photo credit: Ian Kingsnorth
You will see it all over this website, on guest posts and in interviews, when I talk on social media about the courses I create, or the work I do.
If it’s not written it’s implied. If I’m not actually writing or talking about myself as ‘an artist’, you’ll see images of me wearing a paint splattered apron, or of paintings I’ve made, or talking about something art related. I chose the image for this post on purpose.😉
And in spite of all this, I don’t think of myself as an artist.
It’s not because I don’t think I’m ‘good’ at art; I’m no Da Vinci but I can draw and express myself in paint in a way that’s pleasing and meaningful to both me and others.
It’s not because I don’t have a Fine Art degree. I don’t have a degree at all, actually.
It’s not because I don’t paint every day, or even every week.
It’s not because I don’t make a full time living from selling paintings.
It’s because ultimately, it doesn’t mean anything. Not anything real about who I am, or about who you are.
It’s a useful label so you can identify what I’m doing and whether or not that’s going to be interesting to you, or supportive of your own path.
If you visit here and like what you see, that’s wonderful. I love to connect and share with you.
I love to make art; that much is evident. I just don’t care what I’m called while I’m doing it.
And I spent too long worrying that those six letters in that particular order contained something that meant that I wasn’t really ‘allowed’ to use them.
Eff that. {To put it mildly!}
And to be clear, I’m not saying it’s wrong to want to own the word ‘artist’.
For many, thinking of themselves as artists is empowering and meaningful, and that’s important.
For me though, owning the label was a place I passed through on my artist path, not a destination.
Much as I might like to, I can’t alter how you see yourself so it’s more in line with the truth.
I can’t make you put brush to canvas and experience that unique connective high.
I can’t make you feel anything without you choosing it for yourself.
But I can be myself and let that be permission for all of us {myself included}.
And whether or not I think I’m an artist doesn’t even really matter.
I’m still going to paint. I’m still going to share.
I’m still going to do everything I do that aligns with the impulses within me, because it feels good. That’s it.
If other things come from it, which they inevitably will, then that is wonderful and I love and celebrate that.
{Or, you know, cry and gnash my teeth. Depends on what those things are!}
I might even choose to influence how often or in what kinds of ways they happen.
I might create a course because I have something to share that I believe is of use to you, and because I want to share with you the beautiful gifts of art and creativity that life gives us.
I choose to sell my art too.
Beyond that, you can call me an artist, but really I’m just being the person I can’t help being.
And that’s a person who likes to play and experiment and express herself with paint and colour, through writing and creating, and whose art asks her to keep doing it and sharing it with whomever might enjoy it.
Criteria and definitions are not important. Fulfilling yourself is.
So what do you say? Shall we not be artists together? 😊👩🏼🎨
If you’re struggling with fully stepping into calling yourself an artist and would like to feel more comfortable with that so you can just crack on and make your art, I made you something.
It’s called the ‘I am an Artist’ Challenge, and offers seven days of thought provoking, and sometimes weird, but highly effective prompts, direct to your inbox, completely free.
Find out more by clicking the button below, and take the next step to becoming your truest, happiest artist self.
I’m cheering you on all the way.😊
Oh Tara, I can’t tell you what a relieve it brings, reading this post of yours.
I agree completely with you.
A label is just a label.
And how beautiful described that you find yourself ‘just’ being the person you can’t help being.
There’s a lot going on on the internet about calling yourself an artist or not. And it all makes more or less sense.
But I love your down to earth approach and it is taking a lot of ‘false air’ out of the discussion for me.
Thanks!
Sofia I’m so glad you found relief! I appreciate you sharing your thoughts, not least because it encourages me as well. 🙂 I agree about all this talk about calling yourself an artist, although I understand why it comes up. Much better to let go of that and make your art anyway. 🙂
heyyy… I love the way you express and touch the right cords of heart of people like me. Thanks for sharing .
I’m a Pisces too! Always been creative and tried every Craftsy thing. At 57 I started painting and I’ve finally found home. Love your site and work!
Love to hear that Jinnette!
” but really I’m just being the person I can’t help being. ” I so resonate with this post Tara…thanks for stepping up and voicing your thoughts ;))) Wonderful xx
So glad it clicked for you Lisa! I think it’s just a permission thing really; hard sometimes to give to yourself but then when you do things not only start flowing more in your favour, but it helps others give themselves the permission too. 🙂
i’m in.
i think you’ll know that this post resonates with me. {a lot}
xo
Nice. 🙂 And yay!
Tara, I just discovered you recently-I think I googled something and one of your paintings came up and drew me in. I understand what you mean about not calling yourself an artist but yes, I’d like to call you one:) In the end it really is just another label.
I am anxiously awaiting more information on your abstract drawing class. I am enrolling in one of your other classes in the meantime-its a Christmas present from my husband.
I loved your first mini tutorial and look forward to learning more from you!
