Artist, Gallery Owner, Creative Force

This week, I’m joined by Sharon Harvey: a painter, gallery owner, and passionate creative, to explore what it really takes to run a commercial gallery while maintaining an active artistic practice.

Sharon shares her winding journey from a successful corporate career into the art world, what led her to study fine art in her 40s, and how a chance conversation changed everything. Now the founder of Sanctuary Gallery in Gloucestershire, she offers a unique dual perspective on gallery-artist relationships, creative confidence, and the realities of selling art today.

We discuss:

- The courage it takes to pivot careers and pursue art later in life
- How becoming a gallery owner reshaped Sharon’s view of working with galleries
- The practicalities and pressures of running a gallery solo
- The power of relationships in both making and selling art
- Why artists need to approach galleries like partners—not just platforms
- And the art of holding your nerve when things don’t sell

Sharon talks about Daphne Vaughn http://daphnevaughan.com who inspired her to apply for the foundation course, and Mercedes Smith Director of Fine Art Communications https://www.fineartcommunications.co.uk/people 

This episode is packed with honest reflections, useful insights, and quiet encouragement for anyone trying to build a creative career on their own terms.

Find Sharon and the Sanctuary Gallery
Instagram: @sharon_harvey_art
Gallery: sanctuarygallery.com

This week, I’m joined by painter, and Byre Gallery regular, Jill Hudson, whose creative life has been shaped by travel, resilience, and an enduring love of the sea. Jill shares her journey from studying at Falmouth art school to achieving an enviable life/work balance, and how experiences like teaching in Uganda and studying in Venice helped shape both her perspective and her practice.

We chat about the realities of running a professional art business - from the challenges of self-promotion and gallery relationships to the delicate balance between commercial work and creative freedom. Jill reflects honestly on what success means to her, the ongoing struggle with admin and marketing, and why she’s finally ready to explore a long-held dream of working in fresco.

We also discuss

• Jill’s early determination to become an artist (despite her careers advisor’s doubts)

• Her formative experience teaching in Uganda

• Studying art in Venice and its lasting influence (not just the coffee!)

• The gentle build of her creative career and gallery representation

• Making art that sells vs making the art you love

• How she manages gallery relationships and adapts work to suit different audiences

• The tension between creative flow and business tasks like websites and self-promotion

• Her plans to explore fresco painting in 2025

As Jill says:
"Success for me is making a living from this — a creative career with inspiration and opportunity. But you have to keep carving it out every day.”

You can see Jill’s work @jillhudsonart and jillhudson.art

Jill talked about https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/home/ and paints by michaelharding.co.uk 

She learned about fresco painting a artchoolboas.com with Carey Mortimer.

We have a double delight in this week’s episode of An Art to It: a painter who is also a gallery owners, as I’m joined by Judi Green—painter, curator, and co-director of Cornwall’s Tregony Contemporary, a gallery she runs with her husband Brian Green. 

Judi is a rare and inspiring creative—an accomplished artist in her own right, and someone who brings the same care, clarity, and commitment to nurturing the careers of other artists through her gallery.

In our very entertaining chat Judi share’s her early career in advertising where she she was one of very few female art directors at the time, and how—through decades of design, freelance work, parenting, and painting—she eventually found her way back to fine art full-time. Judi shares how studying at the Slade and the Royal Drawing School re-ignited her practice, and how a deeply personal project inspired by her father’s war service became a pivotal moment in her journey as an artist.

Of course, we also dive into the story of how Tregony Contemporary came to be. What started as a surprising opportunity in a sleepy Cornish village has become a gallery with a fiercely clear vision—showing distinctive, painterly, and often figurative contemporary work that stands apart from the coastal clichés. Judy talks about the move to their new space in St Mawes, curating with conviction, and the joy of building long-lasting relationships with both artists and collectors.

I loved hearing her perspective on what artists really need from a gallery, why showing work in physical space still matters, and what it’s like to balance her dual role as a painter and gallerist. We also reflect on what success really looks like—and how sometimes it’s a beautifully scribbled comment in the visitors' book that reminds you it’s all been worth it.

You can see Judi’s work on instagram @littlerockstuio, Tregony @tregonycontemporary and tregonycontemporary.com

In this episode of An Art to It, I’m joined by Amy Frankie Smith, a ceramic artist and designer whose stunning porcelain lighting and fluid watercolour paintings bring together texture, translucency, and an undeniable sense of place.

Amy’s journey into ceramics began with a degree in 3D Craft at the University of Brighton, followed by hands-on experience in architectural ceramics for conservation. But despite an academic and industry-focused path—including a Winston Churchill Fellowship that took her to New York and Chicago—Amy found herself longing for a more personal creative practice.

She shares how she transitioned from working in conservation and project management to setting up her own studio, where she now creates delicate, timeless porcelain pendant lights and paintings inspired by the sea. We talk about:

• The magic of porcelain and how she discovered lighting as her main medium

• - Why her ceramic work and watercolours are deeply connected

• The importance of finding the right spaces—both in galleries and interiors—for her work

• How she balances creativity and business, including commissions, events, and collaborations with interior designers

Amy also discusses how she approaches marketing as a creative—something many artists struggle with—and the importance of connection, networking, and finding the right people to support your business.

Finally, she shares her thoughts on whether there’s an art to running a creative business—her answer might surprise you!

If you’re an artist or maker looking to navigate the balance between creative passion and business, this episode is full of valuable insights.

You can see Amy’s work on her website www.amyfrankiesmith.com and on Instagram at  @amyfrankiesmith.

Amy also talked about: 

Seagreen Designs www.seagreendesignsco.com

Illustrated Living www.illustratedlivingstives.co.uk

Ethel Loves Me www.ethelloves.me

The Design Trust www.thedesigntrust.co.uk/

Shaping a fresh brand identity is something a younger Laura Wasley might have envisioned—but back then, it would have been for a major fashion house rather than an arts venue and educational charity.

