I'm new--Question about Bios

[Paintbrush74]

I am a self-taught babe-in-the-woods and my question is about to reveal it. When an artist creates a bio, is that bio supposed to be in the third person? The bios I see are all written as if someone else were writing about the artist. I have never seen a bio, that I can remember, that was written in the first person.

[oleCC]

I have done it both ways actually.. in the first person and then written it as though someone else had. Think it is strictly personal preference here http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif Carol

[Paintbrush74]

Thanks Carol. I really want to be successful at this. The art world is like a foreign country to me. I appreciate your time and attention.



[This message has been edited by Paintbrush74 (edited July 04, 2000).]

[CarlyHardy]

I've always thought it sounded more polite to let another brag on one's accomplishments. Probably this is why more bios are written in the third person. Your agent (the third person) could say all kinds of wonderful things about you!

The artist's statement is the place for you to say things about yourself...why you love painting; how you work; tell about your style; who influenced you; that kind of stuff..
carly

[Rod]

Spot on Carly,
I've often wondered myself,
Thanks
Rod

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Watercolours from New Zealand (http://www.artistnation.com/members/paris/rod/)

[blondheim12]

Hi,
My artists statement is in the first person, my bio in 3rd person. For an example, you can go to my web page and read mine if it will help you.
Linda www.lindablondheim.com (http://www.lindablondheim.com)

[Shriner]

I've done it both ways too and I agree with Linda (blondheim12) [btw: Hi Linda! Do you know who Shriner is?]...

My statement is 1st person and my bio is (usually) 3rd person, depending on where it is going...

[arcitect]

I actually do it the reverse way than most of those who posted so far! My Bio's are autobiographical and my statements are written third person as theories or declaritive statements.

I worked in an art gallery for awhile, and the artist statement and bio/resume seem to pose a problem for many people. However you do it (as I neither method left any greater or lesser degree of impact on me, personally), make it a point to be clear and concise. Do not say more than you have to, but say no LESS either.

I think it would be nice if there were a place where you could have statements and such critiqued. It is nice to know if people are reading you properly. The debates forums could be useful in seeing how people react to your ideas, and if they still hold up under-fire. However, a certain degree of security and confidence in your ideas is needed,as they will be challenged.

Oh, and in your Bio -don't talk about your kids and pets and such unless it is actually relevant. You would be surprised how many people ramble on about the most inane things.

[Shriner]

Originally posted by arcitect:
I think it would be nice if there were a place where you could have statements and such critiqued. It is nice to know if people are reading you properly. The debates forums could be useful in seeing how people react to your ideas, and if they still hold up under-fire. However, a certain degree of security and confidence in your ideas is needed,as they will be challenged.

Hey, cool idea. What would people think about a thread where we post out statements and give comments to each other?

[paperartist]

Hi Tim and Linda........

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[PJJorgensen]

Originally posted by Shriner:
Hey, cool idea. What would people think about a thread where we post out statements and give comments to each other?

That would be extremely helpful. I'm a new artist also and have had the same questions about compiling my "self-taught" bio. I've wondered if declaring to be self-taught acts as a detourant to serious collectors. A forum for discussing and sharing bio tecniques would be really helpful. (I LOVE this site!)

[Keith Halonen]

     Ah... if memory serves, when a biography is written in the first person, it's called an autobiography! But then, you knew that...

     It's a pity one must be so self-conscious about that most natural of all parts of oneself... one's self! Are we reluctant to use the first person because we fear that our target audience will think us egotistical? Or is it that we would like others to think that some independent observer has wonderful and justly deserved things to say about us?

     As the extraordinary Ambrose Bierce put it in his Devil's Dictionary:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color=#990000 size=1>I is the first letter of the alphabet, the first word of the language, the first thought of the mind, the first object of affection. In grammar it is a pronoun of the first person and singular number. It's plural is said to be We, but how there can be more than one myself is doubtless clearer to the grammarians than it is to the author of this incomparable dictionary. Conception of two myselves is difficult, but fine. The frank yet graceful use of "I" distinguishes a good writer from a bad; the latter carries it with the manner of a thief trying to cloak his loot.</font>