Hi Linda, welcome! Thank you so much for visiting! Am so happy to hear you’ll be taking a course with me {what an excellent gift idea if I may say so 😉 } and look forward to ‘meeting’ you.
Hi Tara I tried to email you so that you know that I’m still on no 1 assignment.I’m not used to this way of expressing myself but this is what I want to explore.I feel I have come to a point where I can go no further with my imagination and need to change tactics! I have all the revelant equipment. So I’m ready to learn new ways, with your help!
Hi Beryl – so glad to hear you’re exploring and playing! Take your time and keep going! 🙂
Tara,
Thank you for voicing something I often struggle with. People see the box of paints, the watercolour pencils, the acrylics etc and say “oh are you an artist then?” and I feel myself blush and sputter, “um, no, not really. I just like to dabble. No, I’m not an artist” and I say the word “artist” with hushed breath!
So to read that it is ok not to worry about that label and just create is a relief. I am not professional, I’m not even that good. But art is what helped me when struggling with anger and depression – a little like your life story. It was art that helped me express the anger, helped me have something positive to go to when I wanted to lash out at others or, more frequently, myself.
So thank you and I am looking forward to learning more from your site and enjoying the freedom of creativity, whether it is good or bad.
Hi Caroline – thank you for stopping by! Oh yes – dispense with labels, unless they help you! I love that art helped you through difficult times; it’s so good for that if you can tap into it.
I have had such a block since moving across the country a year ago. There are a lot of established artists in this part of the country and although I have displayed some of my work, I get the feeling that my work is not good enough. I have joined an art crit group, hoping to gain meaningful advice, but I usually come away from the group feeling absolutely stupid and feel likecan wbsolute beginner. Your words of encouragement are good, I am still struggling to sit down and paint.
Sorry to hear you’ve been feeling a loss of confidence around your art Beverley. I’m glad you found encouragement here – that’s what I always aim for. Perhaps a crit group isn’t what you need just now? I know for many of us, the online world {and Instagram in particular if that’s your jam} often proves a lot more confidence boosting, and it’s quick to access it! 🙂
Your point of view is interesting and valid. However, for all the same reasons you list for not calling yourself or others ‘artist’, I choose to call everyone who dabbles in any way with creativity, an artist. It’s uplifting to me to think if myself and other like-minded people artists for whatever reason. You are an amazing artist and I mean that as a compliment and with all respect. Love!
Oh for sure! If using a term empowers and uplifts, I’m all for it! I just see a lot of people not ‘dare’ to use the term artist for themselves, and then it becomes this mountain that blocks the path and holds them back. Labels can be incredibly useful – I just think there comes a point where you can let them go and be even freer. Thank you for the kind words Cindy the Artist! 🙂 You’ve made an excellent point.
I love to paint and if some people are helped by my work i thank God because H e blessed me with a great gift to encourage them and i’ll give them the work if i’m pay for it i give it to my favourite charities.
Sounds like you’ve got it all set up the way that works for you Stacy. 🙂
What an inspiration you are. I have only taken up acrylic painting last year because I retired. I am a complete amateur but some people like my paintings. Your words have helped me . Thank you so much. I think I’m a bit hard on myself because my great great grandfather was a landscape artist in Britain in the 1830s. I will never paint like him but I am enjoying what I do.????????????????
Thank you Shirley! So glad to hear it’s been helpful in some way. Most artists are hard on themselves for one reason or another, so you’re in good company. 😉 {And you may never paint like him, but far better to paint like you!}
Hi Tara,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and resonating with many of us and our artistic struggles because there’s so much to learn technically when you have no formal schooling, you end up getting stuck in one artform too long which makes transitioning to another style a bit daunting. “Abstractify” is my new go-to for inspiration and game changer! So thank you for putting it out there and sharing your talents! You are an inspiration to all who knows the creative struggle is real!
That’s interesting to hear about finding it difficult to transition between styles Lillie; I’ll bear that in mind as it’s not something I’d considered. I’m so glad to hear that Abstractify has helped you! Thank you for the kind words. 🙂
Just saw this on Pinterest – thank you! I could so relate. I was convinced I didn’t have any ability at art by a jr high art teacher..so I through myself and my eye for shape and color into crafts…quilting, embroidery, photography, even kids camp craft lady…anything but art! And then about 4 years ago (at 58), I realized there was a wound there…signed up for an online watercolor class…and another, and another.. and hey, I CAN draw, I CAN paint…I’m not bad. Okay, long way to go too, but my friends are impressed. Some of them have even paid me for pictures.
..I thought maybe selling something would make me “feel” like an artist, but of course, it hasn’t. But slowly, as I try more and my mind is busy seeing more things I want to try…how I view myself has definitely changed. I am a creative person who needs art and beauty in her life…I will continue to create, whether it’s just a hobby or doodling or mediocre! I can totally relate to your article – thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts!
