Resources for Artists
An educational guide to being a successful artist
Being an artist is a lot of work. Not only are you developing you artistic practice, but you have an interest in exhibiting and selling your artwork. Where do you even start! Below are some helpful tips and resources to help you on your professional development to being a successful artist.
Overview
An artist biography is a short 300 word description about you and your artistic career. Your biography details your artistic accomplishments such as your exhibition history, publication history, education, awards and so on. Rule of thumb, your biography does not detail everything you’ve ever accomplished. Depending on how active your artistic practice is, only list the last three-five years and renew. Your biography is typically written in 3rd person and is factual in tone. Try and answer some of the questions below to brainstorm your biography:
Where are your from or currently live?
Where did you attend school? And did you graduate?
List your most recent awards. Include the name/organization who distributes the awards, and year.
Has your work been purchased by a collector? List the organization and year.
List your most recent exhibitions. Include name of the gallery and year.
Has your work been published in a magazine, include that too!
And are you part of any art collectives, active and relevant art organizations, projects?
Are you a teacher or work in an art related field?
An artist statement is a short description about your artistic practice and is no more than 300 words. Think of your artist statement as a biography about your artwork. Remember to use plain language, if you have to explain certain words or meaning than you’ve lost your reader. Your artist statement can be written in 3rd person or first person to convey a certain tone. Always research where you are going to place your work to get a sense of the gallery or organization’s writing style. Try and answer some of the questions to help you brainstorm your artist statement:
What is my artwork about? What’s my vision?
Do I have a research-based practice, if so, what type of research do I do?
Does my work explore my identity or heritage, what are those influences?
What medium or techniques do I use: painting, photography, collage, etc.?
How do I make my artwork?
What is my philosophy?
Who or what is my inspiration?
What method (materials, technique, formal approaches) do I use in my work?
How do you want the audience to react to your work?
How does my work fit into the theme of an open call or exhibition (group/solo)?
Your artist resume/CV will tell the reader at a glance who you are. What are some of the ways to make sure your artist resume/CV stands out?
Your artist resume/CV is different from a career resume, which would include past jobs or internships unless those job positions are art related. Typically in the art world, an artist resume/CV is a 2 page document of your past exhibition history, art related publications, awards, and education. Always begin your artist resume/CV in a word document and try to avoid fancy templates or crazy font that will not be read by employers screening programs, or take up too much space and you end up with half your experience squeezed at the bottom. Follow some of our guidelines below:
Length:
Standard resume/CV rule is to keep your document within 2 pages. Recruiters or jurors will not spend more than a few minutes looking at your artist resume/CV and do not want to read an essay of all your accomplishments. While you might have an impressive and active career that you take pride in, only list the 15 most recent exhibitions, publications, awards, etc. If you’ve only exhibited at a few places than list all of them! Do keep a separate working document of all of you artistic achievements, which is best to display on your website.
Format:
Who doesn’t love branding! Resumes usually fall victim to design, and while it’s exciting to see an artists creativity show through the rule of thumb is to use clean and legible font in your artist resume/CV. Standard formatting is 12pt font and 1.5 or double spacing (depending on how active your artistic career is). All resumes/CV’s should be listed chronologically by listing your most recent experience at the top.
Things to include:
Name, contact information, social links (including website), education, exhibition history (split into 2 sections if you have extensive group and solo exhibition history), curatorial projects, publications, fellowships and/or residencies, awards, professional/career history.
Let’s put it all together! Download a copy of our template for artist resumes/CVs:
Inventorying your artwork is a great tool to have as an artist who has experience selling their work or interest in selling work. Think of your artistic practice as a business and ask what best practices can I do to make myself stand out?
