[ useful terms defined for purposes of this dichotomous key ]

contemporary artist: a person who practices any of the various creative arts living in the present

medium: a means by which something is communicated or expressed

painting / drawing: this category includes painters and drawers

photography: this category includes anyone who practices the process of recording light onto a light sensative material or surface

sculpture / mixed media: this category encompasses the process of making two- or three-dimensional representative or abstract forms OR someone who uses of a variety of media in their process

tromp l'oeil / visual illusion in art

performance / grab bag / other: this category denotes someone who works as a performance artist, OR who traditionally works fluently in many mediums or has gained notariety on various bodies of works existing in different mediums

**please note that these terms have been defined for the purposes of this key, though their actual interpretations are very fluid.