Journalists know everyone has compelling stories to tell – you just have to keep asking questions until you find them.
- Multifaceted like a gemstone. You have many sides, so don’t get hung up about encompassing everything in one bio, interview or press release. You will have plenty of time during your art career to present yourself in alternative ways.
- Also like a tapestry. Hunt around until you find one thread to pull to develop into a story. If it is interesting, people will want to hear more.
- Work story. Whatever we have spent time on will, in some way, inform your art career. Teachers may be great explainers, lawyers may lean on their critical thinking skills, retailers and marketers may have insights into their audience. These things set us apart. Think: @richard_claremont, the painting postie.
- Origin story. What made you an artist? Because you are among artists, this has to stand out. Did you have a Stendhal syndrome moment and faint in front of the statue of David? Did you move to a foreign country and have to communicate through drawing? Think: @vincent_fantauzzo and his dyslexia.
- Location story. If you live on a farm, this can be fascinating to city dwellers. How do you mix caring for animals with art? If your early years were in Papua New Guinea, you’ll be bristling with stories and influences. Details please! Think: @lucyculliton and her animal sanctuary.
- Passion story. What other things drive you? Are you political? Environmental? Angry about unaffordable housing? What are you doing about it? How does this feed into your art? Think: @wendysharpeart and asylum seekers.
- Process story. How do you work? Have you needed to be innovative? Think: a studio-less @amanda_penrose_hart learning to paint in her small car or @judith_nangala’s amazing process for her roadkill artworks.
- Pay attention to what others say about your art career and your art. Do they talk about how you overcame adversity? What does your art mean to them? The things they find interesting will be themes for you to develop. Listen to their questions and do some probing.