41: Creative Hands, Bold Moves with Franca Westaway
In this week's episode of An Art to It, I chat to artist I talk to the multi-talented Franca Westaway - an artist, designer, educator and all-round creative force. Franca's work spans textiles, ceramics, teaching, painting, mural commissions - and a deep commitment to following her creative instincts wherever they lead. We talked about her early love of fashion and textiles, and how she pivoted from working in the London fashion industry to teaching art and then building her own surface pattern business. She shares how creating bold work helped her resist the "invisibility cloak" that can come with middle age, and why she's not interested in following a conventional business model if it means compromising her values. Franca opens up about the ethical challenges of mass production, the environmental questions that surface in her creative decisions, and how she's now moving into small-batch ceramics that are unapologetically personal and hand-painted — even if they aren't "convenient" to scale. We also talk about the many hats a creative has to wear — from bookkeeper to social media manager — and how being open to possibility and saying yes has shaped her journey. As ever, it's a rich, honest, and inspiring conversation about finding your own rhythm and way of doing business in a creative life. Franca references some fellow creatives whose work and ethos inspires her: https://idknitthatco.com/ https://www.rachaeltaylordesigns.com/ https://annahaymandesigns.com/ You can see Franca's work on Instagram @Francawestaway23 and her website is francawestaway.com
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Unframed 2: The Comparison Trap: When to Look — and When to Look Away
We've all done it, a quick scroll turns into a spiral. Someone else is making more, selling more, getting that gallery show or grant… and suddenly, your own progress feels like it doesn't count. In this episode of Unframed, I'm taking a look into the spiky topic of comparison: - When it can actually help your creative practice - When it starts to undermine your confidence - And how to set your own pace without getting pulled off course As a gallery owner and coach, I see this come up all the time - perhaps especially for artists and makers who are returning to creativity later in life or growing a practice alongside other demands. And I've felt it too. Comparison can be motivating, but only when you're clear about what you're looking for. In this chat, I share some ways to be more intentional with what you absorb, how to choose a healthy 'pace-setter,' and why your timeline doesn't need to match anyone else's. Whether you're feeling inspired or overwhelmed, I hope this helps you find your footing again. You can find out more about me at elainedye.com and my gallery at thebyregallery.co.uk
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40: The Creative Spiral with Lisa Henshall
Artist and mentor Lisa Henshall joins me from her Norfolk studio to talk about the creative spiral that underpins her practice. From a wild and free Cornish childhood to painting at the kitchen table with three small children, Lisa shares how she's built a full-time art career rooted in self-trust, sharing, and expansion. We talk about the business of being an artist, what real gallery support looks like, and how each phase of making and mentoring loops back into the next. Lisa also reflects on the early days of balancing single parent-hood with painting, her teaching experiences, and why she's now finally returning to study to undertake a Masters at Arts University Bournemouth aub.ac.uk We discuss: Lisa's concept of the creative spiral Growing up on Cornish coast with a love of painting - and being allowed to do it! From jewellery to large-scale work and international shows How mentoring and teaching feed into her creative practice Showing vs selling—and why both are part of the process What great artist-gallery relationships really look like Building a business that feels like you You can see Lisa's work at lisahenshall.com and on instagram @lisahenshallartwork Lisa shows her work at Art Dog https://www.artdoglondon.co.uk/ and also now in Ireland at the Doorway Gallery in Dublin https://www.thedoorwaygallery.com/ If you're interested in my course for artists and makers: An Insider's Guide to Gallery Success you can find out more here: https://elainedye.com/an-insiders-guide-to-gallery-success/
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Unframed 1: Are You Faking It? (The Real Imposter Might Surprise You…)
In this first episode of An Art to It: Unframed, I'm taking a look at something that comes up again and again - in my coaching, my course, and in conversations with artists and makers: imposter syndrome. You know that voice. The one that says you haven't studied enough. Or sold enough. Or been doing this long enough to really call yourself an artist. I hear it all the time - especially from women coming to creative work after a different career, or picking it back up after raising a family. In this short solo episode, I talk about: Why imposter syndrome shows up (and when it's most likely to strike) How to spot it before it spirals Why formal training is not the only mark of legitimacy How to build your own "box of strength" to keep you going when doubt creeps in Whether you're just starting out, coming back to your creative self after a break, or taking the next brave step in your career, this one's for you. Plus: a quick reminder that my online course for artists and makers getting ready to pursue their creative passion as their profession, An Insider's Guide to Gallery Success is open for enrolment on Wednesday 15th October - and there's still time to join my free live webinar at 1:30pm that day; visit elainedye.com to sign up.
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39: Layer by Layer: Process and Progress in Glass with Susan Kinley
In this episode of An Art to It, I chat to artist Susan Kinley, whose striking glasswork blends a fine art sensibility with applied material techniques. We talk about her journey from fine art textiles at Goldsmiths in London https://www.gold.ac.uk/ and mixed media work at the Royal College of Art, https://www.rca.ac.uk/ to her layered, landscape-inspired glass practice rooted in Cornwall. Sue shares how place, light, and materiality have always guided her creative path, from working with Japanese papers to developing glass installations inspired by ancient field patterns and standing stones. She reflects on her time as a teacher and her early years in London, and how a fellowship at Falmouth University https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/ led her to make Cornwall her home. We also explore the practical and professional side of working in glass: from navigating galleries and site-specific commissions to pricing, installing, and selling work that sits between sculpture and painting. Sue offers thoughtful insights into what success looks like at different stages of a creative career, and how recognising your limits - and asking for help - is sometimes the most creative act of all. You can see Sue's work at https://www.susankinley.co.uk/ and @susan.kinley
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!
New Zealand