We know we’re supposed to be writing about our art – art doesn’t usually stand up on its own after all. But when you’re met with that blinking cursor, the words seem to fly out the window.
Enter mental cricket chirps.
But don’t let this stop you from sharing juicy stories about your art, even if you can’t think of anything to share about it!
Here are five powerful things that you can share about your latest painting that will have your fans hanging on every word (and craving more!).
Talk About What Inspired You
As artists we tend to have a bit of a different view on the world around us. We can turn abstract thoughts into something visually concrete and powerful.
I’ve been inspired by things as mundane as cracks in the sidewalk, but then all the way up to such moving & powerful statements like rallies or acts of goodwill.
The inspiration that fuels that latest piece on your easel is a goldmine of talking points – so use it!
My favorite way to harness the inspiration and actually get it down into words is to set a timer for 5 or 10 minutes, and just write. Grab your laptop or a pen, whatever way you find the words flow most freely.
And just WRITE.
Explore tangents. Don’t worry about grammar or punctuation (or, if you’re like me, legible writing). Let those thoughts and words FLOW, and capture them.
Spend some time journaling about the painting, and you’ll be surprised to see how much impact and meaning flows out of you.
That crack in the sidewalk that inspired me years ago? There were a few fresh sprigs of greenery pushing through that broken concrete, reaching for the light of day. If those little plant babies found it in them to grow through something impossible, then hell, so can I!
And still to this day, that little sidewalk crack can be found in the meaning behind my art.
The way the inspiration crept into your life can also be a compelling thing to share with your audience.
Did it come in a whirlwind of excitement, taking you by the heart in that moment and leaving you scrambling for a pen to write down your ideas? Maybe you felt a crazy strong drive to get it down on paper/canvas like RIGHT FREAKIN’ NOW.
Or was it more of a slow-burn? That glowing ember that grows over time into an inferno, taking the time to develop fully into something with serious impact.
What Was The Experience Like When You Were Creating It?
We’ve all had paintings that flowed from us so freely like water, and others that moved like frozen molasses.
The contrast of “it’s like one of the Old Masters is embodying me in this moment, this art is creating itself!” and “UGH why can’t I get this brushstroke RIGHT?!”. We’ve all been there.
Maybe you were battling against time, or even mediums.
Or maybe you found yourself in a meditative state with brush in hand, and the power of the world poured through you onto the canvas.
We have this misconception as a whole that we need to show up as perfect little sparks of light on social media, but if you ask me, that’s the problem with social media (amongst others, but we’re talking about this one first!).
People tend to put their best foot forward online, and while this is good and fine, it sure sets up some preeeeetty unreal expectations for the rest of us.
You don’t often see that your favorite artist nearly lit their latest painting on fire out of frustration because they couldn’t get that one color just right. Or that they still have insecurities about sharing their messages with the world.
But here’s the thing – struggle actually connects us. It shows we are human, and allows us to relate to each other. To show empathy.
And struggle is actually a story. A Hero’s journey. And stories invoke emotion.
Share the Intention of The Art
This is one of the cool things I’ve discovered since I began digging deep into my “why” – there is always some form of intention when it comes to your creations.
The extent of that intention can vary hugely, but that’s what keeps us unique and dynamic!
Getting clear on, and sharing, your intent is also a killer way to give your fans something juicy to sink their teeth into.
Refer back to your “Inspiration Exploration” journaling/mind-dump. Are there any whisps of intention popping up there?
Maybe you wanted to inspire others to take action on something. Take part in a rally, extend a helping hand to friend in need, or even care for themselves with a little meditation.
Or perhaps you had a bundle of rage inside you (been there, done that) and poured all of that fire onto your canvas.
Maybe you knew that your audience struggled painting black raven feathers with all their silky & iridescent glory so you created art that showed them step-by-step how to do it.
There is always intention hidden in there somewhere.
How Does the Art Fit Into Your Big Picture?
The longer you explore your creative process, the more you start to notice trends in yourself and your creations.
Whether it be a mood, a subject, color palette or meaning – over time it starts to become apparent that you’ve got a style.
So explore and talk about how that latest painting that is drying on your easel right now fits into your big picture. Does it belong to an art series that you’re digging deep into that revolves around a certain theme?
Or maybe the new painting embodies your life philosophy, something that gets stronger and more defined every day.
Maybe it is a separate little entity, floating off in the distance on its own. Explore why that is and share it – were you feeling like you needed a break from yourself and play?
If Your Subjects Could Speak, What Would They Say?
Whether this be a squirrel, nude model or a pineapple.
Maybe they’re in the midst of a crisis and wail on about pineapple-y things, or perhaps they can tell a story of heroism and valor.
Get creative – this is a neat opportunity to inject a different element into your work that might not usually get to see the light!
Well there you have it, kiss those mental cricket chirps good-bye and say HELLO to fan engagement!
The words you use to describe and embellish your art are SO powerful so now you’ve got a few more things in your back pocket when you’re not quite sure what to say.
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