Vijay Kochar 10 Jan 2007

This is, in my view, a tricky and perhaps meaningless question. If one is not a 'true artist' by whatever criteria then she/he is not an artist?

This discussion on setting criteria of a 'true artist'is demeaning to art and artists. Artists will continue to create as and when they feel like, whether or not you drop your hat or flick your wrist, or how you like tits to be covered.

loretta Thomason 12 Jan 2007

well, i know i cant "shut my switch off" im forever thinking in terms of art...all day long i think about it, i search for info on it where ever i can, i talk it, i visulize, i try to see everything in terms of art...such as storytelling, composition of those stories, color theories, and when my brain isnt realing, i have drawings and paintings ... drafts , designs...all over...all in different stages...i turn to them ... when new ideas arent visual...i am art orientated constantly, even while i sleep there is no switch or if there was mine broke on the on ... i work on whatever i can whenever i can, im not sure exactly what the mark of a great artist is...but im pretty sure and on and off switch simply inst applicable... you are what you are.

Mickey Nice 16 Jan 2007

I think one must consider "writer's block", a common phenomena that all the artists I know experience at times, though we may call it "painter's block" or just "creative block" If you're a robotron of course you can pump out all sorts unmemorable work, commercial art for example.

What do I know, maybe some artists can create at will - 24/7. Right.

Mickey

Cheryl Singleterry 16 Jan 2007

I beleive the "true artist" is revealed in WHAT you create, and how good it is... NO MATTER HOW LONG it takes! :-) That is the true artist spirit.

lilia estrada 17 Jan 2007

I know everyone will have a fit when I write this but I am of course giving you "my" opinion from my experience... first of all My mind is constantly creating...my minds eye sees art in many things but may not be able to manual put it out at that moment for lack of materials. I also do photography and love it.I sincerly belive the more intouch you are with your higher power (mine is Christ) the more your mind recieves creative ideas. Read up also on the parable of the Talents....I myself have taken the few given to me and have multiplied them...and use them for his kingdoms good. I have One of my talents besides art is teaching so I now also teach a confirmation class. We are all creative beings because we come from the Greatest creator there is. Let me ask you what have you done with the Talent you were given???? Photo information: photo I took in mexican market in Nochistlan which is in the state of Zacatecas in Mexico

Carson Collins 18 Jan 2007

Spirituality is all very good, but do you have any idea how smug and self-righteous you sound? Yipes! Folks like you give Jesus a bad name...

Adam Smith 18 Jan 2007

As a creative soul you should be able to create anythng at any time...but that defeats the object and true nature of art itself really. Images can be asthetically pleasing if fitting the right criteria and brief but i feel most artists feel a need to have emotive in their work, for it to stand up and say " i mean something!" because otherwise it'd be boring. and unfulfilling.

lilia estrada 18 Jan 2007

Hello again Carson,,, it is obvious that you have not a higher power. Spirituallity and a Realationship with your Creator are two very different realms. Perhaps to you I sound smug...To me it is that I am reasured in who I am and what kind of (stong) relationship I have with my Creator. Do not envy my realtiohsip with Christ who blesses me beyond measures, instead why do you not try to stregthen yours. Do you not know Carson, "God is not a respector of Person"..He can do the same for you as he has done and does for me, and that would actually make me happy. And Carson for the Record the more I speak about my Creator and what he does for me the Happier "He" is with me,I do not care how I sound to you because the stregth of my relationships do not take into consideration what you think about what I do... P.S. Adam, anytime there is a thought and you physically (manual) put out a creation there is always meaning to it...If not they why would artist bother to create...????

lilia estrada 18 Jan 2007

sorry I was typing to fast,,,If not then why would artist bother to create... Photo description: Young Coconut vendor , photo I took in Nochistlan , Zacatecas Mexico.

Carson Collins 18 Jan 2007

"it is obvious that you have not a higher power."

Wow. Not only are you better than I am, you also know what goes on in my mind, indeed in my very soul! Astonishing!

You're quite wrong about that, as it happens. Bible thumping, judgmental snobs like you generally are.

ken knowles 18 Jan 2007

Marcia Lawson 25 Jan 2007

Some artist are diffrent from others, some have that switch and some don't or some may have both. It just depends on that person. I think you are a good artist if you truly LOVE art not when the mood stikes are not. Even good writers go through writers block every ounce in a while. Those are my thoughts...

lilia estrada 26 Jan 2007

Marcia I believe you are correct. When you are an artist that sincerly loves or has a passion for their work (writer,musician,actor...) they u do "Not" waite until the so called "Mood" hits them to create. And yes you are also correct that the "Switch" is different from person to person, artist who have developed their switch are able to let their creative spark ignite quicker.. Photo description: Day of the Dead (loving Mexican tradition held in Nov.) wedding couple created out of clay...by Lilia Estrada

Charles Redman 27 Jan 2007

I'm a untrue artist by all measures. I sadly am aflicked with no abilty to draw freely . So I guess I shall never be labeld as a artist. Thank god.

cramer 27 Jan 2007

its kind of pointless to determine whats true or not true in the creative world....its a matter of taste and opinion...everyone is true and everyone is fake in someones eyes

Bonny Dune 27 Jan 2007

Cramer. I like the painting. Do you think this post will ever die?

Bonny

Marcia Lawson 27 Jan 2007

I just think your trying to give yourself credit...almost every comment you make you refer to the work you have done...it doesn't matter if you are 99 years of age and have the gift of creating good work or not it just matters if you truly love what you do...so to answer the question "will this disscussion ever end" I don't really think so onless the peron who started it, stoped it.

My opinion again....

cramer 28 Jan 2007

no itll keep going on forever...as long as people have opinions on the true artist question...there really is no concrete answer

Kelly Dorman 29 Jan 2007

hard to say.... on one hand i find myself with too many project ideas and sketches laying around because i do tend to constantly create...even at the drop of a dime.. but on the other, if it's going to be a good piece it needs to be "nurtured", not just done..

does that make any sense?

Michael Easter 31 Jan 2007

I need to feel in order to create. Whetherit is a line in a song, a color, a message, a site, sound anything. I have gotten so tired so quickly and then I switch to a different medium, started off in pencile and ink, then went to painting in oils, and watercolor, then went to pastels, then to photography. Who knows where I'll end up! I definately need a muse howerver, I wish I could just turn it off and on. I will go for months with no muse, then out of no where I will go for months creating.