Artists who blog

A lot of artists write blogs. I even found a blog about artist’s blogs with interviews of artists about their blogging by an artist, Stephanie Levy. Artists Who Blog. Most of the artists are just photographing of their current art and posting that in a blog. I wish that more artist bloggers, especially the painters, would show something of their process and inspiration rather than simply spruiking their completed paintings for sale or advertising their next exhibition.

The Internet has exposed many crypto-artists, the secret artists, the part-time artists, and the artists who are outside of the art world circle. There are many blogs about the arts and crafts (see my post Contemporary Craft Politics & Blogs) and many more blogs about Melbourne’s street art (see my post Melbourne Street Art Blogs).

I’m surprised that zines have survived given the number of artists who are turning to blogs as their preferred media of publication but there will always be an appeal for the hand-made. Sticky Projects, in the Degreaves St. underpass at Flinders St. Station, is full of zines. I’m surprised at any print media surviving economically; the age of art magazines, like Art + Text, as a significant force in art is over.

Well this is a slack blog entry – I could be writing about who would win a death match cage fight (Jeff Koons vs Jackson Pollock) but instead I’m going to present a list of artist’s blogs. A decade ago I used to do these lists of websites for LookSmart, an international internet directory that no longer exists; so writing this entry feels a bit like my old job. I’m going to have a sandwich.

Blogos/HA HA by artist Peter Tyndall part of his meta-art work “A person Looks At A Work Of Art/ someone looks at something. Articles about recent issues and events in the arts along with notes and observations.

Self vs Selfby Sydney artist Hazel Dooney. Hazel writes regularly about her art, the process of making her art and her life.

Psalm, by the veteren Melbourne street artist of the same name. Psalm writes about street art and urban exploration and his blog features lots of photographs of derelict buildings.

Paul J. Kalemba describes himself as “an urban edible®evolutionary” and has regularly exhibited in Platform’s “Underground Garden”.

Hidden Archive by Melbourne artist Dylan Martorell, documentes his exhibitions and sound/music performances.

Earth Died Screaming by Ryan an illustrator living in Collingwood. Ryan writes about his art (showing working in progress), his inspiration and other things happening in Melbourne’s illustration scene.

Supermarketmonkey by a part-time street artist and illustrator. He has mentioned me several times in his blog and consistently sends me traffic, so I should return the favour. Supermarketmonkey writes about life and other art and the process of making art.

This Painting Life by South Australian artist Dianne Gall, writes about her art, thoughts and inspirations.

Six Hundred Degrees – Sophie Milne, ceramic artist who writes about her art practice and other ceramic and art related events. Sophie Milne used to run Pan Gallery in Brunswick.

Erin Crouch, a young Melbourne artist showing her video work and paintings on her blog. (Now by invitation only.)

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About Mark Holsworth

Writer, independent researcher and artist, Mark Holsworth is the author of the book Sculptures of Melbourne. View all posts by Mark Holsworth

9 responses to “Artists who blog

  • Jenny

    I agree its much more interesting to read about the artist’s creative process, ideas and thoughts,together with latest works and exhibitions etc.It’s just more interesting and gives a more rounded experience for the reader. I know I stay longer on those types artists blogs.

    I’m still working out my blog and have just added tutorial pages,arts business pages, Along with showing my own art and latest exhibitions etc. I like to add other stuff about my thoughts, my creative process, ideas and my obsessions with collecting junk from the streets worldwide for my art.

    For me my blog is not just a selling tool for my art, its also a space where I can be creative as I please.

    • Mark Holsworth

      Thanks Jenny, yours is the first Australian artist’s blog with tutorial pages and arts business pages that I’ve seen. (The US artist’s business experiences are out there but not exactly relevant to Australian artists.) If I write a second “Artists who blog” post I will be sure to include your blog.

  • Jenny

    Thanks Mark… I find it amazing that other artists aren’t doing it here. Come to think of it,I too have only browsed US ones. There are a lot of crafty sites in Australia with tutorials though.

    I love reading your blog its one of a kind and always interesting.Keep up the good work…

    • Mark Holsworth

      Thanks Jenny. The craft blogs are often better than the artists blogs – the reason why I wrote a post about craft blogs first (Contemporary Craft Politics & Blogs). Cheers, Mark

  • urbanmonk

    thanks for the link man…like the fact that you reference “hidden” artists in this posts. I like hidden art:)

    • Mark Holsworth

      Your welcome, cheers and keep blogging. People tend to forget that 90% of artists are obscure, hidden in some way. And Melbourne is a great city for hidden art.

  • Ne

    Hi Mark! as an artist I would love to show folks more of the process. however, I do take the time to explain the process. I think its neat for people to get the background on what the artist has gone through to get to a finished product. Like the blog and will read on!

  • dontcutcreativity

    Great post, Mark! At #dontcutcreativity, we love seeing the creative process and more blogs that show this would really get more of the public to engage with art. It’s so important to keep the art culture alive in Australia.

    As well as this, we totally agree that despite the plethora of platforms out there for people to showcase their work, the best kind is the tangible where the public can really feel and touch creative work.

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