Do artists have a particular look to them?

[LMWilliams]

In a crowd of people could you spot an artist just by the way they look (disregarding sketching/painting material clues obviously)?

Are the stereotypes true? I was once described as a 'arty farty hippy' (jestingly) but in reality I'm not that at all. In fact I'm rather bland and now I feel most insecure about my identity! (TIC) I've been informed that real artists are edgy with wonky fringes and black rimmed glasses... Willowy and breathy, draped in organic linen and sandles. Damaged. Drunk. Mad. (ok maybe the last two sometimes).

I think people expect me to have pink hair or tattoos! Oh how I dissappoint them. What should I do?? I think I need to get a nose ring this weekend or all is lost and I'll never be taken seriously.

[artyguy]

Well i used to have mohican, and I'm covered in tattoos, but now I like to wear designer gear and look smart. I don't think there is a stereotype for an artist, as being an artist is an expression of your own individuality but the way you paint, not how you look

[laf.art]

well said artguy

[shadwell]

technicly artyguys wrong !! it's a "mohawk" hairstyle i had one i also have tattoos

would you pick me out as an artist ??


my sister dresses very hippy is often drunk and is slightly mad but she no longer bothers as she is no good at it wich is odd because she was brilliant when younger

unless she just found someone elses work and has been lying for years

[ianuk]

I have no idea. I am suave, sophisticated, handsome and sexy. If that is the look of an artist. I guess I must look like one.

Strangely as it may seem shadwell. I would pick you out as an artist.

[artyguy]

He he Shadwell some say potato some say potatoe lol

[shadwell]

Originally Posted by ianuk

Strangely as it may seem shadwell. I would pick you out as an artist.

probably a [ ] artist even though i'm more or less teatotal nowadays think i'd drank my lifetimes limit by 21 yrs old !!

[ianuk]

No seriously, I attended a life drawing class with many artists and whilst there's not one distinctive look, there's something that says to me. He or she is an artist.

I think in some way that's been my problem with art that I don't feel I fit in with the normal artist type and you too may feel this way, I wouldn't know.
You do look different in one thing I found about the artists at the life drawing. You don't look like you need 33,000 volts of electricity pumped into your body to get a response or the return of a smile. The only person there with the semblance of life, was the model.

[maryinasia]

Maybe it's the paint on the clothes and hands and face....

[ianuk]

Originally Posted by maryinasia

Maybe it's the paint on the clothes and hands and face....

That could be anyone painting the walls at home or a decorator. The old man across the road who paints every day, never has a smidging of paint on him and, his work has been exhibited worldwide. I rarely get paint on myself and if I do I wipe it off with wet wipes specially formulated for oil based paint.

[LMWilliams]

I think many creative types use style and fashion as an alternative means of expression and that is why certain art 'uniforms' appear. It doesn't make the artist but there does seem to be a trend even if it's a small thing like tell tale splats of paint on the hands.

We could also look at the style of artists like Dali, Picasso, Perry who used the way they looked to very much express themselves, stand out, and become icons. But then what of artists who remain completely anon so no assumption can be made from their physical appearence? The enigma quality makes even more of a statement perhaps?

So I think appearence IS linked in one way or another to Creatives because it's in their nature to think about it. Even more reason for me to get that nose ring. My husband will be delighted lol

[shadwell]

i dunno maybe my calm aura comes about from a thrill seeking life and heart in the mouth jobs nowadays i need 20,000 volts for moderate excitement

jobs done include street warden dealing with thieves and junkies , car repo man , dangerous dog warden , i presently work as a mental health support worker with non vocal and challenging behaviour clients !!

also worked in foundries with molten metals , the aviation engineering industry , and a microbiological products manufacturer with autoclaves so have also been in the middle of a high pressure steam explosion !

[ianuk]

I would say that what separates artists from others is not anything superficial like clothing, piercings or whatever. I'd say it's their behavior.

All my life I've dated what would be classed as normal women and my friends have been pretty normal from all walks of life. If you asked any one of them to name one trait about me. The word would be 'Quirky'...

The thing is with that - is that I have never classed myself as an artist and no one I know has ever known I have artistic talent until I started to painted six years or so ago.

I think scientists are quirky too and any other type of truly creative person. When I say truly creative, I mean in the terms that it's in the nature to create, not because they think it the hip thing to do.

Many of the great artists wore normal clothes. The great artists like Dali and Picasso wore pretty much normal clothes and had pretty much normal hairstyles with no gimmicks whatsoever (Except later Dali had that mustache) Damien Hirst looks like your common or garden everyday person on the street.

I was always of the belief of one thing. A person that is good at whatever they do, doesn't need gimmicks to prove it.

By the way. I've never considered myself 'Quirky' I always thought I was just another every day human being.

Edit - Better take Dali off the list, he was weird!

[shadwell]

Originally Posted by ianuk

All my life I've dated what would be classed as normal women and my friends have been pretty normal from all walks of life. If you asked any one of them to name one trait about me. The word would be 'Quirky'...

my words included psychopathic , loony , intimidating and there was one odd one that called me nice but she didn't mix well and didn't get out a lot !!

[ianuk]

Originally Posted by shadwell

my words included psychopathic , loony , intimidating and there was one odd one that called me nice but she didn't mix well and didn't get out a lot !!