When do we get to call ourselves artists

“What do you do for a living?”

“Um, I used to teach but I’m dabbling in some painting now.”

“Oh that’s cool, are you an artist?”

“Well….no, I’m just a beginner…, I’m just learning…..,I’d like to be one but I’m not there yet….”

I’ve had several awkward conversations like the one above - but this begs the question - where is this mythical “there”? At what point do we cross the rubicon and move from hobbyist to artist? When I was doing my Foundation Art diploma - it was easy to say I was a student pursuing my passion in art (I am an artist in the making I would say) but now that I’ve graduated and returned to non-art-school life - what am I? I am juggling life and caring for family and home while trying to build a portfolio of work that I might one day approach a gallery with or enter an open call successfully. Can I really call myself an artist now?

While it may seem like a self-inflicted drama - so many of us struggle with feeling like we can’t legitimately take on the title of artist. We question ourselves - maybe I will feel comfortable calling myself an artist when I’ve sold work? Well, I sold two at my graduation show and had a couple of commissions - but still I didn’t feel like I could legitimately call myself an artist - it was a grad show sale - that’s not a real sale (is it?). Maybe when I’ve had work accepted for a prestigious open call then maybe I’ll be a proper artist then or maybe it is not commercial success but practice that counts - Perhaps I have to be in a studio painting at least 5-6 hours a day every day before I can confidently introduce myself as an artist or perhaps only when I can earn a living from the work can I really embrace the title. Now, I’ve watched instagram reels and Tiktok’s telling me that if I am making and creating - I am an artist….but am I really? The magical line where we turn into artists is an unknown - there are no obvious rules and guidelines to fulfil so we can know when we become one.

It seems like it is down to the individual to embrace a level of confidence to just declare themselves an artist. It is when you feel like you are and artist - when you are ready to acknowledge it is your life, when all you want to do is make art and tell stories with your work.

I haven’t got the answers yet, and I still feel fraudulent if I tell someone that I am an artist but I can say with some confidence that making art is a large part of my life and passion and maybe for now, that’s enough.