Being the Other Half
Episode 56: Taking in the views from the force behind the working artist.
Laura and Peter are both fortunate in having partners who share their creative views. For each of them this has developed into something more though and in this episode Laura and Peter talk with Ben and Kimberley about being the other half of an art business partnership.
Ben - The Talented Mr B - is framer, photographer, video producer, carpenter, packer, delivery-man, exhibition stand builder, driver, and various other things for Laura - he is also a photographer in his own right.
Kimberley - The equally Talented Mrs K - is a teacher, an administrator, writer, book-keeper, co-owner of the Courtyard Art School, and various other things for Peter - she is also an accomplished textile artist, a qualified primary school teacher and a mother to two young children.
In today’s episode we get to hear from Laura and Peter’s other halves. Kimberley Keegan and Ben Boswell (you’ll know him as the Talented Mr B) play an essential role in Peter and Laura’s working lives and are equal partners in their art business. They give an honest insight into the pleasure and pain involved in partnering a working artist.
The Useful Stuff
1. Be open minded about skill sharing with your partner. It’s surprising how often a partner’s work and life skills, which may have nothing to do with art, play an extremely helpful part of the working artist’s business and may even expand it.
2. It’s important to be honest and open about the work balance you reach. It sounds obvious, but both parties must be happy and benefit from the working relationship. If issues like guilt tripping, control or martyrdom are involved, things will go bad fast. Check in regularly with your partner and adjust the balance where needed as the business grows.
3. Play to your strengths; Kimberley finds paperwork easy, so Peter trades that hated job against caring for their young family. Only the artist can make the artwork, but there are still plenty of jobs to share. Be realistic about who does what, especially if a partner also has a day job or there’s a young family involved. Planning and communication are key, as is treating the business seriously from the start.
4. Make sure both partners get the credit they deserve. Laura is sometimes perceived as a hobbyist funded by Ben, while Ben’s hard work is often overlooked by Laura’s audience. You can’t keep everyone in the loop, but acknowledging your working partnership with respect whenever the opportunity arises is important for the wellbeing of your working relationship.
5. Be careful with your work life balance. Art can become all-consuming for an artist at the best of times, but when your loved one is also your art business partner, there may be no escape. As long as you both are happy living and breathing your business it’s great. If not, establishing some ground rules for family time is sensible, as Peter and Kimberley have with their children.
6. Use your partner as a sounding board; having an honest critic is invaluable for all aspects of the business. Your partner is also the best shoulder to cry on if things go wrong, allowing your professional artist’s persona to remain intact.
The Takeaway
Enjoy the small stuff. Having a partner who understands and helps with the work involved in being an artist is invaluable. From occasional help to full time business partner, another half’s participation can turn many aspects of being a working artist from lonely chores into shared adventures. Don’t be shy, give getting your partner involved a try.
This Podcast is sponsored by Michael Harding Colours. For more information about Michael’s colour range or to find a retailer near you, please visit www.michaelharding.co.uk
