It was the allure of Cornwall’s palm trees that convinced Imogen Bone that moving south for art college in Falmouth rather than her native Scotland was the right move; and she’s never looked back. 

In our chat we talk about how choosing to study illustration rather than Fine Art gave Imogen a work ethic and structure that has contributed to her success as both an artist, and a creative business; commercialism is not a bad thing - whatever art colleges might tell you; and how galleries still play a vital part in the creative economy. 

You can see Imogen’s work in galleries in Cornwall and the Isle of Scilly including: 

https://tamariskscilly.co.uk/collections/imogen-bone

https://padstowgallery.co.uk/collections/imogen-bone

https://www.tresco.co.uk/enjoying/gallery-tresco/artists/imogen-bone

https://thebyregallery.co.uk/collections/imogen-bone

For more about her teaching at Newlyn School of Art 

https://www.newlynartschool.co.uk/tutors/imogen-bone

And she’s on Instagram at: imogenboneart

Carin Lindberg swapped her Swedish homeland and a science background for the life of a jewellery designer maker creating stunning pieces from her North Cornwall coastal studio. 

In this episode Carin and I talk about how buying a few beads to have a ‘play’ took her to being a full-time jeweller; how a background in science plus working in mobile phone and website technology has given her a precision mind that has aided her creative business journey; and how keeping a balance between work, home and other hobbies is the key to her success with her business - and her enthusiasm for it.

You can see Carin’s work on her website https://carinlindbergjewellery.com/ and follow her on instagram at @carinlindbergjewellery

Sharon Bruster swapped a career in the NHS for the life of a sea-inspired Cornwall visual artist and has never looked back. She is also the co-founder (along with friend and fellow artist Maggie Cochran) of Prime Women Artists, a support, networking and exhibiting membership for women artists (of a certain age!) In Cornwall. 

In this episode we talk about Sharon’s transition from pursuing a hobby of capturing the coast and sea in her art, to declaring herself an artist; her love of talking about her art but her dislike of promoting and selling of her own work. We also discuss the difficulties of pursuing a professional creative career when you are over 50 - and the general invisibility that being age can bring - and how it inspired her to launch Prime Women.

You can learn more about Prime Women at https://primewomenartistscornwall.co.uk/ and @primewomenartists

And see Sharon’s work https://sharonbrusterart.co.uk/ and follow her on @sharon_bruster_artist

For more details about my course for artists and makers 'An Insider's Guide to Gallery Success' and to join the waitlist go to:

https://thebyregallery.co.uk/pages/courses-and-coaching

Emily Tapp is the founder and creative behind EOT ceramics, which in under five years has carved itself an impressive reputation for its elegant forms and stylish glazing. With regular sell out online ‘shops’ and collections for sale in the prestigious Tate St Ives’ shop, EOT is a brand to watch. And as Emily is only 27, she is a creative entrepreneur to watch out for. 

In this episode we talk about studying Fine Art at Falmouth University - https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/ - and Emily’s change of direction after graduation to pursue ceramics; she also shared how learning early to budget, save and do a tax return helped her with her ceramics business; the power of staying small, how being a control freak is a good thing… and going to see Taylor Swift in concert. 

Emily also talks about being inspired in her business by fellow ceramics who are running small pottery studios: @pottery_west and @_rebeccaproctor

You can see Emil’s ceramics at eotceramics.com and follow her on instagram @eotceramics and @emilyoliviatapp

For more information on my support for artists and makers, including my upcoming course 'An Insider's Guide to Gallery Success' please visit 

https://thebyregallery.co.uk/pages/courses-and-coaching

Tara Leaver describes herself as an artist and an aquaphile so not surprisingly in episode Three of An Art to It we discuss Tara’s love of swimming and how it counts as research for her underwater inspired paintings. 

We also talk about Tara’s Artist Membership ‘The Happy Artists’ Studio’ a community and coaching platform where in her role as a ‘Creative Encourager’ she says that if you are creating art, you should proudly call yourself ‘An Artist’.  Tara also reveals how she balances running her membership with her own creative practice; the creatives and the coaches who’ve encouraged her, and what impact a puppy called Poppy has had on her life and work.

Tara’s work: taraleaverart.com

Her art Instagram account: www.instagram.com/taraleaverart

Her teaching website: taraleaver.com

Megan Auman: www.meganauman.com

Moira Fuller: www.moirafuller.co.uk

For more information on my support for artists and makers, including my upcoming course 'An Insider's Guide to Gallery Success' please visit 

https://thebyregallery.co.uk/pages/courses-and-coaching

In episode two I talk to ceramicist Judy McKenzie who, after a life long love of ‘playing’ with clay decided to pursue a BA and then a Masters degree at the Royal College of Art and now in her 60s is a successful ceramicist showing her stunning Nerikomi work at galleries throughout the UK.

We talk about being allowed to be selfish after a life of looking after others; imposter syndrome, being the ‘token’ oldie amongst a group of talented young creatives with ‘sharp elbows’ and how chocolate really does help.

Find Judy on Instagram @judymckenzieceramics

https://www.judymckenzie.com

Judy did her Masters degree at the Royal College of Art 

https://www.rca.ac.uk/

Judy talks about spending time with ceramicist Katharine Morling during her degree  @katharine.morling

You can see Judy’s work for the Byre Gallery here

https://thebyregallery.co.uk/collections/judy-mckenzie

For more information on my support for artists and makers, including my upcoming course 'An Insider's Guide to Gallery Success' please visit 

https://thebyregallery.co.uk/pages/courses-and-coaching

In the first episode I share my journey to becoming a curator and gallery owner; my career in PR in Scotland and London and how my desire to be a creative never really found the right outlet until I discovered I could unleash my artistic enthusiasm by styling other creative’s work. 

As well as talking about running the gallery I discuss my online course for artists and makers: An Insider’s Guide to Gallery Success

https://thebyregallery.co.uk/pages/courses-and-coaching

Find us on Instagram @thebyregallery

Visit our website https://thebyregallery.co.uk

Come and see us in Cornwall, we’re easily accessible from all parts of the southwest by road, rail and ferry. PL10 1AJ will be bring you right to us.

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.