what is an artist?

[JBastian]

I thought some of you might appreciate this quote:


A man who works with his hands is a laborer;
a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman;
but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.
~Louis Nizer (1902-1994)


Funny I couldn’t remember it exactly, and did a google search, the first time I found it, it was on a site and the person made it appear as their own quote, by putting their name beneath it. Hammer


Anyway I had read some other posts about what is an artist, and thought you might like the quote. An artist friend of mine was once asked, what is an Artist? Her reply was someone who makes art. That answer didn’t sink in immediately but now several years later I have a real understanding of it, it’s not so much what you make, or style, or ability, it’s if you bother do it at all.

[Just Carving]

Jon,

I don't mean to nitpick but I believe it was St. Francis of Assisi that said this quote, some 800 years ago:

"He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands, and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands, and his head, and his heart, is an artist." -- St. Francis of Assisi

But nonetheless, I agree with it wholeheartedly. Sometimes, I substitute the word draftsman for craftsman since that's what I do for a living!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Bob

[squbrigg]

I'll agree with that.........good description. No matter who gets credit for thinking it through and recording it first.....the words hold true. Thanks Jon.

I find it funny how some claim to be artists and produce.......what I consider nonsense......while others who produce such magnificant work and just claim to be fooling around as a hobby.
Bob

[artolver]

I would have to say, a creative mind and an open mind, plus a whole lot more. Right brain is a real help, if you can get there.
Art

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

right brain? didn't know artists were in their right brain? LOLWink Baby

[Hugh]

Leave it to Dave, he has been in the Desert sun too long. My idea of an artist is a person wearing a smock, wears a funny hat, and hold a paint brush and a pallet. And they never look like there in their right brain either Dave.

[AlArchie]

I had a right brain once, but it left, leaving me just with what was left. I didn't think that was right. Not that it was wrong, it just wasn't right.
So right or wrong, that was all that I was left with. Right?

Al

[artolver]

you are right on Dave. Many of the great artists in history have( had) a strong connection with insanity. I guess I should be a much better artist than I am.
art

[JBastian]

Hey Bob,

I guess anyone and everyone might like to take credit for that quote? Louis Nizer takes or is given credit quite frequently, I never had reason to speculate, he was an atorney, acording to some records. So I think you must be right about it belonging St. Francis of Assisi, at least he is given credit for it as well, and obviously lived long before Nizer. You know I think Nizer must have been living while he was given credit.... amazing. Head Bange

[Hugh]

Archie, I have read that post over and over, and the more I read it, the more I'm confused with what is right or left. LOL , you sound like a man with a good sense of humour, either left or right.