How do you define art?

Hi I’m Penny, creative coach and maker. I want to help you make the most of your creativity, whether that’s just for fun, or to make a living.

In my last Instagram reel, I got challenged (nicely) over the definition of art.

Now firstly this was a 30 second reel, and I was just trying to get the idea over that even some people who make beautiful things, that a lot of people would say were art, aren’t calling themselves artists.

I wasn’t saying that art has to be beautiful because I’m well aware that, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and one persons ‘my 5 year old could do that’, is another person’s ‘ I wish I could do that’. And art is so much more than just a beautiful thing.

But it got me thinking about the definition of art.

I don’t think I’ve seen a definition that really holds everything that art is within it.

And if we don’t have a good solid definition, how can anyone really say they are an artist. Many will always be worried that they are wrong to call themselves an artist because they don’t 100% meet the definition that is out there.

Even the AI I asked said there was no universally agreed definition.

If that’s what we’re working with, how on earth would anyone have the confidence to say they are an artist?

It’s just opening yourself up to the tolls who will tell you with more confidence that you are not – even though they have never made a thing in their lives and have no concept of that it means to use that word.

So where does that leave us?

I think that believing you’re an artist has to come from inside.

No one is going to give you this title. It doesn’t matter if you’ve studied art and have a certificate, or you have your work in a gallery, there will always be someone who doesn’t thing your work counts.

And so you need to decide that you are an artist (or whatever other words you might use to describe yourself) and then have confidence in saying it.

Practice saying it. Introduce yourself to people using that title. Get used to owning that word. The more confidence you use the less people are likely to question it.

Then write your own definition of art and artist. If anyone questions you (and I think this will be highly unlikely) then present your own definition to them and have a discussion with them about what art really is.

This is far more interesting than having an argument and you might bring them round to your way of thinking.

So how would you define art? Tell me in the comments.

Three questions to ask yourself now:

• What’s stopping you calling yourself an artist?

• How would your describe your creative self to others?

• Have you ever actually been questioned over calling yourself an artist?

If those feel too hard to answer on your own, but you feel like an answer is important, then that’s when a creative coach can come in. Contact me!