Discover why titling matters, what it can teach you about your work, and how to approach it with intention and care. A thoughtful conversation every artist should hear.
The post The Awesome Responsibility of Titling Your Art with Fran Gardner (229) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>Titling your art can feel like a chore—or even an afterthought.
But what if giving your work a title isn’t just about helping others understand it? What if it’s a deeply creative act—one that honors the piece, reveals more about your process, and prepares the work to travel into the world without you?
That’s the beautiful viewpoint of artist and writing consultant Fran Gardner.
Fran believes that titling your art is more than a practical necessity. It’s a moment of reflection. A step that deepens your connection to the art you’ve made. And a way to give your work the language it needs to communicate clearly with your audience—even when you’re not there to explain it.
In this episode of The Art Biz, Fran and I talk about:
- Why titling your art is an essential part of your studio practice—not just a business formality.
- How the right title supports your work’s identity and independence.
- A thoughtful process for arriving at meaningful titles without rushing or outsourcing the decision.
- The connection between titling and understanding your personal symbolism.
- What happens when you slow down and listen to what your art wants to be called.
This is the conversation I didn’t know I needed. It’s also a topic I’ve never covered before on the podcast—one I think every artist should consider more deeply.
What’s in a name?
Listen
Choose one recent work and give it the time and attention it deserves.
Sit with it. Reflect on the process behind it. Write or speak your thoughts. And then, give it a name that honors the story it carries into the world.
Fran Gardner Quotes
“Titling is the first step toward your art’s independence.”
“The title … is helping your art piece deliver your message and meaning out into the world.”
“I make my work to learn about me and my place in the world and how the world functions around me.”
“When I took them out and really began to process the imagery that I had made, it took me to a much deeper understanding of my own art-making urges.”
“It’s almost like the art came through them instead of from them.”
“Don’t put the work on Instagram and ask people what they would title it … It’s not their image.”
“The writing is your studio work. It’s not the thing that comes after—it’s your own responsibility in your studio to get this work, not only made, but prepared to take its journey away from you.”
“As a professional artist… you have a responsibility to do some degree of writing. It’s necessary to be a business professional in this art world.”
Mentioned
About Fran Gardner
Fran Gardner lives a creative life integrating her work as an artist, author and teacher. Through her years as a university professor, she developed her methods for working with artists on their studio practice and creativity and gained expertise for writing about art, leading retreats, teaching workshops, and judging and curating exhibitions.
Her mixed media art integrates painting, drawing and stitchery, with a heavy emphasis on fiber art, layering her work with rich texture, color and mark-making. She is the author of Artists Will Find a Way: A Studio Navigation Guide and Artists Will Find a Way: Practical Concepts for Deep Connections.
Follow Fran on Instagram: @frangardnerart
The post The Awesome Responsibility of Titling Your Art with Fran Gardner (229) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>You’ll get writing prompts, editing advice, and ideas for how to actually use your artist statement once it’s done. Let’s make it easier—and way less intimidating.
The post Comprehensive guide for writing an effective artist statement (221) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>If you think your art speaks for itself, think again. In today’s art world, where attention is fleeting and first impressions matter, your artist statement remains one of the most powerful tools you have to communicate your vision.
Many artists wonder if artist statements are still necessary. With social media and visual-driven platforms, some believe words are secondary to images.
But words matter. A well-crafted artist statement ensures that the right people—collectors, curators, and art writers—understand your work the way you want it to be understood. It gives your art a voice when you’re not in the room. And the process of writing it makes you more articulate whenever you have to speak about your art.
Writing an artist statement isn’t just about fulfilling a requirement—it’s a strategic part of your art career. This guide will help you craft a statement that is clear, compelling, and authentic to your work.
Listen
What is an Artist Statement?
An artist statement is a bridge between your art and your audience. It helps viewers, collectors, curators, and the media understand the work in front of them—and, more importantly, experience it on a deeper level.
There’s no single correct way to write an artist statement. Some are poetic, others direct. Some are deeply personal, while others focus more on process or technique. The right artist statement is the one that best serves your work and your goals while inspiring others to engage more fully with your art.
You might even create different versions for different purposes: a formal version for exhibitions, a conversational one for your website, or a single-sentence version for quick introductions. That kind of flexibility is not only allowed—it’s encouraged.
For as long as art has existed, people have written about it—analyzing, interpreting, and categorizing. And if you’re not shaping the story around your art, someone else will do it for you. Your statement allows you to take control of that narrative, ensuring that your work is seen, understood, and remembered the way you intend.
Communicating effectively about your art begins with your statement.
You have to understand what your art is about before you can share your message in other formats or through social media channels. This is accomplished through the process of writing your artist statement. And it is a process, which I’ll help you begin.
The Process is the Point
If you struggle to put words to your work, you’re not alone. We must acknowledge that writing about your art is hard.
Many artists feel that their art speaks for itself, resisting the idea of having to explain it. Others worry that writing an artist statement will strip the mystery from their work. And then there’s the simple fact that finding the right words to describe something visual is challenging—even for experienced writers.
But here’s the thing. It’s precisely because writing your artist statement feels difficult that you need to do it.
The process of articulating your ideas in writing is even more important than the final statement itself. Through the process:
- You are forced to clarify your thinking. You might believe you know exactly what your art is about—until someone asks you to talk or write about it. The process of getting those thoughts out of your head makes you more aware of your choices, themes, and intentions.
