Crafting Your Unique Voice
Any piece of art might seem interesting or visually appealing to an observer, but what draws people in is the story behind it, the time and energy put into it and sometimes even the tools that made it happen. In a world where attention spans are measured in milliseconds (thanks, doom-scrolling!), your narrative is what makes someone stop the infinite scroll.
But here’s where most artists go wrong: they either say too little (“this is a painting I made”) or dive into art-speak quicksand (“this work interrogates the liminal spaces between digital consciousness and analog materiality”). Neither works.
Speak about your art in a way that feels natural. Here’s what you can do:
- Share the genuine “why” behind your work—not why you think sounds impressive
- Let people see your process—including the beautiful disasters along the way
- Skip the performative vulnerability (“I cried while making this”) for honest reflection (“This piece fought me for three months”)
- Talk about your art like you’d explain it to a close friend at a coffee shop
Remember when Banksy’s painting shredded itself at auction? The stunt worked because it was consistent with his authentic narrative about art, value, and institutions. Your story needs that same coherence (just hopefully with less destruction of property).
The tools for finding your voice aren’t complicated: journaling about your work process, recording voice notes while creating, or simply asking yourself, “What would I actually say about this work to someone I respect?”. The answers might surprise you.
Strategic Storytelling: Techniques That Work
Let’s cut to the chase: people can smell a fake story from a million miles away. Your art deserves better than that.
The hook: Grabbing attention in the first 10 seconds
Skip “I’m excited to share…” and jump straight to the interesting part. “I accidentally set fire to my studio while making this sculpture” beats “Please check out my new work” every time. Your opening line should be impossible to ignore.
Structuring your narrative for maximum impact
Think problem-discovery-resolution, not chronological diary entries. What were you trying to figure out? Where did you get stuck? What breakthrough changed everything? Van Gogh’s letters to his brother Theo about his struggles behind Starry Night are way more compelling than “Tuesday: more swirls”. Don’t you think so?
Using specific, vivid examples
“I spent 40 hours on this” tells us nothing. “I mixed 27 versions of this blue before finding one that didn’t make me want to throw my palette out the window”—now that’s specific. Concrete details make all the difference, and if they’re spiced with a dose of humor, even better.
The art of strategic vulnerability
Share real struggles because specific failures are more relatable than vague emotional claims.
Your most compelling story isn’t manufactured in hindsight but excavated from the messy, beautiful reality of your creative process. When your words honestly reflect your artistic journey, that’s when scrollers become viewers, viewers become audiences, and your work finally gets the attention it deserves.
Each Platform – Tailored Approach
Not every platform speaks the same language, and neither should you.
On social media, you’re catching a moving train—keep it snappy, visual, and hook-heavy. On professional networks like LinkedIn, lean into insight and impact: why your work matters in a bigger context. In-person talks? That’s your chance to slow down and connect, letting emotion and pauses work their magic.
The golden rule is to stay consistent with your core story but tweak the delivery. And always, always read the room (or the comment section) and pivot if needed.
Beyond the Story
The art world has enough performances; what it needs is your honesty.
Your artistic narrative isn’t a one-and-done monologue—it’s alive, growing with you, just like your practice.
When telling that narrative to your audience, remember to hook them fast, structure with tension and resolution, use vivid, specific details, and share genuine vulnerability. Tailor your delivery for each platform, but stay true to your core. That’s how your story and your work will resonate.
What’s one part of your creative process that you think would make a great story? Share it with us in the comments!
