33 Writing Essentials For Artists Writing Texts

Writing is an art that takes many forms. Before you start putting words together, it is essential to ask yourself: What kind of text am I writing, and what do I want it to achieve? Are you crafting a creative text where language becomes part of your artistic expression? Are you writing a formal application where clarity and professionalism matter most? Is this a text about yourself, like an artist statement or bio, or is it about your work, perhaps a story, a description, or an interpretation of your artistic process?

Each type of writing requires a different approach. How you write about your art for a grant proposal is not the same as how you write for an exhibition catalog or a personal reflection. This is why I have summoned “33 Writing Essentials for Artists Who Do Not Want to Write, But Have To Do It Anyway!” not as rigid rules but as tools to help you engage with your writing needs in your artistic practice.

Writing does not have to be intimidating or overly complex, but it does require clarity of form and intention. A text that does not work usually fails because something essential is missing: the content, the style, or the structure. If you do not approach these elements intentionally, the writing can feel unfocused, confusing, or ineffective.

• Content: What am I saying, and to whom am I saying it? Before anything else, define your subject and audience. Are you telling a story about your artwork? Are you introducing yourself in an artist statement? Are you applying for a grant? Knowing what you are writing about and who will read it is the foundation for a substantial text.

• Form or Style: How do I want to say this? The way you write shapes how you are perceived. Would the text sound formal, poetic, conversational, or conceptual? Should it be direct and professional or more expressive and abstract? Choosing the right tone and language ensures that your writing serves its purpose.

• Structure: How is this text organized? A formal text follows a clear structure—an introduction, a developed argument or description, and a conclusion. But not all writing follows this path. In creative writing, for instance, you might embrace automatic writing, letting words flow for the pleasure of the text itself. Either way, understanding structure allows you to craft something that feels intentional rather than accidental.

These concepts are not meant to restrict you but to allow you to self-evaluate your writing. Once you have finished a draft, reading it aloud or reviewing it critically can reveal a lot. Do you sound too hesitant? Too forceful? Too much like someone else? The more precise you are about why you are writing and how you are saying it, the more authentic and effective your text will be.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES: INFUSE WRITING WITH ARTISTIC ENERGY

1. Start Messy, Edit Ruthlessly – Treat your first draft as a sketch. Let imperfection lead, then refine like you would curate an exhibition of words. When in doubt, cut it out!

2. Write with Your Medium in Mind—Think about how your materials "speak." Translate their essence into language, sculpt with verbs, and paint with adjectives.

3. Embrace Deranged Logic – Begin sentences in chaos. Let absurdity reign, then weave coherence later. Writing is another experiment.

4. Think of Text as Texture – Your words do not have to be smooth; they can be jagged, layered, or dense. Write with the same rawness you bring to your art.

5. Use “I” Sparingly – Keep the focus on your work, ideas, and process, not on you. Artists make art; that art should speak louder than you.

6. Steal from Disparate Sources – Pull language from scientific journals, overheard conversations, menus, or legal documents. Let unexpected juxtapositions spark originality.

THE ARTIST STATEMENT: WRITE YOURSELF INTO BEING

1. Answer Three Questions:

• What drives your work?

• What methods do you use?

• What do you hope viewers will experience?
  These three are the spine of every artist's statement. Flesh them out with poetic details.

2. Keep It Short – No one has time for a novel. Aim for 200-300 words to start, and grow from there. 

3. Avoid Art-Speak Jargon (unless it is part of your essential message) – Terms like "liminality" or "subverting the gaze beyond otherness" can alienate your audience. Use precise, accessible language while staying true to your ideas. 

4. Use Active Verbs – "My work explores..." is more substantial than "This work is an exploration of..." Avoid passive, bloated phrasing.

THE MANIFESTO: MAKE IT YOUR BATTLE CRY

1. Be Bold and Declarative – Write statements, not explanations. “I reject perfection” or “The act of failure is divine.”

2. Let Emotion Drive It – Rage, ecstasy, joy, defiance—channel raw feelings into your manifesto. Let it feel alive.

3. List Your “Non-Negotiables” – What do you stand for? What will your art never do? Be unapologetic.

4. Keep It Short or Make It Long, but be Provocative and Poetic – Manifestos can thrive in brevity and punch: “Destroy order. Embrace chaos. Art is fire.”

DESCRIBING YOUR ARTWORK: MAKE THE WORK SPEAK

1. Start with the Tangible – Describe the materials, colors, forms, and processes. Anchor your reader in the physicality of the work.

2. Move Toward the Conceptual – After grounding in the tangible, expand into meaning, emotion, or context.

3. Focus on the Viewer’s Experience – What do you want someone to feel or question when engaging with the work?

4. Avoid Explaining Too Much – Your description is not a manual. Leave room for interpretation, mystery, and ambiguity.

WRITING PROPOSALS: PITCH YOUR IDEA WITH CONFIDENCE

1. Answer Four Key Questions Clearly:

• What is the idea?

• Why does it matter?

• How will you execute it?

• Why are you the right artist for this opportunity?

1. Start with a Hook – Use an evocative sentence or question to draw attention: “What happens when machines dream in color?”

2. Be Precise with Goals – Clearly outline what you plan to do, using concise and practical language.

3. Tailor the Proposal – Research the institution or curator. Reflect on their mission or values in your pitch.

CONTACTING CURATORS, GALLERIES, AND INSTITUTIONS

1. Write like a Professional (not a Fan): Be polite, direct, and confident. Avoid overexplaining or being exaggeratedly enthusiastic.

2. Personalize the Message – Mention something specific about their gallery, recent shows, or curatorial focus.

3. Pitch with Clarity – Include one or two sentences about your work, a link to your portfolio, and a concise ask (e.g., “Would you consider my work for future exhibitions?”).

4. Be Patient but Persistent. If you have not heard back, follow up politely after 2-3 weeks. Stay professional.

CONTACTING COLLECTORS: ELEVATE THE RELATIONSHIP

1. Tell the Story of Your Work – Collectors love compelling stories. Share why the piece matters, what inspired it, or what makes it unique.

2. Keep It Brief – Highlight key points without overwhelming them. Let the images of your work do most of the talking.

3. Express Gratitude – Always thank them for their interest in or support of your art. A little humanity goes a long way.

THE PRACTICALITIES OF WRITING

1. Use Disparate Texts as Prompts – Pull random phrases from unrelated texts (ads, novels, philosophy) and weave them into your writing. This can spark originality in descriptions or statements.

2. Write for Non-Artists – Assume your audience is not fluent in art jargon. If your whole neighborhood can understand it, you are doing it right.

3. Use Visual Analogies – Compare your ideas to something concrete. For example: “This painting is like a whispered secret; intimate, fleeting, and charged with tension.”

4. Writing Does Not Have to Be a Chore – Embrace writing as an extension of your art. Think of it as another medium for exploring your ideas, stretching your imagination, and building bridges between your work and the world.