Telling Tales - NEW coming in October

Finding the confidence to own your story

What fourteen words strike fear into the heart of artists and makers?

“Please send us 150 words about you and your work.”

Cue blank page. Mild panic. A quick rummage through old applications. Then eventually something that feels… fine, good enough, ‘that’ll do’

But if you’ve spent hours, days or even months creating something beautiful, the words that accompany it should work just as hard.

Whether it’s a gallery application, craft fair submission, artist statement, About page, exhibition proposal or newsletter, many artists and makers find writing about themselves hard.

Not because you don’t have stories worth telling, but because you’re too close to them.

For nearly twenty years I worked in PR, writing press releases and promotional copy for everything from pantomime to Puccini. My job was to find the story, uncover the angle and make people want to know more.

And that’s exactly what we’ll be doing in Telling Tales.

hands of woman wearing pink top writing in a notebook with a pencil

Over TWO LIVE online group sessions, about 60 mins each, I’ll help you uncover the stories behind your work, find the words that do it justice and build a bank of ideas, phrases and language that you can draw on whenever someone asks you to write about yourself and your work.

Together we’ll explore how to write about your work with greater clarity, confidence and personality – creating copy that actually sounds like you.

This isn’t about learning to write like someone else.

It’s about finding the confidence to own your story.

We’ll look at how to uncover the stories and details that make your work memorable, why some writing sparks curiosity while other writing falls flat, and how to move beyond generic descriptions and find language that actually sounds like you.

You’ll leave with a practical framework you can use again and again, a bank of stories, ideas and phrases to draw on whenever you need them, and copy you can adapt across artist statements, biographies, websites, applications, newsletters and more.

You’ll never again have to stare at a blank page wondering what to say.

Instead, you’ll have the confidence to tell your story in a way that captures attention, sparks curiosity and helps people connect more deeply with your work.

 

What Others Say

“I cannot recommend Elaine enough. Elaine has vast experience, she broke down my fears and her course is full of useful tips. Elaine offers valuable insight and a common sense approach to working with galleries. She explained what helps make the difference in being taken seriously and building professional working relationships with galleries. I have since been working with two galleries and have just completed my first solo show where I sold eight paintings. Elaine genuinely cares for you as an artist. I feel less afraid of contacting galleries and my approach is professional. It's the little things that make a world of difference. Thank you, Elaine.”
SH Visual Artist
“I found it really useful to get more of an understanding from a gallery’s perspective. This has really helped my confidence. It helped me get a clearer sense of how to prepare myself when approaching a gallery. There were specific tools I could use, and more importantly an understanding of what a gallery would be looking for from me. I’ve just recently approached some galleries to see if they can place my jewellery and two have said yes, they would love to. They were both very complimentary of the email I sent. One said it was very professional and not something they often received. What a great first step! Thank you so much for the information and the confidence boost.”
RK Jeweller
“I found this course invaluable: how to get 'gallery ready'; how to research and approach appropriate galleries and how to work with galleries. The course was broken down into short sessions making it accessible and achievable. I also found the one-to-one really helpful - having a gallery owner critique my work, website and instagram. I highly recommend this course to anyone wanting to exhibit in galleries.”
JW, Ceramicist
“I found this course very helpful. Elaine gives a very clear and concise step by step walk through of preparing for gallery representation, covering so many aspects to consider. I liked her care and attention to detail, and her reassuring and common sense approach. I also found my 1-to-1 session very helpful, with sensitive feedback from Elaine.”
CF, Visual Artist