1 : one skilled or versed in learned arts
2 : one who professes and practices an imaginative art : a person skilled in one of the fine arts
3 : skilled performer
4 : one who is adept at something
I looked up this definition thinking that I wouldn't like what I found...turns out, I do like it.
Why?
Because I like the words used (skilled, learned, practices, adept). In my head, the definition of an artist is someone who is a master of what they do. I've always struggled with calling myself an "artist" because I have never "mastered" a certain art form. I have experience in many mediums and have been told that I am gifted in certain areas but I tend to like variety. I would love to be a master painter but I'm discovering that as much as I love to paint, it's not enough for me. I tend to hop from craft to craft and this satisfies me in a good way.
So, I want to give up my definition of an artist and accept who I am and where my interests lie. I want to embrace the diversity that ocurrs in my studio and unabashadely explore where my heart leads.
In the end, I feel like this makes me more whole. I love having experience in many areas because each project I do reaches a certain part of me and affects me in different ways. I am also grateful to have a variety of experience so that I can help others on their journey of learning to be creative in whatever way is comfortable and interesting for them.
I may not be a "master" per say, but I am "skilled, learned, adept and practicing art" - therefore, by definition, I am an artist.
