A Self Portrait
Artist bios are an important part of art. If you’re selling — or seeking to sell — your art or services, you’ll want to create a bio that evolves as you do. Your bio is your story in your words. But if you’re already worried because you’re a visual artist and not a writer… an artist of words, take heart. There are workarounds which we’ll get into.
If your art is your hobby, and you’re not sure if you want it to become something more, this may still be helpful for you. Your art and those who admire it, will all benefit by the addition of story to your creations.
It’s human nature to connect with stories. Stories breathe life into things and bridge connections with people. We connect with the life, the lesson, the message, feelings and experiences behind the story.
Art Descriptions
One artist in the iCreateDaily community, Lynda Suzanne Wright, creates short 100-ish word stories for some of her art. She also gives names to her creation, as do many artists. Names help to create a connection and add intrigue, captivate the viewer and give added dimension of contemplation.
You may enjoy Lynda’s drawing prompts article.
You can see more examples of art descriptions at the end of this article.
Stories and naming art add dimension and depth to your creations.
~LeAura Alderson, cofounder – iCreateDaily.com®
Share Your Story
Creator and retired music teacher, Lynda Suzanne Wright shares:
“A 6th grader this afternoon, as I began to tell them about Mozart as a young child, said, ‘you know, you should really get a job as a storyteller, ’cause you are really good at telling stories!’ I said, ‘I thought that WAS what my job is!’ 
My style of teaching — storyteller. Always will be.“
The art of story and the story of art brings you and your creations to life. Whether it’s you and your artist story, or the story of your creations, naming art and adding artistic description entertain, inspire and connect with others.
The story is where humanity connects. Story connects us to heart and soul… to purpose and meaning. Story, connects us to each other.
~LeAura Alderson, iCreateDaily.com®
Tell a Story with Your Art… and for Your Art
Last year, my daughter and I were in a Lululemon store when she observed some cool art on the walls. Upon closer inspection, these were paintings from local artists. We were delighted to see this so queried the store clerk about it.
Apparently, Lululemon’s manager-run community stores like to feature local programs, such as yoga and meditation classes led by local teachers, and art by local creators. The store clerk said that one of the features of the art that got the most attention from customers, were the artist bios. And in fact, that is what we stopped to read for each piece.
So when you’re creating, whether it’s paintings or something else, it’s a great idea to include the story behind that piece. The origin story becomes the bio for each creation. Similarly, your story is often that which helps prospects become fans and patrons.
People connect with people and their stories. Your story gives your art more meaning, purpose and a greater potential to inspire.
~LeAura Alderson, iCreateDaily.com®
Your Artist Bio is a Part of You and Your Art
If you haven’t updated your artist bio in awhile, you need to. Don’t worry if you haven’t gotten to it yet. Don’t worry if it’s old. It’s better to have a short and simple artist bio that none at all. But do plan on updating it soon.
Don’t make creating your best artist bio a chore; make it a part of your evolving creative expression.
Your Creative Bio
Your artist bio is a part of your creative expression, so bring your creativity to tell that story. Don’t worry if it’s perfect. In fact best not to be. Most important is that it speak your story in your words with your unique flair.
Your Art Bio
Similarly, each piece of art has a story to tell. Each story, if you’re a writer, has an inception and inspiration story. Sharing these stories help your audience connect with you and your creations.
Books have titles, descriptions and synopsis. Visual art should as well.
~LeAura Alderson, cofounder – iCreateDaily.com®
Done is Better than Perfect
Don’t overthink your bio, don’t try for perfection, but do work on it to update and improve it periodically. Your bio, like you, is a work-in-progress, an ever evolving story.
Love your biography into being the way you love your creations to life.
Your Self Portrait
Your artist biography is as important as the art you create and as much a creative extension of you as your art. Craft your bio to tell your story and people will find you because of who you are as much as for what you create.
Your bio is your self portrait, and as important as the art you create, because story is the connecting link between you, your creation and your patrons.
~LeAura Alderson, cofounder iCreateDaily.com®
Tell Your Story
We get it. You’re probably more interested in doing your work and creating your art than in promoting it or yourself.
But sharing the story behind the art—and the artist—adds dimensions of interest. Your bio is your story, and your story adds color and dimension to you as a creator.
Your creative bio is your unfinished autobiography and your biography is an important part of your personal and professional brand development. With it you can reach and inspire more people.
Through reach, your fans and patrons… your “tribe”, will find you. Many will find you because of your story and the rest will want to know the story behind your work… the story of you.
Your story is the frame for the canvas of your life.
