How to Write an About Me Page for Artists

Do you have your 'About Me' page set up on your website yet? Do you know that it's different than your bio or artist statement? Well don't worry at all because your Birdie is going to to break down your About Me page into easy bite-sized chunks that will make it an absolute breeze to write.

Your Bio is more of a professional write up, your About Me is more about you as a human and artist, and your Artist Statement is more about a specific body of work. None of these should be too long, nor are they too difficult to write if you just follow a few simple guidelines

Want to read my own Bio + About Me? https://www.caleighbirdart.com/about

Here's my Bio video and my Artist Statement video and even a whole playlist about writing about your art!

If you need any one-on-one help, remember I’m here for art + art biz mentoring via Zoom :)

2.7.2021

How to Write an Artist Bio

Did you know that your Artist Bio, your About Me page, and your Artist Statement are three totally different things? Yikes, right?!!?

Don't worry about a thing! Today we are going to talk about exactly what needs to go in your artist bio, either for your own website, or for when you/your art get featured somewhere. It should be short and sweet and contain all the interesting bits about your (professional) history as an artist.

Check out my How to Write an Artist Statement video here.

And next week I'll have How to Write an About Me Page

Check out this playlist for even more great advice on how to write about your art.

Yep, I’m available for art mentoring via Zoom! I'm happy to help fellow up-and-coming artists with anything from drawing or painting technique to small art business advice, as well as with perfecting your portfolio or thesis. See how I can help you here!

1.31.2021

Sea Turtle Rescue!

WE RESCUED A SEA TURTLE FROM THIS FISHING NET!!!!!

If you don't mind, dear reader, today as a special treat I would like to regale you with an exciting tale of honu* liberation and feminine strength in the face of danger that happened just this past Thursday on Kaupo beach, O'ahu. Have I gotten you at all intrigued...?

The story...

My girl Oli and I decided to come out to the beach and we wanted to chill in  more secluded area so when we scoped out and got set up at the perfect spot we noticed this 30 yard long weighted dragnet which was suspended with tiny buoys on top. It was set up perpendicular to the beach in the water attached to a bunch of rocks throughout and heavier weights on either end.

We couldn't figure out what it was doing there all day with seemingly no one around and at one point we noticed a young sea turtle swimming close to the shore. We quickly realized that due to the tide the honu was headed straight for the net! We looked at each other and ran out to the waist-deep water just as the turtle hit the net and got all tangled up. He was probably about 18 inches long and was struggling so badly, getting more and more caught up.

We tried grabbing him and pulling it off but he was really flailing around and smacking us away with his flippers. We just couldn't get it off and I could see it was tightening on his neck so finally I just grabbed the turtle by the shell and bear-hugged him belly to belly and started speaking soothingly to him to calm him down - which actually worked!!- while Oli pulled the net from around his neck and flippers.

It was so scary yet so exhilarating! As soon as we got the lil guy free Oli held the net down so I could release the turtle to the other side and he zoomed faster than you would even believe. Thank goodness he was okay! 

We called DNR to come cut it down but as we were waiting up on the shore we actually saw another turtle probably three times as big about to go into the net as well. Once again we jumped up and had to run out in order to scare off that turtle, and then at that point we felt we had to go ahead and just gather up the huge net. We both scratched our feet on the coral as we struggled to untangle and drag this big heavy net but it was worth it because in the next hour or two we saw at least 3 - 4 more turtles that would've got caught in it too! I honestly think we saved at least five or six turtles' lives on Thursday.

The worst part is, through speaking with the DNR guy we found out there were reports of other nets similar to this being set around the island, most likely to catch turtles. I am positive the turtle capture was no accident because this was a new net purposefully set up like this in an area where there are almost no fish and plenty of feeding sea turtles. Ugh, it just makes you sick!

Anyhoo, the good news is that DNR now knows the spot and will keep an eye on it. Plus my journalist friend said she might do a story in order to shed light for the community to keep an eye out and report any nets set up like that.

Honestly Oli and I felt so blessed by Pele herself to be able to be there to help those beautiful honu. It was certainly an experience we will never ever forget!!

*honu - Hawai'ian for sea turtle

Please Note: These are not my photos of sea turtles (I wish!) but they are the same kind as the fellas we rescued. Click image for source. 

