Artist Resume examples & templates

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Copyable resume examples

Copyable Artist Resume examples

The alarm buzzes at 6:30 AM. Mia stretches, already thinking about the half-finished canvas waiting in her studio. By 8, she's mixing paints while responding to an email from a gallery owner interested in her latest series. The morning dissolves into focused creation—brush strokes, stepping back, adjusting, repeating. At 2 PM, she switches gears to photograph finished pieces for her portfolio, then spends an hour mentoring an art student via Zoom. As the afternoon light shifts, she updates her online shop, where direct-to-consumer sales now generate 37% of her income (up from just 12% pre-pandemic). The boundaries between artist, entrepreneur, and digital creator have never been blurrier.

Today's artists navigate a transformed landscape where traditional representation mingles with self-promotion and cross-platform presence. The rise of NFTs and virtual exhibitions has opened unexpected doors, while social media continues to democratize access to audiences. The most successful artists aren't just creating—they're building personal brands while protecting their creative vision. The good news? There's never been more ways to make a living from your art... if you're willing to get a little business-savvy alongside your creative practice.

Junior Artist Resume Example

Jordan Bailey

Los Angeles, CA • (213) 555-9081 • jbailey.art@email.com
www.linkedin.com/in/jordanbailey • www.jordanbaileyart.com

Recent BFA graduate with a focus on digital illustration and painting. Blending traditional techniques with modern digital tools to create visually compelling artwork. Experience includes freelance illustration, gallery exhibitions, and a design internship where I created assets for a mobile game that reached 50,000+ downloads.

Experience

Junior Artist – Pixel Storm Studios, Los Angeles, CA
January 2023 – Present

  • Create character concept art and environmental assets for indie game projects in development
  • Collaborate with a team of 5 developers to refine artistic direction and implement feedback
  • Designed 12+ unique character skins that increased player engagement by 18%
  • Participate in weekly critique sessions to improve artistic techniques and workflow efficiency

Art & Design Intern – Brightwave Games, San Diego, CA
May 2022 – December 2022

  • Assisted senior artists with creating UI elements and promotional materials for mobile game launch
  • Developed 30+ texture assets and background elements for casual mobile game
  • Learned industry-standard pipelines and tools including Jira and version control systems
  • Contributed concept sketches that were selected for future game development

Freelance Illustrator – Self-employed
September 2021 – Present

  • Create custom digital illustrations and concept art for clients including local businesses and indie creators
  • Designed album cover for local band that sold 500+ copies
  • Maintain professional client relationships while managing project timelines and deliverables

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Digital Arts & Illustration
California Institute of the Arts – Valencia, CA
Graduated: May 2022

  • Senior Project: “Digital Dreamscapes” – Interactive art exhibition combining traditional painting with AR elements
  • Featured in annual student showcase, Spring 2022
  • Art Club Vice President (2020-2022)

Skills

  • Digital Illustration & Concept Art
  • Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects)
  • Procreate & Clip Studio Paint
  • 3D Modeling (Blender – basic proficiency)
  • Traditional Media (Watercolor, Acrylic, Charcoal)
  • Character Design
  • Environment Concept Art
  • Storyboarding
  • Color Theory & Composition
  • UI/UX Design Principles

Exhibitions & Achievements

  • Los Angeles Emerging Artists Showcase – Featured Artist, November 2022
  • Student Innovation Award for AR/Digital Art Integration, CalArts 2022
  • Contributed artwork to charity auction benefiting local youth art programs, raised $1,200

Mid-level Artist Resume Example

Mackenzie “Kenzie” Alvarez

Portland, OR | (503) 721-4899 | kalvarez.art@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/kenziealvarezart

Mixed media artist with 5+ years of experience creating vibrant exhibitions and commissioned works while managing collaborative projects across multiple artistic disciplines. Combines traditional techniques with digital innovation to create thought-provoking pieces that connect with diverse audiences. Skilled in both independent creation and client-focused projects with a growing exhibition record in the Pacific Northwest arts scene.

Professional Experience

Freelance Artist & Designer | Portland, OR | June 2020 – Present

  • Manage an average of 14 commissioned projects annually, ranging from $800-$5,500 per piece, with 97% client satisfaction rate
  • Created a 6-piece mixed media series for Powell’s Books flagship store, combining analog and digital elements that increased foot traffic to their gallery space by 18%
  • Built and maintain a professional portfolio website that generates ~40% of new client inquiries
  • Collaborated with 3 local breweries to design limited edition label artwork, resulting in 2 ongoing seasonal partnerships

Lead Artist | Watershed Gallery Collective | March 2019 – May 2020

  • Coordinated installations for 7 group exhibitions featuring 34 different artists from marginalized communities
  • Designed promotional materials that helped increase gallery attendance by 27% year-over-year
  • Managed $12,500 annual budget for materials and exhibition expenses
  • Co-led 2 community workshops per month, teaching mixed media techniques to groups of 8-15 participants

