I am an artist

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altaciii

altaciii

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I had a conversation with an aquaintance on Sunday about the validity of calling myself an artist. "All you do is put a piece of wood on a machine and put a tool on it then put it on a prefabricated kit" were the words he used. I said there was a bit more than that. Is it wrong to say that my pens are sculpted? I feel that they are. With the work that goes into the special castings and worthless woods I also feel that there are two artists being represented in each piece that is sculpted. Is it wrong to feel this way? This is open for discussion.
 
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Of course you are an artist. And if someone cannot see that, then they are not an artist and don't have much of an eye for art. They aren't going to develop an artistic appreciation either, not matter how hard you try to teach them.

A man and his friend came up to my sales table at a little show last spring. After looking around for a while he explained to his friend that my pens were made by an artist, while the other pens they had looked at earlier were put together by a pen maker. The difference he was pointing out was that mine were very creative with many styles of pens, bright colors, interesting wood, attention to details, and creative displays. The other guy had monochrome brown wood pens in a case. I tried to hire him to hang around and be my shill, but he was busy.
 
I read a quote once.... might have been in somebodys signature, that went something like this:

"A laborer is one who works with their hands. A craftsman is one who works with his hands and his head. An artist is one who works with his hands, head, and heart."

It's a bit sappy for me, but it does make sense as to how one would define an "artist". If a person makes a cheap pen, the minimum that will sell, and churns them out just like the first one, I'd say he's a laborer. If someone turns pens a certain way, with skill, with a certain amount of quality, with a knowledge of what he's doing, because that's what it takes to make and sell a good pen, then he's a craftsman. If a person cares about each and every pen, thinks carefully about the unique personality of each material and how it may suit a user, continually strives to advance his craft and show their own style with their work, they are an artist.

Personally I'd say I waver between the last two, which is fine with me. Sometimes I just want to make pens that'll sell. Artists have a reputation for not making a lot of money, although there are the lucky and talented ones that do.


PS, LOL at Chasper! I coulda sold a lot of pens if I was mean enough to stand next to a certain penturner that I've seen at several local craftsfairs. He wasn't an IAP member, I asked.
 
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Next time you see this feller, ask him to come over and observe how "easy" what we do is. It may seem easy to us now, but we didn't feel that way when we first started. I love doing this because we are free to do whatever we decide to do with a particular piece. Each piece of wood has it's own characteristics within. It isn't just making square round. It takes a special ability few understand or care to attempt.

Just my .02
 
Has you acquaintance tried turning a pen? If not let him give it a turn. He might change his mind, when he sees that sculpting a pen requires more than just putting "wood on a machine and putting a tool to it."
 
While I think that some penturners are artists (Eagle being the best example), not all are. I for one am not. I turn b2b and the most creative I get is how much curve to leave between the bushings.

Any beauty found in my pens comes from the wood and all the credit goes to the original artist, God.

jeff
 
That reminds me of the customer that came to my workshop some time ago. When I showed him the kit his pen will be made of he said: "So, you basicly just make wood round and put it together ? And that is so called handmade pen ?"

Men, I wanted to throw him the kit right into his face. Even boring a hole straight threw the blank is not easy if you do not know how.

So yes, you are an artist, and yes, there are some people out there that deserves the kick in the ass.
 
I consider myself AT LEAST a craftsman...sometimes I'm an artist.

I do consider the two different...I have crafted many pens, but have a handful that I consider "Art Pieces". Usually, I think of regular turned and finished pens as a craft, but when a piece is inlayed, segmented, engraved or customized in some way, it moves to the art category.
 
I would rather be known as more of a craftsman than an artist. That's because I value the skill that it takes to make a really nice pen. I like artistry that's done well, but you don't have to be good at what you do to be an artist. There are some artists that just plain stink, but their style and expression appeal to the right people. I guess I just don't have the eye to appreciate a piece of art that looks like it was chewed up and puked onto a canvas, but some do so more power to em. Not all artists are craftsmen and not all craftsmen are artists.
 
art·ist /ˈɑrtɪst/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ahr-tist] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. a person who produces works in any of the arts that are primarily subject to aesthetic criteria.
2. a person who practices one of the fine arts, esp. a painter or sculptor.
3. a person whose trade or profession requires a knowledge of design, drawing, painting, etc.: a commercial artist.
4. a person who works in one of the performing arts, as an actor, musician, or singer; a public performer: a mime artist; an artist of the dance.
5. a person whose work exhibits exceptional skill.
6. a person who is expert at trickery or deceit: He's an artist with cards.
7. Obsolete. an artisan.
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Tell him he's a moron and to open a book once in a while. That is, if he can point his nose downward enough to read.
 
Oh you do not know how many times this topic comes up in the scrollsawing world. It is truely indeed art that you are producing and I always consider myself an artisan. I am adding turning to my field and will continue to improve as an artisan. I would not worry about what people call you as long as they are willing to shell out the cash. Call it what you want but it is still cash.
 
This is one of those topics that can go on forever. You still have to think about what you want to make(the same applies to a painter, Singer etc...) When I go to my shop, I tell myself im going to turn a pen, i still believe it is a work of art cause it is one of a kind(even if it is b2b). It is still a thought process you are putting into it and the energy to create this art.

