--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I sometimes question whether I'm even an…" description: "\"I sometimes question whether I'm even an artist or just a painter.\" — Martin Mull" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc7/martin-mull-16804_art_i-sometimes-question-whether-i-m-even-an_2131402.jpg" --- # I sometimes question whether I'm even an artist or just a… ![“I sometimes question whether I'm even an artist or just a painter.” quote by Martin Mull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc7/martin-mull-16804_art_i-sometimes-question-whether-i-m-even-an_2131402.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc7/martin-mull-16804_art_i-sometimes-question-whether-i-m-even-an_2131402.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc7/martin-mull-16804_art_i-sometimes-question-whether-i-m-even-an_2131402.jpg) > “I sometimes question whether I'm even an artist or just a painter.” [Martin Mull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mull/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Questioning artistic identity reflects deeper self‑doubt and the need to define personal purpose. **In simple terms:** Are you an artist or a painter? Key Takeaway Clarify your creative purpose. Themes identity creativity self‑doubt Mood introspective inquisitive Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career transition - artistic block - portfolio development - teaching art Key Concepts Existentialism art theory self‑concept Questions to Reflect On - What defines an artist for you? - Can you embody both roles simultaneously? A Different Perspective Self‑labeling can restrict exploration of broader creative possibilities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Painter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painter/) [Painting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painting/) ## Related quotes > [Kitsch is art that follows established rules in a time when all rules in art are put into question by each artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-rosenberg/kitsch-is-art-that-follows-established-rules-in-a-time-when-all-rules/) [Harold Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-rosenberg/) > [Just as the painter thinks with his brush and paints the novelist thinks with his story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/just-as-the-painter-thinks-with-his-brush-and-paints-the-novelist/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [Every top player has his own style, just as every painter has his own personal signature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-kramnik/every-top-player-has-his-own-style-just-as-every-painter-has-his-own/) [Vladimir Kramnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-kramnik/) > [I'm 38 years old and Limp Bizkit is just something I do. If I was a painter, it would just be a type of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-durst/i-m-38-years-old-and-limp-bizkit-is-just-something-i-do-if-i-was-a/) [Fred Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-durst/) > [I don't think of myself as an artist. I'm just a guy who can write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/i-don-t-think-of-myself-as-an-artist-i-m-just-a-guy-who-can-write/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [I definitely didn't wanna be a one-dimensional artist that you can just put into one box. Because, to me, we're all masters of certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/labrinth/i-definitely-didn-t-wanna-be-a-one-dimensional-artist-that-you-can/) [Labrinth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/labrinth/) > [Being able to make work - if it's on your terms, and it's a good fit with the people who are supporting it -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-brambilla/being-able-to-make-work-if-it-s-on-your-terms-and-it-s-a-good-fit/) [Marco Brambilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-brambilla/) > [People aren't going to support an artist just because they have an audio file. They have to feel a real connection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-d/people-aren-t-going-to-support-an-artist-just-because-they-have-an/) [Chuck D](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-d/) > [It's a lot different being a hip-hop artist. You just show up with a piece of paper with your words on it, say it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-polachek/it-s-a-lot-different-being-a-hip-hop-artist-you-just-show-up-with-a/) [Caroline Polachek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-polachek/) > [I don't have a lot of pressure on myself to be successful. I'm more of an artist. I just try to make myself more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-potter/i-don-t-have-a-lot-of-pressure-on-myself-to-be-successful-i-m-more-of/) [Dean Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-potter/) > [I am an artist who's just tryin' to do something different, and basically not caring about everybody's opinions and wanting to follow what everybody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyga/i-am-an-artist-who-s-just-tryin-to-do-something-different-and/) [Tyga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyga/) > [I think you really have to know what you want if you want to be an artist. Otherwise, you just kind of end up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-nesbitt/i-think-you-really-have-to-know-what-you-want-if-you-want-to-be-an/) [Nina Nesbitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-nesbitt/) > [A lot of times maturing as an artist is just starting to do the things you like to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-currin/a-lot-of-times-maturing-as-an-artist-is-just-starting-to-do-the/) [John Currin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-currin/) > [Whenever a dope artist comes out of nowhere, the first thing you do is try and compare it to stuff until you realise that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryson-tiller/whenever-a-dope-artist-comes-out-of-nowhere-the-first-thing-you-do-is/) [Bryson Tiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryson-tiller/) > [I