Now CEO of the prestigious Make South West, Laura originally set her sights on becoming a buyer for the iconic London store Harvey Nichols, leading her to study fashion. After a brief stint in visual merchandising at GAP and running her own clothing store, her career took a different turn—one that merged creativity with education.

Laura joined Arts University Plymouth, https://www.aup.ac.uk/ where she played a pivotal role in external projects and student development. Her dedication to helping undergraduates connect with the creative industries, and prepare them for the world after graduation, earning her well-deserved recognition.  

In early 2020, Laura stepped into a new challenge at the Devon Guild of Craftsmen, just as the world was about to shut down. The Covid lockdown made running an arts venue incredibly tough—but it also created the perfect opportunity for something long overdue: a rebrand. Laura led the transformation, working with members and trustees to give the organisation a new identity—Make South West—and collaborating with local design agency 51 Studio https://www.51studio.co.uk/ on a fresh, modern logo inspired by the organisation’s archives.

In our conversation, Laura shares what it’s really like to run a creative organisation that’s also a charity, the ongoing need for funding, and why having a small but highly efficient team is essential.

Harvey Nichols' loss was the South West’s gain!

You can find out more about Make South West at https://makesouthwest.org.uk/ and on instagram at @makesouthwest. 

Nikki Mosley’s stunning paintings - whether her cool, pale and elegant beach scenes or her passionate pink skies - do feel quintessentially Cornish. And that’s no surprise as Nikki lives and works on the Cornwall coast. But it was the other side of the Atlantic where Nikki’s first seriously began her creative journey. After following her husband and his career across the globe, a posting to Houston in Texas allowed Nikki to finesse family commitments with art college.

In this episode of An Art to It Nikki and I chat about her journey to becoming a full time artist. From unfinished art studies at school - a fire drill getting in the way of concluding an ambitious project - through an interior design business and sporadic art classes - creativity has always been part of Nikki’s life. The opportunity offered in Texas to develop her skills and win a place at the prestigious Glassell School of Art in Houston https://www.mfah.org/visit/glassell-school was the catalyst she needed.  Several years later the family returned home to the UK and settled in Cornwall where, like many artists before her, the light and landscape proved an inspiration;  and then securing a studio was the final piece in Nikki’s creative jigsaw.

Nikki shares the development of her practice, and how the cool coastal stretches gave way to pink skies during lockdown as she was finally able to move into her own home studio overlooking the Far estuary and study the morning and evening skies. 

She also reveals how being able to call herself a professional artist is something she holds dear and until she was regularly exhibiting in galleries she felt reluctant to introduce herself as. But with representation with several galleries as well as collectors and fans all over the world, she finally feels that she has achieved the success that she set her sights on. 

Nikki’s gorgeous work will be back at the Byre Gallery this summer @thebyregallery 

You can follow her on instagram at @nikmosley and her website in nicolamosley.com

When you have an artistic eye and a talent for creativity you are often blessed with being able to use this skills in different ways, and Claire Stockings-Baker is a perfect example of a multi-disciplinary artist. 

Sculptural silver jewellery is what Claire is best known for as an artist, but her creative career started in costume design, and print making and painting are still a big part of her life. In our lovely chat - which as fellow dog lovers didn’t actually focus too much on our four-legged friends - Claire shares the creative path that fate as well as passion has taken her on. 

Following a BA in textiles and fashion at Winchester School of Art, https://www.southampton.ac.uk/about/faculties-schools-departments/winchester-school-of-art 

Claire studied costume at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School https://oldvic.ac.uk/, an experience she loved and which launched her career in the theatrical costumes. But falling ill while she was travelling overseas made Claire re-think her work and the lifestyle that having a career in the theatre entails and decided to move back to her native Cornwall.

While working in interior design Claire decided to re-train as a jeweller; but rather than return to art college she taught herself through reading books, watching videos and lots of experimentation. And once she was happy with her creations she didn’t look back.

During our chat Claire talks about her time at the Bristol Old Vic https://bristololdvic.org.uk/ and the productions she was involved with, and how having a costumier’s eye plays a key part in creating her jewellery designs.  Claire also reveals that learning to outsource the parts of her creative business where she knows that others can do it better and more quickly, has been a huge part in making her practice and her business more efficient. 

Claire’s gorgeous work will be back at the Byre Gallery this summer https://thebyregallery.co.uk/collections/claire-stockings-baker

And you can follow her on instagram at @clairestockingsbakerjewellery

You can follow me @elaine_dye_ and the Byre Gallery @thebyregallery

Sometimes a guiding hand is all that is needed to kick start you on a particular path or career, and sometimes fate delivers that in an unexpected way. Visual artist Kerry Louise Bennett knew that she wanted to pursue a career as a painter but it didn’t seem quite achievable; then prompted by misremembering a comment from a friend, she picked up a book in a second hand shop by hypnotist and self-improvement guru Paul McKenna https://www.paulmckenna.com/ called ‘Change your Life in Seven Days’ and focused on achieving the life she wanted to live. 

Five years on, she is living that life, creating beautiful, uplifting and sought after paintings and showing them with highly acclaimed art galleries. How did she end up living the dream? 

In our very entertaining chat, Kerry talks about her creative journey: she excelled at art while at school, but didn’t feel she had the support to take her studies further and instead went down a more academic path. But creativity continued to be a part of here life - either tempting her in for a while, with roles such as a community artist or a trainee upholsterer - or using her creative eye in her PR and communications roles.  Moving house and creating a studio as part of the renovations did prompt her to pick up her paint brushes again and she worked on her art after her young son was asleep. But it was the chance encounter with Paul McKenna’s book that proved the catalyst.

Kerry also shares how having previously invested in a photography foundation degree she didn’t want to spend more money on going back to art college and so embarked on teaching herself via You Tube and text books, and benefited from being excepted on the the New Platform Art programme https://newplatform.art/  She began to share her work on Instagram and soon built up a loyal following of other emerging artists - and found through that a supportive community that she says was just like being at art college. 

