Sketching with a Brush Pen is one of many great free tutorials on YouTube by Scott Robertson. I’ll be sharing more tutorials from other artists on YouTube every Tuesday.
Sketching with a Brush Pen is one of many great free tutorials on YouTube by Scott Robertson. I’ll be sharing more tutorials from other artists on YouTube every Tuesday.
1. This week’s featured Friday Five artist is one of my favorites at EBSQ. Gretchen Del Rio’s Spirit Bear stands out on the EBSQ front page this morning.
2. Voting has begun in the July EBSQ Online Exhibits! Cast your vote now for EBSQ Ripped Off 2014, Flower of the Month: Dianthus, and Plein Air: Found Reflections. Voting ends Aug. 8th.
3. Words can inspire and words can kill your spirit. Surround yourself with positive people. – Need a pick-me-up? Read Will Terry’s blog post: Don’t Let Them Crap on your Art.
4. Too incredible not to share – Artist’s newsagent shop made entirely from felt looks sew real – in pictures.
5. How to Draw the Figure in Charcoal with Steve Huston – Free HD Tutorial from New Masters Academy
1. Vibrant colors and wet petals after a rain is what comes to mind when I look at Ulrike Martin’s latest watercolor painting, Abstract Flowers. It’s a beautiful time of year here in the Northern Hemisphere.
2. There are only a few more days left to enter our June Exhibits. Have you entered? Check them out: Flower of the Month: Ferns and Plein Air: Found Reflections.
3. I Hate Marketing – Sound familiar? I’m sure I may have used that phrase once or twice. Jon Schindehette talks marketing, some simple tricks and lessons learned.
4. Tutorial: Watercolor Tricks with Copic Various Ink & Multiliners
5. What Do Artists Do All Day – Frank Quitely: Scottish comic book artist.
What isn’t an Artist’s Statement?
An artist’s statement is not a resume, a biography, a list of accomplishments and awards, a summary of exhibitions, or a catalogue of works. It is not insignificant and should not be hastily written. It is not difficult to understand, pretentious, irritating, or (gasp!) laughter-provoking.
Why should I write an Artist’s Statement?
People who love an artist’s work generally want to know more about the artist. Your statement will help your viewers answer questions they may have about your art. When viewers have answers, their delight in what you do increases, and they have more reasons to take your work home with them. The artist’s statement is therefore an effective marketing tool, building a bridge between artist and audience. But the artist’s statement isn’t just for them. In putting your art into words, you might find that ideas and thoughts you once had become more concrete. Your writing may open new channels in your mind and take you in new artistic directions. You might discover more about yourself.
What information should be included?
Well, this is really a matter of personal choice, but there are a few questions you might choose to answer:
How long should it be?
The answer to this question depends on what kind of person you are. Are you the kind of person that gets right to the point, or do you like to tell stories and paint images for people in words? The key here is to express how you feel and create a statement that stands on its own and makes you happy. Remember that people usually don’t have the patience to spend a lot of time reading, so it’s better to err on the shorter side. Several sources recommend an artist’s statement be around three paragraphs (total of 100 words), and others say that a statement of up to one page is acceptable.
What kind of language should I use?
Keep your statement clear and concise. Avoid flowery language and “artspeak”. This only lengthens and weakens your statement. From a business perspective, the more you can relate to your viewer, the better your chances are of selling your work. Some specific terms you may wish to mention in your statement are the elements of art (line, colour, shape, value, space, form, and texture), and the principles of design (balance, emphasis, movement, harmony/unity, pattern, rhythm, proportion, and variety). These terms have the advantage of being art-related without being esoteric and pretentious. Use language that is comfortable to you, and let your words flow.
My words aren’t flowing. How do I deal with that blank page?
The more art you do, the better artist you become. The more writing you do, the better writer you become. Here are some suggestions for eliminating that blank page. Write every day if possible – it only needs to take a few minutes, and there’s nothing lost. Any writing is writing practice.
Can an artist’s statement change?
Yes! An artist’s statement is a living document that should change because you change. Your statement could be updated at about the same rate that you might update a resume, in the least. At the most, review your statement each time you create a new piece, to see if your thoughts still have meaning for you. Review your statement when you experience profound events that alter your creative vision.
Where Can I Find Examples of Artists’ Statements?
Browse the portfolios of artists right here at EBSQ! There is a wealth of inspiration here, so if you’re an artist trying to find your voice in words, you’re more than likely to find something here that will motivate you to set pen to paper.
References:
1. Cherries and Silver – Miniature Work: The beautiful, intricate scratchboard above is only 2.5 x 3.5 inches!
2. The Art of the Image Transfer – Jennifer Lommers has a detailed tutorial, with multiple videos, on the art of image transfer on her blog.
3. Dolphins in front of the Studio – Would you rather clean the studio or watch dolphins? What a dilemma, right? Check out Delilah Smith’s blog for the video she shot outside her studio.
4. 8 Simple Rules for being a Professional Artist – I love this list by Stacey Zimmerman. Sometimes the most simple things are the most important.
5. Method and Madness in Science and Art – This is a fascinating article about the similarities between Science and Art and an exhibition in London of “coloured botanical electron microscope images.”
1. October Love – October can be spooky, but also cute–why not full of love too? Check out the latest from EBSQ Artist Carmen Medlin!
2. Pumpkin Jack is Back – Who’s Pumpkin Jack, you ask? Click over to Sherry Key’s blog and discover the horror!
3. Make your own Halloween Tree – I decided to turn a family project into a tutorial for my blog!
4. This Guy’s Stuff is So Awesome, I Think I’ll Steal It – On a more serious note, Kathleen Ralph has an excellent article on her blog about art, attribution, and the digital age.
5. EBSQ Halloween Showcase – Have you signed up for the showcase I will feature here on the blog?
Have a wonderful weekend and watch out for those zombies!
1. The Cheshire Cat – Patience’s September entry in the Nibblefest Art Contest is fabulous! Check her blog for an added dimension.
2. Art Appreciation 101 – Alma Lee explores her identity as an artist and we appreciate (or don’t) art today. Five Star blog post.
3. How to paint a tote – I love when artists share how to’s. This week Maria Soto Robbins shares how to paint a tote!
4. Midnight Reading Promotion – Did you know you can offer limited time promotions on Fine Art America?
5. Make a Video on your iPad (Sell more Art) – Delilah Smith expands art marketing reach with videos via her iPad!