I've been attending a series of art talks recently by local artists, and it's been fascinating to hear the variety of approaches to presenting one's art. I've come away from some of the talks truly inspired by the artists' passion for their work. Others have educated me about the methods used to create their art. But some have left me less than confident in their expertise and professionalism.
First, let me say that it's not an easy task to entertain your audience while explaining your methods, motivation and history as an artist. To do it well in a comprehensive manner and logical sequence in a set amount of time requires much planning and practice.
The artists I heard recently used slide shows to illustrate their talk. Unless you have your art hanging on a wall behind you so that you can refer to the actual thing, a slide show is an excellent alternative. A slide show also allows you to illustrate earlier work and methods as well. Of course, slide shows today are not done with actual slides and a carousel, but with a computer.
I'll talk more specifically about what makes a good art talk in my next post. Meanwhile, here's a new abstract drawing: