Practice Creativity

Recently, I noticed a Facebook post from a local artist. In it, he was lamenting about how people are using their cell phone to take pictures and calling themselves photographers. Apparently this is something that really sticks in his craw, so to speak. His tone was so condescending. I don’t get it. I’m a photographer if I take photographs, I’m a writer if I write, I’m a piano player if I play piano. You don’t need a degree to practice creativity.

Now, I wouldn’t want to go to a doctor that didn’t have a degree, or a lawyer who didn’t study the law, but I really don’t think that applies to art. Further, I’ve seen some pretty phenomenal photos taken by regular people who don’t consider themselves professional photographers.

I Think It’s Fear

I’ve been a web developer for over two decades. I used to make an awful lot of money building websites – then drag and drop, build your own choices became extremely affordable for people. It bothered me. A lot. Everyone’s neighbor’s kid could build you a website. They weren’t particularly good, but it got harder and harder to command top dollar for a professional website. I adjusted. I added more services and more skills to my offerings and I managed. And I had to admit, some of these websites, that the creator really researched what would work well and made smart choices, were pretty effective and aesthetically pleasing.

When I got past the fear of not being enough, not making enough, and allowed room for other choices, services, and offerings, I was just fine. Like a financial advisor might say, “Diversify, diversify, diversify.” It works here too.

There are many things that artists can do to supplement their income.

Art Snobbery

I really don’t think there’s any place for art snobbery and if someone is selling work that you don’t think is salable – keep it to yourself. You look petty when you do that. Furthermore, don’t talk down to other artists, lift them up. Life is a lot nicer when you do that.