Am I an artist?

An excerpt from the introduction to my forthcoming book, "I Am An Artist"

I’m actually one of those people who grew up identifying as an artist from my earliest years. I was almost always considered the best artist in every group I was in, even in my art school. I launched a design and illustration business the week after I graduated, and won numerous local and national awards. Millionaires own my paintings. I have over 5 million books I’ve illustrated in print worldwide, with 23 titles. I have a gold record for my illustrations. Toys, clothing, shoes, and fabrics have been made from my work. I’ve done art for Forbes, Disney, Betty Crocker, Neiman Marcus, Time, Nabisco, and many more. I’ve taught art internationally, and own an art school I founded in 2006.

By definition, I am clearly an artist.

Yet after decades of success, I was rejected as an artist; told by the people in charge of a new and very prestigious professional illustrators organization, that I couldn’t join the group. They said I wasn’t a “real” artist.

This really rocked my world. It took a while to come back from that foundational earthquake, and to realize the deep insecurity even the most influential artists have. Elitism is just one symptom. The rejection was more about the people who rejected me, than me.

Since then I’ve met and worked with thousands of artists, and one thing is clear. We all share the struggle of wondering if we’re good enough.

This book is for all the people I meet, who don’t believe they are artists, but wish they were. I am always working to change artists’ ideas about what makes a person an artist.

There are so many reasons why artists don’t believe in themselves. You’re just like other artists if you have struggled with this. As the owner of an art school for 17 years, I’ve seen so many people with misconceptions, and there is a great need to clarify the issues surrounding artwork and artists.

Everyone is creative in some way, and we know almost everyone enjoys art when very young. In my experience, a majority of people wish they could do art, and a whole lot of us really, really, love it. Art is a common human endeavor, not a super-power.

Yet sadly, most people get the message that being an artist is only for a very few; for extremely gifted people, and that this is a group they are simply not a part of. That they were not born that way.

This is completely false. You are a part of this group, especially if you are eagerly reading this. If your heart just jumped, then definitely, most definitely - you are an artist. Let yourself believe it. I know it is true. I have seen every single person who began to believe it, and made the effort, become accomplished. They all call themselves artists now. The only thing standing in their way was belief.

I have been blown away by beginners who turn into masters, so many times, that I have finally stopped believing that art is only for an elite genetic group. Art is for anyone who wants it.

You can believe it too.

You’re ready to go too. There is no prior requirement. You don’t have to sell something, or win some award before you’re an artist. Any kind of goal or achievement is absurd. If you reach it, does that really mean you were not an artist before that affirming moment? Of course not. That goal can affirm who you are, but it’s _not what makes you who you are_.

You are an artist.