An Artist and an Art Career

An Artist and an Art Career

The Artist Statement is a thoughtful look at what you, as an artist, create.

The NOs

It is as important, when it comes to an Artist Statement; to talk about what it is not, as it is to talk about what it is. It is not a statement of philosophy. That is a completely different document and intended for a different purpose. It is also not a biographical

document. It is not a wish, or a goal, nor what is being ‘tried’ that is special. It is not a resume. It does not include your success in even impressive juried art exhibitions nor societies or prizes. It should not be flowery, or boastful, or negative.

The YESes

1. It should be exciting and interesting to read, and its language should be as evocative, as visual as the artwork. The statement can and should change as the work evolves, and it should also change as required for the purpose of the statement.

QUESTIONS/ANSWERS

1. These might give you a jumping off point when you start writing:

What kind of art is it?

Why is the artwork done the way that it is being done?

What was the inspiration?

What was the basic premise?

What ideas precipitated the art?

Was this the only way to express it?

Was the method selected out of other choices?

Why was the media used the one selected to express the ideas?

What kinds of techniques make the artwork different and special?

Is the technique new or traditional?

Is the work thematic?

Is it a series?

Are there other artists whose work inspired it and why?

Where did the ideas come from?

What makes the work original, different, unique?

What is the content of the artwork?

Why did this direction in the artwork evolve to where it is now?

A POLISHED LITTLE GEM

How long should a statement be? Perhaps one paragraph but not more than two would be all that would be required. Keep it positive, confident and upbeat. Get others to read the statement and make editing suggestions. True happiness is an Artist Statement that is a work of art in itself.

Valerie Kent, B.F.A.,B.Ed.,M.F.A. is an established artist who facilitates workshops and tours to Europe for artists, photographers and others. She speaks on the Business of Art and the Art of Business to artists' groups and at conferences and she teaches watercolours, acrylics and oil painting at colleges and art schools.www.valeriekent.com artistvalerie@yahoo.ca