I’m still learning the art of titling work. Normally, when my sister asks for a title, I am put on the spot and panic. I come up with something random. However, at my group gallery show in Madison back in September, the exhibitions manager told me I’m aces with my titles. An example:
Talking With My Voices at an Eating Disorder Hospital
Gotta have it? Go to the Arts for All WI website.
It added to the story. I described the painting but didn’t overwhelm.
Here are some tips for better titles.
- Just describe it.
- Treat it as a one-line poem.
- Go with your gut.
- Don’t take it too seriously.
- Draw inspiration from everywhere.
- Like I said, tell a story.
- Be careful with music lyrics. They might be copyrighted. I might need to adjust some titles myself.
- If you’re stuck, keep it simple
- Listen to what is going on around you while titling and pull from that.
- Use the Title Capitalization website to make sure it’s right.
- My art friend Emily Tripp gave me three. Underline from books you read, journal, keep a running list
I did two drawings today. Let’s title them for fun.
5 in by 7 in. Watercolor pencils.
I Turn My Back on the Molecular Skies of Yesterday.
I did two things here. I described it, and I treated it like a one-line poem.
5 in by 7 in. Watercolor pencils.
With a Nose as Big as Your Heart
What I used here: Just describe it. Don’t take it too seriously. I kinda used one-line poem, but it’s not quite that.
For both, I used the Title Capitilization checker. I don’t always do it, as you might have noticed for my blog post titles. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter on this one. It’s art, not literature.
For Emily’s art and titles, follow the link to her website..
https://www.emilyttripp.com/2023
Want to continue to hang out with me? You know what to do.