What exactly makes a "real" artist? I see myself as a "wannabe" artist, and I read the term...

Question

..."real" artist the other day.

No right answers here, but if you would please offer "a seat of the pants" definition (in your own words, whatever pops into your mind) of a "real" artist, I would love to read it.

Is it based on talent?

Getting paid?

Passion?

Who enjoys the work?

Answer 1

A real artist is one who produces art, plain and simple.

One cannot measure an artist by success; how many paintings did Van Gogh sell in his lifetime?

One cannot measure an artist by critical acclaim; Delacroix's "Massacre At Chios" was villified in its day, as was Duchamp's "Nude Descending A Staircase", etc.

One cannot measure an artist on perception of talent; there is no strict definition of what constitutes talent.

The only definition I give to art is that it is a measure of communication. It is the communication of emotion. An artist is one who aspires to communicate emotion.

That's a real artist, and that is what you are, my friend.

Answer 2

The trick is not to confuse the term "real artist" with "professional artist."

Many talented people do not get paid for their art. For some, it is a hobby or, even, a driving passion in their lives. These people can be just as much artists as the ones that draw illustrations for newpaper underwear ads.

Add to your considerations as to what constitutes an artist, the very definition of art. Of course, most would consider sculptors, musicians, dancers, writers and actor's as artists. But debate goes on about photographers fitting the definition, (I do consider a photographer as a candidate for the definition) and architects, landscapers, interior designers, art directors, clothing and costume designers.

I once watched a machine operator at a construction site. He was loading and filling trucks hauling away dirt from a hole being dug. I was watching, merely out of curiosity as he filled one truck after another. His scoop repeatedly dug up massive volumes of fill and deposited the loads into the truck's bins. Then, I noticed one little thing that really impressed me. By the end of each load, there would often be a bit of dirt, left on the edge of the truck's bin. This operator, with one or two deft flicks of his huge, powerful machine's "arm," would gently push the dirt pieces into the bin. Not once did he miss the dirt, or hit the truck.

I walked away, finally, knowing that I had been watching an artist at work.

Answer 3

Actually, all four of your suggestions have merit. But who understands talent; might just be craftsmanship. Passion can create true ugliness almost as often as true beauty, although some call it art anyway. Those who enjoy the work may just be dabblers, which is quite all right, but not art.

Art is when you have patrons who are willing to pay enough that you don't have to feel pressured to produce many variations on a single theme, but can really stretch and explore. Of course, those patrons may be your own family, if they are wealthy, but so what? It's the lack of pressure, the necessity to cheapen your vision, that allows for art.

Then you still need talent. And something even harder to define: inspiration. You look at a blank canvas, and you can see what you want to create. Or a lump of clay, or whatever.

Answer 4

Good question. I think the term "REAL" is what needs to be defined, never mind the term "real artist".

Assuming the term "real" refers to something authentic and tangible, then a "real artist" would be someone who devotes a great deal of their time and effort into making art, then repeatedly and successfully completes the task of making art.

The word "real", however, has many definitions in our language - and depending on who uses it (and their tone of voice!) it could mean a number of things, including your list above. If I were to use the term (and I wouldn't), it would mean someone who was greatly talented in their ability to convey their vision.

Other more descriptive terms would be "talented artist", "prolific artist", "renowned artist", "passionate artist" etc... but they don't all mean the same thing.

As for me - I'm a "joyful artist" :-)

Answer 5

Hmmm...well, I'm an American folk artist, in terms of painting as well as creating other types of folk art. (Think Warren Kimble/Grandma Moses) Some of what I do can also be called primitive folk art. For myself and many others, it's called art--for some, I guess it wouldn't be. It really doesn't make any difference to me though, because I love doing it.
I think art does require talent, passion and enjoying the 'work', but getting paid is just icing on the cake.

Answer 6

Who can define talent? Jack has a very definitive answer, it is now about money, for a true artist is looking to create from his, or her inspiration.
many true artist never sold a piece of art, and many never had a patron to support them.
if what you create speaks to you or someone else, then that is art.
much of my work, has been acclaimed by others, while I think of it as lacking.
a real artist creates what is enjoyable to him, or her self.

Answer 7

Yoko Ono did this one thing, I think it is the best thing I have ever seen, there was a ladder against the wall, and you had to climb up and there was a magnifying glass attached to a canvas, you looked thru the magnifying glass and you could make out the word "yes". Now is that art? I don't know, but I enjoyed the heck out of it.

Answer 8

I would say that a "real artist" is a poet that doesn't have to use words. Something like that.

Answer 9

As long as you see yourself as a "wannabe" you won't be. Do the things that make you happy. Don't worry about whether anyone else likes it. If you're producing work that YOU like, then you longer "wannabe," you are.

Answer 10

Art comes from your heart. You are already recognized by your peer, Jack B. That is more than many of the most appreciated artists of today managed to accomplish while they were alive. Besides, if Jack says it is true, I believe it!
[As long as it has nothing to do with fidelity or baking bran muffins.]