While we usually take the “artist” to mean someone who makes their living, or occupies themselves most of the time making art, what does it really mean if we break it down a bit further?
I would argue that an artist is someone who creates something unique based on the expression of their individual personality, that other people value. This could apply to traditional artists: painters, sculptors, photographers, but also to writers, designers, architects, and for that matter builders, wood- and metal-workers, people who work with textiles, carbon fiber, and virtual materials.
I think that definition of artist also works pretty well as a definition of “entrepreneur”: someone who creates something unique based on the expression of their individual personality, that other people value. The same could be said for athletes: an athlete creates an athletic achievement that is valued by their peers in sport.
Aside from whether or not we call ourselves “artists,” almost all human work is creative, and we are often at our best when we are being and feeling creative. Creativity, the ability to create, is essentially synonymous with both innovation and productivity. Greater creativity serves us in all aspects of life, and if our creativity is being suppressed or has not had the opportunity to flourish, we would be well served to find ways to strengthen it.
