Like an epiphany, except not

[podling]

I realized earlier, when I was talking to someone on the phone, that over the past year I've actually started to self-identify as an artist. Sort of. I mean, if someone says, "Are you an artist?" I now say, "Yeah, but I don't get much done." instead of, "Not really, I just like making stuff." and I think this represents a basic change in self confidence and how I view myself and my projects. And this is probably a good thing, I think. That being said, I think my giant puzzle is going to go on the ceiling in my room, just as soon as I repaint it with the cool sparkle paint I found at Lowe's (which should mean late October or November, at the rate I've been progressing, but whatever). I like painting big things. I really do.

In other news, the new place is coming along. Not quickly, but it's getting done. Eventually people won't cringe when they walk in. And tomorrow I've got to get my kayak and bring it here. I'm bitter I haven't been able to use it recently, but I'm consoling myself with the fact that since I have a wetsuit, I can probably continue going out until November. So. Soon. Soon I will get the adrenaline rush I've been longing for...

Comments

[teapot-farm.livejournal.com]

Good for you! I still haven't got past "I paint sometimes" and variations on that - so I get the distinction... Mind you, I also - if I stop to look at it - assume 'artist' implies painting or drawing, rather than making, designing etc... Semantic jiggery really. And there isn't an equivalent for makers ("I'm a craftsperson" perhaps, but that seems like something different, like downplaying how much of your self you put into things...).
Um, anyway - congratulations! And you should definitely put the puzzle up! And think what you can do with all those new walls and ceilings! You could have a whole Tunnel Of Love in that kitchen area...

[podling]

Yeah, I know what you mean about that. But several of my friends went to art school, so I more identify anything that they might've done as artistic. Plus people keep hammering it at me. If I could, I'd probably want to claim to be a "maker" but that seems so... beyond my actual abilities. "Craftsperson" likewise seems like an ill fit. I mean, I don't have a craft as such, though I hold people who do pursue a specific craft (woodturning, ironworking, etc) in a high esteem, just because there is a focus there that I don't have, could never have. I'm far too much the dilettante.

It's funny though, because I really just assumed anyone *could* do stuff, anyone could think of it, anyone could accomplish these things. And really, it was the last time I painted something big that I realized it probably wasn't true. Actually, it was at the point when astrophysicat said something along the lines of, "No Andrea, everyone CAN'T do that if they try."

I'm having a hard time adjusting to the decreased ceiling height and accompanying wall space, actually. But eventually it'll be done. I have to repaint the doors in the living room though. Didn't come out as well as I'd've liked. The kitchen is scary at the moment, we just won't go there.

[teapot-farm.livejournal.com]

I had trouble with the height thing when we moved - went from 12ft Georgian rooms to the standard 8 or 9 ft, and it does feel very closed in at first. I've got used to it though - given the choice I prefer the higher ceilings, but lower can be good, and is less expensive to heat, and generally cosier in winter.
And yeah, the "surely anyone can do this" thing is a strong one - it's tempting to make them demonstrate ("go on, draw a llama! You're right, that's RUBBISH!") but this would be gratuitous ego boosting, I guess.
Oooh, I need to get another bedsheet and do the winged fish thing properly - it's on a bamboo blind at the moment, which was an interesting experiment but didn't really work. Um. But I will finish the current picture first. I will I will. Bloody owls.

[podling]

Yeah... I mean, our place wasn't too much to heat, given that there was only one outside wall, and it was 2 feet thick, so the insulating power was right up there.

But yeah, once I had a little mini-contest drawing me (and no, I didn't come up with it, one of the 2 guys did) and I won, but then they declared it forfeit since they hadn't realized I'd ever taken art classes. :)