How do I become an Artist?

As we often discuss here at RMAC, art is everywhere and what is and isn’t art is often subjective. This can be a never-ending argument, but what about those who create art? If what they create is in fact art, then they are artists. Aren’t they? How does one become an artist?

Painting by Melissa Medina

This again, can be very subjective, but it may also depend on what type of artist we are talking about. Do you want to be a professional or a hobbyist? Do you want to be a painter, a sketch artist, a musical artist, or a graphic designer? As you can see there are many different nuances.

Becoming an artist can be a simple process or can take hours of study and practice. It all depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Let’s discuss what an artist is, what one's goals might be in becoming an artist, and what paths you might need to take to accomplish those goals.

What is an Artist?

If you look up the definition of artist you will find a variety of explanations. Below are a few common definitions that you will find:

• One who creates paintings or drawings.
• One who is involved in any of the creative arts such as drawing, painting, sculpting, writing, filmmaking, etc.
• One who is skilled at a particular task or occupation. (Also usually known as an Artisan which often brings up a whole new argument).

Merriam-Webster defines an artist as a person who creates art (such as painting, sculpture, music, or writing) using conscious skill and creative imagination.

As you can see the definition of an artist varies and for many the subject is often up for debate but in the simplest terms, an artist is a person who creates art. 

What is Your Goal in Becoming an Artist?

You may not be able to answer this question yet, but if you can, it may help you to determine the path you will take in becoming an artist. If you want to have a career as an artist and make a living doing so, you might want to become a professional artist of some type.

If your main goal is to inspire others with your art, it may not matter to you whether you make a living from being an artist. It doesn’t mean that you won’t be a professional artist but such a title may not be relevant. You may just want to create meaningful art that makes people think. 

You might just be looking to create art as a hobby. It can be relaxing, therapeutic, or just plain fun. As a hobbyist, making money from your art is probably not your main goal, but it is still possible that you may make some if you want. Your enjoyment may be the priority.

Don’t worry too much if you are unsure at this point. If you have talent and are still unsure how you are going to use it, it will eventually come to you and you will figure out why you want to create art. It could be any or all three of the reasons above or even some other reason that I have not mentioned above.

The Path to Becoming an Artist

There are many paths that one can take to become an artist. There is no right or wrong answer or specific template that fits every potential artist. The key is to find what fits you and your talent.

Depending on what type of art you wish to create and where you are in life you might be thinking about some type of art school. Whether it is a 4-year college or a school that specializes in art, school can be a great choice for many. This is especially true if you want to be a professional artist.

Art school can be expensive and take a great deal of time. Many students will complain that school does not teach or allow them to do things they would normally do in the real world. This can be true for any type of schooling and it is often frustrating.

It’s often not seen when you are attending school, but it does teach discipline, determination, organization, planning, motivation, and many other skills that will help you to be successful in your career. You may never draw an apple sitting by a vase in your professional career, but by doing so in school you will learn many of these needed attributes.

That said, school is not for everyone and plenty of artists have been self-taught or learned on the job from colleagues. These artists may not have a degree or certificate behind their name but it does not make them any less of an artist.

Degrees and certificates can greatly help you get a paying job as an artist, but they're not always necessary, and if your goal is not to make money, then they may not be needed. There are plenty of books, online courses, and videos that can help you hone your skills.

Joining a community of artists can also be a great way to learn and get advice. No matter what type of art you wish to create, there is sure to be a community of artists that will be willing to help you however they can.

One route that all artists must take is practice. While many have natural talents and others have the ability to learn, all must hone their skills by taking the time to practice. You will also want to have patience as you learn. Don’t just give up when things don’t come out the way you planned. Take it as a learning experience and continue to work and improve your skills and you will see results.

For the most part, becoming an artist doesn’t really have to be that difficult though. Remember an artist is one who creates art. It's that simple. If you believe what you create is art, then you are in fact an artist.

Final Words 

In my opinion, we are all artists. We all have some type of skill and can create something unique that can be considered art. If you have not yet discovered that skill, don’t worry, keep trying and you will find it eventually. I truly believe there is an artist of some type in all of us.

Have you found your skills that allow you to create art? Are you unsure if it is art? Let us know. We would love to hear from you and discuss art skills of any type.