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originally posted: July 29, 2017

Hi, My Name is Caleigh! :: A Brief(ish) Personal History

Hello friends! Most likely you know my name if you've made it to my blog, but I have yet to really give a full introduction to my readers anyway. Sooooo, Hi! Nice to meet ya!

Obviously, I'm an early 30's contemporary figurative artist living in Hawai'i... duh, but just in case you wondered how all that came to be, I figured share a brief(ish) personal history with you today. This vlog mostly hits on where I'm from, where and what I studied in school (spoiler alert: art always), what steps I've taken to explore the world around me, and how I wound up in Hawai'i, all set to the rhythmically soothing sound and sight of waves crashing on mighty volcanic rocks in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. 

This little Intro Vid was filmed while I was chillin' on Makapu'u Beach, which is about 25 minutes from my house, on an absolutely perfect Spring day. Enjoy! 

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originally posted: June 25, 2017

Brand New 'About Me' Page - Whew!

As I'm sure you know by now, ether as a creative yourself or just by reading along, there are a million tiny things to do to continue turning this dream of a sustaining art career into a reality. Some of them I love, some of them I less than love.... but something about writing 'formally' about myself just gives me worse writer's block than anything. Ugh! 

Just try and guess how often my Bio and Artist Statement get updated as a result? I have a horrible habit of procrastinating those rewrites until they are embarassingly stale - which is terrible since that's usually the first place folks look on the website right after checking out the artwork! C'mon, get it together, Caleigh;) 

So take five minutes to read my newly reworked short summation and then you can thumb through a little slide show of some recent works. I would certainly love any feedback in the comments too!

Please Note: It's in third person which may seem odd since I wrote it and I normally write in first person on my website, but that's just how things are done in the art world.

"Caleigh Bird is a figurative artist living in Hawai’i whose blend of contemporary and classical realism serves to portray her modern subjects in true-to-life bold character, while still being rendered as carefully as the traditionally trained masters she has spent her life studying here and abroad. While primarily an oil painter, Caleigh is also known for her signature greyscale portraits in graphite and contè, as well as for creating weekly live model charcoal drawings on a colorful array of toned paper.  

One of the most important aspects of Caleigh’s work is her desire to help foster an inclusionary atmosphere in the fine art world by portraying a culturally rich group of subjects. She believes that the modern art scene in general, from its exhibiting artists to its muses, should be ever more representational of all the unique citizens of this earth, so she uses her work to lovingly highlight the beauty and character in everyday people from all over the world." 

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originally posted: May 24, 2017

Mini Studio Tour

Happy Saturday, friends! Today I thought I'd take you on a short 'n sweet tour of my bright and sunny little art studio. It's just a quick view today, and then next week I'll have two more detailed vlogs of how my painting station is set up and where I get the 'business' end done. 

Hope you enjoy this private peek!! 

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originally posted: April 8, 2017

Subconscious Inspiration Infiltration

Earlier today I was having a contemplative moment at my desk, reflecting on what have been the most inspiring moments of this last week, and I could not stop thinking about these gorgeous and otherworldly fiery-red orange flowers growing on the wall around my neighbor's yard. I have walked over and admired these flowers, which I was told are a form of jade vine, over and again for the last ten days or so that they have been blooming. I've been so obsessed I even had an impromptu photo shoot and have made a few hula hoops videos using these flowers as the background as well - I literally cannot get enough of them!

Too bright for words!!

It gets even better though, 'cause I know I'm not alone.  I see lots of different neighbors stopping by to look or take pics or videos or going out of their way to pull their car over to admire. It's like we all want to take part in the natural beauty unfolding in our midst. 

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So anyway, like I said, I keep going over to look at these flowers and when I try to figure out how to incorporate them into my Inspo Saturday segment, I absent mindedly turned around and, bam. There they were showing up in my painting without me even realizing where the inclination to use such tropical chroma came from. I had been subconsciously inspired this week in such a brilliant and flashy way! Inspiration:sometimes it hits when you least expect it.

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I'll be working hard on this painting next week!

Here is my current painting along with the Pantone postcards I use to select painting palettes. Just look at how similar they are to the flowers! 

(PS Don't worry, I didn't kill these flowers, they fell off naturally. I no longer pick flowers as I think the bees need them ten times more than we do)

Like progress shots? Follow my @caleighbirdart Instagram for regular updates.

Have you ever been surprised to discover a subconscious inspiration infiltration in your own work or life? Please share your experience in the comments!

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originally published: November 5, 2016