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Comment by Afrika Midnight Asha Abney 3 hours ago

Greetings,

For those of you who express concern or having a rough time trying to define the term artist, might want to check out this link en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artist

Many of us however, already know what the term means.

Anyway, there are various forms of the arts and ways to express them. Whether through drawing, painting, photography, dancing, music, fashion. design, or creative writing, its all art.

However, I think you want to define what type of artist you are or separate it.

For me, I have to break it down for many people, because of my extensive involvement and background in the arts.

I believe that motivation comes from within and everyone is entitled to expressing themselves. Afterall, that is what art is all about!

Peace
Afrika Midnight Asha Abney

Comment by Menyet Khart Sa Ra on June 11, 2008 at 6:15pm

My motivation comes from so many sources: what I'm reading, watching, studying life outside my window, watching people in their daily lives, advertisements, etc.

It keeps me current, and daring in the Illustrations that I work on.

Comment by Nijaah on June 11, 2008 at 1:12am

Sis Virginia,
you are correct in that the term "artist" can be shaped and molded to fit most any form of creative expression that creates a since of peace, fullfillment and joy that distances you from the ill manifestations of what life can bring. I am blessed to have joined this group, thank you Fahiym and I am happy to be the 20th member.

Comment by Virginia on June 6, 2008 at 1:08pm

Asata:

I think it just makes it easier to distinguish between the different types of artists. I think it cuts down on confusion. We use the term artist to mean visual artist so that we are all on the same page.

The term artist can be used for anyone who creates anything. Architects, chefs, sculptors, writers, software designers, dancers, tailors, chemists, hairdressers, and dog breeders are all creative individuals. But just so everyone knows what everyone is talking about we have narrowed the term to mean one who creates paintings and drawings. It does not demean the rest of the art world: at least it is not meant to.

Comment by Virginia on June 6, 2008 at 12:56pm

To answer Sister Brown's question.

First of all, this is a cliché, but I can't tell you what "good" art is. I only know what I like. I am confused when someone pays thousands of dollars for something I wouldn't take for free.

For me, successful art is art that conveys its intended message. Some art is pleasing to the eye while other art is supposed to convey the ugliness of some of our world.

As for my source of inspiration, it is the actions of people around me. Sometimes I want to make fun of dogma and ritual. Sometimes I want to send a message: it may be anti abuse or pro women.

As for your strongest skills, you will be strongest at whatever you keep coming back to and practice the most. You will practice longer at what gives you the most joy and satisfaction. For instance: I found out long ago that I am not good with wet media. I love the results I see in other people's work, but it's not for me.

Comment by Hilarion WIRDZEKA FAISON on June 3, 2008 at 1:10pm

Hotep Quinethel Brown,
I stand the chance to speak for myself and also the numerous artists, fellow students, and my students, with whom I've interacted for many years now. Source of inspiration is diverse and could be multiple.
Generally artists or their works inspire others. True and fiction stories, TV, books, or even a cherished one's life can inspire creativity. For others, its something spiritual, the forces of nature, or God.
You know successful art when you see it. It is a unit. Though composed of various elements and principles of design, it sums up as a cohesive force. There are balance and harmony of opposites. In short the art piece is complete. I could give you the 'fourteen points' to watch which will guide you further.
You can know your strong points if you are first of all honest with yourself. Then seek the opinion of friends, and those of advanced or experienced artists. You have to cultivate the courage to show your work, cos hiding it won't help. Be open to criticism. No one is a 'master' if we follow Asian wisdom. "Masters, they say, are all dead." He/she that has room for improvement, learns every blessed day. As such they can't claim to be masters!!.
Art works vehemently rejected in the past, history tells us, have turned up to be the glory of some nations. Read IMPRESSIONISM in France. Also THE CIGARETTE MAN,an article on contemporary art in Nigeria, on CNN.

Comment by Hilarion WIRDZEKA FAISON on June 3, 2008 at 12:30pm

Peace Asata,
Here in Cameroon, as well as in most African countries, there is no restriction to employ the term artist. All creative persons are artists. However, there are precisions made when it comes to specifics. As in crafts men / women = artisans. Fact is much of the compartmentalisation is the Oyibo's doing. In Africa, painting, sculpture, music, choreography, drama, and dance went and go together. Though they display notches, they stay close as a sugar cane stem. The body is support for painting, the mask (full bodied or facial) is sculpture, music gives the beat, connects the living and the ancestors through song and instruments, choreography sets the blocking, drama spices the theatrics, while dance sets the ball a moving and paints fantasterrific swelling imagery that lives on in our memories long after the show.

Comment by Asata on May 31, 2008 at 2:03pm

I'm new to this forum but, I'm curious. Across the board why is it that when people use the term "Artist" it only seems to refer to people who are painters and make other "artistic" items. Usually dancers, choreographers, etc are not included in this area. I'd like to get some discussion going about this. Thanks.

Comment by Quinethel Brown on May 29, 2008 at 7:46am

What is yoyr source of inspiration and how do you as artist know what sucessful srt is. how do you know what you strongest skills are and focus on enhancing them.

Comment by Bart Ross on May 28, 2008 at 11:58am

Resources for Artists

The list is long but the resources are good ones for any artist.

The resources listed below are the courtesy of Len Davis and www.cacla2006.org
www.cacla2006.org
Galleries for emerging artist – 5 pages worth

http://www.artnet.com/net/galleries/gallery_list.aspx?gip=290
---------------
MORE INFO: Use it to browse through


http://re-title.typepad.com/opportunities/

http://www.ovationtv.com/art/fineart/index.aspx?genre=3&subgenre=3&tab_id=3&subtab_id=3
Registration is free

http://www.nyfa.org/login.asp?

http://www.artmotelradio.com/

http://art2102.org/pages/about.html

http://www.makcenter.org/MAK_General_Info.php
-----------------
CONTEST/GRANTS/RESIDENCIES:


http://www.pennymccallfoundation.org/resources.html

http://www.crt.state.la.us/arts/GrantOutline.shtml

http://www.pkf.org/grant.html

http://www.foundationforcontemporaryarts.org/grant_programs/artists_grants.html

http://www.georgesugarman.com/framepage.html

http://www.calfund.org/receive/fellowships.php

http://www.creative-capital.org/application/

http://www.cciarts.org/funding.htm

http://www.puffinfoundation.org/grants/prospectiveapplicant.html

http://www.skylarkfoundation.com/

http://www.remahortmannfoundation.org/visualarts.php

http://www.joanmitchellfoundation.org/mission.html

http://irvine.org/grants_program/howto/strong_proposal.shtml

http://www.unitedstatesartists.org/Public/GrantsProgram/BecomingaFellow/index.cfm

http://www.artadia.org/forartists.html

http://artmattersfoundation.org/contact.html

http://printedmatter.org/about/index.cfm

http://www.creativetime.org

http://www.diacenter.org/

http://www.atoa.ws/

http://www.nationalcollage.com/

http://afonline.artistsspace.org/

http://www.drawingcenter.org/viewingprogram/submissions_guidelines.cfm

http://www.artpace.org/programs.php#travelGrant

http://www.kcai.edu/artspace/artist/

http://www.bemiscenter.org/residency/

http://www.chinati.org/information/artist-in-residence.php

http://artsusa.org/news/afta_news/default.asp#item1

http://www.gf.org/broch.html

http://www.whjohnsongrant.org/foundation.html

http://artistsregister.com/opportunities.phtml

http://www.cca.rca.ac.uk/docs/application/index.html

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