Artist Statements, How Important Are They? - Share Yours & Discuss

I enjoy painting both plein air, as well as in the studio, but creating the best art I can, regardless of where I do it, remains my primary goal. My primary hope is that the joy and inspiration that I experience while creating a piece of art is shared by my audience and collectors through the work itself.

The above is what I have, over the years, condensed down from a more "wordy" and longer statement.

Like art, I think the artist statement should be condensed down to the essence of what the artist has to say.

Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

I like that yours is short and to the point, Bill. I think mine is somewhat redundant and still needs some more editing to keep the reader interested to the end.

Editing is usually a good thing but, that said, I've certainly read longer statements than yours, Jim.

Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

I struggle with writing my bio in a personal way (first person), rather than a professional blurb (third person). Right now I'm leaning on rewriting it in the third person perspective in order to be taken more seriously.

I do third person because I'm not selling the prints, Fine Art America is.

Also remember that an artist statement is not a bio.

I consider this article very informative when it comes to writing your Artist Statement.

http://www.artbusiness.com/artstate.html

Maybe I should have written a statement like THIS:

I am no more an artist than the next person. ... I am simply a person who picked up a brush one day, and tried my hand at painting. ... I got possessed. ... I went mad. ... One thing led to another. ... I, thus, became a visual "artist".

Obviously, I did not write this as my statement, and there is no need to copy here what I DID write, which you can read simply by clicking on my avatar. ... On my artist website, the sidebar blurb is different from what I placed under the "Info" tab, which is more of a short bio.

How important are artist statements?

ANSWER: Important enough to write one.

@TravelPics - that actually is a really good point. Yesterday I was reviewing other's bio's and have been slowly revising it.


I apologize if I confused "artist's statement" with bio. I only see an area for the biography - I'd like to know if that is something on your personal/paid FAA webpage?

@Chuck - thank you for the article!

Good article, chuck, thanks....the author validates what I came to realize a few weeks ago; that the statement should be written in the first person.

Robert, some of us are confidant about our statements and others of us are still figuring it out. The point of the thread is to read and compare and learn from each others statements as well as share what we have come to understand about their purpose and importance.

I tweak it when needed so here is what I have at present:

"Whenever I see people sharing goodness and hope with each other it makes me happy .... then I make a picture of it. Art is not a luxury, making the world smile one person at a time is my thing! I have spent my lifetime perfecting award-winning photography, to put an audience where my subject is .... [ Pictures People Listen To ]."

I keep it short and to the point to speak to the visitor and create value to them, or not ... they know from this short statement whether to look at images or move on.

I am quite confident in any words that I write. ... Otherwise, I would not write any words. ... I have toiled over artist statements and bios, ... changing them dozens of times over the years for various circumstances.

These things are good exercises. ... Readers of them have nowhere near the investments in them as the writers of them. ... But that's okay. ... They are still good exercises for the writer, and good diversions for the reader. ... Artist statements can set subtle tones of mind, ... adding a tasty coating to the rich cake underneath.

it really depends what it says, but think they are important to a degree. i use to get listed in google better and i think people find me that way. i try to get to the point of what i sell. though right now there is a poem that bumps it down a bit.

i never liked the third person, because no one seems to know how to describe themselves without either boasting, listing stupid things or repeating their name over and over again. since the message there, coupled with your face is the first thing people see, it should be to the point.

it should not list your medical history, your growing collection of cats, your history growing up, that you just got into art, that people pressured you into selling, listing things you don't sell, or begging for sales. i've seen all of those. from when they were age 3 to age 87. a whole boring saga of stuff no one needed to know about.


---Mike Savad
http://www.MikeSavad.com

Frank, I would definitely be interested in looking at your work after reading that.

Robert, I really like, your summary,"... Artist statements can set subtle tones of mind, ... adding a tasty coating to the rich cake underneath."

Mike you make a fine Grinch. I'm green with envy.

My present Artist's Statement, edited and ready for another edit!


I have chosen photography as the preferred medium for my artwork because it is a very versatile medium that can be used as Fine Art, Photojournalism and Family Documentation.

Land or seascapes, plants and animals are my main subjects and inspiration but recently I have embraced the creativity of producing abstract images from my photographs.

The future promises to be exciting and challenging with more choices in technology being introduced into the art world.

Kathy K. McClellan
http://keppenart.com

Artist statements are only important when a person needs something to read between servings of wine and cheese at a gallery.

Tony, what you say may or may not be true, but most galleries insist their artists have one. The same is true for juried competitions - got to have an artist statement.

