At an art gallery, I squirm when the owner asks if I’m an artist. After hesitating, I finally say no. But I’m not convincing myself or her, and my hesitation just confuses everyone.
Have you found yourself unable to claim ‘artist’ ‘writer’ or ‘photographer’ even though you write, make art and take photos on a regular, if not daily basis?
I coach a lot of beginning writers who struggle with calling themselves writers. I tell them, if you write, you’re a writer. But it’s not as simple as that.
There are two sides that make it a sticky issue for people to claim what they are: the artist or writer herself and the person on the other side. And the assumptions others make based on what we call ourselves.
It’s the gap between your label and their label that causes us to disown ourselves. Even when we work regularly on our art and make money at it, we squirm.
Decide who defines you
In our culture – I’m speaking of the Western culture of capitalism, the labels we give ourselves imply a monetary component. If we say we’re a writer or an artist, the implication is we make money doing so.
But that may not be the defining factor for the creative person. I make art every day. I do this because I like it and because I am trying to improve. Doing art improves the quality of my life as well as my art making skills.
I have made money from selling my art. But that’s not my primary goal now, and I’m not sure if it will ever be.
Am I am artist?
I write every day, and publish my writing on this blog and elsewhere. I write to get my ideas about the creative process into the world. I write to help others.
Writing made up 19% of my income last year.
Am I a writer?
I have no problem calling myself a writer or an artist – to myself. It’s speaking this to others that brings complications and assumptions.
Let’s stop the squirming about how we label ourselves. Here’s how:
1. You decide what criteria you will use to determine if you can own the label ‘writer’ or ‘artist’.
2. You decide whether you want to have conversations with strangers about your work. You decide whether you want to open yourself to their labels and assumptions.
If you have a hard time claiming a label for yourself, consider what is important about calling yourself writer or artist. Consider if it’s a label you need to claim privately or publicly.
What are your criteria for the labels you affix to yourself? How do you deal with others’ assumptions? Share with us below what works for you, and be sure to pass this article to your friends who struggle with this.
Cynthia, you ask a question, I answer with an essay! Always. I’ve just now deleted the essay and will attempt a short answer:
Privately and with the IRS, I am a writer. Publicly, I answer questions about what I do with my time with a shrug, and say that I’m puttering around with a bit of writing. Claiming that I’m a writer, without some form of recognition to my credit, is too pretentious.
Dannie,
Thanks for chiming in on this. I think it’s good writing practice to write an entire essay and then soak it down to its essence in a paragraph!
You write with more commitment and focus than a lot of people. I’m curious to know what’s pretentious to you about saying you’re a writer? I don’t think you are grandiose about your skills or expectations for your writing.
Excellent question, Cynthia! I struggled with this for a long time. Sometimes still do. I also don’t even care for the fact we put labels on people for the very same reasons you speak of in this post.
But I can say I’ve gotten more comfortable with saying I’m a writer. Perhaps because I have published some books– but I also feel I’ve really invested in it, monetary wise, and my heart and soul, to share with others, but to also learn more about myself– and to grow and evolve. So yes, I happen to do this through writing, so I feel much more comfortable these days saying that yes, I am a writer– whether or not I ever publish any more more books. Even if just blogging or maybe journaling, it will still make me a writer.
It is a process though and for me personally was just believing in myself and feeling free to say that yes, I am a writer, whether I make money doing it or not. A process- indeed a process.
Thanks for posing the question!
~Barb
Barb,
Thanks for your response to this question. I love your thought process about it – how much you invest in writing, through your time, energy and money, does mark your level of commitment.
I also think publishing several books as you have gives you every right to claim writer. Author, even!
I’m glad you write. I love your work and devotion to giving through the written word. You’ve helped a lot of people with your words.
What curious thoughts about labels. I know I’m not an author (yet), even though all my teen and adult life I’ve been writing. Oddly enough I do not feel trapped by labels, at least not until you mentioned it. Cynthia, you made me think about my playing with ideas on paper, which has been a fun way to explore and develop concepts. The label I suppose I relate to most would be ‘researcher’. As far as the label of ‘writer’, automatically I think of one who has been published. Those who write, do works of art or love taking photographs for fun, I think of as those who have discovered and cherished the joys and depths of life’s expressions. They are genuine writers, artists or photographers of the heart, whether they do it for money or fun, be they published or not.
Ann,
I bring this issue up because a lot of people I’ve coached and talk to struggle with it. I’m glad you never worried about it! Such freedom!
Your comment makes me think there are another two sides to the label:
I am a writer and artist because I write and make art.
And:
I am a writer and artist because I publish or show my work.
A lot of people don’t feel valid calling themselves something if it’s private. It has to be public for them to feel they can claim it. I wonder…..
Cynthia you prompted another idea. Do we ‘publicly’ claim a label for our selves when we feel confident in that title, and hold back ‘privately’ when we feel either the most vulnerable or the least skilled?
That seems to be the trend, Ann. Though I still hesitate to tell people I am a coach. I encounter a lot of preconceived notions about it and a lot of disdain. I’m confident in my work and my coaching skills, but other people bring too much baggage to it.
Hi Cynthia. Luvin the musing. Here’s a question that popped in my head one day… If you had to give up every label but one, which would it be? I claimed writer.
This practice of labeling can become a blessing or a burden. If being an artist or a writer makes your heart open wide and unleashes your curiosity, creativity and joy I say it’s yours to claim.
Adela
Adela,
I love your question to yourself and your answer. I also love the exuberance in how you decide to claim it! Where’s the joy? That’s what I am. So simple and pure!
