Rework Your Artist Statement with 3 Answers

Aside from your contact list, your artist statement is your most useful marketing tool.

You will use language from your statement for wall labels, brochure text, website text, informal presentations, conversations and more.

The process of writing your statement – and it is a process – will help you gain clarity about your art. You should continually review and hone the language you use to talk or write about your art.

David Bender sculpture — ©2010 David Bender, *The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly*. Stainless steel, hardware, cast beeswax, cast paper, cherry, 48 x 80 x 2 inches (as a triptych).

Answering three basic questions will get you on track for a stronger artist statement.

What do you want people to see in your work?
What is a distinguishing characteristic of your art?
Based on your conversations, what do people find delightful or surprising about your art?

Need more guidance?

I cover artist statements and other presentation material in depth in Magnetic You, an online course to help you become more attractive to buyers and collectors.

Alyson Stanfield
September 21, 2011

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14 thoughts on “Rework Your Artist Statement with 3 Answers”

DK
September 21, 2011 at 4:18 am

WONDERFUL ADVICE AND TIPS AS ALWAYS
DAVID BENDERS WORK ARE AMAZING….LOVE IT
Vanessa
September 21, 2011 at 7:20 am

I like that Alyson, simple and to the point. I’m going to use these three questions to rework my statement. It needs some more depth to it and this is the perfect solution!
Sharon
September 21, 2011 at 7:31 am

I’ve said it “I love color” but based on your comments I realize that I have to go much further to communicate my ideas. Thanks for the bang on the head!
David M. Bender
September 21, 2011 at 6:03 pm

Thanks so much for the honor of choosing some of my work to highlight! You always have great advice Alyson! – Dave
1. Alyson Stanfield
  September 22, 2011 at 8:43 am
  
  My pleasure! Thanks for sharing it, David.
Connie McCoy
September 23, 2011 at 2:15 pm

I also appreciate these simple tips. It seems the artist statement is the hardest challenge. Thanks, Connie
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Glen Craig
October 4, 2011 at 4:04 am

Thank you for inspiring me to be better.
Good advice should be visited on a regular basis.
Cheers, Glen.
kathleen ferris
January 21, 2012 at 4:15 pm

Thanks for the info on writing my artists statement! three questions really made me reflect on what I am trying to accomplish…
1. Alyson Stanfield
  January 21, 2012 at 10:51 pm
  
  Kathleen: I’m glad you found this post helpful. Keep thinking and keep talking and writing about your art.
ANTHONY IRVIN
February 6, 2012 at 3:01 pm

THANKS FOR SHARING THESE VERY HELPFUL TIPS AND THIS BLOG.
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