Are You an Artist? Writing an Artist's Manifesto
The shop was a jumble of art, jewelry and funky secondhand furniture. Although the town’s population was tiny, it was crowded with people attending the local art festival. I browsed, more curious about what was for sale than because I wanted to purchase anything. The woman at the register stepped out from behind the counter. She caught my eye and then asked the room, “Are any of you artists?” I looked away. My heart was racing. No, I thought, I’m not an artist.
This happened around 10 years ago. I was already making art, but I couldn’t yet claim that title for myself.
Today it’s hard for me to imagine not being able to call myself an artist, or why I thought doing so was a big deal. Yet I can still remember the rising panic I felt when posed the question in that little shop.
I know I’m not the only one to struggle with the word ARTIST. Last year I sent out a survey to my Joy Letter subscribers. One of the questions asked “Are you an artist?” followed by “If yes, what kind of art?” Quite a few people answered “No” to the first question but then went on to list all sorts of artistic pursuits for the second.
Why is it so hard to say “I am an artist”? What does it mean to be an artist?
Personally, I don’t think the definition matters. My definition is simple. An artist makes art. That’s it.
Perhaps, then, the question becomes, what is art? I love Ellen Dissanayake’s take on it from her conversation with Melanie Falick in the book Making a Life:
“It was less a new definition than a new approach — the idea of treating art as a behavior, something people do, rather than as a thing or quality or a label that museum curators give or critics write about… in its most simple sense, art… is the act of making ordinary things extraordinary.”
Her approach presents art as a universal biological human impulse. We are all artists.
These questions of who is or isn’t an artist remind me of one of my favorite quotes from Vincent van Gogh:
“If you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.”
Recently my friend Laura shared her Artist’s Manifesto on her blog (which sadly is no longer online). I’ve also been chatting over email and in letters with a couple of other artist friends about navigating art careers and knowing which is the right path to take. These questions, and more, have been on my mind lately.
Why write an Artist’s Manifesto?
Maybe you’re struggling with some of these questions yourself. Or maybe you’re a maker or a crafter who has a hard time calling yourself an artist. Perhaps writing your own Artist’s Manifesto would help.
It’s important to take time to clarify our thoughts, ideas and feelings. Writing an Artist’s Manifesto, or even just journaling our answers to some of these questions can crystalize our understanding of creativity’s place in our lives. You don’t need to broadcast your manifesto, post it anywhere or share it. Unless you want to. For me I see it as a way to check in with myself and who I am as an artist.
Some questions to ask yourself:
What does it mean to be an artist?
What do I want from my art?
What part do I want art to play in my life?
What accomplishments are necessary to think of myself as successful?
What accomplishments are unnecessary or unimportant to me?
Where do I imagine myself in 5, 10, 20 years?
Who are my artist role models?
What brings me joy?
What is my biggest dream?
If I were to die tomorrow, what unfinished project, accomplishment or dream would I regret the most?
When I first started thinking about writing an Artist’s Manifesto, I was tempted to simplify it to a single line:
An artist makes art.
To my thinking, making art is the only requirement to being an artist.
But once I started contemplating all these questions, I couldn’t help but dig a little deeper, thinking about what’s important to my business as well as my identity as an artist.
My Artist’s Manifesto:
An artist makes art.
An artist shares her art with the world.
An artist creates from a place of love and joy.
An artist is open to possibilities.
An artist supports other artists.
An artist shares what she knows and encourages others’ creativity.
An artist follows her curiosity.
An artist pays attention to the world around her.
An artist acknowledges and works through her fears.
An artist remains true to her own joy.
Although there will be ebbs and flows in energy, inspiration and outward signs of “success”, an artist never, never, never gives up.
My guess is that not only will every Artist’s Manifesto look a bit different, but throughout her lifetime, her Manifesto will change and grow.
When I stood in the little shop ten years ago, my heart racing with the fear of claiming an identity of an artist I wonder what my Artist Manifesto would have been?
I hope you’ll work on writing an Artist Manifesto of your own.