Why do I have a problem with people calling themselves artists...

Some random ramble...

You are not an artist only because you say you are. It is other people who decide it.

Someone posted on this forums something in lines of:
- I'm an artist ( I draw, but I'm not good at it )

You are not an artist, you are a shitty drawer. Just handle the truth. And work your way to become better.


Other annoying type of people are ones calling themselves creative.
If you find someone who says he is creative just stick as far as possibile from him. He probably has some issues.

 

I hear you.
Just because you can afford paper and pen does mean you are an artist.

 

So if someone else says I'm an artist I must be one... Right?

 

I am an artist who needs improvement but people have bought my paintings for 100's of dollars. I think that makes me an artist. It really is the eye of the beholder. You may think one person's art is crap but to someone else it is a masterpiece. My house is full of arts and crafts. I create things daily. That makes me creative. Why insult people you do not even know. I could say I never trust anyone who says they never lie but in doing so I am putting a judgement on an individual that I do not know and placing limitations on myself. When you judge people who claim they are creative you are placing limits on yourself and could miss out on friendships in the future.

 

Most of us don't care about making friends with the entire world.

I agree that calling oneself an artist does not make you one. Accomplishment is everything here.

 

the worst are subway employees. "sandwich artist" my ass.

 

I don't care what people call themselves.

What I care about, is if you want an artist/performer to do something for you, fucking pay them. Pay your artists, people.

 

i don't call myself an artist of anything,but other people call me that and last year someone offered me a grand for one of my paintings.it was'nt for sale ,it was a birthday present for a friend. he kept offering more money,but got the message in the end it was'nt for sale.i just found it very amusing at the time.but ya if someone is painting ,writing or anything else on a full time basis, outside of any other work,then ya they should get paid for their work.and theres nothing more wonderful ta be able ta make a living outa what you love doing them most.

 

I think an artist needs to earn a market income from his product to be called one.

 

Van Gogh never sold a painting in his life. So during his life he wasn't an artist?

 

I was just going to add a caveat for individuals who pursue their art full time, even if they are financially unsuccessful.

Knowing only about Van Gogh's ear, but nothing about his routine, I should ask: How did he support himself? What portion of his day did he devote to painting?

It is quite possible that individuals whom we think of as artists now, were nothing but very talented amateurs whom we'd pay no attention to if it weren't for the marketing they've received posthumously from other agents.

 

so i guess technically it's anyone who does something that's considered an art. especially if they do it well.

or anyone that does something well.

 

There are few true artists, but there are many wannabes who wish they were artists.

 

Defining what a 'true' artist is, is kind of a herding cats exercise.

 

There are many myths about Van Gogh but he did lead an interesting life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG1zGY7lE1U"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG1zGY7lE1U

 

Well, obviously I'm going to have to ask for some cliff notes as Van Gogh is only of passing interest to me. Had it been a life of Frank Zappa or Jean-Michel Basquiat, I would most certainly have watched it all!

 

i totally disagree with that. if someone is an artist,their an artist regardless of whether theres money involved in it or not.is a chef less of an artist in his own kitchen if he's outa work ?as his/her quality of creative skill would be the same.

 

What's so bad about being an amateur? Why do you need a professional monicker to feel important? I'm a teacher and I cook as a hobby! My apple pie is really fucking good! What's so wrong with that??

And, how do you determine talent, if you live in your mom's basement and no one will buy your paintings, can you really say you have any talent? BTW, I'm not making the leap into saying whoever sells more is more talented. Justin Bieber is more talented than Van Gogh. No.

But, I am saying that if you devote yourself to producing a particular product full time, and you put it up for sale, and it's a good product, you will at least find a niche clientele.

People sell used panties on Cragslist, for crissakes! I think... :S

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Edit: In fact, I believe real talent is usually found in niche clienteles rather than mass commercial ventures. But it's no less a clientele.

Edit2: Did Van Gogh see himself as an artist? I find that often people with real talent are more self-critical than some entitled teenager who mooches off his parents and plays the guitar twice a week, and thinks he's on a par with Frank Zappa.

 

This is really just a semantics issue.
An artist is an artist. Now a good artist and a bad artist are two different things but they are both artists. Adjectives are awesome!

 

An artist, or a musician, or a writer is someone that devotes a serious amount of time in pursuing their craft. I like to write but I make no time for it so I.am not a writer. My best friend plays music and spends every spare moment pursuing that dream. She does not make a significant income from it but she is still a musician because she takes it seriously.