This is a question I get asked by visual artists such as painters, illustrators and printers, who may be considering whether to invest in professional framing for their artwork.

There are a few factors to consider here, such as budget, shipping fees and overall presentation, so I thought I'd share my opinion on each of these.

As a painter myself, I work primarily on stretched canvases, which I...

I will be completely honest about the things that I find hard in my business and what other artists struggle with too. Knowing these will either comfort you if you experience them, or help you avoid them altogether by pre-planning now. The road to becoming an artist is a winding one, but it is hugely fulfilling and SO worth it.

Here are some of the things I have learnt so far: 

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When it comes to selling your art, it is important to remember that not all art is equal.

There is no art in the world that appeals to everyone.

And that's the beauty of it, we all have different opinions, likes and dislikes, and tastes when it comes to art. 

However, there is some art in the world that appeals to a lot of people. Popular art that has a wide appeal, and sells easily. I...

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864–1901)

Toulouse-Lautrec did his best creative work at night, sketching at cabarets or setting up his easel in brothels. The resulting depictions of fin de siècle Parisian nightlife made his name, but the cabaret lifestyle proved disastrous to his health: Toulouse-Lautrec drank constantly and slept little. After a long night of drawing and...

Henri Matisse (1869–1954)

“Basically, I enjoy everything: I am never bored,” Matisse told a visitor in 1941, during a tour of his studio in the south of France. After showing his guest his working space, his cages full of exotic birds, and his conservatory stocked with tropical plants, giant pumpkins, and Chinese statuettes, Matisse talked about his work habits.

Do you...

Joan Miró (1893–1983)

Miró always maintained a rigidly inflexible daily routine - both because he disliked being distracted from his work, and because he feared slipping back into the severe depression that had afflicted him as a young man, before he discovered painting. To help prevent a relapse, his routine always included vigorous exercise - boxing in Paris; jumping rope...

Once you start gaining some momentum as an artist, and your works starts selling regularly, it is nice to give back in some way, and I think it is a great idea to support a charity with your art.

The type of art you produce may determine who you support, and you may have a charity you want to support due to personal reasons. It feels good to be able to donate artwork or money to a charity as...

In October 2016, I had my third solo show. Animal Magic took place in the little co-op gallery I was a part of, and I learnt a lot from this experience! My second solo show, earlier in the year, had been centred around Tasmanian Landscapes, and although it got off to a rather slow start, I sold a few paintings and a few more found homes in the following months.

I have always loved drawing...

Most successful artists I know have taken the time to learn some business skills and tend to be fairly organised, and I believe that having a basic understanding of business can help you:

• Make more sales
• Get paid on time
• Create a professional appearance towards galleries, art authorities, but most importantly, your customers.
• Give you more time in the studio. When this side of your practice is...

Having a blog can be beneficial for artists, as it lets people get to know you and learn more about your process and how you make your work. You can also share anything that inspires you and show behind the scenes of your business. This helps people get to know you, like you and trust you. Think about who you are writing for and why.

Blogging can be especially useful for creative businesses....

Learning to deal with disappointment is an important skill to develop as an artist, as there will be times when your work is rejected for various reasons. All creative people experience this throughout their careers, and how you handle it defines your likelihood of reaching future success.

First, you need to remember that it is not you that is being rejected, just something you created. You can...