Story imbues meaning and context that adds dimensions to your creations… in much the way your creations add dimensions to your life.
If you haven’t yet read Seth Godin’s book on Tribes, you’ll likely enjoy it and find it illuminating.
Your bio is your greeting to the world.
~LeAura Alderson, cofounder iCreateDaily.com®
Even if You’re not a Writer
Not a writer? No problem. If you’re a visual artist and not in love with writing, a bio can seem daunting. Even writers can shirk and shrink at the thought of writing their own biography.
Don’t make it a big deal… just a big priority. If you’re a writer, make it a story. If you’re an artist, imagine it as a painting that you describe.
“Ugh! Create a bio? Now I need to write about myself within the stiff and stilted constraints of what society expects from bios…?” No… not within stilted constraints if that’s not you. Start by writing what you’d say to a new friend you’re meeting over coffee.
Again, don’t even consider if it’s perfect, or “right” or as it “should be”. Consider it a “living painting” that evolves as you do. Even a “boring bio” can invoke curiosity and be turned into a story that people will want to read. And that’s what you want to do.
Collaborate with a Writer
If you’re a visual artist and find yourself still stalling out when it comes to writing words, then find a writer friend and offer a trade: they can write (or help write) your bio and you can create a visual for something they need. That’s a win-win-win!
You, your collaborator and your audiences will all benefit from this simple added value effort, plus you’re connecting with kindred creators while helping each other. That also means that each of you will shout out your participation to your respective audiences, which helps leverage each other’s exposure to more people.
Let your story speak, and your art elaborate.
~LeAura Alderson, iCreateDaily.com®
Don’t Get Stuffy, Just Be Real, Be You, and Have Fun!
Be real… be you, but, you do also have to write for your audience. If you’re primary audience happens to be a more professional corporate audience, they may want to know of your credentials and accomplishments, even if there is no degree but you have years of practical experience.
If not, forget the corporate “how to write a bio” steps and details. Today is a new era of creativity and authenticity. Speak in first person if you’re so inclined and let people get to know you and why you do what you do. Today’s best bios speak heart to heart.
Write your biography as though you’re speaking to a friend. Because you are. You’re bio will speak to your audience—and prospective audience—of friendlies.
Your art can elaborate the story in your bio… and your bio deepens the story in your art.
The best biographies for this era of creatives are autobiographies. Your story, in your words.
~LeAura Alderson, iCreateDaily.com®
From Bio to Autobiography – Write in First Person
No one else in the world has your story. No one else in the world does your art. Create an autobiography that is a story of you; a story that expresses who you are and why you do what you do.
Tell the story of struggles and triumphs that were all a part of what makes you, you. Tell your story from your heart to theirs. You’re the only one who can.
Don’t hold back. Many people buy art because of the story behind the art.
Your Story in Your Words (or hire or trade with a ghost writer)
Have fun and play with your bio the way you play with your art. But… if you just aren’t aren’t into writing, and the thought of this makes you cringe, than have someone write your bio for you from the stories you tell them.
Talk your bio into a recorder and share that file so they can craft your story from your own words and in your voice. Your audience will want to hear from you in your voice, even if someone else writes the words for you.
If you are a writer, then no problem, right? But if you still struggle, consider how to craft your story like a novel you might write, or for non-fiction writers, practice what illustrative storytelling you’d put in your books.
It is the creator’s privilege to turn any effort into art.
~LeAura Alderson, iCreateDaily.com®
Examples of Exceptional Artist Bios
Amy Brown – Amy Brown Art
The first artist bio is an example of an exceptionally well written bio by an artist who has built an emporium of her art over the years. What’s remarkable about her bio is how it’s factual and informative yet written in story style. It’s a bio that you want to read all the way to the end.
We first learned of Amy because we have a tin box of her cards, so beautifully done, from the tin box to the cards to the envelopes. While those are no longer available, you can see her large collection on Amazon and on Etsy.
The artist’s name is Amy Brown, Fantasy artist. Amy’s content is captivating and her success, inspiring. Amy started back in 1992. That’s 26 years of creating!
Consider where you will be in 26 years if you create daily beginning now?
Here’s the first paragraph of Amy’s bio:
“I started painting Faeries in 1992. I’d always been interested in them, but had never considered them to be a career option, until one day when I was not quite twenty-one and working in a small art gallery.”
You immediately want to know more, such as what happened in that small art gallery…? Did Amy see faeries? How and why is it that she started painting them there?
