The Awesome Responsibility of Titling Your Art with Fran Gardner (229)

What if titling your art is actually part of your creative practice? One that helps you better understand your work, connect with your audience, and prepare your art for life beyond the studio?

That’s the beautiful perspective offered by artist and writing consultant Fran Gardner. In this episode, host Alyson Stanfield talks with Fran to explore the idea that titles aren’t just labels—they’re bridges. They link your creative intention to the viewer’s experience and give your work a voice when you’re not there to speak for it.

Fran shares her own turning point with titling, walks us through her thoughtful process, and explains why she believes writing—especially titling—is part of every professional artist’s responsibility.

00:00 – Why titling your artwork is an act of creative responsibility

03:45 – The emotional and symbolic power a title carries

07:50 – Fran’s turning point: when numbering her work wasn’t enough

13:55 – A step-by-step process for discovering the right title

20:50 – How titling deepens your understanding of your own work

24:00 – Balancing personal expression with professional presentation

32:10 – The essential role of writing in every artist’s practice

40:15 – Titles as bridges between the art, the artist, and the audience

📖 To read more, find links, and connect with Alyson, see The Art Biz ep. 229.

 

⭐️ Read about Fran, grab her book, and see more of her art: https://frangardnerart.com

 

🆓 🖨️ Writing and talking about your art can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re staring at a blank screen. That’s where Studio to Spotlight comes in. This free download includes 28 thoughtful prompts designed to get you writing, reflecting, and sharing more confidently about your work.

Download From Studio to Spotlight.

 

🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶  full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention.

 

🎧 RELATED EPISODES

You can’t go wrong with these additional episodes about writing for expanding your creativity and your art business:

Fostering Clarity and Confidence Through Writing with Samantha Clark (211)

Writing on Substack Can Be Integral to Your Creative Process with Ann Balaam Miller (210)

Guidelines for Your Artist Statement (50)

⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.

 

~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~

This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/