How to Identify Your Local Area Artist

Local artists can be a wiley bunch.  But don't be afraid- they usually won't bite and are often very pleasant to be around.  Here are some tell-tale signs that the person you see grocery shopping, or pumping gas, or staring directly at the sun may in fact be a local artist.

1) Look at the hair-  Shades of bright red, purple, blue or green are often a dead giveaway.

2) Bumper sitckers-  Stickers that say "My son/daughter is an art student so back off"  or "I brake for canvas sales" are usually a good indication that some sort of artist is behind the wheel.

3) Fingers/fingernails-  Examine the fingers closely.  Any signs of paint, graphite, ink, or marker on the hands means you may be dealing with an artist.  Be warned.

4) Glasses-  Look for the late 50's early 60's cat-eye glasses.  Sometimes in subdued black, often in bright colors or patterns.  However, librarians are also known to sport these type of spectacles. Don't make them angry.

5) Neckware- Oversized scarves, kerchiefs, or other such neck-related clothing can mean there is an artist among you. Or possibly Dr. Who.

6) Sketchbook-  HUGE tip off.  If you catch anyone scribbling in a sketchbook (especially in a coffeshop, on a parkbench, train platform, restaurant or other pretentious location) , chances are that they are either writing a manifesto or they may be an artist.

7) Erratic/Unsettling behavior- Yes, we are a little strange sometimes.  Odd habits and quirks are commonplace among the artist species.  So if you catch anyone wearing a miner's helmet, playing bongos while reading a book on Escher-- well, you know.  But then again, maybe they just have a chemical imbalance.  Toe-MAY-toe, Toe- MAH-toe.

Hopefully this will help y'all spot one o' them artist types.  Again, we are usually quite pleasant to be around once you let us smell your hand and you scratch behind our ears. 

Gotta go paint!  You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here.

-Christine