Any other aesthetically inclined souls on the board?
Me?
8 years of art school, professional cartoonist/ illustrator. Animator in training.
Spend most of my waking hours making greeting cards.
You?
Define art…there are many forms of art. Music is art. Acting is art. Drawing and painting is art.
So what kind of artist do you mean?
I’ve been a music artist for 6 years. I’ve played my trumpet that whole time and have branched off to a couple other similar instruments.
I’ve also been drawing for a while, and I guess I’m ok at it. I’ve only taken one art class at school.
cellist at the SF conservatory.
nice ta meetcha.
Would you consider a pastry chef in training an artist?
I consider foodstuffs and sugar my medium, just that my things don’t last. 
Been drawing all my life… go check out my website for some examples. Also there you’ll find poetry and some of my (oddball) short stories.
However, I have to admit that my formal training is minimal. In fact, the only real classes I’ve taken have been for the performing arts (read: acting). Next semester, though, I break my long-standing personal boycott of art classes. Why didn’t I take more instruction? I had the delusion that it “belittled” my talent… how wrong I was! Missed out on a lot of easy A’s.
Anyway, to sum up… I draw, write, act, and poeticize (write peotry). And I cook a mean chili-cheese dip, too 
Struggling author seeks permission to join this thread as he thinks writing is an art form, can he join?
9-5: Design Director for a publishing company.
5-9: With whatever energy and time is left after kids, home, sleep, etc: cartoonist.
But isn’t that the struggle for every artist: Making Time For Your Art?
I really doubt this counts, but, as most of you are aware, I do improv comedy. Ha ha. Yesterday I dressed up as an astronaut and walked around an insurance convention for $100. I’m pretty sure that’s the antithesis of art…
I used to write. I used to be pretty good at it, published and all. ::shrug::
Does amateur photography count?
I’ve also done some drama and some writing…long ago and far away…
Pastry chef, writer, improv actor: I would say all these people are artists.
The question is: define an artist.
Webster’s says:
*1 a obsolete : one skilled or versed in learned arts b archaic : PHYSICIAN c archaic : ARTISAN
2 a : one who professes and practices an imaginative art b : a person skilled in one of the fine arts
3 : a skilled performer; especially : ARTISTE
4 : one who is adept at something <con artist> <strikeout artist*
“One who is adept at something”. Well, I’m adept at tying my shoes in the dark. I think definition #2a is hitting closer to the mark.
Me. I’m an arteeest.
Been drawing my whole life.
4 Years of Art school (college), plus my 4 years at High School were mostly in Art classes, took every one of the electives offered. 5 years as a Graphic Designer so far.
That and in my free time I sneak into Artsy movie theatres alone and watch movies alone and then I so something like write about my life in my journal, and then sometimes I like to walk around my house naked and… oh, that’s enough I think…
I draw and watercolor. Even had some drawings shown at the local Art Museum, years ago.
I can draw “Winky” in pastels, pen and ink, color and graphite pencils…never sent it in though.
What defines being an artist…?
Got me.
Soup’s definition seems to be pretty accurate.
I’ve known people who expressed themselves by jumping around naked with springs strapped to their feet banging on sheet metal with a hammer. No lie.
Me, I work mostly with a pen.
Boring that way I guess.
I know lots of artsier than thou types that would consider me anything BUT an artist, being that I (heaven forbid) work on commision. Mr-springs-naked-guy gets more respect than I do in certain circles.
That said, if you’re a culinary, performing, or otherwise artist, feel free to chime in.
I left it vague on purpose.
There was poll of writers on the boards a while ago. I thought I’d give some of the other creative types a chance to stand (well, type) and be counted.
bri
I used to do underground-type comix as an undergrad, writing and drawing, several of which were published in small campus-based 'zines.
My main influences were Rube Goldberg, Elzie Segar, Al Capp, Gilbert Shelton, and R. Crumb.
Ask me about the amazing narrative of Professor Cringely and the Plundered Glands sometime.
Uke -
Looks like we have many of the same influences. Throw in Basil Wolverton too.
But R. Crumb is my biggest influence. In fact, my comic book work has been described as “Crumb-y”. Hey, wait a minute . . .
Have you picked up 'Mystic Funnies" by Crumb? Fantastic!
Soup: Is “Mystic Funnies” new? I don’t think I’ve come across it yet. (I was just reading Vol. 9 of the Fantagraphics-published COMPLETE CRUMB last night…you ever see his work for his ex-wife Dana’s 1972 cookbook, EAT IT! ? Great stuff!)
I think Fantagraphics also did that great collection of Wolverton’s strip POWERHOUSE PEPPER, which I think is some of his finest work. Especially the adventures of Hotel Clerk Berserk McJerk.
Ukulele Ike - Mystic Funnies #1 was printed in late 1997, Mystic Funnies #2 in early 1999.
You’ve got to see them, especially issue #1. Full color interiors! It’s a new full-length Flakey Foont/Mr. Natural story. Check the Bud Plant catalog, they may still have it. Issue #1 was originally published by Nincompoop Comics, issue 2 by Last Gasp.
I’ve got that Powerhouse Pepper book you refer to, great stuff! Did you see the “Wolverton in Space” collection from Dark Horse?
I think that sums me up in one word. I do a lot of artistic and creative endeavors. The biggest one right now is my stained glass work. I think all of us have that artistic bent in one way or another.
If it come out in 1997, I must have it…I certainly remember being surprised by an all-color interior…is it the one with Flakey asking the Natch what he means by “There being signs all around us,” and Mister Natural rolling his eyes?
I’ll check out the WOLVERTON IN SPACE book. I see it’s available on Amazon.