Who Am I? Essential Question for Artists

Who am I?

Quick Answer

Artists should frequently ask themselves 'Who am I?' because their identity as an artist serves as a crucial guide through the challenges and complexities of their creative journey. This self-reflection helps artists navigate the ups and downs of their chosen path, as emphasized by Crista Cloutier, founder of The Working Artist. Understanding one's artistic self is foundational for building a sustainable career and finding inspiration.

That’s a question every artist needs to ask themselves often.

Because it’s who you are as an artist that will guide you through the ups and downs, twists and turns of this crazy path we’ve chosen.

Who are you?

When I asked that question of myself recently, I answered that my artwork is about the artist’s journey, and my life is about living it.

My medium is visual narrative. I publish my stories and photographs about being an artist. Sometimes I perform them.

But mostly I live them.

You see, it’s through my life as a vagabond artist that I get my best material.

So I travel. A lot. And I connect with other artists wherever I go. They’re my greatest inspiration.

In my past life, I had a big career as an international arts dealer, curator, and documentary filmmaker.

Today I’m the founder of The Working Artist, an online educational experience where I guide other artists through their own journey as working artists.

For these next few months, I’ll be writing to you from France. I’ve secluded myself in a little cottage in the Provençal countryside to focus on delivering some new surprises for you:

The Working Artist’s Art Fair Essentials This will be a brand new workshop for artists who are interested in learning about art fairs. Watch for it!

The Working Artist Sessions I don’t know why you became an artist, but I’m in it for the conversations.

Don’t you agree that artists tend to skip the mundane and go right for the important stuff when we get together? That’s why I’m creating this new podcast series. It’s about the conversations artists have.

The Working Artist Sessions will be a podcast series like no other. I can’t wait to start sharing it with you. Soon!

First You Jump: Use Your Creativity to Fly This is the reason you haven’t heard from me in awhile. I’m writing a book.

I won’t say too much more because I’m still in the thick of it. But I have every intention of sharing some sneak peeks with you here.

2018 is going to be a powerful year for this working artist and I hope to help make it special for you as well, because it’s your artist’s journey that inspires mine.

Written by Crista Cloutier, artist mentor + founder of The Working Artist. (learn more about Crista here)

Frequently Asked Questions

1 How does The Working Artist help artists with self-discovery and their artistic journey?

The Working Artist, founded by Crista Cloutier, is an online educational experience designed to guide artists through their journey. The platform emphasizes the importance of artists asking "Who am I?" to navigate the ups and downs of their path. Crista shares her own experiences to inspire and mentor other working artists.

2 What new resources or workshops are being developed by The Working Artist?

The Working Artist is developing several new resources. These include "The Working Artist’s Art Fair Essentials," a new workshop for artists interested in art fairs, and "The Working Artist Sessions," a new podcast series focused on conversations between artists. Additionally, Crista Cloutier is writing a book titled "First You Jump: Use Your Creativity to Fly."

3 What is the focus of "The Working Artist Sessions" podcast?

"The Working Artist Sessions" will be a podcast series dedicated to conversations artists have. Crista Cloutier, the creator, aims to explore the important topics artists discuss when they gather. She believes artists tend to skip the mundane and go straight for significant discussions.

4 What is Crista Cloutier's background as an artist mentor?

Crista Cloutier is the founder of The Working Artist and an artist mentor. Her past career involved working as an international arts dealer, curator, and documentary filmmaker. She now uses her experience and her life as a traveling artist to guide and inspire other artists on their own journeys.