What Does it Mean to be an Artist? Being an artist takes more than just the skill to draw or paint. Being an artist means having the courage to express yourself through creative outlets, as well as the responsibility to depict and interpret the world around you. An artist is someone who uses visual, auditory or tactile means to communicate their ideas and stories. They often take inspiration from their surroundings, emotions, values, or beliefs and express this in artistic forms such as painting, sculpture, dance, writing, photography, music or performance art. The job of an artist is to create something of beauty or evoke emotions in the viewer. An artist must have an eye for detail and be able to convey messages through their art. An artist must be able to recognize the importance of the message and be able to express it clearly through their artwork. The true art of creating something beautiful or interesting requires more than just talent. An artist must have the determination and will to persist even through difficulty and setbacks. Being an artist means always pushing your limits to come up with innovative ideas and solutions. Being an artist also means recognizing the power of art and its potential to effect change. An artist must recognize the impact art has on society and the importance of their role in creating it. An artist can use their art to challenge traditional beliefs, express their personal beliefs, and even affect social change. Ultimately, being an artist is about telling a story or creating something beautiful. It requires talent, experimentation, and skill, but more importantly, it requires the determination, creativity, and tenacity to challenge conventions and express oneself.