How To Write An Artist Statement, With Examples!
The truth is, your art doesn’t speak for itself.
An artist statement is one of the best ways to give your art the voice it needs. Doing it well can make a sale, connect you better with your audience, and get you opportunities that will push your artistic career forward.
This guide is designed to help you write an excellent artist statement. By using these tips you will have a strong statement that can be used for shows, applying to grants, amping up your website, and more.
Writing an artist statement can be daunting, but with this guide you should have a very clear idea of what to write in a way that feels confident and professional.
That said, If by the end of this guide you need more help: I offer Artist Statement Editing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/BrushWorkPodcast/shop
What is an artist statement?
An artist statement is a short written description of your artwork that examines a particular collection of your work. It provided additional knowledge about what you make including the emotional intent, creative process, and foremost ideas of your artwork. Artist statements help your audience connect with your artwork in a way the work alone could not.
Over the years I’ve looked at art I’ve seen a trend: the confusion of what is an artist statement vs what is an artist bio. Many artists, including my past self, combine the two without any clarity of what makes them different. Let me lay it out:
Artist Statements: Explain why you create the work, what it represents, and what you want the viewer to understand or feel.
Focus: A specific collection of work or a singular piece of art.
Purpose: To give insight into your intentions
Tone: Personal, reflective, and intimate.
Length: One-two paragraphs
Artist Bios: Provide a summary of education, exhibitions, awards, and career highlights. It’s less about a particular piece of art in your collection, and more about YOU.
Focus: Your background and career
Purpose: To present your professional achievements
Tone: Professional and factual.
Length: two-three paragraphs
The Basics:
Write in first person
Artist statements come from you, the artist. They should feel personal, as if the artist is talking directly to you.
“I”, “Me”, and “My” are all allowed and encouraged.
“The Artist” or “Last Name” is too distant.
Remember your audience might not be artists
Using artist jargon or overly complicated words to describe your artwork can lose your viewers.
Think: What is the simplest way to describe my work?
Consider the major theme
What is the big picture idea of the collection you are writing about?
What is the motivation? What do you want the viewers to experience?
Elaborate on the process of making
If your artwork has a unique creative process, dive into that!
Explain your choice of materials if it empowers the meaning of your work.
Specificity matters
Aim for clarity and focus
Include any insights your viewer might miss if they only look at your artwork for a minute.
Are there hidden figures? Unusual materials? Secrets you won’t be able to see at first glance?
Assume the viewer doesn’t know you
The artist statement should let your viewer feel like they know you much better after having read it.
Assume they are strangers to you and your work.
Length
The Artist statement should be 1-2 paragraphs long, at least 3 sentences per paragraph. Short and sweet.
With a clear and engaging artist statement, you give viewers a window into your creative world, helping them connect more deeply with your art.
Common mistakes to avoid:
Art jargon and buzzwords
Phrases like “post-modern exploration of identity” or “deconstructing the visual narrative” sound complex but may confuse or alienate readers.
“Juxtapose” is now banned from your vocabulary. I see it in so many artist statements that it gets boring.
Don’t describe every piece in detail
It’s tempting to explain every element of your work, but this can overwhelm the reader. Leave somethings to the imagination.
Don’t put any measurements or dates in your statement. Those already exist on your labels and are boring to read unless they are extraordinary.
NO “This 18x24 inch painting shows a purple dragon”
YES “This 5 story mural shows a purple dragon”
Avoid overly personal stories
While it’s great to share your inspiration, avoid turning the statement into a memoir or personal diary entry. The focus should remain on the artwork.
Include personal anecdotes only if they offer deeper insight into your artistic process or the themes you explore.
Steer clear of clichés and generic phrases
Statements like “I’ve loved art since childhood” or “Art is my passion” are BORING and don’t tell the viewer anything new or specific about your work.
