Why Most Artists' Blogs Fail

Jun 14, 2010

By “artist’s blog” I mean, a personal blog by an artist, not a blog about “Art” per se.

I read a couple of artists’ blogs. I like Austin Kleon and Hazel Dooney, for example… John T Unger doesn’t like writing much, but he has a great podcast, Art Heroes Radio.

But sadly, most artists’ blogs don’t do it for me. And if you check out the stats of your typical artist’s blog, they’re not doing a lot for many other people, either.

Why not? Why aren’t more artists’ blogs more successful?

Most artists’ blogs fail because they fail to understand the basic truth about artists’ blogs:

Nobody’s reading your blog because of your art.

Your typical artist’s blog usually consists of little more than a photograph of the latest art piece, with a brief description like, “I painted this yesterday. I like how the purple dog clashes with the green sofa.” Or whatever.

But the reality is, most people are not reading your blog because they have an inherent love for purple dogs and green sofas. They’re reading your blog because THE PERSON YOU ARE inspires them. They’re not reading your blog because they’re thinking of buying your paintings, they’re reading your blog because the way you approach your work inspires them. It sets an example for them. It stands for something that resonates with them. IT LEADS THEM TO SOMEWHERE THAT THEY ALSO WANT TO GO.

And if your blog can do that, suddenly your readers are associating purple dogs and green sofas with something that ACTUALLY matters to them. And then, and only then, do they pull their credit cards out. Ker-chiing.

That’s the REAL job of the artist: To be a leader, not to fill the space with pretty “stuff”.

That’s also the REAL job of any blogger: To be a leader, not fill the space with pretty “content”.

Why? Because whatever your blog is about – art, tech, politics, culture, entrepreneurship, sex, it doesn’t matter- it’s either leading people somewhere worthwhile in a meaningful, positive way, or…

Nobody’s frickin’ reading it, end of story.

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Raymond Tse

14 years ago

Thanks Hugh for this insight. Obvious but so against out natural instinct which is to explain the what and how but not the why.

JoAnn

14 years ago

Ouch, put down that sharp stick!

Editor

Hugh MacLeod

14 years ago

Reply to JoAnn

@JoAnn Yeah, maybe a bit sharp.

But I don’t think I’m wrong and…

I really do want to see more artists succeed online. So maybe sometimes I have to be brutal.

JoAnn

14 years ago

Reply to Hugh MacLeod

Exactly right, that’s why it hurt, but your admonishment will be taken to heart. Don’t you love it when a cartoon can change lives?

Scott Holloway

13 years ago

Reply to Hugh MacLeod

Brutal realism is sometimes needed. Thanks!

Paul Healey

11 years ago

Reply to Hugh MacLeod

Hi There, I just started a blog yesterday for my paintings and a graphic novel. I have no idea what I am doing. Any suggestions? Thanks, Paul

Sam

8 years ago

Reply to Hugh MacLeod

I appreciate that; thank you! We as artists need a good kick it the butt sometimes!

Teresa

7 years ago

Reply to Hugh MacLeod

thank you so much for all your insight. I am planning my blog as an artist and with instagram and facebook, i wanted to do something different. i want to make a name for myself but also don’t want to fall into the typical artist style. i can’t begin to tell you how much your words have inspired me to continue with my idea…

Demi-Rose Edge

4 years ago

Reply to Teresa

Me too!

Tamaya

6 years ago

Reply to Hugh MacLeod

Actually Hugh, I don’t think you were sharp in your comments at all. I wish I had heard of you years ago before I edited my blogs in an attempt to conform.
I like to read about the process and struggles of any piece being sculpture, painting or poem can put us through. I will try again but this time with heart.
Thank you

Jenny Schu.

14 years ago

Being a new-ish artist-blogger, thanks for the brutal truth!!!!
I know it’s great for S.E.O. but it’s hard for me to really hunker down and blog.

jeanette harris

14 years ago

You’re not wrong, Hugh. I’ve been writing a clay artist’s blog for about 3 years now and just started a series in it about “Rules for Artists”.

……or Care and Feeding of your Muse might be more appropriate……..