- You become a better communicator. Whether you’re talking to a curator, a collector, or a journalist, being able to describe your work clearly makes you sound more confident and professional.
- You strengthen your connection to your audience. Viewers engage more deeply when they have a way in—when they understand the broader ideas behind your work.
- You accumulate language for everything else. Once you’ve written your artist statement, you’ll see how that language can be repurposed across your website, social media posts, grant applications, and interviews.
This won’t be easy, but neither is making art. Just like your studio practice, writing about your work takes effort, revision, and patience. The first draft won’t be perfect. It shouldn’t be.
You’re too close to your own work to get it right immediately, but the more you write and refine, the clearer your message becomes.
Stick with me—I’ll help you through it.
Prompts for Writing Your Artist Statement
Before you can write your artist statement, you need to spend time getting to know your work from a fresh perspective.
That begins by journaling about your art.
I highly recommend doing this the old-fashioned way—with pen and paper. When you type into a computer, there’s a temptation to edit yourself and try to make it perfect. That’s not what we’re after right now.
This is no time for perfection. Allow the words to flow freely. Your goal is to get as many thoughts down as possible without judging them. You’re collecting raw material you’ll refine later.
Start with these three prompts. Write in depth. Don’t rush the process.
1. What do you most want people to see in your art?
What’s important to you? What do you want viewers to get about your art?
Is it …
- your labor?
- a special material?
- an emotion?
- color? line? texture?
Once you pinpoint the answer, write about how you handle this aspect of your work.
Think about what you emphasize, why it matters, and what, specifically, you do to bring this out.
The words you choose for your statement should serve as clues that lead viewers to these discoveries.
For example, saying “I love color” is weak—who doesn’t love color? Instead, describe how you respond to color and how you use it to transfer meaning from your head and heart to the viewer.
2. What is a distinguishing characteristic of your art?
This might be something from the list above or something entirely different.
What makes your art different from others working in a similar vein? What can you emphasize through words that sets your work apart?
Part of your job—if you haven’t already figured this out—is to educate people on how to look at your art. Most people haven’t had a visual education. They need to be gently directed to what to notice and what to appreciate.
3. What do other people find delightful or surprising about your art?
If one person comments on it, chances are good that others will notice it, too.
Listen to what people say about your art. Their discoveries might surprise or even confuse you, but understanding how others interpret your work is part of the communication process.
Think back on previous conversations you’ve had about your art. You might uncover new language just by reflecting on the insights of others.
After you’ve responded to these prompts, step away. Give it a day or two. Then come back and write more.
Your goal is to gather more words—enough to mine for meaning and clarity. Keep writing, even if it doesn’t make sense yet. You’re not writing your statement just yet. You’re doing the necessary work to get there.
7 Rules Every Artist Statement Should Follow
Now that you’ve gathered your thoughts through journaling, it’s time to start shaping them into a statement.
But before you dive into writing a draft, keep these guidelines in mind. They’ll help you focus your message and avoid common pitfalls.
1. Write in the first person.
It’s a statement, after all—something only you can say.
But be mindful of overusing personal pronouns (I, me, my). You’ll trim many of them during editing.
2. Stick to the body of work you’re trying to define.
Focus your statement on a single, cohesive body of work. (And, yes, you have the flexibility to write multiple statements.)
If you try to describe different styles or directions in one statement, your language will become too general—and you’ll lose the specificity that makes a statement effective.
If you work in distinct series or have more than one visual direction, write a separate statement for each. It’s more work, yes—but it honors the integrity of each body of work and gives your viewers a clearer experience.
3. Avoid discussing influences.
Don’t include teachers or historical figures who influenced you.
As soon as you name someone else, readers start comparing. You want them to stay focused on your art.
4. Don’t use quotes from other sources.
We’re not in English class anymore.
You may have been taught to begin an essay with a quote, but your artist statement should rely on your own voice. Quoting others distracts from your message.
5. Keep your biography separate.
Your bio is written in the third person.
Your artist statement is in the first person and about the art—not about you. These are two distinct documents.
6. Let your statement evolve.
This document isn’t your life’s treatise. You won’t be defined by the words you choose forever.
It should grow and mature alongside your work. Don’t cast it in bronze and consider it done.
Avoid treating it like a finished product you never revisit. A good statement can—and should—change over time.
7. Keep it short. Really short.
Most artist statements don’t need to be longer than a paragraph or two, although I understand that there is a place for longer statements that enlighten.
Always aim for brevity. If you go longer, be sure every word adds to your message. If not, cut it. (We’ll get to that.)
These guidelines will keep you grounded as you begin shaping your raw thoughts into a meaningful artist statement.
But how will you know if what you’ve written is working?
There’s one simple test your statement needs to pass—and it has nothing to do with perfect grammar or flowery language. I want to make sure you understand this before you begin writing.
The Ultimate Test
Think of your artist statement as a bridge—something that connects the viewer’s experience to your work.
It’s not just a piece of writing to check off a to-do list. It should deepen curiosity and draw people back to your art.
That’s the ultimate test:
After someone reads your statement, do they feel compelled to look back at your art?
The ultimate test:
Does your artist statement compel people to look at your art?
