insideKENT Magazine Issue 38 - May 2015 | Page 143

BUSINESS

turning art into BUSINESS
- is it possible?
Once you find your passion, it’s hard to let go; this is the thing you do when no one is watching,
when there is nothing to gain from it, when the only one to please is yourself. But what if you had
the chance to make that passion – be it writing, drawing, painting, sculpting, or any other artistic
endeavour – into a business? Would it work? Would it be successful? Is it even possible? We spoke
to successful artists from the South East about doing just that, and they gave some valuable advice
about turning your passion into a business, or not, as the case may be… BY LISAMARIE LAMB
Louise Giblin // www.louisegiblin.co.uk

Michael Portillo

OS at Mall Galleries

Living Legends IV Reuben Richards - Sound Wall

enjoyable experience. I love what I now do but, with hindsight, I would go
back and tell the 19-year-old me to develop as a painter. I could have
commenced a career much earlier if my production time and costs had
been far less.

Tell us about the process that brought you from being a 'leisure' artist
to becoming a successful businessperson in the world of art.
For me, art isn’t primarily about business; I produced work seriously for
years without any thought of profit, so for me it was a 24-year 'overnight
success’. However, as a sculptor, I could only start focusing on a full-time
career and making what I really wanted to when I had generated enough
money in other ways. A major London show can take me years and cost
over £30,000 to put together.

What would be your number one piece of advice for aspiring artists
who want to turn their hobby into a business?
Find a way of working that is original to you and only undertake a career
in art if you love what you do, you’re committed, and you can afford it. Do
not feel you have failed if your art is not self-supporting for a long time, or
ever: some of the best artists I know have other jobs and our national
galleries are full of the work of geniuses who never made a living from their
work.

What's the most important thing you've learned along the way, and
what has been your biggest triumph and biggest mistake?
Guy Portelli, a very successful artist and curator, advised me to focus more
on promoting my work. Guy’s advice led indirectly to me body- and headcasting famous Olympians and celebrities, which is always an incredible,

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