Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Artist"

The sign for 'artist' combines the sign for 'art' with the 'person' ending. First, hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing your dominant side, acting like a canvas. With your dominant hand, extend your pinky finger (an 'I' handshape) and draw a squiggly line down your non-dominant palm. Finally, change both hands to flat shapes with palms facing each other, and move them straight down to show the 'person' suffix.

Examples Using "Artist" in a Sentence

1

My sister is a talented artist.

Sign 'SISTER', then 'ARTIST', followed by 'GOOD' or 'SKILLED' to convey her talent. Emphasize the 'person' ending clearly to show it is her profession or identity.

2

I want to be an artist when I grow up.

Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'WANT', and then sign 'ARTIST'. The 'art' plus 'person' combination clearly shows the career or role you are aiming for.

3

The artist painted a beautiful picture.

Start with 'ARTIST', then sign 'PAINT' and 'BEAUTIFUL'. Make sure the squiggly motion of the pinky in 'artist' is distinct from the broad brushing motion used for 'paint'.

How to Sign "Artist"
The sign for 'artist' combines the sign for 'art' with the 'person' ending. First, hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing your dominant side, acting like a canvas. With your dominant hand, extend your pinky finger (an 'I' handshape) and draw a squiggly line down your non-dominant palm. Finally, change both hands to flat shapes with palms facing each other, and move them straight down to show the 'person' suffix.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is a classic example of a compound sign in ASL, combining an action with an agent suffix. The first part represents drawing or creating art, with the non-dominant hand acting as a canvas and the dominant pinky acting as a fine brush or pencil. The second part is the standard ASL 'person' or 'agent' marker, which outlines the shape of a person's body to indicate 'one who does' the preceding action.
Signing Tips
When signing 'artist', make sure to clearly separate the two parts of the sign. The first part, 'art', uses a distinct pinky finger motion against your flat palm. The second part, the 'person' ending, requires both hands to move straight down parallel to each other. Keeping these two movements distinct helps your signing look clean and easy to understand.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using the index finger instead of the pinky finger for the 'art' portion of the sign. Remember to use the 'I' handshape (pinky extended) to draw on your palm. Another frequent error is forgetting the 'person' ending entirely, which changes the meaning from 'artist' to just 'art'.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Artist" in a Sentence
1

My sister is a talented artist.

Sign 'SISTER', then 'ARTIST', followed by 'GOOD' or 'SKILLED' to convey her talent. Emphasize the 'person' ending clearly to show it is her profession or identity.

2

I want to be an artist when I grow up.

Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'WANT', and then sign 'ARTIST'. The 'art' plus 'person' combination clearly shows the career or role you are aiming for.

3

The artist painted a beautiful picture.

Start with 'ARTIST', then sign 'PAINT' and 'BEAUTIFUL'. Make sure the squiggly motion of the pinky in 'artist' is distinct from the broad brushing motion used for 'paint'.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have to add the downward motion at the end?

That downward motion is called the 'person' or 'agent' suffix. It changes the word from the concept of 'art' to 'a person who creates art' (an artist). You will see this same ending used in words like 'teacher' or 'student'.

Can I use my index finger instead of my pinky to draw?

In standard ASL, the sign for 'art' specifically uses the 'I' handshape with the pinky extended. Using the index finger looks more like the signs for 'cost' or 'cancel', so it is best to stick with the pinky to avoid confusion.

Does it matter which hand acts as the canvas?

Yes! Your non-dominant hand should always act as the stationary canvas, while your dominant hand does the drawing motion. This follows the general ASL rule where the dominant hand performs the primary action.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!