If they move on without taking another glance, your statement hasn’t done its job.
This doesn’t mean you should be didactic. In fact, you don’t want to tell people exactly what to look for. That takes away the magic of discovery.
Your job is to guide, not instruct. To open a door, not to walk them through it.
Now that you understand the role your statement plays and how it connects with your viewer, let’s talk about how to shape the raw material you’ve gathered into a compelling draft.
Listen
Writing a Draft of Your Artist Statement
You’ve done the deep thinking. You’ve journaled, reflected, and collected a pile of words. Now it’s time to begin shaping those thoughts into a first draft.
This next step isn’t about perfection—it’s about clarity and intention.
Remember: You are not obligated to use everything you’ve written. In fact, you shouldn’t. That initial writing process was for you—to help you get thoughts out of your head and onto paper.
Now you’re writing for a reader.
It’s time to start selecting the most relevant, insightful pieces and begin molding them into a statement that is true to your art and clear to others.
Don’t be so in love with your first round of writing that you can’t cut or reshape it. You haven’t wasted a word—scraps that don’t make it into the final version can still be used for social media captions, website copy, or grant applications.
And please don’t try to write a perfect version on the first try. What you’re writing now is what author Anne Lamott famously calls a “shitty first draft.” You need to let the ugly version exist before you can turn it into something meaningful that you’re proud of.
You’ll write and rewrite the same ideas. You’ll move words around. You’ll find better ways to express something you thought was already finished.
This is normal.
Welcome
to the wonderful world of writing!
This is part of the process—a process not unlike what you go through when you’re making art: erasing, adding, removing, reorganizing, and so forth.
Give yourself time and space between writing sessions. When you return to your draft, you’ll see your words with fresh eyes—and that’s when things start to click.
Sharpen Your Artist Statement by Removing These 5 Offenders
Once you’ve written a draft, don’t hit publish or send just yet.
Take a break. Give yourself a little distance from your words—at least a day or two. When you come back, you’ll be better equipped to spot what needs refining. This is where the editing begins.
In particular, watch out for these five common offenders that weaken artist statements. Cutting them will instantly sharpen your message and make your writing more effective.
1. The word “unique”
Just … don’t.
The word “unique” has been so overused that it’s become meaningless. And let’s be honest—your work probably isn’t unique in the truest sense of the word. All art is informed by what came before.
Instead of claiming uniqueness, describe your work in a way that makes the reader feel it’s one-of-a-kind. Focus on your distinguishing characteristics. Let your specificity speak for itself.
2. Cliché phrases
You’ve seen these (and maybe even used them):
- I am excited by …
- I’ve always been an artist …
- I have to make art …
- My work is about the human condition …
These clichés flatten your voice. The phrases that follow them are usually vague and unmemorable. Dig deeper and say something only you would say.
3. Redundant sentences, adjectives, or thoughts
Say it once. Say it clearly. And then move on.
If you find yourself repeating ideas using slightly different words, you’re not adding meaning—you’re adding clutter. Tighten it up so each sentence earns its place.
This brings me to …
4. Adjective overload
A string of descriptive words separated by commas doesn’t make your work sound more interesting—it makes your reader have to do extra work.
If your statement has more than three or four commas in a single sentence, take a closer look. Trim the excess. Choose one or two carefully selected adjectives that actually add value.
Then read through your entire statement and check for what I call “strings of three adjectives.” You’re allowed one per statement.
5. Excessive personal pronouns
Yes, your statement is written in the first person, but that doesn’t mean every sentence needs “I,” “me,” or “my.”
Try removing them in the editing phase. You’ll be surprised how much more concise and powerful your writing becomes.
How to Put Your Artist Statement to Work for You
Once you’ve written a strong artist statement, don’t just tuck it away. Put it to work.
A well-written statement becomes the foundation for how you communicate about your art across many platforms. You’ll find yourself reusing and repurposing your words in a variety of situations:
Add it to your website.
This is the obvious one. But here’s something to consider: Can viewers see your art while they’re reading your statement?
If possible, place your artist statement near your artwork—on the same page or right next to the images. It’s more impactful when viewers can look at the art while absorbing your words. I know some templates make this tricky, so think of it as a preference, not a rule.
Include it in exhibitions and gallery materials.
Your artist statement can become:
For wall text and printed materials, feel free to leave off the words “Artist Statement.” Most people outside the art world don’t know what that means. Instead, let it simply read as engaging, informative text about your work.
Use it in applications.
Pull from your statement when applying for grants, residencies, shows, or proposals.
You can also adapt it into a teaching or project statement when needed.
Drop it in conversations and content.
A few sentences from your artist statement can form the backbone of:
- Your artist talk or video introduction
- Your email signature block (use your best sentence and include a website link)
- Social media captions, newsletter blurbs, and blog posts
Once you’ve written a compelling statement, you’ll have go-to language you can reuse with confidence.
Your artist statement is a living document.
It evolves along with your art.
Don’t use old words for new work.
The post Comprehensive guide for writing an effective artist statement (221) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>We discuss how writing can deepen one's creative practice, the value of opening conversations, and how Samantha maintains a writing schedule alongside her work in the studio.
The post Fostering Clarity and Confidence Through Writing with Samantha Clark (211) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>I’ve been encouraging artists to write more for, ahem, decades. But sometimes, it helps to bring in reinforcements.
