First Post - On Being An Artist

I will be writing on the subject of Art....and perhaps other topics.  I thought I'd start with what it means to be an artist.  I will be autobiographical in an attempt to define this title "artist" while hoping to end on a more universal note.
I am a practicing artist as opposed to an "I'd do art if I had time because I'm good at it" artist.   I've come to define artist as someone who is doing art.   And I've come to this definition by way of personal experience.  I have always had an artistic leaning, always have had a knack for it, maybe better than the average person at drawing, etc.  But for a long period, I had felt that I wasn't really an artist, couldn't define myself as an artist - even though people were impressed with things I had done in the past.   Looking back, I realize that inactivity was key to that feeling of not really being an artist.  I had certain talent, but wasn't actively using it.   Perhaps there was subconscious mourning for the art I wasn't making.   Maybe that's going to far.    Anyhow,  if you did art in the past, and you are resting on your laurels, then, according to my definition, you were an artist at one time.   But an artist makes art.  
I was in the Peace Corps in West Africa (1985-88) and carried around a notebook and an ink pen.  I was documenting scenes and people around me.   I was also practicing drawing and observation skills.  I was an artist.   Though it wasn't my main focus, I found time to practice.   For a few years after that, I rested on my laurels.  I had some nice drawings to show, but my mind was on other things.  I still felt art to be an important part of my identity, but I didn't feel that I was an artist.
Fast forward to my marriage in 1996.   Lisa, my wife, asked me to do a picture of a New England church for our wedding invitation.  I did a couple drawings, and liked the way they looked printed on cards.  That started me off on road that has kept me busy and motivated.  I became an artist.   I began to work continuously, making detailed pen and ink drawings of Vermont subjects.
The next turn in the road was a market.   Once again, my wife, the catalyst, got me going as a vendor at the Burlington Farmer's Market.   Having a public setting in which to display my work and attempt to sell it motivated me all the more.   I had subject matter, I had a medium I wanted to continue to develop, and I had a desire to have more to show.  I have been working ever since.   I should qualify, however, that I am not a full time, making a living at it, artist.    I have my eight hour job, and my family.   I work when I can squeeze in a moment here or there.   In addition to the many things I am and do, I am an artist.
Another subsequent route I took was to apply to be juried at the Vermont State Craft Center/Frog Hollow in Burlington, VT (with prompting from my wife), which currently displays my work.
I have also been busy with commissioned house portraits, and I am now revisiting oil painting which I began to work with in high school.  (see examples of my work at goodrichink.com.   There you will also find links to my giftshop where you can freely spend your money.)


I believe there are people out there who have no interest, inclination or desire to do anything artistic, and I believe there are people who do have an artistic streak for whom it lies dormant.  Among these latter folk, I imagine that there are many who feel that there is an artist inside them, but.... no time, no means, no sense of purpose, etc., etc.   All I can say is that being an artist (in addition to the jumble of the rest of your life) is something so rewarding, so enriching - it gives you more energy that it can possibly take away.  Find a subject (landscape? portrait? abstract expression? animals? fantasy?...).  Choose a medium or two (pencil, charcoal, pen and ink, paint, photography?.... ) and supply yourself with the materials you will need.   Find a market, some kind of venu (local coffee houses, craft fairs, scan the papers for "call to artist " announcements...) where you can display your work.   Having a goal of showing your work and making that goal concrete by finding a place to show it is a great motivator.  Suddenly, you are moving from work on one piece, to the next piece, to the next piece.  Suddenly, you have become an artist.