A lot of people will have some sort of appreciation for it. Some will just be dumber than dirt and wont care for it.

You are an artist, dont let anyone take that away from you
 
I wouldn't get too wrapped up in this subject. Worrying about whether you are an artist or not simply creates insecurity. Let's face it, if you try to hold penmaking up to the standard of Michelangelo or DaVinci you're doomed from the start.

Whether I'm an artist or a fine craftsman is a moot point. I can point to people here who are one or the other and I don't think either term is degrading.

Just my two cents plain,

Marc
 
To be perfectly honest ..... at this point in my life, it doesn't matter how others label me. It's taken me a while but, at age 60, I've pretty much figured out who I am and what I am.
 
DocStram said:
To be perfectly honest ..... at this point in my life, it doesn't matter how others label me. It's taken me a while but, at age 60, I've pretty much figured out who I am and what I am.
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I am just going to sit back and watch as all of your friends here help you define this one. :biggrin:

I am sure we will see some interesting remarks.
 
I have suffered for my art. Now it's your turn. :biggrin:




ok, so that contributed exactly nothing to the conversation..
 
DocStram said:
To be perfectly honest ..... at this point in my life, it doesn't matter how others label me. It's taken me a while but, at age 60, I've pretty much figured out who I am and what I am.
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marcruby said:
I wouldn't get too wrapped up in this subject. Worrying about whether you are an artist or not simply creates insecurity. Let's face it, if you try to hold penmaking up to the standard of Michelangelo or DaVinci you're doomed from the start.
Whether I'm an artist or a fine craftsman is a moot point. I can point to people here who are one or the other and I don't think either term is degrading.
Just my two cents plain,
Marc
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Two great insights! :biggrin: Agreed!
 
I am an artist. I can paint, Draw, play the guitar, carve scultures, sing, and do woodworking. as well as other artistic skills. I have spent many years developing these skills and there are several needed to do what I do while penturning. one is the ability to visualize a finished product. to be able to antisipate the matching of various components and materials requires an eye. the shaping of the barrel is very much like carving in being able to see the shape you want from the raw blank and then make your cuts to that shape. the blending of the shape of the components to the body i shape. The balance of materials and components is definitly needed when doing inlays or other mutliple material bodies. that is just a short list.
If your friend does not believe penturning is not artistic, hand him a blank and a gouge and tell him to go at it. see if he can turn a pen barrel any better than he can draw a straight line.
 
Somebody in another thread said something that seemed to really hit home with me. I can't quote it, but the general gist was: workmanship is what happens at the bushings, everything else is art. That's really the way I think of it. To me art is just an expression of form that is pleasing to the viewer/user. Anybody can spend time and effort getting pens to match at the bushings, but it takes an artist to put everything together into a beautiful and functional package.
 
Alex , I am not an artist . I have been turning pens for a couple of years now . But, I know a person who had the same attitude about pen making . It can't be that difficult . He has not yet bought a pen . I guess I've made a few decent ones , I think . My point is , the icing on the cake came when one of his best customers asked me to make 32 pens for him . Every Dog has his day . I just wish I could make pens like you . FWIW
 
I do oil paintings,woodwork "of all types", including pens, i play the guitar and drums, i consider myself an artist. But if i only did one thing i'd still be an artist and you are to.

just a thought,
jim
 
I know I'm an artist....I've got several name tags from different shows that say ARTIST in big ol letters! :cool:
 
I agree with Al, I don't care what they call me, just don't call me late for dinner!

I don't want to be an artist, most self proclaimed artists I've know were pretty tempermental people. I prefer to have fun.
 
It matters not one whit what anyone else says. Semantics are not part of the discussion. The instant one declares to the Universe that they are an artist (or just about anything else, for that matter) they ARE an artist. The only thing that other people can judge is how GOOD of an artist one is, but to me even that doesn't matter. But they are free to do so. But no one from the village idiot to the Director of the Louvre can decide whether or not I AM an artist. BECAUSE I AM!!!

Explain that to your rather ignorant friend! In a friendly manner, of course! Now, go make the world better through your art.

Dale
 
I build custom hand wired, all tube, guitar amps and of course, pens. They bring pleasure to the people who buy them and I have a deep obsession for making them.

That's it.

It's not my job to label, categorize, and define my own works of passion.
 
Better to be who you are from your heart than from your work. Mind games can debilitate severely. Artist: Take away your hands in an accident and lose your ability. Take away your vocal cords and loose your singing/speaking. Take away your legs and loose your athleticism.

When one's identity is wrapped up in what they do, or that they consider that they are . . . and then they lose it, they lose their self worth and own identity. Pity.

When one's identity is in who they are as a created human being/person, and not what they do, they still have value/self worth to themselves when physical abilities and "labels" are taken away.
 
LOL!! I have heard that more than once about my pens. It was just like when I was airbrushing, all I did was "paint shirts!" Everyone is a critic!!!!!

I would not worry about what people call you as long as they are willing to shell out the cash. Call it what you want but it is still cash.
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AMEN!!!!

Some of my "painted shirts", mailboxes, and RC truck bodies.

2008-11-05_032927_AD.jpg
 
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