Step behind the lights and into the heart of beauty with this intimate conversation featuring world-class make-up artist Patsy O’Neill. In this deeply personal interview, Patsy shares the experiences, inspirations, and emotional journey that shaped her creative path. From her earliest artistic influences to working with major personalities and productions, she reveals how vulnerability, intuition, and connection guide her work with every face she touches. Listeners will discover the power of storytelling through make-up, how authenticity fuels artistic resilience, and why beauty begins with self-acceptance. Patsy reflects on her favorite career moments, pivotal challenges, and the philosophies that continue to shape her craft, offering powerful insight for aspiring artists, beauty lovers, and anyone seeking deeper meaning in their creative journey. Whether you’re passionate about artistry, curious about the world behind the camera, or inspired by stories of transformation, this episode invites you to see beauty through a new lens—one grounded in honesty, empathy, and soul.

✅  Keywords Patsy O’Neill, makeup artist interview, beauty industry, celebrity makeup artist, behind the scenes beauty, creative journey, beauty podcast, makeup education, artistic inspiration, personal growth, beauty secrets, film & TV makeup, intimate interview, beauty storytelling, female creatives, artistry journey, beauty career advice, makeup tips, professional makeup artistry, inspiring beauty stories

British make-up artist Patsy O’Neill whose career was founded in the 90’s in MTV and has spanned the world of TV, music, commercials, film and editorial. Patsy was born in 1975 in the shadow of West Ham football ground in East London. Her parents Robert O’Neill, an electrical engineer and Julia Dooley, a nurse & practice manager were Irish immigrants. Patsy is the middle of three children—she has an older brother and younger sister— and was educated at the Ursuline Convent School for Girls in Forest Gate, London. Her love of the arts could be seen in her constant drawings as a child and interest in fashion so it was no surprise that she chose to study Design Fashion Styling For Make - up and Hair at the London College of Fashion from where she graduated in 1993. From there she chose to start working in the business to get hands on experience, which is where her early opportunities created a pathway for her career. She has, she says, done just about everything in the business and loves to share her knowledge by mentoring interns and graduates.  Her roster of celebrity clients are some of the most recognizable women on the red carpet and have led her to having her work showcased at the Oscars. Patsy lives in London with her partner Richard Jakes and son Arlo.

Patsy’s website: https://www.patriciaoneill.co.uk/
Instagram: @patsyoneillmakeup
https://www.instagram.com/patsyoneillmakeup
 
Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
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Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step inside the layered world of Carla Ciuffo, an acclaimed multi-media artist whose imaginative process fuses photography, sculpture, digital art, and conceptual storytelling. In this deeply personal episode of the AART Podcast with Chris Stafford, Carla opens up about the inspirations that move her, the emotions she seeks to evoke, and the curiosity that drives her innovative practice. From the evolution of her artistic voice to the transformative power of material experimentation, Carla shares her inner journey—how she navigates creative vulnerability, shapes immersive narratives, and explores the space between reality and imagination. This intimate interview invites listeners into Carla’s creative universe, where art becomes both inquiry and reflection. If you’re inspired by contemporary art, creative exploration, and the minds behind transformative visual storytelling, this soulful conversation offers a rare window into one of today’s most dynamic artistic voices. 

✅ Keywords
Carla Ciuffo, multi-media artist, multimedia artist interview, contemporary art podcast, artist stories, creative process, art and storytelling, digital art, conceptual art, photography and sculpture, mixed media art, AART Podcast, Chris Stafford, artist interview, intimate artist interview, behind the art, creative inspirations, art conversation, innovative artists, visual art, modern art

The multi-media artist Carla Ciuffo whose innovative image making process and utilization of experimental printing and installation techniques, create a layered and immersive, often mystical environment. She says her approach treads the boundary between documentary and experimental arts. Carla was born on Long Island, New York to father Armand, a dentist and artist, and Loretta, a home-maker and amateur photographer.  She has two sisters who are also artistic: Adrienne is a documentary filmmaker and Roberta works in the Nashville Arts and Arts Education.  Carla attended some college but dropped out but then later proudly obtaining her Harvard ID when she did a study residency with the Disease and Biophysics Group. Prior to becoming a full-time artist, Carla worked a variety of jobs during her 20 years in New York City from candy stores to book printing. In her 40’s she left New York for Arizona where she trained as a massage therapist and became an entrepreneur starting small businesses. From Arizona, Carla moved to Tennessee in 2010 to become a professional artist and now an aspiring author of queer fiction. Carla and her wife Angela live in Nashville, TN.
 