Don’t use hyperbolic or grand claims
It’s easy to let your ego take over and make statements like “My work challenges the fabric of society” or “I aim to revolutionize the art world”. It comes across as annoying and pompous. If you were really doing these things, you would say it differently. Talk about your intentions honestly without overstating the impact of your work.
Avoid over-explaining or being defensive
Don’t try to justify or overly explain why your art looks a certain way. Your statement should provide context, not defend your choices.
Again, don’t write in the third person
It can be tempting to make your statement sound more formal by using third person (“The artist creates…”), but this feels like someone else is writing about your work.
Don’t use quotes from famous artists
Trust your own words. Your unique perspective is more compelling than relying on someone else’s ideas.
Avoid repeating words
Editing:
Once you’ve written a rough draft of your artist statement, you need to give it an edit. Here are my best tips:
Read it out loud
It should flow well when being spoken, adjust as needed until it feels good to read.
Change the font
It can be hard to see mistakes when editing anything after looking at it for a long time. Changing the font will give you fresh eyes and the faults will come forward.
Ask a friend to look it over
Make sure this friend is in the art field and that you like their writing style.
Ask them if they feel the work is well represented by the artist statement, not just checking the grammar.
I offer Artist Statement Editing on Patreon if you want my help: https://www.patreon.com/BrushWorkPodcast
Use spellcheck
This should be obvious but is often missed! We want no red lines!
Compare it to your artwork
After it is edited, take the artist statement and view some of your artwork. Make sure it makes sense and accurately describes the collection you are writing the statement for.
Examples:
These artists have allowed me to edit their artist statements for you to learn from. You will see the first drafts they sent me, and then the changes I made. Let’s start with mine.
Stephanie Scott:
First Draft:
“Using geometric abstraction, this collection explores the Zodiac constellations. Each sign has been studied for its primary characteristics and color themes. With vivid color and hard edges, the paintings brighten the spaces they exist in while subtly shaping the energy for the positive. “
Edited:
“Using geometric abstraction, this collection explores the Zodiac constellations. Each sign has been studied for its primary characteristics and iconic colorways. Cradled in symbolic gradients, the gold leaf stars emerge from the stories the hard edged geometry is telling. Through making these oil paintings, I have learned a new understanding of each Zodiac sign: our nature runs deeper than what appears on the surface.”
Editor’s Notes: This artist statement is for my Zodiac Collection show I had at a tea house this past fall. It’s a little short, but stays in the frame of 1 paragraph. I like the first sentence, it clearly describes what I’m looking at. The 3rd sentence was a bit vague, but I don’t hate the mysteriousness of it. You’ll notice I didn’t use any ‘I’ statements in the first draft, but kept it first person. In the edit I clarify the color descriptions, changing the majority of the last sentence to include more about feelings with a subtle hint to look closer. What I like about the changes is that I could remove the last sentence and still have a strong artist statement.
Marcie von Beck:
First Draft:
”My work explores and celebrates the resilience of the human condition. Life is beautiful but invariably difficult. I believe it is often these difficulties, and how we meet them, that give rise to life’s beauty. We are strong but vulnerable, and we must be brave every day. I paint with oil and acrylic because they give me the flexibility to explore and convey the challenges and the triumphs. The moments between who we are and who we can be.”
Edited: ”My work celebrates the resilience of the human condition: beautiful (change for wonderful, dazzling, brilliant) yet invariably difficult. How we meet these struggles gives rise to life’s beauty. We are strong but vulnerable and must choose bravery every day. I paint with oil and acrylic for the flexibility to explore the challenges and the triumphs of the moments between who we are and who we can be.”
Editor’s Notes: You had a great start to your artist statement. I’ve made it more concise and eliminated duplicate words/statements. In the first sentence I think you should switch out ‘beautiful’ for another word, as you use beauty again later. Wonderful, dazzling, brilliant are suggestions- pick something you think fits. The last sentence was a little off, so I’ve rearranged it to make better sense. Excellent work Marcie!
