Artist, Artisan or Artiste?

[artsfarm]

There's a thread asking a similar question going on over at Etsy right now, and I thought I'd toss it out here as well.

By nature, artistic types tend to downplay their abilities and the value in them. I find too many people feel uncomfortable even using the word 'artist' to describe themselves, and this is something that, if one is to become 'successful' in any sense of the word, needs to be corrected. No amount of praise from peers, strangers or anyone else is going to do any good if we don't accept ourselves and believe in what we were meant to do.

There has been a long-standing debate over what is 'really' art and whether anything other than 2D art is deserving of that title. The result is that any and everyone doing something other than painting, drawing, sculpture or printmaking is considered an artisan or (yikes!) a 'crafter'.

Over the years, this opinion has evolved somewhat, but there are still plenty of purists who run shop, shows and galleries who stick to the idea that 'art' is 2D, and only in the traditional media. This denies a lot of people with a lot to offer the respect and attention they deserve.

In reality, art is not a medium or techinique; it is a way of seeing; of seeing differently all things in one's own personal way, coupled with the need to express that view through their medium of choice. It's not something to hang on a wall to look pretty; it's communication, and the intense, insatiable need to express oneself.

For years, my business card had my name on the top, with the word 'artiste' below it. This was my way of saying that's what I thought of myself because (for reasons I won't get into, but we all have our reasons) I didn't feel I was 'up to that level' yet. Once I got to where I was actually supporting myself through my work, at least in large part, I changed it to 'artist'.

This seems a bit silly now, but at the time, it made sense. This was about 25 years ago and since then I don't use what I'm paid (or even IF I'm paid; I've done a ton of work gratis, just to get myself out there and make someone happy) as a gauge of my 'success'. Even though I haven't touched my brushes or drawing gear in ages (sad yes, but not tragic), I am comfortable with the label because I know what I am and even though I'm not actively working in the traditional methods, I'm still doing something that stretches my mind and hands.

That's my take on it, what say you?

[wendyhumphreys]

I say everyone has a gift and if your lucky enough to find yours, be proud
and give yourself the credit and call yourself an artist.

[Itaya]

I love this question! It was amazing how I struggled in the recent past with how to answer someone when she exclaimed "OH! Are YOU and artist??!" I stood there and stammered like a fool and must have turned 40 shades of red while she was reaching for her card. I never did form an intelligent reply but it did make me stop and question how I actually view myself and what I wanted to project out to the world. From that point on I started owning and admitting every chance I got that I AM AN ARTIST!! And darn proud of it. :) My thought at the time was that if I owned it enough...it would eventually take root and become my natural response. Well...it worked! I now feel very comfortable telling anyone that asks or sometimes just volunteering that I am indeed an Artist! Yaaaayyyyy Me! :)

Personally I feel it is more a state of mind than anything else whether one is considered an artist. I've sold my artwork so I knew that if anyone thought you had to have sold some of your art to be considered an artist that I had at least passed that level of qualification. The last challenge for me was to just own it! When I made that shift in my consciousness it was amazing how things started to flow more easily for me. :)

These are my thoughts at least and I'd love to hear more on this!