In this episode of The Art Biz, I’m joined by Samantha Clark, who believes writing and visual art can weave together beautifully to enhance clarity, confidence, and connection.
Together, we explore how writing serves not just as a way to reflect on your art but also as a tool for developing it, sharing it, and building a meaningful creative life.
Sam, as she is known, shares her journey—from keeping sketchbook notes and writing letters to publishing a memoir and crafting a weekly Substack newsletter, The Lifeboat. Her insights reveal how writing can help you make sense of your creative process while deepening your connection with a wider audience.
[ A different take on Substack from Tara McMullin ]
If you’ve ever wondered why I keep nudging (hounding?) you to write more—or felt intimidated by the blank page—this conversation will inspire you to give it another shot.
Listen
Highlights You'll Love
- How writing alongside your art fosters deeper clarity and reflection.
- The value of consistency in building a writing habit.
- Balancing the demands of the studio and the page.
- Practical tips for building a sustainable writing practice.
- Why imperfection isn’t just okay—it’s necessary for progress.
Don’t miss new articles, podcasts, programs, and some of my favorite discoveries.
Sign up for my weekly newsletter.
Watch
Samantha Clark Quotes
“Anybody who’s worked in education understands that writing is a tremendous tool for self reflection. It’s where we really learn.”
“Writing slows us down, and it really pins the thought down onto the page so you can then examine it, and you can really think about: ‘Is that the right word?’ ”
“You’re really opening up your work for someone else to come inside it with you.”
“If you can think about the words that you use—whether they’re spoken or written—as an invitation, as a conversation, as a way to build community around your work, then all the other kind of self-consciousness tends to fall away because it’s like a conversation between interested friends.”
“Creativity is what helps us stay buoyant when things are turbulent.”
“When you’re an artist you connect with people one to one, one by one, and it’s the quality of that connection that’s important.”
“You can take your stats and stick them where the sun don’t shine. I made someone cry today in a good way. Happy tears. So that to me is all about connecting with people because that’s what art is about.”
Related Episodes
Other episodes about writers and artists who write.
About My Guest
Samantha Clark is a visual artist, writer and artist’s writing coach based in the Orkney Islands and working internationally.
Originally trained as a tapestry weaver, Sam’s practice has evolved over thirty years through writing, drawing, installation, video and permanent works in the public realm, with painting as her primary current focus. Alongside this, she mentors artists who want to explore what writing can bring to their practice, and writers of memoir and creative nonfiction.
Sam’s first book, The Clearing, was published by Little, Brown in 2020. In 2023 she received the inaugural RSA MacRobert Trust Art Award for Painting.
Follow Samantha on Instagram: @samclarkartwrite
Don’t miss new articles, podcasts, programs, and some of my favorite discoveries.
Sign up for my weekly newsletter.
The post Fostering Clarity and Confidence Through Writing with Samantha Clark (211) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>Substack has become integral to her process, helping her manage projects, organize thoughts, and extend her teaching. By offering free content to build community and exploring paid options, Ann balances creativity with income generation.
The post Writing on Substack Can Be Integral to Your Creative Process with Ann Balaam Miller (210) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>Ann Balaam Miller has found a way to marry her numerous creative passions with her love for writing by using Substack.
While Ann’s career spans graphic design, fine art, calligraphy, and teaching, it’s her thoughtful use of the Substack platform that piqued my interest.
Ann’s Substack journey began about a year earlier than the time of this recording, using the platform to explore ideas for books and to share her deep knowledge of calligraphy, design, and art history.
What I discovered to be most interesting is that Ann sees Substack as integral to her creative process. For her, the writing commitment is a way to “unload” her mind of ideas, allowing her creativity to flourish as she refines her thoughts into weekly posts.
Listen
5 Insights from Ann's Substack Strategy
- Creative Exploration: Substack helps Ann organize and refine her ideas into cohesive posts, making it a key part of her creative process.
- Idea Organization: Using Microsoft’s OneNote, Ann works on multiple newsletters (a.k.a. articles or posts) at once—developing content in advance of publication.
- Educational Platform: Ann uses Substack to share insights that complement her workshops, keeping students engaged and extending their learning beyond the classroom.
- Community Building: By providing free content, Ann fosters a strong connection with a wide audience, nurturing an active community of readers.
- Monetization Potential: Ann is developing a paid tier for more interactive content, demonstrating how artists can balance providing free value with creating revenue opportunities.
Substack can be a powerful tool if you enjoy writing and want to deepen your creative process through words.
And … Even if you have no intention of using Substack, Ann’s experience might just inspire you to start publishing your own ideas more consistently—through your newsletter, blog posts, or social media.
[ A different take on Substack from Tara McMullin ]
Don’t miss new articles, podcasts, programs, and some of my favorite discoveries.
Sign up for my weekly newsletter.
Watch
Ann Balaam Miller Quotes
“You can’t escape your loves.”
“If you have an eye for it, then your art goes into just about everything.”
“As long as I’m dealing with an aspect of art and making something, then it makes me pretty happy. ”
“It is a story, but it can be a clunker or it can have some vibrance to it. And I’m always going for something with vibrance and something that people can take away easily and use. ”
“We’re trying to make everything work better. And that’s why we show up.“
“I really believe in free education for people who want it and who enjoy it.”
