ARTISTS across East Lancashire are to get the chance to earn an income from their talents.

Hyndburn Enterprise Trust is funding a new project, called Painting For Your Living, that will see a series of free seminars take place in Burnley.

Each of the day-long courses will help artists to make their skills pay off.

The enterprise trust marketing officer, Lisa Whitfield, said: "The sad fact is most people regard an artist as someone who receives financial support from an alternative and more reliable source. Many artists themselves reinforce this belief and also claim they are useless at business.

"As a result, the majority of artists find themselves commercially exploited, they lose heart and some very good ones give up altogether. But it doesn't have to be like this."

A non-profit art group called Artist Solutions is holding the seminars at the Keirby Hotel, Keirby Walk, in Burnley, from 10am until 4.30pm each day.

The organisation is run by professional artists Harley and Cally Miller.

They operate a free advice and mentoring service for all self-employed artists, but are now touring the UK with their project.

Harley said: "Everyone is welcome, whether just emerging, already active or full-time professional. The courses will help to remove some of the traditionally held thought forms that artists must live in the hope of being discovered or should forget about art and get a proper job.

"Instead we will show local artists how, with the right preparation, targeting and promotion, a financially viable self-employed career is available to them."

To book a place e-mail info@artistsolutions.net or ring 07747 606250.