Being an Artist is About Who You Are, Not What You Do

Genie’s Note: I found this old article in my email. It appears to have been published on one of the blogs we have had over the years I can’t seem to find it. But this short but sweet article pretty much sums up how I see myself as an artist. Enjoy!

Being an artist is about who you are, not what you do. I believe that with all my heart. No matter what I am doing, I am an artist. Being an artist and living creatively is about seeing the world in a different way than anyone else sees it. That’s what makes us seem a little odd to other folks (and makes them seem a little odd to us).

So whether I am writing a book or article, working on a new recipe, playing with my cats (my girls), meditating, enjoying nature or studio time I am an artist. When my job involved working with adults with developmental disabilities (a field where creativity is desperately needed but not really wanted) you guessed it — still an artist.

This is what my high school art teacher taught me. I didn’t get it right away, but now I do.

Living the creative life is not always easy. People tend to feel threatened by new ideas and new ways of seeing and doing things, and we all know when people feel threatened things can turn ugly. Even in the art world there is a tendency to focus on technique and skills rather than artistic vision, but we carry on.

I believe artists have a responsibility to help the world see possibilities. I take this responsibility very seriously. My purpose as an artist is to allow a little glimpse into that world that only artist’s see — a chance to see the world through an artist’s eyes.