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What do you consider yourself?

 
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[Poll]

What do you consider yourself?


Artist
  70% (17)
Craftsperson
  0% (0)
Artisan
  16% (4)
Hobbyist
  8% (2)
Crafter
  4% (1)


Total Votes : 24
(last vote on : 3/21/2008 8:45:34 PM)
(Poll will run till: -- )
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What do you consider yourself? - 3/19/2008 4:17:16 PM   
dawnt


Posts: 5578
Joined: 7/30/2005
From: Iowa
Status: offline 		There is a lot of emotion tied up in the "labels" that those who work in the fine craft genre apply to themselves. Or have applied to them. What do you consider yourself to be? What do you prefer? And why? I'd love to hear peoples opinions and thoughts on this!

I personally prefer Artisan. Artisan has a nice ring to it....it has connotations of honed skills and practiced craftsmanship, along with artistic merit. Kind of the best of both worlds.

Craftsperson is accurate for some of the work I do....duplicating existing antique windows for instance. So I've got no problem with it, either, in the right context. Artist? Sure....if someone wants to say my work is art to them, I'm honored. I kinda hate "crafter" though. And bristle at hobbyist. Even though hobbyists do some of the very best work in the genre, now that it is so tough to actually make a living at it.

< Message edited by dawnt -- 3/19/2008 4:23:44 PM >

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RE: What do you consider yourself? - 3/19/2008 11:13:53 PM   
BeadedHeron


Posts: 7017
Joined: 1/2/2006
From: South Shore of Lake Superior
Status: offline 		I have no clue.  I really don't.  

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RE: What do you consider yourself? - 3/19/2008 11:33:06 PM   
lisaw


Posts: 2710
Joined: 3/8/2006
From: Bryan, Ohio
Status: offline 		I like Noelle's description a few months back .... I'm and artist, not an arteest!

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RE: What do you consider yourself? - 3/19/2008 11:59:38 PM   
bafiedel


Posts: 6085
Joined: 12/4/2005
From: Glenside PA
Status: offline 		Artist.  That's the term most people recognize and they understand what an 'artist' is, so that's what I use. 


Since I don't make a living at it, other artists might prefer it if I called myself a hobbyist, but that could mean anything from making model airplanes or to playing the zither.  So I call myself an artist.

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RE: What do you consider yourself? - 3/20/2008 7:41:52 AM   
dawnt


Posts: 5578
Joined: 7/30/2005
From: Iowa
Status: offline 		Thanks for checking in, Steph, Lisa and Beth!

OK....here's another question....do you perceive any difference in the artistic merit of traditional craft media as opposed to fine art media?

I'm guessing Lisa and Beth say no....since you chimed in. What do you think, Steph? Since you work in a craft medium, do you think your work has to be more special, somehow, to transcend the craft/art line? I kind of feel that way about my stuff.

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RE: What do you consider yourself? - 3/20/2008 7:48:40 AM   
lamillerphotography


Posts: 9119
Joined: 7/30/2005
From: Kansas
Status: offline 		I consider myself a hobbyist. Although I would love to sell some of my work my main motovation for any art/craft/photo is for relaxation.

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RE: What do you consider yourself? - 3/20/2008 9:12:31 AM   
starbum2


Posts: 246
Joined: 7/30/2005
From: Garland, TX
Status: offline 		Dawn, I think the lines do blur.  As in fusing, just because you know how to do it, doesn't mean it's art.  I really don't give it much thought.  I care more about how it makes me feel to create than titles.  I enjoy it and that's all that matters to me. 

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     Post #: 7
RE: What do you consider yourself? - 3/20/2008 10:55:31 AM   
dawnt


Posts: 5578
Joined: 7/30/2005
From: Iowa
Status: offline 		Thanks, Andrea! That is true...whatever you think it is, it is, really. Or conversely, whatever the viewer thinks is the reality to them.