No aesthetic blah, no art babble, just how to get your head put on straight and how to deal with your own aesthetic and your own work.

One good spin-off of the blog is that I realized for myself, I’ve generated a good bit of content as a source for professional writing. I would have never organized it otherwise.

Robert Bleyerveen

14 years ago

Hugh, spoken with conviction and a hint of experience.
You’re so much more than a pretty picture.

Rachel Z. Cornell

14 years ago

People might first come to an artists blog to see more examples of the work. I think they STAY, however because if they can “see” the artist.

Lisa

14 years ago

I get over 100,000 pageviews a month on my artist blog and have been writing for over 5 years. Months can go by without me ever posting photos of artwork.

Yep – I think you are correct.

Although I do sell art from my blog, there are folks that are there because they are thinking of buying the art. But I think they are a small minority.

spudart

14 years ago

Reply to Lisa

Lisa, what’s the URL of your blog?

ochuko

14 years ago

Reply to spudart

Lisa, what’s your url?

ponor

13 years ago

Reply to ochuko

Lisa’s blog: http://lisacall.com/

nyx

11 years ago

Reply to ponor

this is mine…. help a follow artist out? https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nic-Nyx/561371827239052

Sherm Cohen

14 years ago

This definitely resonates with my experience; When people comment about my comics & animation blog, they tell me they love my enthusiasm for the art form more than anything else!

Kevin

14 years ago

That is an interesting concept.

Max Wallis

14 years ago

I’ve had almost 30,000 loads in four months … I’d like to think it was because of my art. x

Max Wallis

14 years ago

http://www.somethingeveryday.co.uk just for the record x

Kurtis

14 years ago

I think if the art is simple and expressive enough the artist shoudn’t need to write allot. Maybe artits need to blog differently and the current blogging style doesn’t fit their methods for expressing who they are.

Van

14 years ago

Well said, and I agree. A blog can be full of pretty pictures, the art might be amazing. But if it’s just pretty pictures there’s no soul and no inspiration. It’s an empty shell of a blog.

Noah Fleming

14 years ago

Brutal is a good thing. It might be what’s required to spark some positive change.

Thanks for some great insight Hugh.

Wood

14 years ago

Well i read a lot of artist blogs because of the art.

I guess I must be an exception.

Editor

Hugh MacLeod

14 years ago

Reply to Wood

@Wood, you are not the exception, don’t flatter yourself.

The guy flooding the artist’s Paypal account with money is the exception.

I also think “Well i read a lot of artist blogs because of the art” is untrue.

10 years ago

Reply to Hugh MacLeod

As a new “blogger” I figure I have talent or I don’t. I’ll find out if I live long enough to stand the test of time. Always like a kick in the rear, and your comments offer some interesting musings. Thanks.

Alan

14 years ago

I came to that conclusion too, although I was never after numbers, and have just started to add more writing to go with each cartoon. I started it as a stick for my own back so I would make drawings for myself.

Only now am I starting to think about the visitors many of whom seem to stay for ages. But really it’s an excuse for me to have the odd rant. A bit like your post.

Perhaps even further on when I have more time I will really try for readers and also try to connect with them.

Bit hard at the end though. Some people like pretty content.

Katie

14 years ago

I enjoy insights into my favorite artists’ lives, but I watch their blogs to see their art first and foremost. : So, I have to disagree, at least on a personal level.

Renee Phillips

14 years ago

Excellent points. Thank you. Blogging without purpose is like spitting in the wind. But, the quality of the art does matter.

Alyson B. Stanfield

14 years ago

Reply to Renee Phillips

Renee: Do you think the quality of the art is related to the quality of the blog? I haven’t found that to be true.

Karen

13 years ago

Reply to Alyson B. Stanfield

Hi Alyson

Interesting point.

Do you find good art means a poor blog or vice versa – meaning not all artists are designers (design is quite a different creativity?)

Clint Watson

14 years ago

Hugh, as you know, I agree with you on this issue. As someone who does purchase art though, I’ve been thinking about this a bit more since you posted this. There might be an exception of sorts.

The only artist blogs I ever READ or are attracted to initially are the ones who write interesting things – just as you outline in your post: people like you, Hazel Dooney, John T. Unger, Lisa Call – those are a few I follow.

