About a decade ago (my goodness, has it really been that long?) a colleague told me I was an artist. Not me, I said, knowing she was an actual artist. Art was a thing she did. It’s a thing she still does. She’s an artist.

But me? I was no artist.

My colleague didn’t insist. She didn’t try to change my mind. She did, however, remain unwavering in her assessment of me, and like the cryptic muse she is, she said I would recognize it one day.

It feels dramatic and disingenuous to say I finally recognize myself as an artist, because, quite frankly, I’m still working on it. But I’m trying. What has changed is that I’m seeing in myself what she saw a decade ago. I’m expanding my definition of artist to include myself. I already included others in all of the roles of artist as defined by Merriam Webster.

Artist – noun

1a: a person who creates art (such as painting, sculpture, music, or writing) using conscious skill and creative imagination

(Hey, that’s me! I write plays and fiction and memoir and essays. I also sew and craft and crochet. Maybe I am an artist.)

1b: a person skilled in any of the arts

(Hey, that’s me! I’m a skilled writer and clarinetist and praise dancer. Maybe I am an artist.)

2: a skilled performer
especially : a musical or theatrical entertainer

(Hey, that’s me! I’m a skilled clarinetist and praise dancer. I’m not a skilled aerialist, but I’m learning. Maybe I am an artist.)

3: a person who is very good at something

(Hey, that’s me! I am very good at helping people with their writing. Maybe I am an artist.)

While I believe my colleague had more in mind than simply definition number three, that was the immediate context of our acquaintance. I was directing a university writing center at the time, and she had many occasions to observe how I worked with writers.

I get into flow when I’m working with writers and writing. It lights me up. I’ll lose sleep to pursue it. I’ve studied it. I’ve practiced it. I’m creative in it.  And according to definitions one, three, and four in Merriam Webster, that’s art.

Art – noun

1: skill acquired by experience, study, or observation

3: an occupation requiring knowledge or skill

4a: the conscious use of skill and creative imagination

I noticed none of the definitions mention finances or fame. Making money and gaining notoriety are great things that I wish for all artists, but not having them doesn’t disqualify you from being an artist.

So let me try this on for size: “I am an artist.” I’ll need to repeat that a few times for it to stick.

If I can do it, so can you. We can be artists together.