I've found that in showing and promoting my work as a person who works in a craft medium, it can make a difference. Has it ever come up for you when applying to show your work in a certain venue? Have you ever gotten a "we don't represent craft" or "we're very selective about what craft we show" remarks? I had one gallery ask to see my sketches and process for my pieces before agreeing to represent me, saying something like "can you imagine how embarrassing it would be for us to find out that this came from a kit or pattern book?" Which begs the question.....when a person looks at my work, is it assumed that I DIDN'T have a hand in the conceptual process? Is that the perception? Is that the case with painters? Or sculptors?

(BTW....I'm honestly OK with whatever anyone thinks, though I used to get pretty pissy about it.....I'm just curious if it has been an issue with anyone else. )

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RE: What do you consider yourself? - 3/20/2008 11:14:58 AM   
CarySnyder


Posts: 140
Joined: 7/30/2005
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Status: offline 		This is a tough one, it's all highly subjective...but here's my take.

'Craft' implies the process or techniques and 'art' the finished product.
Even painters have techniques they use over and over that are seond nature to them and could be taught to pretty much anybody. That's craft.
The part that pushes it into the realm of art is the creativity and originality & attention to detail (colors, composition, etc) AND skill with which the craft is executed. 
So, to me, it doesn't matter what the medium is...if you make pretty, original things, you're an artist.

I've seen plenty of traditional "crafts" that I would consider fine art even, and plenty of traditional "art" that I would consider lousy craft.

I'm not even sure where I fit in that spectrum...but I think 'artist' is a fair way to introduce myself.  From that, people can go on to see what I do & make their own judgments...whereas if I used the term 'hobbyist' the opinion might come before my work is ever seen.


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    Post #: 9
RE: What do you consider yourself? - 3/20/2008 12:36:31 PM   
Harlan


Posts: 10204
Joined: 7/30/2005
From: Michigan
Status: offline 		Lots of blurry lines in this topic.

As Cary said - I've seen "craft" that was obviously FINE ART and work that typically falls into the "fine arts" category that is junk.

Of the labels - I think "artist" and "artisan" command the most respect but I'm not certain that they are understood well and can often be misapplied. 

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RE: What do you consider yourself? - 3/20/2008 1:16:59 PM   
toucanne


Posts: 8540
Joined: 10/5/2005
From: Pahrump, Nevada
Status: offline 		To me, the main line between art and craft is, how many do you make of the same thing?
Art pieces are unique, and the artist's vision evolves with time. Craft pieces, even if not identical to each other, purposely follow a pattern or blueprint. Not that there's anything wrong with that...

Technical skill enters into both categories, but is more important with craft, IMHO. It's a greater part of the equation.

<Please forgive the digression, but this is important semantically, I think> I call myself an artist. But when the subject is graphics, I call myself a graphic designer. There is such a thing as a graphic artist, but that is a specific job title for someone just starting out, synonymous with production artist. There are no commercial artists anymore. That term went away with the seventies.

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RE: What do you consider yourself? - 3/20/2008 1:57:25 PM   
Robin47


Posts: 6202
Joined: 2/6/2006
From: A continuing succession of odd locations, IMHO...
Status: online 		I am an artist. I think the "division" between craft and art is purely manufactured and started shoing up because the people that do "fine art" wanted to set themselves apart from the people that do the "decorative" arts. We had this debate going on at Cranbrook and when a painter refered to us as the decorative arts I shot back that it made him a member of the non-decorative arts. That ended the use of that term there for a while.

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RE: What do you consider yourself? - 3/20/2008 2:03:05 PM   
Harlan


Posts: 10204
Joined: 7/30/2005
From: Michigan
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Robin47

I am an artist. I think the "division" between craft and art is purely manufactured and started shoing up because the people that do "fine art" wanted to set themselves apart from the people that do the "decorative" arts. We had this debate going on at Cranbrook and when a painter refered to us as the decorative arts I shot back that it made him a member of the non-decorative arts. That ended the use of that term there for a while.


LOL!!!! Good one, Robin!!!!!   

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RE: What do you consider yourself? - 3/20/2008 2:07:13 PM   
krisjean


Posts: 8473
Joined: 7/30/2005
From: Fort Worth, TX
Status: offline 		I consider myself an artist.

I consider all my artwork art. (even my purses)

Artist Originals.

