Am I an artist?

This is a question I often found when browsing social media. Am I an artist, when can I call myself an artist etc. For me, it often seems like there is some sort of "need" for people who pursue artistic creation (as a hobby, job, whatever) to call themselves an artist. And therefore I have that question about myself sometimes, since I do various kinds of creative hobbies.

Before continuing, please keep in mind that this reflexion is about myself and my art/craft and not a judgment on how people view themselves and their work.

I have done what would be considered art by most people since forever, mostly drawing. And I pursued an artistic career, going to school to become a Game Artist. I gave up due to burnout and realizing this is not the path I wanted to follow. I figured I do not want to sell my art or craft. If I do a commission (which I sometimes do), I do want to be paid yes, because it is work and need to be paid, but I do not want to make a living out of it, to open a business or make money selling patterns, at least not right now. Plus, I feel like, in the world we are right now, we are pushed to make money out of everything, including our creative hobbies. When I started crochet, I quickly thought about opening a business to make money out of it. I quickly stopped, I do crochet because I want to, not because I want to make money.

Anyway, usually, I see artistic work divided between art and craft. The difference varies between people and their own vision of art. There's no right or wrong vision, I feel like it's a pretty personal view.

I personally feel like art doesn't have a practical value. Now we can argue what practical value is, but that is very personal once again. Art is something created because someone wants to and doesn't do it to fill a need.

In France, as far as jobs go, there is some sort of in-between. I haven't been able to find an English translation for it. It's called "artisanat d'art", roughly translated to "artistic craft". It usually includes crafts that have a creative part and nod just execution. For example, a potter, glass blower, carpenter, are usually that category, since these people add an artistic dimension in their craft.

Now, for me, the answer is simple. I don't call myself an artist, and I do not want to call myself that. I like to consider myself a crafter. I feel like people usually think that being an 'artist' is better than a 'crafter', it's more prestigious.

But I feel like being a crafter (or craftman, is there a difference?) is a beautiful thing and fits how I view my work much better.

I crochet, knit, embroider, sew sometimes. Historically, these are mostly women-dominated crafts, or at least seen as such. As for many things, the domestic part of these jobs were done by women, but the more prestigious parts were done by men. For example, knitting guilds existed in the medieval ages (pretty cool if you ask me), but only accessible to men.

When I do those crafts, or learn about different techniques (I love learning about various fiber crafts throughout the world and ages), it just doesn't feel right to call what I make art. I want what I do to be crafts, to give value back to these crafts that are mostly forgotten. Nowadays, there is no 'need' for hand-embroidery, it can be made with a machine. Why bother sewing a bag if you can just get one for a fraction of the price?

But fiber arts/crafts are inherently human crafts. We can automatize some parts, but sewing is always made by humans. No clothes can be made entirely by a machine. And I want my craft to be a part of that. To be a part of that human work, that is by definition, very, very slow.

The 'value' that I give my work is more in that time and historical interest I have. Most people tell me when I embroidery or knit (more than sewing), is "that must have taken so long" For sewing, it's more 'what do you bother to make/fix this when you can just buy a new one'.

I want what I do to be slow and cumbersome (sometimes), it is the joy that I take out of it. I do not do it to share a specific message or story, and I think this is why I differentiate it from art.

So, I'm not an artist, I'm a crafter, and I love that term so much more.