Am I a real artist?

How can I tell if I’m an artist yet? What do I have to do to become a real artist?

My students have asked these questions, and more. In the spirit of “there are no stupid questions”, I will try to answer.

In Ghana, and perhaps other places, they have no word for artist. In that society, it is assumed that everyone is an artist. I agree.

 

In America, we call anyone who sings on a stage an artist, but we imply that singing in the bathtub, is somehow less. Some think that dancing in a tutu is artistic, but on a dance floor, it falls short.

Everyone agrees that artistic ability and creativity are intimately linked. Nevertheless, people do not necessarily see that everyone is creative.

 

Here is a list of some creative acts:

Writing on the walls just before the new paint job.

Dancing in your underwear.

Re-arranging stuff on your dresser.

Selecting furniture

Making yellow circles in the snow

Saying something funny.

Making up a lie.

 

You get the idea. We are all artists.

Now, if you are asking about being a painter, that’s very different. It’s a skill that you acquire, and never stop acquiring.

So being a painter is journey, not a destination.

 

Edgar Degas said it best.

Painting is very easy when you don't know how, but very difficult when you do.

And I say.

Infuse every part of your life, every move you make, everything you say, with your personal creativity. You owe it to yourself and the rest of us too.