In this episode, I chat with Brandi Salmon, a Wiradjuri and Tongan artist based in Lutruwita Tasmania about commissions. We talk about the ups and downs of working on commissions, from pricing and client expectations to protecting your creative energy and building long-term confidence.

Brandi shares how she approaches work including landscapes, murals, portraiture to live wedding painting, and how the mix of commission and personal work has helped her grow artistically. She also opens up about the emotional and logistical sides of working with clients, why written boundaries are essential, and how she uses forms and automation to stay sane. We also dig into the impact of mentorship and the importance of finding peer support, especially as a young or emerging artist.

Mentioned in this episode

• Arts Law- Artists in the Black
• Ngarrimili 

Find Brandi here on her website or here on instagram

Find her wedding painting instagram page here

You can find the podcast here

Thanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show

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In this episode I’m talking about commissions with NZ artist Sally Bulling, who specialises in mirror paintings incorporating a variety of materials like paint, resin, and stickers. We discuss the delicate balance between commissioned work and personal pieces,and the ways commissions can push an artist’s practice in unexpected and rewarding directions. We talk about the financial upside of a commission and how they can allow experimentation with new materials and ideas. We also chat about the importance of maintaining relationships with galleries alongside commissions and Sally shares insights on managing client expectations, communicating clearly, and the benefits of taking time with commissioned pieces.

Find Sally here and on instagram here

You can find the podcast here

Thanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show

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In this episode of The Creative Kind, I talk with Michael Fox, an experienced Australian arts accountant and director of Fox Galleries, about tax and accounting issues specifically for artists. We discuss the importance of treating an artistic practice as a business for tax purposes. Michael clarifies the tax reporting requirements for artists in different circumstances, including when activities transition from hobbyist to business status. The conversation also touches on common mistakes artists make in tax reporting, the significance of claiming expenses correctly, and the practical steps for managing receipts and bookkeeping. Michael emphasizes the critical role of good record-keeping and timely submission of tax returns to avoid penalties. We also explore topics like superannuation for self-employed artists and the nuances of GST for artists. We talk about the importance of clear communication between artists and galleries about financial transactions and practical advice on navigating the complexities of tax systems tailored to the arts sector.

You can find Michael Fox's Accountant and Art Valuation website here and the Fox Galleries here

You can find the podcast here

Thanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show

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In this episode of The Creative Kind, I speak with Sydney-based art consultant and educator Laura Brandon about artist opportunities beyond the gallery wall. With over 20 years of experience across public art, education, archiving, and exhibition development, Laura brings deep insight into how artists can meaningfully connect with new platforms, spaces and collaborators.

We talk about everything from public art projects and artist statements to grants, residencies and building your own art ecosystem. Laura offers practical tips for tailoring applications, finding your own voice in written materials, and identifying the opportunities that are actually a good fit for you and your work.We also talk about what makes a strong application, and how to make the most of mentors, peers, and support systems around you.

Find Laura Brandon’s website here and on instagram here

Resources & Links

Here are a few useful organisations and platforms mentioned in this episode:

ArtsHub

Museums & Galleries of NSW

Creative Australia

National Association for the Visual Arts

ArtSupport Australia

Art Prizes (@artprizes) • Instagram 

Art Prizes Planner

Council websites such as:

Opportunities for artists - Inner West Council

Arts opportunities | Bondi Pavilion

Arts & culture - Waverley Council

You can find the podcast here

Thanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show

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This week I’m joined by British-born, New Zealand-based artist Anna Gibbs, whose detailed oil paintings of native birds draw attention not just for their beauty but for what they represent — a deep love for the natural world and a quiet invitation to care more deeply for it.

We talk about how emotional connection can lead to change, and why Anna chooses to focus on hope, wonder, and care rather than guilt or shock when addressing environmental issues through her work. Anna shares how her parents sparked her fascination with New Zealand’s birds, the stories behind some of her most impactful pieces and why she’s committed to using real, ethically sourced gold in her art — not just for its visual warmth, but for what it symbolises.

Find Anna’s website here and on instagram here

Learn more about Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust

You can find the podcast here

Thanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show

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In this studio session I talk to artist Andrew Sleeman and curator Laura Brinin from Side Gallery in Brisbane about preparing for a solo show. Andrew shares his motivations for having his solo show and the learning curve involved, while Laura provides insights into what galleries and curators look for in an artist and their work. The conversation delves into topics such as framing, photography, and the costs associated with putting on a solo exhibition. Both Andrew and Laura touch on the importance of building a supportive community, clear communication, and setting realistic goals for the success of the show.