Isaac Prior:
First Draft: “Through thousands of lines to strike feelings and serene scenes; my body of work helps me express emotions, interpret the world around me, and process complex situations.
Pen and paper are my usual mediums, however I have done larger pieces using paint markers, and wooden canvases. Mythology has always been a passion of mine, and I implement my knowledge into my work. Old legends are interpretations of the unexplained or unknown of the cosmos. The universe is an expanding infinity, and the possibilities are equal. The power of both outer space and of ancient civilizations; I explore the thought of “what if?” often and use art as a way to process, and destress from daily life. I have been exploring my emotions to be able to share my experiences through art, and connect with those around me. The definition of “Sonder”is the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own. By exposing my feelings I hope to help others with their story and validate them.
I do not see art as a choice or as something that can be ignored. All humans are creative and show creativity in different ways, and if looked at every profession or line of work is creative. Art isn’t something that I choose to do, art is something that I am compelled to create. It is second nature, just like why a fish swims, it is its way of being.”
Edited: “Through thousands of lines and serene scenes; I explore the thought of the expansive “what if?” to process and destress from daily life. Within linework I explore mythology and old legends: interpreting the unexplained unknown of the cosmos. The universe is an expanding infinity, and the possibilities are equal. “Sonder” is the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own. By exposing my feelings I hope to help others with their story and validate them.
I do not see art as a choice or as something that can be ignored. Art isn’t something that I choose to do, art is something that I am compelled to create. It is second nature, just like why a fish swims, it is its way of being.”
Editor’s Notes: Right from the start this statement is too long. In the edited version I’ve cut it down by half, focusing on clarity. Isaac has some really strong statements that benefit his artwork, the materials are put in sparingly to further describe the concepts he’s after. My last advice is to change the metaphor of the fish at the bottom for something about the stars/cosmos/universe to tie it in with the first paragraph. I think this new statement supports his work well.
Jennifer Arzt:
First draft: “Jennifer Arzt is an abstract artist based in California. She explores where movement and minimalism slam into color and bold marks. Her work plays with the idea that art can be felt in an instant, and how simple marks splashed across a canvas can communicate a full range of energy and emotion.
Each piece showcases expressive marks, color stains, and lassoed ribbons of paint, balancing control with chaos. The work dances on the edge of intention and chance, capturing moments that feel both playful and powerful.”
Edited: “I make paintings where movement and minimalism slam into colorful, bold marks. Artistic playfulness can be felt in an instant: each piece showcasing expressive streaks, color stains, and lassoed ribbons of paint. My aim: to balance control with chaos. Simple mark making splashed across a canvas communicates a full range of energy and emotion. The work dances on the edge of intention and chance, capturing the moments that feel both playful and powerful.”
Editor’s Notes:
Really great start, love some of your adjectives from the get go. I removed all artist bio references and made it first person. I also clarified some ideas and changed repeated words. I recommend writing a separate artist bio in the third person to go along with this.
Niki Keenan:
First Draft: “I make paintings about scenes that take my breath away: Pacific Northwest forests and waterways to backyard sunsets and sunrises. I paint abstracted landscapes with acrylic using all colors of the visible spectrum. I explore what the sensation would feel like to be in landscape while enveloped in the refracted light of an opal or the luminescence of inclusions in peridot as though it were an exploration of belonging. And belonging with landscape is the bedrock of my paintings
I often wonder with whom or what I'm having a conversation in my interior world. Investigating conversations between the seen and unseen is integral to my work. Since 2022, I have been wrapping my canvas paintings around conical forms of various sizes and arranging them in hourglass-shaped configurations in order to support my exploration of themes such as communication with non-physical, intuition and celestial vs. terrestrial. My most recent sculptures are more lyrical in shape and continue this conversation about the meeting place between two parts. Parts of myself, me and the other, or celestial vs. terrestrial. At their core are an exploration of belonging and more specifically, belonging to nature.