“It’s a link between what you have done and what you will do. It’s very much in the present, but it contains both aspects of your life—what you’ve done and then what you hope for—so it’s a hopeful thing.”
Ann’s linocut being steamrolled at SFCB Rollworks in 2019.
Mentioned
Related Episodes
Other episodes about writers and artists who write.
About My Guest
Ann Balaam Miller is a fine artist, calligrapher, and designer. She received a BA and MA in art from Stanford, studied fine art with Nathan Oliveira and Richard Diebenkorn, and founded M2 Design studio for commission work.
Ann authored three courses as an instructor for the Academy of Art University and created 15 handlettering workshops for the San Francisco Center for the Book, presenting diverse aspects of letterform such as African scripts, antique Secretary Hand, Bone script, futhark, invented alphabets, graffiti, and cola pen gestural writing. Her work is published in industry magazines Letter Arts Review, Bound & Lettered, Alphabet, and Scripsit.
Follow Ann on Instagram: @anncalli
Read her Getting Inky Substack
Don’t miss new articles, podcasts, programs, and some of my favorite discoveries.
Sign up for my weekly newsletter.
The post Writing on Substack Can Be Integral to Your Creative Process with Ann Balaam Miller (210) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>The illustrations that often punctuate artists' journals are a bonus that can't be found in the journals of those less visual.
But don't keep a journal to satisfy my whims. Keep one for yourself. Write things down in order to remember and reflect. And keep writing because it contributes to your art marketing.
The post Imperfect journaling for artists with Cynthia Morris (51) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>Peeking at artists’ journals is my definition of heaven. I love to see how ideas develop and change—how creative thought processes evolve.
The illustrations that often punctuate artists’ journals are a bonus that can’t be found in the journals of those less visual.
But don’t keep a journal to satisfy my whims. Keep one for yourself. Write things down in order to remember and reflect. And keep writing because it contributes to your art marketing. It builds your confidence so that you have no problem introducing yourself as an artist.
I mentioned journaling last week as a vital part of writing your artist statement. In this latest episode of the podcast, I talk with author/coach/artist Cynthia Morris about journaling. It was recorded over Facebook Live.
Cynthia and I give you a framework to help you commit to a journaling practice and discuss how we use journals for our businesses.
We discuss the types of journals we think are best for this process, why it’s important to write by hand before moving to the computer, a structure for your journaling process, and how to use prompts to get your ideas down.
Remember that we recorded this as a video conversation with one another. Some things might not translate. For example, we did show and tell about our journals. That’s why I’m sharing the video here as well.
Here it is … my conversation with Cynthia Morris about an imperfect journaling practice for artists.
Music by Wildermiss.
Highlights
4:45 How I met Cynthia 15 years ago.
6:15 Why it’s not a good idea to write important documents under pressure.
8:00 Writing is about having a relationship with yourself and making sense of your world.
8:51 Brainstorm 50 ideas instead of 10.
9:39 How I rebooted my journaling practice.
11:15 “The answers are in your ink.”
11:50 Why we call it, and why it must be, an imperfect practice.
14:02 The specific journals we prefer and why.
17:09 Your journal has to fit into your life.
17:40 The notebook from artist Mary Martin that I use for a very special purpose.
18:00 How I use a notebook with magnetic pages.
19:31 The various notebooks Cynthia keeps at all times.
20:35 Why we refer to precious or leather-covered journals as dust collectors.
23:17 The difference between writing by hand and typing on the computer.
25:45 Using “free writing” and writing prompts to collect words.
29:08 Get daily prompts and write for 3 months in Cynthia’s Devoted Writer course.
30:00 How my Magnetic You program complements Cynthia’s Devoted Writer course.
34:09 A writing prompt for you to start with.
37:10 I dreamed I had a Chihuahua.
38:35 You have our permission to be imperfectly messy with your practice.
Mentioned
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
Journals mentioned and that we like:
- Moleskine: Classic Notebook that Cynthia uses for business and the Cahier Journal
- Leuchtturm1917 Medium A5 Dotted Hardcover Notebook
- Sea Flowers Eco-Journal by Jill Bliss
- Go-To Notebook with Mohawk Paper, Mulberry Wine Dotted
- Rekonect Magnetic Notebook
About Cynthia Morris
Cynthia Morris helps writers, artists and entrepreneurs make their big dreams a powerful reality. Cynthia is a certified coach, teacher, author and artist. In 1999, she founded Original Impulse, a boutique coaching company that empowers creative people to focus, follow through and finish projects that matter.
The author of The Busy Woman’s Guide to Writing a World-Changing Book, Cynthia has published seven e-books on writing and creative travel as well as the Paris historical novel, Chasing Sylvia Beach. She is a watercolor artist and visual journal keeper who uses art as a way to express joy and consistently access inspiration.
Music by Wildermiss
Related posts and podcast episodes
The post Imperfect journaling for artists with Cynthia Morris (51) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>The post Guidelines for Your Artist Statement (50) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>In this episode I want to talk about a document you can revisit (or perhaps face for the first time) that gives you power (control) over how your art is perceived.
Yes, I’m talking about your artist statement.