Always love to hear a ‘return to art’ story! 🙂 Such a great point too about thinking selling your work will make you feel like an artist, and yet so often when we reach these self imposed goals they turn out not to be quite what we thought! Thanks for sharing your thoughts Trudi.
I started taking an abstract class two weeks ago at a local center for free. I painted a dozen paintings after my first class and took them to show. The experienced, “artist/instructor” proceeded to go for the juggler by pointing out that my abstract paintings didn’t have good focal points. When I said, “I didn’t think abstract always had to have a focal point” he replied, “That’s the difference between good art and bad art.” Mind you, I’d only been painting for one week and it was my first class ever.
I found your blog a few days ago. You make me feel welcomed. You make me feel that I can do this. I want to thank you for what you do for others, like me, who longs to put paint on canvas.
As to the instructor, I will attend my third class this week. I’m sure I’ll learn something. The class is free. If I didn’t have good self esteem, I probably would give up. I refuse to let him be the judge and jury of my artwork.
Well high fives for not letting the critique get to you! It makes me very happy to know that you’ve felt welcomed and encouraged by the blog. It’s interesting, the question of focal points in abstract art. My natural inclination is to have one, although there are many ways to create a focal point, from the very subtle to the glaringly obvious, and the eye does tend to like a path to travel. But equally, there are plenty of beautiful paintings out there with no obvious focal point. I think it all comes down to which box you want to operate from {if indeed any!} – the fine art education box is quite exacting.
I wouldn’t usually comment on these things I find, but wow, this is so enlightening. I’ve never felt I was good enough to be an Artist and the label kinda haunted me. I have severe depression and don’t often get the motivation to create but I think about Art every single day. Is there a label for that? Lol.
Labels have always been useles at describing me, but anyway, thank you for this. I have so much trouble finding ‘Artist’ resources like this
So happy to hear that the post helped you Lara! And appreciate that you took the time to say so. Depression is so debilitating, but I don’t think that because you’re in a period where it’s forcing art to take a back seat that makes you any less of an artist. Wishing you ease and energy to start creating more, and never mind the labels! 🙂
Dear Tara … you are so patient and understanding of all our doubts and fears, foibles and fumbles. Finally I am at the place of simply being able to say “I enjoy the challenge of painting… even when sometimes it drives me a little nutty”. You are spot on … I don’t need a label to go about that creative process… I tend to wear labels in my other life roles. Looking forward to being creative as I join your Touchstone Course.( I have some freshly painted walls in our home that look very blank indeed.)
Glad to have you with us Judy! And that you enjoyed the post. 🙂
Superb confession ???? love it… We’re so much more than our activities as humans aren’t we? Thank you for all your sharing … I’m thoroughly enjoying reading and pinning your thoughts!
Yes! Exactly. Glad you’re enjoying the blog Carolyn!
Its the first time in a long while that i am reading another artist’s blog and im getting excited because its like you’re reading my every feeljng. Thank you. Love everything you talk about and your art.
Oh that’s lovely to hear Gail! So pleased you’re finding something helpful here. 🙂
So I’ve only recently picked up my pencils and paintbrushes after leaving art college 8 years ago, The word “artist” struck me with fear to the point it made me think I was a failure, so I packed away my sketchbooks and shut the door because i wasn’t an “artist”. Thank you so much for writing this article, I know I’m not alone now. This inspires me to throw paint on paper and make the world a little more beautiful one brush stroke at a time.
Ah, I’m so glad it helped you Kiera!
I didn’t know I needed to read this. So thank you!
I just graduated as a Fine Artist this spring, and I can’t even describe the pressure I’ve had to be a “real artist”.
I still feel like I’m not ready.
Your blog post gave me some peace. It is ok to explore, experiment and just be myself. I have a part-time job (not art related), so I don’t have that much financial pressure to create something I can sell. So f**k it. I’m going to follow your advice, and just be me.
Your blog is really wonderful. I just found it, and I have been enjoying your posts.
I’m sorry I didn’t see this! I’m so glad you found support here – I can imagine you do feel pressure as a recent graduate, and am so pleased the post helped ease that a bit!
Hi Tara.
I came across you on the Tiny Buddha site and I’m so so glad I did. As a creative I can relate to you in so many ways. I love to work in so many different materials and ways and I felt like there was something wrong with me because I don’t have a particular favourite. I don’t know where the pressure comes from with regards to “you have to have a particular style or you’re not a worthy artist or creative”. I think if we IDENTIFY ourselves as an Artist and then we don’t do art or creativity on a regular basis then we feel crap about ourselves, and we all know what sort of state we can get in when we listen to our inner self chatter. So letting go of the ‘label’ is a very interesting idea I think will try myself- anything to take the pressure of performing that definitely kills the creative free spirit! I love your content! Thank you for doing what you do.
So glad it was helpful to you Mike, and lovely to know that article is still finding people! This is something I talk about a lot as I’ve found the cultural conditioning around ‘being an artist’ can be very limiting for many of us.