What is an artist?

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Muirheid

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Dec 15, 2010, 11:01:10 AM12/15/10
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How would you define "an artist"? How might artists see things
differently? Does society need artists? Why or why not?

Tori Lewis

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Dec 15, 2010, 6:36:25 PM12/15/10
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An artist, to me, is someone who as a talent in any field of fine arts
(and a little beyond as well). I think that if someone has a talent
in visual art, photography, music, vocals, and creative writing then
he or she could be classified as an artist. Some people may find that
creative writing is not an art; however, I do. I think that if
someone has a way with words and a gift for language, then that is an
artist. The poem or prose piece that they have written is a work of
art. Visual art such as painting, drawing, sculpting, etc. is the
obvious artist. One who has a unique talent in a field that most
others do not possess is amazing. An artist who can make drawings
look like snap shots or doodles that embody beautiful is an artist
that everyone knows of. Photography is another obvious form of art.
One who can capture the exact moment a lightning bolt strikes a tree
is a true artist. One who can find the most beautiful sunset and
print it for all to see is also an artist. The art of playing an
instrument is a little bit less obvious, as is the art of a beautiful
voice. One who can play music or sing anything and recreate Heaven in
sound is a true artist. There takes a certain kind of person to do
those things, either you have it or you don’t. Last, but not least,
an artist who can write. Language is such a powerful tool and for one
to be able to use it to form beautiful pieces of literature that are
studied years and years later is a true talent.

I feel that an artist might see things in a more creative light. An
artist would look at the world in such a way as to find inspiration.
Everything they hear, see, taste, touch, smell will help them create
their next great masterpiece. Those people that look at the world as
a blank canvas are much needed in society. I believe that a society
needs artists. We need those people that are going to look around in
a positive light and find all that they can use to better themselves.
Today’s jobs are all focused on books and moving forward without
stopping and taking time to look around at what is here and now.
However, artists take that time. Our world would be a much duller
place without those people that take the time to really appreciate
everything there is in life.

Shannon

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Dec 15, 2010, 9:03:33 PM12/15/10
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When I thought about my own personal definition of an artist, I
honestly drew a blank. I don’t consider myself an “artist” in any way,
shape, or form, so I think I had difficulty nailing down an actual
definition of who an artist really is. So, being the resourceful
senior that I am, I went on dictionary.com and typed in “artist”. I
got results that said an artist was someone who “produces art.” Well,
that didn’t really do me any good, since art is a very vague word (not
to mention it’s part of the word I was trying to define) so I tried to
find a definition on google. The first one that popped up said that an
artist is “someone whose creative work shows sensitivity and
imagination.” I like this one a lot better. I don’t see an artist as
someone who paints or writes for a living; rather, I think an artist
is someone who merely thinks outside the box when approaching life,
and not necessarily turning those thoughts into something visual and
physical.
As I’ve already stated, I’m no artist. I don’t really see myself as a
nonconformist, approaching life from a completely new angle that no
one else has ever tried before. Hence, I have a hard time picturing
how artists see the world. Obviously, some (if not most) probably view
the world differently than me, and who knows which view is “right;”
indeed, they might all be right. I look at the world in 1 dimension
most of the time; I’m so concerned with what’s going on around me at
that particular moment. Perhaps more importantly, I feel like I’m
constantly concerned about ME. An artist, in my opinion, is someone
who sees the world as something beautiful and separate from any one
human being. An artist takes what he or she can from the past, applies
it to the present, and takes this combined knowledge to the future. An
artist sees the world not as what’s going on right now, but rather as
a dynamic environment in which billions of people interact. An artist
is able to portray how he or she views the world and the human
condition without strictly focusing on himself or herself.
Society needs artists. Sure, the physical stuff they produce is great,
don’t get me wrong. But I think the greatest contribution that artists
bring to the table is their fresh outlook on life. It is something
totally different from what most people are used to, and this not only
helps society to open its eyes, but it also provokes thought and
imagination for the future

Katie

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Dec 16, 2010, 10:42:18 PM12/16/10
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An artist is not something that is easily defined. I agree with Tori
that an artist can be someone that is talented in creating visual art
or has a talent for singing, playing a musical instrument, acting or
writing. I also agree with Shannon that an artist is a person who
constantly thinks outside the box and views things in an artistic and
unique way. I think that artists view things in an imaginative way and
may become inspired to create a work of art. I also think that artists
may see a deeper meaning in something that someone else may view as
very simple or meaningless. In fact, many types of artists (visual
artists, musicians, writers), often include hidden meanings or
symbolic images or words as part of their artwork, and they do this to
convey a meaning. I believe society needs art, even though not all
people may understand or appreciate it. We do not realize it, but art
plays a large role in our everyday lives. Without art, people would
not be able to listen to their favorite songs. People would not have
much entertainment without books, plays, and even movies, which are
arguably works of art. Many people enjoy looking at pieces of art,
such as paintings, drawings, and photographs. I think it is safe to
say that without artists, life would not be the same.
> > differently? Does society need artists? Why or why not?- Hide quoted text -
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> - Show quoted text -

