The Concept of Artist

This week, we read A Portrait of the Artist As A Young Man and were asked: Is Stephen an artist? Many of us had various answers on this question. This made me think about the concept of "artist" in the world of today. What does it take to gain the title of "artist?" Do you have to actually sell a work or does the fact that you created something make you an artist?

If you simply take Art 101 in high school or college, does that make you an artist or do you have to present your work in a gallery? Does the simple act of writing a poem make you a poet or do you have to be published to gain the title.

Or maybe the real determining factor is passion? If you are passionate about your art, does that make you an artist?

It all comes down to talent vs. passion. I think, in the end, if you are passionate about your work that makes you an artist. Sure you may never be published, your work may never appear in a gallery of any kind, your songs may never be heard but you can take comfort in the fact that you have created something. An expression of yourself for the world (or maybe just your immediate family) to experience.