Episode 28: In this episode, Peter and Laura interview the chief editor of the UK’s favourite art magazine Artists & Illustrators.
From the best ways to writing an article to creating a strong artistic community, Steve Pill shares his thoughts on the art world from the point of view of an editor.
Many artists will read magazines about Art and one of the most popular is Artists and Illustrators Magazine. Steve Pill has been working there for many years, most of that time as editor. Laura and Peter (both on their best behaviour – since they both write for A and I) discuss with Steve the value of magazines, how they can help inspire and educate and also how they can be a part of your artistic output if, like Laura and Peter you end up writing for one!
*This episode was recorded before the restrictions imposed due to COVID-19*
In this episode
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An aesthetic appreciation, understanding about colour, texture and composition will help you regardless of your artistic preferences, so nurture it.
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If you are comfortable writing about your work, then you should consider writing as a part of your practice.
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If you get commissioned by a magazine to write about your work, then make sure you understand and adhere to their brief.
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In the modern world of publishing producing articles almost always requires you to be a competent photographer too, so make sure you can deliver both words and pictures.
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Approaching a magazine with an idea for an article is fine, but be brief. A concise synopsis is much better than a fully formed article. Explain what the concept is and why you are the best person to deliver it.
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Write in your own voice. If you read what you have written and it does not sound like you then it should probably be re-written.
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If you enter competitions then enter work that represents you as an artist, not what you have seen in previous years, or work that looks like the judges’.
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If you want to sell work on line, but don’t want to set up your own website then Artists and Illustrators has a gallery section that you can subscribe to for a small fee where you can sell ‘commission free’
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Learning the ‘craft’ of your artistic process is always going to be of benefit to your work. It is also likely that a degree of single-mindedness in your approach to your work will help you to succeed.
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It is never too late to take up art!
The Takeaway
Look at different things all the time, it will make your mind more flexible and open to new ideas – and read Artists and Illustrators! www.artistsandillustrators.co.uk
The book mentioned in the podcast is: Synaesthesia: Classic and Contemporary Readings By Simon Baron-Cohen
It is listen on Amazon.co.uk at this link: here