Nicole

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Dec 17, 2010, 5:32:07 PM12/17/10
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I know artists consist of writers, singers, dancers, performers, and
poets. But when I think of an artist, I immediately think of someone
like Michelangelo. I think of someone who paints or draws creations. I
picture someone who has a huge imagination and someone who likes to
live on the edge. To me, an artist almost always has his own sense of
style; he is very unique. I find that often people are jealous of that
person's style, but the person is usually more of a recluse or
introvert. He seems to live inside his mind because he has a different
way of thinking. There's usually just something different about an
artist that sets him apart from everyone else.
I think artists tend to see things differently because they have a
larger imagination. They are able to fantasize new creations or
"realities" before they happen. Their fantasies lead them to create
awesome and unimaginable creations to the average human eye. I also
think an artist's fantasies sometimes keep him from the real world. He
finds his own imagination and art more captivating than the monotonous
world happening around him. I would not consider myself an artist, but
sometimes I doodle in classes. When I doodle, I get so caught up in my
drawing that I forget where I am or what I am doing; I block the
outside world out of my head.
I believe that society does need artists. Artists are the inspiration
to discover new things, to improve society.Art helps to influence the
world in making decisions; they are often used in campaigns or
advertisements. Furthermore, most people enjoy art. It is pleasing to
the eye and something to ponder (to look for the deeper meaning).

Daniel

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Dec 18, 2010, 9:44:55 AM12/18/10
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An artist, by definition, is someone who creates art. Art can be a
very tricky thing to define. Personally, I define art as anything that
evokes emotion in the viewer, reader, etc. Whether this emotion is
brought about as a result of the aesthetic quality of the piece or the
deeper meaning behind the piece is of less consequence. In theory,
then, every one of us is capable of being an artist, and in some
sense, we are. However, as shown in Portrait of the Artist as a Young
Man, not everyone possesses that skill or mindset required to create
art that really speaks to the viewer, reader, or listener. An artist,
then, is someone who sees the world through different eyes than most
of us and, as such, is better able to create and appreciate works of
art.
As a result of art’s ability to evoke emotions and influence the
viewer, it not only belongs in our society, it often plays more of a
role in our lives than we suspect. When someone hears their favorite
song on the radio, it may make them happier, or calmer, or alter their
emotional state in any number of ways. On an individual scale, it may
not mean much, but with the number of songs we hear on the radio a
day, and the number of radio listeners who hear those songs every day,
the number of emotional shifts humans experience solely as a result of
radio is astronomical.


On Dec 15, 11:01 am, Muirheid <muirhe...@marist.com> wrote:

Jacob Ahearn

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Dec 18, 2010, 2:59:49 PM12/18/10
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"I'm an artist. If you give me a tuba, I'll bring you something out of
it." That's my favorite John Lennon quote. It's blunt and arrogant,
yes. But I think I like it because of its straightforwardness. Most
people have a loose definition for "artist," but for John, the word's
meaning is as simple as looking within himself. He can create beauty
with one of the most impractical instruments for song-writing. Well,
he only claims he can, but I sure believe him. But that's just John
Lennon--one of the most respected artists of the last century.

But there are artists everywhere. Some people may not even know that
about him/herself yet. One does not have to be fatally misunderstood
and lost in society--although that may spice things up. True art is
created when one takes a part of oneself and exposes it to anyone
who's willing to appreciate it. With a little practice, anyone can
write a poem or take a pretty picture. But it's only "art" if that
pretty picture has, as cheesy as this sounds, someone's soul beneath
it. That's what separates the--as Lady Gaga put it--"soulless" pop
music on the radio and the heartfelt saxophone player near the Marta
station.

