unfolding (writing my artists statement)

How many of you have written an artist's statement?

That has been my task this morning - I'm applying to show some work in an open exhibition and need to have some words down on paper.  

This is not my idea of fun and although I write this blog, writing some formal words about myself and my process does not come naturally to me.

Feeling totally uninspired to do anything at all, I decided to go for the right brain approach and got out my Neocolors and some paper - wow, what a difference!! 

Would you be brave enough to submit something like this as your statement?  

Despite encouragement from IG and FB friends, that I could send this off :-) I think I still need a straight down the line written version.  Up to now, it's probably a little short, but I've at least made a start which means I will finish it.  And so, friends, here it is.  The Neocolours definitely helped me write it:

Art is my connection to Source.

I believe that when you step into your creativity, you step into your most authentic self.

I paint intuitively with no set intention at the start of a piece.  I let the painting unfold - the work is a dialogue between myself and the paint.

The process starts with layers of colour; the organic shapes and goddess archetypes emerging.  I like to leave some of the layers peeking through; life is multi-layered and so are we.  Very often I feel that the Goddess guides my hand and chooses the colours and motifs.  This is when the painting process is at its most joyful for me and the paint flows easily. 

My paintings are about the joy I feel when I make that connection, the joy I have in my life and the celebration of that joy. 

I would love to know what you think.

Have you had to write an artist's statement?  What was your process?  Did you find it difficult?  Easy? Please share with me in the comments below...

From my heart to yours

Rachel xox

Comments

[Birdie]

For some reason I want to change peeking, probably just my bias but I prefer something like 'glimpses of earlier layers', otherwise I think it is excellent as it stands. I personally prefer the written version, but I think you need to go with what feels right to you. It is your image you are constructing so its a case of what feels authentic and right for you.

Yes I have written one and I'm glad I did, though it does now need a little revision. I used Alyson Stanfields Relatively Pain Free Guide and it taught me a great deal about how to write think and talk about my work. Well worth the few pounds and time investment! From artbiz.blog.com I think, but also available for kindle on Amazon.

[Kerry]

A wonderful and inspiring post seeing how the artistic process works, as we often just go with the flow and don't stop to think about how it happens or how we do it. Thankyou for sharing and I love the use of the right brain planner to help the flow xxx

[Rachel Ellen Andrews]

Hi Birdie - thanks for stopping by and for your comment, I really appreciate it - I will undoubtedly use the written version but the rebel in me would like to be daring enough to submit the coloured crayon one!!

[Rachel Ellen Andrews]

Thanks Kerry, it was fun to do!! xox

[Shana]

Hi Rachel, I have written them in the past, and they can be very daunting. It seems difficult to sum up a process, and a creative process at that, into a few concise sentences. But I suppose that is the magic of a good a writer, to be able to condense something that cannot be explained into a neat little package of words. I think your crayon version is lovely, but with anything in life you have to know your audience, especially during a application process. Is there a way to be truly, utterly, yourself and still function within traditional systems? I have yet to figure that out. Hopefully we will be reading soon that you will be displaying your work in this open exhibition! Good luck!

[Rachel Ellen Andrews]

Hi Shana, thanks for your pertinent words - I know I will be sending off the written version, but wouldn't it be nice to think you could as you say 'be truly, utterly yourself'? And thanks for your best wishes :-)

[Tara]

This is brilliant! I really want to rewrite mine now, not that I'm using it for much at the moment. I love how you arrived at these words, as well as the words and how truthful they are.

[rachel]

Thanks Tara, looking forward to reading your new statement :-)