Art Appreciation

Chapter 7

Artist and
Artisan

Artist and Artisan

Introduction:

​ ​ Artists focus on creating aesthetically pleasing works, while artisans' work

focuses on accessorizing and functionality more than aesthetics. The work of artists tends to be
shown in museums or galleries, while artisans sell their crafts at fairs and shops.

Specific Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

​ 1. Differentiate artist from artisan
2. Familiarized the work of artist and artisan
3. Identify the piece of work of artist and artisan

Duration

Chapter 8: Artist and Artisan = 3 hours

(2 hours discussion; 1 hour
assessment)
LESSON PROPER:

ARTIST

​ An artist someone who produces works like painting or sculpture, or works in the performing arts,
or is skilled at a particular task or occupation.

-Artists are the creator of tangible or intangible products (works of art) as an expression of creativity
and imagination for purely aesthetic reasons.

− Artist can be considered as any person involved in creating and designing objects related to any of
the fine arts like painting, sculpture, mu sic, dance and literature.

− Artists express themselves to any form of arts using mediums or materials for the artworks to have
its artistic integrity.

An artist is any person from any culture engaged in one or more activities to create art or practice art.
Artists do not have to be a professional to design art; most of the time, art is very relaxing and enjoyable,
creating sense and meaning in one's life. Artists throughout time were generally called an artisan, a term
used for someone who labored with their hands producing art.

CHARACTERISTICS OF ARTISTS
Artists live by principles. They are known for these principles.

1.​ CREATIVE
It is the fundamental characteristic of an artist. This might go
without saying, but it still needs mentioning because when an
artist is experiencing a creative block, it can be detrimental to
their work or even their career. You need to practice creativity
regularly and should make the effort to experience new forms
of it whenever possible.

2. OBSERVANT
Everything that a creative person looks at, touches, hears, tastes
and/or smells is a possible inspiration. Artists see the world
differently and process their senses in a much deeper way.
2.​ PERSISTENCE
Artists have to be persistent and consistent with their work in
order to be relevant. They work hard daily and do not stop till
they’re happy with their artwork. Artists need to be persistent
to improve their skills. They need to build an exceptional body
of work and sustain a good career.

3.​ PASSION
Artists have passion for their artwork. They live on this
passion for art which motivates them to be better. Their
passion won’t ever burn away as it is buried deep inside their
soul. This passion teaches other budding artists to work harder
and becomes experts from being mere amateurs. The passion
motivates them to build a body of work that they can truly be
proud of.

[Link]
In order to be a successful artist, you need to be disciplined.
Being disciplined helps you maintain a balanced life. If you
are disciplined, you can work and enjoy life. There is a certain
work-life balance that can be achieved through discipline.
Discipline is needed to maintain your health, and being healthy
and happy, would definitely motivate you.

[Link]
In resolving frustration, patience is an essential instrument.
Patience guides towards educated choices, paving the way for
a happy and peaceful life. It might be difficult to master the
ability of patience, but improving the artistic skill over time
will really help the artist throughout life. Leonardo Da Vinci
took at least 16 years to finish his masterpiece portrait of the
Mona Lisa.
 ARTISAN
ARTISAN-a person skilled in making a product by hand that may be functional or strictly decorative,
example furniture, decorative arts, clothing jewelry, food items, household items and tools or even
mechanism such as the handmade clockwork movement of a watchmaker.

An artisan is a skilled worker or craftsman who specializes in creating unique and high-quality items
through manual craftsmanship. Usually they focus on

Artisan is a skilled craft worker or craftsman who makes things using his hands. It is derived from the
French word “artisan” meaning, skilled workers who create things by hand which can be functional or
decorative. Decorative arts include the following: furniture, pottery, textile, jewelry, food items,
household items and tools or any applied arts. − Artisans are the makers of products or crafts, not only for
aesthetic value for decorative purposes but for practical value, such as for business purposes. − Artisan
skills are developed through the influence of their family or of their community as well. − Artisans
consider themselves as business people because their products are involved in the business market or from
the very start, in the entrepreneurship world

An artisan is someone who makes an item by hand and is usually an expert in her or his specific trade.
Artisan products encompass all types of goods, from clothing to home décor to tools. An artisan’s
craftsmanship may be rooted in history, as their practices can be native to a specific region or culture and
passed down from generations before. There is not one specific artisan made meaning, but most
definitions can agree on these elements.

You may see many brands using words and phrases to show that they are ethical and environmentally
friendly, and this includes the label “artisan made.” Most times, the word artisan is connected to a small
business or a smaller scale of production. It implies that a person, rather than a machine, creates and
builds the items by hand, which is not always the case for a lot of the essentials that we buy every day.

Artisan made also suggests that the maker is valued by the business, being treated with respect in a safe
work environment and entitled to fair wages (which sadly is not true for all workers in modern day
production systems). Or it simply means that you are purchasing directly from the maker herself, and her
goods are crafted by hand. It's important to keep in mind, however, that without Fair Trade or other 3rd
party verification, "artisan made" does not in itself mean an item is ethically produced.

What are the types of artisans?

•​ artisan includes: Welders, Electricians, Fitters, Turners, Sheetmetal workers, Boilmakers,

Mechatronics, Mechanics, Toolmakers, Patternmakers, Bricklayers, Plumbers,
Carpenters, Joiners, Shutterhands, Steel Fixers, Glaziers, Plasterers, Tilers, Sound
Technicians and Instrumentation and electronics.​

What kinds of products are artisan made?

You might be surprised by how many products are artisan made! Wooden and ceramic goods for our
kitchens, textiles for our clothes and bags, and metal and glass pieces for jewelry and décor. Artisan
products are candles, toiletries, cosmetics, journals, toys, and so much more that have been handcrafted
with care. And on top of tools and décor, artisans also make delicious and authentic baked goods, coffee,
cooking oils, and much more in the culinary world.

You may find that products made by artisans tend to be more expensive, but this isn’t without good
reason. Artisan made goods are often unique and handmade with a personal touch or cultural significance,
and are of a high quality with great attention to detail and materials. The artisans are ideally respected for
their craft and paid a fair, livable wage for their work. So when you purchase artisan made products,
you’re showing your support for all of these initiatives.

What are the benefits of buying artisan products?

Buying artisan made goods has so many positive effects on communities both near and far. Besides
supporting an ethical supply chain and ensuring high quality items (which are still so important), we can
also support traditions of skilled work. Technology is often replacing skilled artisans with machines, using
lots of energy and materials to mass produce products. When we buy items that are artisan made, we are
keeping their skills and traditions going while also keeping the art and personality in our everyday
essentials. We are making sure that we can keep buying handmade goods at reasonable prices.

Supporting artisans also allows us to support small or local businesses and show that we as consumers
care about who makes our products. Artisan made items tend to put people first, and this idea extends not
only to the maker but also to their families and their own community. We can prioritize their creativity
and talent in the market, and ensure that they can continue their craft as a respected artisan with a fair
wage and in a safe work environment.

References/Additional Resources/Readings
[Link]

Ariola, Mariano M. (2018) Art Appreciation. Intramuros, Manila: Unlimited Books Library
Services & Publishing Inc.

Capili, M. F. [Link]. (2010) HUMANITIES: Art Apprecaition. Plaridel Bulacan: TCS-Publishing

House.