Stop Waiting for Permission to Call Yourself an Artist

I’ve been painting, teaching, and sharing my art online for years. But even now, I still wonder: Am I really an artist?

This isn’t a rhetorical question. It’s something I sit with often, and I know I’m not alone. I hear it from students, friends, people just starting their creative journey, and even those who’ve been making art for years. So, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on it openly, not with a final answer, but with an invitation to think differently about what it means to be an artist.

You can watch the video if you prefer.

Creativity ≠ Art

We often confuse creativity with art, but they are different. Creativity is a way of thinking. It’s how we connect ideas and remix what we’ve seen, experienced, and learned. It’s not about inventing something completely new—we’re not living on remote islands, untouched by the world. We’re all influenced, inspired, and informed by everything around us.

When you take a bit of this, a bit of that, and make something personal out of it—that’s creativity. And it’s not just for artists. It happens when you cook without a recipe, decorate your home, or solve a problem differently. Creativity lives in everyday life.

Art, on the other hand, is one form of expression. It’s a way to communicate emotions, ideas, and perspectives through a medium—painting, music, sculpture, journaling, and more. However, not all creative acts are art, and not all artistic acts are particularly creative. You can play a classical piece beautifully without inventing anything. You can follow a step-by-step painting tutorial and still not express anything personal.

What Art School Taught Me (and What It Didn’t)

I went to art school, and there, being an artist, was very specific: You had to sell your work, get exhibited, and live off your art. Art had to be serious, professional, and validated by institutions. Without realizing it, I internalized that definition.

Later, when I had a quilt-making business, I often wondered whether what I was doing was “art” or just “craft.” Some quilts were figurative, so I felt they counted as art. But others? I wasn’t sure. There’s a long history of labeling textile work, embroidery, and other so-called “domestic” arts as less legitimate. These biases are rooted in a deeper cultural history—often tied to gender—and still echo how we value different kinds of creative work today.

Social Media, Visibility, and Validation

Now, like many creators, I spend a lot of time sharing my work online. And I’ve realized how much this shapes what I create. I’m constantly thinking: Will this post go well? Will people like this? Will it fit into a tutorial or course? I rarely paint just for myself anymore—and I’m not proud of that, but it’s true.

We all know likes and views are vanity metrics, but they still affect us. They become the new form of validation. Sometimes, I feel like I’m performing the role of an artist more than living it.

Imposter Syndrome Doesn’t Disappear with Time

Even after selling many classes and having thousands of people follow my work, I sometimes look at what I create and wonder if it’s worth anything. Not because I don’t believe in myself—but because I sometimes doubt the work itself. That’s something I’m still working on: reminding myself that I am not what I produce.

But when even one person tells me that what I shared helped them, inspired them, or made them feel something… I remember that maybe that’s enough.

Reclaiming the Word “Artist”

Maybe the problem isn’t with us, but with the word itself. Maybe we’ve made “artist” too heavy, unreachable, and loaded with expectations.

But what if we reclaimed it?

You don’t need to sell your work to be an artist. You don’t need to be full-time. You don’t need a gallery. You don’t need followers or likes. You just need to create something that matters to you.

We don’t ask whether someone is a “real gardener” if they grow plants without selling them. Or a “real runner” if they have never run a marathon. So why do we hesitate to call ourselves artists?

The Real Gift of Art: The Process Itself

And maybe—just maybe—the most important thing isn’t even the result. Maybe the real gift of art is the process. The quiet time you spend with your materials. The way colors blend unexpectedly—the joy of losing yourself in your work. The way creating calms your thoughts soothes your mind or brings you back to yourself.

You don’t need to produce a masterpiece every time you paint. You just need to enjoy the act of making. That’s more than enough.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever questioned your place in the creative world, I hope this reflection helps you feel less alone. You might already be more of an artist than you think.

And if you’re still not sure… that’s okay too. I’m still figuring it out myself.