Artists are people who create something of beauty and meaning in a variety of mediums, including paint, photography, sculpture, calligraphy, music, design, and more. They may produce art as a hobby or as a full-time career, and they often bring their own unique style and point of view to their work.
Artists often struggle with personal criticism and feelings of inadequacy, but overcoming those obstacles can lead to success in their chosen medium. They also tend to have a strong work ethic and are eager to learn new techniques.
Many artists have a deep emotional connection to the process of creating art and find satisfaction in expressing their innermost thoughts and emotions through their work. This is often reflected in the finished product. They also have a natural talent and ability to create beautiful and interesting things.
An artist’s work is an expression of themselves and the world around them, but it is also a reflection of how they see and interpret that world. Artists tend to be highly intuitive and have a strong sense of what they want their work to say. They are not afraid to express their emotions, fears, and insecurities through their work.
Creating art requires a lot of dedication and time, so it is not surprising that some artists find themselves in a bit of a financial crunch. This is especially true when starting out, but with patience and tenacity, an artist can eventually build up a client base that allows them to make a living off their art.
In some cases, this can be done through selling pieces at local events, or by establishing a web presence where clients can purchase artwork directly from the artist. Other times, an artist can be hired to create a piece for a specific event or project.
There are two main types of artists: craft artists and fine artists. The main difference is the level of skill required. While some artists have a natural ability, others must learn their craft through extensive study and practice.
Typically, craft artists are employed in fields such as pottery manufacturing and book publishing, while fine artists are usually self-employed.
Artists can also choose to be a part of artistic production communities that are rooted in tradition and have specific rules and conventions for identifying who among the people making the art are the artists. Howard Becker, a sociologist, did research in several artistic production communities to determine how they defined “artist.” He found that in every one of the communities, there was some way in which the people who made art were distinguished from common laborers.
Traditionally, an artist has been defined as someone who elevates the ordinary and mundane into the sublime. In this sense, the artist is seen as a rebel who is immune to corporate tyranny, snatches transcendence from the everyday, and brings higher truths to the world. More recently, though, some theorists have shifted this idea of the artist. They have argued that the artist is not necessarily about a lofty snatching of eternity, but rather the tinkering, the grubbing, and the quiet attention to life at its smallest details.