I'd always thought an artist was someone who was paid for their work. That was my criteria - just as a writer was someone who was paid to write. Could you be called a singer just because you sing in the shower? A lyricist just because you can find a rhyme? The voice of my father would say no. I can hear it. "Who is this guy who fancies himself a poet?" He would say (I'm sure of this) that it has to be a career, not a craving, to give yourself a title.
But that was a misguided idea. Not at all ill-intentioned, but certainly one shaped among a different generation of people. Life pressed its demands hard on them and you certainly couldn't be a queen just because you said so or thought you might like to be. Could you be an artist just because you painted or created? Not to them. But we understand it differently, because we know that - especially with creative endeavors, imagination is something that comes from the heart and soul and not from a degree conferred or a dollar earned. How many artists died indigent, possessing only their passion?
Anyway, one day I just made a leap and said it out loud: I am a mixed media artist. No one questioned it, and it was out there in the ether and has been floating around ever since. What are you?
13 comments:
Beautiful Post. I don't want to die with my passions tucked inside me. I am an artist too :)
I am not brave enough to even think it at this point (!) but I admire you for acknowledging that part of yourself :)
Well gayle, I have been to your blog and seen your work, so I can say it for you. You are an artist, my friend.
Great post. I always thought of myself as a writer even as a child. I wrote my first novel in the 7th grade, Footprints in the Sand, and read it to my new Jewish girlfriend, Barbara Gross. I had no idea what being Jewish was. I only knew Italians, Irish, and black people from my neighborhood. Here I am at 11 with a new best friend from an entirely different culture reading her my first (and hopefully not my only) novel. I am a writer. Check it out 77,000 words since November 2009.
Love that post. Teri, I have seen your things on your blog, and you are an artist. That Valentine's bike proves it!
and, I love what you wrote about your dad. How true! I can hear him saying bc I know their generation thought like that.
I've mused on this, written on this, felt conflicted about this many many times.
I never had a problem saying I was going to "make art," but choked on saying "I'm an artist."
Being published this year has helped, though when I showed the magazine to some relations, the first question was, "how much did they pay you?"
Sigh..... well, I AM an artist! That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it.
Smiles,
Eileen
fierceless inspiring audacity. i have met him before on other pathes. surprised to find him here but glad. i am a writer.
i typed fierceless and meant fearless. rofl. some writer.
Excellent. I am a Mixed Media artist who plays with trash, takes photographs that make me smile and when I really need color I work with fiber. It's art because it came from my soul. It may not make it in a museum or even be bought by somebody but it's still art and sometimes it's craft but it's always mine.
Thanks for the great blog. :)Beaq
Indeed you are!
You are and I am.
Love this post Teri. Ironic because lately I've been hearing the voice in my head say I'm a Photographer. It is scary to jump out there and BE want you want to be. I am a photographer. And my friend Teri is an artist and I LOVE your art!
Yes, indeed.. every word you wrote spoke to my soul.
I had visions of one million things as I read your write.
I certainly do not want to die either with my art inside my heart.. what good would it be to the world or perhaps that one soul that it could possibly relate to?
thank you for your ingenious post!
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