• Home
  • About Renee
  • Writing Services for Artists
  • Articles
  • Interviews
  • Resources for Artists

RENEE PHILLIPS - MENTOR FOR ARTISTS

Helping Artists Achieve Their Fullest Potential

Ask Renee to Write About Your Art

You are here: Home / Articles / The Important Differences Between Your Artist’s Biography and Your Artist’s Statement and How to Write Them

The Important Differences Between Your Artist’s Biography and Your Artist’s Statement and How to Write Them

By Renee Phillips 4 Comments

On a daily basis I have the pleasure of visiting dozens of artists’ websites, either as part of my curatorial process for a new exhibition or in preparation for my writing services when artists are seeking feedback about their art. Suffice to say, I have read a diverse array of Artist’s Biographies and Artist’s Statements, ranging from excellent to those that are written incorrectly.

Many artists make courageous attempts to writing them; however it seems they may be confused about what they are and how they differ. For those reasons I felt compelled to write this article that explains the important differences between your Artist’s Biography and your Artist’s Statement.

You also find links to several articles that will help you write them properly and avoid mistakes. You’ll find out about my writing services.

What is Your Artist’s Biography?

Jean Honoré Fragonard, Young Girl Reading, c. 1769, oil on canvas, 31.9" x 25.5". National Gallery of Art. Photo: Public Domain via wikipedia.org.
Jean Honoré Fragonard, Young Girl Reading, c. 1769, oil on canvas, 31.9″ x 25.5″. National Gallery of Art. Photo: Public Domain via wikipedia.org.

* When selling and promoting your art your Artist’s Biography provides prospective buyers, gallery owners, curators, grant givers and writers knowledge about you. They want to know about your career accomplishments before they decide to invest in your art and/or grant your request.

* Your Artist’s Biography is essential for you as a professional artist and must be written with the highest degree of care and attention.

*It serves to provide the reader with background information about you as an artist and learn about your career credentials.

*Your Artist’s Biography contains much of the same information as a résumé, however, unlike a résumé or CV which is arranged in a listing format your Artist’s Biography is written in an editorial style format.

* Your Artist’s Biography contains a brief description of who you are, where you live, and includes the most important achievements in your career.

*Briefly stated, your Artist’s Biography is text written in the third person (she, he).

*There are many uses for your Artist’s Biography which is why it is important to write it the best way you can. You can use it to promote your art on your website and blog on your “About the Artist” page. You will find it useful when creating your profile on your social media platforms. It will serve as information in your cover letter to a gallery or other art official. Last, but not least, you will need it most often when applying to a juried exhibition or submitting a grant application, among many other professional uses.

artist's bio


What is Your Artist’s Statement?

*Your Artist’s Statement is text written in the first person (I, my).

*Your Artist’s Statement describes your artwork, your goal/intention as an artist, and your source(s) of inspiration.

*An artist’s statement aims to describe, inform, connect with an art context, and present the basis for your artwork.

*The many benefits to having a well-written Artist’s Statement include providing you with the opportunity to share your creative process and inspiration and communicate how you produce your art in your chosen medium.

*Your Artist’s Statement will serve as a useful tool on its own, and it will also enhance your verbal communication about your art.

*As you grow your art career, your Artist’s Statement will provide you with a clear direction when you are creating your art.

*Your Artist’s Statement will help you explain your work to a dealer, grant giver, writer, and prospective buyer.

Why do you need an Artist’s Statement?

An Artist’s Statement is often a requirement when applying for a grant, submitting your art to a gallery, supplying materials for an upcoming one-person exhibition or an article or interview with a member of the press, etc.

On a practical level, your Artist’s Statement helps you sell more art. Selling requires reaching out to and connecting with prospective buyers. As your viewers learn more about you by reading your Artist’s Statement they will become more engaged with you and your work and their desire to purchase it will grow. Read How to Write Your Artist’s Statement


Need Help?
Find out about my Writing Services for Artists


 

Filed Under: Articles, Featured Articles, Resources Tagged With: advice for artists, art business advice, art career advice, art career success, art marketing advice, art writing advice, artist's biography, artist's statement, writing services for artists

Find out about Renee’s Writing Services for Artists

About Renee Phillips

Renée Phillips is a mentor and advocate for artists helping them achieve their fullest potential. She provides career advice, writing services, and promotion for artists from beginners to advanced. She organizes online exhibitions as Director/Curator of Manhattan Arts International www.ManhattanArts.com and Founder of The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS www.healing-power-of-art.org. As an arts' advocate she has served on the advisory boards of several non-profit arts organizations. She lives in New York, NY.

Comments

  1. David Cleofas Avila says

    02/14 at 4:19 pm

    Renee,
    Your passion for art and artists is commendable. I am combining my music writing, and art into one site and will be in contact once I have my page back up. Thank you for shining your light.
    Sincerely,
    David

    Reply
    • Renee Phillips says

      03/02 at 3:42 pm

      Thank you David for your kind words. Best wishes to you for creative bliss in both music and visual art.

      Reply
  2. Maria says

    12/30 at 8:22 pm

    Very informative simple and clear ! I liked your article !

