When do we become "real" artists?
This is a question even many long established artists sometimes struggle with. After all, it's not like the Blue Fairy is going to come tap us with her wand and declare us real. (On the upside, it also means she isn't going to come hex us for bopping little field mice on the head, but you probably shouldn't do that, anyway. Mice are, after all, an essential part of nature.)
But seeing as we lack any kind of official ceremony or proclamation, be it fairy blessed or mundane, it does leave the whole thing a bit ambiguous.
The question has many answers:
When you create your first piece of art.
When you get a degree.
When you sell your first piece.
When you get accepted into a juried exhibition.
When you have your first solo show.
When you earn enough money from making art to support yourself without needing another job.
Any or all of these can be valid answers, and while usually it's that last one people think of when you say you're an artist, it's important we not dismiss the other achievements that are the stepping stones which lead to it.
We also have to keep in mind that every artist's path is uniquely their own. Commercial success isn't necessarily everyone's end goal. Art made by people who have no intent to ever monetize it is still art, after all. And self taught artists can be just as skillful and successful as those who pursue a Master's degree.
So when do you become an artist?
When you decide to be one. The moment you begin the intentional practice of creating art for the sake of creation, the title is yours to claim. (Beret sold separately.)
While recognition and acceptance from your peers is nice, and a natural thing to seek, you don't have to wait for permission to start.
The power is yours.
No one else to give it to you.
And no one else can take it from you.
Yes, you will have your moments of doubt, as I said in the beginning, sometimes even the most well established artists still get them, but you'll have many moments of actualization along with them.
Give yourself a little bit of grace and in time you'll just know, because there's nothing else you can imagine yourself trying to be.
And that's when the rest begins to fall into place.
No magic wand needed.
Image Credit:
The Fairy of the Alps
Henri Fantin-Latour
1873
Courtesy of The Art Institute of Chicago