Instagram also brought her exposure to galleries and she was quickly signed up by two; and recently fashion and lifestyle retailer Toast spotted her and she was featured in their magazine https://www.toa.st/blogs/magazine/kerry-louise-bennett-artist

You can see Kerry’s gorgeous work on her website https://www.kerrylouisebennett.co.uk/ and on instagram  @land_of_the_grey_and_pink. 

Kerry’s work also features on postcards with Sheffield based https://www.theartpost.co.uk/artists/kerry-bennett

If you could pick the ideal medium to create your art work what would it be? Oil paint, charcoal, … or chocolate? Although painting had been a part of her life for as long as she could remember, it was as a chocolatier that Ashleigh Anne first found creative professional success. 

In our lovely chat, Aisleigh shares her love of creating in all its guises and how following in her family's footsteps into the restaurant and catering world didn’t mean she turned her back on her artistic skills. Encouraged by her grandmother, she excelled at cakes and confectionery and before long was opening a chocolate shop and cafe where her elaborate wedding cakes were much in demand.

Aisleigh reveals that working in the somewhat relentless pressure of the hospitality industry took its toll on her mental health.  A decision to reprise her love of painting and to go to art college to pursue that sadly added to the stress rather than relieving it. But moving away from the chocolate business and finding solace in new jobs in gardening and fitness helped; and then finally a move from Devon over the border to Cornwall made Aisleigh determined to follow her artistic dreams.

We chat about Aisleigh’s work, her inspirations and desires for her practice and how having run her cafe has given her insights into the skills she needed to bring to her creative business. 

Aisleigh also shares that having had her own issues with anxiety has inspired to create art especially for those in need of a tranquil and calming focus.

You can see Aisleigh’s art on her website https://www.aisleighanneart.com/ and on instagram she is @aisleighannecornwallart 

Aisleigh also talked about taking part in the course I offer to artists and makers - An Insider’s Guide to Gallery Success. It’s back this April with a bit of a makeover and some exciting new content, to join the waitlist so you’ll be the first to hear, and get a 10% discount on any course purchased, please visit https://thebyregallery.co.uk/pages/courses-and-coaching

Creativity has always been part of Sarah Pooley’s life. But after completing a degree in textiles her
career took her into the knitwear industry where she found a job she loved designing patterns for a brand of knitting machines. When she started her family having a home based career was
preferable and the beginning of the next chapter in her creative life was in soft furnishings for
interiors. It was her trusty sewing machine that took Sarah on to the next stage of her creative life,
and what she is known for now: her stunning free motion embroidery fine art textiles.

In our very entertaining chat, Sarah talks about her life long of wanting to capture the landscapes
around her in her art, and how fortunate she feels at finding the perfect medium for her to do so.
She shares her coastal inspirations for her work and how her sister’s new career as a ceramicist in
the north east of Scotland gave her, not only a new part of the coastline at the other end of the
country to enjoy but, access to an established Open Studios network to debut her work
https://www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk/.

Sarah also reveals how her creative partnership with friend and visual artist Sharon Bruster
https://sharonbrusterart.co.uk/ developed. With Sarah based in Hampshire and Sharon in Cornwall
it might seem an unlikely way to come together to create art, but with the joys of modern
technology and the more traditional Royal Mail, it has become a successful enterprise for them
both.

There will be a small collection of Sarah’s abstract textiles at the Byre Gallery
https://thebyregallery.co.uk/ this summer, and you can also see her work at the lovely Padstow
Gallery in north Cornwall https://padstowgallery.co.uk/

Sarah is on Instagram at @sarahpooleytextiels

There probably aren’t many artists who can lay claim to a previous career working with stunt horses in film and TV productions, but Claire Howlett can. When she had to abandon her foundation degree in fine art, Claire first turned to art restoration as a potential career but after an enjoyable and educational few years in a darkened room, it was to her other great love - horses - that she turned. Applying to a few stables in her native Berkshire, she was lucky enough to be taken on by one specialising in providing equine performers and she was hooked.

In our very entertaining chat, Claire shares more details on the somewhat unconventional route she has taken to becoming a full time artist, including her successful restoration of a painting by Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769 – 1830) the fourth president of the Royal Academy of Art https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/ and a notable society portraitist; and how a chance encounter lead to her early work being showcased in royal furniture-maker Viscount Linley’s London showroom https://www.davidlinley.com/

Claire shares how despite a varied career, she has continued to paint and it is her love of the outdoors and capturing the sense of place she finds in remote spots that inspires the very striking sea and landscapes which she paints now.

You can see Claire’s work on Instagram at @Clairehowlettartist and on her website: https://clairehowlettart.com/

A glance at Emily Hadley’s website is enough to make the most accomplished of creative business owners feel (more than?) slightly inadequate. Not only has she and her husband renovated three homes, Emily took charge of the interiors - a service she has also developed professionally - she is also an Instagram influencer and content creator, a silversmith with a range of jewellery… and now runs a hugely successful art gallery from her home.  And during much of this was also a primary school teacher championing art for future young creatives.

In our lively and entertaining chat Emily shares how her love of teaching, and especially sharing and encouraging art in all its forms to her pupils, was gradually eroded by lack of resources and support. Giving up her much loved career she looked for an alternative that would give her the same satisfaction: she was already styling and photographing her home for social media when an artist friend encouraged her to include original art too. She embraced this wholeheartedly, and was soon representing a varied and exciting range of artists and selling their work all over the world. 

I love chatting to all creatives and creative business owners, but a conversation with a fellow gallerist is quite special as it’s also an opportunity to share the joys - as well as the frustrations - of our businesses and Emily is candid in our conversation about the highs and lows of running any creative business, and her aspirations for the future. 

You can visit Emily’s website at https://www.emilyhadley.co.uk/ and follow her on instagram @emuplops - during our chat she also reveals what inspired her rather unusual insta handle! 

This is last in the series of An Art to It, I will be back with more creative guests in 2025. If there is anyone you’d like to suggest as a guest for the new series please do let me know. You can follow me on instagram @elaine_dye_ and @thebyregallery - the website for the Byre Gallery is www.thebyregallery.co.uk where you can enjoy our winter exhibition and find out more about the courses and support I offer to artists and makers.