Carla’s website: https://www.carlaciuffo.art/
Instagram: @Carla Ciuffo 
https://www.instagram.com/carlaciuffoworks/
 
Carla’s favorite female artists:
Jennifer O’Connell-Knoerzer
Courtney Minor
Suzanne Theodora White
Louise Dumont
Lea Craigie
Anna Karvounari
Olga Fedorova
Connie Hansen
Ursula von Rydingsvard  
Ana Francisca 

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
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Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

In this deeply personal episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with acclaimed soft pastel artist Tanya Avchinnikova for an intimate and soulful conversation about creativity, emotion, and the meaning of art. Born with a profound sensitivity to color and texture, Tanya brings a poetic voice to her pastel work—capturing light, memory, and the fleeting spirit of nature in luminous detail. Listeners are invited into Tanya’s inner world as she shares her artistic beginnings, her evolving creative process, and the emotional landscapes that inspire her soft pastel paintings. From the quiet poetry of everyday life to the meditative focus behind each stroke, Tanya reveals how her work has become a deeply personal journey and a way of seeing beyond the surface. This episode touches on vulnerability, intuition, the healing power of art, and the search for authenticity. Whether you are an artist, a collector, or simply someone who loves stories about the creative path, Tanya’s gentle wisdom and grounded passion will leave you inspired. Tune in for a conversation rich in reflection, sincerity, and artistry—an exploration of how soft pastels can speak the language of the heart.

✅ Keywords 
Tanya Avchinnikova, soft pastel artist, pastel art, artist interview, AART podcast, creative process, pastel painting techniques, fine art podcast, intimate artist stories, contemporary pastel art, emotional art, artist inspiration, behind the art, creative journey, art storytelling, pastel portraiture, pastel landscape art, art collectors, artist insights, art discovery, pastel drawing, modern pastel artist, YouTube art podcast

BIO
Belarusian soft pastel artist Tanya Avchinnikova. Tanya’s love of water and its translucency is the focal point and inspiration for her art. She says: ‘I specialize in seascapes and landscapes – places where you can feel a deep unity with nature, and trying to capture the illusion of presence.’  Tanya was born in Minsk, Belarus in 1988. Her mother Elena is a nurse and she has a brother, Anton.  Tanya studied music and began performing as a pianist from an early age so it was only natural that she would pursue a career in music. Tanya studied music at the Belorussian State Academy of Music and earned her Post Graduate degree in Performance at the Urals Mussorgsky State Conservatoire (Ekaterinburg) in Russia. She spent two years in China teaching piano at the Nanchang Normal University in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province.  In 2006, Tanya moved to the UK and earned her Masters Degree at the Royal Birmingham Conservatorie.  She currently works as a ballet pianist at the Performers College, which is part of BIMM University. She lives in Birmingham, England with her husband, the classical pianist Roman Kosyakov. Tanya is a Member of The Pastel Society and a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America.
 
Tanya’s website: https://tanyaavchinnikovaart.co.uk/
Instagram: tanyaavchinnikovaart 

Tanya’s favorite female artists:
Mary Cassatt
Michele Ashby
Amy Webber
Olivia Dunn
Reisha Perlmutter

Tanya’s playlist:
Radiohead (or solo Thom Yorke projects)
Kiasmos (or tracks by Olafur Arnalds)
Puscifer (or The Perfect Circle)
Tomas Dvorak (or his project Floex)
Boards of Canada
Aphex Twin
Ulrich Schnauss
Jon Hopkins 
 
Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step into a world where nature, memory, and visual storytelling come alive. In this intimate episode of the AART we sit down with acclaimed photographer and author Ngoc Minh Ngo to explore the quiet poetry of her work—where gardens breathe, rooms hold emotion, and the natural world whispers its narratives. Ngoc shares her personal creative journey from Vietnam to New York, revealing how cultural heritage, personal history, and an intimate connection with place shape her artistic voice. We dive into her photographic methods, her deep love of gardens and botanical subjects, and the emotional resonance behind her books including In Bloom, Eden Revisited, and more. With honesty and warmth, Ngoc reflects on:

• The meditative process behind her photography
• The emotional depth of botanical and interior imagery
• How she translates memory and stillness into visual form
• The role of culture, heritage, and home
• Her evolution as an artist and author

This soulful conversation invites listeners to slow down, look more deeply, and find meaning in the overlooked spaces around us. Whether you’re a photographer, artist, or creative seeking inspiration, this episode offers a tender, reflective journey into art, identity, and belonging.

Keywords:
Ngoc Minh Ngo interview, photographer podcast, photography podcast, botanical photography, garden photography, photo books, art podcast, intimate interview, artist storytelling, creative journey, cultural heritage, design photography, AART podcast, Chris Stafford interview, author interview, contemporary photography

BIO
Vietnamese photographer and author Ngoc Minh Ngo. Ngoc was born in Vietnam in 1963 and grew up during the Vietnam War. Her father, Chau Minh Ngo, was a colonel in the South Vietnam Army and her mother Phi Truong became a nurse's aide after raising eight children. Ngoc was the sixth child—she has four sisters and three brothers. Despite enduring a brutal war, Ngoc describes her childhood as enchanting and beautiful. Her parents did all they could to protect their family and offer some normalcy to those troubling times by spending time on the beach. At the age of 12, shortly before the end of the war in 1975, the family were evacuated to the US and settled in Sacramento, California where, with the help of sponsors, they began a new life. Ngoc described herself as a very shy and reserved child but that did not hinder her development. She found her own way to the University of California, Berkeley where she earned a BA followed by a Masters of Landscape Design at Columbia University. After spending some time traveling to Japan and Europe Ngoc made her way to New York with a view to working in painting restoration. But after a chance encounter while working on a feature film she discovered her true passion was to be photography, so she learned black & white photography and developing. Ngoc's images have been published The World of Interiors, T Magazine, Vogue, Architectural Digest, Cabana, and House & Garden UK. She is also the author of five books: Bringing Nature Home: Floral Arrangements Inspired by Nature; In Bloom: Creating and Living with Flowers, and Eden Revisited: A Garden in Northern Morocco, The House of a Lifetime, and New York Green. She is currently working on a new book entitled Roses in the Garden inspired by her father’s death. She has, she says, always been independent and self-contained, paving her own way as a refugee and re-imaging her life as a reflection through the beauty of the images she creates.  Ngoc and her husband, the photographer Julian Wass, live in New York. They have a daughter Lily who works in public health and is also a poet.
 
