What is The Difference Between Being A Creative vs. An Artist?
- Tebogo J. Khalo
- Jul 30, 2023
- 8 min read
I already described artistic ability as either a fostered experience or an intrinsic skill in a prior blog post. I discussed how art can be taught as well as received as a gift. In this blog post, I intend to go deeper into this topic by examining the distinctions between creative capacity and aesthetic competence. I'll look at what defines someone who is just creative from someone who is artistic, as well as how each of these traits relates to being an artist. Let's take a look at the connections and complexities that exist between these notions.
Table of Content
Background Thought and Context
During a lesson, an unexpected load shedding occurred, needing us to count on the backup generator, which took some time to kick in. Meanwhile, our lecturer asked us to introduce ourselves and talk about our creative processes. The mood was strange and with an air of intimidation. As others introduced themselves, I couldn't help but reflect on my own creative practice, and therefore on myself as a person.
In my thoughts, questions swirled: Am I truly an artist? What traits or accomplishments genuinely make me deserving of that prestigious title? How can I even define what it means to be an artist? Is my creativity strong enough to carry that label? And how can I evaluate or quantify my creativity to see whether I genuinely deserve the title of "artist"? The encounter left me with a sense of self-doubt and a need to reflect on my identity as an artist.
In all honesty, the self-talk seemed to be nothing more than a passing thought. But something about the thought left me feeling a certain way about the idea of being an artist, and I expanded my thinking, to reading, researching, and reflecting deeply on the topic. And this led to this blog post
What is the difference between Being A Creative vs. An Artist?
Being creative, in my opinion, and understanding, implies having the ability to think imaginatively and come up with new ideas, regardless of the media or sector. It's about thinking outside the box, solving problems, and creating new ideas that may not have existed before. [And with this understanding, does that mean AI (Artificial Intelligence) can or is creative? We shall be looking into that in the next coming posts.] Being artistic, on the other hand, is concerned with the embodiment of those creative ideas through a particular talent or expertise in the arts. It requires bringing such imaginative ideas to life via various art forms such as painting, sculpture, literature, music, or dance.
essentially, I see creative ability as the source from where concepts come, whereas artistic competence is the medium through which those ideas express and take shape in the world.
I like creative thinking and artistic expression because they complement one other wonderfully. I sense a surge of inspiration and a universe of possibilities open up in front of me when I embrace the creative aspect of myself. However, only through improving my artistic talents will I be able to transform those abstract concepts into concrete and meaningful objects. It's a dance between the mind's infinite imagination and the body's ability to bring that fantasy to reality.
With all of these aspects together, I consider myself more than simply an artist; I consider myself a creative, or rather, creator. My passion extends beyond the creation of artistic works but extends to the exploration of all facets of life. When I embrace a creative state, I genuinely realize the heart of my existence. This state of being stems not just from artistic endeavors, but also from appreciating the rich complexity of life itself. Being creative does not require one to be artistic, though being artistic requires one to be creative. While these terms are closely related, they represent distinct aspects of the creative process. To be creative is to think boldly and imaginatively while being artistic involves the mastery of a particular craft to express those creative visions concretely. Together, they form a harmonious synergy that allows me to explore the boundless realms of human expression and innovation.
Being creative does not require one to be artistic, though being artistic requires one to be creative.
Everyone Is An Artist Until They Grow Up
Creativity runs within every one of us from birth to death. This intrinsic ability manifests itself in different ways for each individual. Our creativity grows and appears in ways as different as our personalities as we progress through various phases of growth, impacted by our surroundings and the passage of time.
Creativity isn't only restricted to the arts. It pervades many sectors, including science, technology, business, and everyday life. An engineer who comes up with an imaginative solution, a chef who experiments with new flavors, or a marketing professional who creates an innovative campaign are all instances of creativity at work. It is a vital factor in propelling development and improving human experiences in an array of disciplines.
So, whichever industry you are in, being creative will almost surely assure success, if employed appropriately, which is extremely important in this day and age. Make an effort to accomplish things in a unique way. Be imaginative. To be creative, you must break free from conventional thinking, take leaps of faith, and embrace uncertainty in order to explore unexplored territory. It necessitates an open mind, a desire to question the existing status quo, and a willingness to adapt to change. This is especially true, considering that one is living the genesis of AI, and whether you see AI as a threat or a tool to enhance life. As a threat to your focus field of study or to your job?
Creativity And Artistry
During my early years in varsity, I firmly held the conviction that creativity was an innate gift reserved for only a chosen few. I was doing math and science in high school, and I never thought of studying art, until 2019 when I took my gap year. And coming to varsity to study art was seen as something weird and bad, and that for some time made me sad and ashamed of studying art, especially in such a prestigious varsity, but nothing compared with the feeling of meeting with people who already know things and are far ahead, are more creative and intuitive in their creative practice because they have been doing it for years. I couldn't help but be envious of individuals who easily demonstrated their imaginative aptitude as if they were born with an amazing capacity to create amazing art, construct intriguing stories, and go beyond conventional bounds. I felt really discouraged because I felt I was lacking that intrinsic flare.
