Voice of the Student - CRYSTAL BARRON-CALVA

What Is An Artist?

Van Gogh, Leonardo DaVinci, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali- These are all known artists. They have shown and proven their skill, but can anyone be an artist or do they need the skills and fame they had to be called an artist? 

Well, anyone can be an artist whether professional, for an amateur, as a hobby, or as a beginner. An artist can be any age, any person, and can do anything, because art is a form of expression. An artist is a person who can express their ideas, emotions and thoughts in any visual form. 

The many types of artists are professional, hobby, and beginner. 

Professional artists make art for a living, it is their job. Most professional artists probably went to an art school or at least studied their respective art form. Art isn’t only about painting and drawing. Art can be anything, so there are many types of professional artists. Such as filmmakers, musicians, painters, animators, etc. The difference between a professional and a hobby artist is they get paid. I would say most artists are undervalued, and underpaid. Pro artists are often thought that they do not contribute to society, but the next time you sit down and watch TV, a movie, read a comic book, or even listen to music, think about the fact that if there were no artists, life would be quite boring. 

Hobby artists are artists that do art for fun, as a hobby, and as a relaxing activity. Hobby artists do not sell their work, they do not make art for profit and their main job is probably not anything artistic. For hobby artists their art is a way for them to unwind and to practice their skills. I would say most artists are hobby artists. Making art their profession leads to burnout, and it might even make them want to quit their interests. Hobby artists tend to live by the rule that if they want to continue enjoying something they shouldn’t make it their profession and for the most part, they are much more happy making art and are a lot less burned out than professional artists. 

Amateur artists are the beginners, the novices. Beginners are often young people who discovered at a young age they like to draw or paint, etc., and are looking to become better. Occasionally there is an older person who maybe thought hobbies were a waste of time, or maybe they just decide they want to learn something new. Amateur artists are probably going to try multiple things out at once. They might even consult professionals and hobby artists. Some may even go on and become professional artists or hobby artists. Some might even discover art isn’t for them and move on. Is it fair to call a beginner an artist? Yes, they put in as much effort and passion as a professional and a hobbyist, so it is unfair to claim they do not deserve the title. 

No matter the age, skill level, or tools, as long as a person puts their ideas, imagination, and emotions into their work, they are an artist. They put in the effort, the time, the practice. Anyone can be an artist whether professional, for hobby, or just a beginner. Art is neither good nor bad, all of that is objective, so no person's opinions should affect whether a person becomes an artist. Because an artist is anyone who expresses themselves in a visual form. 

In collaboration with Ulysses High School teacher Jodi Pfingsten, the 

Ulysses News will feature a student column. Student writings are 

submitted by Mrs. Pfingsten after being edited in class. Student subjects and writing styles will vary based on guidelines set forth by Mrs. Pfingsten and the Ulysses News.