An artist is a person who creates works of aesthetic value, especially in the fine arts. They are distinguished by imagination and skill. An artist can be a painter, sculptor, writer, or any other creative individual.
Unlike most people, an artist is hyper aware of everything – innuendos, how things look, taste, smell, feel and sound. This is one reason they often seem to have their head in the clouds, but it is also why they are so good at expressing emotions.
Artists see differently from others – they get up close to a work of art, inspect every inch of it, touch it, examine its textures and materials; they analyze the history of an artistic movement; they consider the artist’s previous work, assessing developments, repetitions, regressions, failures, or lack of originality. They also take time to reflect on a piece of art, thinking about its meaning and what it may be trying to say to the viewer.
The word “artist” derives from the Latin term artista, which was originally used to describe someone who is skilled in the arts, crafts, or trades. However, during the Renaissance and throughout modern times, it has come to mean a person who is able to combine skills, talent, and imagination to produce works of beauty.
How do you define yourself as an artist? Some artists have formal education. They may have bachelor’s or master’s degrees in a specific art field like ceramics, drawing, graphic design, painting, sculpture, or general fine arts. Others are self-taught or trained as apprentices by masters in the field. Having a degree isn’t always necessary for a career as an artist, but it can give you the opportunity to develop connections and learn how to market yourself.
Some artists are known to be aloof or standoffish. This is because they spend so much time alone reflecting on their creative process, they can become detached from others and even feel alienated. It is important for them to have enough space in their lives to allow them to function properly. Otherwise they can quickly feel overwhelmed and discouraged.
Another challenge is the need to be perfect and their intense desire for achievement. They can suffer from a high level of personal criticism, which can be damaging to their motivation and self-esteem. The key is to find balance and learn how to take criticism constructively so they don’t become demotivated.
An artist’s worst enemy is their inner critic. They can be very critical of themselves, and this can lead to anxiety and depression. They can easily fall into the trap of believing that they are not worthy of anything, which is why it is so important to have enough mental space to keep their creativity flowing.
An important skill that artists must learn is how to effectively communicate their message to the public. They must be able to explain what they are creating and why. They need to be able to connect with their audience on an emotional level. This can be done by using social media, displaying their work in galleries, and even creating behind-the-scenes posts of how they make their artwork.