Junior Designer | Cascade Creative Group | August 2017 – February 2019

  • Assisted senior designers on 20+ client projects, including concept development and execution for local businesses
  • Created social media graphics and visual content that improved client engagement metrics by 32%
  • Developed illustrations and visual elements for 4 complete brand identity packages
  • Maintained organized digital asset libraries for 15+ ongoing client accounts

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Studio Art with Minor in Digital Media
Pacific Northwest College of Art | Portland, OR | 2017

Continuing Education

  • Certificate in Advanced Digital Illustration – Oregon School of Art & Craft (2019)
  • Workshop: Large-Scale Mixed Media Installation – Portland Art Museum (2021)

Solo & Group Exhibitions

“Fragments & Echoes” – Solo Exhibition, Tilt Gallery, Portland, OR (2022)

“New Perspectives” – Group Show, Northwest Arts Collective, Seattle, WA (2021)

“Emergent” – Featured Artist, First Thursday Art Walk, Portland, OR (2019)

Technical Skills

  • Traditional Media: Acrylic, watercolor, charcoal, printmaking, sculpture
  • Digital Tools: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Procreate, Blender
  • Techniques: Mixed media integration, digital transfer processes, installation design
  • Business: Project management, client relations, pricing strategy, social media marketing

Additional Information

Member, Portland Artists Guild (2018-Present)
Studio Assistant, Summer Arts Program for Underserved Youth (Volunteer, Summers 2020-2022)
Languages: English (Native), Spanish (Conversational)

Senior / Experienced Artist Resume Example

ELEANOR RIVERA

Portland, OR | (503) 555-7219 | e.rivera.art@email.com | linkedin.com/in/eleanorrivera
www.eleanorrivera.com | @eleanor_creates

Versatile senior artist with 9+ years creating distinctive visual narratives across digital, traditional, and mixed media. Known for balancing commercial demands with artistic integrity while mentoring junior talent. My collaborative approach has led to partnerships with global brands and indie studios alike, resulting in work featured in Communication Arts and the Portland Modern.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Visual Artist | Cascade Creative Studios | Portland, OR | 2020–Present

  • Lead conceptual development for 11 major client campaigns, increasing client retention by 37% over previous years
  • Manage team of 4 junior artists, implementing weekly critique sessions that reduced revision cycles from 3.2 to 1.8 on average
  • Created signature aesthetic for Rainier Brewery rebrand that won AIGA Regional Excellence Award and boosted client’s Q3 sales by 23%
  • Pitched and secured $175K budget for experimental AR installation combining traditional painting with interactive elements (my pet project!)
  • Collaborate with UX team to develop visual systems that maintain artistic integrity while meeting accessibility requirements

Lead Artist | Pixel Foundry | Seattle, WA | 2017–2020

  • Produced concept art and final assets for 7 indie game titles, including the critically acclaimed “Moonfall Harbor”
  • Developed streamlined asset creation workflow that cut production time by 26% while improving visual consistency
  • Mentored 3 junior artists who all advanced to mid-level positions within 18 months
  • Directed art for crowdfunding campaign that raised $342,891 (171% of target)

Artist & Illustrator | Freelance | Portland, OR | 2014–2017

  • Created illustrations for 14 editorial clients including Portland Monthly, Kinfolk, and The Oregonian
  • Designed album artwork for 3 local bands, resulting in ongoing partnership with Tender Loving Empire record label
  • Balanced commercial projects with gallery work, exhibiting in 6 group shows and 1 solo exhibition
  • Built client base from 3 to 27 regular clients through networking and consistent delivery

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Illustration | Pacific Northwest College of Art | Portland, OR | 2014

Certificate in Digital Art Direction | School of Visual Concepts | Seattle, WA | 2016

Masterclass in Conceptual Illustration | Schoolism | Online | 2019

TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • Adobe Creative Suite (expert in Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects)
  • Procreate & iPad Pro workflow integration
  • Traditional media (watercolor, gouache, printmaking)
  • 3D modeling basics (Blender, Cinema 4D)
  • Concept art pipeline development
  • Art direction & team leadership
  • Client presentation & stakeholder management
  • Storyboarding & sequential narrative

EXHIBITIONS & RECOGNITION

  • Society of Illustrators Annual Exhibition, New York | 2022
  • “New Northwest” Group Show, Russo Lee Gallery, Portland | 2021
  • Communication Arts Illustration Annual | Featured Artist | 2020
  • AIGA Regional Design Award | 2021
  • Artist Residency, Sitka Center for Art & Ecology | Summer 2019

How to Write an Artist Resume

Introduction

Creating a resume as an artist isn't like writing one for a corporate job. Your resume needs to showcase your creative abilities while still hitting all the professional marks that'll get you hired. Whether you're a painter, sculptor, digital artist, or multimedia creator, your resume serves as both a professional document and an extension of your artistic identity. I've helped hundreds of artists land gigs at galleries, studios, and creative agencies, and I'm sharing what actually works (not just theory).

