Artists create art for a living and it’s important to be able to communicate their work in a way that will connect with potential customers. Whether you’re selling paintings, sculptures, non-narrative video, durational performance or anything in between, it’s essential to understand your audience and how best to reach them. To do so, you need to know your art’s language.
Artist vocabulary includes not only the visual and stylistic aspects of your work, but also the conceptual themes and emotional intentions behind it. Using specific art words will help people better understand the unique reasons you created your work, which in turn will lead to a more meaningful connection between your artwork and the viewer.
The word “artist” is defined as someone who creates and displays aesthetically pleasing objects or performances. It can be defined more broadly, however, to include a person who has a deep appreciation for beauty and creativity and uses their talents as an outlet for their own creative expression. Throughout history, artists have played an integral role in society by challenging norms, questioning assumptions, reflecting social issues, preserving cultural heritage, and encouraging dialogue.
For some, a career as an artist begins at school with a fine arts program. Others choose to become self-taught. Regardless of how an individual comes to the craft, they must recognize that it is a lifelong learning process that will continue for as long as they live. They must also have a strong desire to create and be able to articulate why they do so.
In addition to developing and executing artistic ideas, artists often engage in research and study to inform their creative practice. This can involve studying the work of other artists, exploring different styles and techniques, or researching a specific topic relevant to their artistic vision.
One of the challenges of this job is dealing with personal criticism. Artists often have strong value systems that can lead to intensely critical thoughts, and they can feel the need to constantly improve their work. This can be especially difficult for young artists who are trying to develop their skills.
Despite their innate talents, artists can struggle to find financial stability in the modern world. In addition, they can be prone to self-doubt and insecurity. The good news is that they can learn to harness their inner critic and use it as an opportunity for self-growth. In doing so, they can be more confident in their ability to share their work with the world. In other words, they can learn to let go of the need for perfection and instead embrace the motto of “good enough.” This can be a powerful mindset shift for any artist.