The confidence that successful artists exude when talking about their work stems from a deep-seated belief in the quality, significance, and uniqueness of their art. They have honed their communication skills over time, refining their ability to convey the passion, meaning, and value behind their creations to potential buyers. Through authenticity, clarity, and a genuine connection with their audience, these artists effectively engage with buyers and foster lasting relationships built on trust, appreciation, and mutual respect.

Fiber artists (and mixed media artists) may find it challenging to explain their work compared to traditional painters or sculptors due to the unconventional nature of their mediums. The tactile and multidimensional qualities of fiber art and mixed media require closer inspection to appreciate fully, making verbal descriptions more complex. Misconceptions about non-traditional art forms can also hinder effective communication of artistic choices and motivations. Despite these challenges, fiber and mixed media artists have the opportunity to engage viewers in deeper conversations about creativity, materiality, and conceptual significance. By embracing these challenges and finding innovative ways to communicate their artistic vision, they can foster greater appreciation and understanding of their work within the artistic community.

In this mentoring session, we'll use several tools to develop a vocabulary that is unique to us and our work. At the end of the session, we should be able to write about our art in a way that expresses its uniqueness and its value.

If you would like to read some of the effective Artists' Statemnts that were written in response to the Mentoring Session, click here:

Step One: Thinking about your art in general terms:
Here are the questions - and you can download the first worksheet here to print out and write on.

• Why do you create art? (Choose two)
• What is the one special characteristic that buyers and viewers, friends and family, like most about your work?
• From the first column on page 2, describe how you  see the kind of artwork that you produce? (Choose two)
• From the second column on page 2, pick five colors that are characteristic of your art. (Choose five)
• From the third column on page 2, pick three adjectives that other people use when viewing your work (choose three)

Step Two: Fill out a draft of the Artists Statement Worksheet, which you can download here.
This is just a way to organize your thoughts - you do not need to follow it step-by-step to write a useful artists statement, but it is a good way to begin to be able to talk eloquently about your work as an artist.

Step Three: Expanding the conversation - discovering and sharing your unique voice

What can you do in your studio practice to help figure out your unique style and message? Read the suggestions on the second worksheet (download here) and pick two that seem to make sense to you. (choose two)

Do you want to market your work and share it with a wider audience? Look at the five ways to do this and see which ones seem doable and comfortable to you.

Review the websites that can help you learn how to do these steps.

Finally, use all of these reflections to write a final artists statement in your journal or notebook, then list three concrete steps that you will take to talk about your art with eloquence and precision and make a name for yourself as a unique, successful, and happy artist.