Artist Statements, Artist Biography Tips, And Resumes –
Nuts and Bolts

By
Barbara
Bowen

 "If you aim for a market you’ll miss the mark." Whoever said that, I’m a
believer. It’s no good looking over the shoulder at what strangers prefer
before creating. True inspiration is the optimal motivator. Quality issues
from there, and its purity taps the nerves of audience attraction. That
said, there are far too many masterpieces tucked on shelves behind the light
of day. Strong promotional tools may be secondary to our motivation, but
they’re essential. Like the apex of an iceberg, they show first. They
introduce our work, foster credibility, and mirror how far we’ve traveled
along the arc of our goals. Those we know may direct us to new connections.
But even then, we must support those connections with an effective
"portrait" of who we are. Selling is a part of every career. Never
underestimate the power of presentation. Why not enter the new season
prepared with an updated, incisive, authentic, and powerful one? What do you
need? A dynamic artist statement, artist biography and artist resume is the
beginning. Effective artist portfolios and proposals are also important.
Start now and stay ahead of the pack. So, what are the important elements of
these essential artist presentation tools?

Artist Statement:
Shaping your essential bond with viewers and sales An artist statement
communicates what motivates you as an artist. It’s the most personal part of
your presentation; an opportunity to bring your viewers and potential buyers
closer. It offers a glimpse of the person behind the work. While keeping it
informative, let your personality show. Share your ideas and concerns, and
how they are revealed in your work. Explain to viewers what your work means
to you, not what it’s supposed to mean to them. They will arrive at their
own conclusions. It’s okay to mention influences, but mostly keep prominent
names associated with your career for your resume, where they will serve as
testimonial and avoid the appearance of boasting. Give some details about
your techniques and how they help you achieve your vision. Then, you might
add a segment about how your approach is unique. Most general artist
statements are around one page or less. Brevity sustains attention, so I
lean toward three or four concise paragraphs. In some situations, a
statement about a particular artwork may be requested. A statement can act
as a marketing piece in certain commercial situations, which may be
appropriate. So be sure to tailor your artist statement to its purpose.

Artist Biography:
Creating a memorable snapshot of your career
life An artist bio contains similar information to the artist resume but is
presented in paragraph form, is less formal, and is most often written in
the third person. It serves to highlight the information presented on your
resume. It’s a great way to convey a "snapshot" of your career experience.

Artist Resume:
Detailing your career with clarity and
professionalism Artist resumes detail the accomplishments, endeavors, and
knowledge. They offer a full picture of your career, and the categories
featured on the resume will depend upon your artistic discipline. It’s
important to update your resume on a regular basis, adding and deleting the
listed activities, as appropriate. An artist resume can be one to four pages
in length. Most artists have two versions prepared: a longer and shorter
version. It’s often best to use a professional paper stock, in white or
ivory. The style of type varies, and can add to the resume’s
professionalism.

Artist Proposal:
Standing out from the crowd with dynamic
writing/shaping/editing Artists also use their portfolio to apply for
specific projects, funding programs, residencies, or other competitive
opportunities. These applications may ask you to submit a project
description, details on your approach to the project, and a cover letter.
These written materials should be tightly edited and tailored to the
particular opportunity. Be passionate and sincere in the presentation of
your work, and always conclude with thanking the panel, juror, and/or
organization for their time and consideration. Typical questions for you to
answer will be: Why are you an ideal applicant? How will you benefit the
program or project? What technical qualifications, abilities, or personal
assets can you contribute? How will you benefit from the opportunity? How
would the project advance your career as an artist? How would you use the
money awarded?

Visual Artist Portfolio:
Keeping the heart and soul of your work
evolving Your portfolio is the most valuable tool in your overall
presentation. Your visuals are worth a thousand words, and an arresting
portfolio can help close the gap, should your written materials be less
developed, as in young artist on the career path. There are many approaches
to a portfolio, depending upon the discipline. One universal ingredient to a
successful portfolio is a sense of continuity. The transitions between and
within subject matter must cohere. Color, tone, shape, scale, all must be
considered when choosing what images to include and how to position them.
This process involves subjectivity as well as objectivity. Most artists
benefit greatly from feedback from a trained eye, and reactions from
untrained eyes can also be helpful. A portfolio is most successful when
modified and tailored, with acumen, for its particular audience. Many
artists now supplement their physical portfolio with a digital version
either on the Web or presented on CD-ROM or DVD. Stay current on new formats
and choose the method(s) that feature your work most powerfully and support
your marketing goals.