Traditional Realism Art

How to Write an Artist Biography

2009-05-20T01:20:00.005-04:00

What is an artist biography? A concise description would be the story of your life as it relates to your art. Before you put pen to paper, or start typing, do some research, looking at other artist biographies for reference. You should notice that no two biographies are alike in form or content. Likewise, your biography should be very unique to your life experience and your personal style.

How is a biography different from a statement or resumé? Detailed information about your work should be reserved for your artist statement(s). Your biography should include important items from your resume, but it should not repeat your resume line for line.

Evaluate and write for your audience. You should have one general biography that will work in almost all circumstances. At least once a year, and before submitting your biography for an exhibit, article, etc., review and update it as necessary. Three to four paragraphs should be sufficient, and it should be no longer than one page. Write in the third person singular, not first. If incorporating personal statements, these should be quoted in first person.

The purpose of your artist biography is to make a human connection with your audience. If your audience knows more about the person behind the art, the buying experience will become more personal to them. Always keep your language positive. Negative words can turn people away. Use active over passive voice. Do not assume your readers will have the same knowledge as yourself. Provide exact names and locations, and avoid acronyms. Be honest, but avoid over-revealing personal details of your life. Keep it professional.

The following are some questions to consider when writing your own biography. Answers do not have to be provided for all of them.

As for form, start here. Describe your work. How would you describe your style or method? What mediums do you work in? What subjects? Do you have a statement about your work that you would like to share?

Next, add some compelling details. What made you decide to become an artist? Was there a specific event or a series of events you can describe?

Add in some historical timeline. Have you had any important people who have mentored or influenced your growth? How long have you been pursuing your art? Any notable education?

Finish off with more compelling details and basic facts. What do you consider a breakthrough/turning point/major step in your career? Any notable awards or memberships? Where do you create your art work? Where do you currently sell your work? Is your work owned by any noteworthy collectors or part of a significant collection? Have you been influenced by an artist of the past that your audience can relate to? What are some goals for your work moving forward? Where do you currently reside?

When you think you are finished, read, reread, and have other people read your biography to check flow, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Put it aside for a few days and come back to it. Your biography will constantly evolve as you accept new challenges and pursue new directions in life and your work.

Framing Resources

2009-05-13T13:46:00.006-04:00

(Note: Because frames are delicate and quality is vastly different, we are only recommending sources we have used personally and have provided comments regarding our past experiences. We cannot guarantee that our experience will be your experience. We recommend whenever ordering frames to ask for perfect joins with clean cuts.)

The following framing companies provide quality ready-made and custom frames at affordable prices. Many offer free samples and wholesale pricing.

American Frame - www.americanframe.com
Custom Framing. Free frame samples (pieces) are offered in sets of five. Good customer service. Hassle free returns. Boxes frames are shipped in are great for reusing to ship your finished paintings. A favorite frame: Allure Gold #573235.

Furst Bros. Company - www.furstbros.com
All customers must possess and provide a copy of your state resale certificate and credit references. Custom Frames, Crescent Ragmat matboard, glass (local deliveries only for glass). Offers regional delivery via truck and nationwide delivery via UPS. Corner samples available. Recommend order placement at least two weeks in advance. Ask them to fax you their current pricing lists. A favorite frame: 1" Wood Frame, Gold Leaf, #9255, catalog page 33 - great for framing matted work on paper.

Graphik Dimensions, Ltd - www.picturesframes.com
Frame samples (pieces) are offered for the cost of shipping. Custom framing up to 1/8 of an inch on a selection of frames. If you live in North Carolina, you must provide a state resale tax certificate to receive a tax-exempt purchase. Make sure to check if you want real wood, many are polycore. A favorite frame: Wood Canvas Floater - in a variety of sizes and finishes, for gallery wrapped / contemporary styles.

JFM Enterprises, Inc. - www.jfmenterprises.net
Up to 20 corner samples of custom frames at no cost. All customers must possess and provide a copy of your state resale tax certificate prior to ordering and viewing prices. Latest catalog released in 2007; catalog photos are much better than the website. The website has newer frames not in the catalog. You should call to verify pricing, what is in stock, and the current frames available in custom sizes. We have had multiple issues with the finish chipping on the 452-G frame. We recommend placing orders a minimum of one month in advance. Regional deliveries via truck monthly, otherwise via FedEx. A favorite frame: 874-2210.

Tru Vue - www.tru-vue.com
Learn more about the different types of glazing (glass and acrylic) available for protecting your works on paper. Artists who frame their own work can order glazing displays, catalogs, care / info stickers, and gloves.

*Please Note: Notice of this information is provided solely for the interest of the TraditionalRealism.com community. TraditionalRealism.com does not endorse or sponsor, nor is it responsible for the information, service, content, links, or security of any third party links provided. For more information, please contact the third party directly.

