I know that my friends have said I am definitely an artist, but this is part two of the big question…
Am I an artist or crafter?
I create stuff which is aesthetic, but (a lot of times) also has a use in every day life… and by definition, isn’t that craft?
Basically, since I am no longer painting or drawing or religiously following what is traditionally known as ‘art’, can I consider myself an artist?
I did some research on the subject…
These are some of the things I found:
Definition of Art
We define the term ‘art’ is an expression and application of imagination, feelings, thoughts, ideas or any other human creativity, in a visual form, having aesthetic and emotional value.
A piece of art has an intended meaning that provokes a person’s feelings. It has a limitless expression and endless interpretation, which depends on the person.
Definition of Craft
The term ‘craft’ implies an activity involving skill and experience in the creation of handmade tangible objects that fulfill a particular purpose. It is defined as the production of those objects that has utility for people. The purpose can be decorative or functional or both, depending on the use.
Craft is a product of the mind; that attracts people. It is a learned ability, which is acquired by a person through regular practice.
Here are the bullet points:
Art is a type of work that expresses emotions
An artist makes art that comes straight from his soul and heart
Art is the result of the natural and inborn talent of a person
Craft is a type of work that is in the form of tangible output
Craft is the result of skill, experience, and training
Craft comes from the mind
Both art and craft are creative results of an imaginative mind. Both need skill and talent, though in its simplest forms craft can be learned whereas talent cannot be taught.
So, does that answer my question?
Not really. Cause I do both. I have talent (doubt myself as I may, I know I have talent) and imagination. I can do original work in the traditional ‘art’ fields like painting, printmaking, sculpture etc. But I can also sew, weave (in my own way), felt and other things along that vein. I create using fabric, clay, pastels, paint, found items, trash… I love to experiment and love accidental art. I love to mix things up and to try new things.
Surely that makes me an artist.
So, after all that soul searching I ask this:
Do we need to define ourselves as one or the other?
and:
Must we have a theory behind our work, whatever medium we chose to create (and express ourselves) through?
(Struggling to type with a kitten on my chest, forcing me to lean back on my chair so he won’t use his claws to hold on… The trade off is purring at my neck.)
I was thinking that I needed something to hang a leash, coat, scarf, keys, flashlight, whatever on behind the front door. You know, a handy spot for those things you grab on the way out.
About 2 weeks ago I began thinking of what I could use to make this and picked among the driftwood I’ve collected. I chose this piece cause Iove the worn shape on the end.
I sanded it back to reveal the fresh wood colour, removed nails but left the holes, and then just let it sit cause the next step involved a mandala stencil I couldn’t find.
I bought a set of mandala stencils on ebay a few months ago and put them ‘somewhere safe’… out of the way. Permanently it seems. I’ve searched everywhere I might have put them, all the likely spots in the house and even the most unlikely. Nothing. Maybe I threw them out by mistake? I sure hope not.
Behind the door. Bad lighting and poor quality photos as is the norm lately. Ugh.
After searching and then not searching but hoping they would pop up as I went about life (as things usually do when you stop looking for them) I decided to leave the mandala idea and just get on with it.
Instead I used one of my industrial stencils from Australia. I’ve used these to make various other projects over the years, you can see one here, and here. And here are a couple more I never posted about:
Anyhow… back to the current coat rack…
The hooks were some I bought here on Paros from a second hand dealer a few years ago. Rusty and just gorgeous.
The nails are copper nails I found somewhere along the way… they came over from Australia along with a whole lot of other handy things I brought. Cause unlike most normal people, I brought my clothes and personal items, my tools, my art supplies, a ton of fabric and a whole heap of odds and ends for things I plan to make. Like the coffee table legs for the table I made for my living room.
This is the first post of a couple (or few, time will tell) dealing with the big questions.
Basically, mom duties aside, lockdown means we all have more time to think. And thinking can lead to all sorts of things, including big questions.
I’m having a crisis.
Sort of.
Its one I’ve had on and off throughout my life… Its about being an artist. Or not being an artist.
I think the first time I had this crisis was at art school when a tutor criticized my work, telling me that if I didn’t have a ‘theory’ behind my work I’d never amount to anything – I’d be one of those (sad and sorry) people selling paintings on the esplanade (or any outdoor market*).
