Never Apologize for Your Journey as an Artist

Today, I wanted to share some of the questions—the real-life questions—that artists ask me, because I think you might have the same questions too, and I would love to help.

Question 1: What Should I Put on My CV If I Haven’t Exhibited My Art?

David asked:

“I never actually exhibited art since finishing my art degree. I’m wondering what to put on my CV. Right now, it looks kind of bleak.”

I get it. But never, ever apologize for your experiences and life path, David. And that goes for all of you.

You know, no one has to see your CV. You don’t have to post it on your website, and you don’t have to wave it around at parties.

It’s a professional tool, and at some point, someone may very well ask you for it. So you do want to have it ready.

But it’s also a tool for yourself.

Your CV, which is also known as your résumé, is for keeping track of everything you do.

Now, it’s natural that you don’t have anything to put on your CV right now if you haven’t had much experience. But I want you to give it some thought, because you might remember some experiences that you’ve forgotten about, particularly if you went to art school like David did.

But when you’re just starting out, your challenge is to build your CV.

I don’t want you to worry about apologizing for what you don’t have. I want you to get excited about all of the experiences that you will have.

If your CV is so short that it’s causing you shame, just submit your bio when someone asks. This usually works fine, unless, of course, it’s a specific professional request, like if you’re applying for a grant, an award, or a residency program, where you have to follow all of the rules strictly.

But you will have a CV that makes you proud one day soon, because you’re building it now, and you’re keeping it to yourself until you’re ready to share it.

That’s just fine.

I’m really grateful to David for that question because, quite honestly, that’s a question that I get a lot.

Question 2: Will Not Having a College Art Degree Deter Collectors?

Nicholas asked:

“Will not having a college art degree be a deterrent to collectors?”

Absolutely not, Nicholas.

Being authentic and working hard at your craft—these are what you need to focus on.

Never, ever apologize for your experiences.

You know, statistically, only 60% of professional artists ever went to art school. So an art degree doesn’t really carry that much weight. To my mind, it just carries a lot of student loan, right?

But very few collectors are ever going to read your résumé anyway, because it’s not really for your collectors.

So I just wouldn’t sweat it.

I know a lot of artists worry about that piece of paper, that college art degree, but you really don’t have to.

You know, I went to art school, but I can’t say that going to art school really helped me at all with the business side of art.

What happened for me is that after I graduated from art school, I took a job in an art studio—a pretty prestigious studio, as a matter of fact.

And my job became selling art that was created in that studio.

I sold art to galleries and museums, and corporate collections, and to interior designers, and at art fairs. And then I opened a gallery myself.

You know, artists are always telling me how hard it is to sell their work.

I totally get it. I was doing exactly what you do, only I was doing it for like 50 other artists.

And you’re right. It is hard. It’s really freaking hard, but certainly not impossible.

If I could learn how to connect with art world decision-makers, and place work in important collections, and introduce emerging artists to the marketplace, then you can learn how to promote your work too.

And that’s why I do what I do.

I teach artists like you how to show and sell more work, how to organize your work and your practice to build a sustainable career as a working artist.

This is my passion now: to use my professional experiences to help other artists create their own professional experiences.

That’s what The Working Artist is all about.

Question 3: How Do I Write an Artist Statement When I’m Still Exploring Different Styles?

Diana asked:

“I’m having trouble writing my artist statement because I’m still trying to play with different things, like landscapes, portraits, and photography, etc. So how do I understand what my work is really about so that I can express it in my artist statement?”

Start keeping notes, Diana. Start keeping notes.

Everybody, carry a notebook with you at all times.

Whenever thoughts come to you about your art, write them down, especially when you’re working. Be sure to have a pen and paper there to collect ideas, to collect inspiration and insights.

Right now, it’s just a research project.

You’re researching your inner life. You’re researching the ideas that influence your work, and you’re capturing words and phrases that resonate with you.

I think doing this, together with exploring the different avenues of subject matter and mediums, is going to help you create a really solid artist statement when you’re ready.

What you’re looking for is that golden thread.

That golden thread that ties your work together, that makes it uniquely your own.

Is it your technique? Is it your medium? Is it the ideas or the themes behind your work?

Start gathering your ideas and influences in one place, because this is going to make it so much easier when it’s time to write that statement.

Thanks for your question.

Question 4: How Can I Present My Non-Artistic Background Positively?

Sean asked:

“How can I present my non-artistic past life so that it reflects positively on my art career? I’ve noticed that when I tell artists or other art professionals about my medical background, they stop taking my work seriously.”

Okay, I’ve said it before, and I’m going to say it again.

Never, ever apologize for your experiences, Sean.

Medicine is part of your story. You get to decide how you tell that story.

Obviously, you’re not telling that story in a way that’s connecting right now, so create a new way of telling your story.

The more that you can show how your work in medicine has informed your work as an artist, and who you are as an artist, the better.

So spend some real time thinking about that, because your path is really unique, and it gives you an interesting perspective.

You just need to find a better way of talking about it.

You know, one thing that always works is story.

If you can incorporate a story around your story, people won’t be able to help but listen.

But if you’re an artist whose outside work has absolutely nothing to do with your art, then you don’t have to share that side of yourself.

You decide what your story is and what it will be.

Final Thoughts: Never Apologize for Your Experiences

It’s funny that so many of my answers to today’s questions are about not apologizing for your experiences or your perceived lack of experiences.

Have you noticed that?

Just be yourself and find a way to share the story of you.

That’s the best way to connect with buyers. That’s the best way to write your CV, your artist statement, and it makes life so much easier.

Written by Crista Cloutier, artist mentor + founder of The Working Artist. (learn more about Crista here)