SAM YANCY on sun 18 nov 01
I would like a some discussion between the meaning of a Crafts person and an
Artist.
I see a skilled crafts person as someone who can build something that lasts a LONG
time. For example a good solid piece of furniture, a well built new or restored
car or motorcycle, a potter that always builds fully functional pottery, a great
custom house builder, etc.
I see a "artist" as someone who creates something that others admire for form, not
necessarily fit or function (like a craft person). Even in paintings, the artist
may get you to admire the colors and scene, but if it does not fit the
surroundings, it is generally not accepted.
I believe that rarely do you get both together (i.e. Craft person and artist), but
when you do WOW!
Methinks both are skills and can be learned but the real craftperson/artists are
very creative (born that way - or come from a creative close family), mostly self
taught, and of course capitalize on the inventions and experience of previous
generations of craftperson/artists.
I believe that "Schooling" (it's generally needed too-possibly more for artists)
can teach you past history and techniques, and so can being a apprentice to a
trade or craft, but the real great craftperson/artists go a lot further and are
always pushing the limits. Unfortunately sometime money gets in the way and the
creative juices stop flowing in pursuit of the almighty dollar.
What say you great craftperson/artists out there?
Sam in Daly City CA where I missed the night display due to the usual fog. The
only thing bad about living near the ocean. . . .opps - I forgot RUST.
Wanda Holmes at Alistia on mon 19 nov 01
My ambition is to become a master craftsman. I'm very uncomfortable with
the tag 'artist' as it seems to come with a huge responsibility to 'see' at
a level that I mostly just don't get. Yet I'm very serious about my work,
it has deep meaning for me, and I have a huge commitment to it. Though I
don't make my living from my work, it is not a hobby. It is something more
vital to me.
I'm creative. I'm also analytical and technical. I'm drawn more to
historical forms and functional work than to modernist sculpture.
In my mind 'craftsman' is a distinct term and refers to something different
than a 'crafts person'. Perhaps I'm just betraying my own prejudices.
Perhaps there is a continuum from the hobbyist straight through to the most
abstract of artists and we each have our place along it. We each in fact
move around from one place to another along it as our work and our
capabilities change and grow. And labels just can't express adequately
where we are at any given moment?????
Wanda
-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
Behalf Of SAM YANCY
Sent: Sunday, November 18, 2001 11:10 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Crafts person an/or artist?
I would like a some discussion between the meaning of a Crafts person and
an
Artist.
I see a skilled crafts person as someone who can build something that lasts
a LONG
time. For example a good solid piece of furniture, a well built new or
restored
car or motorcycle, a potter that always builds fully functional pottery, a
great
custom house builder, etc.
I see a "artist" as someone who creates something that others admire for
form, not
necessarily fit or function (like a craft person). Even in paintings, the
artist
may get you to admire the colors and scene, but if it does not fit the
surroundings, it is generally not accepted.
I believe that rarely do you get both together (i.e. Craft person and
artist), but
when you do WOW!
Methinks both are skills and can be learned but the real craftperson/artists
are
very creative (born that way - or come from a creative close family), mostly
self
taught, and of course capitalize on the inventions and experience of
previous
generations of craftperson/artists.
I believe that "Schooling" (it's generally needed too-possibly more for
artists)
can teach you past history and techniques, and so can being a apprentice to
a
trade or craft, but the real great craftperson/artists go a lot further and
are
always pushing the limits. Unfortunately sometime money gets in the way and
the
creative juices stop flowing in pursuit of the almighty dollar.
What say you great craftperson/artists out there?
Sam in Daly City CA where I missed the night display due to the usual fog.
The
only thing bad about living near the ocean. . . .opps - I forgot RUST.
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