Inventorying can help you stay organized but also build your professional development from photographing high quality images of your work, to titling your work, to keeping track of when you completed a work of art. Keeping a dedicated workspace doesn't mean having to spend a fortunate on fancy software or purchasing a website subscription, all you need is access to Google Spreadsheets or Microsoft Excel! Follow some of our guidelines below:
Photography
High-quality images of your work is the best way to stand out when submitting your work to exhibitions, publications, and art programs. Poor quality such as uncropped images, poor lighting, or over-edited images will count against you. Investing in programs like Adobe Photoshop can become expensive, but fantastic alternatives include Microsoft Windows 10 Photos, Luminar, and Apple Photos. While it is better to photograph your artwork using a camera, your mobile phone will do a good job as well. Hiring a professional photography service or use a school’s facility might not be accessible to everyone, but taking your artwork outside creates the best alternative for photographing you artwork. Find a nice shaded area to create even light against your artwork. Having direct sunlight might cause uneven glares or harsh shadows that become a nightmare in the editing process.
Numbering
Having a numbering system is the perfect way to keep track of your paintings. Numbering helps you stay organized and retrieve information about your artwork chronologically, but you can also play around with different systems. For example, you can list the number of that artwork, the first letter of the month, and date completed: 37J06 (37th drawing, finished in January, on the 6th).
Things to include:
As you build out your inventory, keeping track of title of the artwork, dimensions year, and material used are in an accessible and dedicated space. You can also add notes like how many times an artwork was exhibited and where, or if the artwork was purchased and by whom.
Let’s put your inventory together by downloading a copy of our spreadsheet!
Photographing your work is essential when submitting to open calls or developing a portfolio. Having high quality digital versions of your artwork readily available shows a dedication to being professional. Often, jurors review hundreds of submissions and sees amazing work, but not having quality images can count against you. So, how can an artist build a professional portfolio of their artwork? Check out some of our tips and guidelines below:
Photographing you work:
Using a digital camera is always a plus when photographing your artwork, but you can also use a mobile device to capture high quality images. Your camera (or mobile device) should be the same level as your artwork. Use a tripod to avoid distortion or shakiness of images. If you do not have a tripod, check your mobile device settings to reduce shakiness. Once you have your camera and artwork level, now it’s time to set up your lighting. Not everyone has impact lighting umbrellas, but if you do, place your lighting sources at 45 degrees to your artwork and camera for even lighting. Remember to photograph in a dark room to control lighting. Alternatively, you can take your artwork outside and place it in the shade. Avoid placing your artwork in direct sunlight otherwise you will get harsh contrasts.
Scanning your work:
If your artwork is small enough (typically 2D), you can scan your artwork! Make sure the settings are in JPG format and set the dpi to 300 for best quality. If you do not have a printer with a scanner, often stationary stores like Staples or your local postal office will offer scanning services for small or no fees.
Editing your images:
Now you have high quality images but now you have to clean them up a bit! You can use subscription based software like Adobe Photoshop, or use programs like Apple Photos or Microsoft Windows 10 Photos that comes with you computer, or free websites like Luminar. Upload your artwork and crop. Cropping cuts out the background which will distract viewers from your artwork. Your lighting might be off, so adjust exposure and color levels to match as close to the original as possible. Adjusting your color balances while having the original piece in front of you will help you achieve best results!
Consider your website and social media platforms as your digital portfolio. All the resources listed above can be organized on to a website which include your bio and artist statement, resume or CV, and images of your work. Let’s see it all together!
Websites:
There are hundreds of website platforms for artists with a range of functions and prices. An artist’s favorite is Squarespace which are easy to use and customize. A more advance platform can look like Cargo Collective which allow for advanced features like coding and formatting. Free alternatives can be platforms you might already be using like Tumbler, Facebook (or Facebook pages), or Instagram. Play around with different templates and decide where to invest your time and money.
Things to include:
It goes without saying, but images of your work should be the first thing viewers see when they go to your website. Don’t include all your work from high school to undergrad. Like your artist resume/CV, consider listing the most recent collection of work(s) that represent your current interests. If you have multiple interests like painting and ceramics, consider making sections on your website to showcase the different mediums separately. Always include your artist resume/CV, artist statement and bio, as well as contact info on a dedicated section of your website.