HOWEVER, if there is an artist whose work I actually want to purchase (or have purchased) – I do also like to follow an RSS stream of new artwork as it is posted – just to have first chance to “jump” on a piece of art if it speaks to me and is available. An example of an artist I do this with is Keiko Tanabe.

I think that artists might consider having BOTH. A regular blog as you outline should be the first priority. But then a second “blog” for their followers to keep up with new artwork.

This second “blog” doesn’t actually have to be a blog per se. It could be a simple RSS feed of new artwork or, as you provide, an email newsletter to announce new work (which I’ve enjoyed receiving daily btw). Just some “push” method of getting the work in front of interested people.

Anyway those are my latest musings…..they are free so I guess anyone reading this is getting their money’s worth 🙂

S Rae

10 years ago

Reply to Clint Watson

Genius idea, yet so simple: it won’t annoy those who are only after the “art” while still providing entertaining fodder for the ravenous public. Yes, we’re definitely getting our money’s worth here!

Stephen

14 years ago

Man, I read this and was pretty floored. Just viewing someone’s art doesn’t facilitate the connection that you can get through the writing that you’re talking about. Definitely taking it to heart. Great cartooning by the way. I’d never heard of you before today.

Cynthia Agathocleous

14 years ago

So you have to sell yourself (your soul) to sell your artwork?

I subscribe to a lot of artists’ blogs just to get their latest works on the google reader daily. I like to look and don’t read much.

HOWEVER, I agree with you about Hazel Dooney’s blog. A fascinating read indeed~! However, we are not all as gutsy as she is or even want that kind of attention or notoriety.

Looking at the actual art is okay too. After all, it can be about the work and not just the artist.

Daisy Hickman

14 years ago

Great points, as usual, Hugh. Art is art unless the artist provides the “other stuff” that’s more interesting! One of my favorite artists (perhaps an exception to your theory) is Paul Jackson @ http://www.pauljackson.com — you’ll find a link to his site on my blogroll, as well. His art sort of makes its way without words, but he’s written books, and I believe he blogs a bit. At any rate, bottom-line, it’s true. Creative artists should be leaders if they delve into blogging. My guess is that some of them simply run out of time and energy to post something truly memorable, dynamic, or profound. So I try to give most of them the benefit of the doubt. There are all kinds of bloggers out there, some way more serious about it than others. And, luckily, we get to choose which ones to read. At least, Dickens wasn’t a blogger — now that would be painful!

kim(frogpondsrock)

14 years ago

Interesting point but it all depends on how you measure success.

I am an artist and I have a successful blog as well.

Alyson B. Stanfield

14 years ago

As someone who looks at (not necessarily reads) a lot of artist blogs, I have concluded that most artist blogs fail because there is a disconnect between art and words. [She assumes her soapbox.] Artists have to find the words to connect people to the work–to convey their passion to the readers in a way that compels the reader to give a damn what you do.

And, no, using the word “love” doesn’t do the trick. Saying “I have always loved color” does not make me love your color.

Artist blogs fail because they look like other artist blogs. The words and the images could be attached to any artist. Yawn. Nondescript.

My hope is for artists to learn to better articulate why they’re excited about painting an artichoke and learn to tell a story around that process. The stories are usually there, but artists need to take time to dig them out.

Most artists don’t want to do this. They fail to see the need for spending time on words. It’s the old professor mentality: “The work speaks for itself.” This doesn’t fly in the 21st century when words are required online.

Jane Davenport

14 years ago

Reply to Alyson B. Stanfield

I agree with you wholeheartedly Alison – and Hugh of course:)
I read your book over New Year and it really got me thinking, got me motivated (after a bit of navel gazing) and got my arse in gear.
I am digging and spending the time doing it and yep, I could spend more! but its a process, and coming out of the internal process of creating and pushing out that energy to the external world – takes courage – and time!!!
P.S. I really cherish your valuable Podcasts.
PPS. I am now inspired to read over your book again…

Alyson B. Stanfield

14 years ago

Reply to Jane Davenport

That’s so nice, Jane. Thank you! I hope you read Hugh’s book, too. It’s a must-read.

