you look to the artists statement to give context to art. It's really about the artist and their motivation.

My motivation always starts with something practical - like creating a logo for my son's metalwork business, or pet portraits for family fur babies. When I first started painting large scale work, my artist statement would have read,

"I paint to create large paintings for the extra tall walls in the house I just moved into. I don't exactly know what I'm doing, but I do love a challenge."

It took me a couple of years to create something I was happy with, but instead of stopping once I'd filled my house with large art, I felt compelled to continue. Why? Something in the process hooked me. The motivation for that is my deeper, more meaningful artist statement. 

My statement has been a journey, something to uncover as I go along. There's plenty of subconscious motivation that drives my art. But the discovery is something that comes in pieces - when I'm searching for a title, or talking to an artist friend who "gets it". Recently, I told an artist pal in an offhand way that I was a rather hysterical kid. I scream/cried when I got hurt and talked loudly, without pauses when I was excited. I got reprimanded for that often.

"I think that's why I like to paint big", I said, "I can overreact all I want!"

"That's a great thing to add to your artist statement!", she said.

It hadn't even occurred to me.

So uncovering the authentic motivations for your work takes some sleuthing. Here's some ways I've uncovered gems to include in my statement:

1. Do a Values exercise

2. Group your work together and think about what ties it together, as I explain in this older STUDIO NOTE

3. Partner up with an artist friend and ask each other specific questions about your art. (i.e.: Why circles? What does the veiling add to your art? What does your color palette say about you?) Like me, you might find some surprising answers during these conversations, or at least give yourself something to think about!