by Candace Navarrete

by Candace Navarrete

Thursday, August 7, 2008

The Great Debate:"Art" versus "Craft", and Who decides

I know some of ya are saying "Oh no" or "She must be Brave"..To open this can of worms.
Sometimes the can just needs to be opened. You can look at Websters Dictionary to define the meaning of "Art" or "Craft"..You cannot however look into the heart & soul of the creator of a piece in question and make that call..I personally would never be so arrogant to try to define which is which. Nobody died and put me or anyone else, in charge!
There are some out there in the Internet World (and real life) that have decided to take it upon themselves to make this call, and I do not understand what they think gives them the knowledge, or the right to do so.
We are all "creators" of sorts..different techinques, mediums..and visions of what we want to create. It's a fact that there is always some that are better than others, but then isn't that to in the "eye of the beholder"?
We have much to learn from one another, and also many to teach along our paths. Some need to remember to be humble, and grateful for their gifts..rather to sit in judgement with their opinions of others creations, and trying to "define" what catagory someone's else's work is!
And that's all I have to say about that..for now at least :)
Candy

18 comments:

Rainbow Glitter said...

boy you are brave..lol..well Candy since I've recently been caught up in this controversy..I feel I must respond..in my 20 some years of "crafting" I knew right from the beginning it was not the right thing to do..to put down the girl beside me at shows that painted on popsickle sticks..ones she was really proud of even if she only made $10 that day..by this day she probably is making hundreds on E-Bay..I find this not only to be unkind and demeaning to the human soul...but rude and totally unacceptable!..the people that seem to be so condescending to such things..ought to take a long hard look at their own work..it may be less than true art..it may be "crafting with pipe cleaners"....there is so much competition and bitterness in this business instead of cutting our soul workers down..we must lift them up..This I have found to be so true...THE REAL TRUE ARTISTS OUT THERE...HELP EVERYONE..AND LIFT THEIR SPIRITS..DON'T BOAST..
THEY ARE ALWAYS KIND TO EACH OTHER AND HELP OUT OF LOVE..the others who hurt people are no more than "wannabees" thanks for bringing this up...donna

HowlingMoonDesigns said...

You are absolutely right Donna..and I whole heartedly agree!
It hurts my heart that others can be so mean.

Verlene said...

AMEN and AMEN!!Thanks Candy for starting this can of worms! 36 years ago I painted lady bugs on rocks and sold them at a school bazaar for $1. A delightful lady in a wheelchair admired my rocks and gave me a silver dollar (which I still have because it was my very first ART SALE!) She said, "I expect to see you making millions one day!" Those simple little words of encouragement have been with me for 36 years, and no I'm not making millions today but I can call myself an artist and believe it's true. Just a few words of encouragement - we all need it!

Anonymous said...

(Clap, Clap, Clap - Giving you a standing ovation)

Crafting involves the assembly of pieces to create a final product.

Art is in ones soul - it's in the love, the care, the thought and consideration of every detail - It's in the spirit the artist uses to create the story they present to the world through their creation.

The irony is that I have a hard time believing one who truly experienced creating art, knows how much of oneself goes into it, would ever make these judgments on another.

Maybe that's how you tell the difference between an artist and a crafter :-)

HowlingMoonDesigns said...

Oh Verlene..
Awesome Story :)..I have a similar experience and I think alot of us do from when we first started out..
Maybe some need a reminder of that!
Thank you!

HowlingMoonDesigns said...

Wow Cheri..Very well put! I agree with what you said..and I belive your last sentence is right on the money!

Verlene said...

"The irony is that I have a hard time believing one who has truly experienced creating art, knows how much of oneself goes into it, would ever make these judgments on another."

Excellent thought Cheri...right on!

Lisa Johnson said...

To me a craft is something learned like a blacksmith or electrician. Like all of you I believe that art comes from the heart and soul.
How can you tell me that if you take a plain piece of cheap fabric and make a frog, doll or egg with big lips and teeth that this is not art?
How can anyone sit in judgement of others?
Did they not say that Picasso was "really out there" and now look.

HowlingMoonDesigns said...

Good Point Lisa, about Picasso! Some thought and some still think his work was terrible! It is all what appeals to each individual:)

ReneeBuchananArt said...

Art is in the eye of the beholder... period. The art that I love, my best friend hates (and vice versa). One thing that I KNOW to be true is that a true artist creates art from the soul, art for art's sake, and when art comes from your heart there is nobody that can judge that (even if it is art on popsicle sticks!)

HowlingMoonDesigns said...

I agree with you 100 %! All our tastes are different in Art..but no one has the right to make judgement calls based on their own tastes.

Lance said...

amen, i 100% agree with you as well. I was once informed by an arrogant profesor of art that I was just a "craftsman." Maybe so, maybe not, but it bugged me that he thought he had the authority to lable me one way or another just because he was a profesor.

HowlingMoonDesigns said...

Hi Lance..
Arrogant is right! Shame on that professor..Maybe he was jealous of your Art! :)

Rainbow Glitter said...

As I said before Lance..a true artist will never brag about their abilities..but will help and not pass judgement on another artist..If any of you have spoken with Jack Johnston..of www.artdolls.com you will know what I mean..you can call and talk to him for help duing the day...and he is more thatn willing to talk to you and help...bless that man...donna

Unknown said...

Very deep subject for sure...I am glad you let the worms fly. When your out and someone asks you, "what do you do for living?"...and you say I am an artist, some have said back to me, "that's a nice hobby"....Its not the same response a doctor or lawyer gets when they tell you their profession. I guess their is a lot of self taught artists...which I have meet some amazing ones, but when you have a degree in your passion, studied art history and love the world of art (sometimes even the painted popsicle sticks)its sad that some NON-art people just think that we do is hobbies. I don't want to sound arrogant, but sometimes I say nothing at all because the subject is so touchy. I am proud to be an artist and I do think when you fall into your medium, you somewhat perfect your "craft"...sort of like a great actor does. I will always be a student of the arts...and that is why I think I love being an artist...its an endless space of creativity. This was very uplifting...I hope more read this and get inspired!! Smiles, Jackie

HowlingMoonDesigns said...

Hi Jackie
You don't sound arrogant at all! It's a fact that people seem to think we have a "nice Hobby"..They do not see the hours we spend on a piece, nor do they see the Passion we use to create with..People don't realize their hurtful words and attitudes can be soul crushing for some.
Candy

Anonymous said...

I am a smith of nothing, but I use my imagination to create some weird stuff. Well said Candy.

HowlingMoonDesigns said...

Thanks Rod :)..Very good description of Art!