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

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 turbinesHow to get your name out there as an artistIt's easier to market yourself when you're passionate about what you doChoosing an agent who will support you and how to avoid some scams and trapdoors common in the art worldTips and advice about submitting your work to exhibitions and awardsGetting representation at galleriesHow 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 poverty42:39 A couple of new books: Lucy Kellaway on education and teaching and Michael Pollan on coffee44:16 And I've been reading the new issue of Positive News magazine.