[ A thorough treatment of this topic is in episode 221: Comprehensive guide for writing an effective artist statement ]
Don’t be scared! This is important. And if you don’t want to listen, you can read every word at YourArtistStatement.com.
This pandemic has caused so many people to be introspective. If you’re one of them, you might want to put this time to good use and work on your statement, regardless of whether you’re updating it, rewriting it, or facing it for the first time.
There’s no way around it if you want to show your art at a high level. When you want to become part of the critical discourse—to have others consider your work for venues, grants, residencies, and articles—you can’t neglect writing your artist statement.
Listen Now
Music by Wildermiss.
Highlights
- My definition of an artist statement (3:00)
- Why you need a statement (3:40)
- Collecting words that contribute to your artist statement (6:40)
- Journaling prompts for your statement (8:00)
- Guidelines for artist statements and what tense to use (11:30)
- The ultimate test for a successful artist statement (15:00)
- How to write your first draft (16:55)
- What to look for (and delete) in the editing process (17:50)
- How and where to use your statement (22:10)
- What to do when instructions don’t match what you’ve heard here (24:44)
Mentioned
- Anne Lamott’s shitty first draft
- Artist statement makeovers (2 videos in this post)
- A good example of an artist statement by Linda Hugues (in this post)
Music by Wildermiss.
The post Guidelines for Your Artist Statement (50) appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>Why not do it?!
Writing a book could increase your credibility, contribute to your legacy, and impact many lives.
A lot of people think that writing a book is the hard part of getting your book published. Not to take anything away from the difficult work that goes into the writing, but it is only a small portion of the entire book publishing process.
I learned about the process when the first edition of my book, I’d Rather Be in the Studio, was published in 2008 and was reminded of the long book-publishing journey when the 4th edition was released earlier this year. There are so many moving parts and, like many businesses today, book publishing is a fast-moving industry.
Those moving parts come, of course, with an expense line in your budget, which means it’s very helpful to know what you’re getting into before you start down the book production path.
You really want to know 1) that you will be able to pay for the cost to publish and 2) at what point you’ll begin to make a profit. In order to accomplish that second thing (the profit thing), you also need a marketing plan specifically for your book.
I confess I didn't talk to enough people.
My guest for this episode of the Art Biz Podcast is artist Carol McIntyre, the author of I Just Want to Paint: Mixing the Colors You Want. In the book, Carol teaches a step-by-step color mixing method for frustrated painters of all media who want to stop making mud and start mixing the colors they want with ease.
Listen now to hear Carol's process and advice so you can avoid the sticker shock of publishing your own book.
The post The Art Biz ep. 37: Publishing a How To Book for Artists with Carol McIntyre appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>Why not do it?!
Writing a book could increase your credibility, contribute to your legacy, and impact many lives.
A lot of people think that writing a book is the hard part of getting your book published. Not to take anything away from the difficult work that goes into the writing, but it is only a small portion of the entire book publishing process.
I learned about the process when the first edition of my book, I’d Rather Be in the Studio, was published in 2008 and was reminded of the long book-publishing journey when the 4th edition was released earlier this year. There are so many moving parts and, like many businesses today, book publishing is a fast-moving industry.
Those moving parts come, of course, with an expense line in your budget, which means it’s very helpful to know what you’re getting into before you start down the book production path.
You really want to know 1) that you will be able to pay for the cost to publish and 2) at what point you’ll begin to make a profit. In order to accomplish that second thing (the profit thing), you also need a marketing plan specifically for your book.
I confess I didn’t talk to enough people.
My guest for this episode of the Art Biz Podcast is artist Carol McIntyre, the author of I Just Want to Paint: Mixing the Colors You Want. In the book, Carol teaches a step-by-step color mixing method for frustrated painters of all media who want to stop making mud and start mixing the colors they want with ease.
Listen now to hear Carol’s process and advice so you can avoid the sticker shock of publishing your own book.
Music by Wildermiss
Highlights
You will hear Carol and I talk about the following.
- Where the idea for the book came from and how she got encouragement to make it happen.
- How the book fits into Carol’s vision for her art business.
- The difference between print-on-demand books and self-publishing larger quantities.
- The must-have book specs that led Carol to work with a Chinese printing company.
- An account of all of the people Carol hired to help her in the publishing process, and the role of each person.
- What it costs to publish a book.
- What Carol’s profit is per book depending on whether she sells at a local bookstore, from her website, or on Amazon. Spoiler: Support an artist and buy direct from her!
- What Carol wishes she had known in advance.
- When and how Carol began pre-selling the book and the brilliant thing she did to keep early buyers happy when the book was delayed.
- The additional marketing she is doing to promote the book.
- Why it’s critical to have people around who support you during the long process.
- Carol’s very honest disclosure of experiencing burnout and how she got back on track.
Mentioned
- Colorado Independent Publishers Association
- My podcast with Helen Hiebert, Carol’s accountability partner, about multiple income streams
- Carol’s color-mixing course on BluPrint (formerly Craftsy)
- Carol’s book, I Just Want to Paint: Mixing the Colors You Want
About My Guest
Carol A. McIntyre’s first run-in with the “color police” happened when she was in kindergarten. Her teacher asked the class to choose two favorite colors that went well together. Carol spoke up. “Red and orange,” she said, whereupon the teacher declared, “No, these two colors don’t go together!” She grew up and proved her teacher wrong.