Andrew's solo show, 'Bare' is set to open at Side Gallery in Brisbane on August 14th.

Find Andrew’s previous episode here

Find Andrews Instagram here and his website here

Find the Side Gallery website here and their instagram here:

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In this episode of The Creative Kind, I chat to UK based artist Frances Featherstone on the realities of entering art prizes. We explore the opportunities prizes can open up, as well as the importance of keeping them in perspective.

Frances shares practical advice on choosing the right prizes for your work, how to photograph your submissions, and the hidden costs artists often forget to factor in. We also talk about how to handle rejection, what really happens once a show opens, and why believing in your work matters more than any shortlist.

Frances reminds us that prizes do have some great benefits and one of the big ones is the community built through participating in them.The connections they can help build and what that gives your practice in ways a prize never could on its own. 

Resources & Links

• Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 
• Green and Stone
• The Gallery Holt
• South East Open Studios
• Jackson’s Art Open Painting Prize

You can find Frances Featherstone’s website here and on instagram here

You can find the podcast here

Thanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show

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In this episode I chat to Maria Stoljar, a painter, YouTuber & host of the acclaimed Talking with Painters podcast. We discuss Maria’s experience with interviewing hundreds of art prize winners, and also as a painter herself having been an entrant and a judge. We talk about the significance of art prizes in an artist's career and Maria shares her insights on the motivations behind entering art prizes, the benefits of being shortlisted, and the importance of exposure. We also discuss the role that art prizes play in elevating artists' profiles, the impact of social media, and how to handle rejection. We also chat about the balance between authentic creation and catering to judges, gender balance in the art scene, and the broader implications of art prizes for the art community.

If you want to find out more about Maria Stoljar & Talking with Painters, go and check out:

 her instagram or website   Podcast on apple, spotify (plus all the others)And her You Tube channel

Discussed in the podcast:

art-prizes.com

The National Emerging Art Prize & Amber Cresswell Bell

Countess Report 

Ross Jones episode on Creative Conversations podcast

John McDonald’s : Everything the Art World Doesn’t Want You To Know

Talking with Painters episodes: Every episode seemed relevant to this chat! But I had to limit it to those we referenced!

Ep 115: The Archibald Winners

Ep 120: Robert Malherbe

Ep 110: Robin Eley

Ep 65: Nicholas Harding

Ep 80 : Ben Quilty

Ep 45 : Wendy Sharpe

Ep 41: Megan Seres

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In the season finale of The Creative Kind, we’re joined by Sarah Jane Moon, Rita Stella, Petrina Jose, and Sarah Lubcke, who all share their perspectives on understanding and identifying an audience., We chat about the nuances of ‘audience’ versus ‘market,’ the importance of showing up in person, and how social media and online platforms fit in. We talk about how we each navigate our creative paths while thinking about who connects with our work and how we communicate our work effectively. 

Find out more about this episodes guests:

You can find Sarah Jane Moon’s website here

Sarah Jane Moon, has an upcoming show called ‘Nature/Nurture’ 16th - 21st July (10am - 5pm) PV: Tues 15th July (6 - 9pm) Downstairs, The Department Store, 248 Ferndale Rd, London SW9 8FR

You can find Rita Stella’s work through Art to Art Gallery

You can find Petrina Jose’s artwork here and her Branding & Design page Hearts & Eyes here

You can find Sarah Lubcke here & here website here

You can find the podcast here

Thanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show

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In this Studio session I’m joined by Jenny Stringleman and Amanda Billing for another casual and varied discussion. We talk about our evolving work routines, differences in working styles, and the concept of chronotypes. We touch on online art criticism, & explore the impact of social media on artists and the differences, connections and reasons behind the art we create and the art we collect. 

Recommendations :

• Bianca Bosker's book 'Get the Picture' 
• The contemporary British Contemporary Portrait Painters group, 
• Mark Fennell’s podcast  No One Saw it Coming and film ‘The Mission.

Mentioned in this podcast:

• Sarah Jane Moon’s episode on The Creative Kind
• Everything The Art World doesn’t want you to know
• Justin Bua’s instagram page
• Andrew Salgado
• Charlotte Robinson

You can find Amanda here, her newsletter here and her earlier interview episode here

You can find Jenni here and her newsletter here and her earlier interview episode here

You can find the podcast here

Thanks so much for listening! Feel free to rate, review & share if you enjoyed it, this helps other people find the show

xJB

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