    Reply
  3. Mary says

    11/04 at 2:41 pm

    Renee you are an angel. I cannot thank you enough for this article and all that you do for us artists to help us succeed in our art careers. This article came at the perfect time as I was preparing my application for an important grant. With your enormous help and the jam-packed information that you share with us I am confident my Artist’s Biography and Artist’s Statement will be written correctly. I will contact you when my website is finished and will set up a consultation. Thank you!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Welcome!

My purpose is to help artists achieve their fullest potential. On this website I share decades of knowledge and experience as an art writer and artist career coach.

I am also the Director of Manhattan Arts International and The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS where I maintain online galleries and curate exhibitions.

You'll find those links below.

MANHATTAN ARTS INTERNATIONAL

Manhattan Arts International website

As the Founder, Director and Curator of Manhattan Arts International I maintain online galleries and curate exhibitions.

Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS Gallery

The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS website resources

I am the Founder, Director and Curator of The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS.

The website features an online gallery, exhibitions, and hundreds of articles and art reviews.

The mission is based on the belief that artists have the power to bring positive change to individuals, society and the environment.

Follow Me on Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Ask Me to Write an Art Review

Praise for Art Reviews by Renee Phillips

Find out about how to apply to have me write an Art Review for you that you can use for your promotion and marketing purposes.

The art review will be published on The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS website. It will be promoted widely in social media.

Simply tap or click on the photo above to learn all about it.

More Suggested Reading

Scams Aimed at Artists

Artists Beware of Sammers on The Rise! If you are promoting yourself as an artist, have an email address … [Read More...]

Beware of Vanity Galleries

It is A Pay to Play Game In Which Artists Have Much to Lose This article offers advice that is useful when … [Read More...]

The Truth About Fine Art Agents

Let's Dispel Some Myths and Make Way for New Options Every week at least one artist will ask me how and … [Read More...]

Are Your Art Materials Making You Sick?

As an artist it's wonderful to imagine the treasure trove of art materials to choose from to create your … [Read More...]

Where to Find Art Buyers and Meet Collectors

Where and how to find art buyers requires a combination of knowledge, strategy and persistence. However, there … [Read More...]

A Positive Future for Maturing Artists

Steps to Take to Restore Optimism and Bring Peace of Mind The artists I have coached over the years come from … [Read More...]

How to Avoid Getting Rejected in Art Competitions & Mistakes Artists Make

Has your art ever been rejected in a juried art competition? Were you confused because after seeing the … [Read More...]

What Really Is Self-Taught Art and What Does It Mean to Be A Self-Taught Artist?

Definitions, Historical Facts and Artists in This Genre As I'm sure you know by now I write a lot of art … [Read More...]

22 Questions for Artists to Ask Galleries

Exhibiting in a gallery requires an investment of your time and energy on your part. So, before you ask any … [Read More...]

Do You Think Titles of Art Matter?

This Question Has Attracted Many Different Replies Shakespeare quipped "A rose by any other name would smell … [Read More...]

Organizations That Advance The Status of Women Artists

Organizations that serve and advance the status of women artists are essential and cherished resources. They … [Read More...]

How to Approach New York Art Galleries and Any Desired Gallery

Most artists from around the world want to be exhibited in New York Art Galleries. However, many of you are … [Read More...]

Sell Your Art To Interior Designers and Corporate Art Consultants

Professional Organizations and More Resources with Thousands of Leads You can expand your art sales by … [Read More...]

10 Best Selling Tips For Artists

If you visit the hundreds of articles I've written for you on this website you'll probably find thousands of … [Read More...]

Art and Artist’s Statements – Quotes by Famous Artists

If you're like most artists I know, the task of writing your Artist's Statement feels like torture. You may … [Read More...]

The Basics of Public Relations For Artists

An artist recently asked me "Why is it that some artists' careers rise to stardom while other artists, who are … [Read More...]

What to Do When You Receive Publicity As An Artist – 15 Steps to Take

15 Important Steps to Take Immediately After Learning You Are in an Article, Received an Award, Were Selected … [Read More...]

Selling Your Art to Corporations

Imagine your art on permanent display in a lobby or conference room of a corporation. Getting your art into … [Read More...]

Topic Ideas For Your Art Blog Posts

Whenever an artist client asks me how they can drive more traffic to their website (after they have created a … [Read More...]

My Love-Hate Relationship As A Juror / Curator

This is a true confession to you about my love-hate relationship as a juror / curator. During my art career I … [Read More...]

Our Privacy Policy

Click here to read our Privacy Policy.

Writing Services for Artists

My specialty is writing "Praise Quotes" -- Art Statements for artists to use for promotion and longer Art Reviews which I publish and provide promotional services. I alsowrite Artist's Biographies. Many artists struggle when they have to write about their career and their art. Artists use my writing on their websites, social media profiles, … More...

Copyright © 2014 -2025
Renee Phillips
Manhattan Arts International
200 East 72 Street, New York, NY 10021
renee@manhattanarts.com

Copyright © 2025 · Magazine Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in