NJAI - New Jersey Art Incubator

What Does it Mean to Be an Artist?

19/08/2024 NJAI

Throughout history, artists have served as flag-bearers of artistic and worldview revolutions. They have brought about cultural, political, economic and spiritual changes that are still being felt today. They have done all of this by making art that expresses their feelings, thoughts and worldviews. Creating art is an exciting and fulfilling way to live — but it’s also not without its challenges, including self-doubt, lack of support, technical difficulties and other hurdles that can be difficult for new artists to overcome. To become a professional artist, you need to have perseverance and grit. This includes being able to practice again and again until you perfect your technique, believing in yourself even when you get rejection from potential clients or employers, and challenging yourself to improve when you know you can do better. Developing a creative mindset is also essential, as it’s what allows you to come up with original ideas and turn them into reality. But what exactly defines a person as an artist? The word artist comes from the Latin word “artista”, meaning one who creates art. While Merriam-Webster defines the term as someone who is a painter, sculptor or writer who creates works of beauty and imagination, it doesn’t explicitly define what makes you an artist versus something else. Many people do have a passion for art, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are an artist. Even full-time professional artists don’t spend every waking moment in the studio, as they still need to answer emails, look after their clients, do research and take care of financial management issues. Another problem with the word artist is the fact that it’s subjective, and what one person calls an artist may be completely unrecognised by others. It’s not as objective as science or music, where there are clear definitions and a system of certification. Even the definition of an artist can change from person to person, as it’s often defined by the sphere in which they operate – for example, there are government and private sector organisations that grant funding to artists and require them to report their income, and these groups need to have a clear idea of what is and isn’t an artist. But, despite these problems, there are some things that all artists have in common. Most artists are creative, which means they find inspiration all over the place, and they are dedicated to their work. They don’t worry about what other people think about their skills, unique style or how they see the world, and they always try to improve and push themselves to their highest level of potential. Lastly, they have a deep connection to the process of creating. This can be seen in the way they are able to communicate their ideas and emotions through their art, whether it is through paint, fabric, music or dance. They are able to make people feel what they want them to feel, which is an invaluable skill that has the power to change the world.