At the time I was angry (upset and p*&@ed off actually). Why did I need a theory behind my work? Why couldn’t my work stand on its own? So that anyone seeing it could interpret it any way they wanted to, letting my work speak to them whichever way it wanted. I just didn’t get the need to provide explanation (definition, instruction, excuse?) for my work.
(Did Rembrandt have a theory behind his work? Or did he just PAINT? After all, weren’t most painters back in his day paid to paint?)
After all, I got into art school on the strength of a series of small etchings I’d done of eggs. Yep. Eggs. Oval shapes in black and white.
Isn’t theory basically what conceptual art is all about? Since I’m baring my soul I’ll admit I don’t like conceptual art. I get it, I just don’t like it. To me art has always been about the work itself, not the theory behind it even if I can appreciate a good concept.
However, I’m beginning to wonder if perhaps that art tutor was right. These days it seems you need ‘theory’ behind your work to be taken seriously as an artist. You can’t just paint something without some meaning behind it… Not if you want to be taken seriously. Can you?
You can’t just ‘paint’, you need to paint metaphors or interpretations.
At art school I was working on black and white images (etchings, lithographs, charcoal drawings) of small details/items blown up to large proportions (having moved on from eggs). I’d take a tiny bowl of curly pasta and focus in, drawing the curls and swirls on an A2 sheet of paper. I’d toss my leather jacket on the desk and draw its rolls and folds. Ditto with licorice pieces or anything else that grabbed my attention. I interpreted these images on paper, litho plates, stone, zinc and copper.
I could have yammered on about crap if I’d wanted to**, but I refused to cause I didn’t think I needed to in order to have my work taken seriously. I got through high school and an A Level in English Literature by bullshitting my way through poetry (something I was never enthralled with). I could bullshit about my work with the best of them if I’d wanted to.
I’m rebellious by nature and I just didn’t feel I should have to.
When asked to describe my work I simply said “Those are noodles, that’s licorice allsorts, that’s a leather jacket and that’s a fish”.
When the tutor said “But what does it mean?”
I said, ” Well… Those are noodles, that’s licorice allsorts, that’s a leather jacket and that’s a fish”.
At which point he predicted I would never be a real artist.
Now I wonder… was he right?
For most of my life I blamed him (the tutor who shall remain nameless – mainly cause I’ve forgotten his name) for me not BEING an artist. Because I refused to fit in with what he dictated I had to be to be an artist. I refused to be like some students around me who produced work I didn’t respect but would blather on about its meaning till I wanted to vomit. Students who sometimes didn’t know which way was up on one of their works? Is that what makes a person an artist? Blarney?
So, what makes someone an artist?
Is it talent? I’m sure some of the people I went to art school with are now selling their work in galleries and have made a name for themselves. They’d be considered artists. Like the tutor who’s work I disliked? ***
Is it about being prolific? Just keep working at it, pumping out work regardless of success cause one day you will make it. A matter of numbers, luck and persistence. About believing in yourself regardless…
Is it about working at your art full time or with at least some kind of dedication which I seem to lack (due to my ADHD when it comes to creative expression)? Like finding a medium and sticking with it – not jumping from stitches to clay to paint on marble and paper and canvas in a week?
I’ve noticed that people who work steadily and consistently on something, regardless of talent, achieve success in what they dedicate themselves to. Maybe I just don’t stick it out with one thing long enough to achieve anything.
I read “My Name is Asher Lev” before art school which may have reinforced the idea that I’m not a real artist… in the book Asher can’t NOT draw. He can’t live without painting. I can. After art school I went years without lifting a stick of charcoal. Mainly due to two things: having to earn money to live and not believing in myself. Since then I work in spits and spurts, when I have a commission or inspiration. Often getting my creative fix through alternative sources.
For years I split my time between work, my poodle addiction (which included showing and breeding standard poodles for years), renovating 3 houses and working with power tools to upcycle things. Not to mention the insatiable desire to try all kinds of different things – creatively speaking.
So… am I an artist? What do I have to do/be/change to BE an ARTIST?
