Art-Write: The Writing Guide for Visual Artists

by Vicki Krohn Amorose

Writing Guide for Visual Artists  has a single To teach artists how to write about their own artwork. This concise and current career resource is filled with achievable advice on how to write for art promotion and sales. The book offers a step-by-step approach to create a professional artist statement, with thinking and writing exercises to ease the process and develop authentic and clear content. Opportunities in the art world often begin with the artist's own writing; for exhibitions, funding, press releases and email inquiry letters. Art-Write offers comprehensive direction to artists who want to enhance their visual work with effective language. Author Vicki Krohn Amorose combines the sensibility of an artist with the practicality of a copywriter, offering an understanding of her readers along with generous wit and encouragement. 

Genres: Art, Writing, Nonfiction, Business, Creative

126 pages, Paperback

First published January 11, 2013

Reviews

[Susan Roden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this gem when I attended a workshop by the author.
I have struggled for years to write as an artist without being pretentious. Vicki's book with easy-to-follow directions and suggestions eased my way significantly.
This is not an overnight process, but something one works at and through. It can change and evolve as an artist moves through life. She gives tips and places to look for inspiration. Helps to solve the complexity of answering the multitude of questions that are asked of an artist. She simplifies and spells out ways of not beating oneself up to arrive at written words for one's art.

Thank you, Vicki!

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Vicki Krohn Amorose for helping us become the artists we want to be out there in the real world!

[Jane Gibbons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so sensational! Really. I am an artist, not a writer!!!! I am completely stymied by writing about myself and my work. It is a skill so vital for introducing your work. This book is an on going guide to that end. Format makes the process very accessible. Every artist should have a copy of this on their shelf.
Thank you Ms. Amorose!

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Super helpful

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Art-Write es un libro indispensable para los artistas visuales que quieren mejorar su escritura sobre su propio trabajo. El libro ofrece un enfoque paso a paso para crear una declaración de artista profesional, con ejercicios prácticos para ayudar a los artistas a explorar sus ideas y motivaciones artísticas.

El libro es bien escrito y organizado, y ofrece información valiosa a los artistas de todos los niveles de experiencia. Sin embargo, puede ser un poco denso para los artistas que no están acostumbrados a escribir sobre su trabajo.

En general, Art-Write es un libro excelente que puede ayudar a los artistas visuales a mejorar su escritura y comunicar su visión de manera más efectiva.

[Therese Brimmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended. Clear, concise, useful information and guidelines.

[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good information

[Eleonora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciate Vicki taking the time to write this kind of book that not only informs about some of the parts of the process of being an artist who is thinking about self-promotion, but also to encourage artists who are affraid of raising their voice, for whatever reason you may think, bravery sometimes comes from feeling supported, and that´s what Vicki managed to accomplish in this book. Congrats!

[Steffany .O (coffee over apples) · Rating 4 out of 5]

using this as a text book for my AP studio arts course to assist my students on the importance of writing an artist thesis statement. The writing prompts are exceptionally helpful and I will be using this with my students regularly. It provides guided questions and addresses the WHY of art writing. Highly suggested!

[B. Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had a bunch of nice prompts for thinking about your art. When it comes time to write my essays for graduate school, I'll be using this book to help me gather my thoughts. I've never had too many issues writing about art, but it's still nice to have a guide.

[Antonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done. Enjoyed this, even though I'm not in a position to be writing much about my art. It made me think, though, and gave me ideas re how to talk about my painting. Highly recommended to anyone who is marketing, selling, working with galleries, etc., etc.

[Ietrio · Rating 2 out of 5]

2022-11-11:
The book starts bad: the author is so crap in their position, they need TWO subtitles to clarify what the darn book wants to sell. Will Amorose be able to get out of the trench they are digging?

[Omar Estrada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a dyslexic artist who has struggled for years to write about his own work. I found this easy to read and allowed me to find my own voice in writing. It is an easy read and very instructive for anyone wanting to advance their art career and inhanse their opportunities in the art world.

[Lizzie K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so helpful. I used it to write my artist statement and the prompts it gave totally removed the writers block I'd been having. It gives clear instructions and good examples.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good activities that I will be able to use for reluctant writer/artists in my classes.

[Trish Fibs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A handi, simple book that helps artists write descriptions about their art.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really for those that enjoy/know writing. Did get some ideas for press releases

[Traci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful supplement for professional artists. Straight-forward and comprehensive voice, and a variety of writing prompts and exercises.

[cheryl m wellman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect

Just what I needed to know and how to do it.
Very comprehensive and easy to understand and follow along.

[Sabrina Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 will be using this as a textbook for Real World for sure.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Procrastination comes in full force every time I think about writing about my art. This book is concise, full of direction and guidance. Now to get the job done!

[Alethea Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Art-Write is concise, practical, and provides clear guidance for artists. I’ll be using this text with my high school art students as a “discipline literacy”resource.

[Sia Karamalegos · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. A good guide for working through an artist statement for a particular series of work (not a general one). Could have gone a little deeper on the bio and other writing like website copy.

[Katya Slonenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

A straightforward guide to writing about art for artists. How to explain the meaning of your work even if you are not yet sure yourself. How to communicate what your work is all about (and why). Lots of practical advice. (“Get to the point. Rewrite. Avoid the passive voice”). I immediately became inspired to write everything from Instagram captures to tattooing blog!

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book! I'm an artist (painter) and have been searching for a resource like this one for a while to help me get my presentation materials written. I found Art-Write to be concise, well-written, very easy to follow. The author shares valuable information in a down-to-earth writing style, delivered with a welcome sense of humor! Get this for yourself or artist friends who are serious about career.
Good luck!
Matt

[Cflynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this eminently practical, well-written guide for artists (including students) who need to do any kind of writing about their work. Thankfully, it doesn't succumb to the great pitfall of most self-help manuals-- padding the material with repetition and wasting your time as a reader. This book is concise and truly helpful. The author will hold your hand through the writing process, making it as painless as possible-- really. A find.

[Barney Davey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the ticket for all artists!

I love finding resources for artists that helps them become more efficient and productive. If you want to learn how to write in ways that explains who you are and what you do, and helps you sell more art, buy this book.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a must for the artists we are. It is very helpful taking concept to reality. Shuld also read Imagine by J. Lehrer

[Lacey Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just what i was looking for. So insightful, highly recommend for the artist trying to market their work.

[John Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Vicki, for a truly helpful book. I recommended it to some mosaic-making friends, and they found it extremely useful for all their writing and speaking presentations.