The dreaded question. You're at a social function, surrounded by non-creative or semi-creative types and eventually word gets out that you're an artist.

"Oh really? What kind of art do you make?"

Maybe this is actually an easy answer for some artists, but it's never been that simple for me, and I'm sure it's challenging to many of you as well. For one thing, most of like to dip our fingers and toes into several different outlets and media (hence we call ourselves mixed-media artists!) so summing up what we "do" in a short answer is nearly impossible. 

At eHow, Molly Dolly has a few suggestions:

Step One

The Elevator Speech 

This you practice at home. It is a description of your art that you eventually know by rote that takes less than two minutes to say. Record yourself describing your art to a friend – there is nothing like describing your work to a real person to get to the meat of things. Your friend can tell you what is not clear, and how your description may improve.

 

Step Two

Irony 

 I knew someone who, when asked a question they didn’t care to answer would say with a strait face, “No, but I did see Coal Miner’s Daughter.” If you are feeling particularly frisky you might go the ricochet route and say something like “I describe my works as abstract porcupine love tops,” and then change the subject. 

 

Step Three

Break it down 

Come up with a few different answers in order to keep things interesting for yourself. Break down the essence of your artwork into camps of what materials you use; how the art makes people feel when they look at it; your intent or message; the colors, images or scale. Any of these areas are worth an answer of their very own.

 

Step Four

Pull out your iPhone 

This is a killer solution if you have the dough! Upload digital images of your artwork onto your iPhone and allow people who query you to scroll through the images with a wave of their finger. They’ll be so impressed that they will probably try to pick you up. But that’s an entirely different eHow subject.  

I'm thinking I might try Step 2 next time. How do YOU usually answer this question?