Of course I need to work more regularly on my art, but what IS my art? I do so many things. I like painting, mixed media, art from trash, sculpture, textiles… Can’t I be an artist and do a whole lotta different things?
I give up.
z
*I have (often) sold my work at outdoor markets, mainly my upcycled, recycled and remade stuff. Is that fulfulling his prophecy?
**When you looked at my work, you didn’t know what it might be. The leather jacket was a landscape of rolling hills, the noodles and licorce was waves, rolling hills or rocks, a play of light and shadow, where things weren’t what they appeared to be at first glance. Heck, I could have rambled on about life and meaning till the cows came home if I’d wanted to.
***Why would I let a man who’s work I disliked influence me so negatively?
Today was a busy day. Very busy. I had a ton of things to do… none of them creative.
But after visiting to supermarket I went through their bins and got a few small cardboard boxes to make Eric a kitty playland.
I used 5 small boxes and an extra large coffee cup to create this monstrosity, now sitting in the middle of my living room.
Lainee was a bit envious. I never made her a playland… (its ok Lainee, Eric doesn’t get to sleep on my bed!)
Ok, so its not pretty, and its small, got small doors and crawl spaces, plus slots for little nails to poke out of. The boxes interconnect with little doors leading through one to the other, side to side and up and down. I hope he likes it.
It still needs a few things. I could only find one bit of crinkly stiff plastic that I hung off one side. Eric approves of that. I plan to add more. I need some small toys attached with string or ribbon, plus something bouncy and dangly on wire. That ought to get his attention. For now he’s only barely explored it.
Like I said, not very creative today, but at least I got this done.
I’ve been giving thought to my next dog sculpture though and have some ideas. Who knows, I might start tomorrow. I have some air dry clay bowls to finish before I make more, so plan to work on them tomorrow too.
Its not a door for fish to come and go, as in ‘dog door’… Its a door with fish painted on it!
I mentioned a while ago that my cousin wanted some fish painted on his front door and I finished it yesterday.
Given that I normally work with watercolours and pastels, its always a challenge for me to work in acrylics. I need to put in the time to work with them in a dedicated way in order to conquere them. I’ve used acrylics many tmes over the years, but never feel as comfortable with them as I do with other mediums.
Anyway, here is the door before:
And in progress:
And here are the fish in closeup. Again, not the best pics. Man, I really gotta get on top of the fuzzy image problem…
Once again, I have a kitten in my lap as I write. He doesn’t ask to be in my lap, he simply climbs up my legs. That’s ok if he climbs up to play gently with my bracelets or the ties on my hoodie, but if he gets rough and bites or scratches I’ve been picking him up by the scruff and just plonking him on the floor. I think he’s learning… Mostly he just wants hugs.
He’s getting peskier as he gets more comfortable and grows. He’s now started exploring the ‘upper levels’ of the house. Yesterday he climbed onto the small cabinet in the bathroom and broke a glass holding some items. This morning when I went outside to water the plants I came in to find him on the sewing table. UGH.
This is what I dislike about cats.
Last night I started looking at ideas on how to make him a scratching post/cat tree sort of thing that will look nice, not take up too much room and I can make myself using things I can find. But where to put it? The tiny hallway space outside the bathroom is already tagged to hold a cabinet I plan to make (THIS YEAR) to hold linen and towels above and shoes below. I guess I could add a couple of shelves on the side which he can climb up to sleep…
I dunno.
Eventually he’ll grow into a big, hopefully lazy, quiet cat. But till then I have to deal with the crazy kitten phase… I hope my stuff survives.
Maybe I need to get a large container and start putting things away, wrapped and safe till I can have an exhibition…
Wow. Day 18 already. Time sure flies when you’re having fun! Lockdown is said to be extended and apparently they’re warning that the next couple of weeks will be the worst in terms of deaths. I don’t actually know cause I never watch the news. Its too depressing. I prefer to bury my head in the sand and watch Netflix. I just finished “The Crown” and “In Between” and “Between” (those last two came up together when I was browsing so I added them to my list on the same day).
Yeah, I watch too much TV, but at least I (mostly) work while watching.
Today I’m sharing Fetch, another dog sculpture made of all the usual ingredients. Only this time I’ve left him ‘au naturel’ – no fabric, no paint, just the clay. I actually love him like that.
