Those who consider themselves "artists" tend NOT to work in multiples or "lines". There have been far better responses on this overall question than I could ever make but this particular comment is a little weird given that there are many recognized big name artists who did lithographs and other types of numbered multiple reproductions and they were still considered artists. I believe someone named Picasso was among them.
First, I was addressing what the person considers themselves, not
what others define them as. Second, you are quite right, and as a
printmaker myself I DO create multiples (editions) of some prints.
Third, there is a VAST difference between a “reproduction” and an
original print created in an edition. This is an example of my not
having the right words to adequately explain what I mean. When
Picasso, or Rembrandt, or any other artist, actually creates a print
themselves it is NOT a reproduction. A reproduction is something
that was originally created in some other state (usually but not
always a painting when talking about reproduction prints), that has
then been copied, usually photographically, and printed, usually
commercially. It is of no more inherent value than a magazine cover
or photo, the only real difference being the paper it is printed on.
An original print, on the other hand, has NEVER been a painting. It
was conceived and created on the metal plate, or stone, or screen, or
woodblock, etc., and printed. Sometimes by the artist themselves,
sometimes by a master printer (just as many famous stone statues were
conceived by the artist and carved by master carvers). The fact that
it may be “pulled” in an edition, or in a monoprint (one) doesn’t
change the fact that it is original, NOT a reproduction.
Which really comes back to what I was attempting to express. In my
experience, those people I know who consider themselves to be
“artists” are constantly creating new pieces, and expressing new
ideas, in whatever media they use. While sometimes these ideas may
come in editions, as in prints, quite often they don’t - do please
note in the original post I DID say “tend” not “always”!!! Whereas
those people I know who consider themselves to be “craftsmen” tend
(again, not always!) to produce multiples of the same thing. Go to
any craft fair and look at the potters - most will have a standard
shape and color scheme to their work, that they will have at this
show, and the next, and the next, and so on. They are NOT exploring
new ideas, they are producing the same idea over and over. SOME will
have some of this, or none of this, but pieces that may “grow” out of
each other, as the artist explores how they can mold/use the clay to
express their inner vision. This is true in woodworking, and I see
the same thing in jewelry. Some jewelry is a repition of things
already done, some is an entirely new direction, or a totally new
take on an old direction. When someone makes a piece and has it cast
in multiples, I put this in the same class as those who make a
painting and have it reproduced in prints. Only the first one was an
“original”. The rest are copies of that original. Please note this
is my opinion only!
Sorry if my words don’t adequately convey my meaning!
Beth in SC