This week, I’m joined by the brilliant and irrepressible Sara McKee - art historian, copywriter, branding expert, and founder of Life Full Colour, https://www.lifefullcolour.com/ a vibrant gallery and cultural hub in North Wales.

Sara shares the rich tapestry of her creative and corporate life: from being mentored by legendary art historians at Warwick University https://warwick.ac.uk/ and discovering a love of fresco in Venice, to carving out a second career in advertising and strategy. But it was her decision to turn passion into purpose that took centre stage: Sara explains how her plans to share her thoughts on art exhibitions, took her to selling work online and then deciding to open a gallery in March 2020, just before the UK went into lockdown.

In a candid, entertaining, and inspiring conversation, Sara and I chat about:

• What studying art history taught Sara about looking, not just seeing

• The unexpected influence of theatre, ancient history, and marketing on her gallery work

• Building a creative business rooted in community, joy, and personal connection

• Why good galleries are about people as much as they are about paintings

• Her dream to bring together art, live music, and storytelling under one roof

With a plan to write her memoir and a gallery bar that’s part local pub and part inspired by Manet’s A Bar at the Folies-Bergère, Sara is living proof that creative vision and strategic instinct can make for a full and colourful life.

Lucy Innes Williams runs not one, but two creative businesses - her fine art practice and her printed goods and stationery business, Floradore. In our really interesting chat Lucy reveals how she manages to balance the two separate entities, both linked by her love of capturing all things floral.

We also discuss the journey Lucy has taken: a graduate in Fine Art from Central St Martins College in London, after leaving college Lucy didn’t feel either inspired or ready to begin a career as an artist. Spending some time interning in the USA after graduation encouraged her to pursue further studies - this time at University College London - to take a Masters in Museum Studies. After that she held several posts in cataloguing and exhibition management including with the Arts Council of England and the National Portrait Gallery, before joining Bridgeman Images www.bridgemanimages.com to work in artist management. Liaising with artists and their work re-awakened her desire to start painting again, and she was able to use her valuable experience of image licensing when she launched Floredore.  In our chat Lucy reveals her techniques for keeping the two businesses separate, and how having a studio away from home - where she also has to factor in the demands of her young family - has given her a much needed space to explore her creative practice.

You can see Lucy’s work on instagram @lucyinneswilliams and her website is lucyinneswilliams.com where you can find links to all her upcoming exhibitions and ways to buy her gorgeous work, and for all her floral inspired printed goods, please visit floradore.co.uk

Textile artist Helen Wilde, aka Ova Bloom has made a career of being in the right place at the right time and grasping every opportunity with both hands. From work experience, (with no less than artist Tom Phillips https://www.tomphillips.co.uk/ to art college, and her subsequent successful career, Helen has been fortunate at meeting the right people and the most opportune moment. But that shouldn’t detract from her achievements: her work features in numerous bedroom suites at London Dorchester Hotel, https://www.dorchestercollection.com/london/the-dorchester/rooms-suites/hyde-park-suite she counts several high profile American celebrities amongst her collectors… oh and as a 7 year old her art work won a coveted place on the gallery wall in BBC TV’s children’s art favourite, Take Hart. 

In our lively chat Helen reflects on her creative journey and how at various points her career may have taken a different path. Making friends with a young customer whilst working in skateboard shop during her college years, she then met his father who just happened to be (the now late) Daniel Hanson, www.danielhanson.co.uk - maker of exquisite gentlemen’s dressing gowns (Elton John is a serious fan) and he offered her a job. Several fun-filled years of working in fashion in New York - channeling Carrie Bradshaw - followed. Back in the UK Helen reveals how the urge for making took off and she was soon selling via Instagram and Etsy. Press coverage in the US citing her as ‘the next big thing’ launched her American following. And the rest, as they say is history. 

You can see Helen’s work on instagram @ovobloom and her website is ovobloom.com where you can find links to all her upcoming exhibitions and ways to buy her gorgeous work.

Colour is at the very heart of Ruth Shelley’s creative life.  Growing up in rural Wales with limited external entertainment, making and domestic creativity were at the heart of her childhood, and inspired her move to study textiles at art college. 

Travel and finding inspiration in the colours and patterns of south east Asia continued to influence her textile work but stumbling on an evening class in stained glass opened up a whole new creative adventure for Ruth.

In our chat Ruth reflects on her creative path as well as her travels and inspirations - both overseas and closer to home; discusses how experimenting with glass is a source of endless fascination for her - and that a tip from her Physicist brother made all the difference to finessing her work; and how being an award winner at the 2015 Glass Biennale in Stourbridge made a huge difference to her career.

Ruth’s work can be seen this winter at:

London Glass Blowing Gallery 

https://londonglassblowing.co.uk/

Contemporary Applied Arts 

https://www.caagallery.org.uk/

And other venues, please check Ruth’s website for stockists and events: 

https://www.ruthshelley.co.uk/

A love of making - and of maps - has taken ceramic artist Loraine Rutt on an unusual but very successful creative journey. Loraine began her career as a cartographer at London’s Birkbeck College https://www.bbk.ac.uk/ but when digitalisation of maps meant that she would be using a computer rather than the more physical approach of a pencil and tracing paper, she decided to pursue her earlier dream of going to art college.

A degree in ceramics from London’s Central School for Art and Design (later Central St Martins https://www.arts.ac.uk/colleges/central-saint-martins) began her creative career which now sees her specialising in ceramic maps and globes with her own art-lead practice and her pocket globes which she produces limited editions of via her Little Globe co.

In our chat Loraine shares her journey from her Kent and London childhood, through her cartography career and joy at finally attending art college and getting to ‘play with clay.’