Very interesting topic, Jim.......I'd say there's no hard/fast rule, though Galleries do require a statement from the Artist.

I have chosen to be succinct, and insightful about myself, not my style/artworks.............Agree with Tony.......verbiage is such a turnoff to visitors who couldn't care less about us,
here on POD.
Different venue/audience than Gallery shows, to which one goes to purposely 'meet the artist' in depth.

So, here is mine...........and though you call this subject Artist Statement, the fact is, it appears in our Bio column, as a Bio.

*********************************************************

About VIVA Anderson

Welcome, from Sydney,Australia.
These are some of my life's artworks.
Art is my raison d'être.
Thank you for your interest.
My BIO reveals my soul.
My ART reveals my heart.

*********************************************************

IF a visitor wants to know more about me, I have then included separately, the quotes spoken to me by my peers.......a rather good way to not praise oneself, lol. (with thanks to my peers).


./...

Probably when you're paying less for an art print than you are for your cell phone, "Who the artist is" may not be very important.

Back when there were no ink jet printers and a large piece of art was either an original or a serigraph, and cost thousand of dollars for either, you really wanted to know all about the person who was eventually collecting your money.

I know that I snipped every piece of information that I came across if it regarded my artist at the time.

And the greatest moment was when I got to see him in person and shake his hand.

I think artist staements are important for some customers so a good write that is to the point is important. Glad you asked so I redid mine today and here it is
Anne
I am a retired registered nurse. I lived in Amesbury, Ma and recently moved to Viera Florida. I work primarily with acrylics. I enjoy creating paintings from vintage postcards and extensive photos taken on trips around the United States and Europe.
My approach often includes use of a watercolor technique using acrylics to bring light and transparency. My recent commissioned work is appreciated for its realism and colorful renderings.
I enjoy teaching acrylic art classes and I am a member of the Central Brevard Art Association in Florida.
Some of my art can be seen at Blue Wave Art Gallery in Amesbury, Ma.
I do custom work on request, email me at sandsannem@gmail.com
All images are protected under copyright law.

viva I like how well you defined yourself! Short to the point.

@ Jim Whalen

"The same is true for juried competitions - got to have an artist statement."

Well, I certainly agree that you need one even if it serves as filler. It's more rather like the frame around a painting.

For me, personally, I have been reluctant to even have work juried in some national exhibits because they don't require one. Seems odd to me that a juror would, minimally, not want to know the artists intent.

I just wonder on a site such as this when the buyer is enamored by aesthetics whether or not the statement (or lack thereof) has ever been cited to be the catalyst for a loss of sale.

Vivian…Gloriously succinct!

VIVA and Tony. I think an artist statement on FAA is not that important. However as a painter who does this POD, galleries and juried competitions, I was speaking to the broader use of the artist statement, not just here at FAA.

I consider my statement to be a work in progress and this discussion is giving me food for thought how I can improve it. I hope that it is also helpful for others.

I don't disagree Jim. And I would add that a statement should and needs to be tailored for each prospective show when submitting to national or regional events.

Merci, Tony.........I will put your thoughts in print, into my special hand-hewn beautifully carved lovely desk adornment, still cherished..................

I have been using this one for years, not sure how I could improve it, thank :)!

"I seek balance in simplicity of expression to bring peace and foster creative thought in a wide variety of subjects including oil, watercolor, mixed media and photography. To focus on a single element is to meditate on one's own being, through the interpretation of the element.

Now, I look at my work and I see the inspiration of the beauty in nature throughout, crossing all boundaries, all cultures. Our world is becoming more integrated and through technology, we are able to share information from different countries, languages, points of view. But the medium of art, like nature, requires no other language to communicate to the viewers, to evoke reaction - emotion, epiphany - in its observation. An artistic creation speaks a universal language. "

Thanks Jim.
Rightfully or wrongfully I've stated this:-
"A Photoshop aficianado with a penchant for the surreal, the fantastically bizarre, science fiction, science, the past, the future, and the natural world.
I have always been into art, especially Surrealism, Dadaism, Sci Fi, Pop Art, Gothic imagery and Fine Art Photography but never created it myself (other than calligraphy) until I bought Photoshop 3 back in the 90s.
Use Photoshop CS6, ZBrush, & Artmatic Voyager."

Cheers.

Mine combines elements of both a statement and a bio. This makes it a bit long, although people do tend to read it:


Welcome to my website. I hope you enjoy the images here. They were made over a period of many years, although most are recent. They represent a number of photographic disciplines, as well as some which are most akin to painting.

A graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in photography, my philosophy of image-making revolves around seeing the ordinary in new and unique ways; as well as producing images of the highest possible visual quality.

Having spent many years as a commercial photographer, specializing in catalog, advertising and promotional photography (followed by burnout, followed by not picking up a camera for over ten years), I developed a high standard of visual quality and a deep understanding of the interaction of light and surface, color and tone. I've also taught photography at the university level.

As a rule, I try to avoid the 'typical' treatments and subjects so common to art photography, both in and out of the studio. Having said that, however, you'll quickly notice that my subjects are frequently commonplace objects, presented in ways I hope are both interesting and distinctive.

Some of my favorite subjects are often 'hidden in plain sight;' things which we often see but fail to notice. There are also those which suggest something other than what they are or stimulate insight, wonder, or memory.

I believe that no matter what the subject may be, the image should incorporate beauty and technical fluency. It should be more than just something to look at for a few seconds. It should be compelling and foster investigation. I don't want the viewer to ask 'How did he do that'? I prefer that the craft remain invisible. For me, the camera, lens and post-processing should not be evident in the image; only the soul of the subject.

I truly enjoy reading artist statements (even the ones that make my eyes cross!) so I'm really enjoying reading this thread. I think every artist should write a Statement, even if only for themselves. Contemplating your own work and motivations can be a real eye-opener!

When I was doing a constant stream of real-world shows and exhibits, I realized that many venues actually require an artist statement -- which is different from a bio or CV. So, I had to learn to write one, and now write them for other creatives, too.

For a quick-assist with writing a statement - https://www.lightspacetime.com/newsletter/how-to-write-the-perfect-artist-statement/

Tons of practical help for writing a statement can be found at this link -- http://makingamark.blogspot.com/2009/02/marketing-art-how-to-write-artists.html
(That entire site is an amazing resource -- brimming with information and resources for any artist!)

Where allowed, I display my artist statement wherever my art is on display, and tweak the statement as circumstances require. I also include it (with URL and email address added) when I package and ship prints to non-POD clients.

Here's my current version:



Wendy J. St. Christopher
Artist Statement

“If a little dreaming is dangerous,
the cure for it is not to dream less
but to dream more --
to dream all the time!"
~ Marcel Proust (1871-1922)


Combining my love of photography with a passion for computer technology was like suddenly realizing I could fly!

My early efforts were in Photographic Art (photo-manipulation), as I learned to digitally enhance and alter my original photographs to create new and exciting images. Experimentation with various other types of digital work - fractals and other contemporary genres - quickly followed.

Using hi-tech hardware and progressive software techniques, I create images in a variety of formats and sizes, which are ultimately printed on paper, canvas, metal, textiles, and other specialty materials.

My portfolio ranges from photo-based landscapes, florals, and architectural pieces, to purely digital abstracts and kaleidoscopic images. Vivid color (sometimes, carefully considered black and white), bold shapes, visual texture, and an endless supply of imagination assist in telling my two-dimensional stories.

Much of my work is born from insomnia; chronic sleeplessness offers both time and inspiration for creating unique dreamscapes, which are even more satisfying in the bright light of day.

In dialogue with the viewer, my art readily shares a lifetime of experiences, ideas, and emotions.


"My dreams are always in color."
~ Wendy J. St. Christopher


-----------------

When printed, the title and quotations are centered. The quotes -- both directly related to my work -- are italicized. In print, this statement is about 1/2 a page long and takes a minute-ish to read (for average readers).

While it may seem wordy, especially as compared to some of the more succinct statements shared here, it's important to me that the statement sounds like me and gives a realistic, if brief, overview of my art -- especially to someone who is just becoming familiar with my work.

I think an Artist Statement is more about the art than the artist. I'm naturally gregarious, and need more than a few words to share even the most basic information about my work. (Though I'm capable of scaling w-a-y back when on elevators or in line at the grocery store. :-) )

I like to keep my statement jargon-free and Civilian-friendly. I always proofread it aloud, to be sure the words sound natural when leaving my mouth; then, I let the computer read it to me so I can catch any hidden problems. Finally, I read it in reverse order -- last paragraph first. That's a great way to spot missing or repeated words and other wth???-type issues.


@Jim, this post is long, I know. Details in the chilly pre-dawn hours - what can I say? :-)

EDIT to add -- Forgot to mention that opening and closing the Statement with my name is a deliberate (calculated?) choice.