If I could choose one label for myself, it would be this: perfectly imperfect human. 🙂
I’ve been thinking how to comment since your post first went up. Since I’m probably the photographer you referenced, first I want to say thanks. I can almost own you saying that! ;>)
I know I’ll continue to think about this subject but here are some initial thoughts:
The job I do best and without thinking is my first, producer/event planner and I’ll probably always claim that with ease.
I’ve been writing for about 15 years, been published in the LA Times, turned myself into a publicist. You’d think I could claim that but I still have some trouble with it and think of writing as a solid skill rather than a title.
I’m finally starting to think of myself as beyond a beginner photographer after decades of snapshots and almost 2 years of studying on a DSLR, a ‘real’ camera. I think I can let myself finally claim something because I know how to shoot on the non-automatic modes and can talk with other photographers about the art and some of the tech parts. I just came back from a class and something clicked. I may not be great, yet, but I’m starting to know what to do. For me it’s definitely about adding to my skill set.
Your statement – “It’s the gap between your label and their label that causes us to disown ourselves.” Disown ourselves…that’s scary and I have to get beyond that. That was a powerful revelation.
Thanks for this post.
Bobbi,
I like what you say about writing being a solid skill set instead of a title. A lot of people write for work but don’t feel any need to claim writer. And yet a lot of people I have worked with over the years really yearn to be a writer and call themselves that. I think there’s a lot wrapped up in that name.
I think your photography is gorgeous and shows a high level of skill and professionalism. Is your aim to simply enjoy this art form or to sell paintings too?
I think if it’s the latter, I’d get comfortable calling yourself a photographer, if that feels right for you.
Love your Paris photos and posts on your blog! Well done!
Thanks for your kind words, more Paris and other travel photos to come. Yes to selling and being part of a show. Need to research that. The goal is to get the work out there. Self-publish a photo/essay book? Short pieces are my strength and preference. Next steps are more consistent blogging and of course, lots of practice.
And following our Fearless Leader!
I have no trouble telling people “I write” or “I act” or “I direct”, but I do sometimes have trouble telling people “I am an actor” or “I am a writer” or “I am a director” for the very same thing you mention. I don’t make a living from these – and like it or not, others do judge you by the making money criterion.
I’ve had working actors tell me that I can’t possibly call myself a professional actor if I don’t make most of my income from acting. My acting coaches, my agent, casting directors etc tell me I have talent, but until I’m out there working consistently, I’m merely an ‘actor contender’. I’ve managed to swallow my feelings of pretension and call myself both actor and director on my websites, but I often cringe when I see this.
As for for writing – most people seem to expect that you don’t make money from writing, but they do expect that you have been published by someone other than yourself! I have some articles, short stories and poems published – but still I have trouble calling myself a writer, especially around other writers who have published books or stories in better quality journals. In their presence, I creep away and hide in a corner (metaphorically speaking). And I never call myself a poet! And on my writing website, I neatly skirt any issue of calling myself a writer by writing about what I write.
I feel a fraud because I make almost NO money from either of these things – last year around 0.03% of my total income came from both acting and writing. The rest came from working in IT as a software tester – yet I almost never say to people “I am a software tester”, only that I work in IT testing software.
So I don’t want people to think of me as a software tester yet I feel a fraud calling myself a writer or an actor.
I think I hate labels.
Well, great discussion thread, only just discovered because of Dannie’s email to the Facebook crowd. Something about my notifications or how well I keep up with emails. But, enjoying this topic, one of my “hot buttons” since I don’t like labels, boxes as I call them. And by now Cynthia you know I strive to see everything spiritually.
That means for me, that how we “be” is more important than what we “do” though society doesn’t see it that way yet. So, I also strive for accepting where we all are. I mean by that, are we being loving, kind, helpful, destructive, deceitful, more important to me than whether someone writes or works on Wall Street, or digs a ditch. (Maybe this is a blog post in the making). Even “photographers” are using that medium (along with writers and actors, etc.) for some inner purpose. What’s the purpose? I want to bring harmony and beauty to my environment. How to do that?
The answer to that question I think gets closer to our understanding who we are. So, I like Kay’s, “I write” instead of “I’m a writer” in a way, but I often try to avoid answering the question unless I can find another way to get at what people “really want to know”.
Long way of saying I don’t have a solution yet, but “writing” and pondering it. I can get romantic about hearing someone is a writer or an actor or a painter until I see they use that skill for something I find unpleasant, like horror movies for example. (No offense to the horror writers and painters). So, I still need a way to define me, you, a way to communicate that works.
Hope this discussion will continue!
That should have been Karen, not Kay! Computer writing (and reading) and I don’t work well.
I have absolutely no problem calling myself an artist — I’m a 2D painter. I also have no problem calling myself a fashion blogger, despite the fact that I’m “way too old” (56) and dress like a mad cat lady.
My problem is with acquaintances who latch on to roles I’ve had in the past and introduce me as that. I was recently at an art event, and the hostess (a painter) introduced me to an art curator as “a Barbie designer”. Um, hello, I had that job for FIVE years TWENTY years ago! Sure, my work at Mattel makes for good conversation, but that’s not who I am now.
I would have preferred to have been introduced as a visual artist — this WAS a curator after all! I was a little slow with my correction, forgot about my artist self and instead was one of my current money jobs (print designer for underwear — usually a good topic). They both looked at me, confused. Botched that one, I guess.
Anne,
You’re so right; sometimes others’ labels for us can really botch the conversation. It’s funny how people – even our loved ones – see us and speak about us, based on what sticks with them.
I think it’s good for all of us to have a clear sentence or two about what we do so we’re ready. Especially for those of us who do many things. What’s the role we want to be known for? It can change in different settings but knowing them ahead of time can help.
Thanks for sharing your very interesting creative self with us here! It’s great to ‘meet’ you.