Quote:
Originally posted by GaryS
So how do I see describe myself? As a bonsai artist, bonsaiman, bonsaier (as in potter), you get the idea.
Sometimes words just confuse the whole issue I guess.
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I don't think the issue of describing ourselves should be that confusing if we pay attention to the meaning of the words we are using.
There are words with clear definitions and there are "fuzzy words" that we shouldn't use unless we are trying to confuse others.
The words artist, collector and professional are clear: the artist creates, the collector collects and the professional buys and sells in order to make a living. A person can be/do all or part of the above in the same time. However, each activity is independent of the other.
If I buy a bonsai, I am a collector. If I maintain it in the same form (by pruning and repotting), I am still a collector. If I change the look of it according to my taste, I've created something new and therefore I am an artist (in addition to being a collector).
If I later sell it for a profit, that's business. If I make a living out of it, in addition to being a collector and artist, I am also a businessman.
The confusion starts when we call ourselves hobbyists and bonsaists because these terms do not define what we actually do. We do this on purpose in order to protect ourselves from critics. When you say artist, you are fair game. You can be called a bad artist and that can be devastating. So it's not a bad idea to protect ourselves from "artistic injuries". But it's up to us to be vague or clear about what we do.
Best wishes
Attila