Amateur or Professional? The Question That Got Me Thinking

Photo by Chris Curry on Unsplash

I’ve been using these last few months to slow down, to experiment, to research - yes, how lucky am I that I can do that!!. And somewhere in that mix of reading and reflecting, I stumbled upon an article titled “Amateur vs Professional Artist: 7 Questions To Ask Yourself.”

Well, curiosity got the better of me, and I started reading.

Right there in the opening paragraph, I saw myself. I’ve been painting for a fair few years now, taken part in group shows and art fairs, even sold a number of pieces (which still feels slightly miraculous every time!). But does that make me a professional artist?

After reading that article, I started to doubt myself. I mean, yes, there are hugely successful artists who use watercolour — but in some circles, those are still viewed as the tools of the amateur. Oh dear. What did that make me then?

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up.
The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
— Thomas Edison

So I kept re-reading those seven questions — and thinking.

Do I present my work professionally?
Yes — I double-mount most pieces, frame them when I can, and take care with how they’re photographed and shared.

Do I have a style or voice?
I think so. I know the marks I like to make and the atmosphere I try to create.

Am I motivated?
Absolutely. I want to keep learning, keep improving, and become the best artist I can be.

Could I be more active in my local art community?
Probably. But even if I’m not at every event, it doesn’t stop me creating.

And finally — am I treating my art practice like a business?
Well, let’s just say… I actually keep accounts now! That has to count for something, right?

So, am I a professional artist? Honestly, I’m still not sure there’s a clear answer. But what I do know is this: I’m an artist. Full stop.

Whether my work hangs in a gallery or sits drying on the kitchen table, I’m showing up, learning, experimenting, and creating. And maybe that’s what being “professional” really means — not the materials or the medium, but the commitment to keep going, to keep growing, and to keep making art.

✨ Over to you...
When did you start calling yourself an artist? Was it a certain moment, a sale, or just a quiet realisation? I’d love to hear your thoughts — drop me a message or comment.

In Cornwall, doing what I love best…