The other day, I came across an online discussion about what it means to be an artist. Some were complaining that the word is used too loosely. In their opinion, too many people were wearing the label without having “paid the price”.
What’s In a Label?
It made me wonder. What is the price? What requirements does one have to fulfill to earn the artist’s badge and sew it on their sleeve?
Frequently, when people form a group, the first order of business is finding ways to keep others out of it.
Sometimes this makes sense. We all want proof the physician we’re seeing actually did something to earn his or her title. But a physician is a highly specialized member of a larger tribe, a tribe called Healer.
Someone Is What Someone Does
I think my grandmother was a member of that tribe. If you had a cold, she’d make you chicken soup. If you were sick or hurt or tired, she’d hold you and comfort you.
Was she a physician? No. She never even finished high school.
Was she a healer? To me she was. Did others see her that way? I don’t know, but I don’t think she herself gave it much thought. She was just being Grandma.
It’s Hard to Do Much of Anything with a Label in Your Grip
Hovering protectively over a label is a monumental waste of time and energy. If those involved in the discussion really loved art, why weren’t they engaging in creating more of it and helping others to do the same?
I’ve had my own strange relationship with labels. I struggled with what to call myself. I struggled to do so without apology. But recently I’ve stopped struggling, and the labels don’t seem to matter so much.
What’s most interesting isn’t what you and I call ourselves. It’s what we’re doing.
Labels Versus Legwork
Are you a poet? Who knows?
Have you earned the right to be called a painter? Beats me.
Have you met the standards for wearing the title of sculptor, storyteller, healer, fighter? It’s anyone’s guess.
But there’s no denying what you’re doing. Are you writing poems? Are you painting pictures? Are you creating sculptures, telling stories, helping others heal, fighting for what you believe in?
If so, what else really matters?
Let them have their labels. You know what you’re doing. You know who you are.
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I find it so amusing when there are ‘x’ amount of categories in a survey and you must place yourself in one however remote the connection – and ‘other’ seems to defeat the whole purpose.
Your last paragraph reminded me of JD Salinger who, even though enormously famous just shut himself away to write for his own pleasure.
How simple is self satisfaction – do what you do best, do your best while you’re doing it and you’ll feel at your best.
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Posts Of The Week =-.
It can be a long, strange, and sometimes difficult journey to the point where you learn that lesson, but once you do, it’s hard to forget.
Well said. When you work so far outside the mainstream — outside the label zone — it can confound the casual acquaintance. They want to connect with you, but they’re so afraid of sounding stupid that they barely listen to your answers to their questions. On the whole, it’s easier to keep the conversation about football.
Go Saints.
“what are you doing” – POWERFUL AND FREEING!
.-= Robin´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at =-.
Creative is as creative does. I think Forrest’s momma would approve of that.
I just want to say I’ve been poking around your blog and enjoying myself immensely. This is a fun place to visit!
.-= Melissa Donovan´s last blog ..Poetry Terms: Enjambment =-.
Thanks, Melissa! I like fun.