Some may think that as an artist, your portfolio is your resume. However, many of the other applicants against whom you are competing for jobs likely share the same assumption. This makes including a resume alongside your job application all the more important. Not only will it help separate you from other artists who may not see the value in submitting one, but it also demonstrates a level of professionalism that is sure to impress prospective employers.
Like composing a work of art, writing an effective resume requires a clear vision of how you want the finished product to turn out. Fortunately, you have the artist resume sample included here to guide you in this journey. It will show you the optimal format in which to share your professional skills and experience. Also included here are a handful of writing tips to assist you in selecting what sort of content to include and instruct you in how to best present it.
Artist Resume Sample
Brenda Bowens
Seattle, WA 11111 • bbowens765@email.com • 555-222-2222
Seattle, WA 11111 • bbowens765@email.com • 555-222-2222
Summary
Professional artist with 16 years of experience creating pieces both contractually and independently. Classically trained in both painting and sketching, with a portfolio that includes works displayed in galleries, museums, and art houses. Commercial career in creating prints for mass production for use in home décor pieces.
Skills
- Sketching skills include creating chalk, charcoal, and pencil art
- Trained in the skilled use of acrylics, oils, and gouache, as well as ink and wash, fresco, and tempura painting
- Strong understanding of graphic and visual art replication software programs
- Artistic mindset that is easily able to come up with original ideas along with unique representations of provided subjects and backdrops
- Innate ability to effectively combine color palettes
- Hard worker dedicated to meeting expectations and deadlines
Work Experience
Independent Professional Artist, February 2004 – Present
Seattle, WA
Seattle, WA
- Create painted canvases and professional sketches for private clients, art exhibits, and personal portfolio
- Work extensively with fellow artists in both New York and Europe, collaborating on works for display and sharing ideas and best practices
- Contract with galleries and museums concentrated primarily in the Pacific Northwest region to provide pieces for display and auction
- Provide restorative work for art conservation organizations, specializing primarily on baroque, neoclassical, and early renaissance pieces
- Supervise the openings of both personal and collaborative projects, with over 15 public and private openings galas to credit
- Participated in three separate community rejuvenation projects, working with civic groups in helping at-risk youth create murals in public areas
- Accumulated over $2.7 million in collective private sales up to this point in career
Décor Designer, January 2010 – March 2015
Front Room Home Décor, Tacoma, WA
Front Room Home Décor, Tacoma, WA
- Created template pieces used to replicate prints sold through regional home décor provider
- Met with company representatives on a quarterly basis to discuss new design ideas and updates on popular pieces
- Collaborated with engineers to create correct color scheme in printing software
- Made four different public appearances in stores to help promote work
- Created over 80 design templates during tenure with company
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts, 2005
Cranbook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Cranbook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI
• Winner of Senior Seminar Gala
• Graduated summa cum laude
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Is This a Good Artist Resume? Let’s Check
How well does the summary statement present the jobseeker’s skill set?
There is always a temptation to list all your skills and experience right at the outset of your resume. The trouble in doing this is that recruiters typically do not have the time to thoroughly review each application, portfolio, and/or resume submitted. Notice how the artist resume sample includes enough detail to convey the applicant’s skills and experience yet is general enough in its details that it entices readers to keep reviewing it.
Do the summary statement and skills section convey enough information to qualify the applicant for a job?
With artistry being so subjective, it may be difficult to convey the type of skills and expertise that an employer is looking for. That is why the manner in which the jobseeker presents her skills in the artist resume sample is so effective. She indicates a specialty (in this case, painting and sketching) yet also conveys experience and familiarity in working with fine art software programs. This mix of both artistic and technical skill could qualify her for a wide range of positions.
Does the jobseeker present her skills in a manner that is easy to understand?
Some believe that inundating a resume with technical or industry insider jargon comes off as impressive. In reality, it can serve to limit the effectiveness in such a document by alienating readers who might be unfamiliar with that terminology. In the artist resume sample, the applicant does indeed use artistic terms, yet in a context that any reader would be able to understand. For example, she states an expertise in different forms of painting (gouache, ink and wash, fresco, etc.). While some may not be familiar with these exact terms, the fact that the jobseeker references them as different styles of painting provides the context needed to understand them.
How well do the details the applicant provides support her previous work experience?
Throughout the artist resume sample, the jobseeker uses detailed terms indicating different forms of artistic expression. This succeeds beautifully in not only reinforcing her skill set but also in offering context to the work done with previous employers. Note too how she includes details such as the total amount of commercial projects she has participated in, as well as her career sales totals.
Does the education section offer all the information needed to impress prospective employers?
While this section does not include an abundance of information, it has all that most employers will require. Typically, you should only list your post-secondary education in a resume (unless a job listing specifically asks for details regarding high school).
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The Most Important Artist Resume Sample Takeaways
By referencing the artist resume sample shown here while creating your resume, you will have all the guidance needed to create an outstanding document. Following the tips of listing both your artistic as well as your technical skills to widen your job availability, and using details in the appropriate context will help to make your resume even more effective. Additional resources like our resume builder are also available that will help you develop a document that will go a long way in setting you apart from other candidates.
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