Who Are the Real Artists?

This one’s for all of you creators out there. I want to delve into what it looks like to define yourself as an artist. For those of us that create, we have struggled to know when we can officially call ourselves real artists. (Disclaimer: it is my belief that we all create, regardless of vocation. For this blog, I am assuming the creator is in the visual arts, music, writing field, etc though this idea is not limited to just those fields.) At what stage in our careers or our artists’ journey can we finally call ourselves an artist without the fear that people will look at us sideways for having the audacity to say that what we create is real art? This is written out of my personal experience in defining myself as an artist. While every artist’s journey is different, I think that most of us face fear when we decide to introduce ourselves as an artist. What if people don’t think my art is good enough to be considered art? Isn’t it insulting to call myself an artist when I’m clearly not as good as *insert “real artist’s” name?  Here is how I came to defeat the doubt and call myself an artist. 

I was brought up in a home that failed to celebrate the arts. I went to a school that put little focus on arts education. Therefore, my understanding of art was limited to what I sought out. I didn’t have many creators around me to define what it looked like to be an artist. In fact, those closest to me really didn’t have any interest in my art, let alone the arts in general. Thus, I was left on my own to define what art and being an artist meant. I had always called myself an artist growing up. This was solely based on the fact that I used pencil, charcoal, and paint to create images on paper and canvas. I considered myself an artist because I created art in the simplest way. It had nothing to do with actually believing that I was a real artist. I was too young, too inexperienced to be a real artist then, right? In high school, mentors began to encourage me in my art, regarding me as an artist. This was the beginning of my own recognition of myself as an artist. However, it shouldn’t have had to take others validating me to consider myself a real artist. 

The basis of the doubt that I had in identifying as an artist was founded in that I felt I didn’t meet the “qualifications” of a real artist. I didn’t have a formal arts education. I wasn’t creative enough. My work wasn’t good enough. I couldn’t possibly be a real artist. Note that I even made those qualifications up. Those were my assumptions of what a “real artist” was, not any sort of thing defined by art authorities (if those exist). The point being, no one was calling the shots about that other than myself. If I call myself an artist even if I don’t meet these standards, I’m a fraud. People will eventually figure out that I’m not the artist I claim to be. These are the thoughts I had.

This doubt is something explored by marketer Seth Godin in The Icarus Deception. He suggests that this doubt is rooted in the fact that we all feel like we are imposters. We all feel like we don’t meet the qualifications. Godin points out that no one who has made a difference in the world was “ordained” or “preapproved.” Yet, our inclination is to wait until we get “picked” until we do something. We wait until someone else says we can do something before we believe we can do it. He calls creators to “pick themselves.” It’s not until we take responsibility for our work that we will be effective creators. We have to own the title of “artist” and act and work in a way that honors that. Singer Amanda Palmer says, “When you’re an artist, nobody ever tells you or hits you with the magic wand of legitimacy. You have to hit your own head with your own handmade wand.” I think that is really powerful and aligns exactly with Godin’s points. It’s up to you to take responsibility for your acts of creation. 

So now that we’ve established that you get to define when you are an artist, how do you define that what you create is art? Because are you actually a real artist if you’re not creating real art? Like I mentioned earlier, I believe that everyone creates (Godin explores this as well). Do you believe that you create? Is what you do art? For anyone that’s ever had an art class, I’m sure you’ve addressed the whole “what is art?” dilemma. The answer, of course, is still being debated because it’s nearly impossible to define objectively. Godin’s approach to answering the question is one I think we should all adopt. He says, “art has no right answer, the best we can hope for is an interesting answer.” Essentially, he is saying “stop worrying about making art and just make something interesting.” The focus shouldn’t be on other’s consideration of it as art, but rather it should be on creating something of value. Stop defining art. Acknowledge that you create. And create something interesting. If you’re doing that, no matter the end product, you are an artist and you’re making art. 

Now that we’ve dealt with your and my outlook on identifying as an artist, I think it appropriate to address how other’s view your claim to be an artist. There will always be those people that don’t like what you or I do. Critics exist. So do differing opinions and taste. And that’s okay. The important thing is that you like what you do. If it’s meaningful and interesting, there will be a market for your work. Prioritize that idea because there will be people who will attempt to degrade or criticize your work. Note that I said “attempt.” What someone says can only mean as much as you let it. Godin writes, “shame must be accepted to be effective.” Learn to recognize when someone’s critique of you is valid and when it is not. You don’t want to ignore all critics because some have valid thoughts that could lend to growth in your work. That is why critiques are such a large part of art schooling. However, you must be able to ignore the voices around you that mean you and your work harm. What I hope you take away from this is to regard your voice as most important. You are responsible to pick yourself and identify as an artist. You don’t need validation and neither does your work. 

I’d recommend reading Seth Godin’s The Icarus Deception if you want to explore more concepts on what it looks like to own your role as a creator. Here’s a link. 

Written July 2018