1. Choose a platform - It’s so easy to put together a mailing list now. I started with the free version of Mailchimp and it was a great place to start. They gave me space for up to 2000 subscribers So easy to use and I knew I was GDPR compliant.

   There are loads of providers to choose from and I now pay to use Kit because of the automations and audience growth tools. My business is growing and building my email list and email funnels is a massive part of that.

2. Decide what your subscribers get out of it - Are you sending them inspiration? Discounts? VIP tickets? Think of 3 perks that add value and tell people about it. Remember, a lot of people will associate emails with work so what happy mail are you sending them that makes it worth their while.

3. Invite people - Whether it's …

I'm looking at you - yes you, the artist who wants to 5x their income, start charging their worth, get into more galleries and finally start living the life they’ve been dreaming of.

I know it sounds too good to be true but hear me out. I used to charge £40 for my 40cm limited edition Lino prints, now I charge a minimum of £270. So what changed?

There were a number of things - artists and collectors told me I was charging too little, I wanted to sell through galleries but I was going to be losing money and (and this is the biggest thing) I started to value what I was doing and take myself seriously as an artist.

When you want to create a sustainable art business rather than a hobby that pays for itself, you have to think seriously about the numbers. It’s no good plucking a number out of the air or simply charging what someone else does. That’s not going to ensure you cover your costs and make a decent profit. Do you think that’s what the likes of Frida Kahlo or Georgia O’Keefe would do? Hell no!

Being an artist is a ‘real job’. It can pay you a comfortable income but you have to be strategic.

People often ask me where my business name came from. A lot of artists just use their name. I often think The Peacock & The Printmaker sounds like a fairytale - in fact one of my friends wants me to write a children’s story with that name. Maybe one day but for now I’m far too busy enjoying getting my hands covered in ink.

How it All Started…

When I first decided to put my artwork on Instagram I was terrified - it was only a hobby after all. I was terrified of people’s opinions and of what to say. I had no clue about photographing my work and it certainly wasn't meant to be a business yet.

For the sake of setting up an account I chose the handle heatherdoesprints. It was very Ronseal but that’s me really. People asked about buying my prints so I set up an Etsy shop in the same name.

Hello my name is Emma, I am 15 years old and I have always loved drawing and being creative. I was in the studio of The Peacock and The Printmaker because I wanted to learn the lifestyle and different aspects of being an artist using this as a way to figure out what it means to be an artist.

They say a poor tradesman blames his tools but is that really true?

There’s a balance to be struck when aiming to create the highest quality products. It requires a combination of skill, knowledge and the right tools and materials. Even the most skilled of artists will struggle to create their best work with low quality equipment.