An Art To It

If you could pick the ideal medium to create your art work what would it be? Oil paint, charcoal, … or chocolate? Although painting had been a part of her life for as long as she could remember, it was as a chocolatier that Ashleigh Anne first found creative professional success.  In our lovely chat, Aisleigh shares her love of creating in all its guises and how following in her family's footsteps into the restaurant and catering world didn't mean she turned her back on her artistic skills. Encouraged by her grandmother, she excelled at cakes and confectionery and before long was opening a chocolate shop and cafe where her elaborate wedding cakes were much in demand. Aisleigh reveals that working in the somewhat relentless pressure of the hospitality industry took its toll on her mental health.  A decision to reprise her love of painting and to go to art college to pursue that sadly added to the stress rather than relieving it. But moving away from the chocolate business and finding solace in new jobs in gardening and fitness helped; and then finally a move from Devon over the border to Cornwall made Aisleigh determined to follow her artistic dreams. We chat about Aisleigh's work, her inspirations and desires for her practice and how having run her cafe has given her insights into the skills she needed to bring to her creative business.  Aisleigh also shares that having had her own issues with anxiety has inspired to create art especially for those in need of a tranquil and calming focus. You can see Aisleigh's art on her website https://www.aisleighanneart.com/ and on instagram she is @aisleighannecornwallart  Aisleigh also talked about taking part in the course I offer to artists and makers - An Insider's Guide to Gallery Success. It's back this April with a bit of a makeover and some exciting new content, to join the waitlist so you'll be the first to hear, and get a 10% discount on any course purchased, please visit https://thebyregallery.co.uk/pages/courses-and-coaching  

Ever wanted to eavesdrop of gallery owners in conversation? Now is your chance . In this Christmas Special edition of An Art to It, I'm joined by two fellow gallerists: Sharon Harvey (Sanctuary Gallery, Gloucestershire, and landscape artist) and Sara McKee (Life Full Colour gallery and music venue, North Wales). Together we unwrap what 2025 has really been like for independent galleries: the tough months, the surprising highs, the "Dunkirk Spirit" of a Private View in a rainstorm and flood, and why layering income streams and experiences has become essential. We also answer questions posed by artists and makers on: How galleries choose new artists Whether being a "Northern" artist limits your gallery chances Following up when a gallery goes quiet The reality of pricing for galleries vs. art fairs Whether galleries worry about "missing the next Van Gogh"… It's a cosy, honest, very real conversation about art, money, risk, resilience - and why your relationship with a gallery matters as much as your work. You can visit each of our galleries here: https://thebyregallery.co.uk/  https://www.thesanctuarygallery.com/ https://www.lifefullcolour.com/ And find out more about me https://elainedye.com/ An Art to It will be back in mid January 2026  

In this week's episode, I chat to visual artist Gabriella Buckingham, whose creative path has taken her from illustration, to product design, to online teaching, and finally to the richly expressive painting practice she runs today. Gabriella reflects on her childhood desire to be an artist and how finally reaching her destination "was just what I wanted. So I'm very grateful." And how her time spent in the business side of a greetings card business left her with invaluable knowledge of trends, sales analysis and creative stamina which she could ultimately apply to her own creative business.  "I really feel that to run art as a business, you've got to be an optimist. You've got to be able to pick yourself up when you fail." We discuss: • Our shared Lithuanian heritage - and the mystery at the centre of Gabriella's family history • Growing up obsessed with the paintings in her family home - as well as colour and ballet Why she realised graphic design wasn't for her as she cared far more about the painting than the type. The  commercial years that gave her strong business foundations Life as a kitchen-table business owner on Not On The High Street, https://www.notonthehighstreet.com/ and the moment she realised success was costing her more than it gave back Creating and teaching her own online painting course, and why seven-month "live experiences" are as intense as they sound Entering work for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition - and the electric moment she learned she'd been selected Brand inspiration, colour psychology, and why she thinks she's a "Spring business with an Autumn edge" inspired by Fiona Humberstone @thebrand_stylist https://www.thebrand-stylist.com/ Brands she loves: Boden https://www.boden.com/, Toast https://www.toa.st/, and Kemi Telford https://kemitelford.com/ Success, according to Gabriella: "the life I have now… just with a little more space, more painting, and more galleries."   You can enjoy Gabriella's work at - https://www.gabriellabuckingham.com/ and on instagram @gabriellabuckingham  

