Artist or Craftsman?
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Actually, most of the time I consider myself a clown 
I did come across a good maxim that I keep in mind that helps distinguish between craft and art. Don't recall the exact phrasing, but it went something like this. The craftsman gives form to a material. The artist gives form to an idea.
For me, that means that art must always be somewhat joined to craft, as I don't se how a thought can be given form without expressing it thru some material. I suppose tho, that craft can be separated from art in 2 ways. Firstly, by making something that is merely a demonstration of skill, but otherwise bereft of intent. Secondly, when one makes something as an agent of another's wants, and so ones own ideas or desires do not play any role in the making.
I did come across a good maxim that I keep in mind that helps distinguish between craft and art. Don't recall the exact phrasing, but it went something like this. The craftsman gives form to a material. The artist gives form to an idea.
For me, that means that art must always be somewhat joined to craft, as I don't se how a thought can be given form without expressing it thru some material. I suppose tho, that craft can be separated from art in 2 ways. Firstly, by making something that is merely a demonstration of skill, but otherwise bereft of intent. Secondly, when one makes something as an agent of another's wants, and so ones own ideas or desires do not play any role in the making.
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Opinions will always very in that question. I think of it this way craftsmanship is in the quality in fit and finish of a the form. The artery is it's design. Which is what gdenby said. I think of my self as a craftsman in training. I am not good at artistry. I can creat a look by combining other designs into my work but I not a artist. I wish I was.
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I worked in a construction trade for 35 year as a Heat and Frost Insulator. We were a craft trade, hence we were craftsmen.
Persons that build houses, fit piping, do wiring, put in the plumbing, erect structural steel, build boilers, industrial/commercial painters, glazers etc. are craftsmen.
People who make things for craft shows are crafters. The act of making a fine quality piece from wood is craftsmanship. The end result is art.
Persons that build houses, fit piping, do wiring, put in the plumbing, erect structural steel, build boilers, industrial/commercial painters, glazers etc. are craftsmen.
People who make things for craft shows are crafters. The act of making a fine quality piece from wood is craftsmanship. The end result is art.
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I think i fall into the same class as gdenby?
Bit of a tricky one this , mostly craftspeople i think, a few artists . you will know a artist when you see there work , thats the differance,
Look at Shawns Cipa or Ian norbury , they are artists in there own right.
not only do they design there own work but exicute it. although thats not always true nowdays. its some one who has a fresh approach to the work even if its a old theme.
But what can be done has been done , and most artists ar`nt regonised till there dead.
Just crafting a stick dosnt make the artist the artist makes the stick. thats the difference
Bit of a tricky one this , mostly craftspeople i think, a few artists . you will know a artist when you see there work , thats the differance,
Look at Shawns Cipa or Ian norbury , they are artists in there own right.
not only do they design there own work but exicute it. although thats not always true nowdays. its some one who has a fresh approach to the work even if its a old theme.
But what can be done has been done , and most artists ar`nt regonised till there dead.
Just crafting a stick dosnt make the artist the artist makes the stick. thats the difference
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I think that this is in line with gdenby's thoughts:
Art vs Craft
"Most people do not see any difference between art and craft as they are both considered to be forms of creativity. Let's consider how art and craft differ.
"Art is a form of work that is the expression of emotions. Craft is a form of work, which results in a tangible output, for example, moulding and carving.
"Art is often described as unstructured and open ended. It has no limitations of expression, just like in painting. Craft on the other hand is structured, which means that it has a certain form that is visible."
And there's more...
http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/difference-between-art-and-craft/
I'm pretty sure that I'm at the beginning of a craftsman's life...and many of you are adding some very pleasing art on top of the well crafted sticks. My focus is on function, and a little pretty is a sometimes bonus...
Art vs Craft
"Most people do not see any difference between art and craft as they are both considered to be forms of creativity. Let's consider how art and craft differ.
"Art is a form of work that is the expression of emotions. Craft is a form of work, which results in a tangible output, for example, moulding and carving.
"Art is often described as unstructured and open ended. It has no limitations of expression, just like in painting. Craft on the other hand is structured, which means that it has a certain form that is visible."