On Dec 15, 11:01 am, Muirheid <muirhe...@marist.com> wrote:

Chase

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Dec 19, 2010, 1:20:45 PM12/19/10
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I've had a lot of fun these last few weeks writing way too much on the
blog and delving deeply into what I have honestly found to be
interesting subjects. This is a topic that tends to make me go crazy
with excitement as the nature of art and artists in general is on that
I hold near and dear to my heart, mostly because the form of art which
I hold most dear is continuously tossed aside as being a child's
plaything when nothing could be farther from the truth. I speak, of
course of video games. I would love to go on a rant on video games as
art form and the rising importance of the medium. I would even love to
address the cinema as art, putting wonderful movies that go beyond the
typical action plot that is continuously being rehashed in hollywood
on a pedestal to show to the masses as being truly worth it as an
artistic experience.

Unfortunately, I don't have the time right now. I'll probably come
back and write about it later if anyone is interested, but now is
simply not a good time for me to do it. Instead, I'll have to focus on
one of those questions: does society need artists?

Short answer: Definitely. Long answer: Of course, don't be ridiculous.
Art has been around since the beginning of time in various forms. If
art is to be considered the creation of something that creates an
emotional reaction, good or bad, then even the original wheel can be
considered as art. After all, fire once brought awe into the life of
the cavemen just like a Van Gogh painting does today. Art has the
ability to do something that nothing else can: create an emotional
response when there was none without forcing it upon you. If you play
Bioshock, creator Adam Levine does not come over and slap you in the
face until you consider his game an immersive and powerful piece of
art and admit that the game changed the way you felt about at least
one aspect of society. That would be dumb and probably against the
law. Instead, Levine simply creates a world unlike any seen before in
any medium, and the effect is incredible. I cannot name someone who
has played Bioshock from start to finish without contemplating the
necessity of free will and the essence of what makes us human, not to
mention the consideration of the effects of self-determinism that take
place from the very onset of the game (I'm sure Ayn Rand would be very
proud with the way the game used her writings as a springboard for
something great, but I am digressing.

The point is this: without art, we would be less than we are today.
Games like Bioshock have shaped me over the course of my life,
sometimes in ways that are actually significant. And I could name just
as many books, movies, and paintings that have caused similar
reactions as well. I wouldn't be the same without each of those pieces
of art, and without art, our society just wouldn't be the same.
On Dec 15, 11:01 am, Muirheid <muirhe...@marist.com> wrote:

Ed

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Dec 19, 2010, 1:57:40 PM12/19/10
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I'm not an artist myself, so I am not going to act like I know what an
artist is. Anyways, I think an artist is someone who sees the
aesthetic value in things and dedicates his life towards expressing
emotions onto something tangible. This sounds like the definition of
a painter or musician, and it is. I also think that sculptors,
filmmakers, actors, and writers are artists. I think that artists
naturally see things not as what they are but as what they could or
should be; they then let their imagination and creativity help
physically re-create what is going on in their minds. Society needs
artists; I need art. I listen to good music everyday, and it makes me
happy. I like to occasionally look at a visually stunning picture,
and it makes me happy. I like watching good movies; they make me
happy. Artists enhances the lifestyles of cultured societies; they
are needed.
On Dec 15, 11:01 am, Muirheid <muirhe...@marist.com> wrote:

Cristina Rocca

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Dec 19, 2010, 2:24:07 PM12/19/10
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I believe an artist is someone who has achieved a certain amount of
finesse and artistry in a craft. That being said, I do not believe
that being an artist is restricted to the fine arts. I have seen girls
control a soccer ball in a way that has as much finesse and beauty as
a pianist's recital. Artists are those who can take what average
people do and make it beautiful. Artists have the ability and
creativity to see beyond what normal people do. A girl who is able to
make up her own soccer moves is definitely considered an artist
because she can see what the average soccer player cannot. The same is
to be said for a painter. Any person can draw stick figures, but an
artist can take colors and make something extraordinary. I definitely
believe society needs artists. Artists are those who can truly think
outside the box in any given area. We need artists to continue a world
of creativity and innovation.

On Dec 15, 11:01 am, Muirheid <muirhe...@marist.com> wrote:

Michael Bryant

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Dec 19, 2010, 4:28:54 PM12/19/10
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When I think of an artist my initial thoughts are those of people who
create things. These things could be anything from pictures,
paintings, or sculptures to songs, stories, or poems. A true artist
has a creative and imaginative personality that can improvise and
think outside of the box in many diverse situations. I believe that
anyone can be an artist through the fact that we all have some
creative element within us. How we use our creativity determines how
much of an “artist” we are. This sense of creativity and imaginative
personality allows an artist to see things from a different
perspective. Everyday things that are normally routine to the average
person could be viewed with a more profound meaning. The creativity
associated with an artist allows the artist to find a particular
entity in life and elaborate on it in order to bring out its deeper
meaning. I believe that artists and art are necessary in society. Art
can tell stories and give examples of what the world or a given place
or person was like during a certain time. The saying a picture is
worth a thousand words holds true for most works of art.