Below are the usual steps to creating him. I started with cardboard, wire and masking tape, then paper mache in strips and lastly adding a topcoat and details with paper mache clay.
Click on the images to expand.
This time I’ve included a stick I collected from the beach, a tiny bit of driftwood. I knew I picked it up for something! I just had to find a use for it!
He’s also wearing one of the tiny scrappy bits of fabric I hold onto cause I know they’ll come in handy one day. See? This one came in handy!
Here are some hero shots, taken on an overcast and not windy day. Ideal photo taking conditions.
So far he’s my favourite but then again… I love all of them. They are all so different. Just like dogs!
I will probably seal him with something before he’s ready to go to a loving home, to protect him, but he’s finished.
I think I may have found my ‘groove’… I love making these dog figures and experimenting with different looks and finishes. I also love being able to capture personality in my sculptures.
I ‘feel’ dogs. Maybe Eric will help me ‘feel’ cats too.
Above is a preview of things to come… drying on my stove top. Cause I never cook. Couldn’t even if I wanted to: there are things drying on there (and in the oven)!
Today was a very productive day. It started with grooming Lainee and kept going, no lazy time today! I spent the whole day working on scuptures and playing with clay and loved it. I have about 8 things drying right now and will be posting them soon. I have to do something with the clay I bought otherwise I’m just wasting money and hoarding supplies.
Meanwhile, Eric helped by sitting on my lap and inspecting everything I did. He decided he loves my work apron and is constantly crawling up INSIDE it. Its good when he climbs up to the top and sits there, looking out. Its a safe spot, out of the way of clay hands and less risk of falling when I get up and move around.
Here he is below with a part of one of my sculptures. He obviously thinks its his toy.
No new pics of Lainee in her new hairdo, but here are a couple of photos of my uncles’ dogs.
SpithaRosie
I see these guys almost every day when I go to my uncle’s to spend time with mom. Its actually really nice to go there for coffee in the morning and chat with the family surrounded dogs.
Which reminds me, my cousin is waiting for me to do some more painting in his house… oops. totally forgot about that… Better get onto it tomorrow! Seems like the day is panning out busier than previously expected.
I’ve always been a dog person. I love all animals, but dogs are the best. They’re the ones who live in my heart.
This summer alone I’ve helped 3 small kittens and a few older cats, and every time I’ve been able to let them go, find them homes, care for them outside my home, etc.
Kitten #3 is different somehow. I’m not sure what it is. The way he looks at me, the purring. He’s managed to wriggle into my heart.
I’m still trying to impose logic here: I don’t need another pet. I can barely afford the animals I care for already. Lainee deserves to have all my love and attention. I hate cat hair. Cats walk on tables and benches. Eww. Kitty litter – (gag) GROSS. I will try to find him a loving home… yet I still haven’t looked for a home for him. Maybe he’ll do something really annoying and I’ll be able to let him go….
Till then, I admit defeat and give in to kitten love.
Today a friend of mine told me she saw the photos and thinks this kitten has brought out something special in me, love, a glow… Lovely words. Yesterday another friend told me I was opinionated but not judgemental and was one of the very few people who didn’t annoy her. hahaha I have great friends. I often tell myself I must be a good person cause I have the best friends, people I love and respect.
This morning Lainee curled up in Eric’s basket, maybe in protest. Eric managed to push in and eat some of Lainee’s food. They both got on my lap and Eric searched for milk while Lainee gave me miserable looks. She’s only told him off once and now seems to have accepted him, though not enthusiastically. Sort of like rolling her eyes, grumbling under her breath and tolerating him rather than actually welcome him.
Its hard enough to work with a kitten climbing up my legs into my lap, wanting attention. Trying to work with two needy critters in your lap is impossible. They were both banished now and are both on the couch, at opposite ends. Fine. The last thing I need when I have clay fingers is to pry a kitten off my chest.
I sound whiney. I’m not really. I’m loving Netflix evenings cuddles with Eric and my morning cuddles with Lainee in bed. And I like the company of them both. Maybe I will keep him.
Maybe I don’t have a choice.
I gotta get to work. I have loads to do today, including giving Lainee some TCL. She needs a groom.