In this episode of An Art to It,  I'm joined by applied artist Amy Stringer, who has just celebrated ten years of running her creative business. Amy's practice moves between jewellery and ceramics – think structural, architectural, process-led work that blurs the boundaries between wearable pieces and sculptural objects. Starting with body adornment and bold cement forms, she's now known for both her chain-led silver jewellery and her carved Kurinuki vessels, where jewellery sometimes lives inside the ceramic object. Together, Elaine and Amy talk about what has changed over the last decade for makers, and what it really takes to sustain a creative career over the long term. They discuss: How the landscape for makers has shifted pre- and post-Covid, from material costs and gallery closures to the boom in workshops Why Amy's teaching practice has become a vital pillar in her business, and what she loves about passing on traditional skills Her transition from "fashion-minded" body adornment to process-led jewellery and ceramics, and the tension she's felt around the word "artist" Working with Kurinuki - an ancient Japanese technique of carving clay- and why her ceramic pieces can take months before they even reach the kiln Pricing, value and how ceramic audiences respond to labour-intensive work The differences between jewellery shows and ceramics shows, and why ceramics seems to invite more play The realities of self-employment as a maker: admin, tax, tools, rejection and the business skills that are rarely taught at art school How Amy approaches teaching second-career makers who are thinking about going professional The role galleries have played in her journey, and why having the confidence to approach them early on made such a difference What success looks like for her next ten years - from multidisciplinary exhibitions to sustaining a comfortable, creatively fulfilling life And, as always, I ask Amy the podcast's central question: Is there an art to running a successful creative business? Amy's answer is honest, encouraging and very recognisable to anyone trying to make their creative work pay the bills: it takes a particular personality, a lot of internal drive, and a willingness to keep going through self-doubt and imposter syndrome. You can see Amy's work @amystringerdesign and at https://www.amystringer.co.uk/  

What happens when the art you're known for no longer brings you joy? In this episode, mixed media artist Jane Wilson shares her journey from fashion buying to creative commercial success, and how a door closing lead to her finding her true voice as a playful, joy-filled artist. Jane opens up about early experiences of imposter syndrome, the emotional fallout from a tough gallery break-up, and how lockdown gave her space to rediscover creativity on her own terms. We talk about the art of starting over - more than once - and why success looks different at different stages of life and career. Jane also reflects on professional ambition, the importance of artist identity, and how she's channelling her experience into launching her first online workshop.  We talk about: Jane's shift from fashion buyer to professional artist Why gallery representation isn't always the dream Imposter syndrome and reclaiming the title of 'artist' Playing your way into a more joyful practice The power of beginner's mind Success, validation, and new directions after 50 Creative professionalism (and why every artist needs a delivery note!) You can see Jane's work online at https://www.janewilsonartist.co.uk/ and on instagram @janewilsonartist   

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   

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/  

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  

This week, I'm joined by ceramicist Liz O'Dwyer in an entertaining - and very honest - chat about building a creative practice from the ground up.   We talk about Liz's early love for making, her years in both art education and Forest School, and how she reconnected with clay later in life, thanks to encouragement from her family, eventually finding her material in porcelain and her voice in form, line, and inlay. Liz shares her experience of teaching as a way to build skill and confidence, her journey through imposter syndrome, and how support from events like the Contemporary Craft Festival https://www.craftfestival.co.uk/ and becoming a selected member at the prestigious Craft Potters Association https://www.craftpotters.com/ helped her feel like she truly belonged. We also talk about building a creative business at your own pace, saying no, finding the right galleries, and the quiet joy of seeing your work in someone else's hands. We cover: Making peace with not having a ceramics degree How teaching shaped her practice - Liz works at The Ceramic Studio in Kent https://www.theceramicstudio.co.uk/ The importance of the ceramic community  Balancing family, part-time work, and growing a business Letting the work evolve naturally You can see Liz's work on her website https://www.lizodwyerceramics.com/ and at instagram on @lizodwyer  

