02. Artist Statement (1st draft)

First, read this article, “No Longer Interested” by Steve Lambert.

WRITING THE FIRST DRAFT

  1. Once we have collected our thoughts, begin by re-reading your answers from the previous step of the process. Towards the end of this step, you may have also completed a studio visit with a peer, non-artist or faculty member (see calendar for due-date), and you can review those discussions and questions as well.
  2. Take this opportunity to also revisit the sub-section labeled Get Help from Others within the ‘The How-to’s > TOOL #2: ARTIST STATEMENT’ section of Chapter 02 in The Artist’s Guide. This sub-section not only discusses how to interact with peers during a studio visit, but also how to review your content for themes or concepts that may be important to your statement. Also, review this list of over-used phrases.
  3. Using your answers to the original 11 questions as a guide, begin writing your first draft. The sub-section Edit, Edit, Edit does a great job of explaining the process of reviewing and revising your content, then putting it into the form of a statement.
  4. Although there are many different approaches to writing an artist statement, if you are able to clearly answer the following questions — using language that is concise and easy to understand — your artist statement has the potential to be very strong:
    • 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?
  5. Your artist statement must be no longer than 350 words. Write it using 12pt type, double-spaced, and exported as a PDF.

More Tips:
Too many artist statements say something like: “I make art because I have to.” This doesn’t specifically explain WHY you make your art (what do you mean, you HAVE to?). It’s too vague. Non­artists do not understand making art because you have to. You must be more explicit. When you write a flimsy sentence (words that could be attributed to anyone instead of just you), you bore the reader.

Instead, ask yourself the following:

  • Why do you choose the materials, techniques, and scale that you do?
  • Why do you live where you live? How does it inform your art?
  • Why do you show your art at certain venues or install it in a particular manner?
  • Why do you teach? How are you a better artist as a result?
  • Why do you spend every February on the Oregon Coast? What does the cool, drizzly weather do for your creativity?

TELL STORIES. It will help sell your art. Instead of saying, “I use clay because . . . “ you could say, “Molding a slap of wet clay takes me back to my childhood when we used to make sand castles on the beach. I remember . . . ” Rather than, “I renew my creativity every February on the Oregon Coast,” try “I go to the Oregon Coast every February to escape the dry climes of the desert. The gray, damp air forces me inside – literally and emotionally. I hole up in my small studio and find warmth in a rush of creativity.”

GRADING (10 pts – PASS/FAIL)

  • Submit a PDF of your artist statement via Blackboard by no later than 5:00pm.
  • Print 3 copies of your statement (can be double-sided) and bring them to class.

///////// AUTOMATIC FAILURE

  • File does not work
  • Missing required elements
  • Printed copies not prepared for class
  • Late for class due to printing
CREDIT: http://www.seniorartist.com/articles/supply-your-why-in-your-artist-story/