UPDATE: Amy has updated her website and thankfully, has added her lovely face to be seen on her Patreon page, though it still needs to be added to her website bio page last we checked. Amy has minimized her bio… it’s not quite as story focused as it once was, but still shares interesting info that will help visitors connect more with her.
Erik Wahl – The Art of Vision
This next artist serves mostly corporate audiences. So his artist bio—at first appearance—is less personal. However Erik’s collection of writing, quotes and videos take you through a delightful and intriguing visual story that leaves you wanting more.
If you’re an artist seeking to grow your work in the world more quickly, then definitely consider doing more visual branding, such as Erik Wahl’s video clips. Erik’s work of presenting to vast audiences from stage provides lots of opportunities for capturing fascinating footage that, he’s had artfully produced into captivating video clips that tell his story.
If you have a desire to be compensated for your art, your personal brand is your artistic output.
~Erik Wahl, visionary artist, speaker, teacher, author
If you can’t create your own videos yet, or have them created for you, don’t worry. Just place his link and your ideas on your vision board if you have one, or your goals list for the future. Then as you create your art daily, make notes as ideas come to you of what will go into your creative videos about you and your work.
Keep creating daily, with consciousness and vision, and you will arrive.
Don’t conform to the norm. Defy it.
~Erik Wahl, artist, teacher, author
Here’s an intro to Erik’s story:
“At an early age, I was told by my well-meaning teacher that ‘art was not my strength.’ Being a disciplined student, I listened. I put down my crayons and paintbrushes and did not pick them up again for another twenty years.
Until… until he was left with only one option.
Wow! Now THAT’S a story you want to know more about, and one that many can relate to. Please do peruse Erik’s exceptional website, TheArtOfVision.com and his awesome videos. (That link starts at his “About the Artist” page).
We love the work, dynamism and creativity of Erik Wahl of The Art of Vision. Betting that you will too. We had the opportunity to interview his artistically creative and inspiring wife and business partner, Tasha Wahl in this podcast.
I am an entrepreneur. Every morning I wake up unemployed, with a blank canvas and endless possibilities.
~Erik Wahl, visionary artist, speaker, teacher, author
Mandy Thompson – Mandy Thompson Artist
We were delighted to interview Mandy Thompson for the iCreateDaily Podcast. Mandy is a very talented artist, both with paint and with words, and generously shared tips from her experience helpful to other artists.
Here’s an intro to Mandy’s story:
Mandy’s bio is an effective blend of autobiography:
“Mandy is a true daughter of the South, raised in rural Georgia with pencils in hand as early as her mama can remember.”
…and autobiography:
“My paintings include colors that reflect the vitality of life, textures that communicate the physicality of nature, and strong lines with open spaces that evoke a sense of freedom.”
Love that! Like Erik, Mandy also abandoned the paintbrush for many years to follow society’s prescription for a responsible adult work life. We’re so glad she found her way home to her art!
That sojourn is very much a part of Mandy and Erik’s artist story and adds all the more richness to their work. Their story makes for an easy connection with their audience, many of whom can relate to that part of their story.
You can read the rest of Mandy’s story here. Be sure to stop by her blog too. You’ll probably stay for awhile. She’s as lovely with words as with colors.
And… don’t forget your social presence. Mandy’s description under her Facebook profile is invocatively descriptive and dense with the promise of story.
Mandy’s Facebook Byline:
“Abstract Artist + late-blooming bibliophile. Let’s talk creativity, authenticity, and slow-living.”
Oh… and speaking of that, BE SURE to create a brief artist byline for your social accounts and to also link your website there to make it easy for folks to access you and your work. Many are the times where I’ve wanted to view a creator’s business page or website, only to give up because it wasn’t readily discoverable from their personal Facebook profile.
“The business of the art gives as much as is given to it.”
~Mandy Thompson, Abstract artist, writer, blogger
Your Bio – Not One and Done
Bios should be like us, ever evolving. Don’t write your bio once and leave it there for years. We’re definitely guilty of that until recently. We had the perspective of the bio as a necessary piece of information that no one cares about.
And yet, consider, when you go to a website for the first time, especially if it’s a creator, coach, entrepreneur or other private site, chances are one of the first places you go to is the “About” page. I know we do, and market analytics bear truth to that. A 2015 study reports that 52% of website traffic visits the ‘About’ page, and it’s second in importance only to the ‘Contact page’
Why Your Bio, Contact and About Pages Matter
52% of website visitors check your ‘about’ page first.
~Business.com[1]https://www.business.com/articles/importance-of-about-page-on-website/
As I was writing this, my daughter said to me: “Do you think about updating your bio while writing an article on bios…?” Absolutely! So we’ve done it, and… need to do more, so that our bios will also continue evolving and improving.
