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.
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29: Glass Ceilings (and how to fire through them) with Caroline Reed
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/
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28: A Cut Above with Claire Brewster
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
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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
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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 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/
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.
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