Art Calendar's Studio Makeover Contest

2009-04-29T10:46:00.006-04:00

If you are in need of supplies and furnishings for your studio, check out Art Calendar Magazine's Studio Makeover contest. There are over $9500 in prizes, including a grand prize worth $8300. The contest is free to enter, and contestants only need to submit a current photo of their studio and describe in 100 words or less why they deserve a studio makeover.

View a list of the prizes, and enter to win a studio makeover.

Winners of Art Renewal Center's 2008-2009 ARC Salon announced

2009-04-15T13:09:00.007-04:00

The Art Renewal Center recently announced the winners and finalists of its 5th annual International ARC Salon® Competition. This prestigious competition of the top representational artists working today received over 1600 entries from 30 countries this year, with the years prizes totaling more than $70,000.

Among the winners, Jeffrey T. Larson won both first and third place prizes in the still life category. Shown here is Larson's first place winner Reflections. Larson specializes in landscapes, still lifes, and figures in the natural environment. In 2008 alone, Larson received first place in The Artist's Magazine's 25th annual still life competition, along with receiving three finalist awards. He was a featured artist in the July 2008 issue of American Art Collector magazine, and Fine Art Connoisseur named him as one of three "Artist's Making Their Mark" in the June 2008 issue.

For more information about Jeffrey T. Larson, please visit his website www.jeffreytlarson.com. For more information about the Art Renewal Center, including the ways it is involved in helping traditional realist artists, please visit their website, www.artrenewal.org.

The Hudson River Fellowship

2009-04-08T18:30:00.001-04:00

The Hudson River Fellowship was formed in 2007 to provide selected artists with free tuition and housing in the Catskill Mountains to learn from some of the best realist painters working today. It is sponsored by is sponsored by the Catskill Mountain Foundation and the Institute of Classical Architecture and Classical America and was founded by Jacob Collins.

The 2009 fellowship program runs from July 6 through August 2 with applications due by May 1st. Accepted artists will be notified by May 15th. To apply, artists must submit 5-7 digital images of work done from life (Subject matter is not limited to landscapes but can include figure, cast, and still life. Drawings are encouraged, particularly figure drawings). The application can be downloaded from the foundations website www.hudsonriverlandscape.com.

Its mission is to "build a new movement of American art, modeling itself after the artistic, social and spiritual values of the Hudson River School painters... Ideally, these artists and their beautiful representations of nature will help to lead the culture back to a stronger connection to the landscape. The school seeks to make a contribution both to the art world and the conservation movement." The curriculum consists of field studies, theory, and studio painting.

*Please Note: Notice of this opportunity is provided solely for the convenience of the TraditionalRealism.com community. TraditionalRealism.com does not endorse or sponsor, nor is it responsible for the information, service, content, links, or security of any third party links provided. For more information, please contact the host directly.

The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation

2009-04-01T22:50:00.004-04:00

The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation was founded in 1955 to monetarily assist representational artists working in painting, drawing, sculpture, and printmaking. Applicants must be in the early stages of their career and committed to a lifetime career as a professional artist. Applicants should also have already started or completed their education at an established school of art. Grant award is typically 12,500 CAD.

Detailed instructions and an application can be found on their website http://www.elizabethgreenshieldsfoundation.org/. As of 2008, they are now accepting work samples as digital entries via CD only. No more slides! Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and response time varies from one to six months.

National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA)

2009-03-25T20:15:00.006-04:00

The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies website includes a directory of regional and state arts organizations. Your state arts council is a great resource for finding out grant information, upcoming events, opportunities to market your work, and more. If you haven't visited your regional, state, and local arts council websites, check them out today. There may be opportunities out there that you haven't heard of yet.

North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Program

2009-03-18T23:54:00.002-04:00

If you plan to visit your local museum or several museums throughout the year, check to see if the museum participates in the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Program. The NARM Program allows those purchasing membership at one museum, to gain free or member level entry to many museums throughout North America, and many offer discounts in the museum shops. A good list of participating museums, with links to the participating museum websites and details on some of the restrictions, can be found on on the NARM site managed by the Greenville County (South Carolina's) Museum of Art.

Some of the participating museums offer family membership for two adults and two children with NARM benefits starting as low as $100 annually. Memberships are also tax deductible. Some museums on the list restrict the number of reciprocating museums membership is valid with.

There is also a Southeastern Reciprocal Museum Program (view this list from the Birmingham Museum of Art), sometimes offered in lieu of or at a lower rate than the NARM Program.

Starving Artist Tip: Check to see which museum will give the best price for membership with NARM benefits, even if you do not reside in the museum's area (you may be able to order your membership online, by phone, or mail).