Wendy, your post is not too long, just a lot of good info. Tthanks for sharing your statement and your wisdom; I would never have considered reading it in reverse order! And thanks for the great resource links.

Thanks and you're welcome, Jim. :-)

Reading aloud and in reverse order are old tricks from my ex-day job as proofreader. Over the years, what I learned on that job has proven to be priceless!

I have to agree that the statement that here it is less important and should be broader then if one was creating a statement for a gallery show. Here its not like a narrowed down, targeted portfolio. Often one is showing a huge breath of work, covering many years and many subjects.

With my statement the goal is to inform the potential buyer that they are buying from some who is serious about their work. I don't think many even read it. But its certainly not the same sort of statement I'd submit to a show.

Nice topic, Jim for an informative discussion. I realize that many may not read or consider our statements / bios, but I am also sure that many do and it may lead them to become a follower and collector of our individually created art.

With no formal education in the arts and no significant awards or publications, I have intended to make my statement appeal to members of the " Baby Boomer Generation ", people who love to travel, military veterans or those who choose to support them, dog lovers, cancer survivors or those who know someone with cancer, and to anyone who simply enjoys the beauty that can be found in our world.

"My love for photography began as a boy when I was taught the basics by my father. During a tour of duty with the U.S. Army in Vietnam, I purchased an expensive Nikon camera and dreamed of becoming a photographer when I returned home. A family of my own and a new career put that dream on hold, however I always enjoyed taking photographs. Several years ago, after surviving another kind of war with cancer, I began to really see the beauty in our world. Equipped with a new awareness of life and improved photographic vision, I am now able to find beautiful scenes almost everywhere I go. In 2006 I finally realized my dream from so long ago and began selling my art locally. Later in 2009, I established my online galleries here with Fine Art America. While continuing to travel, improve techniques, purchase new equipment and add to my ever-increasing inventory, my art has now been purchased by collectors in 48 of our 50 states plus 9 other countries. Although I am no longer a young man, my passion for this art form grows and I will continue to create and share my art with others for as long as possible. "

It is far from perfect or ideal, however it seems to have served me well so far during the last 6 years.

I'm enjoying this thread too.

Vivian, as usual, you top it off with the best statements. Congratulations to you. I immediately had that feeling of wanting to go to all your websites and enjoy the morning away, however, now I'm getting a bit late for work.

I will revisit this thread and read a lot of your bios later, thanks everyone.

Ok FAA peeps. I'm taking this discussion seriously and have come up with the following blurb (which is subject to critique and/or grammatical correction).

This is rather difficult for me as I'd rather make fun of myself (being a cornfed Wisconsinite).

But if the viewer really wants to know what's behind the photo, here it is.

"Images borne reveal the childlike enchantment of being drawn into a world of mystery."

Is that what we're looking for in a serious artist's statement?

Dawn, that one line doesn't tell me much about your art. Have you looked at the resources that Wendy shared earlier? I found this one to be extremely helpful: http://makingamark.blogspot.com/2009/02/marketing-art-how-to-write-artists.html

@Jim - I did, and read the above replies. The artist's statement is not the same as a bio.

On the one hand, I think that what was being discussed was how to condense your vision into a short statement. This is more or less what I did or at least attempted to do.

On the other hand, I'm thinking that the viewer is going to be attracted to the images rather than the statement.

I'm not married to the blurb, though at the moment it really sums up the vision I have as an artist (not "just" a photographer).

After reading the resources that Wendy shared and taking into consideration what everyone has posted, this is how I have tweeked my statement that I posted at the top of the discussion:

Jim Whalen
Artist Statement

I have been involved with visual arts all of my life; drawing inspiration for my paintings
from both the world around me and my inner spiritual life and express
it through color, line and form.

Whether I’m exploring nature, or man’s imprint upon it,
or human emotion or spirit, color is at the foundation of the metaphor.
Whether my work is representational or non-representational, I deconstruct a moment,
a place, or a feeling and recreate it in line, form and color.

"The essential thing, for me, is to offer a visual expression of those things
in our human experience that words cannot express."
Jim Whalen


Thanks, Abbie for using your stickie on this post. It brought it to the attention of more people and made for a more interesting and informative discussion.

Lisa, thank you too, most sincerely. You understand my intent, and that does please me - and thank you for your visits to my page in response to my 'statement'....it is my hope to attract others by the simplicty of my sincere appeal in words, to view my art. VIVA