MaryClaire

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Dec 19, 2010, 5:02:33 PM12/19/10
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There are so many definitions of artist because art itself is so up
for personal interpretation. An artist, to me, is anyone who can
create something beautiful or that is able to invoke a strong
emotional response in others through his or her creativity. Artists
generally view things completely different from the rest of the world.
An artist sees the potential behind the view, such as the painting
that will result from the blank canvas or the sculpture within the
block of marble. I believe that society does need artists. Artists add
diversity to the world. They are capable of expressing themselves in
different ways and connecting with all kinds of people. The art
created by an artist can unite people across divisions. Art can be
used to send a message or comment on our society in a different way.

On Dec 15, 11:01 am, Muirheid <muirhe...@marist.com> wrote:

Scott Selvey

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Dec 19, 2010, 5:11:05 PM12/19/10
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I would define an artist simply as a person who creates art. The
artist doesn't necessarily have to make traditional art, or art that
is appealing to most people. If the work is appealing to at least one
person, even if the only person is the artist, then it is considered
art. The art can take many different forms such as, drawings or
paintings, music, and architecture and sculptures. Like Chase said,
even things that are computer generated, such as video games, can be
considered art. Artists see things differently in the way they can
see normal tools or materials and turn them into something
extraordinary. I believe that society does need artists. Artists and
their art keep life from being completely boring.

On Dec 15, 11:01 am, Muirheid <muirhe...@marist.com> wrote:

Maria Kurilo

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Dec 19, 2010, 6:04:44 PM12/19/10
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An artist is an ambiguous term dispersed throughout society. I believe
an artist is an individual who perceives the outside world with a keen
sense of aestheticism. The term “art” is relevant to any aspect of
humanity, and the “artist” interprets their habitat with a distinctive
awareness. An artist notices the details around him or her and
realizes the sentiment that life brings. Art does not necessarily
apply to visual art or text, but it captures the meaning of human
emotion.
Artists see their surrounding as a “palette” if you will, and the hues
they bring upon their paint brush represent the individualistic
approach to life. Artists are essential to society because, the world
would lose color without the creativity and imagination that is
developed in an artistic mind. It is important to recognize our world
and the different possibilities within our reach. The artist manages
to find different ways to go about our daily life by putting their
creativity into action. Artists thrive on creative a different outlook
on the world, which genuinely reveals individuality, which creates a
more interesting world to be a part of.

Brendan Hickey

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Dec 19, 2010, 9:30:11 PM12/19/10
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I would define an artist as truly anyone who takes part in the act of
creation intending to make people think in a certain way. Whether its
the design of a car or the specific look of an avant-garde film,
anyone who designs and creates something has to think of aesthetic
senses, of how their product or painting will make people think.
Writers have to think creatively in order to reach their target
audiences, utilizing words to move people. While it's a very broad
term for artist, I feel that to tighten the term any more would do
disservice to some things that I consider to be art, of a sort.
Artists often see things in a way that appreciates beauty and the
senses, embracing the more emotional aspects of humanity. Even the
stark classicism of the Greeks invokes emotion and holds a sense of
beauty that supersedes the rational thought behind it. Artists are
also more likely to look for the meaning of something, seeing farther
than just the surface and initial reaction.
Society certainly needs artists. They put us in touch with our more
human sides and have the ability to make people really think about
what they value. Artists also allow mankind to experience creating
beauty, bringing us closer to God, in a way.

Alyssa Boehnlein

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Dec 19, 2010, 11:32:32 PM12/19/10
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I think that an artist perceives the world in a different way than
other people. Whether it be through visuals, sounds, or any other
medium, an artist can portray "art" in a variety of different ways. To
be a true artist, the artist should be able to express ideas in a way
that other people can connect to and empathize with. I do believe that
art can be anything and that anyone can be an artist if they truly put
their mind and heart to it. I think because there are no set limits
for what art truly is, there are also no boundaries on an artist's
mind. The artist is just able to portray reality through how they
perceive it, which often is very different from the world, but this
new portrayal is able to evoke emotion from an outsider.

I do believe that the artist is an important factor of society. I feel
like society would be bland if everyone saw the world through the same
glass. Everyone needs some variety, and I believe art brings a lot of
emotion to the table. People can learn a lot about themselves through
the creativity and artistry of another person, and artists help to
create these emotions for other people.