Her work mapping our world in ceramic form has recently won Loraine recognition from the Royal Geographical Society where she is now a Fellow. You can read about her recent exhibition here:

The Royal Geographical Society

https://www.rgs.org/about-us/our-work/latest-news/pocket-globes-and-porcelain-maps-new-exhibition-combines-cartography-and-ceramics

In our chat Loraine also shares her chat about her connection with a real life space man: Apollo 15 Astronaut Col Al Worden - her work in homage and some recordings of her talking to Al Worden about the view of Earth from space can be heard here:

http://www.lorainerutt.com/portal

Loraine also recently took part in an exhibition in Venice with the prestigious Homo Faber organisation - you can see the catalogue here: 

https://2024.homofaber.com/ecatalogue

For all Loraine’s other work please visit her website:

www.lorainerutt.com

Growing up as part of a creative family - and a keen painter from an early age - it was no surprise that Sophie Harding decided to attend art college. But inspired by a documentary she watched as a teenager it was the Fashion course at St Martin’s college that Sophie enrolled on. 

In my chat with Sophie - whose stunning paintings I’m fortunate to exhibit regularly at the Byre Gallery - we discuss how a deciding that a fashion career wasn’t for her, lead her to a full time career as a painter, via a foray into illustration.

You can see Sophie’s work on her website: www.Sophie-Harding.co.uk  where you will also find details of all the galleries she shows with - and where you can buy from her directly - and follow her on Instagram at @harding_sophie

This is a cheeky little extra session where I talk about my online course ‘An Insider’s Guide to Gallery Success’ and explain why with a number of alternatives to learn about how to best approach - and develop a relationship - with galleries, mine might be the right one for you.

There are three reasons that this course fits the bill for you:

1. The Byre Gallery, which I founded in 2014, is a welcoming and elegant space with carefully curated exhibitions of lovely work in contemporary craft and fine art; it’s the sort of gallery any art or interiors lover wants to spend time. It’s not a scary and unapproachable gallery; we’re not in a snooty street in London where you have to ring a bell and be met by either a ridiculously skinny young woman dressed all in black clutching her phone to her ear and looking you up and down; or an old bloke in pink cords who glares over his specs at you. I’m as approachable as my gallery, and I care about all my artists and makers - those I show and those I work with as a coach and mentor.

2. I’m over 50! I may think I’m still 28… or 38 on a day when I feel like a grown up, but the calendar cannot lie. And that means I’ve got a lot of experience behind me: as well as in the gallery world, I’m a qualified business coach, plus I have a background in PR and communications.  But most importantly, if you’re looking at developing your creative career later in life, I talk your language and won’t (unless I feel its right for your work and business) suggest you do Tik Tok.

3. This course isn’t just for ALL artists and makers.  Some courses are strongly geared towards visual artists, but not this. I’ve worked with every kind of maker and a huge range of visual artists so I understand the specific needs of each.

What will you get out of the course:

I wish I could say I would wave a magic wand and you would suddenly be the most in demand artist or maker in the country. 

I can’t do that, but I can take you be the hand and get you in the best possible shape to be ready to approach the right galleries for you.

No one likes rejection and I want to make sure you’re confident in what you’re offering - and you’re offering it to the right galleries so that you increase your chance of being successful. All galleries have a set of criteria when they make a selection and I want to help you really understand what your offer is and recognise who might be your match.

There are six modules, plus some super useful handouts, a live zoom - and the potential to add on a 1:1 session.

We’ll cover:

• Why work with galleries 

• Getting you, your work, your business and your brand ready

• The tools you need to make your approach 

• Where to find the right galleries 

• How to make the most effective approach 

• How to deal with the responses, and how to get your relationship off to the best start.

You can book here:

https://courses.thebyregallery.co.uk/courses/an-insiders-guide-to-gallery-success

And read our FAQs and find out more about me and the Byre Gallery here: 

https://thebyregallery.co.uk/pages/courses-and-coaching 

After a successful career as a scientist, Beverly Bartlett turned her jewellery making hobby into her new profession. In our chat, we discuss how Bev has drawn on her scientific knowledge to support not only the technical aspects of jewellery making, but also the aesthetic inspiration for many of her collections. 

We chat about the various shows and events that Beverly exhibits and sells her work from, and she passes on some very useful tips for making your experience of taking part in a selling event a super smooth one.

You can see Bev’s jewellery on her website: https://www.bmbjewellery.co.uk/ and on Instagram at @bmbjewllery

Her next show is at RHS Garden Wisley, from6-10 November 2024

  https://www.desirefair.com/next-fair

Other shows where you can see Bev’s work include Hyde Hall     https://www.craftinfocus.com/

Bev was jeweller in residence at South Hill Park    https://www.southhillpark.org.uk/

Sarah Hutt is a Northamptonshire based visual artist whose creative journey has taken her from print design, via teaching to being a painter. In this lively and honest chat, Sarah shares the stages of her journey, and talks candidly about her decision to quit a senior job in education, sell her home and downsize to living on a narrowboat to put herself in the best position to launch a new creative career. You can see Sarah’s work online at www.sarahhuttart.co.uk and on Instagram she is @Sarahhutt_art

Sarah’s studio is at The Depot, Weedon Bec in Northamptonshire https://the-depot.uk/

A Grade Two listed site with heritage status for its service during the first and second World Wars. Its history goes back to the Napoleonic times when it was first used to store arms. It is now home to a collective of artisans, classic car mechanics, yoga practitioners, prop makers, tailors and IT services; a celebration of Northampton creatives.

Sarah also mentioned www.the-artist-sanctuary.org.uk, a non-profit organisation supported by the British Arts Council.   And https://saramicaclay.co.uk/ an open pottery studio where people can take courses in throwing and sculpture, including life sculpture. Due to its popularity, it operates out of two centres in Northamptonshire.  Sarah is taking part in the Autumn 2024 Affordable Art Fair at Battersea with Water and Rock Gallery Water and Rock - Bristol Contemporary Art gallery 

She is also represented by Primrose Gallery Northampton https://primrosegallery.co.uk and Three Hares Gallery Olney, https://cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk/the-three-hares-art-gallery/

For other chances to see Sarah’s work this year and in future, keep an eye on her website and social media.