Your artist resume is often reviewed alongside your portfolio, so they should complement each other—not duplicate content. Use your resume to highlight professional achievements that your portfolio can't communicate.

Resume Structure and Format

Keep your resume clean and scannable. Gallery directors and creative directors typically spend just 6-8 seconds on initial resume review.

  • Length: Stick to 1 page for early-career artists, 2 pages max for established artists with 10+ years experience
  • Font: Choose readable fonts like Helvetica, Garamond, or Futura (avoid overly decorative fonts)
  • White space: Leave breathing room—cramped resumes look amateur
  • File format: Submit as PDF unless specifically requested otherwise
  • Name your file clearly: "FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf"

Profile/Summary Section

Your artist statement doesn't belong on your resume! Save that for your portfolio. Instead, write a 2-3 sentence professional summary that highlights your artistic focus, years of experience, and key professional strengths. For example:

Mixed media artist with 7 years creating large-scale installations for public spaces and private collections. Exhibited in 13 galleries across the Northeast, including the Walden Contemporary. Known for integrating sustainable materials with striking visual narratives.

Professional Experience

List your experience reverse-chronologically, focusing on paid work, major exhibitions, commissions, and relevant projects. Each entry should include:

  • Position/Role + Organization/Gallery + Dates
  • 3-5 bullet points highlighting specific accomplishments
  • Concrete results where possible (sales figures, visitor numbers, press coverage)

For exhibitions, you can group them under a heading like "Selected Exhibitions" if you have many. For early-career artists, include internships, assistant roles, and even relevant volunteer work in arts organizations.

Education and Certifications

List degrees, specialized training, and workshops that enhanced your technical skills. Unlike other fields, artists should include relevant coursework if it demonstrates specialized techniques or subject matter expertise. If you're self-taught, highlight significant mentorships or master classes you've taken.

For mid-career and established artists: move education after your experience section. Recent grads: keep education near the top.

Skills and Technical Proficiencies

Break this section into categories such as:

  • Mediums/Techniques: Oil painting, lithography, wheel throwing, digital illustration
  • Software: Photoshop, Illustrator, Blender, ZBrush, Procreate
  • Professional Skills: Exhibition planning, art instruction, grant writing, studio management

Keywords and ATS Tips

Many larger organizations and institutions use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes. To ensure yours gets through:

  • Study the job posting and mirror key terms (if they say "graphic design," don't just say "digital art")
  • Include medium-specific keywords that match the position
  • Avoid image-heavy or design-heavy formats that ATS systems can't read
  • Use standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills)

Industry-specific Terms

Include relevant terminology that shows you're fluent in the language of the art world:

  • Exhibition types: solo exhibition, group show, juried exhibition
  • Professional roles: artist-in-residence, visiting artist, studio assistant
  • Technical terms specific to your medium (e.g., "reduction printing" for printmakers)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Listing every single exhibition or show you've ever participated in
  • Including prices of your artwork or focusing too much on sales
  • Using overly flowery language or artist statement-type writing
  • Neglecting to mention collaborative projects or commissioned work
  • Forgetting to include your website or portfolio link (huge mistake!)

Before/After Example

Before: "Created paintings for local gallery show."

After: "Produced a series of 8 large-scale acrylic landscapes that sold out during opening weekend at Riverside Gallery's 'Natural Perspectives' exhibition, resulting in two private commissions valued at $3,400."

Remember—your resume complements your portfolio but serves a different purpose. It's about your professional journey, not just your artistic vision. Good luck, and happy creating!

Soft skills for your Artist resume

  • Storytelling & visual communication – I translate abstract concepts into compelling imagery that resonates with diverse audiences
  • Critique resilience – My work’s been torn apart countless times in reviews; I’ve learned to separate my identity from my art and grow from feedback
  • Client relationship management – Built lasting connections with collectors, gallery owners and commercial clients through clear expectations and thoughtful follow-through
  • Cross-functional collaboration – Partnered with fabricators, printers, and technical specialists to bring complex multi-media installations to life
  • Self-directed project management – Juggled multiple commissions with conflicting deadlines while maintaining quality (never missed an opening!)
  • Adaptive problem-solving – Found creative workarounds when materials fell through mid-project or budgets got slashed unexpectedly

Hard skills for your Artist resume

  • Procreate digital painting and illustration
  • Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
  • Concept art development for client presentations
  • Blender 3D modeling and texture mapping
  • Color theory application across multiple mediums
  • Mixed media techniques (gouache, watercolor, acrylics)
  • Large-format printing and exhibition preparation
  • Grant writing for arts funding ($47k secured in 2022)
  • ZBrush digital sculpting