For most artists I know writing their Artist’s Statement can be extremely painful. This article offers you the basic important guidelines and makes it quick and easy for you. I encourage you to follow these suggestions when writing your artist’s statement. If you want more useful information, I offer links to related articles at the end of this article.
This article includes some excerpts from Art Reviews I have provided for artists. I love writing about art and artists and offer writing services that include promotion. Please visit this page to learn about my writing services.
Here are 5 Principal Guidelines to remember when writing your artist’s statement. They are: Show Your PERSONALITY; Share Your PASSION; Tell Us About Your PROCESS; Emphasize Your POWER; and Declare Your PURPOSE.
1. Show Your PERSONALITY
“The most seductive thing about art is the personality of the artist himself.” ~ Paul Cezanne
Are you a poet like Matisse or a deep spiritual thinker like Kandinsky and Rothko? Perhaps you’re an optimist who wants to share the beauty that exists in the universe or your creativity comes alive when you hear music or practice a specific ritual.
Your personality and personal beliefs fuel your artistic expression and help to make you unique as an artist. Show us how they are reflected in your art.
Corina Ioana is a contemporary artist who was born in Transylvania, Romania and currently lives in California. Her personality shines brightly through her art.
In an Art Review for her I wrote “Endowed with fearless bravado and versatility she conveys a vision of the miraculous natural world and human aspirations and their interconnections. She combines her emotive use of color and multi-faceted skills in photography and digital art that include drawing and painting.”
Whe describing her art I wrote, “Corina’s empowering ‘Femme Fatale’ series is a bold expression of the spirited female subject entwined with floral forms. The compositions are fluid, graceful and harmonious. Her use of vibrant shades of red and purple against black and grey emote passion and intensity. The facial features emerge triumphantly with an unbridled feminine sensuality. In this captivating, symbolic series we sense attributes of strength and resilience achieved by overcoming life’s challenges.”
2. Share Your PASSION
To me, there are few things more appealing about an artist than their enthusiasm and passion for what they do. When we read an artist’s statement that exudes their excitement and commitment for creating art, we become captivated by it and want to know more. Passion is infectious and builds art fans.
Are you a world traveler who captures that interest in your artwork? Maybe you’re compassion for animals has led you to pursue those subjects. Does your love for nature inspire you? Do you have an undying interest in expressing spirituality in your art? By all means share your passion!
Dr. Michael Durst is an artistic messenger of elation, hope, and wellbeing. His passion cannot be ignored.
In an art review for him I wrote “He combines his masterful skills in color with his proficiency for conveying his love for humanity, nature, and all living creatures. These admirable artistic and personal attributes lay the foundation for his visionary imagination to flourish. Michael’s capacity to express the healing power of art shines through his paintings.”
I added, “As we enter Michael’s resplendent world of “Heartscape Paintings” we encounter a unique and diverse range of awe-inspiring subjects — from landscapes, wildlife, figures and portraits to abstractions. His dreamlike perspective and deft use of symbolism and metaphysical elements such as sacred geometry reveal a profound insight into the states of consciousness.”
As an artist you must master your craft and then transcend it: Stop thinking about what others have taught you. Let go of your crutches and fly solo. When you let your unique vision soar you lift the world with you.
3. Tell Us About Your PROCESS
We all want to know how you create the art you do. Don’t forget this information is important to tell us about when discussing your art. Share something about your process and approach that makes your creative direction unique. For example, it might be as simple as how you use your materials and tools.
Steevie Jane Parks creates awe-inspiring, multi-layered abstract paintings. Her creative process is cohesive and powerful.
In an Art Review I wrote for her I explained “She is highly proficient in applying the dynamics of color theory and integrates a range of hues with organic and curvilinear elements. Her art combines her many artistic skills with intuition and engages viewers visually and viscerally.”
I included this information: “Steevie deftly composes varying shapes and forms that evoke spontaneity and sensations of continuity, harmony, and infinite possibilities. She arouses feelings of interconnectedness through rhythmic undulations and circular motifs. Her use of overlapping spatial planes envelop both the microcosm and macrocosm. Tactile brushwork further increases depth and dimension.
