34. Balancing the Business of Art with Melody Reynolds

In this episode, I chat with London-based painter Melody Reynolds, whose luminous swimming pool and beach scenes have brought a welcome breeze to the gallery walls this summer.
Melody reflects on studying at St. Martin's in the 1990s, why she's always felt like an outsider in the art world, and the ways her painting process balances instinct with experimentation. She talks about what it takes to stay bold in the studio, the realities of contacting galleries, and why even seasoned artists need mentoring.
Topics include:
• Painting as a subconscious process—and learning to break your own rules

• How childhood experiences (and clown paintings!) shape our creative paths

• Finding joy in chatting to collectors—and the power of in-person connection

• Why promoting your work is necessary, not vulgar

• Email lists, postcards, art fairs, and other practical marketing strategies

• Learning how to approach galleries with professionalism and personality

• Her hopes for new collaborations—with restaurants, designers, and public art spaces

Whether you're navigating galleries or rediscovering your creative confidence, Melody's openness, warmth, and honesty make this episode a must-listen for artists at any stage.
You can see Melody's work at: melodyreynoldsart.com and @melodyreynoldsart