What is art???

What does "art" mean and what does it mean to be an artist? What makes art so appealing? And my all time favorite, am I considered an artist? These are questions that I have come across in my life and many of other people have as well.  This is what inspired me to write about all the different types of art (or as many that I can find). Keep in mind that even if what YOU do isn't in this post it definitely doesn't mean that it's not art. Art is what is known as an abstract concept and can be perceived and practiced in many different ways. These are just some of the art forms I know of and felt like mentioning.

First let's define a technically undefinable term, art. According to www.dictionary.com Art is "the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance." Now I'm going to give you another definition provided to me by my 9th grade art teacher that has stuck with me through the years. His definition of art was anything and everything created by human hands.  Now whether you agree with the online definition, my old teacher's definition, or maybe you have your own. I think we can all agree that art isn't the same for everyone.

An artist on the other hand is someone who is or has engaged in the creation of Art. It's pretty simple when you think about it. There are many different types of artists which are less fluid and probably more familiar to you. Some of these types are painters, writers, musical artists, dancers, and photographers. These people are very good at a certain aspect of art and may even have a professional career in said art form. But you don't need one of these fancy labels to be an artist. Just like you don't need some award to be a genius. Now whether or not you're going to be successful and turn your art into a career is another story that I'll either talk about here or in my next blog.

The different art forms I'm going to be discussing in this blog are drawing, painting, writing, photography, and sculpting. I chose these because I think they are the most common and in a way the easiest to explain in this situation. Interesting fact, if you've ever read a comic book or seen cartoons in a newspaper, these kinds of things are done by artists who are paid to create!

- Drawing

I'm sure that sometime in your life you have either doodled because you were bored or have seen someone else do it. But at that moment in time did you realize art was in the making? Probably not, because it's not what you're thinking when you're nearly passing out in that Algebra 2 class, you're thinking about other and possibly more important things. But either way anything thing from a doodle on a paper to an elaborate pencil sketch of David Bowie is a drawing and it is art.
-painting

Unlike drawing this is a more specific art form that involves using paint, brushes and typically  canvas. You can however, paint on just about anything and everything. Many people who paint are considered to be thoughtful and masterful artists and is more recognized in some ways then drawing. Painting is not as easy as drawing sometimes as well. This is also something you can start at a young age and can take classes for.
-writing

Many people do not consider writing an art form but in fact it is and a challenging one as well. Everything a person puts on paper is for a reason. That "cheesy" poem in the hall was probably someone's heart and soul pored onto a page for hours on end. Every word is meticulous jut like brush strokes. Literature in a fine art and is typically not enjoyed by many but can be if you chose that path. SO next time someone says their a writing their saying they are an artist in the written word.
-photography

While photography is becoming easier as smarter phones come out and people abandon big and bulky cameras, taking a good photo takes ore than luck. This art is simply in capturing the moment and doing so that it relays a message to the person seeing it. A skill that people spend years trying to master. Like all the others in this, it takes time and dedication.
-sculpting

Sculpting is one of the only things in here that I have not done and for very good reason. In order to get a good sculptor you must be meticulous and probably get very messy. Those who partake in tis have a wonderful time though, and create things only tough to be possible in ones imagination. People also pay really goo money for someone to do something like this for them. Though most people that I know say they would rather keep their work to themselves.
Music

The art of the ears and the guilder of souls, some names for music also include good jams and tunes. Music is the art of making sounds that are pleasing to the ears and possibly the eyes. It involves most all of your senses and can be broken down into: people who play instruments , singers, dancer and many more. This also includes actors and screen writters and many more! These could also be put into there out category but I figured id amke this more general.

I may have only barely touhed the topic but hopefully you leave with a beter understanding of the concept of art. In conclusion, art is juts abut everyhtng and anyone can do it if they want to. This blog is my art, what is yours?