Jo OConnor

11 years ago

Reply to Jane Davenport

I couldn’t disagree with you more. It is unfair to expect a person whose talent is visual arts and expect them to have to write well too. The best artists I know (and I know a few famous ones) are painfully shy or really full-of- shit or outright reluctant to publish their methods and inner workings etc. Whilst it may be interesting to discover the personality, that personality that doesn’t change the work, and if the work sucks, it sucks. Besides, I personally like a bit of mystery.

10 years ago

Reply to Jo OConnor

As an artist that can’t write worth a —, thanks, I agree. And there is no way to know me better than to look at my art, you may as well be reading my diary.

Paul Tracey

11 years ago

Reply to Alyson B. Stanfield

The two flaws in the argument that art needs words are firstly, a painting stands on its own, no amount of words will change what it is, if it can’t stand on its own then it is worthless. Secondly, the wealthiest ‘artist’ in the world today, Damien Hurst, is virtually inarticulate, and for him, it’s not a front, he really is thick.

Editor

Hugh MacLeod

11 years ago

Reply to Paul Tracey

Paintings stand on their own? What art history books have you been reading? Existentially, you may be right. Commercially, not so much.

Alma Ayon

11 years ago

Reply to Paul Tracey

Paul, you made a good point. Many painters (and visual artists) express themselves through art because because it’s a different language on itself and there’s things that can’t be communicated through words. Actually I’ve met many artists who are extremely shy and lack comunication skills. I think as you that art doesn’t need to be explained, but if the artist can complement his artistic creation with writings about his life, ideas, and any other inspiration for their work, we would be able to understand beter his creative process and connect with him as a human being. Unfortunately you put Damien Hirst as example, who we can know for his “work” that he’s doing terrible things in the name of art, such as killing 9,000 butterflies and many other animals, even, worst making others kill them for him. It’s very sad that he’s wealthy for doing such kind of non-art. Artists without ethical principles and something meaningful to share with humanity are not real artists they are just provokers who earn their fame by making people experience intense visceral emotions. If you see his face it also comunicates without words that he’s an arrogant and selfish man. It’s very sad and I don’t ecourage people to feel hatred but compasion towards him and his supporters.

Early Retirement Extreme

14 years ago

I find you’re right and I find it problematic to some extent. I blog about “How to X” and I am very sure I have already covered everything there is to know about X. The problem with blogging as a medium for doing this is that people rely on blogs for inspiration more than knowledge. The solution is to either keep repeating old stuff which seems to be the eventually outcome of all blogging activity or change the format altogether, or—one can hope—that blog readers stop thinking of blogging as a newspaper and treat old posts the same as they would new ones.

Maybe this is just a technological issue with blogging software and RSS readers and practically everything else being set up to display only the most recent stuff.

Kit

14 years ago

Good reminder, followed by thoughtful comments. It feels important to me to share the thoughts and process behind my work, glimpses of why as well as bit of how. If I’m honest with myself and readers, perhaps once in awhile they’ll find something interesting, therefore readership could grow.

Rachel Wolfe

14 years ago

I LOVE THIS! This little write-up made me laugh and made me feel better about what I’m doing. Sometimes I talk directly about what I’m posting, but usually I just write about what happens to be in my head/my current obsession and somehow try to make that relate to what I’m showing. Sometimes I have a lot to say, sometimes less…but for some reason, I just like sharing what happens in the space between my ears and my ribcage 🙂
A lot of times, I wonder if I should keep on…but now that I’m going, I’m not sure I could ever stop. It’s almost a relief to have those thinkings out of me and out there in the world for other people to think about, so I can move onto considering something else!

-Rachel
http://www.rachelwolfe.com
rachelmwolfe.blogspot.com

Rachel Wolfe

14 years ago

ALSO! I couldn’t agree more….looking at art-it is a little pretentious to think someone comes to my blog to look at my art. Haha…makes me chuckle when I think about it…maybe some do, but I am in complete agreement with you, people are more interesting in the person behind it. Wait…is that egoist to think of myself that way? Am I THAT interesting? Maybe…I dunno, does it matter if I care? Nah, I’d still be doing what I have to do anyway.

