Do I NEED an artist statement and how to write one EASILY!

OK, I get it….we all get it…it’s Hard for we as artists to put down our creativeness in WORDS!!!

Unfortunately, writing is a necessary evil for everything from website content, newsletters and our ABOUT page. PURE DRUDGERY, right?.

However, the most important thing for artists to write is their ARTIST STATEMENT. Whether you like it or not, it can be powerful on how people view your work. A boring statement for exciting work can hurt the artist, and the world is full of boring artist statements doing a disservice to their work.

An artist statement in actuality, needs to be no longer than a page and can be as short as one hundred words. It briefly describe how the artist works, and what their work means.  Once it’s done, you can also use it for GALLERIES, PRESS RELEASES, PORTFOLIOS, APPLICATIONS and SUBMISSIONS.

So you see with a little effort, it’s WELL WORTH YOUR TIME!

Let’s get started…

First, an artist statement should not be a description of your work, but “your life” leading into your work.

To help, let’s do this a step at a time!

1. Get inside your head

A bit of meditation?

Ok, so you’re a not a guru. Just take a quiet 10 minutes, anywhere you get inspiration. Try in your studio, the park, a busy section of town you enjoy hanging out….somewhere that makes you feel good and feeds your creativity.

Next, write down anything that comes to mind about your work. Why do you create what you do? Do you do your pieces in segments, or do they connect? What repeats? What collides together and stands out? What is the most unique? The answers to these questions are likely the framework of your statement. It’s a very easy exercise that may even open up yourself to yourself as an artist.

2. Give YOURSELF an interview

This time, we get OUT of ourselves.

If you were interviewing an artist, what would you ask them?

Write down your questions….

Write down your answers….then, read them OUT LOUD. This really works anytime you write about yourself. Make sure you don’t have run on sentences, and they are clear about your thought.

At this point, your dreaded artist statement is fully on it’s way.

Now wait a minute, you say…..what do I ask?

Here’s a few starters.

Where were you raised? Were you creative as a child?  What influences you? Who is your customer base (city people, ocean people, do they like contemporary, abstract, vintage, landscapes)? What materials do you use and how do you make your work? …and don’t forget….What makes your work UNIQUE?

3. Good job. Now let’s clean up

Your artist statement needs specific information. We have our skeleton (framework), let’s add the meat. We want clear and concise statements. Do I keep repeating this??????

At this point, we check for run on sentences. You also may want to stay away from political or sexist ideas. Don’t be repetitive. Look out for too many sentences staring with “I”. “I hope to show you my work”, change to…My work will inspire you. Show confidence!!!!!

Stay away form unnecessary and fanciful words. Don’t embellish to sound smart, it may come off as the opposite (insecure), or worse, pompous. Speak in your own language. It’s a strategy to get people interested in YOU, and then your work.

4. Write in the PRESENT

This is your active voice, it will accomplishes a few things. This makes it feel current, important, and urgent which has an impact when applying for grants or residencies. It also allows your writing to be as brief as possible. Your statement will sound like your work is happening NOW. This is especially handy when you take the time to write and won’t need revisions down the road.

5. Break time…

Yes, GIVE IT A REST!

Put it down, do something else. Or come back to it tomorrow.

Come back to it with FRESH EYES. This is a major key to editing. Your perspective is fresh and free from your original thoughts. Again, time to read it out loud….easy, but good stuff!

At this time, consider the structure and order of the paragraphs. Can anything be shortened?

5. Time for a Proofreader

Consider your artist statement as a very important document. You absolutely NEED feedback before it goes anywhere.

Ask as many people as you can to read your work, and not all artists. Remember, people buying your work will probably not be artists. Watch their faces. Are they smiling? frowning? looking confused? excited?

Don’t be afraid to ask. Take criticism graciously. Re-write if necessary.

6. Create more opportunities

Now that you have your artist statement done, you can stretch out your effort for different applications.

Think of it as a cover letter. Different jobs (or opportunities), need different highlights. At this point it is easy to edit, emphasizing different aspects of your work, and shorten or lengthen for more applications. Revise, or delete a snippet and add your highlight.

If you’re providing a statement for a public gallery space you want to keep language conversational and simple. For a print studio, add your interest in old world etching. If you’re applying at a university, emphasize more academic language, etc.

So you can see now how far this bit of work will take you.

Good luck to you…and enjoy!