How to Talk About Your Art Without Feeling Awkward or Salesy
Jul 30, 2025
If you’ve ever felt tongue-tied when someone asked,
“Can you tell me about this piece?”
You’re not alone.
Talking about your art can bring up all kinds of things—imposter syndrome, fear of saying the wrong thing, or not wanting to sound too “salesy.”
But here’s the truth:
You don’t need perfect words to make people care.
You just need real ones.
And the good news?
You already have everything you need to talk about your work in a way that’s genuine, grounded, and compelling.
1. Ditch the Script
You don’t need an elevator pitch.
You don’t need to memorize a perfect explanation.
In fact, when you try to sound polished, it often comes across as disconnected or inauthentic.
Instead, focus on sharing from your own experience:
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Why did you create this piece?
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What inspired it?
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What were you feeling during the process?
This isn’t about oversharing—it’s about offering a small window into your creative world.
People want to feel something. Give them an opening.
2. Lead With Meaning, Not Technique
It’s tempting to list materials or explain the steps you took to make a piece.
And while process can be fascinating, it’s not always what hooks someone emotionally.
Instead of:
“This is alcohol ink on Yupo paper using a layering technique…”
Try:
“I created this on a day I felt completely overwhelmed—it helped me release what I couldn’t put into words.”
See the difference?
One explains. The other connects.
You can always talk technique after you’ve made a meaningful connection.
3. Think Emotion, Not Perfection
People may not remember the title of your piece.
They might not remember the colors.
But they will remember how it made them feel.
So talk about the energy behind the work:
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Is it calming? Bold? Joyful? Reflective?
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Did it help you process something?
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Do you hope it helps the viewer feel something too?
Art is emotional. Let your words match that.
4. Use This Simple Formula to Start
If you’re still not sure where to begin, use this simple, 3-part structure:
1. Why you created it
2. What it means to you
3. What you hope it offers others
Example:
“This piece came out of a season where I was learning to slow down. It reminds me of softness, breath, and trust. I hope it gives the viewer that same sense of space and calm.”
That’s it.
No pressure. No performance.
Just truth.
5. Practice Builds Confidence
If it feels awkward at first, that’s okay.
Practice talking about your art out loud—to a friend, to your phone, to yourself.
You don’t need to get it perfect.
You just need to get comfortable being honest.
Over time, it gets easier.
And more importantly—it starts to feel like you.
Final Thought
The way you talk about your art is an extension of your work itself.
You don’t have to sell it with flashy words or clever angles.
You just have to tell the truth of where it came from, and what it carries.
People are drawn to sincerity.
To feeling something real.
Let your art speak—and let your voice support it.
Want More Support With Visibility and Confidence?
Inside the Collaborative Artisans Collective, we go beyond surface-level marketing tips and help artists like you show up in a way that feels aligned, grounded, and real.
Because it’s not just about selling—it’s about connecting.
There’s a place for you here.