And there's more...
http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/difference-between-art-and-craft/
I'm pretty sure that I'm at the beginning of a craftsman's life...and many of you are adding some very pleasing art on top of the well crafted sticks. My focus is on function, and a little pretty is a sometimes bonus...
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I couldnt disagree more with that site description of art . To say its all emotion is complete rubbish
A painting for instance it has to be planned , your have to work out how much wood you need for a frame , you have to strech canvas, you have to prime canvas, you choose colour everything is planned and organised But it is usually painted/drawn to effect you
to describe sculpture as art ? is no difference than carving a stick its is all organised and exicuted and to look at thats in the eye of the beholder.
arcitechture is far more planned than any of the arts it has to be full of detail down to the last penny.It may be nice
art is about provoking people in one way or another and is purley down to the eye and mind of the beholder.Some thing may be conceptuall others not.
art is down to the person looking at the work not only admiring there skill but there idea ,thats what makes them stand out.
Its only when you look at people like marcel duchamp people either get angry at his ideas, and he is anti art. is he a artist he just uses every day items and tries to look at them in a different way.
Art is what makes you stand back and captures the imagination it dosnt have to be good to look at.and you may not even understand it.but it draws something from you.
A painting for instance it has to be planned , your have to work out how much wood you need for a frame , you have to strech canvas, you have to prime canvas, you choose colour everything is planned and organised But it is usually painted/drawn to effect you
to describe sculpture as art ? is no difference than carving a stick its is all organised and exicuted and to look at thats in the eye of the beholder.
arcitechture is far more planned than any of the arts it has to be full of detail down to the last penny.It may be nice
art is about provoking people in one way or another and is purley down to the eye and mind of the beholder.Some thing may be conceptuall others not.
art is down to the person looking at the work not only admiring there skill but there idea ,thats what makes them stand out.
Its only when you look at people like marcel duchamp people either get angry at his ideas, and he is anti art. is he a artist he just uses every day items and tries to look at them in a different way.
Art is what makes you stand back and captures the imagination it dosnt have to be good to look at.and you may not even understand it.but it draws something from you.
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I overdid my activities yesterday...pickleball, weight training, tree trimming/thinning, and walking the dogs...so a day of rest is in order. And it's windy now and forecasted all day, so prudent to stay out of the forest with all the standing dead beetle killed pines.
Here's a "topper":
![Plant Tree Wood Fawn Carnivore]()
And there's the "shank", 30 yards away.
![Plant Tree Natural landscape Twig Trunk]()
So having some extra time I was prompted to continue researching the Art vs Craft question. I like the Artisan concept:
"An artisan (from French: artisan, Italian: artigiano) is a skilled craft worker who makes or creates things by hand that may be functional or strictly decorative, for example furniture, decorative arts, sculptures, clothing, jewellery, household items and tools or even mechanical mechanisms such as the handmade clockwork movement of a watchmaker. Artisans practice a craft and may through experience and aptitude reach the expressive levels of an artist." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artisan
And expanding on my first reply here's some opinions by knowledgeable folks in their respective fields:
'According to Rosey Greenlees, executive director of Crafts Council in the United Kingdom, "Contemporary craft is about making things." Craft objects tend to be utilitarian. The primary purpose of a craft is function. A craft object, such as a hand-woven blanket, a basket or clay pottery, is designed to serve a distinct purpose. Craft is the transformation of raw materials into a finished product. Reeds are woven into a basket and clay is formed into a vessel. The fundamental purpose of a craft is to fulfill a need.
'Art has been described as the creation of something that represents human expression. Music, sculpture, painting and dance are generally accepted as art. Art is a symbolic expression of emotions and ideas. Dr. Robert J. Belton of the University of British Columbia lists a few of the qualities of art: to beautify, to express, to redefine reality, to illustrate, to adorn and to record. The fundamental purpose of art is to fix in a tangible form ideas, emotions and experiences.'
And also some good points about aesthetics and cultural bias.
http://www.ehow.com/info_8716885_art-vs-craft-debate.html
Here's a "topper":
And there's the "shank", 30 yards away.
