The "A" Word

At pretty much every art workshop I run, there are attendees who have a difficult time using the "A" word and calling themselves artists. This issue is certainly not limited to students though. In my recent book  The Mixed-Media Artist , contributors were asked "at what point did you begin referring to yourself as an artist?" This question elicited quite a range of responses. A good number felt uncomfortable calling themselves artists and preferred not to use that label at all.

Why is it that so many creative people who make art do not self identify as artists? What is it about this label that seems to strike fear in the hearts of so many?

It seems that the word itself has taken on mythic proportions and magical connotations. People who have children easily identify themselves as parents -- regardless of how effective they are in that role. And those in school comfortably call themselves students -- even if they have a failing grade. But simply making art does not seem to be the only ingredient that enables all people to call themselves artists.

For some, issues related to confidence, ability and self criticism hinder their acceptance of the label. Some people feel it sounds pompous and self-important. They may think of themselves as artists but rarely, if ever, say that to others. There are those who feel that unless it is their career and profession, they do not have "the right" to call themselves an artist. Many people feel comfortable calling themselves an artist only when that label is applied to them by others. And there are no doubt many other reasons as well.

Maybe it is formal education and/or training that separates the artist from the non-artist? Well if that were the case, how do we explain Outsider Artists? Perhaps it has to do with recognition in the form of sales? If that were true, what about Vincent Van Gogh who sold only one painting while he was alive. How about exposure in the form of exhibitions and acceptance by the art community? Well that would not explain Martin Ramirez, whose artwork was exhibited for the first time more than 40 years after his death or Paul Cezanne, whose work was rejected by The Paris Salon for six consecutive years.

Our self-identity is based on how we see ourselves. We create it with every thought we have and every choice we make. Rather than looking for external evidence in the form of degrees, exhibitions, sales, or recognition, I believe that it is up to the individual to decide when (and if) they are an artist. Each of us who creates can make the choice to embrace -- or avoid -- the label of artist or just plain say that it doesn't matter one way or the other.

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Some of these thoughts were previously shared in 2010 in an article I wrote called "A is for Artist." But today I am curious to hear your thoughts...