Writing the Artist Statement: Revealing the True Spirit of Your Work

When artists tap into their inner realm of private language, it leads to powerful revelations about the singular spirit of their work. 

This book is not a noun, it's a verb; a logical process of specific steps to uncover your uniqueness in the art world's sea of artists.

Not a quick fix to skim and move on. 

Artist Statement -> a psychological bridge of compelling words between your relationship to your ART and your art-loving AUDIENCE. 

Let's address the elephant in the room, shall we? ->  Why on earth do I offer only one example at the end of the book? What was I thinking?

Oddly enough, what feels like sheer madness for some readers is 100% intentional. I thought about it for a long time.

Reading artists' examples—who are not you—before mining your own gold, is a setup for: pointless comparison, instinctive copycat syndrome, and seductive, ill-informed shortcuts. 

This book is NOT for you, if you...
-- Want examples to emulate
-- Are focused on the marketing aspect of your statement
-- Are averse to diving deep and honest self-reflection
-- Like your material cut & dry
-- Expect every page to be packed with info (sometimes your eyes, and your brain, need a break from dense text...)
-- Have a hard time moving into and trusting an exercise when the result isn't immediately obvious

 This book is for you, if you...
-- Want to uncover, and share, the soulful place you go when creating your work

-- Are willing to name, and understand, which of the 7 Fear Dragons might be keeping your artist statement small and irrelevant

-- Are willing to roll up your sleeves and try my approach, even when it feels quirky, because the prize you take home is depth over superficiality

-- Understand how the art-loving people in your world get pure gold when they bond with you and your work in more than one realm 

If you all you want is an artist statement for marketing, the online world beckons. 

But if you want collectors to experience an exceptional connection to the soul of your work, this book, with the work you put in, is for you.

I've been thrilled by art and artists since I was a toddler tripping out on the cliffs of Big Sur, California while my artist mother held her breath hoping I wouldn't fall into the Pacific before she could get to me. 
 
With the same relish for risk, I garnered a doctorate in Creative Behavior and Human Development, pioneered the smARTist Telesummit for six years —the first-ever, online or off, professional development conference for visual artists. 
 
And wrote the only book urging artists to claim their own words about their art before others take that away from them: Writing Your Artist Statement: Revealing the True Spirit of Your Work.
 
My writing has appeared in fine art, ceramic, sculpture and surface design publications in the USA & Canada. I've taught at the Loveland Academy of Fine Arts, directed art programs for a diverse, urban recreation center; led drama, authentic movement and writing workshops for children and adolescents. 
 
As a writer and entrepreneur, who grew up in a family of artists (and grew my own family of artists), I understand and integrate these three, different sensibilities into pioneering programs that meet artists on the corner of ArtLife & Creative Challenge at arianegoodwin dot com. Truth. Power. Art.