Notes....

Writing your ARTIST’s statement…… An artist statement lets you convey the reasoning behind your artwork-- why you chose a particular subject matter, why you work in a certain medium, etc. And further, a well-written statement shows the relationship of you to your artwork, and helps creates a connection with the viewer that will make your work (and your name) more memorable. An artist statement can: • Clarify your own ideas about your work. • Describe your ARTwork, in your own words. • Be a base for a proposal for an exhibition or project. • Fill a requirement for scholarships, grants/funding, teaching positions, or admission to school. • Be a good source of info for art reviewers, journalists, reporters, etc. • Introduce your work to the buying public. How to write an artist statement: 
Follow the steps to make it a little easier for you to decide what to write and how to write it. Artist statement content: 
 The artist statement should be about you, not about the viewer. It should explain what YOU think about your work, not about how the viewer should interpret it. 1. Ask yourself questions about your work: 
 Why you have created the work and what is its history? 
 Your overall vision-- what are you trying to say in the work? 
 How does your current work relate to your previous work? What influences your work? 
 What is your inspiration for your images? 
 How does this work fit into a series or larger body of work? 2. 2) Create a list of words and phrases that describe your chosen themes, your artistic values, creation process, and influences (i.e. experiences, dreams). Draw from your answers from the previous step. 3. 3) Edit down your list of words and begin creating sentences using those words. 4. 4) Combine the sentences into logical, flowing paragraphs. Start writing: 1. Begin with an overview paragraph that makes a clear and concise statement about your work, and support that statement with your reasoning. This paragraph should be broad in scope. Specifics will come next. 2. Next, go into detail about how the issues or ideas mentioned in your opening paragraph are presented in your work (offer a specific example) and why you use the materials and tools that you do. 3. Point out themes in your work or discuss experiences that have influenced your work. 4. Finally, sum up the most important points made throughout previous paragraphs. Content Tips: • Be concise-- Keep your writing simple, clear, and to-the-point. Describe each portion in as few words as possible. • Proofread your artist’s statement for grammar, spelling, clarity, and interest. Consider hiring a professional proofreader who is familiar with artist's statements. Technical Tips: • Write in the first person perspective ("I created…, "My experience with..."). Things to avoid in an artist statement
; Your artist statement is like a personal creed and shouldn’t read like a press release or marketing material. Strive for authenticity. Avoid: • Arrogance and pomposity (how great or relevant you are) • Overuse of technical terms and jargon • Long explanations or discourses on techniques and materials you use • Poems or prosy writing • Childhood or family stories, unless they are very relevant to your work Bragging about awards and honors. Art styles and Movements Abstract Expressionism 20th century style in which feelings and emotions are emphasized. Baroque 17th century style of European art which painters used dramatic movement,light,spatial illusions, and ornate detail to encourage emotional involvement. Cubism 20th century art movement in which the subject matter is broken up,analyzed and reassembled in an abstract form, emphasizing geometric shapes. Dada European artistic and literary movement that produced works marked by nonsense and travesty. Expressionism 20th century art movement that emphasized the artists emotion through strong color and symbolic imagery. Fauvism 20th century style that utilized brilliant and explosive color to express the inner quality of the subject. Impressionism Art movement that emphasized the momentary effects of light on color in nature. Neoclassic 19th century style in which artists sought inspiration from the classical art of ancient Greece and Rome themes. New Realism Op Art 20th century style in which artists sought to create an impression of movement by means of optical illusion. Post Impressionism Exploration of the formal structure of art and expression of personal feeling. Realism 19th century style in which artists turned to painting familiar scenes bad events. Regionalism 20th century movement that concentrated on realistic depictions of the rural American Midwest. Renaissance Rebirth of cultural awareness and learning. Rococo 18th century style that emphasized portrayal of the carefree life of the artistocracy,rather than historical or religious subjects. Romanticism 19th century style that emphasize personal emotion, dramatic action, and exotic setting. Surrealism 20th century literary and artistic movement that attempts to express the workings of the subconscious Breath Drawing Ideas: Art work that employs any of the Art Elements or Art Principles Art work that explores figure/ground relationships Pattern development that creates rhythm or movement Color scheme relationships Exaggeration of proportion or scale Spatial variations-linear perspective,illusion,aerial views Subject variety-landscape, human figure, still life Different approaches-gestural, painterly, expressionist, abstract Content variety- imagination, political, social, observation, psychological Expressive mark making Other Ideas: Illustrate Summer vacation,favorite hobby/pastime, fortunes, abstract texture drawing, favorite place, favorite snack, visual puns, self portrait, magnify object, favorite quote, architectural design elements, animal or plant forms, hand studies, glass or reflective surfaces.