Why Should We Write an Artist Statement After Finishing a Painting?

Why Should We Write an Artist Statement After Finishing a Painting?

When I teach my students to paint, I always ask them to write a short artist statement—just two or three sentences—once their artwork is complete. Most students take this request seriously and craft thoughtful, beautiful descriptions. But once in a while, one or two students ask, “Why are we writing in an art class?”
I love this question. It shows genuine curiosity and a desire to understand more deeply. And in education, asking “why” is one of the first steps toward growth and creativity.

In most art classes, we focus heavily on technical skills: how accurate the shape is, how well the lighting is rendered, if the composition is balanced, how perspective and texture are handled, and so on. When all these elements are well-executed, a painting is often considered “well done.” Master artists take these skills even further, astonishing the world with breathtaking technique and control.
So it’s easy to assume that learning art means learning technique. But is that all there is to great art?

Think about Vincent van Gogh. When we look at his swirling skies and vivid colors, no one says, “Wow, that’s technically perfect.” Instead, we feel something powerful. His brushstrokes speak to us emotionally. Van Gogh’s paintings carry a strong, clear message—his artist statement. He communicated much of this through his letters to his brother Theo. These writings later helped the world understand and appreciate the emotional depth of his work.

If art were only about technique, human artists would have little chance of surviving in today’s age of AI-generated images. But thankfully, we have something machines do not: intention. We can ask, Why did I make this piece? What does it say? What do I want people to feel or think when they see it?

This is why, whenever I prepare for an exhibition, I spend a great deal of time crafting my artist statement. Sometimes it takes longer than painting the artwork itself. I write, revise, and reflect until every word feels true. The statement becomes the soul of the artwork—the reason it exists.

As students learn to write artist statements, something remarkable happens. They begin to grow tired of simply copying other artists or drawing what's in front of them. Instead, they want to tell their own stories. Their art becomes more expressive, more colorful, more alive. Over time, they develop the ability to turn thoughts into images, ideas into visual language.
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I train my students patiently through this process because I know its value. And I hope one day they realize it, too.
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The ability to combine thought, vision, and expression into a single piece of art is a true superpower.

Explore why artist statements are essential in art education. Discover how writing helps young artists find their voice, express intention, and transform their artwork with meaning.
Let me know if you'd like a downloadable PDF version or to pair this with sample student work!