We all measure or success in different ways, yet we still seem to compare ourselves to others and what they’re achieving. In this episode I share my personal thoughts on success.

My online course for artists and makers: An Insider’s Guide to Gallery Success opens for booking on 16th October and you can discover more about it here.

https://thebyregallery.co.uk/pages/courses-and-coaching

To find out more about the Byre gallery you can follow us on Instagram @thebyregallery

And visit our website https://thebyregallery.co.uk

Liz Francis has run the hugely popular and successful Padstow Gallery in north Cornwall since 2018. Since then it has gained a deserved reputation for the high calibre of work it exhibits in its changing and permanent beautifully curated exhibitions. 

In our chat Liz shares her journey from studying in an entirely different field (pardon the pun, tune in to discover more!) to finding her dream job in running a gallery. We talk about her vision for Padstow Gallery, what she looks for in the art and contemporary craft that she exhibits, and of course the highs, lows, joys and frustrations of running a commercial business in a creative community.

https://padstowgallery.co.uk/

This is the final episode in this first series of An Art to It, if you’ve enjoyed it I would be so grateful if you could please leave a review and a star rating, and please do tell your friends. I plan to be back with series 2 in October so do make sure you are following us so you don’t miss an episode.

You can find out more about my online course for artists and makers, An Insider’s Guide to Gallery Success here: https://thebyregallery.co.uk/pages/courses-and-coaching where you can also sign up for the Waitlist. Anyone signing up before 30th September will receive a 10% discount when they enroll on the course.

In this episode, I chat with London-based painter Melody Reynolds, whose luminous swimming pool and beach scenes have brought a welcome breeze to the gallery walls this summer.

Melody reflects on studying at St. Martin’s in the 1990s, why she’s always felt like an outsider in the art world, and the ways her painting process balances instinct with experimentation. She talks about what it takes to stay bold in the studio, the realities of contacting galleries, and why even seasoned artists need mentoring.

Topics include:

• Painting as a subconscious process—and learning to break your own rules

• How childhood experiences (and clown paintings!) shape our creative paths

• Finding joy in chatting to collectors—and the power of in-person connection

• Why promoting your work is necessary, not vulgar

• Email lists, postcards, art fairs, and other practical marketing strategies

• Learning how to approach galleries with professionalism and personality

• Her hopes for new collaborations—with restaurants, designers, and public art spaces

Whether you’re navigating galleries or rediscovering your creative confidence, Melody’s openness, warmth, and honesty make this episode a must-listen for artists at any stage.

You can see Melody’s work at: https://www.melodyreynoldsart.com/ and @melodyreynoldsart

It was the allure of Cornwall’s palm trees that convinced Imogen Bone that moving south for art college in Falmouth rather than her native Scotland was the right move; and she’s never looked back. 

In our chat we talk about how choosing to study illustration rather than Fine Art gave Imogen a work ethic and structure that has contributed to her success as both an artist, and a creative business; commercialism is not a bad thing - whatever art colleges might tell you; and how galleries still play a vital part in the creative economy. 

You can see Imogen’s work in galleries in Cornwall and the Isle of Scilly including: 

https://tamariskscilly.co.uk/collections/imogen-bone

https://padstowgallery.co.uk/collections/imogen-bone

https://www.tresco.co.uk/enjoying/gallery-tresco/artists/imogen-bone

https://thebyregallery.co.uk/collections/imogen-bone

For more about her teaching at Newlyn School of Art 

https://www.newlynartschool.co.uk/tutors/imogen-bone

And she’s on Instagram at: imogenboneart

Carin Lindberg swapped her Swedish homeland and a science background for the life of a jewellery designer maker creating stunning pieces from her North Cornwall coastal studio. 

In this episode Carin and I talk about how buying a few beads to have a ‘play’ took her to being a full-time jeweller; how a background in science plus working in mobile phone and website technology has given her a precision mind that has aided her creative business journey; and how keeping a balance between work, home and other hobbies is the key to her success with her business - and her enthusiasm for it.

You can see Carin’s work on her website https://carinlindbergjewellery.com/ and follow her on instagram at @carinlindbergjewellery

Sharon Bruster swapped a career in the NHS for the life of a sea-inspired Cornwall visual artist and has never looked back. She is also the co-founder (along with friend and fellow artist Maggie Cochran) of Prime Women Artists, a support, networking and exhibiting membership for women artists (of a certain age!) In Cornwall. 

In this episode we talk about Sharon’s transition from pursuing a hobby of capturing the coast and sea in her art, to declaring herself an artist; her love of talking about her art but her dislike of promoting and selling of her own work. We also discuss the difficulties of pursuing a professional creative career when you are over 50 - and the general invisibility that being age can bring - and how it inspired her to launch Prime Women.

You can learn more about Prime Women at https://primewomenartistscornwall.co.uk/ and @primewomenartists

And see Sharon’s work https://sharonbrusterart.co.uk/ and follow her on @sharon_bruster_artist

For more details about my course for artists and makers 'An Insider's Guide to Gallery Success' and to join the waitlist go to:

https://thebyregallery.co.uk/pages/courses-and-coaching

Emily Tapp is the founder and creative behind EOT ceramics, which in under five years has carved itself an impressive reputation for its elegant forms and stylish glazing. With regular sell out online ‘shops’ and collections for sale in the prestigious Tate St Ives’ shop, EOT is a brand to watch. And as Emily is only 27, she is a creative entrepreneur to watch out for. 

In this episode we talk about studying Fine Art at Falmouth University - https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/ - and Emily’s change of direction after graduation to pursue ceramics; she also shared how learning early to budget, save and do a tax return helped her with her ceramics business; the power of staying small, how being a control freak is a good thing… and going to see Taylor Swift in concert. 

