Arty and Creative People

If you are described as 'Arty' or 'creative' it is a compliment, right? It is not just necessarily a skill, a strength, or a talent in painting for example, I see it as an umbrella term which means taste and style too.

Yet I think everyone has a different view on what arty really is. I am going to describe different arty/creative tribes, stereotypical maybe, but here goes:

Crafters

A relatively new breed of people who love to make cards and scrap books. Typically older ladies with a love 3D cardboard creations, die-cutting and glitter. These people see it as more of a hobby but are generally proud of their creations, they like to follow exact, step by step instructions rather than freestyle and try something different or untested. Supplies are expensive, far more expensive than buying an actual card from Paperchase for £2.50. But they love it! They just have to remember that it costs more to post a huge heavy card with 7 raised layers, 28 gems and half a tonne of glitter on that a standard letter.

'I am Not Interested in Art'

This group of people claim to have no interest in art and creativity. Their homes are minimalist and functional, decorated with mass produced canvas' of generic images of New York city created by an unknown graphic designer at an unknown time, just to fill a blank wall. Funnily enough the owner of said canvas has never been to New York or has any connection with it. They are usually more Mathematical and computers orientated, because that they believe it is more useful to the world.

'I Love Art, it is Such a Great Hobby'

An example of this person would be Laura who got a Grade B for GCSE Textiles and is known endearingly as 'the arty one in the family. Despite claiming to be an art lover she never visits any form of art gallery or exhibition. She has no knowledge of modern or historical art. However her link and justification to her arty pride is her Mindfulness colouring book creations that she proudly displays on Facebook. Laura also thinks she is into fashion because she owns a Louis Vuitton bag, because she likes the logo on it.

'Pinterest, Insta, and Internet Worshipers'

They see themselves 'creative' but they never actually draw anything themselves. They frequently shop on Etsy for 'quirky quote prints' and Oliver Bonas for bright geo cushions and gold pineapples. Loving bright whites and pops of neo colours thinking they are highly original, yet strangely unaware of how generic this look is actually getting. They know about exhibitions and designers purely through their social feeds. They claim to love Vogue (despite never buying it), and considered going to the 'Vogue 100: A Century of Style' then realised they could see all the photos on the internet, so what was the point?

'Effortless Style and Creativity'

I am most envious of this group. Don't assume 'effortless' means that they don't work hard, it means more that style comes naturally to them and they are ahead of the masses. Think Kate Moss in terms of style. Within this group some have creative qualifications like a BA, others don't even have a GCSE, yet even a biro doodle looks quirky and cool. Typically they have a great eye for both vintage and key bargin Ikea pieces, which just always work together. They can pick out the next big Farrell and Ball shade, they well ahead with 'Elephant Breath'.

'Modest Art Lover in an Arty/or non Arty Job'

Quietly very creative, this group are an anomaly in a social media boasting world. They have a great knowledge of all things in the modern art/design world and plug away at this. My University flat mate is this person, she was brilliant at drawing but very private about it, you had to ask to see her work, she would never put her work in your face. She always found the best art books and quirky magazines resulting in me asking her for recommendations. Now she works in the Graphics department for an amazing world famous fashion designer - who said you need to shout to get people to listen to you?

'Unmodest Art Lover'

So many of these folk on my University Design course. Yes these people were undoubtably talented and loved, no really loved art and design... But they seemed to be verging on insecure about it, possibly because the arts are sometimes looked down on academically, or maybe they just wanted to prove themselves in a competitive world. Typically this person constantly uploads a stream of their work to social media and relishes in comments such as 'OMG that is amazing'. Despite frequently attending every 'trendy art exhibition' (I know this because it is documented on social media) they have little interest or knowledge of Art historically and their own style of work seems confused.

'The Art History Genius'

A bit late to arrive at this tribe! They are a key player in the art world. So to be specific Fine Art world, oh my golly gosh they hate modern art. Saarchi who? Damien Hirst whatever! National Portrait Gallery is where they spend their Saturday mornings and afternoons staring into a Watteau or lusting after a Romney at Sotherbys. Despite the encyclopaedia like knowledge they have for Art history, they are seriously lacking in modern art or design knowledge. If they see a modern piece on a reluctant visit to the Tate Modern they can trace the influence back to an artist in history and then scowl because they see the modern interpration as crass and unsympathetic.

'The Modern Art Maverick'

At University, I entered a room of pretentious fine art heads who some of which took themselves very seriously and thought everyone else is stupid for not thinking as deeply they do. Textiles Design or as they called it 'decorative arts' (that what my half of the room seminar room were studying) were considered to be a fluffy joke. A girl on my course tried to put her opinion across that a pile of 15 bricks dumped on the floor isn't art and has no skill. She was quickly interrupted with ' you don't understand the meaning behind it, go back to your studio to draw pretty flowers on pretty curtains'. I see an irony here; a pretentious fine artist thinks that they are incredibly open minded and that they see the world differently to others, yet from experience some of these people seem to be so narrow minded and closed down to the possibility of any other interpretation of art or the influences behind 'decorative arts' or commercial art that they are part blinded.

The General Intellectual

This person tries to see and understand the value in everything in the art world which I believe is impossible because it is simply so big and diverse, but they try to soak it up, not for any other reason but they love it. There maybe large periods in art history that they know little to nothing about. Yet on the other hand they know so much about the artists and designers they love. They get frustrated if they forget things, or get names, spellings or dates wrong. Typically this group are very open minded to both the modern arts, to designers, to art history and embrace creativity. I aspire to be this person.

The Art Snob

There isn't really any way of sugar coating this one and it is so obvious. The typical 'Art Snob' is born in to privilege, old money and well/expensively educated. They smell the money with art collecting and love to be 'in the know'. However regarding the works of art themselves they don't really have a definitive opinion on. If it is worth lots of money it is wonderful, if it is by someone unknown and it is cheap it doesn't justify their time. This group do undoubtably have knowledge about art, because knowledge can equal pound signs. They may have sniggered over Tracey Emin's Bed installation 20 years ago, but now they want a piece of her.