Let’s be honest... writing an artist statement can feel so overwhelming. It’s not just about stringing pretty sentences together. It’s about putting language to something that often feels instinctive, emotional, or even spiritual. And if you’re someone who doesn’t consider yourself “a writer,” the pressure to say something deep, eloquent, or profound can stop you before you even begin.

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at the screen, second-guessing every word… or writing something that sounds nothing like you… you’re not alone.

In this post, I want to break down why the artist statement block is so real, and more importantly, how to move through it with less stress and more clarity. We’ll explore:

• Why writing about your own work is so challenging (especially for non-writers)
• Common blocks that come up (overthinking, self-doubt, fear of sounding “too much”)
• Gentle mindset shifts that make a big difference
• Practical prompts and tips to help you find your words
• A not-so-obvious tool that helped me reconnect with my creative voice

Whether you’re writing your first artist statement or revisiting one that no longer fits, my hope is that this helps you breathe a little easier, and maybe even enjoy the process.

First, Let's Talk About Why Writing Your Artist Statement Feels So Hard in the First Place

The truth is, writing an artist statement isn’t just a normal writing task, it’s a vulnerable one. You’re being asked to speak about yourself and your creative work… and somehow make it sound meaningful, unique, and “professional” all at once. That’s a lot to hold in a few paragraphs.

Some of the most common blocks I’ve seen (and personally felt) include:

Overthinking every word

• You write a sentence, delete it. Try again. Reread it a million times. Suddenly nothing makes sense anymore.

Worrying it’s not “deep enough”

• You start comparing your process or story to someone else’s, and it starts to feel like maybe your work isn’t meaningful enough to write about.

Trying to sound more polished than you actually feel

• You write in a voice that sounds like someone else—because you think that’s how it’s supposed to sound.

Not knowing what to include or leave out

• You could write a novel… or you could write nothing. Either way, it feels like too much and not enough at the same time.

Feeling like the work is always changing

• You hesitate to commit to any one explanation of your art, because you’re always evolving. Which makes total sense, because you are.

If any of this resonates… take a deep breath. You’re not doing it wrong. You’re just trying to speak honestly about something that’s deeply personal, and that’s probably not ever going to feel completely effortless. So what can we do about it?

Consider These Gentle Mindset Shifts That Might Actually Help

Before you try to write a single word, it helps to reframe what you’re writing and why you’re writing it.

Here are a few mindset shifts that can ease the pressure and help you find your footing:

1. Your artist statement is a snapshot, not a forever manifesto.
Your work will keep evolving, and so will your language. You don’t have to “get it right” once and for all. Just speak to where you are right now.

2. You don’t have to sound profound, you just have to sound like you.
There’s this invisible pressure to say something poetic, intellectual, or groundbreaking. But honestly? People connect way more with clarity, honesty, and voice. Let it be simple.

3. If you wouldn’t say it out loud, don’t write it.
Try reading your statement drafts aloud. If it feels stiff or awkward, it probably doesn’t sound like you, and that’s a sign to soften or rework the phrasing.

4. You’re not trying to impress, you're trying to connect.
This isn’t a resume. It’s not a sales pitch. It’s a chance to invite someone into your world. Let that guide you.

5. It’s okay if this feels vulnerable.
Sharing your creative voice in words can feel exposed. That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong, it means you care. And that’s a good thing.

Some Practical Ways to Get Unstuck

When you’re ready to move from stuck to starting, these tools can help you get the words flowing—without the pressure to make them perfect:

Start with emotion.
Ask yourself: How do I want someone to feel when they see my work?
That one question can unlock so much more than trying to describe your medium or process first.

Write a messy paragraph about why you create.
Forget structure. Just journal. What pulled you to make art in the first place? What keeps you coming back? Start there.

Focus on the process, not just the product.
You don’t have to talk about your finished pieces like you’re in a museum. Talk about what it’s like to make them. What you love, what you notice, what lights you up.

Use prompts instead of trying to write from scratch.

• “My work is about…”
• “Lately, I’ve been exploring…”
• “I’m drawn to…”
• “I use [material] because…”
• “When I’m creating, I feel…”

Start small. Even one sentence is a start.

Let your first draft be messy and imperfect.
You can refine later, but don’t rob yourself of the raw truth by editing too soon.

Need a Little Extra Help Finding the Right Words?

If you're still feeling stuck after the mindset shifts and prompts, I get it. Sometimes, the words don’t come because we haven’t fully seen ourselves yet. And that’s where some of the deeper tools come in.

I’ve found that astrology (yes, really) can be an incredible mirror when you’re trying to reconnect with your creative voice. It helped me see what drives my expression, what my natural strengths are, and how I’m meant to show up creatively.

If that feels like something you’re open to exploring, I wrote another blog post that walks you through how your birth chart can actually inspire a more authentic artist statement. It’s not about writing like anyone else, it’s about finding the words that already live inside you.

Read that blog post here: How Your Birth Chart Can Inspire a Powerful Artist Statement

Or if you’re ready to go deeper, I’ve created a guide that helps artists understand their creative voice through the lens of their chart—with prompts, themes, and fill-in-the-blank templates that make the whole process feel a lot more intuitive (and a lot less like guesswork).

Learn more here: Aligned + Inspired: Your Birth Chart Guide for Creativity

Give Yourself Some Grace

Writing about your art isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to feel impossible. Start where you are. Speak from the heart. Think of it as a reflection, not a performance. Your words can always grow with your work.

Let it be imperfect, evolving, and true to where you are right now.