how do you know if you're actually a good artist?

Question

or just fooling yourself?

Answer 1

This kind of question often gets touch-feely answers. Setting that aside, here is what I'd ask myself:

"What kind of artist do I want to be?"

I think there are three main types of artists:
1. Traditional artists
2. Contemporary artists
3. Faux contemporary artists

A traditional artist is someone for whom technical mastery is most important and isn't so interested in doing innovative art work. These artists tend to be very representational and do portraits, figures, landscapes, still lifes, etc. If you're this kind of artist, then you're good if you can acurately represent what you're painting/sculpting/etc.

A contemporary artist tends to be more concerned with concepts and exploring the boundaries of art. A contemporary artist may demonstrate technical mastery, but also needs to have something beyond just representing an image. It's harder to know if you're a good contemporary artist, but I'd say if you're not creating derivative art, exploring ideas in depth, and aren't doing facile art "one-liners" then you should keep it up.

The final category is "faux" contemporary artists. These are artists who borrow the language of abstract art (or what have you) without really understanding its background or having any real intention for what their art should do. In a way, these artists combine the worst of traditional art (a fixation on the decorative aspect of art) with the worst of contemporary art (a lack a technical rigor and mastery). If you're in this category, I'd suggest giving real consideration towards spending the effort to understand contemporary art (so that you can produce some) or tackle getting the technical chops to do good representational art.

Oh, and in reference to those who suggest that the worth of an artist is dependent on what others think of him/her. Consider this: Vincent van Gogh could barely sell a painting during his lifetime, but today his paintings auction for record prices.

Answer 2

Simenzo pretty much has it down. He should be best answer!

Another category would be commercial artist - what Warhol ironically called himself - today, that kind of art would be small edition art toys ( that can fetch thousands..not that money validates the work) , handmade custom sneaker designs (that go for hundreds), fashion, record sleeves, band gig posters, comics, magazine design, etc.. the kind of art that's often integrated in nightlife in large cities. the artists that make those have often gone through art school and may have a fine art practice as well. It's often shown in galleries along with regular art.
But in that huge, vague category, there's bad and good. Some is derivative, some is incredible. Some has no substance, some does. Some is fun, some isn't. I believe part of good is originality. Once you get more into art, you can decide for yourself on what standards you want to judge art, but originality is a good starting point.

Answer 3

Despite being subjective, there is a broad idea of what is significant art. The general answer would be that it contributes to the existing body of significant art in a way that adds new value.

If I make a painting that looks just like a Picasso, what have I added to the historical body of work? It might have aesthetic value in someone's home, but not within the limited space of a museum.

More specifically, asking people with a long history of art practice and exposure is a good way to get the feedback you are looking for.

Lastly, don't stop making art because you think that it is not good. When I was in university I thought my art was good. Now I look back and see that it was undeveloped and I have made a lot of progress since. I don't think knowing it was bad would change the eventual result: that my work continues to get better over time.

Answer 4

i don't care if an artist matures. Hip Hop, to me, replaced into created by a youthful technology for a youthful technology to furnish them a voice, a automobile for desire, and for relaxing. on account that i'm now 34, have little ones, been married and divorced, and intensely own belongings, i don't care appropriate to the comparable issues I did while i replaced into 19 decrease back in 1993 while only Ice dropped "Gun communicate" or maybe while Onyx dropped "Baccadafucup". i'm mature, so i opt for to take heed to extra Jazz and R&B and a extensive majority of the Hip Hop that I pay attention to has some substance. Artists do not might desire to mature in Hip Hop because of the fact there'll continuously been an audience. What i actually care approximately is stability in Hip Hop. I have not got any situation extremely with Gucci Mane blowing up and being performed 35,000 situations an afternoon on the radio, yet radio/media desires to stability it out with a Mos Def checklist or an atmosphere checklist being performed 35,000 situations an afternoon. while i replaced into 19, you will possibly desire to pay attention Souls of Mischief, Diagble Planets, De l. a. Soul, A Tribe called Quest, KRS-One, besides as Das EFX, Akinyele, Snoop Dogg, etc all being performed interior the media. i understand I went off subject remember, yet extremely its much less approximately adulthood and extra approximately stability. And by the time RHH heads advance up, their lives would be extra desirable than hip hop besides, till they artwork interior the corporate.

Answer 5

I'd have to say that you'll never really know you're a good artist. What great artists get praised for is usually their most mediocre work, and it frustrates them. But a great artist is always pursuing the next plateau of advancement, mastery, or of expression.

I'd have to say that lack of contentment is one of the defining factors, the drive to pursue something more, and when you get to where you want, you still want to get further. It's the chase, and not the catch.

Answer 6

Sad to say, all art is based on the opinion of others. That's art. An artist is a slave to what people think about his or her art. If you are really good, people will let you know. If you are so-so, people will let you know. What makes the artist game, so crazy, nevertheless, is not everyone tells the truth. Some lie out of jealousy, some lie out of meanness, some lie because they simply like to lie. As an artist, you have to determine who's opinion you could trust, and who's opinion you can't trust. Trust is the key, not flattery. Also you could judge how good you are by how much people are willing to pay for your work.

Answer 7

Two things: My own working definition of art after years of consideration: http://theaestheticelevator.com/2006/08/04/defining-visual-art-a-living-document/

And a brief synopsis of a philosopher's take on the matter of subjective aesthetics: http://theaestheticelevator.com/2006/11/10/how-could-anyone-like-that/

Answer 8

the way u can tell if u are a good artist is if everybody likes ur picture. sure some people won't like it but if one person likes it ur a good artist. if i gave a survey of if my artwork is appealing to 1000 people and 999 said it is ugly, well at least 1 person is interested. if one person is interested then there are lots more to come

Answer 9

any artist can be a GOOD artist.. can't consider as the BEST artist unless there's a contest and you win the first place.. i mean your the best among the rests who join the contest. c",)

Answer 10

I know I am not an artist. If you can sell your art, then I would guess you are an artist.