So having some extra time I was prompted to continue researching the Art vs Craft question. I like the Artisan concept:
"An artisan (from French: artisan, Italian: artigiano) is a skilled craft worker who makes or creates things by hand that may be functional or strictly decorative, for example furniture, decorative arts, sculptures, clothing, jewellery, household items and tools or even mechanical mechanisms such as the handmade clockwork movement of a watchmaker. Artisans practice a craft and may through experience and aptitude reach the expressive levels of an artist." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artisan
And expanding on my first reply here's some opinions by knowledgeable folks in their respective fields:
'According to Rosey Greenlees, executive director of Crafts Council in the United Kingdom, "Contemporary craft is about making things." Craft objects tend to be utilitarian. The primary purpose of a craft is function. A craft object, such as a hand-woven blanket, a basket or clay pottery, is designed to serve a distinct purpose. Craft is the transformation of raw materials into a finished product. Reeds are woven into a basket and clay is formed into a vessel. The fundamental purpose of a craft is to fulfill a need.
'Art has been described as the creation of something that represents human expression. Music, sculpture, painting and dance are generally accepted as art. Art is a symbolic expression of emotions and ideas. Dr. Robert J. Belton of the University of British Columbia lists a few of the qualities of art: to beautify, to express, to redefine reality, to illustrate, to adorn and to record. The fundamental purpose of art is to fix in a tangible form ideas, emotions and experiences.'
And also some good points about aesthetics and cultural bias.
http://www.ehow.com/info_8716885_art-vs-craft-debate.html
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This is a discussion that will never be resolved .
It also states that art is used to adorn items , so such things as a carving regardless of what type it is could be considered art? therefore a hiking pole with a carveing on could be considered art? although it is still functional
Personnally i think you can see 100`s of things thats been Crafted ( use that term loosely) but one will stand out therefore that one could be art , due to its standard and unique work of it.
I am a big fan of the arts and crafts movement but also dabble in the contempoary arts , we all make walking sticks some we are pleased with others well i burn some . It all depends at what level your work is at, what the subject matter is , so during the learning curve ,which is something that never stops something will stand out , it may because you have taken a different approach, or your style is differnt to others, or the subject matter is different or may be a piece of contempory work . Whatever it is it will have to be well crafted.
so anything could fall into both catorgories
Its when people start talking fine art? in western culture it is considered a catorgorie of its own . people like darmen hurst? and a lot of modern artists are considered to be a fine artist but to many average people its rubbish? but they dont fall into the same niche as leonardo or rembrant.
I do think that training in the arts will help people understand the difference and easily appreciate that difference?
It also states that art is used to adorn items , so such things as a carving regardless of what type it is could be considered art? therefore a hiking pole with a carveing on could be considered art? although it is still functional
Personnally i think you can see 100`s of things thats been Crafted ( use that term loosely) but one will stand out therefore that one could be art , due to its standard and unique work of it.
I am a big fan of the arts and crafts movement but also dabble in the contempoary arts , we all make walking sticks some we are pleased with others well i burn some . It all depends at what level your work is at, what the subject matter is , so during the learning curve ,which is something that never stops something will stand out , it may because you have taken a different approach, or your style is differnt to others, or the subject matter is different or may be a piece of contempory work . Whatever it is it will have to be well crafted.
so anything could fall into both catorgories
Its when people start talking fine art? in western culture it is considered a catorgorie of its own . people like darmen hurst? and a lot of modern artists are considered to be a fine artist but to many average people its rubbish? but they dont fall into the same niche as leonardo or rembrant.
I do think that training in the arts will help people understand the difference and easily appreciate that difference?
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Good discussion. It makes me think a bit. I probably fall more into the "craftsman" category than "artist" category. I don't have that many original ideas and I tend to go for function before form. A cane or walking stick must be capable of it's intended purpose to me, any decorations on the cane won't interfere with that purpose. My goal is a well crafted, artistic cane. A cane made purely as art on the other hand may not work well as a cane but still evoke the idea or image of a cane.
I like the distinction that a craftsman puts form to an object while an artist puts form to an idea or emotion. Art is certainly more than just the skill of execution though that can be important in art too.
Rodney
I like the distinction that a craftsman puts form to an object while an artist puts form to an idea or emotion. Art is certainly more than just the skill of execution though that can be important in art too.
Rodney
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