However, after reading numerous success stories, over the years, of people who openly believed to have cultivated creativity through work and being exposed to creative atmospheres, my perspective began to alter significantly. Their lives revealed that with practice and experimentation, creativity can be fostered and enhanced. This realization opened my eyes to the possibility that, with work and exploration, I, too, can unlock and develop my creative potential.
And, inspired by their experiences, I began to question my own preconceived views about creativity. Instead of seeing it as a static trait, I began to see it as a dynamic ability that could be developed and improved. I committed to set out on a personal creative journey, ready to experiment with and embrace many kinds of artistic expression. This gave me an incredible sense of empowerment. It made me value the process of self-discovery and progress. Every step forward, no matter how modest, seemed like a victory in and of itself.
In retrospect, I'm happy for my initial belief that creativity was an intrinsic gift, because it was that thinking that drove my commitment to prove myself bogus. Accepting the idea that creativity can be developed through perseverance and diligent effort has been revolutionary for my growth in every aspect of my life. I now want to encourage others to embark on their own creative journeys. Whether it's painting, writing, dancing, or any other form of expression, I believe that everyone has the potential to unleash their creative essence. With the right mindset, practice, and willingness to learn, one is capable of achieving greatness.
Be Artistic without being Creative
I would watch in amazement when these artists brought their imaginations to life on canvas or via captivating performances, wondering whether such artistic genius was simply out of my reach. However, as I began my quest for self-discovery, I eventually realized that being artistic does not always need an intrinsic wellspring of creativity. Being artistic, you see, involves more than just coming up with imaginative concepts. It's about getting to the heart of what makes us human and being willing to be vulnerable enough to express it. Artistry is not only born from within but from our unique experiences, observations of the world, and emotions.
The realization hit me when I discovered the realm of "derivative art." At first, the phrase appeared obnoxious almost like an artistic fraud. However, when I dug more into this concept, I discovered that it may be a strong doorway for those of us who believe that creativity has passed us completely.
Derivative art is borrowing inspiration from prior works and giving them our own personal touch. This does not imply simply replicating the work, but rather a reinterpretation that highlights our unique insight. It may be as simple as remixing a song, rethinking a classic narrative, or recreating a famous work of art using our desired color palette and style. Being artistic without being conventionally creative does not imply a rejection of standard creativity. It's an encouragement to think differently, to rethink what it means to be an artist. Rather than obsessing over being "creative" in a conventional manner, but embracing our authenticity by connecting with our emotions and the art that inspires us.
Art is a journey, not a destination, and it's okay to take a less-traveled path. It is about discovering our unique voice and allowing it to be heard by the rest of the world. Being artistic without being creative may be a freeing and uplifting experience, allowing us to express ourselves without having to continuously produce something completely new, yet something we created ourselves, and having a thought or a feeling expressed which is something more important.
So, to everyone who is experiencing a lack of creativity in their lives, I encourage you to let go of that self-imposed limitation. Embrace your artistic potential by creating derivative art. Find inspiration in the great realm of art and let your spirit guide you in expressing what is deep inside you. In the end, being artistic is about recognizing the beauty of originality rather than submitting to any predefined conventions. So, go forth courageously, free the artist within, and paint your life's canvas with the colors of your unique expression. Believe me when I say that the world is waiting to witness your creations.
Final Thought
Finally, this journey of self-discovery and exploration, which is still ongoing, has taught me essential things about creativity, artistry, and the limitless potential that each of us possesses. I now realize that creativity is a skill that can be fostered and perfected through devotion and practice, rather than an unattainable gift. So, I’ll keep exploring this vast landscape of creativity and artistry and encourage others to do the same. Don't be discouraged by self-doubt; instead, embrace your creative potential, cultivate your artistic abilities, and allow your imagination to run wild. And with effort, devotion, and a willingness to learn, we can all tap into the wellspring of creativity within us and create our own unique and beautiful paintings of our existence.
Food for thought: Can one be considered wise and not be creative? In other words, is wisdom without creativity?
I'd love to hear your responses: share your thoughts in the comment.
Much Love to you, see you on the next one.
My inspiration
Every Child Is an Artist. The Problem Is How to Remain an Artist Once He or She Grows Up – Quote Investigator. (2015, March 7). Retrieved from Quoteinvestigator.com website: https://quoteinvestigator.com/2015/03/07/child-art/
https://www.facebook.com/BryanMullennix. (2021, February 22). Creative vs Artistic (What’s The Difference?) - Artistry Found. Retrieved July 29, 2023, from artistryfound.com website: https://artistryfound.com/creative-vs-artistic/#:~:text=A%20creative%20person%20uses%20their
Inc.Africa. (n.d.). Retrieved July 29, 2023, from incafrica.com website: https://incafrica.com/library/nicolas-cole-are-you-creative-or-are-you-an-artist-you-might-be-ne
Maota, R. (2020, January 23). Op-Ed – The Difference Between A Creative vs. An Artist. Retrieved July 29, 2023, from Zkhiphani website: https://www.zkhiphani.co.za/op-ed-the-difference-between-a-creative-vs-an-artist/
Wisdom is Creative. (2012, June 13). Retrieved from Wisdom Hunters website: https://www.wisdomhunters.com/wisdom-is-creative/
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