Hahaha…again, just love this post!

Mona Conner

14 years ago

Hugh, it’s an interesting thought you are sharing here.

While a website is still more important than a blog to an artist, I also run several blogs about my art in addition to my website. When I blog, here are some of the other factors I try to consider about the genuine complexity of the online art blog scene and would like to better understand how to cope with:

unprecedented recession-related financial pressure; the challenges of unequal pricing and expectations emerging from the daily painter phenom; a complex and vast array of participants; a complex array of reasons about why each artist is blogging and who they feel their authorized audience is actually intended to be (because not all art blogs are equal in their intended or expressed purpose, but are nonetheless part of one large community of amateurs and pros who can often work at cross purposes to one another without consciously intending to); how rapidly the blogging scene itself continues to evolve and change…..Whether we artists in our efforts to actually support one another with positive comments on blogs sometimes unwittingly close the circle to each others intended audience is yet another question that I am contemplative about.

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Amanda

14 years ago

I wanted to say this exact thing to so many artists. Thank you!!

jay Alders

14 years ago

My friend Maria Brophy turned me onto your site and blog.

I agreed with this significant role we play as artists. It’s one of the most valuable gifts we can offer our followers and fans.

Bravo for leading by example.

Bill Hicks

14 years ago

yeah, so now I want a blog more then ever.

David Moore

14 years ago

I think the same is (unsurprisingly) true for photographers’ sites, even the more commercially-oriented ones. Another long stream of shots from the last wedding or family shoot isn’t as compelling as fewer photos and more written explanations, stories and thinking aloud.

Jane Davenport

14 years ago

Reply to David Moore

Amen to that!

and ahem…I am off to add more written explanations to my work…Thanks for the push David!

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cinderkeys

14 years ago

Ha!

Back when I was first thinking about starting my band blog, I felt intimidated. I worried that I’d have nothing of interest to say. I feared I wouldn’t know what I was doing. So like any good geek, I hopped online and took a look at other band blogs.

And realized I had nothing to worry about.

The posts I found were BORING. “Thanks for coming out to our show last night, fans. We were really tight!” Or photos of the latest gig without so much as one interesting caption. Stuff that wouldn’t be all that entertaining for even the fans who were there for the referenced performances.

I don’t hit a home run every time I post, but I generally do better than “We were really tight.” I might not be a leader, but I can make connections.

Meg Wolfe

14 years ago

This is completely and unequivocally true, and concisely stated as well. I shut down my art blog because I was boring myself. God only knows how badly it bored any readers. A new approach to writing about my art has been simmering a while in the back of my mind, and this post resonates with my current thinking. I also know that it is going to have an interesting effect on my art, as well. It is good to shake things up.

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Rapha

14 years ago

Interesting..! what do u think about mine, just curious, would love to make it better!
http://www.ladyandthesweatshop.com/
Cheers!
Rapha, aka, The Lady.

dora

14 years ago

Thanks for this great post! In the short time I’ve been blogging about art and no time to do it, I found your thoughts to be so true. Art happens when life happens, and most of the time life is more interesting than the art. I started blogging because I read Alyson Stanfield’s book, she said don’t ask why just do it, so I did. The fun for me is making connections with other artists/people in general. Art sales, not yet, cameraderie, definitely. Blogging about life and trying to make my art has kept me painting, so a plus.

vince kamp

14 years ago

I painted this yesterday. I like how the purple dog clashes with the green sofa and that he’s eating popcorn and drinking beer
http://bit.ly/cnwUg6
As always, thanks for the inspiration Hugh

eleni

14 years ago

hi!!! i absolutely believe that is true!!!you are right!

busyokology

14 years ago

yeah. you’r right. i’m also an artist and a blogger and i feel the same way. 🙂

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Tuli

14 years ago

What exceptional timing with your post. I started blogging a few days ago 🙂

Will be interesting to see where it goes. I will definitely bear your words in mind though!

Myrakk

14 years ago

I am young artist and fashion designer
I have started to write blog about my art and designs but only one person left a comment so I think you may have right to give advise becouse you’ve got audience
Maybe you could give me some advise how to lead my blog?

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