For most artists I know writing their Artist’s Statement can be extremely painful. This article offers you the basic important principles and makes it quick and easy for you. I encourage you to follow the 5 Ps when writing your artist’s statement. If you want more useful information, I offer links to related articles at the end of this article.
Here are the 5 “P” 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
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.
Get Inspired by Quotes by Pierre Matisse about Creativity
“Creativity takes courage”.
“It is my dream to create an art which is filled with balance, purity and calmness, freed from a subject matter that is disconcerting or too attention-seeking. In my paintings, I wish to create a spiritual remedy, similar to a comfortable armchair which provides rest from physical expectation for the spiritually working, the businessman as well as the artist.”
“The artists must see all things as if he were seeing them for the first time. All his life he must see as he did when he was a child.”
“Nothing can be accomplished without love. Love wants to rise, not to be held down by anything base… Derive happiness from yourself, from a good day’s work, from the clearing that it makes in the fog that surrounds us.”
Peter N. Van Giesen (peternvangiesen.com) creates paintings inspired by the natural beauty of British Columbia where he resides. He tells us, “My art is the result of sporadic surges of energy that percolate into my consciousness. I attempt to explore the dynamics of tension and elasticity, the interplay of light and darkness, the interconnected energy of the perpetual motion of the natural world.” For him, “creating artwork energizes me as it is a spiritual, mystical process, a gift to be shared.”
Peter earned degrees in Psychology and Religion. During his diverse business career he created art when time and place permitted. In 2011 he committed most of his energy to creating visual artworks that evoke his profound philosophy.
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!
Andrea Robinson (andrearobinson.co.nz) creates art that highlights nature’s beauty. Exploring the relationship between nature and the human world, Andrea connects viewers through thoughtful, imaginative, playful paintings. Using symbolism, humor, and irony, her whimsical depictions delight and inform viewers on narratives about the impacts humans have made on the environment.
She believes art can serve as a catalyst for change, encouraging positive action, protection, and advocacy.
Andrea states, “Creating artwork is as important to me as the air that I breathe. I love celebrating nature and paint our natural environment to inspire and uplift viewers. I also use art to raise awareness of environmental issues. Some of my artworks are based on what I see in the natural environment, and some are from my imagination. As an environmental artist my aim is to work in harmony with the natural environment as much as I can. I only use good quality materials. I use thick canvases and papers and museum grade paints which are durable, long-lasting and more sustainable.”
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.
Nancy Reyner (nancyreyner.com), is the epitome of a well-balanced consummate professional as a painter, author and instructor. She has been painting for over 30 years and is highly skilled in a variety of media including oil, acrylic, watercolor and mixed media.
She states, “I start with materials that excite me, like gold leaf, and reflective pigments. I then work the paintings until the images seem to glow, and the materials appear to transform into something else, something otherworldly. Using nature as a guiding principle, my images portray luminous notions of air, water, earth and light”
Nancy adds, “Creating imaginary new worlds, merging the literal and the metaphorical, my paintings hover somewhere between pure abstraction and realistic landscape.”
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.
Nanette Fluhr (nanettefluhr.com) is known for her museum quality portraits and other fine art. She received a top award in one of the Manhattan Arts International annual “HerStory” exhibitions.
Nanette states, “Representational portraiture is my life’s pursuit. It is the challenge of capturing a faithful likeness of my sitter, which I firmly believe must include the articulation of each subject’s persona, that I find most compelling. I approach each painting as an opportunity to try to discover the truth of an individual’s essence.”
She explains, “I draw my inspiration from the Old Masters such as Rembrandt, Ingres, Bouguereau, and from Sargent and Le Brun. Guided by their principles handed down to me by my mentor John Frederick Murray, I aspire to the high standards that these Masters established. As a side light, I have become a noted copyist at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in an effort to study them with the depth and focus they deserve.”
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.
Whatever your purpose is, declare it with certainty and clarity. Let it shine and reverberate when writing your artist’s statement.
For example, an artist who is very clear about her sense of purpose as an artist is Valerie Patterson (valeriepatterson.com). She states, “I strive to give voice to difficult social and political subjects in an attempt to encourage thought, emotion and dialogue. My work is a continuing search for deep understanding of the human condition – fascinating in its capacity for great kindness and mercy yet also great malevolence.”
Valerie shares her inspiration and purpose: “Once I realized the tremendous power that images can have to make people comfortable or uncomfortable, happy or sad, settled or unsettled, I knew I had a voice. I decided to use my voice to encourage people to see, think and feel – something not always valued in our culture. Awareness replaces ignorance and opens up the possibility of change. If you can’t ignore it, then you may feel compelled to change it. I don’t recall any one thing prompting that decision. Just a strong need to communicate and share ideas and emotions.”
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.
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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.