Day 16 and counting. First they said it was going to be a 3-week lockdown but nobody really believed that. Now it will be extended but when and for how much longer I don’t know. As it is, we never get truthful info on just how many cases of COVID 19 there are on Paros… Last I heard the free testing day resulted in 12 cases being diagnosed. No idea how many more there might be which haven’t been tested.
Yet my days are busier than ever with mom and mom-related activities.
Meanwhile this is me right now:
Not easy to type with a kitten wanting to be hugged all the time. When he isn’t typing for me he’s climbing all over me and yowling if I put him on the ground. sigh. Worst still is he’s learned to climb up my legs (ouch) to get up onto my lap.
What’s really wierd is that this little guy is getting under my skin. Maybe its the way he just sits and stares at me, or the fact that he wants to be on me all the time, purring and rubbing against me. Maybe its that he even made my mother (who hates cats and who swore at me for taking in Spartacus who gave us all ringworm) laugh with his cute face and antics with an empty paper bag.
This morning he played with the paper bag and ran around a while then went quiet. I looked for him everywhere as I wanted to put him in the bathroom when I went out and couldn’t find him. Thought he’d gotten under the couch again. The paper bag was in the middle of the floor so as I passed it I scooted it out of the way with my foot. Odd… heavier than usual. Turns out the little ratbag was asleep IN the paper bag!
I’ve always loved all animals and can’t resist helping any animal in need. Yet so far I’ve managed to resist keeping a cat. I’ve thought about it but always managed to say NO. I’m not sure if I actually want to give this boy up. Maybe logic will prevail if I can find him a good home.
Ya think?
Still, at least I managed to do something different today. My cousin asked me to paint the shutters in his ‘attic’ room… This is what I did.
The paint dribbles started accidentally cause the surface wouldn’t hold the watered down paint, but I loved the broken up look of the paint where it didn’t hold on the surface properly so I kept going. A thicker layer of paint held but I liked the result. I love accidents. Sometimes the best bits are the unexpected bits.
I’m not sure my cousin feels the same way. It might be too ‘arty’ for him, but that’s ok, I’m happy to redo if so.After all, he’s the one paying (in coffee…). I’ve been wanting to do octopus tentacles on his living room wall or on the ‘aloni’ (a cemented threshing circle in the yard) for years, at least I got a chance to do them SOMEWHERE in his house!
I really am missing working steadily without interruption. Today was a great day, but I only got to be creative for a very short time, the rest of the day being spent with other people, albeit happily. Tomorrow looks like the entire morning is blown… but I intend to put my foot down about Tuesday. I’m going NOWHERE. In the words of Alan Jackson:
I parked my car ’round back I’ve got the shades pulled down I told everybody including my mama I was leaving town…
I’m just a rockabilly country hillbilly r’n’r dancing greek australian arty creative dog cat and animal loving (especially poodle loving) Netflix addicted home renovator book reading dog grooming blogger living on Paros in a tiny house surrounded by things I love and a serious case of garden envy.
Sharing a little charm I made for a bit of leftover air dry clay the other day. A lady I know has the most gorgeous silver bone charm on a chain around her neck and I really wanted one. So… not finding one, I made my own.
It might not be as fine or silver, but I still like it. It’ll be fun to wear in summer.
I made this a few days ago but finished it yesterday afternoon with a couple of coats of varnish and a large jump ring.
This post is a day late (again) cause I got busy with mom last night. Yeah, curfew is at 9pm so I had to be home by then, but I made the mistake of starting to watch Messiah on Netflix and I got hooked. I couldn’t get off till my eyes started to close around 12.30am.
Eric the kitten is starting to settle in a little. He doesn’t always run and hide when I walk close to him (like he did yesterday when I spent about 15min trying to get him out from under the couch). He’s using the litter tray reliably, cuddled while watching Netflix with me last night, and even started to approach Lainee for friendship. She continues to not be impressed and told him so, but she’s gentle. I think she’ll come around. I still don’t want a cat, but he has something special. Even mom was saying how cute he was and laughing at his antics. And she dislikes ‘filthy cats’!
And now I have to go. I got stuff to do! Can’t sit around on the computer all day!
junk4joy 