The 2023 AGM was part of our November Members’ Coffee House. We also had an activity, Writing Your Artist Bio. Member Laura Peck led the workshop with kindness, personal examples and brio. She had the crowd develop and share their words – it was fun, educational and helpful. We need artist bios and statements for self-promotion, websites, entering some competitions and the like.

Here’s a summary transcript for folks who couldn’t make the Coffee House and a reminder for those who did.

Artist’s mini-bio workshop.

Does the title sound boring or tedious? I invite you to a fun, unexpected exploration of yourself, instead. 

Do we really need a bio? YES!

Why is it important? To engage with our viewers – and fellow artists too. Imagine a booklet with our bios to welcome visitors to future Collectif shows? Let’s make it happen!

Here are a few questions to help you dive into the bio writing workout.

Draw a mind map [ ee https://www.publicationcoach.com/mindmapping-for-writing/ ], doodle, and play with facts, words and see what will emerge. 

Do you want to be serious about this exercise? Give yourself 5 to 7 minutes to answer each question. Set your stopwatch too. 

#1 Write down 5 facts about yourself – Listez 5 faits qui vous caractérisent

Mine are: born in France, made in Canada; Alexandria; and The Glengarry News 2019, Trash goddess. 

#2 Find two (or more) personality traits people like about you. — Ecrivez deux ou trois traits de personnalité que les gens aiment chez vous. 

Fiable, dynamique, astucieuse, énergique … impossible de se limiter quand on y pense. 

#3 (the best one) List 3 achievements, accomplishments of yours, rewards —Trois accomplissements/ réussites, récompenses qui comptent à vos yeux.

For me: my first Christmas column in the late Glengarry News; the GNL juried show of 2023; the first work I sold.

#4 Who inspires you? A musician, painter, poet, writer, sculptor, singer…  — Qui vous inspire? Musicien, écrivain, poète, sculpteur, chanteur etc. 

At the AGM event a few artists mentioned NATURE.

Then it’s time for a little break: get out and walk. Deep breath. Coffee or tea break. Pet your cat or your dog.

Welcome back.

Now comes the writing workout. Before you start composing about yourself, think about your BFF artist or your favorite artist and just for practice… 

Write a sentence, max 10 words, about this person. Kindly, objectively. Make it sound interesting. I’d like to meet the person you’re writing about.

Then, you’re ready to write 3 to 5 sentences about YOURSELF. 

Browse or look at your mind-map. There’s enough material here to write kindly, objectively about this artist. 

There you have it. 

Thanks for playing.

What’s next? Don’t simply read this piece, ACT on it. Write your bio and send it to the Collectif cagac.ca@gmail.comby 15 January.

Oh, and one more thing. Would you like to think about your artist’s statement? Which is slightly different from a bio, as you will see in the examples below. 
Enjoy the journey. 

What’s next? 

I am looking forward to reading your creative bio and statement in English. I’m happy to help you review it in French too. Don’t simply read this piece, ACT on it. Write your bio and send it to the Collectif cagac.ca@gmail.com by 15 January.

A très bientôt,

Laura Peck, November 21^st, 2023

Some examples:

A propos de l’artiste (39 mots) It’s a statement. 

En tant qu’artiste engagée, Annie Perreault présente, à travers ses œuvres, sa perception des enjeux environnementaux. Elle choisit des matériaux issus de la récupération afin d’illustrer l’impact de la surexploitation des ressources et de la surconsommation sur nos écosystèmes.

Martha Black , Bio112 words

Is a French artist born in 1999. Passionate about drawing as a kid, she got her hands on acrylics after moving to Canada with her mother, in 2010. In her late teens, she sold her first paintings to her neighbors and then showcased her art for the first time in a theatre in Lyon, France, where she studied and worked for 6 years. Now, in Toronto, when she’s not busy pursuing her career in Film, she paints for pleasure and on commission.

With a soft spot for absurd and dreamlike visuals, Martha admires the works of René Magritte and Paula  Rego. Her style is–for the most part–surrealist, leaning toward symbolism.

Her statement: 68 words I believe there can be a story in everything, whatever its form, but it’s not so much about telling it as it is hearing or seeing it. Most times, I mean nothing by my art. It’s usually not made to represent anything; however, it is fully yours to interpret. My art only exists through those who look at it: if it resonates within you, it’s fulfilled its purpose.

Sean George (162 words) is an artist, art educator, and cultural worker. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, and has lived in Trinidad and Tobago, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Toronto and Barrie. He presently lives in Cornwall, Ontario.

From 1995 – to 2010, Sean worked at the Vancouver Art Gallery in the Public Programs and Education Department. During this period, he created and guided tours for school aged children, and families. In particular he developed outreach programs for seniors in assisted living and at-risk youth.

He is the recipient of five Ontario Arts Council grants three of these grants was to collaborate with Canadian Mental Health Association, LGBTQ Youth Connections of Simcoe County.

George is a multi-disciplinary artist, he utilizes photography, writing, installation, drawing, and performance. George’s work challenges the status quo, whilst aligning with the elements of art and design.

In May 2023, George will be exhibiting his solo exhibit entitled – Coming Together, Coming Apart – Images and Ideas at the Cline House Gallery in Cornwall, Ontario.

Photos courtesy Milo Smith.