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Brighter / / How to balance profit and purpose with artist Brandi Salmon

How to balance profit and purpose with artist Brandi Salmon

Discover how First Nations artist Brandi Salmon found success by recognising an untapped market with live wedding paintings in Tasmania.

  • Brandi Salmon identified an untapped market in Tasmania’s art scene, introducing live wedding paintings to local couples.
  • By researching local demand and promoting her craft at wedding expos, she built a new revenue stream for her business.
  • Brandi continues to find joy in celebrating Aboriginal culture through mural painting and her personal take on Aboriginal art.

When Wiradjuri and Tongan artist Brandi Salmon moved to Hobart/Nipaluna, Tasmania, she was searching for a place to raise her young family. What she didn’t expect to find was a new idea that would transform her creative business.

When she decided to test the idea of custom wedding portraits, painted at the event itself, the demand was immediate. It opened up a new revenue stream that gave her business stability and momentum. Showcasing her work at a wedding expo gave attendees a glimpse of what a live wedding painting looks like. “It’s still a new concept in Australia but the feedback has been super positive. The couples love it and their guests do, too.”

Initially balancing her art with a day job at the Australian Tax Office, Brandi made the leap to painting full-time, backed by her partner’s encouragement and a community that embraced her style. “As a Blak artist who doesn’t do traditional [Aboriginal] art, I’ve been surprised by how many people connect with my work.”

Through her creative career, Brandi has developed a knack for identifying artistic work that helps pay the bills while allowing her to pursue her passion. Murals, for instance, have become a cornerstone of her income. “Basically, you do one mural and you can be comfortable for a few months,” she says.

Looking ahead, Brandi dreams of doing more work that blends her identity and public art. “I want to showcase Aboriginal people and culture but in my own way, through murals,” she says. “That’s what I want to do forever.”

To learn more about Brandi’s story, watch and stream The Brighter Side, Fridays at 8.30pm on 10.

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Published: 5 September 2025

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