You are an artist!

[LadyN]

How do you tell your friend or somebody you know/ don’t know that they’re an artist when they don’t believe you?

I tell my friend all the time but she just says “I only draw.” You don’t have to paint to be an artist. You can be anything really. You can make music, do martial arts, and so much more!

So tell me, how do you tell someone this and they actually believe you?

Edit: some people don’t want to be labeled as an artist due to pressure or some other reason. That’s what I think I learnt from this thread.

[Kelheor]

Why though? What do you think this will change in their life?
I am drawing for 20 years and I still say "I only draw"

[IndigoShirtProd]

I'm with @Kelheor. Why do you need them to believe you? As long as you know you're an artist, you should be fine.

[LadyN]

@Kelheor and @IndigoShirtProd

Well I really care for her. And self esteem is important (as that’s something a lot of people lack) it sounds silly but I’m a bit all over the place.

[Seaby]

I found this video was helpful in putting the topic into perspective.

[LadyN]

Ah yes, I remember seeing that a bit ago. Truly motivating.

[foxnflames]

I say I only draw/paint and I know I have talent but I think most people see artists as those who either get paid or have a huge following. Or it could be a confidence thing. And it's hard to not constantly compared yourself others who you feel are doing better than you so you may not feel comfortable calling yourself an artist.

But I agree, you can do different things and be considered an artist in your own right. I consider writing to be art.

[AniStaciaArt]

Perhaps she doesn't like the pressure associated with the word "artist". For a lot of people (myself included) it can make them feel like their art always has to be masterpieces with deep symbolic meaning. And every failed picture makes them feel like a fake.

Now, obviously, this is ridiculous. Everyone has off days and challenging yourself comes with failed attempts. But it's easier to do that without the pressure. "Artist" is some mythical thing to strive for.

[LadyN]

I can see your point and how it seems pretty reasonable. I think I’ll take that into consideration.

[ar-ninetysix]

Some people just don't like having labels defined by what they do, you know? Like if your friend's continouly drawing and gradually making improvements.. then there's not really a need to identify as an artist, is there? If they wanna persue art as a profession, then yeah, calling themselves an artist would be important. But that's not the case for everyone so, just them saying they draw is fine. If they've expressed that their art's "awful" or whatever without making comparisons to other people's art, then I'd see it as a self-esteem issue to worry about

[sushy00]

I think the word 'artist' is quite overrated. But I do call myself a comic artist at times.

[magnavarra]

i work as VFX artist in game dev and i DON"T draw , I also DON'T paint. I use node editors and physical forces to order particles where to fly. and I have a trouble explaing other ppl that I don't draw while working as an artist)))