I also emphased, “The artist’s background in Clinical Psychology contributes to her profound insight into the science of color and the healing potential it has on our minds and emotions.”
4. Emphasize Your POWER
You may take for granted the technical and creative skills you have acquired and mastered. Don’t be shy about these achievements that infuse or complement your creative talents.
Have you mastered Renaissance painting techniques? Are you a skilled metalsmith? Did you also receive a degree in horticulture or psychology? Does your knowledge of feng shui play a role in your art? Are you also an expert sailor who captures the beauty of the sea? Let us know.
Susan Jarecky is a Contemporary Impressionist whose artistic skills are abundantly clear.
In an Art Review about her art I wrote, “Susan has an extensive range of aesthetic prowess. She is a masterful en plein air painter which she pairs with copious amounts of studio practice, and photography and her expertise in drawing and design. She is proficient in a variety of mediums including oil, acrylic, watercolor and mixed media.”
About her wealth of creative acumen I emphasized, “Susan applies expressive brushstrokes that enliven her paintings with tactile exuberance and bring an eloquent flow to her compositions. With a superior color palette she captures the range of light and shadow as it changes throughout the day and the seasons.”
5. Define Your PURPOSE
Is your purpose to educate others, inspire the viewer, arouse introspection, bring a sense of healing or feelings of unity? Or perhaps you wish to bring precious gifts to your viewer in the form of humor, joy, or tranquility. Maybe, your purpose through art is to raise awareness about something you strongly believe in such as using recycled materials that are destined for landfills.
Whatever your purpose is, declare it with certainty and clarity. Let it shine and reverberate when writing your artist’s statement.
Luba Shapiro Grenader is an artist with a strong sense of purpose who uses recycled materials.
When writing her Art Review I stated, “Luba Shapiro Grenader conveys profound insight into human psychology through her visceral, thought-provoking 3-d series titled ‘Soul Weavings: Transcending Through Deconstruction and Renewal’. She communicates a myriad of complex truths about human existence.”
I emphasized, “Luba integrates original drawings and paintings with ‘found’ materials to produce her poignant 3-d works of art. With skillful innovation and poetic sensibility Luba conjoins traditional and unconventional materials culled from diverse sources. In Luba’s narrative art we view an expansive range of personal, spiritual and universal concerns that encompass relationships with our bodies and minds to interactions with the natural world and more.”
Finally, I added this: “Luba summons much needed introspection and challenges us to confront important issues about the human condition, the environment, our beliefs about our place in the world, and more.”
Always Share Your Unique Voice
Your experiences, education, and idiosyncrasies form your persona and influence the type of art you create. I encourage you to dig deep and discover where your origins have impacted your artistic style and your source of creativity and then simply invite your readers into your world where you can share your ideas and feelings.
Thank you for all the great information Renee!
Your love of Art and Artist is inspiring!
Thank you very much Kimberly for stopping by and reading my article. I wish you a blissful holiday season and the best of success in 2025!
I always dread the artist statement. I’ll try it for the nth time using your “p’s” . Easier to paint than to talk about it.
Bill, your art and your artist’s statement look great to me!
Thank you Renee. Alot of useful and insightful advice which I will apply to my artist statement and newsletter as well.
Thank you for your continuing support to artists.
Andrea, I’m delighted this article was helpful to you. Let me know when you revise your Artist’s Statement. I look forward to reading it. Best wishes!
Thanks, Renee, one can and should always try to improve one’s artistic statement. This is an excellent article.
Over time, an artist evolves along with his or her art ,and Passions, Personality, Purpose and Process may also change. Sources of inspiration and even mediums may also change. I try to celebrate and welcome these changes. Thank you for your insight.
Elaine, Thank you. You made an excellent point. And, you and your art have evolved beautifully!
Thanks Renèe, very insightful suggestions!
Dear Trixie, I’m glad you enjoyed the article.