What agency do I go to for an “Artist’s License”?
There are a lot of different people, groups, agencies….. telling us what we can and can’t do or claim anymore. Is it any wonder that we have a difficult time stating we are an artist? At what point do we earn the right to do so? Is it something that you really need to earn? Do we wait for some magical being or learned person to come wave a wand of identity over us and sprinkle us with fairy herpes (glitter) to mark the moment or is it when we stand with courage in the middle of the identity?
Depending on what we are doing or where we are going with our creativity, it might not matter what documentation you have that marks your creative identity. Artists are known for doing so many different things beyond creating images, music, dance, poetry…..
Artists change the landscape around them in small ways and large. Sometimes it is the way they lay out their own garden, decorate their house or even a public space. They can change the flow patterns in public spaces through design of engineering. They can influence the way we see things through visual stimulation, music or with creative writing. Poets have been considered very dangerous throughout the centuries as have writers of books, essays and music ( The waltz was considered incredibly risqué for its time).
The key to being an artist is that you continue to create. It isn’t about selling something, even your art. Being an artist isn’t about justifying the artistic identity; it is more about the continuous act of making something; all the time. Whether it is decorating your house, or garden, repurposing second hand finds (junk), painting pictures, sculpting, writing, composing or choreographing; you continue the act of creation. When you create, even something small, you are altering the landscape around yourself. Sometimes it affects those around you as well. It doesn’t need to be in large profound ways.
Did you know that the male puffer fish creates art at the bottom of the ocean? He does it to attract a girlfriend. Every time he does it, he alters the bottom of the ocean. It isn’t big, it doesn’t last; but it is pretty. Don’t worry about how you are affecting the landscape in the grander scheme of things. Most artists that I know, don’t worry about that. The colleges that give out degrees do because that’s how they get funding. Just keep making art, whatever it is. If you look back in your space and find that it is stacking up and falling over in your office/craft room, chances are you have become an artist. Take a deep breath, I can find you some glitter if you need it.