Artist, Gallery Owner, Creative Force This week, I'm joined by Sharon Harvey: a painter, gallery owner, and passionate creative, to explore what it really takes to run a commercial gallery while maintaining an active artistic practice. Sharon shares her winding journey from a successful corporate career into the art world, what led her to study fine art in her 40s, and how a chance conversation changed everything. Now the founder of Sanctuary Gallery in Gloucestershire, she offers a unique dual perspective on gallery-artist relationships, creative confidence, and the realities of selling art today. We discuss: - The courage it takes to pivot careers and pursue art later in life - How becoming a gallery owner reshaped Sharon's view of working with galleries - The practicalities and pressures of running a gallery solo - The power of relationships in both making and selling art - Why artists need to approach galleries like partners—not just platforms - And the art of holding your nerve when things don't sell Sharon talks about Daphne Vaughn http://daphnevaughan.com who inspired her to apply for the foundation course, and Mercedes Smith Director of Fine Art Communications https://www.fineartcommunications.co.uk/people  This episode is packed with honest reflections, useful insights, and quiet encouragement for anyone trying to build a creative career on their own terms. Find Sharon and the Sanctuary Gallery Instagram: @sharon_harvey_art Gallery: sanctuarygallery.com  

This week, I'm joined by painter, and Byre Gallery regular, Jill Hudson, whose creative life has been shaped by travel, resilience, and an enduring love of the sea. Jill shares her journey from studying at Falmouth art school to achieving an enviable life/work balance, and how experiences like teaching in Uganda and studying in Venice helped shape both her perspective and her practice. We chat about the realities of running a professional art business - from the challenges of self-promotion and gallery relationships to the delicate balance between commercial work and creative freedom. Jill reflects honestly on what success means to her, the ongoing struggle with admin and marketing, and why she's finally ready to explore a long-held dream of working in fresco. We also discuss Jill's early determination to become an artist (despite her careers advisor's doubts) Her formative experience teaching in Uganda Studying art in Venice and its lasting influence (not just the coffee!) The gentle build of her creative career and gallery representation Making art that sells vs making the art you love How she manages gallery relationships and adapts work to suit different audiences The tension between creative flow and business tasks like websites and self-promotion Her plans to explore fresco painting in 2025 As Jill says: "Success for me is making a living from this — a creative career with inspiration and opportunity. But you have to keep carving it out every day." You can see Jill's work @jillhudsonart and jillhudson.art Jill talked about https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/home/ and paints by michaelharding.co.uk  She learned about fresco painting a artchoolboas.com with Carey Mortimer.

This week, I'm joined by the brilliant and irrepressible Sara McKee - art historian, copywriter, branding expert, and founder of Life Full Colour, https://www.lifefullcolour.com/ a vibrant gallery and cultural hub in North Wales. Sara shares the rich tapestry of her creative and corporate life: from being mentored by legendary art historians at Warwick University https://warwick.ac.uk/ and discovering a love of fresco in Venice, to carving out a second career in advertising and strategy. But it was her decision to turn passion into purpose that took centre stage: Sara explains how her plans to share her thoughts on art exhibitions, took her to selling work online and then deciding to open a gallery in March 2020, just before the UK went into lockdown. In a candid, entertaining, and inspiring conversation, Sara and I chat about: What studying art history taught Sara about looking, not just seeing The unexpected influence of theatre, ancient history, and marketing on her gallery work Building a creative business rooted in community, joy, and personal connection Why good galleries are about people as much as they are about paintings Her dream to bring together art, live music, and storytelling under one roof With a plan to write her memoir and a gallery bar that's part local pub and part inspired by Manet's A Bar at the Folies-Bergère, Sara is living proof that creative vision and strategic instinct can make for a full and colourful life.

