How can I write compelling descriptions for individual pieces of art that go beyond generic art speak?

Use this prompt for each piece: ‘I’m going to describe one specific piece of art I’ve made. I want you to interview me about it. Where I was when I made it, what was happening in my life, what I was feeling, why I chose the composition, colors, subjects. Then write me a story, 100 to 150 words, I could use as the caption or description for this piece and make it personal and specific. Not generic art speak.’ Every piece has a story, even if it’s as simple as ‘I painted this on a Tuesday when my kid was finally napping and I had ninety minutes.’ A parent who carves out ninety-minute windows to create—that’s human, that connects. Make it personal and specific, not generic.

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Asked by artists struggling to write piece descriptions · Answered by Patrick Shanahan · art-marketing-podcast · 2026-02-02