Do you consider yourself an artist?

[saddleman15]

Hey guys, thanks for the welcome messages.  I've got a question for you all: how many of you consider yourself to be "artists"?

 

Now, I know you can say that anyone who works with leather is an artist since it's an artistic craft.  But by artist I mean do you think you have genuine inherent artistic ability?  The reason I ask this is because when I first started working with leather recently I thought it was mostly all about technical skill.  I quickly realized that's not the case - especially if you want to get into the details and not just make something functional.  I'm really intimated by tasks that require artistic talent!  Any thoughts?  Tooling has me scared  hahah

[JLSleather]

I don't separate "artistic" from functional.  I ONLY make functional items -- if it doesn't DO something, its useless (perhaps them "sensitive' guys want it?).  But I think I have some skill at making functional items include artistics (which is a word I just now coined.. like artsy cosmetics).  

I have made leather "pictures" - -I recreated Stohlman's "pictorial carving" front cover just cuz i can (12x18 leather), and I did a 18:x24" (if I remember right) of a steam ship going up the river to be hung on a wall (all those guide wires SUCKED) because that lady was pretty determined to find out how big a check she would have to write.

Honestly, the internet is changing the designs I use.  It makes me a bit lazy knowing that I likely can google up 5 images quickly for anything I want to tool, and when I do something unique and new, I often don't post it because I know others will google and get me!

TOOLING really is a bit mechanical - and not difficult. I always say I can teach a MONKEY to tool leather, long as he aint TOO drunk.   Painting/coloring leather is almost as simple once you learn some basic ideas, and how the dye / paint of your choice reacts to the leather.  BRAIDING leather -- now THERE'S an ART ...

[rodneywt1180b]

I should say I am.  As near as I can tell it pays better and artistic license can be used to cover a lot of mistakes.

Truthfully the best artists IMO are also excellent crafts people.  They have the technical skill to back up their art.

Realistically I'm more on the crafts person side of things. I put function first.

 

 

[Handstitched]

G'Day,

Not sure how to answer that. I call myself a leatherworker , but I  guess I could be considered as an artist. I put pictures onto leather, rather than canvas , I use brushes dyes & paints  to enhance the images  , and although all my projects &  customer orders have function, like belts bags, stubby holders  etc. instead of a picture hanging on a wall, they take their art with them ?     

HS 

[immiketoo]

Not me.  People who create art are artists.  I recreate art on leather.  More of a craftsman, really.  

[Willie0]

An artist is creative and comes up with new and innovative original pieces.  I can make something look artistic as all get out, but in my heart I know I am a craftswoman.  Some people on this site can take leathercraft to soaring heights, they are artists.  That is one of the reasons this forum is so wonderful.

[battlemunky]

I don't claim to be a lot of things I likely am just because it'll do an injustice to the folks that really are those things. I make stuff out of leather.

[Tugadude]

I find it helpful to look at definitions.  So I went to Merriam Webster and found the following:

Definition of artist for English Language Learners

• : a person who creates art : a person who is skilled at drawing, painting, etc.

• : a skilled performer

• : a person who is very good at something

 

So first, is leatherwork in the same league as drawing and painting?  Personally, I would say yes, definitely!

The second definition, a skilled performer doesn't really fit, but then again, I would argue that folks like Nigel Armitage on youtube qualify as a skilled performer.   Watching Nigel and other popular youtubers is like watching an artist at work.  At least to me.

And thirdly, a person who is very good at something can apply to leatherworkers for sure.

Now do I consider myself an artist?  Although I believe I am good at certain aspects of leatherwork, I would not consider myself an artist.  I am a little past beginner and solidly into intermediate ground.  Lots of repetitions for me to make before I would even begin to claim artistry.  My strength is in knowing what I like, being able to recognize things that can stand improvement and continuing to slug it out and improve despite myself sometimes.

The other day I was looking at a post and saw someone's work and it just awed me.  Made me feel a range emotions.  That is truly art.

 

[bikermutt07]

I am no artist, that is for sure.

And, @immiketoo is a dang liar. I've seen his stuff. He is definitely an artist.

Edited May 6, 2018 by bikermutt07

[garypl]

I am certainly not an artist, but I see many folks on this forum who I definitely would call artists!  I consider myself an apprentice leather craftsman, because I have a lot to learn and my skills definitely need improvement!

Gary