What does an Artist actually do?

A personal job description for a life of making

Lately, I’ve found myself wondering—what is my job, really?

Yes, I weave. I teach. I sell pieces that people can take home and live with. But that doesn’t feel like the full picture. Being an artist isn’t just about making things that people want to buy. It’s about how I move through the world—with curiosity, attention, and a desire to shape beauty from the everyday.

So I wrote myself a job description. Not for a CV or a grant application, but as a way to ground myself. A reminder of what I’m really here to do.

Job Description: Artist – Nikita, The Artful Weaver

Title: Artist, Maker, Meaning-Weaver
Location: West Cork, Ireland
Hours: Sunrise to sunset—and the spaces in between
Tools: Paper string, stones, colour, quiet
Reporting to: Curiosity, nature, memory, and joy

Role Overview:
As an artist, my work is to notice and to respond. I create handwoven forms that carry stories—of place, of texture, of connection. I work with humble materials and transform them into lanterns, baskets, and light-filled vessels that speak of softness and strength.

Key Responsibilities:

Create with care, letting curiosity lead the way

• Listen to the materials, the land, and my own rhythm

• Weave stories into shape—honest, tactile, true

• Share my process openly, inviting others into the wonder

• Teach gently, offering space for others to discover their hands

• Make work that speaks to the heart, not just the market

• Build community through conversation, collaboration, and kindness

• Tend to the balance between art, life, and livelihood

Success in this role looks like:

• Feeling at home in my work

• Hearing, “this reminds me of…” or “I’ve never seen anything like this”

• Knowing that someone felt something because of what I made

• Creating space for joy, beauty, and presence—both in others and in myself

That’s what I’m aiming for. A life woven slowly, with intention. If you're curious about how this unfolds—through workshops, one-of-a-kind pieces, or quiet studio updates—you're welcome to follow along.

Thank you for being here.

— Nikita