When I introduce myself, I say I am a teacher. I list painting and drawing as a hobby. But I never tell people I am an artist. Quite the contrary, I will deny any title that labels as me as such. But why? After all when I was in High School I toyed with the idea of being a painter by night and a teacher by day. I did go to art school, I spent a month painting in Paris, I have a studio in my apartment. So why do I furiously deny anyone who dare say I am an artist? I think being an artists is like being in love, either you are or you are not. It is a state of being. I don't "feel" like an artist, and I have not achieved anything as an artist...yet... Instead, I feel like a talented, creative, individual, on the cusp of what could be a great teaching career. Maybe tomorrow I might feel differently, maybe tomorrow I will be an artist. But certainly not today....
