Ask An Artist

In this episode Laura and Peter answer some more of the questions that have been sent by our listeners.  If you have a question please do send it, either via our Social Media: Instagram and Facebook: Ask An Artist Podcast, or through our website: www.askanartistpodcast.com

In this episode of Ask an Artist Peter and Laura are talking about some of the awful things that have happened during their careers as artists, things that have gone wrong for them, things that have been said and experiences that they might prefer to forget about.

As an artist or maker your primary function is to make things.  However the things you make and the things you do can often be used in ways other than just for their appreciation!  In this episode Peter and Laura talk about ways of making the most out of your output: greetings cards, teaching aids, books, videos, content for social media. Much of what you do day to day can be incorporated into tea...

Laura and Peter are both fortunate in having partners who share their creative views.  For each of them this has developed into something more though and in this episode Laura and Peter talk with Ben and Kimberley about being the other half of an art business partnership. Ben - The Talented Mr B - is framer, photographer, video producer, carpenter, packer, delivery-man, exhibition stand builder, d...

Peter and Laura tackle a few more listener questions: Is it OK for an artist to work across various genres or should they find their place and stick with it?  As a portrait artist should I advertise pricing on my website?  I am an artist by I'm also very shy. Can I avoid being the public face of my work? Listen to what Peter and Laura have to say about these topics and if you have questions y...

Laura and Peter have talked about teaching several times, it forms a part of both of their working lives.  However they both teach adults; people who have sought them out. Teaching children is a bit different, but maybe not as different as you might think.  Peter's wife, Kimberley is a qualified primary school teacher and in this episode she discusses the experience of teaching children and i...

Time to cast the cat in among the pigeons! Laura and Peter are joined in this debate by Silversmith James Dougal and 'the Talented Mr B. (Ben Boswell) to talk about craft and art as descriptions of their work and of the way they identify themselves. Asking 100 people what the difference is between art and craft, or what the respective values of art and craft are and you will get 100 different...

Laura and Peter have another rummage in the post bag in this episode to answer some of the listener questions we have received.  Today we have questions on working for friends, dealing with 'site specific' artworks and wether it is a good idea to work in multiple media.

In this episode of Ask an Artist Peter and Laura discuss 'Branding' - they are not trying to get you to burn symbols into your flesh, but is it a good idea to develop a brand identity?  On balance they believe it is, a consistent look and feel to your communications and interactions with your customers helps them to recognise you right from the start.

In today's episode Laura and Peter interview James Dougall whose journey into being a silversmith had a few fascinating twists and turns.  Now a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths James came to the business late after working in several other fields.  His story will hopefully give hope to many 'second career' artists!

An artist is constantly judged, it is inevitable, a part of the very nature of what they do.  However it would be wrong to assume that the judgement is only about the work that the artist produces.  Today, Peter and Laura discuss the importance of the artist's reputation: how it develops, how to look after it and how not to lose it!

Over the last months we have had some really good questions from listeners and we are going to try out this slightly different format for this episode.  Here are Laura and Peter's thoughts on 3 questions, looking at work/life balance, selling work for the first time and troublesome students! If you have a question that you would like to submit to us then please visit www.askanartistpodcast.co...

As an artist it is very likely that, from time to time, you will be asked to do things for charity.  It could be something that you do anyway, that generates funds for a charity you wish to support, or it could be an approach from a charity asking you to do something specific.  Whatever the scenario if you are going to do work like this it needs to be taken just as seriously as for any other clien...

In todays episode Laura and Peter chat to Doug Fitch and Hannah McAndrew.  Doug and Hannah are 'Fitch and McAndrew', the husband and wife team of slipware potters whose work has a national and international standing. Working in a very traditional medium, that of earthenware clay decorated with different coloured slips (liquid clay) in rich earthy colours they manage to create a very pers...

'A Body of Work'...  One of those expressions that pops up in art contexts all the time. Laura and Peter unpick what it means.  It can be whatever you want it to be.  A group of pieces linked thematically, stylistically, chromatically, progressively or anything else.  A collection that will allow you to be assessed maybe, by a gallery or a prospective client. Certainly a way of showing y...

Pricing your work is a complex issue and being consistent is one of the things that needs to be considered while working out your pricing.  However that does not mean that all your work should be the same price, only that it should be priced consistently, according to its value.  Small simple things clearly need to be cheaper than big complex things.  Having work in different price brackets allows...

Part of the lives of many artists is the business of teaching.  For some it is a financial necessity and for others it is an emotional or moral imperative.  Whatever the reasons you have for teaching it does need to be taken seriously, you have an obligation to your students and doing it well can be massively rewarding. Both Laura and Peter teach and both of them have years of positive experiences...

Given the huge interest in art and crafts most professional artists and makers will be asked from time to time to talk about their work, or to demonstrate their methods.  There is no compulsion to do this of course, you can just say no!  Peter and Laura have never been known to refuse an opportunity to get up in front of the public though, they both enjoy the experience and the benefits that talks...

If you are a teacher one of the things you hope for is that one day you will teach someone who will then go on to greater things.  Laura gave Will Francis his first lessons in Japanese woodblock printing after he had been trying to teach himself - and finding it hard.  Will is now a professional carver and printer of Japanese woodblock prints: working in collaboration with illustrator Jed Henry th...

The natural habitat of an artist is usually a studio: This could be a wonderful, purpose built edifice, or a corner of their sitting room, but it is a space to work and needs respect!  Today Laura and Peter talk about the places they have called their studio over the years and discuss some of the things that are important about about a creative workspace.

Tom Shepherd is a full time artist, specialising in painting wildlife  which he does in oils, acrylics and especially in watercolours.  Peter and Laura talk to him about his career-path and how he has adapted to working mainly 'on-line' during the current health crisis.  Creative adaptation to the situation seems to be the secret and like Peter and Laura Tom is busier than ever.

In this week's episode Laura and Peter are talking about the difficulties of sending original artwork by post.

Recorded during Lockdown, apologies for the sound quality. Should you keep a sketchbook?  Laura and Peter have very different responses to this, Peter has kept sketchbook throughout his professional career whilst Laura has some but their use is slightly more ad hoc.  The consistent thing for both of them is that it is important to take notes, both written and visual. The sketchbook is peter's...

Recorded during lockdown, apologies for the sound quality. Peter and Laura chat in this episode about various scams that are rife in the art world, and in the wider arena of small businesses.

Recorded during the lockdown, apologies for the sound quality! By its very nature, being an artist generates work.  The things that your artistic practice is channelled towards.  You may be able to sell everything that you do, but more likely there will be works that need to be stored - and catalogued.  In this episode of Ask an Artist Laura and Peter talk about recording details of their work and...