Same as all of your work.

on the other hand:

What I come up with and do with the kids at work is craft.
That will always be my defininition of "craft".

as in arts and crafts at school.







Thumbnail Image


Attachment (1)

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RE: What do you consider yourself? - 3/20/2008 2:46:23 PM   
toucanne


Posts: 8540
Joined: 10/5/2005
From: Pahrump, Nevada
Status: offline
quote:

We had this debate going on at Cranbrook and when a painter refered to us as the decorative arts

That's an interesting point, Robin. It's a shame that the term was used as a putdown in your experience. Paris has a Museum of the Decorative Arts (Ever wonder where the style "Art Deco" came from?) which includes glass, jewelery, all kinds of textile work, furniture, functional ceramics and so on. "Functional" is a defining term here. Could that be the difference beween the "fine" arts and the "decorative" arts? That decorative has a function and fine just sits there?

As far as "non-decorative", you may have made that painter happy... When I was in college, you didn't want to hear from a professor that your painting was decorative. The art scene fancies itself on a higher plane than decoration and functionality. Which I think is bullshit of course. The purpose of a work of art and its maker can be hugely varied and it doesn't make it any less art.

By the same token, a painting or sculpture can be "ugly" and still have meaning and validity as art. You can't have it both ways.
Fascinating subject.

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RE: What do you consider yourself? - 3/20/2008 3:26:36 PM   
dawnt


Posts: 5578
Joined: 7/30/2005
From: Iowa
Status: offline 		OH! I forgot Functional Art! I love that term...."functional artist". My dream is to get into a SOFA gallery some day....maybe when 20 years or so?

That was a great response, Robin!

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RE: What do you consider yourself? - 3/20/2008 4:10:53 PM   
Robin47


Posts: 6202
Joined: 2/6/2006
From: A continuing succession of odd locations, IMHO...
Status: online
quote:

ORIGINAL: dawnt
My dream is to get into a SOFA gallery some day....maybe when 20 years or so?



I went to SOFA this past year. You are ready now!

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RE: What do you consider yourself? - 3/20/2008 4:23:33 PM   
Harlan


Posts: 10204
Joined: 7/30/2005
From: Michigan
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Robin47

quote:

ORIGINAL: dawnt
My dream is to get into a SOFA gallery some day....maybe when 20 years or so?



I went to SOFA this past year. You are ready now!


Indeed!!! :)

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The Intimate Forest

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RE: What do you consider yourself? - 3/20/2008 4:25:49 PM   
dancingdoestudios


Posts: 577
Joined: 7/30/2005
From: Northern California, USA
Status: offline
quote:

I'm and artist, not an arteest!

Yeah, totally.  Some people would not call my kind of art "fine art" because it is really more on the illustration side.  I consider it art, but art that is accessible to a wider range of people, including children.  Which is how I like it personally :) -- and I've no problem with those who like their art to be more intellectual or elite, that's how *they* like it.  Functional art is still art to me, too.  There was this guy that made the most awesome things out of cut/painted tuna and coffee cans at the Saturday Market in Eugene, many might call it "crafts" but he was an artist to me!! 

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RE: What do you consider yourself? - 3/20/2008 5:53:24 PM   
mariemella


Posts: 327
Joined: 1/27/2006
Status: offline
quote:

Paris has a Museum of the Decorative Arts (Ever wonder where the style "Art Deco" came from?) which includes glass, jewelery, all kinds of textile work, furniture, functional ceramics and so on. "Functional" is a defining term here. Could that be the difference beween the "fine" arts and the "decorative" arts? That decorative has a function and fine just sits there?


quote:

The art scene fancies itself on a higher plane than decoration and functionality. Which I think is bullshit of course.


how true !!!!!

on this scene, the so-called artist would be a psychopath while the so-called decorator would be rather an ordinary mouse... all this bullshit from the 19th century with the discovery of the monomaniac ego. look. they made of all true artists sick crazy persons - the madder the better - to sell them and their lifes (after their death of course)
I prefer to think I am a painter. that's cooler.

that said, I am an artist and consider every creator as an artist as well . if someone tells me I paint decorative pieces, for me it is a compliment !!!

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