what is an artist?
Sunday, July 5, 2009 at 10:39AM 
Well, of course, after 4 years of art school and 20+ years on the job, my initial answer would be someone who works with pencils, paint and paper. I know that is not the only kind of artist, but I bet if you asked the average Joe on the street, you would get that answer at least half the time.
It has been just over a week since Michael Jackson died, and the media has been filled with clips, tributes, and remembrances. Michael and I were born the same year. (The first time I saw “1958-2009” on TV, it kinda freaked me out!) I remember when he was 11 years old performing ABC with the Jackson 5. I was a teenager listening to the radio when Ben and Got to Be There were popular, and an adult working in my own creative field when the revolutionary Billie Jean and Thriller debuted.
People either loved him or hated him. I think a lot had to do with their age, and whether they were familiar with his earlier career. Personally, I never owned a MJ album, but he was such a part of the whole MTV-music video revolution, that I have to appreciate him. Love him, hate him or indifferent, I don’t think you could argue he was a talented, inventive artist. Go watch
Thriller - in its entirety - before you disagree.
There are people we run into in our daily lives that I would consider artists. Erin, the girl
who cuts my hair; Dave, who built my neighbor’s deck; the storyteller at the library; the landscaper; the pastry chef; the tattoo artist. They all create something special. Look around, notice, and appreciate the everyday artists that influence your day. They just might be hiding behind another title.
Reader Comments (2)
Great post. I agree with you that most of us have an artist, albeit atypical, hiding within.
What is an artist?
An artiist is someone who is confused about what exactly is "the ordinary."
Miss ya Barb.
Don't have a new project for you, yet.