Bio and/ or Resume

Leslie Ihde · Post by **Leslie Ihde** » Sat Sep 27, 2003 2:57 am

Hey Folks,

When people talk about a bio- and I've seen examples of them, are they considered an alternative to a resume? The bio examples I've seen seem like a little more chatty and less detailed resume. Resumes seem formal and list everything, which I don't get the impression that bios do. Am I right? The gallery I'm pursuing wants a bio. She listed wanting several things: credentials, if I've shown, how I got to this place. (This was all told to my rep /friend- see previous chapter "Gallery bought just one") Any clarifications?

Thanks
Leslie

judith · Post by **judith** » Sat Sep 27, 2003 8:20 am

Hi Leslie,
Steve Klein will be leading a one-day workshop/discussion in November at Vitrum Studio on this very topic, and on other topics relating to the art of glass. You can read a description of what will be covered at our website, http://www.vitrumstudio.com.

judith

Suzan · Post by **Suzan** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 3:43 pm

To add to (rather than answer) the topic, how do you approach writing a bio when you haven't been a professional artist for several years? I was recently approached by a gallery to sell my work on consignment, but I've no idea what to write for the bio requested. I've only officially been in business since May of this year. I've taken two short courses on stained glass at a local SG retail studio, I did one craft fair last December (miserable), one commission from my brother, but I've been selling my work reasonably well at Crafter's Marketplace (where I rent a booth, and employees staff the store during regular shopping hours).

I've been making stained glass for 4 years, and fused glass for just over 1 year. No awards, no commissions to speak of, no reputable teachers or art schools... what on earth am I supposed to say?

Wondering,
Suzan

Barbara Muth · Post by **Barbara Muth** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 3:54 pm

You could write about what inspires you, what parts of your life led you to this path, find the work around art in your past that led to this. While some customers are interested in your pedigree, others just want to know what it is about you that drives you to make what you make. If you can't write about the pedigree, maybe writing about the other as well, or in the same statement will help.

Kris Weber · Post by **Kris Weber** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 6:57 pm

You could write about what inspires you, what parts of your life led you to this path, find the work around art in your past that led to this. While some customers are interested in your pedigree, others just want to know what it is about you that drives you to make what you make. If you can't write about the pedigree, maybe writing about the other as well, or in the same statement will help.

Barbara has good advice. Here is what several workshops and wonderful visual arts advisors from Springboard for the Arts taught me:

BIO: Write the bio in the third person. Better yet, if you can, have someone write it for you. This is essentially "about you as a person/creator." It is somewhat akin to a prose version of a fleshed out resume. With or without the pedigree, discuss your interests and studies which paved and supported your path to what you do. And, when they come in the future, quote from articles singing your accolades. (Think positive.)

STATEMENT: Written in the first person. When someone says, "Describe your work." or "What do you do?" this is what you trot out. This is the conversation starter; what piques interest; your point of entry. Hone your statement to bring light to the concepts and driving forces in your work. Craft a short and a long version of your artist statement. Start with the short artist statement: Three sentences; a sentence about you. A sentence describing your work (materials, subject matter, etc.); a sentence about your motivation to do the work. Expand upon this for your long statement and you are home free. You could hang either statement next to your work and it would shed light on everything a person would see in the exhibition. An artist statement is extremely mutable.

RESUME: Stick to your art and related education, experience, exhibitions, and so on. It is intimidating to have a thread-bare little scrap when you start out (believe me, I know -- it feels like walking out into the MN winter with just two or three threads to cover you). Keep remembering that EVERYONE had to be an emerging artist at one point. There is no shame in that -- simply a fact of linear time.

Hope this helps some...

Here's something else to keep in mind: It is OK to be a "barn cat" without a pedigree. If you can catch the mice, most of the time you are still in the running. Just be aware of the "mouse-catching standards" in play at the venue you are approaching.

...another barn cat,
Kris

rosanna gusler · Post by **rosanna gusler** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 9:26 pm

barn cat.....i really like that. rosanna

Leslie Ihde · Post by **Leslie Ihde** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 10:11 pm

Great replies from Kris and Barbara. Thanks to both of you for taking the time. I've been doing a lot of work on tightening up my written material, and these comments are very helpful. Good luck with the mice catching.

Hoping to be a Siamese,
Leslie

Carol · Post by **Carol** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 10:23 pm

Suzan wrote:To add to (rather than answer) the topic, how do you approach writing a bio when you haven't been a professional artist for several years? I was recently approached by a gallery to sell my work on consignment, but I've no idea what to write for the bio requested. I've only officially been in business since May of this year. I've taken two short courses on stained glass at a local SG retail studio, I did one craft fair last December (miserable), one commission from my brother, but I've been selling my work reasonably well at Crafter's Marketplace (where I rent a booth, and employees staff the store during regular shopping hours).

I've been making stained glass for 4 years, and fused glass for just over 1 year. No awards, no commissions to speak of, no reputable teachers or art schools... what on earth am I supposed to say?

Wondering,
Suzan

Geez, I can come up with lots You could say. How aobut the following:

Suzan is a diversifed artist working in clay since 1980 (you imply you have been a professional artist previously and I picked a medium and date at random). In the past 4 years her recent artistic explorations have led her to pursue a career as a diversified glass artist working in both stained and fused glass. Her work is available in select retail locations and she occasionally undertakes commissions. She can be contacted at 555-1234 or email@email.com to order from her retail line or to commission a one of a kind piece.

Presto, voila...you've got something to give the gallery. It's all in how you want to be perceived by your clientele...marketing, marketing, marketing.