Comments on Art as Usual: Why You Should Believe You are an Artist: Even if ...

Hi Jen, I can truly relate to this post!! For th...

2011-10-31T15:08:09.709-05:00

Hi Jen,
I can truly relate to this post!! For the past 9 years I have suppressed my creative self for many reasons and I always felt like I was not being my true self...I have begun to reclaim my creative spirit and YES I AM and ARTIST!!! Please Stop by my blog when you have time http://amorita-sa.blogspot.com/
and you can read my story. Peace.

great post.... an artist is anyone that sets thems...

2011-10-15T08:26:09.257-05:00

great post.... an artist is anyone that sets themselves free.. that's what I believe. xo
bonitarose

Great post! I love how you expressed what so many ...

2011-10-13T10:38:59.311-05:00

Great post! I love how you expressed what so many creative people feel --that they "dabble" in art, but aren't legit artists.

I struggle with that myself. I love to write, but I hesitate to call myself a writer.

I love the idea that to deny ourselves the label "artist" is deny what God has placed within us -- His creative touch.

He created us. He is in us. Therefore, we are creative beings.

I have not considered myself an artist because som...

2011-10-12T15:37:32.659-05:00

I have not considered myself an artist because someone from a local art guild defined what I did not to be art! When I see other jewelry designers that have a gift with wire for example, I think that I will never get to that level. But these people all had to have started somewhere and this post has just opened my eyes to that! Thank you very much!!

Just awesome! I shared this on my facebook with m...

2011-10-12T13:51:37.532-05:00

Just awesome! I shared this on my facebook with my other artist friends. Thank you.

Hi! I came over to read your post after seeing the...

2011-10-12T12:25:42.035-05:00

Hi! I came over to read your post after seeing the Facebook link, and I'm glad I did.

Early on in my art journey, I was lucky that an artist acquaintance told me, "If you tell people that you are an artist, then you are one." She'd struggled with claiming that identity because she's a beader, but once she did, she never looked back. When I arrived at that moment, it felt a little odd to say the word, but I remembered my friend's experience, and I plunged in.

Now, when I encounter people who have that same sticky relationship with the word "artist," I encourage them to use it, too. I get a lot of eye rolls (esp. from women 50 and over!), but it's my pleasure to tell them that I see their inner artist, and it's okay to let it show!

Amen! we are proud to call ourselves mixed media ...

2011-10-12T11:49:39.131-05:00

Amen! we are proud to call ourselves mixed media artists but it's definitely been a journey!

Going to share you with our facebook people, because there are so many that need to hear this! http://facebook.com/thingswithwings

great job! and love your list of benefits too!

Beautiful! There are so many of us out there that...

2011-10-12T11:49:22.353-05:00

Beautiful! There are so many of us out there that struggle with what to call ourselves... despite my art degree and selling work, I didn't call myself an artist until I attended an art retreat, surrounded myself with 500 other artists, and finally realized it's JUST WHO I AM. Thanks for posting.

Awesome post, Jen! Sometimes I think you don'...

2011-10-11T16:58:47.246-05:00

Awesome post, Jen! Sometimes I think you don't realize how inspiring you are to those around you!

i totally got chills reading this. Thank you so mu...

2011-10-11T08:29:43.266-05:00

i totally got chills reading this. Thank you so much for writing this message. This has inspired me to continue on this artful path! Selling or not! xxx

Jen, I love your point in this post... For some r...

2011-10-11T08:17:50.819-05:00

Jen,

I love your point in this post... For some reason we are afraid to validate our art... It is sad that we are afraid to call ourselves artists... I too, even though I signed a artist license agreement with Demdao/Silvestri struggle with calling myself an artist. Thank you for sharing this, it's brilliant!

You are an amazing artist! :-) Kris

Well said!! Whenever I meet someone & they ask...

2011-10-11T07:01:51.492-05:00

Well said!! Whenever I meet someone & they ask me what I do, I always say that I am a scrapbooker & run a small scrapbook business on Etsy. But ever since returning from The Creative Connection, I have been encouraged to say that I am a "Mixed Media & Scrapbook Artist!" Because I AM! I work with all sorts of mediums & have my own creative ideas. I take classes to learn new techniques to further my artistic talent. I totally agree with the commenter who said that anyone who does something that requires creativity is an artist (chef, hairdresser, etc.). We all have a little bit of an artist in us, some just choose to let it out more than others! Thanks for an amazingly inspiring post today!!

That was such a fabulous read and has come to me i...

2011-10-11T05:29:00.695-05:00

That was such a fabulous read and has come to me in perfect timing. Toady I was acknowledged as a textile artist and asked also to feature in a magazine. I believe I was born to create and to be an artist although I have not known whether to call myslef an artist or not because I work with fabrics. I believe God has given us the creative element and well we were created in his image weren't we. I am an artist. Thank you for a wonderful read.

Okay Jen, are you listening, because this may soun...

2011-10-10T21:10:01.727-05:00

Okay Jen, are you listening, because this may sound quiet like a whisper, but I wanted to practice. "I am an artist." My heart thanks you for this post.

I still choke on this word. Artist. It feels bold ...

2011-10-10T20:16:40.982-05:00

I still choke on this word. Artist. It feels bold and ambiguous. Though I sell my art everyday and have for the past nearly 4 yrs. It supports my family. I constantly live with paint on my hands and project in the works. I couldn't go a day without creating something ...writing, visual art, homemaking or simple everyday moments with those around me ... I still cannot say with certainty in my heart that I am an artist. My mind gets it, my heart is stubborn and seems to prefer insecurity. At least of late.

Love your post!! I have always drawn and painted a...

2011-10-10T17:00:27.917-05:00

Love your post!! I have always drawn and painted and sewn and whatever came across my hands since I can remember!! I did quit for awhile raising my kids, but now they are in their own things and I can have my own time for my things now! I AM AN ARITST!! That's how I role!! LOL!!

I agree. I would argue that anyone who thinks or ...

2011-10-10T16:34:47.279-05:00

I agree. I would argue that anyone who thinks or works creatively is an artist - whether they are a hairdresser, chef, architect, writer, quilter or painter. They all require imagination and artistry to come up with something new and innovative within their fields.

This post really touched my heart!!! I struggle wi...

2011-10-10T16:09:59.728-05:00

This post really touched my heart!!! I struggle with if I am a crafter or an artist all the time. I've had "artists" tell me at a brain storming session I was a crafter what I was doing was not art but craft! It really bothered me and I was bothered by their snotty attitude! I did not go back and wasn't part of their group anymore. This post and the encouraging words of Kelly Rae Roberts makes me see I too am an artist!! I am a crafty artist with my own ideas and use others ideas as a springboard. Thank you for such a wonderful post!!!

My granddaughter has convinced me that I'm and...

2011-10-10T14:46:54.396-05:00

My granddaughter has convinced me that I'm and artist because she considers herself one and calls me one. She says that God is so creative and she's glad He made us that way. Pretty smart for a 5 year old!