Social Media:
Using social media is another amazing resource for artists to promote their work and network! If you are not interested in setting up a website, social media platforms can be the next best alternative. Social media gives artist the flexibility to experiment using long form blogs or upload behind the scenes videos of your process. Social media does require some knowledge on analytics and algorithms that can be intimidating —let’s hold on that for now. Focus on picking one or two platforms you are most comfortable/familiar with like Facebook or Instagram and begin scheduling content around you artwork using Facebook’s FREE Creator Studio platform. Try and post 3 times a week to generate momentum and excitement about your profile. You will need to do some research hashtags, but consider looking at your artwork and breaking it down by materials used and subject matter. For example: #drawing #charcoal #portrait #figure. Utilizing hashtags and key words pushes visibility on social media platforms, more visibility = more engagement (i.e.: likes).
Things to work towards:
Building a social media following is hard work and takes time. An old school way of building a network around your social media platforms is to tell EVERYONE your meet about your social media. Getting virtual profile visits and followers is another hurtle. If you have an event or exhibition you are participating in and want to spread the news, you can boost your post through paid advertisements. For Instagram and Facebook, paying for ad space can range from $5 a day to $30 a week. Many social media platforms will offer target audience features which will require you to look at your analytics to see gender, age demographics, and location demographics. Once you look at your analytics, you can customize your target audience and run an ad for a few days or a few months!
Branding:
Artists will often say they need a visual brand or identity. Let’s debunk the myth. “Branding” is not only the visual identity you give your artwork, business, organization, etc. Branding is the core mission and values you set for your artwork or business, which you already have the moment you wrote an artist statement. Ta-da, the hard work is done! Yes, it is easy to go down the rabbit hole of creating a visual brand like a logo, font, and marketing strategy which will only make you go insane —believe me, I know. Most important tools for artist to have is an artist statement, a resume/CV, and a place to send people interested in your artwork (website or social media). Consider investing in business cards which can be done at home with a printer or through a printing service like VistaPrint. You can purchase high quality paper like cardstock and print: Your name, artist email address (if separate from your personal), website, and social media handles.
Pricing your work is the most stressful and complex process of being an artist. Where do you start? Is my artwork correctly valued or even worth it? Why am I not selling?
First, there is a market for every artist. It’s getting to the markets that requires some elbow grease. For emerging artists, calculate the cost of your materials purchased to create a work of art. For example: I purchased a 24in x 30in painting panel that cost $35.44 USD. The oil paints I use cost $49.99 USD. I spent a total of 10 hours on this painting and charge minimum wage of $15/Hour which totals $150 USD. My total cost is $235.43. Double that number and the asking price of your painting is $470.86 USD to earn back your expenses and make a profit. If you are selling your work through a gallery or art fair, add the vendors commission to your total to keep as much of the profit. Galleries and vendors typically take anywhere from 20% to 50% commission. For example my painting cost $470.86 USD but the gallery takes 30% which means if my painting sells, I only keep $141.25 USD! So I would want to sell my piece for $611.00 USD to gain maximum profit.
Digital copies or prints is another way to make small revenue in between selling larger scale artwork. There is a range for selling digital prints from $25 to $50 USD. If you are using a printing service or printing at home, use the same formula above. Calculate the cost of materials used including printer ink, purchase of paper, and your time spent. Then double that number!
Networking is essential to getting your work out there and into galleries or exhibitions. That means being prepared from having business cards, to a website, to a developed artist statement. When you introduce yourself, your artist statement is your elevator pitch. That doesn’t mean read your entire 200-300 written statement about your artwork every time someone asks. Try narrowing down your artist statement to its core message. For example: “Hello! My name is______. I’m a (sculptor, photographer, painter, etc.) based in (City, Country). My work is about______, I explore______, etc.”
Once you’ve engaged with someone, continue talking and let them ask questions about you and your practice. Remember to return the favor, and ask them questions. Before you’re conversation ends, ask to keep in touch and exchange business cards. If you’ve really enjoyed speaking with someone, like a curator, and felt that the conversation might offer an opportunity, send a follow up email reminding them where you met and a general —but memorable— fact you shared to help them remember you. Never assume, and don’t be too pushy about any requests. Networking is a about building relationships that take time and exchange.