never really wanted to be an artist. I just really wanted to write songs. But, of course, I can't get placement unless I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryson-tiller/i-never-really-wanted-to-be-an-artist-i-just-really-wanted-to-write/) [Bryson Tiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryson-tiller/) ## More by Martin Mull > [Show business is just like high school, except you get paid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mull/show-business-is-just-like-high-school-except-you-get-paid/) [Martin Mull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mull/) > [Its hard to decide if TV makes morons out of everyone, or if it mirrors Americans who really are morons to begin with](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mull/its-hard-to-decide-if-tv-makes-morons-out-of-everyone-or-if-it/) [Martin Mull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mull/) > [I was involved in the Great Folk Music scare back in the sixties, when it almost caught on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mull/i-was-involved-in-the-great-folk-music-scare-back-in-the-sixties-when/) [Martin Mull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mull/) > [Having children is like having a bowling alley installed in your brain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mull/having-children-is-like-having-a-bowling-alley-installed-in-your-brain/) [Martin Mull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mull/) > [I kind of just lucked into and fell into the other profession. It was really just an outgrowth of the fact that when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mull/i-kind-of-just-lucked-into-and-fell-into-the-other-profession-it-was/) [Martin Mull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mull/) > [Having a family is like having a bowling alley installed in your head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mull/having-a-family-is-like-having-a-bowling-alley-installed-in-your-head/) [Martin Mull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mull/) > [A cult following is a nice way of saying very few people like you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mull/a-cult-following-is-a-nice-way-of-saying-very-few-people-like-you/) [Martin Mull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mull/) > [Around 1980, I went back to painting with a vengeance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mull/around-1980-i-went-back-to-painting-with-a-vengeance/) [Martin Mull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mull/) > [I try to not get to the point where one is making wallpaper, or simply painting money. I want to make sure that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mull/i-try-to-not-get-to-the-point-where-one-is-making-wallpaper-or-simply/) [Martin Mull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mull/) > [Never underestimate a child's ability to get into more trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mull/never-underestimate-a-child-s-ability-to-get-into-more-trouble/) [Martin Mull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mull/) > [Like a guide dog, paintings help you see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mull/like-a-guide-dog-paintings-help-you-see/) [Martin Mull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mull/) > [I think there are a lot of pictures to make. I sometimes question whether I'm even an artist or just a painter. To me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mull/i-think-there-are-a-lot-of-pictures-to-make-i-sometimes-question/) [Martin Mull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mull/) > [If the real world is orange juice, then art is like orange-juice concentrate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mull/if-the-real-world-is-orange-juice-then-art-is-like-orange-juice/) [Martin Mull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mull/) > [Why be influenced by a person when you already are one?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mull/why-be-influenced-by-a-person-when-you-already-are-one/) [Martin Mull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mull/) > [If there is some art involved, Id like it to be that it came through the cracks of daily work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mull/if-there-is-some-art-involved-id-like-it-to-be-that-it-came-through/) [Martin Mull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mull/) [Explore all 39 Martin Mull quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mull/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) Taf Teh > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I sometimes question whether I'm even an artist or just a painter.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Martin Mull" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mull/i-sometimes-question-whether-i-m-even-an-artist-or-just-a-painter/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Art" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mull/i-sometimes-question-whether-i-m-even-an-artist-or-just-a-painter/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc7/martin-mull-16804_art_i-sometimes-question-whether-i-m-even-an_2131402.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc7/martin-mull-16804_art_i-sometimes-question-whether-i-m-even-an_2131402.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc7/martin-mull-16804_art_i-sometimes-question-whether-i-m-even-an_2131402.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I sometimes question whether I'm even an artist or just a painter.” — Martin Mull", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Martin Mull", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mull/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I sometimes question whether I'm even...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mull/i-sometimes-question-whether-i-m-even-an-artist-or-just-a-painter/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mull/i-sometimes-question-whether-i-m-even-an-artist-or-just-a-painter/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```