On Calling Yourself An Artist

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I do not paint, I do not sew, I do not glue and stick, I do not write piano concertos, I do not scrapbook…

Because these things are seen more as “art” than photography, for many years I didn’t believe that I was fit to call myself an artist. It’s amazing how powerful those words can be to bring strength to this thing that I do. This thing that I do that gives me the energy to be creative every day. Sure I can go out and do a portrait session, shoot a wedding or be commissioned to shoot some travel shots but that doesn’t make me an artist.

What makes me an artist is the need to create, to make something that’s never been made before, to see something that isn’t seen by everyone, to find that picture that allows me to connect all the squiggly lines in my mind and have them dance out and onto the photograph.

Being an artist is being out in the world and finding that place that makes you most happy, that gives you a chance to be open and raw and vulnerable and free. Being an artist is about listening to yourself, not ignoring your ‘you’ time, but taking control of it and being the person you want to be.

I am not afraid to call myself an artist anymore.

Do you dare to call yourself artist? Please start…it will make you feel good. I promise.

“All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” Pablo Picasso

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32 thoughts on “On Calling Yourself An Artist”

  2. of course photographers are artists! so many examples………..as yourself of course! :) Photography is to me a special way to capture and show beauty around. Is a way “to see” and to interpret worlds that may be hidden to others.

    I consider myself an artist as well even if I still need many skills that will help me to express.

  4. I only recently discovered your blog and I love it! I especially like this post because it wasn’t a few days ago that I struggled with the same idea. Am I an artist? I started a blog a month ago to rekindle my love for photography, but my main career path has been tv production and cinematography. I currently own a business with my husband (www.cabanapictures.com). I came to the conclusion that I am not an artist. After reading your post, however, I think I have to reconsider and embrace the side of me that feels like I haven’t accomplished anything in a day unless I’ve created something. Thanks for this post!

  5. Thank you for this post Amanda, it makes me think…
    As always i find your posts so inspiring and this thought you shared here is one I currently spend a lot of time thinking about.
    I don’t dare call myself an artist. But m working on it…

  6. Well funnily enough I would think that, apart from the painting/piano concertos, the rest really would be more crafting than art, but perhaps that just nit-picky!
    I agree with your opinions on what makes an artist, but also it is about expressing your self using visual language rather than the spoken or written word. Of course crafting can play a part in that…..but art is so much more.

    I always define myself as a visual artist first and foremost. Calling myself a photographer has always been harder!

  7. As a freelance graphic/web designer and photographer, I have always thought along these lines as well. It wasn’t until I met my girlfriend and she started introducing me to people as an “artist” that I really recognized my self as one. Since that day when I found my self as an “artist”, I must say that my work has grown tremendously. I now market my work and have seen some success in the fine art realm of photography. There is power in what you see in your self, how you feel about your work and calling yourself an “artist” is only one step in unlocking your true creative potential. Thanks for sharing this with us! I can relate to this and appreciate it whole heartedly.

  10. Gary, it’s hard isn’t it? I just took a look at your photoblog. Gorgeous work! The lines and compositions in your photographs are beautiful.

    Catalina, so true and I think part of being an artist is always continuing to learn.

    Thanks Leslie. :)

    Jennifer, thanks and that’s fantastic. You are most definitely an artist. We are all far too hard on ourselves.

    Galit, thank you so much. I’m glad it struck a chord with you. :)

    Suzie, I guess maybe scrapbooking would be craft but I think fashion designers and people who work with ceramics and mosaics would definitely call themselves artists and rightly so. I like that you call yourself a visual artist- so true.

    Guy, I love what you said about the power behind it and I love that your girlfriend awakened you to it. When I first starting shooting bands years ago, a friend of mine did the same thing and was introducing me to her other friends as “my friend the photographer” and I was shocked that she would do that but it was true. I was out there doing it and she made me see the light, so to speak, too.

    Charlane knows it! More to come once I get a roll developed. ;)

  14. For a long time I felt like an impostor by calling myself an artist. But then I realized that doing art, in whatever medium you choose, is what makes you an artist. Even life is art if you live it with intention. =)

  17. Well said !!! Yes ! You are an artist Amanda, and a talented one in my opinion. And if you allow me, I’m gonna call myself an artist too, because I need and love to create, and to experiment new thing while being creative. Thank you ;o)

  19. Amanda you are always inspiring!
    I’ve battled with this title of “artist” for so many years. It often feels that if you don’t have a gallery of self made artwork on your walls to show off than what are you? What gives me the right to call myself an artist?

    This so hits home for me,
    “Being an artist is being out in the world and finding that place that makes you most happy, that gives you a chance to be open and raw and vulnerable and free.”

    Tomorrow I will try this out. I will call myself an artist and see just how it feels. It’s a almost like trying on some amazing new outfit you’ve always wanted to wear.

    Thank you for another wonderful post.

  20. Sheena: Yay! Go you artist!

    Sarah Ann: I love that you used the word, impostor hehe Wasn’t it Audrey Hepburn who said that thing about being an impostor until everyone figures you out. Maybe it was Grace Kelly- my brain hurts.

    Lulu: thank you. :)

    Krista: “capturers of beauty”- love that.

    Catherine: You are most definitely an artist, oh French one!

    Myla: Right back at ya, lady xx

    Whitney: Thank you. Yes, I agree. I often feel the “not being an artist” more around my family and friends who have known me for years than other creative minded people. I think because those people know all your secrets, it’s hard for them to see you as something else. Does that make sense?

  21. I don’t do anything that warrants calling myself an artist, but if that’s how you see yourself you should totally run with it! How you view yourself matters way more than anyone else anyways!

  22. It’s taking me forever to call myself an ‘artist’..or to see what I do as truly ‘creative’. Good to know that I’m not alone with my blindspot. Thank-you for this…

  23. Thank you for this message, manda. I didn’t think of myself as an artist until psychologists got a hold of me. But I personally feel that anyone who looks to life as an immense journey can also be an artist. I’ve been around enough art snobs to know that others opinions of what it is you create doesn’t matter. It’s the fact that you are expressing yourself that does.

  24. I love this post, thank you so much for writing that! My husband and I were just having that conversation about being an artist..Art is all so subjective, there is no right or wrong way to do it. That’s what makes it so amazing!

  25. Thanks for all the wonderful comments on this post everyone.

    Nikki, you are the first true artist, dear.

    Very true, Jen Lynne.

  29. I’m so glad you posted this. I was talking to my family the other day and I mentioned something about photography came up and the snarky (and rather painful) comment was made, “What so you’re a photographer now?” Part of me wanted to crawl in a hole and take it back. I’m mean, I’m no professional and maybe my photos aren’t great, or even good… But do you take pictures? Yes. Do I love it? Yes. Is it something that makes me happy? 100% yes. So yes, I guess I do consider myself a photographer.

    (oops, that was long!)