An Art To It

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.’ When the Byre Gallery celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2024, 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. I discovered that I love doing the podcast... so I'm keeping going!

45: Christmas Special: Behind the Gallery Wall with Sharon Harvey and Sara McKee 12/19/2025

44: Finding Your Artistic Life with Gabriella Buckingham 12/12/2025

44: Finding Your Artistic Life with Gabriella Buckingham In this week’s episode, I chat to visual artist Gabriella Buckingham, whose creative path has taken her from illustration, to product design, to online teaching, and finally to the richly expressive painting practice she runs today. Gabriella reflects on her childhood desire to be an artist and how finally reaching her destination “was just what I wanted. So I'm very grateful.” And how her time spent in the business side of a greetings card business left her with invaluable knowledge of trends, sales analysis and creative stamina which she could ultimately apply to her own creative business. “I really feel that to run art as a business, you've got to be an optimist. You've got to be able to pick yourself up when you fail.” We discuss: • Our shared Lithuanian heritage - and the mystery at the centre of Gabriella’s family history • Growing up obsessed with the paintings in her family home - as well as colour and ballet Why she realised graphic design wasn’t for her as she cared far more about the painting than the type. The commercial years that gave her strong business foundations Life as a kitchen-table business owner on Not On The High Street, https://www.notonthehighstreet.com/ and the moment she realised success was costing her more than it gave back Creating and teaching her own online painting course, and why seven-month “live experiences” are as intense as they sound Entering work for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition - and the electric moment she learned she’d been selected Brand inspiration, colour psychology, and why she thinks she’s a “Spring business with an Autumn edge” inspired by Fiona Humberstone @thebrand_stylist Brands she loves: Boden https://www.boden.com/, Toast https://www.toa.st/, and Kemi Telford https://kemitelford.com/ Success, according to Gabriella: “the life I have now… just with a little more space, more painting, and more galleries.” You can enjoy Gabriella’s work at - and on instagram @gabriellabuckingham /episode/index/show/60c39564-a5c1-466c-8ab3-1c36c766d8f1/id/39352595

Unframed 5: It’s Makeover Time 12/05/2025

Unframed 5: It’s Makeover Time In this final episode of my mini-series An Art to It: Unframed, we’re talking about the quiet power of presentation - and why giving your digital presence a bit of a make-over can make such a difference to how your work is seen, understood, and valued. As a gallery owner I get a lot of submissions from artists and makers asking me to consider their work, and naturally I look at their Instagram accounts and websites. Some times I’m excited by what I discover and others… well, let’s just I’m left a bit confused as to what their practice actually is. So this episode explores how your online world: your Instagram grid and your website, act as your shop window. And just like any good window display, it needs a little thought, clarity, and styling to really invite people in. In this episode we cover: Why artists often resist “styling” - and why it matters more than we admit What major retailers can teach us about presentation How your Instagram grid works like a mini exhibition Simple user-friendly and effective upgrades: profile photo, bio, pinned posts, highlights The “mini shop window” effect and why clarity beats clutter How to curate your website so visitors instantly understand your work Seasonal styling and how small changes make your online presence feel fresh and current This isn’t about perfection, aesthetics for aesthetics’ sake, or style over substance. It’s about helping your beautiful work shine in the way it deserves to. If you’ve enjoyed this mini-series, I’d love to hear from you — and if you have topics you’d like me to explore in possible future Unframed episodes, just drop me a note. And you can… • Join my monthly Creative Brief newsletter: elainedye.com • Listen to the full An Art to It interview series • Follow along on Instagram for more tips for artists & makers @elaine_dye_ and @thebyregallery.co.uk /episode/index/show/60c39564-a5c1-466c-8ab3-1c36c766d8f1/id/39271475

Ep 43: A Certain Kind of Crazy: Ten Years as a Maker with Amy Stringer 11/28/2025

