Merriam-Webster contains simple and full definitions for words in its online dictionary. The dictionary’s simple definition of an artist is “a person who creates art.”
That implies that anyone who creates a piece of art is an artist.
After all, art is essentially the tangible manifestation of imagination, and we all have an imagination, right? So, of course, any person who uses a medium to express something imagined could be called an artist.
Moreover, it could be argued that, under Merriam-Webster’s simple definition of artist, a person might even be considered an artist if he or she fortuitously created something that’s perceived by others to be art.
While I’d love to call myself an artist, the practical reality is that I would not consider myself an artist.
After thinking about this deeply, I’ve come to understand that I am, at best, an aspiring artist.
Sure anyone can call themselves an artist, and the term is often loosely used to identify the creator of artwork.
In my opinion, a person who is deserving of the title [professional (paid) or amateur (hobby)] artist, would be widely accepted, by peers and art enthusiasts, as an expert who produces creative works of an exceptional artistic quality.
Let’s turn back to Merriam-Webster.
The online dictionary’s full definitions for artist include “one who professes and practices an imaginary art” and a “person skilled in one of the fine arts.”
While I could profess that I’m an artist and I could spend a lot of time practicing art, I would not consider myself an artist. Furthermore, even though it would not be inappropriate to identify me as the artist of the artwork in this post, it would be better to say that I’m the creator.
That’s why I prefer the term creator.
By now it may seem that the purpose of this post is to parse words–and I’ll admit that I have digressed a bit.
The point I want to make is that I endeavor to be more artistically expressive. I acknowledge, however, that I need to grow artistically to the point where my artwork garners contemplation and recognition. In addition, I need to improve my techniques and style just for the sake of creating artistic works that better reflect what I imagine.
I’d also note that art is therapeutic, and drawing and painting can be a stress reliever for me.
This blog is a way for me to express myself so it only makes sense that I share one of my favorite forms of expression.
With that said, in a step towards being more artistically expressive, here are a few of my art pieces (click an image below to view the larger gallery photo).