Early in her painting career, she was surprised by the lack of easy-to-understand color theory classes. This motivated her to develop a simpler way to mix color which, in turn, would empower artists.
Carol has helped over 3,500 painters see and mix color differently. She is an award-winning artist who is a signature member of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America and holds associate memberships with the Oil Painters of America and the American Women Artists.
Follow Carol on Instagram.
Music by Wildermiss
This episode is sponsored my signature business-building program, the Art Career Success System, a program I have perfected for more than 17 years working with artists.
All of the lessons you learn in the Art Career Success System are tasks you will do over and over again throughout your art business and career. That’s why it’s a SYSTEM.
In the ACSS you will build a strong foundation using my video and audio lessons, worksheets, and transcripts. And you will be part of a community of artists who are forward-thinking and forward-moving.
Join us now and get your business in shape.
The post The Art Biz ep. 37: Publishing a How To Book for Artists with Carol McIntyre appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>Guest posts broaden your audience instantly. You not only receive recognition on the other blog, but you'll hopefully get a bit of traffic to your own. It's free advertising and it's more effective than paid advertising.
Think about it. If you paid for an ad, you'd get a small bit of space. With a guest blog post, you get about 500 words--a much larger virtual space + your images and credit. With a guest blog post, you're being helpful to a community and generating good karma. Not so with an ad.
Write For This Blog
Please note: I no longer publish guest posts on this blog, but I've kept this here for 3 reasons:
- It might help you pitch your story to other blogs.
- I might write your story myself if it meets the criteria below.
- I might want to interview you on the Art Biz Podcast.
From time to time, I feature guest bloggers who share their stories of success (or utter failure). Do you have one to share?
The post Writing A Guest Post for Someone Else’s Blog appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>Guest posts broaden your audience instantly. You not only receive recognition on the other blog, but you’ll hopefully get a bit of traffic to your own. It’s free advertising and it’s more effective than paid advertising.
Think about it. If you paid for an ad, you’d get a small bit of space. With a guest blog post, you get about 500 words–a much larger virtual space + your images and credit. With a guest blog post, you’re being helpful to a community and generating good karma. Not so with an ad.
Write For This Blog
Please note: I no longer publish guest posts on this blog, but I’ve kept this here for 3 reasons:
- It might help you pitch your story to other blogs.
- I might write your story myself if it meets the criteria below.
- I might want to interview you on the Art Biz Podcast.
From time to time, I feature guest bloggers who share their stories of success (or utter failure). Do you have one to share?
What has worked for you?
Since this is the Art Biz Blog, I’d like to hear your successful business tips and stories – but only one at a time please.
What–exactly–did you do to get 150 people to your art opening?
How–exactly–did you go from selling $1000 worth of art in your booth to averaging $5000 in sales?
How–exactly–did you get 1,000 people to sign up for your newsletter?
How–exactly–did you get 100 new Facebook likes in one week?
How–exactly–did you sell 25 pieces of art through Twitter in 3 months?
What is your favorite piece of software that you haven’t heard other artists using and how does it help you?
What hasn’t worked?
I’d also be interested in hearing about your failures. They say we learn more from failures.
Where did you waste some money, how did you learn from it and what will you do differently next time?
Why did no one show up at your open studio and what would you do differently next time?
Steps For Guest-Blogging Here
FIRST, pitch me your story.
You must be an authority on the subject, which means that you experienced/lived it or studied it in detail. I do not accept guest posts from professional guest bloggers who are unrelated to the art world.
Tell me what you want to write about in 2 sentence. You have to sell me on the idea.
Email me and tell me what you want to write about and why it would be good for my readers. Don’t start writing until you pitch your idea.
** Publishing etiquette: pitch your idea to only one blog at a time. **
Send me a very clear thought that is straight to the point. I don’t have time to help you formulate your post. I’m looking for a very (very!) specific story. It should be one thing you have done that has worked (or not worked) for you. There should be a clearly articulated lesson in it for my readers. We shouldn’t have to figure out the lesson for ourselves.
Your story must be original. You might have been formulating the content in other posts or articles, but the entire article must not appear anywhere else online.
Your story should not be media specific. It needs to be applicable to most artists. My readership varies from jewelers to painters to sculptors to photographers and beyond.
Your first assignment is to do the above – following directions. If I like your story and want to use it, I’ll ask for the following. Again, please follow directions.
- If you have a story, write it up! I’m looking for 400-800ish words. If you don’t think you can write, don’t fret too much. I serve as your editor and will run any major changes by you at your request. Write your story to my readers. If it contains too many personal pronouns (I, me, my, mine, myself), I can’t publish it. You’re writing for someone else, not for yourself.
- A 1-2 sentence bio that includes what you want to link to.
- A headshot no wider than 125-150 pixels.
- At least 3 outbound links for your article to other sites (not just your own).
- A link to an image of yours to use. Neither it nor the images on your side should have watermarks across the center of the image. I need complete credit line as follows: ©Date, Artist name, Title of work. Media, dimensions (HxWxD). Please send it in this format.
Note: It could take up to 8 weeks or longer to publish accepted posts.
In Return
In return for your guest post, I will:
- Credit you by name and link to your name at the top of the post.
- Credit you again with your headshot and über-brief bio at the bottom of the post, with another link.
