If you are slow to call yourself an artist because you have negative associations with the term (artists are supposed to be unpredictable, erratic, unreliable and snobby) or because you feel unworthy (at the moment) to put yourself in the same category as the greats.
Don’t worry you’re not alone.
Meryl Streep once said:
“I get nervous calling myself an artist. I feel I’m more like an interpreter or a violinist”.
And Norman Rockwell once said:
“Some people have been kind enough to call me a fine artist. I’ve always called myself an illustrator. I’m not sure what the difference is. All I know is that whatever type of work I do, I try to give it my very best”
Therefore finding a term that feels right can help you continue your work.
‘Aspiring writer’ might feel more comfortable than ‘writer’ right now.
Or ‘Amateur Doodler’ might tickle your fancy more than ‘Illustrator’.
Whatever helps to keep going.
You can watch the video version of this blog post here: https://youtu.be/oA_7EvOdlmU
Thomas Duggan 