You Are An Artist Because You Are An Artist

Edgar A. Poe once said, "All that I loved, I loved alone."
Meaning even if we are not recognized, we still must be creative. Mr. Poe sure was insanely creative... God bless his tormented soul.

"My main point is: I must be the type of artist I am for my mental well being and not for fame or fortune."

Human beings are artistic creatures, Frank. Most never sell their creations, it's just something they do. I suspect most FAA members are a lot like you, but even less concerned about sales. Most will never sell much of anything, nor are they trying to sell.

Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

I have a confession to make. I love money. With money I can buy more toys like new cameras and lenses.

There is no rule stating money has to come from art. It can come from thousands of other places.

Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

I've never really understood or accepted the term "self-taught artist"! But perhaps that's for another thread...

First and foremost I need an outlet for my creative energy...or Art!...but I thoroughly believe sharing is a fundamental part of creating.

Dan,
Actually I did work for some 10 years as a pro photographer and earned about a half million dollars for my images. That said, I am retired as a pro photographer/graphic designer. So I guess my retirement income (not from social security) is still coming from my time spent as a "hired" photographer.

Barry, What's so hard about "self-taught" artist? Say you are a painter/artist. Self taught might mean you did not go to a recognized art school, were not connected to a group of other artists (abstract/impressionist/etc). You mostly kept to yourself, did not have exhibits at a gallery, etc...and might even be a tad "touched" in the head...OMG, I just described myself as an artist!

Self taught.. really... we learn every single little detail about everything and anything from outside sources...I think!....?....lol

As far as I am concerned the term "self-taught" in this scenary simply means one with out formal education eg. univeresity, and needen't be looked into any further then that. Obviously we all learn from things around us, that's a given in any field, but we as human beings also need terms to describe things, "self-taught" just happens to be one of those terms. I don't see why everybody feels to analyze that term to death or take it too litterally. It's just a better way of saying "not formally educated in this field." Although "outsider" has an interesting ring to it. I guess I would be considered an outsider. I am the only artist in my family, and didn't have a lot of money growing up so didn't have a lot of access to the "art world". I didn't even visit an art museum or gallery until I was 19, but I have been doing art since before I could walk. Money is nice, but even if money didn't exist, I would still be creating art because that's who I am.

yeah..I was tinking another thread too. :-)

You are so right Robert. An artist is the biggest part of me. Its who I am. If I were stranded on a desert island I would draw in the sand,caves etc. Its what keeps me together. The fact that I get paid for touching someone with my art is a blessing not validation.