I have yet to meet an artist who is unwilling to answer questions about their artwork. Audiences are hungry for information about art and artists. It’s true, the more you know about an artwork, the better you understand it, the more you’re apt to appreciate it. So, where do you begin? Despite having the best intentions, some questions about art can come out sounding vague and predictable, as if designed to make an artist’s eyes roll. I asked nearly one-hundred artists to divulge the dumb questions, the ones that get asked too much, the clichés that reveal assumptions about art and stereotypes about artists. Airing them here may be a way to vanquish them forever.
“What kind of art do you do?” —Cassy Smith
“So, what’s your process? [stares meaningfully]” —A-J Aronstein
“I’m related to you so, I can ask you for free art, right?” —Patrick Willett
“Your work isn’t Mexican enough.” —Jaime Mendoza
“Where do you get your materials?” —Betsy Odom
“How much would you charge for something like that?” “You should show your work at the Old Town Art Fair/Gold Coast Art Fair.” —Marilyn Frank
“Have you ever heard of Etsy???” —Elizabeth Hoffman
“What were you thinking about when u made this?” —Michael Robert Pollard
“How do you know when it’s finished?” —Pamela Fraser
“Why don’t you make something that people want to buy? You can make this stuff too.” —Krista Wortendyke
“Is that a phallic symbol?” “Have you seen [insert superficially similar artist]’s work? You’d really like it.” “Have you ever tried crowd sourcing?” —Jason Stec
“Has this been shown anywhere yet?” —Andrew Norman Wilson
“My ___________ is an artist too, you guys should meet and show together.” “Hey do you ever paint naked chicks?” —Gil Rocha
“You’re not [adjective], so why does your work look [adjective]?” —Sofia Leiby
“Am I supposed to like this?” —Steve Ruiz
“Okay, so this is about being gay right?” “Okay, so you’re into found things. How do you find them?” —Marcel Alcalá
“Why don’t you make more nudes?” —Elijah Burgher
“I see a penis in that painting, do you see it? Is that what you meant?” “I own a business (building or restaurant). If you show your work there, that would be good advertising for you.” —Thomas Frank
“What kind of camera do you have/what lens did you use?” —Emilia Mickevicius
“How long did it take you to make that?” —Amy Lowry
“Why did you name it that?” “Would you call that style impressionistic?” “Can you draw my daughter an elephant?” “You should make prints.” —Melanie Park
“It must be so much fun to be an artist.” “My ten-year-old niece just loves to paint.” —Judith Brotman
“Who are you painting that for?” —Renee McGinnis
“What kind of drugs are you taking?” —James Jankowiak
“How do you express yourself?” —Ellen Nielsen
“Where do you get all your ideas?” —Easton Miller
“What made you decide to paint that?” “So, do you have a job too?” —Robb Stone
“Is this all your work?” “Did you make this by yourself?” —Kelly Kaczynski
“Your home must look amazing.” —Tom Slazinski
“So, what do you take pictures of?” —Christopher Meerdo
“What’s it about?” “Where do you get your ideas?” —Christopher Wanklyn
“You should paint my dog!” —Jeriah Hildwine
“So, what is this piece of brilliance going to cost us (the public)/me/my daughter/son/son-in-law?….by the way, you won’t believe what I paid for your piece at the benefit auction!” —Gary Justis
“What do you do?” “Photography primarily…” “Oh, uh, what kind?” —Stephanie Burke
“Are these frames from IKEA?” —Alex De Leon
“What’s your work about?” —Reed Barrow
They: “What’s your medium?” Me: “Whatever works.” They: “What kind of artist are you?” Me: “A kind that makes art.” —Robert Burnier
“Have you ever tried to sell these?” —Leah Patgorski
“Can you draw my name out in graffiti letters?” “Can you design my tattoo?” —Luis Sahagun
“What do you do?” “What do you really do?” —Ryan Richey
“You teaching drawing? I can’t draw a stick figure.” —Renee Prisble
“I can’t even draw a straight line!” (Me neither, it may actually be impossible) —Molly Schafer
After I talk about making performance art… “Oh? Do you sing?” —Meg Duguid
“What medium do you use?” —Douglas Frohman
“What camera do you use?” —Cole Robertson
“What does it mean?” —Gabriella Boros
“Have you thought about making album covers?” —Mary Porterfield
“You went to school for this?” —Scott Wolniak
“What kind of paint do you use?” “That’s so fun!” —Amy Babinec
“How high are you?” —Frank Van Duerm III
“You were such a good painter before you went to school.” “When are you going to start making ‘real art’ again?” —Kelly Reaves
“Where do you get your stuff?” “Which things did you actually make?” —Laura Davis
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