On Dec 15, 11:01 am, Muirheid <muirhe...@marist.com> wrote:

Greg Ehmer

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Dec 20, 2010, 11:15:33 AM12/20/10
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I would define an artist as someone who has the ability to take the
simple things in the world and make them other worldly through their
work. They use their talents of writing, painting, music, etc to
express their opinions about different subjects. They are really some
of the only people who can express their opinions and beliefs through
their artistic outlet, while most people find this very hard to
accomplish in such a way. What makes artists see the world
differently is that their seems to be something in their brain that
ticks every time they look at something simple or complex. They then
can turn this object into anything, any idea that could be a possible
work. They just have a way of making the most simple details into
something much larger than they really are and in turn adding
importance to it. Society needs artists because of the fact that they
are an outlet for people to escape and enter someone's mind through
the artist's work, and without them, society is boring because nobody
can provide the unique perspective on society like the artist.

On Dec 15, 11:01 am, Muirheid <muirhe...@marist.com> wrote:

erwo...@marist.com

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Dec 20, 2010, 3:53:48 PM12/20/10
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An artist is anyone that expresses emotions, themes, or scenes through
a particular medium. I believe painting (creating an image in more
broad terms), sculpture, architecture, literature, poetry, filmmaking,
theatre, and music are all mediums of artistic expression. I give a
broad definition of art because it can be manifested in an infinite
variety of ways. Although I give no restrictions on ways to convey
art, I do give restrictions on what is conveyed. I support the phrase,
“beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.” Art must try to evoke an
emotion or opinion from the viewer. Artists create subjective works
and not objective ones. If a screenwriter is creating a romance, the
film should try to convey the contours and complexity of love. The
audience should be able to relate their own experience to the work and
feel certain emotions during scenes such as pity for a broken heart or
happiness for a happily ever after. A scientific journal can not be
art because only facts are stated.
If art is guided by subjectivity, then artists will disagree or
contradict one another. Using the previous example, one writer might
have a negative experience with love and thus explain how love can be
emotionally devastating. Another writer might explain the beauty of
love and express an optimistic outlook on its powerful nature. Artists
often use their own lives in their works because heart-felt works are
deeper. Since people’s experiences and lives vary, artists will see
things differently.
I feel the world needs artists and that everyone should try to be an
artist in some way or another. Art is a great form of release, and
expression can be gratifying. Art helps the younger population to find
themselves and encourages them to be individualistic. By experiencing
others’ art, viewers can strengthen their own opinions and beliefs on
the complexities in reality. Such knowledge can help us deal with real-
world situations. For instance, if art exposes one to the injustice of
chance, then when that person falls on hard times, it will be easier
to take the burden knowing its unavoidability.


On Dec 15, 11:01 am, Muirheid <muirhe...@marist.com> wrote:

Alex

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Dec 30, 2010, 1:41:30 PM12/30/10
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Anyone can be an artist. An artist is just someone who has a unique
perspective on something. Only a few gifted and talented people
explore their interest in art throughout their lives, and some people,
like me, are not very talented in the area of art, but everyone can
appreciate and love art. There are so many types of art that each
person has their own taste, which is perfect, because everyone is
different. Artists see the world in a special way, but I think every
person sees the world in a unique way that shapes their behavior and
life style. Society does need artist, because they give insight into
the world that other people may not pick up on. Also, because there
are so many different kinds of art, the diversity helps people to see
worth in all kinds of art.

On Dec 15, 11:01 am, Muirheid <muirhe...@marist.com> wrote:

Jenna Sharp

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Jan 1, 2011, 8:30:59 PM1/1/11
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An artist is someone who sees the world in a unique light and has the
creativity to express what they see and successfully portray the
workings of their mind. I believe that art can be a myriad of things
including the written word (poetry or prose), music or any kind of
visual art. I think that art is a personal experience between the
creator and the piece, I have always had trouble with the question “it
it art”, because I honestly think that art is relative and means more
than the face value sound or first glance/read. Each work has some
history, it takes on a sliver of the artist and every person that has
ever seen a painting, read a piece of literature or heard a song could
not possibly know the history and the relevance that each particular
piece made in the life of the person who made the work. Artists see
things differently in that they see the world with an attention to
detail and an appreciation for extraordinary things. Artists open
their minds to see, feel and hear things beyond what the typical
person would take the time to imagine. Society needs artists because
they add excitement to routine and monotony. They stretch people’s
imaginations and force them to think outside of their self-constructed
boxes. Without artists, our world would be stuck in a rhythm without
fluctuation or change. Artists challenge the world and challenge
themselves to fabricate works that change the people around them.
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