Emily also talks about being inspired in her business by fellow ceramics who are running small pottery studios: @pottery_west and @_rebeccaproctor

You can see Emil’s ceramics at eotceramics.com and follow her on instagram @eotceramics and @emilyoliviatapp

For more information on my support for artists and makers, including my upcoming course 'An Insider's Guide to Gallery Success' please visit 

https://thebyregallery.co.uk/pages/courses-and-coaching

Tara Leaver describes herself as an artist and an aquaphile so not surprisingly in episode Three of An Art to It we discuss Tara’s love of swimming and how it counts as research for her underwater inspired paintings. 

We also talk about Tara’s Artist Membership ‘The Happy Artists’ Studio’ a community and coaching platform where in her role as a ‘Creative Encourager’ she says that if you are creating art, you should proudly call yourself ‘An Artist’.  Tara also reveals how she balances running her membership with her own creative practice; the creatives and the coaches who’ve encouraged her, and what impact a puppy called Poppy has had on her life and work.

Tara’s work: taraleaverart.com

Her art Instagram account: www.instagram.com/taraleaverart

Her teaching website: taraleaver.com

Megan Auman: www.meganauman.com

Moira Fuller: www.moirafuller.co.uk

For more information on my support for artists and makers, including my upcoming course 'An Insider's Guide to Gallery Success' please visit 

https://thebyregallery.co.uk/pages/courses-and-coaching

In episode two I talk to ceramicist Judy McKenzie who, after a life long love of ‘playing’ with clay decided to pursue a BA and then a Masters degree at the Royal College of Art and now in her 60s is a successful ceramicist showing her stunning Nerikomi work at galleries throughout the UK.

We talk about being allowed to be selfish after a life of looking after others; imposter syndrome, being the ‘token’ oldie amongst a group of talented young creatives with ‘sharp elbows’ and how chocolate really does help.

Find Judy on Instagram @judymckenzieceramics

https://www.judymckenzie.com

Judy did her Masters degree at the Royal College of Art 

https://www.rca.ac.uk/

Judy talks about spending time with ceramicist Katharine Morling during her degree  @katharine.morling

You can see Judy’s work for the Byre Gallery here

https://thebyregallery.co.uk/collections/judy-mckenzie

For more information on my support for artists and makers, including my upcoming course 'An Insider's Guide to Gallery Success' please visit 

https://thebyregallery.co.uk/pages/courses-and-coaching

In the first episode I share my journey to becoming a curator and gallery owner; my career in PR in Scotland and London and how my desire to be a creative never really found the right outlet until I discovered I could unleash my artistic enthusiasm by styling other creative’s work. 

As well as talking about running the gallery I discuss my online course for artists and makers: An Insider’s Guide to Gallery Success

https://thebyregallery.co.uk/pages/courses-and-coaching

Find us on Instagram @thebyregallery

Visit our website https://thebyregallery.co.uk

Come and see us in Cornwall, we’re easily accessible from all parts of the southwest by road, rail and ferry. PL10 1AJ will be bring you right to us.

When does your passion become your profession?  Can you take a love of making and creating and turn it into a successful business? This is the podcast where I talk to artists and makers who, whatever their discipline, are all fortunate to have turned their passion for creating into their occupation. As we discuss their journey to being professional artists and makers we explore inspirations, imposter syndrome, what success really means and of course, if there IS an art to running a flourishing creative business.

I’m Elaine Dye, I’m the owner and curator of Cornwall’s Byre Gallery, I’m also a creative business mentor and coach, and the creator of the course, ‘An Insider’s Guide to Gallery Success.’  As the Byre Gallery celebrates its 10th anniversary I thought it was the ideal opportunity to chat to some of the fascinating creatives I’ve got to know over the past decade and to explore what it means to be in the business of doing something you really love.

In this episode, I chat with award-winning silversmith Alex O’Connor about the winding path that led her from sculpture to silver—and from the Isle of Wight to the far west of Cornwall and the rugged landscape of West Penwith.

In a hugely engaging and very honest chat, Alex shares how her autistic thinking and aphantasia (inability to voluntarily visualise mental images) shape her highly tactile, refined work, and why she describes her creative process as an act of distillation. She discusses forging a new direction later in life, the evolving definition of success in a creative business, and the importance of taking a punt—even when things don’t go to plan.

Topics include:

• Finding home in Cornwall and inspiration in the landscape

• Studying fine art at Kingston and discovering a love for materials

• Reframing failure and redefining success after a difficult debut at Goldsmiths Fair

• How aphantasia influences her process—and why she calls herself an “editor” of ideas

• Her upcoming Quest Scholarship https://www.qest.org.uk/apply/scholarships/  and what she hopes to learn in Shetland with Rod Kelly https://www.rodkellysilver.co.uk/

• The art (and strategy) of running a creative business and other silversmiths and creatives she admires, including: David Clarke https://mister-clarke.com/; Grant McCaig https://www.instagram.com/grantsmccaig/ ; Ndidi Ekubia https://www.adriansassoon.com/artists/66-ndidi-ekubia/; Rauni Higson https://www.raunihigson.co.uk/; Jessica Jue https://www.jessicajue.com/; Ute Decker https://www.utedecker.com/

You can see Alex’s work at: https://www.alexoconnorsilver.co.uk/ and @movingmetal

What does it mean to make art that’s truly yours—even when it doesn’t fit the mould and you have to face potential resistance in the market place?

In this honest and uplifting episode, I chat with Cornish artist Siobhan Purdy, whose dreamlike, deeply personal paintings have earned her a cult following. From navigating childhood as a selective mute to building thriving artist communities in Cornwall, Siobhan shares how creativity became her lifeline.

We explore:

• The origins of her distinctive, magical visual style

• How she channels childhood memories and neurodivergence into powerful imagery

• The tension between staying true to your vision vs. the pressure to “go commercial”

• Why being in her studio is her definition of success

• The part she played in turning the Cornish town of Redruth - and Krowji https://www.krowji.org.uk/ in particular - into the buzzing creative hub it is today.

Siobhan’s distinctive work might be not be for everyone —but to many, it’s unforgettable and I’ve been privileged to exhibit it for several years, and witness the magic of seeing clients fall in love with it. This episode is a beautiful reflection on art, identity, and belonging.

