Ask An Artist

In this episode, Peter & Tom answer some of your tricky questions. This week they give their views on shipping work abroad, how to get to grips with instagram and whether they wear gloves whilst painting. If you have a question you’d like to put to us and would be happy for us answer it here on the podcast, please send it to us via our website at askanartistpodcast.com or alternatively you can...

In this episode, Tom and Peter talk about their own experience with different mediums, how they came to choose their dominant medium, the pros and cons of changing mediums, as well as how they have found a balance between experimentation and honing their expertise. 

In this episode, Peter visited the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park, the home of Rosemary & Co Artists’ brushes, to interview Rosemary herself.  Peter and Rosemary discuss exactly how she makes her famous brushes, the tools and materials involved in brush making and why so many artists around the globe consider her paint brushes the best in the world. Painter or not, for anyone interest...

Running your own business is a risky business, with 20% of businesses failing in their first year and a shocking 60% failing within the first three. But making decisions and taking risks is all part of running any business, including the creative business of being an Artist. The calculation of risk is an essential skill which all artists and makers need to hone in order to forge ahead in their car...

In this episode, Peter and Tom give over the podcast to you, the listener. They answer three listener's questions about: 1) Framing work for an Art Fair 2) How to get re-started after a break away from the studio, and  3) What to do when a customer does not pay! To submit your question to Peter and Tom, visit the website at www.askanartistpodcast.com

In this episode, Tom and Peter venture outside (well, metaphorically at least) as they are talking all about painting the great outdoors, en plein-air, with the renowned British painter, Haidee-Jo Summers. Haidee-Jo Summers is famed for her paintings full of light, colour and all painted from life. As well as being an author of the internationally popular book Vibrant Oils , Haidee-Jo is a member...

In this episode, Peter and Tom talk about the challenges they have both faced over the past two years, due to the pandemic and how they have changed their artistic businesses and continue to transition to this “new-normal” way of working. Back in the spring of 2020, both Peter and Tom were hit hard when Covid hit the UK, losing a large proportion of their income in a very short space of time. With...

In this first episode of Season 3, Peter introduces his new co-host, Tom Shepherd. Tom has been a previous guest on the podcast and after a re-introduction to Tom and his work, in this episode, he and Peter discuss what they think it means to be a “working artist”. Both Tom and Peter are proud to call themselves working artists and discuss some of the dilemmas which can occur – such as decisions w...

After nearly 2 years and over 100 episodes of Ask an Artist Laura is leaving to concentrate on other aspects of her work: Making Art, teaching and making videos.  Ask an artist will continue with Peter and a new co-host in the new year, along with a new sound engineer - since the talents of Mr B will be required elsewhere.

in our listener questions today Peter and Laura give their view  on testing new materials, confidence and self doubt and on self publishing a book of your work

In this episode of Ask an Artist Laura and Peter are talking to Tom Knowles Jackson: Potter, Gallerist, Director of 'The Clay Loft' an open access clay studio maker-space and business consultant. Tom excels at all of these things and this interview is full of fascinating insights 

We all try to do our best, but sometimes things go wrong.  How you deal with mistakes and problems is just as important as the work you produce.  Laura and Peter have both had their share of things to deal with: work that has not gone to plan, or deliveries that have gone astray.  Whether the issue is artistic or business you still have to deal with it and doing that well can turn a problem into a...

In this episode Laura and Peter give their views on a tricky copyright problem, on the value of good book keeping and a splendid idea to combine a life class with a visit to the local pub

Many professional artists take on residencies as a way to learn new skills, develop ideas, collaborate with other artists or to create a specific outcome.  Laura and Peter have both done this and today's episode looks at their personal experiences and at some of the things you need to consider if you fancy applying for a residency somewhere - or creating your own.

As a printmaker Laura has quite definite views on giclee prints, but only because they create confusion over what 'print' means.  Peter is a painter and though he does not routinely make giclees to sell he has produced some as extra copies of portraits for clients.  Whether or not you include them in your artistic business they do create some dilemmas and some moral responsibilities for...

This episode is not about photography in itself, but about using photography as the source material.  Both Peter and Laura use photography and have arrived at the same point in how they do so.  For each of them photography is useful reference but not something to copy.  Of course these are opinions rather than rules and need to be interpreted in the context of your own artistic practice, but P&amp...

If you have ever thought about how you will be remembered as an artist then this episode will make interesting listening.  Peter has his eye on a gallery being established in his name while Laura wants her legacy to be about a lasting effect on the way people adopt techniques that she has promoted.  Joking aside, how is an artist remembered and should they be thinking about it while they have an i...

in this 'Listener Questions' episode Laura and Peter get to grips with some tricky questions: Is it OK that an 'Open Submission' Exhibition should say that they do not return the works submitted?  How would you react if your child said that they wanted to be an artist? Finally, how do you deal with a situation where a friend starts making and selling work that is similar you yo...

In this episode of Ask an Artist our two artists: Peter and Laura are talking to Bernard Derroitte whose gallery: Mesh, based in Chicago has Laura on it's books.  The print market in America is weighted towards 'Print Fairs' so the current situation has meant some adaptation.  Bernard's insights into this and his belief in building relationships with both artists and collectors...

Following on from last week's episode Laura and Peter continue their discussion about Open Studios or Art Weeks events.  Whether you are just starting on your art career or are established in your practice opening up your studio space, or joining a group of other artists in a shared space gives you the opportunity to show your work and your techniques to the public, especially the people who...

Refreshed and back from their brief break Peter and Laura are both taking part in Bucks Art Weeks during June.  Local Art Weeks, or Open Studios events are one of the best ways to start interacting with the public.  Whilst the exact format differs depending on where you are they offer an opportunity to be part of a larger event and for you to benefit from the marketing and advice that the organise...

For a couple of months the Ask an Artist Team are taking a break from recording to concentrate on other things that need to be done: On-line teaching and book writing both have deadlines that cannot be put off!  While we are away  we have selected some episodes from our archive, if you have already listened to them in the past then maybe they deserve a second outing.  If these are new to you then...

For a couple of months the Ask an Artist Team are taking a break from recording to concentrate on other things that need to be done: On-line teaching and book writing both have deadlines that cannot be put off!  While we are away  we have selected some episodes from our archive, if you have already listened to them in the past then maybe they deserve a second outing.  If these are new to you then...

For a couple of months the Ask an Artist Team are taking a break from recording to concentrate on other things that need to be done: On-line teaching and book writing both have deadlines that cannot be put off!  While we are away  we have selected some episodes from our archive, if you have already listened to them in the past then maybe they deserve a second outing.  If these are new to you then...

For a couple of months the Ask an Artist Team are taking a break from recording to concentrate on other things that need to be done: On-line teaching and book writing both have deadlines that cannot be put off!  While we are away  we have selected some episodes from our archive, if you have already listened to them in the past then maybe they deserve a second outing.  If these are new to you then...