How a Virtual Assistant Helped One Artist Drop the Admin (Not the Paintbrush)
Background
Rebecca Clitheroe is a brilliant freelance artist, based in Buxton in the heart of the beautiful Peak District, who sells original pieces, commissions, prints and cards. Her style is instantly recognisable, and she’s built up a loyal following of customers who love her work. But behind the scenes, like many solo creatives, she was juggling everything—and it was starting to show.
She came to me after being recommended by a mutual contact (cheers for that!) and from the first chat, we were on the same wavelength.
“I instantly felt like you were speaking the same language.”
Problems
She was trying to manage her website, create content for social media, handle customer enquiries, keep her products visible and actually make the art.
And as we know, there are only so many hours in the day.
“I didn’t have time to spend fulfilling all of the above and produce the actual artworks that I needed to take my business forward. I was dropping balls!”
It wasn’t about a lack of passion or talent. She just needed someone to take some of the weight off—without making her feel like she was failing.
What I Did
I stepped in to take care of the bits she didn’t have time for—but were still crucial for her visibility and sales.
Website tidy-up – We organised her online shop, made sure everything was up to date, and got it working with her, not against her.
Social media prompts and ideas – She didn’t need someone to post for her, but she loved having someone to remind her what’s worth sharing and when.
Friendly nudges – Like when I spotted her artwork displayed at a hotel we both know—I took a quick snap and sent it over with a message: “You should definitely post this!”
I have always reacted quickly, because the quicker those new art pieces are available the quicker the sales can happen.
“Your speed! I’ve never had to wait for anything from you.”
The Outcome
With her website handled and support in place, she finally had the space to breathe.
“I can relax and do what I do best (drawing) without worrying about the techy things that wouldn't get done without you. Without my artworks, I wouldn’t have a business!”
Now her business feels more under control. She knows she’s showing up online, her website’s in better shape, and she has someone in her corner who won’t let things slip through the cracks.
“So good! A relief. It's a huge weight off an artist’s mind to know that there is someone to turn to, to help with the business side of things.”
Lets Wrap-Up
For Lucy, outsourcing wasn’t about letting go of control — it was about creating calm, focus, and progress. She’s still the brains behind her business, but now she’s got me keeping things moving so she can do more of the work she loves.
Top Tip
This is what support looks like for Rebecca: no pressure, no patronising advice—just someone to take care of the background bits so she can focus on the work only she can do.
I didn’t overhaul her brand. I didn’t force content plans onto her. I just made the day-to-day easier and gave her the peace of mind that she has someone to call on when she needs it and this allows her to get back to what she loves.