Ep 43: A Certain Kind of Crazy: Ten Years as a Maker with Amy Stringer In this episode of An Art to It, I’m joined by applied artist Amy Stringer, who has just celebrated ten years of running her creative business. Amy’s practice moves between jewellery and ceramics – think structural, architectural, process-led work that blurs the boundaries between wearable pieces and sculptural objects. Starting with body adornment and bold cement forms, she’s now known for both her chain-led silver jewellery and her carved Kurinuki vessels, where jewellery sometimes lives inside the ceramic object. Together, Elaine and Amy talk about what has changed over the last decade for makers, and what it really takes to sustain a creative career over the long term. They discuss: How the landscape for makers has shifted pre- and post-Covid, from material costs and gallery closures to the boom in workshops Why Amy’s teaching practice has become a vital pillar in her business, and what she loves about passing on traditional skills Her transition from “fashion-minded” body adornment to process-led jewellery and ceramics, and the tension she’s felt around the word “artist” Working with Kurinuki - an ancient Japanese technique of carving clay- and why her ceramic pieces can take months before they even reach the kiln Pricing, value and how ceramic audiences respond to labour-intensive work The differences between jewellery shows and ceramics shows, and why ceramics seems to invite more play The realities of self-employment as a maker: admin, tax, tools, rejection and the business skills that are rarely taught at art school How Amy approaches teaching second-career makers who are thinking about going professional The role galleries have played in her journey, and why having the confidence to approach them early on made such a difference What success looks like for her next ten years - from multidisciplinary exhibitions to sustaining a comfortable, creatively fulfilling life And, as always, I ask Amy the podcast’s central question: Is there an art to running a successful creative business? Amy’s answer is honest, encouraging and very recognisable to anyone trying to make their creative work pay the bills: it takes a particular personality, a lot of internal drive, and a willingness to keep going through self-doubt and imposter syndrome. You can see Amy’s work @amystringerdesign and at https://www.amystringer.co.uk/ /episode/index/show/60c39564-a5c1-466c-8ab3-1c36c766d8f1/id/39191220

Unframed 4: Copycats 11/21/2025

42: The Art of Reinvention with Jane Wilson 11/14/2025

Unframed 3: Invisible Women: Time to Throw off the Cloak 11/07/2025

41: Creative Hands, Bold Moves with Franca Westaway 10/31/2025

Unframed 2: The Comparison Trap: When to Look — and When to Look Away 10/24/2025

40: The Creative Spiral with Lisa Henshall 10/16/2025

Unframed 1: Are You Faking It? (The Real Imposter Might Surprise You…) 10/10/2025

39: Layer by Layer: Process and Progress in Glass with Susan Kinley 10/03/2025

38: Trusting the Process, Finding the Confidence with Liz O’Dwyer 09/19/2025

37: Two Hats, One Vision with Sharon Harvey 09/05/2025

36: Carving out a Creative Life (helped by proper coffee!) with Jill Hudson 08/22/2025

35: A Life in Full Colour with Sara McKee 08/08/2025

34. Balancing the Business of Art with Melody Reynolds 07/25/2025

33. Finding Form with Alex O’Connor 07/11/2025

32: Keeping it True with Siobhan Purdy 06/27/2025

31: Owning Who You Are with Deborah Harwood 06/13/2025

30: Brand New Friend with Elaine Dye 04/18/2025

30: Brand New Friend with Elaine Dye 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 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 () : "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 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 I’ll be back with a new series packed with fascinating interviews with inspiring women artists, makers and gallery owners, in early June. /episode/index/show/60c39564-a5c1-466c-8ab3-1c36c766d8f1/id/36217940

29: Glass Ceilings (and how to fire through them) with Caroline Reed 04/11/2025

28: A Cut Above with Claire Brewster 04/04/2025

27: Curating and Creating with Judi Green 03/28/2025

27: Curating and Creating with Judi Green 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 /episode/index/show/60c39564-a5c1-466c-8ab3-1c36c766d8f1/id/35891510

26: The joy of clay: exploring light and form, and building a business with Amy Frankie Smith 03/21/2025

26: The joy of clay: exploring light and form, and building a business with Amy Frankie Smith 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 and on Instagram at @amyfrankiesmith. Amy also talked about: Seagreen Designs Illustrated Living Ethel Loves Me The Design Trust /episode/index/show/60c39564-a5c1-466c-8ab3-1c36c766d8f1/id/35803895

25: From Fashion Dreams to Crafting an Arts Legacy with Laura Wasley 03/14/2025

24: Defining success with Nikki Mosley 03/07/2025

24: Defining success with Nikki Mosley 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 /episode/index/show/60c39564-a5c1-466c-8ab3-1c36c766d8f1/id/35562340

23: Many creative threads with Claire Stockings-Baker 02/28/2025

23: Many creative threads with Claire Stockings-Baker 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 And you can follow her on instagram at @clairestockingsbakerjewellery You can follow me @elaine_dye_ and the Byre Gallery @thebyregallery /episode/index/show/60c39564-a5c1-466c-8ab3-1c36c766d8f1/id/35456375

22: Finding the right catalyst with Kerry Louise Bennett 02/21/2025

22: Finding the right catalyst with Kerry Louise Bennett 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 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 and on instagram @land_of_the_grey_and_pink. Kerry’s work also features on postcards with Sheffield based /episode/index/show/60c39564-a5c1-466c-8ab3-1c36c766d8f1/id/35362110

21: Creating in all its forms, from chocolate to canvas with Aisleigh Anne 02/14/2025

21: Creating in all its forms, from chocolate to canvas with Aisleigh Anne 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 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 /episode/index/show/60c39564-a5c1-466c-8ab3-1c36c766d8f1/id/35282425

An Art To It

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