Thoughts to share, ideas to ponder

67. Don’t call yourself an artist. Let others name you that. “Artist” is a title of great weight.

I read this insight in 2009 in Robert Genn's, The Painters Keys, as he posted a letter about artist, Irwin Greenberg, along with the list of 100 of his insights.  It is probably one of the most instrumental lists I have ever read.

To feel that "Artist" is a title of great weight and not to call yourself one is not fase modesty. Most artists I know feel that they never, ever arrive...that is, their art falls (slightly or hugely) short of their expectations.  It doesn't mean that they don't like the work or will feel a certain sense of happiness about it and even enjoy selling their best work.  It's just that it is "art", not "craft".  And so they are driven to do the next piece, and the next, and the next....

After working on my art for 25 years and selling it for the last eight, I still squirm a bit calling myself an artist.  If others do, indeed, I am very appreciative. Still, each day at the easel is a brand new day, and craft will only take me so far.  The "art" part of it will always be elusive to a greater or lesser degree and I can never be sure, day to day, how the needle will point.  So I go along for the ride, grateful for the opportunity to create and learn, leaving the "art" part of it the Universe.