ARTIST / CRAFTSMAN

How do guys make the distinction between the two?

Being an artist yourself, shouldn't you know?

Not really, I mean for tax purposes yeah.

But I mean how can the line be drawn between an artist that works in ceramics and a potter? Or is a sunday painter who paints sunsets with water coulours in their retirement home an artist?

And child art can be quite confusing, where's the intent?

So an artist isn't distinguished by skill, age, experience or knowledge: We're just some weirdos with a lot of free time.

It'd be a mistake to suggest that they're exclusive, but I think craftsman specifically implies a profession that necessarily brings income. The other problem with making this distinction is that it asks whether or not there is some necessary threshold of quality for art, which is an even broader and more contentious argument.

Originally Posted by Arch-hereticK

How do guys make the distinction between the two?

A craftsman is an artist whose art has a practical purpose.
At least, that's the only distinction I'd make. Both do art.

An artist creates something which purpose is being beautiful (in various ways.)
A craftsman is someone who creates something that has a purpose other than being beautiful.

They can and often do overlap.

I don't claim them to be mutually exclusive, but people mostly define themselves as either one or the other and often look down on the other either for their lack of artistic integrity or their lack of skill.

I still can't think of a reason why the two words even exist, why not just the one.

Craftsman are occupations such as electricians, plumbers and such. Typically Artists go more for expression. And as has been stated, overlap does occur occasionally.

Originally Posted by Gaidin

Craftsman are occupations such as electricians, plumbers and such. Typically Artists go more for expression. And as has been stated, overlap does occur occasionally.

Yeah that pretty much sums it up.

Originally Posted by Arch-hereticK

Yeah that pretty much sums it up.

The best example of overlap I think is Architecture. A lot of building designs like to go for a wierd look, but the Architects kinda have to keep a reign on themselves and make sure their design can actually be used and that engineers can uhh...actually build the thing.