Question to ponder about quilters.
10-20-2010, 07:41 AM
#31
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 2,879
A quilter is an artist, too!! As is a musician. And someone who uses a pattern is no less talented because they use a pattern. You wouldn't think a symphony musician is less talented, just because they are playing Mozart instead of composing their own! I think sometimes folks who make "utility" quilts don't give themselves enough accolades for their work!
10-20-2010, 08:19 AM
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Houston TX
Posts: 783
Originally Posted by amma
Anyone who is creative in any way/means is an artist to me :D:D:D
Raise your coffee mug to thinking outside the box / block!
10-20-2010, 08:23 AM
#36
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Colorado
Posts: 79
According to www.dictionary.com an artist is someone whose work exhibits exceptional skill.
This same site defines craftsman as a person who practices or is highly skilled in a craft; artisan.
And their definition of art is "the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles of what is beautiful, appealing or of more than ordinary significance."
In my opinion, someone just learning how to quilt, would not be considered an artist, as they are just learning. They are a novice. They need to hone their skills to become an artist. Just sewing pieces of fabric together, does not mean someone is an artist. Just like someone that does "paint by number" is not considered a painter. There needs to be some skill involved to become an artist no matter what medium you choose to use.
Ages ago, people had to apprentice with a master craftsman in order to gain the skill necessary to be called an artisan. And I believe that same holds true today, while we may not have traditional apprenticeships, we take classes and use other forms of teaching ourselves how to quilt, and how to be better at it. This isn't to say that those just learning aren't or can not become artisans, but there needs to be some skill involved. Just the act of sewing fabric together does not constitute art, unless there is some skill exhibited in the final product.
This same site defines craftsman as a person who practices or is highly skilled in a craft; artisan.
And their definition of art is "the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles of what is beautiful, appealing or of more than ordinary significance."
In my opinion, someone just learning how to quilt, would not be considered an artist, as they are just learning. They are a novice. They need to hone their skills to become an artist. Just sewing pieces of fabric together, does not mean someone is an artist. Just like someone that does "paint by number" is not considered a painter. There needs to be some skill involved to become an artist no matter what medium you choose to use.
Ages ago, people had to apprentice with a master craftsman in order to gain the skill necessary to be called an artisan. And I believe that same holds true today, while we may not have traditional apprenticeships, we take classes and use other forms of teaching ourselves how to quilt, and how to be better at it. This isn't to say that those just learning aren't or can not become artisans, but there needs to be some skill involved. Just the act of sewing fabric together does not constitute art, unless there is some skill exhibited in the final product.
10-20-2010, 08:42 AM
#39
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Brewerton, NY
Posts: 2,489
We are all artists as quilters. Some better than others, all with different ideas. It's just a different medium. I can't do an oil painting very well, or at least not well enough to hang on my wall or give as a gift, but I can quilt well enough to hang all over my house and give lots of gifts. Just ask any non-quilted, they will say quilting is an art form.
10-20-2010, 09:04 AM
#40
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Trifid Nebula
Posts: 1,304
Enjoy the art v. craft arguments? Go to uni where the argument dominates conversations and you get to write papers about it. That will suck the fun right out of the discussion. :0D
This is what I was taught at college: anyone learning a craft is akin to a kindergartener on fingerpaint Friday. He's a five year old and mommy calls him an "artist." Without the proper education, or old fashioned apprenticeship, you are neither an artisan nor an artist. You might someday be a "folk artist" or "naive painter" if the proper folks so designate. It's like trying to get into a New York co-op. Otherwise, everyone is a hobbyist or crafter.
I'd like my tuition refunded.
This is what I was taught at college: anyone learning a craft is akin to a kindergartener on fingerpaint Friday. He's a five year old and mommy calls him an "artist." Without the proper education, or old fashioned apprenticeship, you are neither an artisan nor an artist. You might someday be a "folk artist" or "naive painter" if the proper folks so designate. It's like trying to get into a New York co-op. Otherwise, everyone is a hobbyist or crafter.
I'd like my tuition refunded.
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