What is an Artist?

I'll offer this basic (entirely personal. not to be taken as law (or too seriously) view. Art, collectively in relation to the citizens of the universe, can be summed up as.... 10% participation and creation by "artists" world wide who keep the art materials and paper recycling industries in business. 30% collectors of pretty pictures and ornaments for wall decoration (as in Hilda Ogden's flying ducks, garish mass-produced print reproductions, or whatever fashion dictates is...er, fashion or whatever Victoria and David or Harry and Whatsit have on their bedroom walls) a fair proportion have hand me down family "heirlooms" such as "Lord of the Glen, The Harvest and When did you last see your Father?" water/damp-stained prints that are bound for disappointment on Antiques Roadshow or Cheap as chips auctions. This percentage includes all sight-seers, time wasters and double buggy-pushers that go to art exhibitions just to get out of the rain/cold, have a coffee and find somewhere to dump their chip and hot-dog wrappers. 10% genuine art lovers who visit art galleries and museums and appreciate art in general and (quite rightly ) their own preferences in particular. Together with artists, they make the world turn and keep art alive. 10% investment brokers who spell art with a pound/dollar/yen or rouble sign in front of it. 20% of in-the-main indifferent citizens who go with whatever Ikea or Wilkinsons have on offer as long as next door doesn't have it. This section is usually views of Sahara sunsets with camels, sulky models with cigarette holders and few clothes and Jack Vettriano couples dancing on beaches in a monsoon whilst a butler chases a brolly along the prom. 20% chin-stroking bow-tie wearing arty men and women folk talking absolute Caja de toros with great solemnity as they exhibit thousand yard stares of all-seeing karma fuelled imitations of deep knowlege and wisdom...... Amen......😆

I would put Art quite simply as something seen which causes me to briefly catch my breath. Also I usually find that my mouth instinctively opens a little, perhaps to form a silent, joyful exclamation of 'Oh...!'?

I dont think found objects can be art, unless the found object IS art...say, you find the Mona Lisa washed up on a beach or a stolen scultpure ends up in your garden. Art must be the result of interaction between human and medium. So if yiu find a pebble or piece of sea glass...its not art. But if you place said sea glass in an environment which changes it's impact, then it can become part of your art. I am forced, by my own definition to accept Tracey Emin and Damien Hurst's rubbish as art, which with a heavy heart, I do.