And then, there's the screenplay logline: "A multi-talented Midwest author-artist-professor, who struggles with her creative identity, is challenged by her father to define her work. She realizes that her central subject has been badass women who are treated badly, and deepens her bond with her dad.
This is great! I have my students write both an artist statement and a mission statement. I'm eager to incorporate some of these prompts into those assignments!
Ooh, maybe we can talk about this more via email! I already had my students working on an Artist Statement assignment when Adam Ming's post came through, and I brought his prompts in to help with brainstorming. I'd love to see what you do!
I really like the Dan Blank idea of thinking ahead to months *after* someone has encountered our work, and then asking how you hoped it shifted the way they think. I did that right away! The tagline/one-sentence artist statement is harder for me. I mean, how many times have I changed my Substack one-liner? I do/have done so many different things. I'll get there one of these days!
I totally agree that thinking to *after* is genius. We obsess so much on getting something in people's hands or inboxes but even more important is whether it lingers with them, gets them thinking and doing a little differently. And yes I drafted a million Substack taglines before I picked mine, and I've drafted a million since. What I appreciate with Dan Blank is that he also emphasizes that these statements are moving targets, that they'll be different as we grow and explore new projects and angles. Which is affirming!
Yes, it's definitely iterative. I've just recently altered my About page and all my one-liners/descriptions, and I'm sure it'll happen again. I'm now subscribed to Dan Blank's newsletter, and it looks like I'll have to get his book, too!
We contain multitudes! It's good to keep evolving. Sometimes other people are better at seeing our through lines than we are. I think you'll enjoy Dan's newsletter and book!
I’m going to explore that…there’s something to that for sure. The other day I realized that there’s a similarity in creating a sequential piece of art and sewing a garment together. They both can be constructed of separate pieces that are created apart and then put together to complete a whole piece, and there are creative steps to take along the way to come to a great end result. Knowing what “parts” are needed to complete both successfully-there are parallels.
I love it. Thank you for sharing those tips it is really helpful. Writing an artist statement is something I have been dreading but you made it seems much easier. ☺️✨️
I never know how to write an artist statement because I do too many types of things! But someone described me as a “Tim Burton version of a Beatrix Potter book” which is perfect for a lot of my work.
I also borrow from Phillip K. Dick who said “I want to write about people I love, and put them into a fictional world spun out of my own mind, not the world we actually have, because the world we actually have does not meet my standards” - I create art of worlds I want to live in because the one we have doesn’t meet my standards.
That's so interesting! I can relate to the Marketing Allergy, but it's good to think about terms that define me and my art. My statement would be "draws about personal fascinations in a funny, relatable style".
Yes, it can be clarifying for us--and for Supportive Dads--to know what we're up to. I like your statement and I adore your comics! (I thought I'd already subscribed?)
I love all of this - including the comments - but I have to ask - how do you create this beautiful post? I assume it was created elsewhere and uploaded as an image? Visual storytelling really sounds like something I’d like to know more about.
Thanks so much! Yes, I created the images in Procreate on my iPad (very inexpensive and powerful tool!), exported them as JPG files, and uploaded them here.
And then, there's the screenplay logline: "A multi-talented Midwest author-artist-professor, who struggles with her creative identity, is challenged by her father to define her work. She realizes that her central subject has been badass women who are treated badly, and deepens her bond with her dad.
Oh that's GOOD! ❤️
I love it! Thanks! And you are one badass woman of whom I am extremely proud! Love ❤️ you!
Thanks, Supportive Dad! 🥰 Love you back! ❤️
This is great! I have my students write both an artist statement and a mission statement. I'm eager to incorporate some of these prompts into those assignments!
Ooh, maybe we can talk about this more via email! I already had my students working on an Artist Statement assignment when Adam Ming's post came through, and I brought his prompts in to help with brainstorming. I'd love to see what you do!
Yes, I would love that! Let's chat.
I really like the Dan Blank idea of thinking ahead to months *after* someone has encountered our work, and then asking how you hoped it shifted the way they think. I did that right away! The tagline/one-sentence artist statement is harder for me. I mean, how many times have I changed my Substack one-liner? I do/have done so many different things. I'll get there one of these days!
