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 19,000+ 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.

Independent art writing has grown steadily over the last decade. Independent art writers -- by utilizing blogs and social media -- have widened the scope of art criticism and appreciation. The conversation about art is no longer confined to the glossy pages of established art magazines. This shift in art writing power structure will continue to fuel a wider conversation about art. It is something that every artist can take part in... simply by embracing the habit of art blogging regularly. Writing independently is important for you (the artist) and for culture.

Art marketing coach Alyson Stanfield recently mentioned the need for more artists to approach art with words, stating, "It's up to us to educate people about art, and the role it can play in the lives of others.". That is a concept supported by the FineArtViews blog. That need is a driving factor for the guest posts that we provide -- both on the blog itself, and the newsletter. The various viewpoints offered by our regular and guest writers form a valuable source of information for artists (offered for free). I've written about this need in the past. In fact, it is one of the inspirations for the FineArtViews Art Blogging 101 series.

We DO need to see more independent art writers -- as Stanfield stressed, we need YOU to write about art. It is vital that we -- the art community as a whole -- have sources of art writing that are not dictated solely by ad sales or other influential business factors. After all, it is no secret that traditional/commercial print art publications are often burdened by the revenue model (the influence of ad sales and other business factors) that sustains them -- and that traditional/commercial print art writers, due to that revenue model, are often 'pinned down' as to what they can write about for their employers. The public has noticed the Devil in the details. Point-blank -- we expect more from art writing in general. We want something that is more authentic. In my opinion, independent art writers provide that needed authenticity.

As mentioned earlier, the public has noticed the growth of independent art writing. In fact, some independent art writers -- specifically those utilizing a blog and newsletter -- have more reach today (at least online) than art writers working in traditional print. With that in mind, one could suggest that we are witnessing a renaissance in art writing. This suggestion is backed by the fact that some major art foundations are starting to take notice by adding 'blogs' to their grants/awards programs. Again, this growth is something that every artist can take part in. That includes YOU.

Independent art writers -- when viewed as a whole -- offer a wider coverage of art compared to traditional print. In other words, the collective force of these independent 'think tanks' offer art coverage in areas that are rarely, if ever, discussed by mainstream art publications. Point-blank -- the glossy pages of established art magazines (many of which have long been based in NYC) tend to take an extremely centric approach to writing about art. If you are not 'in'... you don't exist. In that sense, independent art writing (collectively) is a game-changer... offering the public more by providing insight about the 'here and now' in art throughout the United States and beyond. That alone has historic significance.

In closing, independent sources of online art writing will continue to gain influence as traditional print continues to fade. This wider conversation about art -- spurred by independent art writers -- is important for artists and culture. Again, this is a direction (in most cases) that is not dictated by ad sales... or other factors that are associated with traditional/commercial print art publications. In my opinion, that is why art blogging is so important. It is vital that we 'hear' your 'voice' in this conversation.

Take care, Stay true,

Brian Sherwin