My recent installation, Meeting Place, consists of cone-shaped forms and organic shapes, displayed in hourglass configurations. A star from the Milky Way and our star, the Sun, tie the two parts together at their points. In these pieces, the sky and the Earth communicate with each other with the stars as navigational guides and waterways as passage. They reflect imagery found on or near the San Juan Islands. I drew inspiration from gemstones and native plants found in the area. These pieces are about the electric energy between the meeting of two cones as in the crossing point of an infinity symbol; the upper cone as infinity and the lower cone receiving and reflecting the infinite in continuous conversation. These pieces are coming from an internal place, as I stand in awe of all that is and the communication between the above and the below.”
Edited: “I make paintings about scenes that take my breath away: from Pacific Northwest forests to backyard sunrises. I seek the sensation of being in the landscape while enveloped in the refracted light of an opal, as though it were an exploration of belonging. I often wonder with whom or what I’m having a conversation in my interior world. Investigating conversations between the seen and unseen is integral to my work; belonging within the landscape is the bedrock of my acrylic paintings.
Since 2022, I have been wrapping my canvas paintings around conical forms and arranging them in hourglass-shaped configurations in order to support my exploration of communication with the non-physical. My most recent sculptures are more lyrical in shape and continue this conversation about the meeting place between two parts: parts of myself, me and the other, or celestial vs. terrestrial.
My recent hourglass installation called “Meeting Place", balances a star from the Milky Way on top of the Sun, tying the two parts at their points. In these pieces, the sky and the Earth communicate with each other with the stars as navigational guides and waterways as passage. They reflect imagery found on the San Juan Islands. These pieces are about the electric energy between the meeting of two cones: the upper cone as infinity, while the lower cone receives and reflects the infinite in continuous conversation. These pieces are coming from an internal place, as I stand in awe of all that is and the relationship between the above and the below.”
Editor’s Notes:
The first draft of the artist statement was too long, but I ended up keeping the 3rd paragraph in the end, although edited. There were too many repeated themes in this artist statement that I think are clearer now. Although this artist statement breaks a few rules, I feel the writing is strong and supports the collection of work regardless.
Visual Nomad:
First Draft: “Meaning & Medium Meet
My artwork deals with how we view this world. Windows of time, the people, places, and things of life that layer and meld together. I explore the literal, and ethereal, edges of this world. Sometimes these layers create an unsettling moment. Other times they are romantic.
Born in a small town in Ohio, I grew up in an “analog” time, when life was less “layered.” Experiences tended to come one at a time. Yes, I saw the slow progressions in day-to-day life over time. Those changes were no less jarring. Whether a slow drip back then, or the fire hose of today. We now have a digital world, that overlaps everything. I invite you to step into, and experience this world with me.”
Edited:“Meaning & Medium Meet
My artwork deals with how we view this world: windows of time, people, and places. The things of life that layer and meld together. I explore the literal and ethereal edges of this world. Sometimes these layers create an unsettling moment, other times they are romantic.
Born in a small town in Ohio, I grew up in an analog time where life was less layered. Experiences tended to come one by one: the slow progressions in day-to-day life. Whether a slow drip back then, or the fire hose of today: I now have a digital world, one that overlaps everything. I invite you to step into, and experience the painted perception of the world with me.”
Editor’s Notes:
I’d love to see more about the craft of what you make: how you choose colors and more on the topics you feature. If time is the major one, tell me more about clocks and the speed of experiencing it. Mention making paintings!
I hope these tips and examples were helpful! If you want me to edit your artist statement, please visit Brush Work’s Patreon! You can get editing for under $10 where I will go over grammar, tone, clarity, and everything we talked about above. Mentorship members get artist statement help whenever they need.
Host and artist Stephanie Scott breaks down the practicality of the art career with topics including: sustainable creative practices, social media skills, and mindsets to keep us in the studio. New episodes every Tuesday!
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