🔗 View Siobhan’s work: purdysart.co.uk and @purdysart

In episode 31 of An Art to It, ceramicist Deborah Harwood joins me from her beautiful studio on the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex. Deborah shares her remarkable creative journey: from growing up part of deeply artistic family, her late father, is the acclaimed playwright and screenwriter, Ronald Harwood, (The Dresser, Quartet, The Pianist) to working for over a decade as an agent representing some of the UK's most acclaimed writers, directors and set designers, and to then, in her 50s, finding her creative passion in porcelain.

We talk about how creativity shaped her early years, and how Deborah missed the opportunity to study under internationally renowned ceramic artist Felicity Aylieff https://www.felicityaylieff.com/  who was the art and ceramics teacher at her school - opting for jewellery instead, a decision she laughingly calls a huge mistake in hindsight. 

After she left her career in London, Deborah’s first creative foray was in textiles - a medium she chose more from circumstances than passion - and how that lead to her discovering ceramics and ultimately porcelain. 

In our entertaining and moving chat Deborah speaks openly about navigating cancer, what success means to her now, gives her perspective on navigating the highs and lows of running a creative business, and shares why she believes calling herself an artist is something we should all feel confident in doing. 

www.deborahharwood.com

@deborahharwoodceramics

In this solo episode of An Art to It, I share my experiences of creating a brand identity for myself. Why am I doing that you might ask. Last year I realised that I really needed to set up a separate website as a home for the online courses I run, and for this podcast too. I wanted the Byre Gallery to concentrate on doing what it’s supposed to do, showcase our exhibitions and the beautiful work we feature in the gallery, and elainedye.com can be the home for everything else.

As I talk a lot about the importance of branding in my course: An Insider’s Guide to Gallery Success I do quite a lot of reading about branding anyway and came across a great line by marketing guru Seth Godin (sethgodin.com) : 

"A brand is the set of expectations, memories, stories and relationships that, taken together, account for a consumer’s decision to choose one product or service over another.” 

And for some reason this made me think about the photo I saw on the Kennel Club website https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/  two and a half years ago which lead me and my husband to buying a new puppy. This started me on a journey to work out what my brand really stood for, who my audience was, and how I was going to illustrate it.

And illustrating it meant having my photo taken. I’m not a huge fan of being photographed and less so of some of the results, but thankfully I was in the capable hands of brand photographer - and ‘showing up’ expert - Vicki Knights https://vickiknights.co.uk/. I’d hugely recommend her for photographs and also her courses, such as https://vickiknights.co.uk/magic

I also read some other great books: Purple Cow by Seth Godin, Brand You by David Royston-Lee and Sylvana Storey; How to Style your Brand by Fiona Humberstone https://www.thebrand-stylist.com/; Inside her Pretty Little Head, by Jane Cunningham and Philippa Roberts; Book of Branding, by Radio Malinic; and the super useful ‘deck’ of branding cards Brand Seasons by Sarah Robertson @thesearethedays.co

I talk about ceramic artist Loraine Rutt of the Little Globe Company https://thelittleglobeco.com/ as someone whose brand imagery works extremely well. 

My online course An Insider’s Guide to Gallery Success, specially created for artists and makers to take them through all they need to know to achieve continuing gallery, and professional, success, opens for booking on 30th April. Find out more at https://elainedye.com/an-insiders-guide-to-gallery-success/

I’ll be back with a new series packed with fascinating interviews with inspiring  women artists, makers and gallery owners, in early June.

In Episode 29, I’m delighted to be chatting to Caroline Reed, a London-based glass artist working in the exquisite and lesser-known technique of pâte de verre. Caroline shares the extraordinary story of her transition from a career in science and leadership development to a deeply creative life as a glassmaker, her third career, and one she treats with both passion and professionalism.

Caroline reflects on her journey into glass, from her early love of art and materials to the moment she found her medium in pâte de verre, drawn to its delicacy, tactility, and potential for layering and experimentation. We explore how her scientific background influences her methodical and curious studio practice, and the emotional experience of pursuing a new career in midlife, including the imposter syndrome that can follow.

She also shares candidly about her experience at the Royal College of Art, the impact of COVID on her studies, and the importance of resilience, adaptability, and community in sustaining her creative work - especially the network in the Just Glass Society @just_glass_ https://www.just-glass.co.uk/ and the Contemporary Glass Society @contemporaryglasssociety https://cgs.org.uk/

We talk about what it really means to launch a creative business later in life, how she began showing and selling her work, and the unique strengths she brings from previous career, including an understanding of how to build gallery relationships and communicate with professionalism.

Caroline has also found inspiration from ceramicist Anastasia Zaramova, https://www.azamaceramics.co.uk/ @a_zama_ceramics  who she cites as a great example of a maker who appreciates how to promote her business. 

You can see Caroline’s work on instagram @carolinereed7767 and her website is  https://caroline-reed.co.uk/

For many artists, despite having an idea of what you want to create, sometimes the work finds you. For Claire Brewster it was a love of paper, a passion for the freedom of birds… and some handy foam board and pins that sparked her creative practice. Twenty years on from her ‘eureka’ moment, her exquisitely detailed paper birds, hand-cut from vintage maps are in art private and public art collections, hotels and cruise ships all over the world. 

Our lively conversation spans Claire’s creative journey—from her early fascination with paper, through art college, experimentation and finding her paper birds… taking off!  

Claire candidly shares how her work evolved, navigating the tension between creativity and commercial success. We discuss her bold decision to experiment with painting and collage, the emotional complexity of her practice, and the realities of running a thriving creative business. Claire also reveals the story behind her commissions for prestigious hotels and cruise ships, and why connecting directly with collectors through newsletters and platforms like Substack has been vital to her career.

Claire talks about finding inspiration in two fellow artist - who are also successful entrepreneurs: Tracey Emin @traceyeminstudio and Ashley Longshore https://ashleylongshore.com/Follow Claire on Instagram @claire_brewster and visit clairebrewster.com