Business Live: for curious entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs

How to make a living as an artist, avoid rip-off agents and follow your dream with Julia Brown

July 09, 2021 Jamie Veitch Season 9 Episode 19
Business Live: for curious entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs
How to make a living as an artist, avoid rip-off agents and follow your dream with Julia Brown
Show Notes

Julie Brown makes a living in her dream career. The contemporary artist trained at Huddersfield University two decades ago and has returned to her full-time art practice after working as an illustrator and designer.

Julia is part of a new, major group exhibition at The Sculpture Lounge in the Holme Valley where she is a resident studio holder.

In the interview (0-34:00) we discuss:

  • Julia's work, how she expresses our relationship with place, and a new body of work about wind turbines
  • How to get your name out there as an artist
  • It's easier to market yourself when you're passionate about what you do
  • Choosing an agent who will support you and how to avoid some scams and trapdoors common in the art world
  • Tips and advice about submitting your work to exhibitions and awards
  • Getting representation at galleries
  • How a safety net can turn into a cage, but there's never the "perfect" time to follow your passion.
  • Why "every decision you make needs to relate to where you want to go."
  • Check out Julia's website here and The Sculpture Lounge.

Also in the show:

  • 34:00 Funding opportunities i) the Young Innovators Awards from Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, details. ii) the Fiserv UK 2021 Back2Business Grant: £10,000 grants available, details
  • 37:58 Forthcoming events: webinars about selling online, sustainability and SMEs and more from the Business  & IP Centre Sheffield. Plus Cliffhanger – Sheffield's "inner city event celebrating outdoor adventure," the British Bouldering Championships, and Sheffield Adventure Film Festival.
  • 39:35 If you run an online businesses selling to consumers living within the EU, you need to know about changes to E-commerce VAT. 
  • 41:09 Interesting new research about renewable energy, income inequality and energy poverty
  • 42:39 A couple of new books: Lucy Kellaway on education and teaching and Michael Pollan on coffee
  • 44:16 And I've been reading the new issue of Positive News magazine.