Do You Call Yourself an Artist?

Miranda_Asch · #1 10-19-2009, 11:09 PM

Does anyone else find it hard to call themselves an artist? I don't know if it's because deep down I'm not sure I am, or that I'm worried that other people won't think I am. Other times I just don't want to deal with people's questions about my art and their uninformed suggestions on where I could display my work.

Half the time it just doesn't occur to me to say I'm an artist when people ask me what I do! The first thing that pops into my mind is my day job. I know I need to get over this because I probably have missed out on opportunities because people just didn't know what I do.

I do have trouble promoting myself too aggressively to people when I'm not sure they're interested. I don't want to be a nuisance!

I did a blog post on this recently and wanted to see what everyone at Wetcanvas had to say. Is it hard for you to call yourself an artist, or was it difficult at first to come to terms with?

**La_** · #2 10-19-2009, 11:30 PM

it took a about forever, and it's still a work in progress, but yeah, i'm mostly there, mostly remembering to say, 'I'm an artist' and mean it. the responses have been interesting. some just nod and smile, not knowing what to do with that information, others say, oh that's so cool. either way it just is and i'm okay with it. it really helps to not take yourself too seriously. also it helps a lot that i've been trying hard to promote classes - and getting super duper lucky with twelve students totally boosted my enthusiasm ! ... and promote art in general has become habitual over the last few years (arts society involvements, arts foundation involvements, city rec and culture involvements - word gets around!) ... i've recently been given the title of 'cultural director' for the winter games in feb 2010 so that helps too - got me a fancy dancy business card 'n everything! patience and perseverence does pay, eventually!

lol

la

AllisonR · #3 10-20-2009, 07:46 AM

Yes, I am and I do. Followed by I paint, if they ask what kind. Followed by details, if asked.

My day job is even HARDER to explain, so artist is the easy way out!

Jeff Rage · #4 10-20-2009, 09:03 AM

I guess I think of myself as a "painter."

Scottyarthur · #5 10-20-2009, 09:38 AM

No matter what else I do, I am an Artist first and formost.

it'sALLart · #6 10-20-2009, 09:41 AM

I've always called myself an artist. It's not an ego thing, it's simply my profession since 1977. I've worked in the Art Department, I created Art, I belonged to Art Clubs, I go and hang my Art in Art galleries and bought Art supplies... What else should I call myself?

And please, no smart aleck remarks! LOL... a lot of people could probably think of other things to call me. ;-)

Jeff, when I have said "painter" in the past, it's gotten into the whole "house or picture?" bit and that seems to lead nowhere for me.

Miranda_Asch · #7 10-20-2009, 10:02 AM

Hi, La! I think you're onto something there.. maybe it's always a work in progress? Kind of like wondering when you'll ever really feel like an adult!

It's great to hear that people can comfortably call themselves an artist. Maybe after so many years it will come naturally to me too!

it'sALLart: I have to agree with you on "painter," too ambiguous! Even people who know I'm an artist and I paint will say "your house?" when I tell them I spent the weekend painting!

**Greg Long** · #8 10-20-2009, 12:08 PM

I always called myself an Artist, nowadays I have to call myself a 'visual Artist' to avoid confusion with performing artists of one sort or another. I considered the term Painter but found everyone assumes that means decorator....
I don't find it difficult to label myself as an Artist....I do find it difficult to label my Art

Gerri Mc · #9 10-20-2009, 12:40 PM

I'm always reluctant to call myself an artist as I have a day job and don't earn a living from art. I'm still struggling to find my preferred medium too which is hard to explain when people ask 'what do you paint?'

At a gathering recently someone asked that question and my beloved hubby chipped in -"Skirting boards"! (Not much chance of me getting notions above my station!). Which is true too - I love decorating and I have a diploma in interior design - but I never called myself a designer either.

I am what I am, whatever I call it. It is the magic that is me.

Dennis Brady · #10 10-20-2009, 12:49 PM

For some, the label is all important. Others care only about the activity.

Is it your wish to create or is it your wish to be called an artist?

AllisonR · #11 10-20-2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis Brady

For some, the label is all important. Others care only about the activity.

Is it your wish to create or is it your wish to be called an artist?

Where is the GREY area? All the stuff between black and white - all the stuff between "label" and "activity", between "wish to create and wish to be called an artist?"

I imagine for MOST people, they are somewhere in the grey area. And when most people ask "what do you do" or something similar, they are asking in general about your career choice, not whether you consider it a title, or activity, or hobby, or anything else. It is a conversation piece. Those people who know you know what you do already.

Anyway, never mind; if I have to chose a title, it is MOR (mommy) - that "title" is much more important than artist, or anything else.

Dennis Brady · #12 10-20-2009, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllisonR

Where is the GREY area? All the stuff between black and white - all the stuff between "label" and "activity", between "wish to create and wish to be called an artist?"

I imagine for MOST people, they are somewhere in the grey area. And when most people ask "what do you do" or something similar, they are asking in general about your career choice, not whether you consider it a title, or activity, or hobby, or anything else. It is a conversation piece. Those people who know you know what you do already.

Anyway, never mind; if I have to chose a title, it is MOR (mommy) - that "title" is much more important than artist, or anything else.

Is your physician one that chose that profession because they wanted to practice medicine - or because they wanted to "be" a doctor?

Is your children's teacher one that chose that profession because they wanted to teach children - or because they wanted to "be" a teacher?

The label for a profession is irrelevant. The reason for chosing the profession is everything. I suggest that those that wish to do have little concern for the label.

cjorgensen · #13 10-20-2009, 01:35 PM

I have always been artistic, as many other people here at WC are. I always thought of myself as an artist, even though I was not creating anything. Sort of like, some people are natural musicians, foodies, engineers, comedians, etc. It does not matter how we make our money, that is who we are at our core.

When people say, "What do you do?" I tell them I am a traveling notary. That is my "profession".

But if I want to talk about art, I say, "I have always been artistic, so my goal is to become a professional oil painter". It's not ambiguous in any way, and says exactly where I am in the process.

I see on your website that you do portraits and abstract art. If I did that, I would say, "I am a professional portrait and abstract artist".

alfreda · #14 10-20-2009, 01:39 PM

" Do You Call Yourself an Artist?" yes because it's a good description of what I do on a daily basis.

"Does anyone else find it hard to call themselves an artist?"
No more difficult that when I called myself other descriptors of what I did. Not sure why it should be a problem or a big deal, it just describes what a person does.

Miranda_Asch · #15 10-20-2009, 03:06 PM

Wow, so many different answers! Everything from "duh, I'm an artist, what else would I be?" to "I have a lot of trouble calling myself an artist."

I find some people's lack of empathy to those who do have trouble interesting.

Dennis, you're right, the label isn't that important, but it does affect how we interact with other people in everyday conversation.

I don't agree with the way you compare it to other professions, though. If you go to school and train as a doctor, then are working as a doctor, you are a doctor. If you go to school to be a teacher, get employed as a teacher, you are a teacher.

It's not that simple with art. You go to school to train in art, do you get a job as an artist? You practice art, but as we can see from some people's answers, that doesn't mean you call yourself an artist. There is a gray area in art that isn't present in other professions. Obviously much of it has to do with attitude and confidence, where does that insecurity come from? There's a definite line between being a doctor and not being a doctor... not so for artists!

I wonder if doctors ever feel like they aren't "doctors?"

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