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An Art Story is Different from an Artist's Statement

The art work statement is about the individual piece of work. It's a story. The why behind this art piece's creation.

The statement or story that a show, contest, book publisher, etc. wants is about just the one piece. It may incorporate some of your general philosophy but it is specifically the story as to why you felt compelled to make this one art piece.

Maybe your artist's statement says that you feel a oneness with nature and you want to convey your impressions of the damage we are doing to the environment.

Your story about Exxon Valdez (your newest creation) is the horror you felt for the sea life and shoreline where the oil tanker went aground. Or your general philosophy is to make something pretty. I wanted our architect to understand the feeling I wanted for the walkout level of the new house so I made Mi Casita. That will be my art story about this quilt.

Each of us has a basic philosophy regarding our individual work and there are multiple inspirations, which cause us to create each work of art. And each one has its very own story. Your mother died, the cat(s) won't die, the view of the mountains outside your living room just has to be shared or you're a frustrated interior designer. You know what inspires you; what thought or feeling spurred this particular design. Tell us.

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Kathy Davie is an artist, educator, and author of the arts marketing series, Your Portfolio & You, aimed at helping artists survive (and thrive) at the business of being an artist.

As a self-taught artist, Kathy was frustrated by the lack of information on taking her career to a more professional level while meeting legal guidelines and learning about legal hiccups. Her drive for information fueled her to interview numerous professionals and compiled the information into a monthly news column. She now leads workshops and is converting the news columns into this continuing series of how-to books.

Kathy has a BS in Technical Writing & Editing with minors in Digital Media and History from Metropolitan State College, Denver, CO and is the author of Accounting for the SMALL Businessperson, How Copyright Applies to the Artist, the Buyer, the Employer/e, the Sold Artwork, Dealing with Photographs, Slides, Digital Images, and Surviving the Outdoor Arts Festival.

Visit her writing or arts websites or reach her by email.