Writing about my art

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Part of my artistic practice these days is the application process.
It can be as simple as an artist statement or as difficult as what, why and who. 
What’s more, these three W’s are always a moving feast, as my focus changes or as my media shifts with the themes that underpin my art.
I find these words really hard to write.  My introductory statement on this website, was plucked from a page of writings that I scribbled whenever the words materialized in my mind.  I worked through a NAVA online course to compel me to keep writing.  I also discovered my self discipline with online courses is something I need to work on!  The course, and various tips and hints web pages call for clarity, simplicity and the absence of artspeak.
That’s a bit of a relief, actually: artspeak is tempting to hide behind, but makes my eyes glaze over.
I would like to add a few more tips from someone who has managed to cross the line a few times.

• Try for as many prizes, residencies and curated exhibition as time allows.
• Write- keep a journal, simply to write in.  I have headings of the three W’s and jot down the words as they appear.  It doesn’t matter if it’s repetitive or incoherent.  Words, phrases and even paragraphs can be plucked out of these ramblings to be assembled into a coherent discourse on your work.
• Keep it simple- yes I know-its been said before.
• Along with the above, don’t waffle and say the same things 3 different ways.  Pick the best one and cross out the rest.  Just because the application says max 500 words, doesn’t mean that 500 words hit the page when 300 would suffice.  Watch the word count on the short answers though.  Some online applications count these, and one word over will throw up an error.
• Finally, don’t take it personally when the rejection letter comes.  Believe me, it takes a mind shift to do this (thanks Nic).  There are a lot of criteria applied to the choices that the adjudicator’s make- it’s not cut and dried.  Curators have a vision and calling for entries allows them to choose from a large number of images to fit what they want to exhibit.

For me- I’m going to keep writing.  The rewards are a clarification of what I do.  It’s like a critical review of where I’m going and why it’s important to me.  Ideas can flow from these writings quite by accident.
Don’t throw these wirings out- phrases and paragraphs can be used to reshape and rephrase future applications.
It’s worth doing and then the application is successful; the happy dance is fun. :)