Ask An Artist

In this episode of Ask an Artist Laura and Peter talk to Keith Brymer Jones.  Keith is probably best known as a judge on The Channel Four programme on TV: The Great Pottery Throwdown, but that will have to wait for next week.  This week the discussion is about how Keith became a potter, how, as a potter he worked for companies like Heals, Habitat and Laura Ashley and how he ended up as the Directo...

Fitting in all the stuff you need to do as an artist is something you might not think about when you are starting out.  Initially you just want to 'do art!' and who wouldn't.  However being organised when the administration of your career as an artist begins to overwhelm your creativity may well maintain that all important studio time.  Peter and Laura talk this week about how they...

In this epoisod of Ask an Artist Laura and Peter have the great pleasure of interviewing Sarah James.  Sarah is the driving force behind Bovey Tracey Craft Festival and various other festivals that have developed using the same format: Bath, Cheltenham Cardiff and others.  Covid-19 has made Sarah look for other ways to support the craft world that she is so passionate about and so, like others she...

If you hope to make a living as an artist, even if you hope only to supplement your income, then it is a good idea to plan how you are going to market yourself by creating - oddly enough - a marketing plan!  In these peculiar times with Covid-19 raging through our society there is still a need to plan, it's just different stuff we need to plan.  Pater and Laura talk in this episode about how...

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.