Helping Artists Learn How to Write it Right

One of my missions as an artist mentor, promoter, and career coach is in helping artists learn how to write their Artist’s Statement, Artist’s Biography, Art Blog and Elevator Speech. When tackling any of these important documents your goal should be to achieve the most professional results possible. This article is all about helping artists learn to write it right.

In this post, you’ll find a composite of these writing challenges. You’ll also find links to other articles I’ve written on the subjects that provide more in-depth information. So enjoy the tips offered here and dig into them further at your leisure.

The Artist’s Statement

Most artists dread writing their Artist’s Statement and love to quote Edward Hopper who said, “If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint.” But, I think his point refers to choosing to be an artist as opposed to a writer of novels or poetry. It does not eliminate your need to be able to communicate to a person why you became an artist and what inspires you. People want to know.

The first tip to writing your Artist’s Statement is to find your own voice and not copy that of another artist. You also want to describe your medium and your style and explain how your work develops and evolves during the creative process. Customize your Artist’s Statement for the individual(s) and/or audience that will be reading it. For example, an Artist’s Statement that you write to a grant foundation will be more complex than the one you post on your website to a general audience. The one you write for an editor of a art magazine will be different than the one you send to a general readership newspaper.

You’ll find 28 tips and guidelines to help you in “How to Write Your Artist’s Statement”

I also write Art Reviews for artists that help them write their Artist’s Statements. Find out about my Writing Services for Artists.

Fun Exercises To Help You With Your Writing

There are some powerful exercises, tools and brainstorming strategies used by creative individuals as well as innovative CEOs of major corporations. So, why not give them a try?

One of them is “freewriting” is the process of spontaneously or automatically writing without any hesitation. Another useful tool is “mind-mapping”. Using arrows or dotted lines, you can connect that main idea to other relevant ideas that answer the “how” and “why” based on the central idea. Visualize this as branches and sub-branches of a tree.

If you want to make writing more enjoyable read this article “Fun Techniques to Help Your Write Your Artist’s Statement”

Your Artist’s Biography

Your Artist’s Biography is another document that is necessary. It informs potential buyers and art professionals what makes you unique as an artist and the accomplishments you have achieved in your art career. Your Artist’s Biography tells readers about the journey you took to get to where you are now as an artist.

Whether you’re a professional artist or on your way to becoming one, you will approach prospective buyers, gallery owners, curators, grant givers and writers. They will undoubtedly request your Artist’s Biography. How its written will influence if they want to invest time and effort in promoting you, funding your art project, writing about you, or exhibiting or buying your art.

A few of the questions your Artist’s Biography will answer are:
* What are the unique attributes of your art?
* When, where, and/or why did you begin to take interest in art?
* Did you study art in school, or were you self-taught?
* Have you had any exhibitions or won any awards?

You’ll find step-by-step what to include in this article “How to Write Your Artist’s Biography”

Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Your Artist’s Biography

I want you to achieve your fullest potential as an artist. In this article, I provide some of the mistakes to avoid when writing your artist’s biography. So, before you begin your writing project make sure you don’t make the most common mistakes. Read Mistakes To Avoid When Writing Your Artist’s Biography.

Read Samples of Artist’s Biographies

It may help you to read examples of other Artist’s Biographies to get ideas. Visit this page to see several examples: writing-services-artists/writing-samples

Writing Your Art Blog Posts

An art blog is one of those essential website components. As a powerful promotional tool, it helps artists get the attention of prospective art buyers and promotes engagement. I like sharing simple ways to get tasks done, so in this article I provide you with information about how to pick subjects, select the tools, begin the process, think about your reader, how to manage your content and more.

I recommend a few days before your posting date, plant the seed in your mind about the kind of post you want to write. Then allow your subconscious to generate a flow of subjects. Some of the best ideas  may come to you when you aren’t trying too hard — when you’re working in your studio, communing with nature, taking a shower or in your dreams. Excellent ideas for blog topics can come from your collection of favorite artists’ quotes and art books. Write the ideas as they come to you in a journal.

If you want to learn more about this subject read “Simple Steps to Writing Art Blog Posts”.

If you want to read why I think it’s important to have one read my article “The Benefits of Having An Art Blog”. https://renee-phillips.com/12-reasons-need-art-blog/

Crafting Your Elevator Speech

Your elevator speech, which is also referred to as an elevator pitch, is a brief description of you and your artwork. It’s the reply you give when someone says, “Tell me about yourself.”  It’s a verbal form of description that takes roughly 30 seconds.

You don’t want to be found off guard when someone asks you What kind of art do you make?” Before you speak, think about what you want the person to remember most about you. Communicate with clarity, confidence, brevity and poise. Include something you’re most proud of in your speech. Express the benefits of your artwork.

For more advice and tips read How to Craft Your Elevator Speech As An Artist how-to-craft-your-elevator-speech-as-an-artist

Need Help? Learn About My Writing Services for Artists