I recently read an article in Information Age Education Newsletter that helped me recognize an aspect of the creative process that all artists have in common and it’s this: the problem solving that takes places during the art making process is 1) self-initiated, 2) entirely consuming, and 3) high stakes.

It’s a perspective I’m appreciate of because in the past, when I’ve thought of art and artists in general, the landscape is so diverse in terms of genres and approaches, and drives, and meaning, and well, everything (!), that it’s always been difficult for me to see what unifies all who are attracted to it / engaged by it / called to do their highly important, very personal work.

What unifies them is motivation. That’s what it is! You know you are an artist when the resolution to whatever problem you are are tackling / grappling with, the fruit of your labor - your Art, is of extreme, perhaps even utmost importance to you. When you are highly motivated to do your work, when your problem solving process / journey / manifestation / realization is self initiated, entirely consuming, and high high stakes, then you know you are an artist.

(:-)