Portfolio Reviews:
Portfolio reviews are a great way to network with artists, galleries, and art programs. It offers opportunities to get valuable and diverse feedback from professionals working in the art market, but IS NOT a job interview. Portfolio reviews is like speed dating, you only have 15-20 minutes to present and discuss your work so having your elevator pitch down is essential and shows professionalism. Consider coming prepared with a list of questions to ask like “What do you see or what is successful and what needs to be further developed.” The artwork you present should not be all the work you created in the past 10 years, but a selection of 5 strong works (5 being the number typically asked for open calls) you are interested in exhibiting. Try and select artworks that are visually consistent or explore a theme to center the reviewers and discussion. Rule of thumb, don’t ask questions you know the answer to because it doesn’t allow for growth or opportunity to learn something new. Never ask the reviewer what they can do for you, they’re reviewing your work on their time. Likewise, avoid telling your reviewers all of your research and process and inspiration, you have limited time so you should make a list of priorities from technique, to subject matter and professional development.
Research the venue before you arrive to ensure you are on time and map out who you would like to speak with. It is more common in a digital era to present your artwork on a tablet or computer. Sometimes it is unrealistic to carrying around 5 massive works of art that take up too much space, so having digital copies can be more accessible. Never show your work on your phone and do not assume you will have access to Wi-Fi. Download your artwork onto a slide presentation and have it ready before you sit down to speak with your reviewers.
Critiques:
Critiques are peer-review sessions that can be held in art programs or within collectives. You have more control when inviting someone to your studio to review your work. Remember to clean up your studio space a bit to not distract anyone from your artwork. Consider creating a core list of questions, no more than 5, to ask your reviewers. This ensures that no one veers off topic and getting meaningful feedback versus feedback that isn’t helpful at all. For example, someone could be discussing the history of landscapes but you are only interested in gaining technical feedback on your landscape painting. It’s ok to help the reviewer stay on topic.
Within networking, you can invite artists, curators, and art dealers to your studio for a one-on-one critique session. Ensure that they’ve agreed via email or text before they arrive to your studio. Virtual critique sessions are getting more popular and help you connect with people from around the world. Also consider reaching out to your local gallery and ask to host a critiquing event and invite people from the public, as well as artists, to engage in critical discussion about art.
Going out:
This section is debatable and is exercised with caution. Networking is acceptable during a certain time and place. Don’t assume you can walk in any gallery and present your artwork. If there is a gallery you admire and see your work being at that space, build a relationship with the art director or resident artists. This means attending art openings or going to their events and introducing yourself. Start small with your business card and build up towards having a discussion about reviewing your artwork.
Don’t go to an art opening with the intention of getting an exhibition. Gallery owners, art dealers, and art directors are easily frightened and are put off by bold advances. While you personal goal is to partner with a gallery, artist-run spaces have been making waves in the art world. Finding a group of artists with a similar vision and style to your artwork can be an alternative way to exhibiting or selling you work. Partnering with artists can also help in your professional development to learn from each other on what is working and what isn’t.
The core of self care is recognizing when you are overworked and stressed. Practicing self care is validating those negative feelings and pressing pause. Sit with those feelings and see what your body is telling you, maybe some of the suggestions below will help you:
It’s ok to take time away from your studio to recharge your social batteries. Stepping away can help regenerate creativity from talking a walk through nature, journaling, and cooking. Reading can also help shift your focus and slow your thinking process down. So much stress comes from over thinking, so finding small tasks to help you redirect and help with that creative blocking. Even going to the studio and sitting for a few hours to force creativity does nothing, so try cleaning up and organizing your space.
Exercise is the worst, but it works. Don’t worry about going to the gym, talking walks around your neighborhood creates mobility which helps with health and energy. Walking also helps with mood and the time you spent procrastinating is time spent being active.
Most importantly, hold compassion for yourself. Putting pressure on yourself to work hard causes more stress and anxiety. Consider repeating some of these affirmations:
I am an artist
I hope my artwork can inspire others
I am stronger in community
I acknowledge my personal growth
With my art, I create endless possibilities