Some Tips & Questions to Help You Write an Artist's Biography
Tips
- Write it in the third person, i.e., "Jane Artist was born in..."
- Be simple, clear, concise, direct, and keep it short, no more than one or two pages. You do not need to tell the audience all you have experienced--give them just enough to make them ask for more.
- Keep it light hearted and don't take yourself to seriously.
- If facts about your life do not relate to your art, leave them out. It is better to say less, rather than reveal too much. Again, leave with your audience wanting more.
- Be honest about your work.
- Avoid name-dropping.
- Avoid comparing your work to that of famous
artists. You can acknowledge those who have influenced your work,
but avoid statements such as: "Like Monet, I do this or that".
- Use spell check. Review the Biography for
Grammatical Errors. If you are not sure, don't be to proud to ask someone for help.
- Read the Biography out loud several times. If you stumble over parts when reading it yourself, it probably will be hard for others to read as well.
Family & Origins
- Where were you born?
- What languages are you fluent in?
- What is your mother tongue?
- Where have you lived?
- Where do you live now?
- How long have you lived where you live now?
- Describe your family. (You don't need to give a lot of detail unless that family life has a direct impact on the art you make.)
- What is your ethnicity?
- How many siblings do you have?
- Are your parents, grandparents, siblings, etc., Artists?
Influences
- When did you first decide to be an artist?
- Where did you get your education?
- What jobs did you have where you gained experience in the arts or where you were influenced to work in the arts?
- What artists/movements/experiences have influenced your work?
- Was there a teacher or relative who influenced or encouraged your interest in the arts?
- Who has supported and encouraged you most in your artistic endeavors?
Current Involvements
- If you volunteer, how and why?
- Have you taken Art classes or Workshops that have influenced your work in any way?
- What are you doing/working on/displaying now?
- What other things have you done in the field of Art?
- What medium (media) have you worked with and which do you usually work in?
- Briefly, describe your philosophy in using the medium or media that you do. Are you a specialist or a generalist?
- Are you currently taking any classes or workshops (even classes that do not directly relate to Art) that have influenced your work?
Where Does Your Artwork Reside?
- Where has your work been displayed?
- Who currently owns large portions of your art?
- What collections (private and public) does your work appear in, i.e., museums, galleries, cities, schools?
- Have you done any Public Art (alone or as a collaboration?)
- Have you ever displayed or shown your Artwork publicly or privately?
Organizations/Awards/Honors
- To what artistic/professional/civic/philanthropic organizations do you belong?
- Do you have any awards or honors?
- List them:
- _______________________
- ____________________
- ____________________
- ____________________
Other Influences
What other interests or hobbies do you have that influence your Art?
