Why?

In the previous blog about Writing an Artist Bio, we tackled five of the journalism questions: 

• Who (you)
• What (you do)
• How (you create)
• Where and When (you began your trade)

Now, we're going to tackle the "Why" in an Artist Statement. 

The Artist Bio is about you; think of it as an introduction. The Artist Statement is about your art. Where we've already tackled the you in your Bio (and it's good to have it within reach while you work on your Statement), start with the big question:

Why do I do this?!

Deep down, we want to do what we love to do. As artists, artisans, and craftspeople — small business entrepreneurs in general — we're creating something that gives us joy. Most Artist Statements will have something about how creating or providing a service is fulfilling, and you know what? That is an absolute. Let's start there.   

Why do you love creating?

Look at the art you've created, be it on the wall, the easel, the table, or even the computer. Ask yourself: why did I create this? Focus on single words or phrases rather than complete sentences; we'll tackle that later. Right now, we're brainstorming for adjectives. 

Definition: An adjective is a descriptive word or phrase to modify or enhance a thought, an object, or a feeling.  

Start simple and go from there: jot down "My Art Is" and come up with five adjectives to describe it.

Example: My Art is Technical. My Art is Colorful. My Art is Detailed. My Art is Expressive. My Art is Vibrant.

Next, jot down "When I create art, I am" at the top of a notepad and come up with five concepts:

Example: I am focused. I am in my zone. I am content. I am inspired. I am challenging myself.

Now, underneath, write "My goal is for my art to" and come up with three ideas that you want to convey with your art.

Example: My goal is for my art to invoke a sense of nostalgia, to inspire younger artists to create their own works, and to tell stories without a word. 

Now, let's make a narrative that uses these concepts. Circle the ones that resonate best with you. With Artist Statements, use the present tense, first person voice.

Example: I create technical illustrations using color and detail. When I create, I am in my zone, inspired by the challenge to tell stories without words. My goal is for my art to invoke a sense of nostalgia in adults and inspire younger artists to create their own worlds and characters so that they can tell their own stories.  

How does it sound out loud?

Just how too many spices can overpower a dish, too many adjectives, adverbs, and metaphors can overpower your writing. Sometimes salt and pepper is all you need to season that wagyu steak. Remember the acronym KISS: Keep It Simple, Sibling. Read your statement out loud and revise if needed. Does it sound like you would say this naturally in conversation? Keep tweaking until it sounds like you and then stop. You want it natural, not robotic. 

Bonus: Let's Combine Our Bio and Statement!

Let's imagine that an art exhibit asks for a bio and statement, but only provides one field to fill out. We've written our bio in third person, and our statement in first person. Remember our first rule: Don't Panic. It's always good form to check with the facilitator whether they prefer a first or third person narrative for this information. It's good to keep both handy, just in case.

The biggest hurdle is to understand the difference between verb tenses to match the points of view.  When in first person, remember to edit the beginning statement as an introduction; leading with "I am" or "My name is" is always a great way to begin. 

Singular "They": When an artist uses "they/them" pronouns, whether to keep their gender ambiguous or if they are genderqueer/nonbinary, the singular "they" still follows the same rules as plural "they" and "you" for verb tenses.

Third Person:

A.K. “Ames” Cyrway is a science-fiction illustrator, focusing on pen and ink, colored markers and pencils, and digital illustration. They are primarily self-taught, starting at a young age by copying from comics books before moving on to original characters and backgrounds. Throughout high school, Ames had taken private lessons with Margaret Stowers and into adulthood with Patricia Binette. Ames has had work published in Fun Productions’ Transformers Collector’s Club prose “Lively Pursuit”. Aside from art, Ames has over twenty years' experience in specialized custom picture framing, information technology, and graphic arts. They live in Waterville with their husband, Brian Vigue, also an accomplished artist.

Ames creates technical illustrations using color and detail. When they create, they are in their zone, inspired by the challenge to tell stories without words. Ames's goal is for their art to invoke a sense of nostalgia in adults and inspire younger artists to create their own worlds and characters so that they can tell their own stories.   

First Person:

I am A.K. “Ames” Cyrway, a science-fiction illustrator focusing on pen and ink, colored markers and pencils, and digital illustration. I am primarily self-taught, starting at a young age by copying from comics books before moving on to original characters and backgrounds. Throughout high school, I took private lessons with Margaret Stowers and into adulthood with Patricia Binette. I have had work published in Fun Productions’ Transformers Collector’s Club prose “Lively Pursuit”. Aside from art, I have over twenty years' experience in specialized custom picture framing, information technology, and graphic arts. I live in Waterville with my husband, Brian Vigue, also an accomplished artist.

I create technical illustrations using color and detail. When I create, I am in my zone, inspired by the challenge to tell stories without words. My goal is for my art to invoke a sense of nostalgia in adults and inspire younger artists to create their own worlds and characters so that they can tell their own stories.   

Once you finish your paragraph, read it aloud. This helps to find any issues with grammar or timing. Tweak it if necessary, revise, ask a friend or colleague to proof-read it for you. Does it sound like you? Does it feel organic and natural? Give yourself permission to ask for help if you feel you need it, whether it is asking someone in your circle, or using a site such as Grammarly or Hemingway to check your grammar and spelling. 

Now what?

Keep it handy; type it up in a Google Doc or other easy-to-access program. I keep everything involving my branding in a document called Bios and Statements, with variations and styles on separate pages. We'll go over organizing your copypastas in a future blog.

Definition: "Copypasta" is an internet portmanteau of "copy and paste" made famous in the late 90s and early 00s.