This article is by Brian Sherwin, regular contributing writer for FineArtViews. Brian Sherwin is an art critic, blogger, curator, artist and writer based near Chicago, Illinois. He has been published in Hi Fructose Magazine, Illinois Times, and other publications, and linked to by publications such as The Huffington Post, The Boston Globe, Juxtapoz Magazine, Deutsche Bank ArtMag, ARTLURKER, Myartspace, Blabbermouth, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Conservative Punk, Modern Art Obsession, Citizen LA, Shark Forum, Two Coats of Paint, Vandalog, COMPANY and Art Fag City. If you want your blog posts listed in the FineArtViews newsletter with the possibility of being republished to our 17,000+ subscribers, consider blogging with FASO Artist Websites.  Disclaimer: This author's views are entirely his/her own and may not reflect the views of BoldBrush, Inc.. You should submit an article and share your views as a guest author by clicking here.

The following Art Blogging 101 lesson is simple enough. If you want to establish your art blog... focus on art. I repeat -- FOCUS ON ART. The individuals who visit your art blog want to learn about YOU -- the artist. That goes 10 fold if your art blog happens to be located on your artist website. Those who visit are interested in your art -- so make that the focus of your blog.

Your art blog visitors don't want to know about the bad day you had at the laundry mat, your review of a recent box office smash, the drama you are having with an ex, the sore tooth that should probably be checked out by a dentist, OR the car you dream about owning. Save those blog entries for your personal blog. Your art blog should be an art blog-- NOT an everything-under-the-sun blog. Focus on art, focus on art, focus on art!

I can hear it now -- "But the blog on my art website is my personal blog...". Correction -- the blog on your art website should be a mix of personal / business blog posts that are strictly focused on your art career. You should strive to offer insight into your personal 'world' of art. Again, think 'art blogging' instead of 'everything-under-the-sun blogging'.

In my opinion, your art blog should be like an on-going introduction to your art -- a jumping point for individuals who want to learn about the artist who has caught their interest. Point blank -- your art blog visitors are not there to learn about the Xbox 360 gamer, the armchair politician OR the reality TV buff. If those topics have something to do with your art -- so be it. If not... focus on art.

I can't say this enough -- your art blog should NOT be an everything-under-the-sun blog. You want your art blog to be just that... an art blog. You should strive to enlighten readers about your art process, studio practice, updates concerning art exhibits you are involved with, your influences as an artist... and so on. Your art blog should be a window into your little chip of the art world. 

People who follow your artwork want to know information like the suggestions mentioned above. They DON'T want to know about how you sliced your finger chopping carrots while rocking out to Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. They want to see images of your art and process -- not images of your stitches. Give them what they want. Introduce them to your world of art.

Some of you may be thinking, "But I don't know what to write about.". WRONG ANSWER. I realize that writing can be intimidating for some individuals -- but that can also be an excuse. You should know enough about yourself as an artist to provide information about your practice. If you honestly can't think of what to write -- perhaps it is time to really search yourself until the words flow out with ease.

Creating art and writing about art walk hand-in-hand if you consider the whole of art history. For example, many of the 'greats' wrote essays about their studio practice and art-related theories. I'm not asking you to do that... my point is that a few art blog posts (that are actually focused on your art) should not be overly difficult if you apply yourself. In addition to that, you will find that your art writing can easily become a promotional tool for your art marketing goals in general (more on that in future articles).

In closing, visitors to your art blog are there to learn about your art... so make that the focus of your blog. Focus on art so that people know that your art blog is the go-to place to learn more about your art and practice. That focus is important for other reasons... which I will delve into in future articles in the Art Blogging 101 series.

Take care, Stay true,

Brian Sherwin