Have you ever noticed that, as an artist.. you’re sometimes “outside of society” in general? People think of us as being excentric.. odd.. different.. as if it were a required part of our personality.
I don’t think of myself as any of these things.. I have a husband – that’s pretty normal, don’t you think? I have children and grandchildren.. again, pretty normal. I watch TV, listen to music, grocery shop and, when the mood strikes – I actually CLEAN MY HOUSE. So what’s all this stuff about lofty ideas..
My art is as much a part of me as my hair color (which I don’t change at all). It’s in every breath I take on a daily basis. If I’m not drawing.. I’m frequently thinking about what’s next or how I’m going to deal with a problem I’ve run into on a piece (I HATE to throw paper out.. so damned expensive).
And for those of you out there that also claim the title of “artist”.. do you ever truly finish a piece? I know I don’t.. I can always find more to add.. or take away but it’s never truly done.
So when you think of what people call you.. does it really matter if you’re a realist.. abstractionist… what medium you work in.. what you experiment with.. or even the title of “artist”.. in the end, it’s the work that counts.. it’s all about the journey – not the destination.. and everything else is nothing of consequence..
Nothing of Consequence
Titles and descriptions.. who needs them??
Jim Phillips, 2 months ago
Wow Barbara, so very well put. It usually takes my wife to walk by and say something like, “if you don’t go ahead and sign your name to this, you’re going to screw it up by overworking it!” And just like you, there’s nothing excentric about me, I like to garden, visit my granddaughters, and do things that don’t make my wife angry.
juliex, 2 months ago
I quite agree i read somewhere that artists are very tidy if this is true i will never be an artist, the housework i can do anytime but art love to get on with jux
BarbBarcikKeith in reply to Jim Phillips’s comment, 2 months ago
See there, you live with a sane person!! Lucky you..
Brian Towers, 2 months ago
Interesting thoughts Barb. What’s an artist? And what value are the ‘labels’ we put on each other?. How often on being intoduced to someone do we ask what they job they do, as if that classified them more than anything else.. Shouldn’t we be more interested in their personalities, motovation and how they relate to others. Line up a thousand ‘artists’ – and the work they produce – and they’ll all be different. Wouldn’t it be boring if we were all the same?
BarbBarcikKeith in reply to Brian Towers’s comment, 2 months ago
Totally concur with your point.. and it would be boring!!
paul boast, 2 months ago
really nice piece Barbara , good thoughts for us artistic folk
Diana Maus, 2 months ago
I understand what you’re saying. I had often heard at work: “You can dress that way because you’re an artist”. .....Dress what way?!
It’s just people’s preconceptions and sometimes it’s envy!
Angel Ortiz, 2 months ago
we not normal Barbara and we have to live like an artist cheers!
cheetaah, 2 months ago
They can’t draw a line…....then they try to ,ake stupid comments….....They are jealous that’s why.
Tahnja, 2 months ago
well I must say that I’m probably a bit outside the norm. I don’t stop a painting until I do ‘feel’ that it is finished. I can honestly say that so maybe I’m a bit different like that.
As for being treated differently, well I have been treated very differently all my life and definitely because I’m artistic whether it’s been music, art, poetry or fashion. But that’s ok, I like it! lol
Bandicoot, 2 months ago
Great statement Barb. I think that as artists we often see things in a different way, and we have a creativity that is able to show those things to others. For example I often say “wow look at those clouds!” When others may have just taken them for granted. When we capture that moment, either photographically or with any other medium, we are able to show others what we see.
I believe as artists we are blessed in being able to see beyond the mundane and the creativity to to reproduce it in such a way that it stirs the emotions in others. I am an artist, but not sure that I just “claim the title” because I believe being an artist is part of my whole being. It is what I am and always have been.
BarbBarcikKeith in reply to Bandicoot’s comment, 2 months ago
Being an “artist” is what I was labeled a long time ago. I’ve never felt that I live up to the title.. which is why I wrote the way I did. Just one of those personal things.. great comment though..
BarbBarcikKeith in reply to Tahnja’s comment, 2 months ago
Tahnja.. do you really finish your work.. or just get it to a place where it feels complete. There is a difference. When I sign my name, the piece is “finished”.. but maybe not “complete”.. there is always something that you could change, do differently.. know what I mean?
Tahnja, 2 months ago
now there’s a point. Yes my dear friend. I do know but generally I prefer not to listen to that little niggle and want to love and appreciate the work as finished. Yeah, that’s what I do, I ignore feeling that it’s not finished! hehehehe Never realised that til now…...
BarbBarcikKeith in reply to Tahnja’s comment, 2 months ago
Learn somethin’ new every day.. huh.. but we, as artists are a very interesting and strange group.. yes?
Tahnja, 2 months ago
love learning something new, for sure! And who better to find that out with than with you? hugs
Mariaan Krog, 2 months ago
Goes for me too! A great written piece!