Article by Nazish Chunara

Editors Perspective with Amber & Nazish

Part of establishing an event like art camp is to discuss ideas from all perspectives. So if you're wondering what grabs our attention when we're looking through submissions or scouting, you're in the right place.

An artist statement is pretty debatable these days. There are so many channels to voice various works on, so why write one statement to define it? It's likely we will not know you. Whether you submit your work directly to us, or even if we approach you because we saw your work on a platform like Instagram---we want to know what you're about, from you. 

Now, a written statement might not be for you. In Nassem's Ven Lab (Venison Laboratory; similar to critiques) we discussed her work, the process and her medium for showcasing. She creates with video and sound. So we thought - why not a video taped artist statement? Make this tradition of sharing your process, work for you. Whichever format it might be in. 
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Founder Amber Imrie-Situnayake presenting The Editor's Perspective \\ Photos by Molly Thompson
If you do decide to write one up, we recommend using ​everyday speech. It's likely (no matter who is reading,) if we have to Google more than three words in order to understand what you're writing about, we won't make it back from that online dictionary. In fact, one of us will probably end up on a page full of cat memes. Write as if you were talking to your friend. What are you interested in and why you make the work that you do. We want to know!
Right after your artist statement (and sometimes even before) we'll head for the pictures. Make sure to provide quality images. Show us the goodness that lays in your work. What I mean by "quality images" is that they should be clear. No guessing games allowed! You mentioned you use light bulbs and yarn? But you're studio is 3000 miles away from my physical self. Well, that sounds exciting and I want to see it all, except your website is my only portal. Keep in mind that you can always learn to take good photos. The resources are everywhere! ( Like here, in this article, read on.)
To the left are just a few examples of  user friendly websites, with images that clearly display the works. 

If you check out Joshua Haglers site, you'll see that he does not have an artist statement, but instead writes about each project or series. 
"...if we have to Google more than three words in order to understand what you're writing about, we won't make it back from that online dictionary. In fact, one of us will probably end up on a page full of cat memes..."
​Not recommended
  • no bio or statement
  • clutter; difficult to navigate
  • adding music to your site that autoplays
  • images without information
  • contrast too high - foreground and background lack partnership
  • image size too large or too small 
  • too many images to look through with similar perspectives
  • large sized files - slows loading process (72 dpi is efficient!)
Highly recommended
  • add a bio (about you) and statement (about your work)
  • user friendly, easy to navigate, seamless, clean
  • image overview (thumbnails)
  • organization; leave room for titles, description, dates, medium
  • small statements, to the point
  • if you add music, allow the viewer to choose to play it
  • add various (Photographic) perspectives of each artwork or object
  • contextualize your site - tell us the story, visually as well as verbally (studio images, in process work)
So, we've discussed from the perspective of accepting submissions. But how about the other end of this process? What is the application process like for grants, calls, or anything else? They key is to make sure that the organization you're applying to knows that you understand them. Read their mission statement first! 
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What are the goals of this establishment? Do you relate? How can you add to their vision? How can they add to yours? Does your personal mission coincide with theirs?
  1. Research their alumni. Who participated? What did they do? Is this the right place for you? 
  2. Acknowledge keywords in the questions by reusing them in your response.
  3. Attention grabber: elaborate with facts. To the point is important, but let's not be short.
  4. Use definitive language. Eliminate "if's, but's, maybe's, possibly" - let your confidence shine
  5. Organize! Bullet points are your friend. Format for easy and pleasant reading.
  6. Throw in additional project proposals. Let them know that you're open to future collaborations.
  7. IMPORTANT FINAL STEP: peer edit. Your peers are your best tools.
           - ask them to check grammar, punctuation, and whether or not you                    directly answered the question

           - keep in mind that they are not editing for content, only technical                       errors.                                                                
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Venison Labs - Clare Szydlowski \\ Photos by Molly Thompson

Branding & Styling on Social Media with Tyler Thrasher

Social media is the present and the future. Thanks to Tyler, we'll be able to navigate our way through it better than ever before. Here's what he shared:
  • treat Instagram like the gallery that it is
    • cohesiveness is key
    • pick a style to present your work; what mood does your work envoke?
  • profile picture should represent your work; relevancy is important
    • image should be a piece of work you've created
  • add personality
    • share who is behind the art or product
    • share something from your personal life (so we know you're human, too)
    • rule of thumb: 90% art and 10% personal life
  • reach out to your favorite artists 
    • comment on their posts, don't just like the image
    • introduce yourself with a picture of your work
    • propose a trade (provides exposure for both parties)
      • make it an equal trade; trade within your field, status, class, style
  • provide giveaways - 2,ooo followers, 5k, 10k, 20k
    • limit the number of giveaways you do 
    • giveaways provide a sense of awareness, appreciation and allows you to connect with your audie
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Tyler Thrasher giving his workshop on Social Media \\ Photos by Molly Thompson
Instagram guideline: 90% art life ​and 10% personal life
  • give your the viewer a reason to care​
    • provide visuals, but caption it what inspired you to create this specific piece.
  • engage!
    • reply to questions and comments
    • Instagram DM: direct messages: decline or accept as you see fit; no one can see if you read the message until you open it
    • ignore trolls
  • hashtags
    • use your name, the city you or the art is in
    • tag companies, brand names that are associated with the products you use to create pieces of work
    • create a unique hashtag  to separate + organize your images
    • hashtag in every post
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Everyone workshopping their social media \\ Photos by Molly Thompson

Photographing your work with Molly Thompson

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Lunch preparation! ( looks delish, right?) \\ Photos by Molly Thompson
  • "If something looks bad, it's not going to taste good." 
I live in a corner apartment that doesn't get much natural light, which is unfortunate because it can make both you and your photos so much healthier. Molly wasn't just one of the art campers this year, she did us the honor of photographing this session and providing us with some helpful tips. I personally found this workshop extra helpful. Some wise words from the skilled photographer:
  • If something looks bad, it's not going to taste good.
  • capture the entirety of the piece for a full, front and center image
  • capture a close up to show texture
    • tell us what it feels like; we're all wondering
    • are there accents and details?  find the right angle to display them
  • products
    • interact with the product; show it in use
    • think about keywords to market and describe it
      • leave room for negative space to insert words
  • styling
    • lift the object, make it stand out of its environment
    • add other objects to accent and style
  • The various perspectives available:
    • above, close up, styled, bare, angled, think both, vertically and horizontally
  • backlog your images for future use; keep on hand
  • try to keep the number of images per product to a minimum
Image guideline: 3-5 images per product or artwork
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Danielle observing the goodies in Jonathans 3D printer. (interaction!) \\ Photos by Molly Thompson
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A piece by Jonathan Odom (detail shot!) \\ Photos by Molly Thompson
"...Lighting tip: use the flash on a cell phone to enhance if you're indoors or it's dark out..."
  • ​Paintings and other 2D:
    • catch shadows
    • expose those details
    • shoot painting or print on the wall
    • take work in progress shots
  • Installations and other 3D
    • Wide shot (leave space)
    • Medium shot (full and front)
    • Close up (get the details)
    • Tight shot (find an interesting angle)
    • Interaction with object (is this piece lifesize?)
  • Take photos in different light; also think about different times of day using natural light
There are so many ways to share what you do, whether it is creating works of art or not. These are just some things we've learned in our experiences. Is there something we might've missed? Feel free to share! Do you have any questions about anything you've read? Let us know!

​Next year, we will be learning a whole new set of skills. Join us!

Camella Daeun Kim >