I was told by a professional artist (Painter)..."you are not really an artist, you are a highly skilled craftswoman". Although I have a great deal of respect for that person, his comment was instrumental in causing a loss of confidence. I have spent a great deal of my adult life learning and mastering several genres of artistic endeavour, and have come to the conclusion that I make art, therefore I am an Artist, a mixed media artist. However Articifer or Artificer, I like very much too! Thanks...follow your dreams!
Interesting history lesson. I have several fine artists in the family and have struggled with the terms. Do I call myself a metalsmith, an artist, an enamelist? I primarily make jewelry, but can't really claim to be a "jeweler" with no formal education in the field. All of this terminology just contributed to imposter syndrome that, because I am mostly self taught, I already struggled with. I've had people say things like "Are you going to play in your studio?" Play, that term used to upset me because to me it was my work, but I get paid for "playing" every day in my home studio in beautiful rural Vermont surrounded by trees & wildlife. Your story helped me realize that the terminology has nothing to do with my abilities. I love what I do and regardless of what others may call me, I'm just going to keep playing. Thank you!
I was told by a professional artist (Painter)..."you are not really an artist, you are a highly skilled craftswoman". Although I have a great deal of respect for that person, his comment was instrumental in causing a loss of confidence. I have spent a great deal of my adult life learning and mastering several genres of artistic endeavour, and have come to the conclusion that I make art, therefore I am an Artist, a mixed media artist. However Articifer or Artificer, I like very much too! Thanks...follow your dreams!
Every dicipline has its gatekeepers and elitists. But it's the rebels that innovate and carry human civilization forward.
Interesting history lesson. I have several fine artists in the family and have struggled with the terms. Do I call myself a metalsmith, an artist, an enamelist? I primarily make jewelry, but can't really claim to be a "jeweler" with no formal education in the field. All of this terminology just contributed to imposter syndrome that, because I am mostly self taught, I already struggled with. I've had people say things like "Are you going to play in your studio?" Play, that term used to upset me because to me it was my work, but I get paid for "playing" every day in my home studio in beautiful rural Vermont surrounded by trees & wildlife.
Your story helped me realize that the terminology has nothing to do with my abilities. I love what I do and regardless of what others may call me, I'm just going to keep playing. Thank you!