What Does It Mean to Be an Artist?

“Am I really an artist?”

If you’ve ever wondered whether you can call yourself an artist, you’re not alone. It’s a question I hear all the time, and honestly, one I’ve asked myself more than once.

Maybe you’ve taken a few classes but never finished art school. Maybe, like me, you don’t have the “right” degree. Maybe your sketchbook is full but you’ve never shown your work publicly. Or maybe you’ve been making for years, but because you haven’t sold a piece, you hesitate to use the word “artist.”

Here’s the truth: there isn’t one single definition of what it means to be an artist. And chasing someone else’s definition almost always leads to comparison, perfectionism, and feeling like you’re never enough.

Today I want to offer you a different way forward: one that’s specific, personal, and deeply inclusive.

Hey there! 👋 I’m Carrie and I’m here to remind you: you’re already an artist.

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Why Definitions Matter (and Why They Can Hold Us Back)

Words have power. Calling yourself an “artist” can feel like a bold declaration: one that comes with baggage.

For decades, our culture has told us artists are people with credentials: a degree from an art school, gallery representation, or a certain number of sales. The other pressure people can face is to demonstrate a certain level of skill. But these rigid definitions leave so many people out.

When you’ve been told “you’re not really an artist unless…,” it’s easy to second-guess yourself. Yet the irony is this: the act of making art is what makes you an artist. The rest: exhibitions, sales, recognition…is optional.

That’s why creating your own definition matters. It shifts the focus from external gatekeepers to your lived, everyday practice.

Owning that word changes the way you see yourself, your time, and your art. It shifts you from dabbling to claiming.

Specificity Brings Clarity

Here’s an example of what it can look like, a description I’ve put together from working with hundreds of artists, based on their definitions:

“It’s someone who actively engages in art as evidenced by the packages ready to ship, the reminder of the market coming Saturday, and multiple works in progress across multiple materials. They show some success with a ribbon in the background (lots of my students win their first ribbons in group exhibitions), so there are signs of both internal and external validation. They are making art in a space dedicated to their creativity. It’s not hypothetical: they are doing it.”

I love this description because it’s full of specifics.

• Packages ready to ship? That artist is sharing their work with the world.
• A reminder about the market? They’re making art part of their commitments.
• Works in progress? Multiple media? That shows ongoing curiosity and practice.
• A ribbon in the background? Yes, external recognition can feel great too.
• A dedicated space? Their creativity is valued and given room.

It’s not about being famous. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing up in a way that’s real.

One of my biggest definitions for myself was having my artwork in a museum. When I was lucky enough to have that happen in my early 20s, it was a truly affirming moment. Since then, my own definition has changed and evolved. But I know that from continued curiosity and reflection. Then I can make decisions from a place of vision and values.

Multiple Paths, Same Identity

The beauty of art is that it doesn’t have a single entry point. Being an artist can look like:

• Filling your sketchbook after the kids are asleep.
• Embroidering while waiting for an appointment.
• Selling photographs at the Saturday market.
  Painting a mural on your community wall.
• Stealing 10 minutes of watercolor play between caregiving tasks.

Every one of these stories is valid. No path is more “real” than another. What matters is that you’re making.

Take a minute and reflect: what specific images and ideas would help you meet your definition of “artist?” I’d love to hear them in the comments below. No idea is too big or too small.

Internal vs. External Validation

When we think about being an artist, two types of validation often come up:

• Internal validation: the joy, curiosity, and growth you feel when you make something new. The way time disappears when you’re in flow. The quiet pride of showing up for your practice. The excitement you feel when work is going well.
• External validation: the gallery acceptance, the ribbon in a local show, the kind comment from a friend, the sale of your first piece.

Both matter. Internal validation keeps you going. External validation reminds you that your work connects with others. But if you rely only on the external, your identity as an artist will always feel fragile.

I think of the pain and suffering expressed in Van Gogh’s journals. He was filled with despair that his work was being ignore and he couldn’t sell anything. He is a strong example of what happens when external validation becomes a driving force. He chose to keep making art despite these rejections, which shows some of the internal self-belief he had in himself and his work. He did it anyway. And I hope whether or not you receive the external validation you seek, you still keep making. Your art is important and can help change the world.

When I received a money prize as a finalist in a competition that also led to my work being exhibited in the Smithsonian (in a short-term exhibition) it affirmed for me that dedicating time to my art was paying off. But it wasn’t the end all and be all. I was only 24. So… what was next? I ended up moving to Dubai to teach art and started exhibiting there. And some of that confidence to take big risks came from that external validation. But a lot of it also came from my inner resilience and desire to grow and learn.

How do you balance between the internal and external? Do you think you’ve focused on one more than another? Tell me more in the comments below.

So, What Makes You an Artist?

The best definition isn’t mine: it’s yours.

Take a moment to reflect:

• What do you notice in your own life that points to your creative practice?
• How do you know you’ve shown up for your art?
• What’s one sign (internal or external) you’d love to add to your own definition of “artist?”

Journaling is a wonderful practice that can help you get out of your own head and actively consider these questions. And then you have a document you can refer to as a touchstone when things feel hard, or uncertain.

Remember, being an artist isn’t hypothetical. It’s not about what you plan to do one day. It’s about the act of making, however it looks for you right now.

Claiming the Word

You don’t need to wait for permission to call yourself an artist. You don’t need more proof, more practice, or more praise.

If you’re showing up to your creativity, even in messy, imperfect, tiny ways, you’re already doing it.

And that means you are an artist.

So let’s do this together: I want you to say the words out loud: “I am an artist.” Whisper it, write it, shout it, whatever feels right. Notice how it feels in your body. Because the truth is, you already are. And the more you claim it, the more powerfully you’ll show up in your creativity.

Thanks so much for watching. If you enjoyed today’s topic, please like and subscribe to Artist Strong. And tell me something new you’ll use in your art practice in the comments below.

Remember: proudly call yourself an artist.

Together, we are Artist Strong.