This is right to the point. I've never understood huge divide on the perceptions of an artist. Either I have people in awe of what I do or I hear them mumble to their friend that they can create it at home for themselves. I find that when I paint, it is pretty cut and dry that I am seen as an artist but when I do something more craft-like, I seem to lose that title. People are fickle. I guess that's how a Doctor of Chiropractic medicine must feel when much of the population wont acknowledge they are doctors.

well..uhm...i would say especially in the field of music when someone
who is a producer or writer or engineer or singer, calls themselves a musician. Now,
all the above are art forms i myself practice and respect.When you play an instrument you are then known as a ...musician.... by definition ( no matter what the skill level, of course)
This is important if you're applying for a job in a music field, for instance.

Most people don't comprehend the difference OR perhaps they hope to become
something and need insight into exactly what is required...

Well, interestingly enough, in The Baha'i Faith scriptures, art is viewed as worship, as is any act of service to humankind. There are many beautiful quotes about art and music in the Baha'i writings, such as music being "the ladder to the soul".

Thank you for this wonderful statement, Victoria. I'm a 44 yr. old artist who has worked hard cultivating my artistic vision and talents all the while getting it jammed down my throat that our contributions are seen as secondary in this society. Abstract and non-linear thought is seen as "irresponsible fluff", easily regarded as a "hobby" and something you do on the weekend. Sorry to disappoint all those linear thinkers and bean counters out there but, painting, drawing and printing is as imperative to me as breathing. I need, need, need to paint. It's my responsibility to my heart, my head and my society that I waste no time in cultivating my craft. My voice is as important as an doctor's. As Martin Luther King, Jr. stated, ‎"Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted."

What a truthful and thought-provoking article to read! I'm so glad to see the discussion unfold in the comments, too. I'm an artist in Pittsburgh and I also work a day job. It's at an awesome art museum, so in a way I consider it an extension of my career as an artist. Figuring out what it means to "validate" my professional life can be a struggle, especially with a spouse and family members in technical/scientific fields who are compensated with WAY more money - and an implicit amount of respect from society - than I could ever hope to make. Thankfully I get an awful lot of support from that same spouse and family.

I am back to re-frame my response. I stand by what I said but I also agree that an artist is a person that makes art plain and simple. I suppose the definition of art may be in order, and the discussion of art vs craft as well. I still think that commitment to and passion for art are not the same in all and that changes the end result.

Nice to hear people's thoughts on this....special thanks to Painter Nancy Bea for sending me to my dictionary. :)

Hey, V, I enjoyed reading this and learning more about your unusual self-appellation. Interestingly, most people, other than doctors, don't go around titling themselves by their profession. You don't run into Engineer Bob Mitchell, Salesclerk Vishnu Singh, Musician Lisa Vanderstein and Nurse Gina Hurst very often. But, I think you should do whatever you want...you're an original!
Also, in the past at least, it was considered very amateurish to claim to be an artist. You'd say, "I am a printmaker" or sculptor, painter or whatever. The term "artist" was felt to be an honorofic that was never conferred on oneself...that would be hubristic. And now, yeah, everyone's an artist. Even a FINE artist.
Me, I'm just a painter. ;-)

Am I an artist? Yes. How so? Because I make art.

To me, it's that simple.

I believe strongly in the value of art and I also believe that the art anyone makes is valuable and important, whether they just started today or they have 5 decades of experience, an art degree, etc.

I value the skill and nuance that comes with longtime experience, learning, experimentation, intuition, and so on. But I don't hesitate to call anyone an artist as long as they are making art.

So, I think our perspectives on that point may be different.

I do know what you mean about the "Oh, that's *nice* that you like to make little things" type of attitude toward creative pursuits vs. how other pursuits (like medicine, accounting, etc.) are viewed. That's very annoying, to say the least.

For the longest time, sometimes still, I find it hard to call myself an artist. Being a graphic designer does take skill and imagination, but I always hesitated to call it art for some reason. I've realized lately that in order for others to respect what I do, including the newly acquired jewelry making skills, I have to first respect myself as such. That being said, I am definitely working on it. Your post has brought me much closer to truly believing that—thank you.

Very good article, and while this is slightly off topic, it brought to mind the debate of artist vs. craftsperson.

I think it is important when identifying yourself as an artist you say Professional Artist which carries a different connotation than just artist because, like you say, many people define themselves as artists.

Hello I am Artist Gwyn Michael :-) I like that idea. As someone who has dabbled in every medium possible and become proficient in a few I still only later in life felt comfortable calling myself an artist. My degree in art does not make me an artist, nor does my lineage which is filled with them. Being an artist in my opinion has to do with the level of commitment and soul you bring to the work along with a gift of vision. Many people can learn to be capable with different art materials but Artist is an earned title, and one that is as you said not easy to earn. Very good post Artist Victoria!!!

You said it prefectly here: "It’s really annoying when people just think it’s so easy to be an artist. It’s so not." This is so true, I truly believe being an artist is a gift/talent and it's taken 4 granted by others often. Thank you 4 posting this! btw come visit www.lagelledailydose.blogspot.com btw I'm an artist in Pittsburgh ;-)

Victoria,

I agree - it can be hard to show your accomplishments as an artist as easily as the title Dr. can do for doctors. But even after I describe myself as an artist and my work as fine art photography, I still get requests to design table centerpieces and the like.

At least no one is showing me his or her rash at a party.

Victoria!! This is a fabulous article.
It is so true that people think it is so easy to be an artist. It takes lots of effort and time to come up with ideas that are different and unique. I was born an artist, so my family has always said. Still to this day, I keep learning all sorts of creative mediums to enhance what talent I was given.
People take for granted what artists, designers do. Everything in their environment was designed or made by an artist or craftsperson. We need to keep art in the schools.
;-)

Interesting post! I have only been an "artist" for less than 5 years - illness redirected my life from my previous career - I have an MA in something completely unrelated.

This change in career path has made me think quite a bit about titles, feeling comfortable calling myself an "artist" etc....

From my perspective, I think being an artist is way more challenging in many ways than my previous career (which was a very stressful job in a medically related field) There's a lot more uncertainty, but with that comes a lot more excitement and possibility too :)

The idea of what is art and who is considered to be an artist has changed so often over the centuries it's no wonder we can't be sure. Nonetheless, I allow myself (finally) to be known as an Artisit because I combine what I was born with and what I've learned/developed to create. This dictionary defintion seems about right: a person who is able by virtue of imagination and talent or skill to create works of aesthetic value; a person whose work shows exceptional creative ability or skill. (much better than wikipedia)

Sometimes I feel like I'm performing surgery when I'm working on the studio (or rather, most of the time). I had a med student working as a life model at Moore for a while, he learned a lot from us, and I was sorry to see him go.

If there were no artists, we'd all be wearing potato sacks instead of clothing....and plain brown sacks. Actually, then there'd be no paper-makers or burlap weavers. SO we'd all be naked in the dark.

There is no life without art.

Sarah, agreed......What WOULD the world be without artists? Even though I have an (over) active imagination, it is really unimaginable. Your point about art not being valid is a good one. I work with kids and art, TWO areas of low value....double whammy!!!!

Interesting post! It's true that people take for granted that an artist's skills are something "anybody" could learn, if they were interested. We also live in a a society that doesn't value the artist for her/his contributions, but only the piece of art once it's obtained some kind of dollar value. And yet, what would our world be like without artists?