- Link wherever you like (within reason!). Your links can go to your blog or website, but they could also go to any offer or promotion you have. Links to specific pages (funneling traffic) are more effective than entire sites.
- Feature your art on the blog post.
- Share it on social media.
- Be eternally grateful that you have helped my readers build their art businesses.
Sample Guest Blogger posts: Maren Bargreen, Lisa McShane, Michael Lynn Adams, Liz Crain
This post was originally published July 5, 2013, and has been updated with original comments intact.
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]]>The post Searching for Content for Your Artist Blog appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>What I didn’t say is that it’s only a gold mine if you are consistently committed to blogging and to improving with each post. You can only fulfill this commitment with rich content.
But what do you write about and where do you find it? It’s probably not under the wood boards of the deck, but you never know.
On pages 143-44 of I’d Rather Be in the Studio, I lay out 32 specific ideas for newsletter or blog post content. But before you can make that list useful to you, you must know your purpose.
Who Are You Writing For?
What you write about will depend on your goals as an artist.
How do you want to position yourself? Who do you want to read your blog?
The answers to these questions are necessary before you trust the resources for content that I share below.
Listening to Find Content
The most important tip I can give for finding good content is to listen up. Listen – depending on your goals – to what the following people are saying in conversation:
- Your collectors
- Your students
- Your artist-friends
- People commenting on your blog
- Your Facebook friends and fans
- People you follow on Twitter
How could you help them solve their problems with a blog post?
How could you piggyback on a trending topic?
How could you enlighten them about your work?
Out-of-Network Sources
While you always want to be responsive to your community, you also want to be part of a bigger dialogue around art.
Think like a journalist looking for her next assignment. Be present for conversations and capture everything you think has potential.
You’ll uncover infinite possibilities in the following situations:
- Artist talks and art lectures
- Art films and documentaries
- Lectures, films, and books related to your niche market
- Books about art and artists
- Newspapers
- RSS feeds from other blogs
Not to spoil the party, but don’t be alarmed if you later toss out 95% of your potential ideas. It’s part of the process.
What’s most crucial is that you don’t let the 5% of ideas disappear into the ethers.
My Favorite Places for Finding Content
Most of my blog posts and social media updates come from these sources:
- Your comments on my blog posts
- Your questions
- Conversations with artists at openings and studios or over coffee
- Zite or Flipboard (personal “magazine” apps for my iPad)
- Artist talks and lectures
If you’re soaking up the potential around you, you’ll collect content that will keep your blog well fed for years.
The post Searching for Content for Your Artist Blog appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>The post 6 Tips for Recovering Your Focus appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>It’s not that I’ve never written about focus, but it seems more critical than ever to remove ourselves from the chatter of social media, family squabbles, and needy pets. We have to give ourselves space to focus on a project.
This effort to do something about my lack of focus was precipitated by the realization that my writing wasn’t living up to its potential. I had gotten lazy and was sending newsletter drafts to my team at the last minute.
I was slacking off on research and on listening to what artists share with me in my inbox, on my blog, and through social media.
My lack of focus means that I wasn’t fully committed to my work and wasn’t performing my best for readers and members.
It was due to my inability to tune out the noise and apply myself to what is most important in the present moment. Sometimes this is work, sometimes it’s play, sometimes it’s just being lazy.
The point is that I want to be in the moment and to give the moment all of my attention. [tweet this]
Here are some tricks I have been using to help me recover focus when I write. You can adapt them to your studio practice, marketing time, or business calendar.
Admit You Have a Problem
1. Admit that lack of focus is a problem, and that you want to do something about it.
The understanding that attention splatter isn’t helping you reach your goals is the first step to recovering your focus. As soon as you realize this, you will begin to recognize the moments when you’re not present.
As you go through the day, be aware of how you spend your time. This says a lot about what you value throughout your day. [tweet this]
Turn Off
2. Turn off automatic downloads of email.
This was a big Aha! moment for me. I’ve always preached against email notifications, but my automatic downloads continued until the recent session of Organize Your Art Biz.
When I was rewriting the “empty your inbox” lesson, it occurred to me that I was still allowing email to interrupt my workflow.
I now download messages manually when I am ready to process them. Try it!
3. Turn off the extra computer screen.
I have an extra screen that comes in handy for additional workspace, but it’s distracting when I want to focus.
Ink It
4. Keep paper nearby.
I follow Mark Victor Hansen’s advice: “As soon as you think it, ink it.”
When a task unrelated to what I’m working on crosses my mind, I jot it down quickly and get back to work.
Leave
5. Take the office to the coffee shop.
When I walk into Higher Grounds Café in Golden, Colorado, I do it with purpose. I am only there to write. (I should say I’m only here to write because that’s where I am right now.)
You don’t have to go to a coffee shop to do this, although I contend it’s helpful.
You can make a mental shift with a few deep breaths and some self-talk, and a physical shift by clearing out your space or moving to a different room.
Create a Buffer Zone
6. Unplug.
I give myself at least two hours of an email-free, social-media-free buffer zone before I go to bed.
Let’s face it. Lots of things in your inbox or on Facebook can stir emotions or give you ideas about things you should be doing.
This leads to restless sleep, which contributes to lack of focus.
What are your biggest challenges around focus? What changes can you make to recover your focus?
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