I totally agree that thinking to *after* is genius. We obsess so much on getting something in people's hands or inboxes but even more important is whether it lingers with them, gets them thinking and doing a little differently. And yes I drafted a million Substack taglines before I picked mine, and I've drafted a million since. What I appreciate with Dan Blank is that he also emphasizes that these statements are moving targets, that they'll be different as we grow and explore new projects and angles. Which is affirming!
Yes, it's definitely iterative. I've just recently altered my About page and all my one-liners/descriptions, and I'm sure it'll happen again. I'm now subscribed to Dan Blank's newsletter, and it looks like I'll have to get his book, too!
We contain multitudes! It's good to keep evolving. Sometimes other people are better at seeing our through lines than we are. I think you'll enjoy Dan's newsletter and book!
Oh yes, other people are *always* better at seeing us... 👀
Thanks so much for this. I often have no idea what to say because I do so many different things as an artist!
That's exactly how I felt! Maybe doing a couple of the prompts I quoted would help? Make a list of similarities and differences in your work?
I’m going to explore that…there’s something to that for sure. The other day I realized that there’s a similarity in creating a sequential piece of art and sewing a garment together. They both can be constructed of separate pieces that are created apart and then put together to complete a whole piece, and there are creative steps to take along the way to come to a great end result. Knowing what “parts” are needed to complete both successfully-there are parallels.
I'd never thought of that parallel! How cool to think of garment pieces akin to comics panels, and vice versa! I love it!
Badass statement for a badass woman...that checks out ✔️ 💪 Thanks for this, Kelcey!
Aww thanks, Christa! 🥰👊
I'll second Christa with this tweak: "A badass woman who tells stories of badass women who have been treated badly." Thanks!
Ha! Well that is lovely! I'll take it!
I love your 1 sentence one by the way ✨️☺️ definitely books I would recommend to my daughter, if the artist statement is worded this way 🤭
That's nice to hear! ❤️
I love it. Thank you for sharing those tips it is really helpful. Writing an artist statement is something I have been dreading but you made it seems much easier. ☺️✨️
One sentence seems so manageable, right?! :) Good luck with yours!
This is so useful—and it prompted me to start thinking thru mine.
So glad, Cara!
I never know how to write an artist statement because I do too many types of things! But someone described me as a “Tim Burton version of a Beatrix Potter book” which is perfect for a lot of my work.
I also borrow from Phillip K. Dick who said “I want to write about people I love, and put them into a fictional world spun out of my own mind, not the world we actually have, because the world we actually have does not meet my standards” - I create art of worlds I want to live in because the one we have doesn’t meet my standards.
Oh wow, both of these are amazing! One gives a sense of your visuals, and the other gives a sense of your purpose. I love it.
That's so interesting! I can relate to the Marketing Allergy, but it's good to think about terms that define me and my art. My statement would be "draws about personal fascinations in a funny, relatable style".
Yes, it can be clarifying for us--and for Supportive Dads--to know what we're up to. I like your statement and I adore your comics! (I thought I'd already subscribed?)
Hi Kelcey, fellow academic just waiving hello to say how much I enjoy your posts and your approach.
Hi Jacqueline! Thanks so much for saying hello! Tell me more about your academic life if you're up to it!
Thank you for the kind mention!
This is part of why I was re-reading Be the Gateway this week! :)
Thank you for this, Kelcey! Very helpful and inspiring.
Glad to hear it, Alex! Thank you!
I want to keep editing it to get Hollywood's attention. And added more internal conflict, lol.
Yes, a very nice touch! We should be getting calls anytime now. 😂
I love all of this - including the comments - but I have to ask - how do you create this beautiful post? I assume it was created elsewhere and uploaded as an image? Visual storytelling really sounds like something I’d like to know more about.
Thanks so much! Yes, I created the images in Procreate on my iPad (very inexpensive and powerful tool!), exported them as JPG files, and uploaded them here.
Thank you!