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Artists need writers. They are a critical part of the art ecosystem. Look back on any art movement from the past century in the U.S. and you’ll find a writer behind its day in the spotlight. My guest for this episode of The Art Biz is artist and writer Philip Hartigan. As you’ll hear, he’s not quite sure what order those labels should be in. In some respects, the writing came first, but the art has always been there. We talk about his writing life, the role that blogging has had for him, and how he came to be a correspondent for Hyperallergic online art magazine. You’ll also hear about how writing has helped him make inroads into the art world. My hope is that you will consider writing more about not just your art, but about other artists’ work, possibly for publication and definitely for connections within your art community.

First posted: artbizsuccess.com/art-reviewer-hartigan-podcast 

Highlights

• James Joyce, literature and Philip’s journey as an artist. (1:54)

• The subtle narrative of Philip’s current work and his gradual return to painting. (7:19)

• How did Philip get into writing about art for publication? (10:13)

• Overcoming disdain for a personal art blog in favor of clarity. (13:24)

• Writing for an online publication and becoming an online correspondent. (18:25)

• Creating meaningful connections through writing. (24:45)

• The value of blogging in an Instagram world. (30:18)

• Finding your why behind writing about your art. (39:00)

• What is on the horizon for Philip? (42:20)

Mentioned

• Philip’s blog

• Philip’s website

• Philip on Instagram

• Hyperallergic

• James Joyce’s Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man

• An Art Mediation from U.S. Catholic Magazine

• Time Out online magazine

Resources

• Show notes, images, and listener comments

• How to Price Your Art free report

• Art Biz Connection artist membership

Guest Bio

Philip Hartigan is a UK-born artist and writer who now lives, works, and teaches in the USA.

Hartigan’s art explores half-remembered moments from a childhood in an English mining town. His choice of materials depends on the emotional state he has arrived at after thinking about these stories. But whether it’s oil painting, intaglio printmaking, or sculpture, he aims to either tell a story in visual art or look for universally-recognized symbols for memory, loss, tragedy. Hartigan has lived for short and long periods in France, Spain, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Holland.