My goal for my bio is to edit it to say more in fewer words and with more story than facts and details.
As the saying goes… “the painter’s house always needs painting”, but you can be sure that we will revisit and update our bios and photo at least once a year now.
Your story becomes a part of your art, because your art is a part of your story.
“The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all, and then stands back to see if we can find them.”
~Elizabeth Gilbert, author, speaker
If you’d like more guidance and ideas toward creating your story, you may enjoy this interview.
OH! And… if you’re any kind of creator, consider looking for unique outlets for displaying your work. Visual artists in particular, have opportunities in any retail outlet or restaurant with wall space.
For more on selling your art, you may enjoy this article on how to make money from your art..
Examples of Art Descriptions
There are so many wonderful examples of differing kinds and approaches to descriptions for art. Imagine an art card or gallery label on appended to your art on display and the viewers reading it as they admire your creation.
There’s no one way to do it. There are as many possibilities as there is art and artists. Here are a few from the iCreateDaily for Creators Facebook community to help warm up your art bio ideation.
Linette Jensen, Artist
#inktober2020, small mouthed salamander. Eggs larva and adult. Drawn from photos with micron pen. Today’s challenge was”go big” so I drew a small animal larger than life. 9x12inch Bristol board.
~Linette Jensen, artist
Donna Sheerin Gillis, Customer quilter
I am working on a Texture of Life Quilt. Do you see 2 words? The sides have all the pockets from pants and the words are made from pants. Work in Process but I had to share.
~Seamsundone Donna Sheerin Gillis
Katrina Morrison, Multitalented, Multidisciplinary Artist
Katrina owns an art shop, teaches art classes, and works in all kinds of mediums, including soil by bringing artistry to gardening. She made this lovely shawl and gave it a name.
Moondancer…
This is $75 on Etsy with free shipping. I love making them. It is made with a 75% superwash wool and 25%bamboo . It feels so soft and warm.
~Katrina Morrison, artist, owner Garden Thyme in Bishop Hill
Now… don’t you think this lovely shawl will sell even better with a name like “Moondancer”? It certainly gives it added flair and persona with just that one simple word.
Kevin McGeeney, artist
“Reject those saboteurs in your head. Seek your truth, be wise instead”.
Gel pen on drawing pad.
~Kevin McGeeney, artist
Here, Kevin McGeeney gives this piece a persona and accompanying quote that many people can relate to.
Shannon DeAnna Schofield, poet, author, beekeeper, homesteader
I am on fire! My heart gets butterflies just before the words start dancing. I feel like a child full of wonder. I hope it never stops! Plus I love it when i can use “unfurl”. That’s another word I love ?
THROW YOUR STONES
In this lovely dream world
I made all by myself
There are many trophies
I’ve laid upon my shelfThe base of this majestic place
Is made of all the stones
Thrown from those in haste
From atop their golden throneI took each stone they threw
And laid them on my floor
What they thought they knew
May haunt them evermoreMy world is enchanted
With the tricks of my trade
Your entry may be granted
If you are kind todayIt’s filled with all this magic
All my friends are wild
Upon my shore of logic
Are the stones I have compiled
All the stones that were thrown
Into this majestic locale
Are what helped me grow
Each one is my palGo on about your merry way
Throw stones if you must
Just know inside this great place
Are fairies full of dustThe magic inside my lovely world
Constructed in such a way
Watch the wizardry unfurl
And throw stones if you may~Shannon Schofield, poet, author, beekeeper, homesteader
See Shannon’s Empaths poem here.
For more on selling your art, you may enjoy this article.
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Hello! I’m LeAura, owner and co-creator of iCreateDaily.com®. As an autodidactic philosopher, generalist, personal development advocate, entrepreneur, writer, editor, author, ideator, media publisher, and podcaster, I’m passionate about helping others achieve their best possible life! Our small family of entrepreneurs, writers, investors, educators and creators own and run websites around topics we enjoy, such as gardening, health and fitness, creativity and pets, with more to come.
While my greatest teacher is Life… my formal training includes certifications in mediation, fitness, and strategic intervention coaching, including marriage and family. Today, the synergy of creating websites, articles and podcasts, brings together all my favorite things: family, learning, growth, creating, connecting and contributing. To share these with you is a privilege, that serves my lifelong aspiration to help others.
My personal areas of creativity are in writing, masterminding, ideation, synthesis and bringing ideas to life through business and entrepreneurship, all with a pervasive spiritual foundation with a focus on elevating the lives of others.
References
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