Art vs. Craft

Language is powerful. “Arts & crafts” – what pops into your head? Tow-headed children making construction paper collage? Knitting circles? An aisle at Michaels? The phrase originates from an anti-industrialist Etsy like movement in England at the turn of the prior century. From revolution to mundane – this is the path of art.

Art endures because it cuts to the truth of who we are. Craft is what people learn to be accepted. You have to know the rules to break them.

When creating, how do you distinguish art from craft? Is it how they hold their paintbrush? The use of color? The sequencing of words and character development?

Art defies convention – it’s unique to you, your lense, and your dialogue with an idea. It’s what you can’t help but make, what your fingers tap out when restless, where your mind goes when you daydream. It exists when you pull structure from what didn’t exist before.

Whatever your creative pursuit – entrepreneur, designer, illustrator, writer, performer, musician, inventor – you are an artist.

Give your art its due.