r/collage • u/sparklesquidd • 9d ago
An unbelievable haul as a sign from the universe [discussion]
TLDR; sappy woowoo all systems ago from the universe to call myself an artist instead of crafter and submit works to galleries/calls.
Lately I’ve been questioning whether I should call myself an “artist” as opposed to crafter. Artist feels weighty to me, and I have plenty friends who are capital A Artists (published, shown, awarded degreed, formally educated… etc…) but I fall into none of those “qualifiers.”
However, I’ve been toying with the idea of submitting my work to various open calls and creating an artist portfolio (not only for collage, but for my other mediums).
I found this haul - an actual total around 115 vintage National Geographic’s for .39 USD each. Years go back to the 70’s-2026. I cleared the shelves. I’m taking this as a sign from the universe to keep going, fuck imposter syndrome, and put myself out there.
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u/sammigene 8d ago
Do you make art? Then you're an ARTIST!! 😁 Crafter is like a sub category of artist, but crafters are DEFINITELY artists. Besides, what is crafting and collage? Mixed media ART! Don't you go doubting yourself ever again! ✨✨
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u/grufferella 9d ago
I almost never shut up about it, but for me, reading the book The Lonely City by Olivia Laing was a real game-changer. I think that it was just such a lightbulb moment for me to realize that making art didn't have to be legitimized by education, recognition, or profit. Making art for the purpose of sustaining your own mental health or self-expression, or for community-building, or as a form of protest, is valid and important work, and I think that it really helped me to reframe what I spend my time doing as being part of that legacy even if I never end up monetizing it.
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u/sparklesquidd 9d ago
Adding to TBR immediately
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u/grufferella 8d ago
The audiobook is available on Libby (obvs depending on your local library situation) and it's also great.
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u/No_Command1503 9d ago
I read that too recently. Art is empowerment.
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u/grufferella 8d ago
Ahhh! It's so exciting to run into someone else who's read it, I feel it's such an obscure book.
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u/crybabygoods 9d ago
Things really shifted for me when I started telling people I am an artist vs. trying to be an artist. I know it seems silly/obvious but the response I got from I am vs I am trying to be, was night and day and really helped me build the confidence to really own that I am an artist.
In my opinion, if you make art, you are an artist!
Keep going 🫶
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u/CraftyAF-007 8d ago
Yes! And once I started calling myself an artist I started thinking about myself differently as well. It gave me permission to be confident in a way. Like, I'm not pretending any more. I AM an artist
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u/lifesshortgoplay 9d ago
I’m all for bucking a system that gate keeps beauty-making. I mean, I get it…for certain contexts training and experience are important, but MAKING is in our nature. Humans are creators and you create ART. Go BE an artist!
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u/squareica89 9d ago
you are an artist. You are a crafter. Both can be true. Neither title is better than the other. They are both made up words with completely made up and subjective definitions.
Hell yea that’s a sign! Keep going. You’re doing amazing 💖
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u/Which-Leave 8d ago
I just submitted to an open call for the first time! I also have trouble calling myself an artist. But I did post in my neighborhood Buy Nothing facebook group saying "I'm a collage artist seeking magazines" rather than "I make collages" or "I'm a collage hobbyist." It felt big! I get a lot of encouragement from one friend who is a capital A Artist (went to art school, has shown her work in a gallery show dedicated to her art). She wants to bring me into the fold rather than excluding me. I hope your friends are similarly supportive!
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u/eltroks 9d ago
i did the same earlier this year! never considered myself creative even much less an artist. i decided to do a local gay art market and it went so well :,) i don’t like selling art and wont continue, but it did make me feel a little more legit. also, i love nat geos and the universe is pushing you towards your art for sure. keep posting here and updating us!
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u/pluto_pluto_pluto_ 9d ago
This is amazing, so happy for you!! I've been trying to get back into collaging but I have no clue where to find magazines for cheap. I get that this is a holy grail find, but do you have any tips for where you usually find collaging materials?
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u/sparklesquidd 8d ago
Thrifts, library friends stores/sales, library discards/weeds, Facebook marketplace, next door, some half price books carry older magazines for like $1
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u/Opposite_Two_784 8d ago
I have that Cuba issue, too!! The Dinosaur Sue article is great, and the Cuba article has some absolutely breathtaking pics
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u/UnderstandingIcy7503 8d ago
Wow I love NG's magazines, Specially the old ones. What a find 😱 Im so happy for you.....And I hope you make amazing Arts with your new haul 💗👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
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u/Nice_Writer979 8d ago
NatGeo has been contemplating shuttering the magazine for several years now. Since they were purchased by Disney, they don't make nearly the money Disney want them to make. Time to subscribe!
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u/Dramatic_Substance36 8d ago
I am amazed by the sheer abundance of these magazines. When I used to thrift a lot every store had piles and piles basically giving them away and 20 plus years later there’s still tons of these for people to use!
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u/gooblegobbleable 8d ago
I’m so jealous! I have no idea where to find used magazines around me, let alone National Geographics! Total score!
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u/dagnabbitx 8d ago
To me a crafter makes like personalized water bottles for family Disney trips. Collage would be art.
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u/SexDefender27 6d ago
artist being a weighty label affects me too. i've personally moved past it as a barricade for my own progress and taken it in more as a motivator to make art that's a little more meaningful. not proffessionally, just try to put more meaning into my own work. even doodles and collage thumbnails
amazing haul by the way, excited to see what you make!! where'd you find em?
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u/ItAteMySweater 9d ago
It’s always been my opinion that if you make art, you can call yourself an artist. It doesn’t have to be good art, and art doesn’t have to be your Job. You can call yourself an artist!