImagiCon to learn from and mingle with other Artists! Check out our brand new Web site…we have new info posted almost daily, http://imagicon.org/imagine2010/ . Stay tuned because more info regarding the Art Track will be coming soon! Also, be sure to join our forum so you can give your input as to which Artists you would like to see at ImagiCon and what discussion panels and workshops would interest you. http://www.imagiconforums.com/ |
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