ART INSIGHTS Creating Wealth as a Successful Artist - John Dahlsen

concerned about global warming. But withthese works the environmental message ismore subtle.NAVA: How difficult has it been to strike abalance between your “local” life in a smalltown and that which engages with the restof the world?JD: I’ve found an easy balance with mylocal and broader commitments, whichhave unfolded naturally over the years. Ibegan to represent myself from the late1990s, coinciding with the growth of theinternet and more convenient travel, soit was easier to maintain contacts from adistance. Living in a regional area has helpedme reach out to the international marketand creating an early internet presenceworked wonders in gaining internationalexposure and demand. That made it easierto decide when to work with dealers andgalleries and it had unexpected results,such as having my work become part ofthe syllabus in parts of Australia, the USand the UK. It’s also important to have a146