In this episode, I chat with London-based painter Melody Reynolds, whose luminous swimming pool and beach scenes have brought a welcome breeze to the gallery walls this summer. Melody reflects on studying at St. Martin's in the 1990s, why she's always felt like an outsider in the art world, and the ways her painting process balances instinct with experimentation. She talks about what it takes to stay bold in the studio, the realities of contacting galleries, and why even seasoned artists need mentoring. Topics include: Painting as a subconscious process—and learning to break your own rules How childhood experiences (and clown paintings!) shape our creative paths Finding joy in chatting to collectors—and the power of in-person connection Why promoting your work is necessary, not vulgar Email lists, postcards, art fairs, and other practical marketing strategies Learning how to approach galleries with professionalism and personality Her hopes for new collaborations—with restaurants, designers, and public art spaces Whether you're navigating galleries or rediscovering your creative confidence, Melody's openness, warmth, and honesty make this episode a must-listen for artists at any stage. You can see Melody's work at: https://www.melodyreynoldsart.com/ and @melodyreynoldsart  

In this episode, I chat with award-winning silversmith Alex O'Connor about the winding path that led her from sculpture to silver—and from the Isle of Wight to the far west of Cornwall and the rugged landscape of West Penwith. In a hugely engaging and very honest chat, Alex shares how her autistic thinking and aphantasia (inability to voluntarily visualise mental images) shape her highly tactile, refined work, and why she describes her creative process as an act of distillation. She discusses forging a new direction later in life, the evolving definition of success in a creative business, and the importance of taking a punt—even when things don't go to plan. Topics include: Finding home in Cornwall and inspiration in the landscape Studying fine art at Kingston and discovering a love for materials Reframing failure and redefining success after a difficult debut at Goldsmiths Fair How aphantasia influences her process—and why she calls herself an "editor" of ideas Her upcoming Quest Scholarship https://www.qest.org.uk/apply/scholarships/  and what she hopes to learn in Shetland with Rod Kelly https://www.rodkellysilver.co.uk/ The art (and strategy) of running a creative business and other silversmiths and creatives she admires, including: David Clarke https://mister-clarke.com/; Grant McCaig https://www.instagram.com/grantsmccaig/ ; Ndidi Ekubia https://www.adriansassoon.com/artists/66-ndidi-ekubia/; Rauni Higson https://www.raunihigson.co.uk/; Jessica Jue https://www.jessicajue.com/; Ute Decker https://www.utedecker.com/ You can see Alex's work at: https://www.alexoconnorsilver.co.uk/ and @movingmetal  

What does it mean to make art that's truly yours—even when it doesn't fit the mould and you have to face potential resistance in the market place? In this honest and uplifting episode, I chat with Cornish artist Siobhan Purdy, whose dreamlike, deeply personal paintings have earned her a cult following. From navigating childhood as a selective mute to building thriving artist communities in Cornwall, Siobhan shares how creativity became her lifeline. We explore: The origins of her distinctive, magical visual style How she channels childhood memories and neurodivergence into powerful imagery The tension between staying true to your vision vs. the pressure to "go commercial" Why being in her studio is her definition of success The part she played in turning the Cornish town of Redruth - and Krowji https://www.krowji.org.uk/ in particular - into the buzzing creative hub it is today. Siobhan's distinctive work might be not be for everyone —but to many, it's unforgettable and I've been privileged to exhibit it for several years, and witness the magic of seeing clients fall in love with it. This episode is a beautiful reflection on art, identity, and belonging. 🔗 View Siobhan's work: purdysart.co.uk and @purdysart

In episode 31 of An Art to It, ceramicist Deborah Harwood joins me from her beautiful studio on the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex. Deborah shares her remarkable creative journey: from growing up part of deeply artistic family, her late father, is the acclaimed playwright and screenwriter, Ronald Harwood, (The Dresser, Quartet, The Pianist) to working for over a decade as an agent representing some of the UK's most acclaimed writers, directors and set designers, and to then, in her 50s, finding her creative passion in porcelain. We talk about how creativity shaped her early years, and how Deborah missed the opportunity to study under internationally renowned ceramic artist Felicity Aylieff https://www.felicityaylieff.com/  who was the art and ceramics teacher at her school - opting for jewellery instead, a decision she laughingly calls a huge mistake in hindsight.  After she left her career in London, Deborah's first creative foray was in textiles - a medium she chose more from circumstances than passion - and how that lead to her discovering ceramics and ultimately porcelain.  In our entertaining and moving chat Deborah speaks openly about navigating cancer, what success means to her now, gives her perspective on navigating the highs and lows of running a creative business, and shares why she believes calling herself an artist is something we should all feel confident in doing.  www.deborahharwood.com @deborahharwoodceramics

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.  

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/  

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  

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