Ngoc’s website: https://www.ngocminhngo.com/
Instagram: @minh_ngoc 
https://www.instagram.com/minh_ngoc
 
Ngoc’s playlist:
"The Rip by Portishead (I love Beth Gibbons, both with Portishead and her solo work)
The Spoils by Massive Attack with Hope Sandoval (I'm a fan of both Hope Sandoval and Massive Attack) 
Wildfires by Sault (A song about George Floyd that happens to be very catchy)
Diamonds and Rust by Joan Baez (Poignant song about her relationship with Bob Dylan)
Purple Rain by Prince (bog fan of Prince for his fearless originality and incomparable talent)
Halo by Ane Brun (Ane Brun is brilliant at reinterpreting other people's song in her inimitable way) Hope We Meet Again by Brit Marling (I love her folksy songs)
La Rua Madureira (I love this French interpretation of an iconic bossa nova song)
Paradis Perdu by Christine and the Queens (I love the way she combines one of the favorite songs of my childhood with a Kanye song and makes it completely her own)."
 
Ngoc’s favorite female artists:
Agnes Martin
Anni Albers
Ruth Asawa
Hilma af Klint
Kiki Smith 

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step into a world where softness meets intensity in Coloring the Quiet, an intimate interview with celebrated colored pencil artist Paulette Pearson. In this soulful episode of the AART Podcast with Chris Stafford, Paulette opens up about her creative journey—from discovering the emotional depth of colored pencil artistry to developing a personal style rooted in patience, presence, and storytelling. Paulette reflects on how drawing invites her to slow down, notice the world more deeply, and honor everyday beauty. She shares insights on her artistic process, creative discipline, and the quiet magic of layering color to illuminate memory, vulnerability, and truth. Whether you’re an artist, collector, or simply curious about the inner life of a creative soul, this conversation offers a tender portrait of how art becomes a meditation—and a way of being. Listen as we explore:

• The emotional and spiritual nature of colored pencil fine art
• How Paulette cultivates presence, simplicity, and intention
• Creative courage, doubt, and artistic transformation
• The healing power of art and quiet observation
• How storytelling influences her visual language

If you’re passionate about creativity, realism, craft, or the intimate stories behind great art, this episode is for you. 🎧 Available on Google Podcasts, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

✅ Keywords:
 colored pencil artist interview, Paulette Pearson, AART podcast, Chris Stafford podcast, contemporary art podcast, colored pencil art process, fine art interview, creative storytelling, drawing techniques, slow art movement, emotional art, artist conversation, artistic journey, realism drawing, visual storytelling, artist creativity podcast, art inspiration, art collector insight, mindfulness in art

BIO
Arkansas native, Paulette Pearson, is a colored pencil artist who captures whimsy and humor in her drawings. She creates work that she says ‘reflects a unique blend of artistic skill and storytelling,’ and has an eye for detail that harmonizes with originality, authenticity and depth.  Paulette was born in Big Bear, California in 1982, the oldest of three children to Ben, an engineer and business/property owner, and her mother Paulette, an artist. She grew up on her family’s ranch in Arkansas and as a child, her New Orleans grandmother encouraged her artistic interests as she quietly amused herself not knowing that one day she would become a professional artist. It was journalism and the law that would initially appeal as a career; Paulette earned her BA in English from Lyon College, her MA in Journalism and a JD—both from the University of Arkansas, before spending over a decade as a magazine editor—first in Arkansas and later in Texas, covering luxury interior design and architecture. Paulette met her husband Rich in law school, and after spending time in Washington, DC, the couple moved to Dallas, TX where Paulette most recently served as the Texas editor for Luxe Interiors + Design magazine. Once commissions started to come in and stores picked up her work, she knew she could become the full-time artist she dreamt of being so she decided to take the plunge and return to the art that she loved. Paulette recently held her first exhibition in Austin, TX. By combining realism with imaginative elements, she says: ‘ I invite the audience to embark on a journey of discovery, where the boundaries between reality and imagination blur, and where every pencil stroke tells a story.’
 
https://paulettepearson.com/
Instagram: @paulettepearsonstudio 
https://www.instagram.com/paulettepearsonstudio/'

Paulette’s favorite female artists
Jamie Beck
Bella McGoldrick
Inslee Ferris
Katie Rodgers
CJ Hendry
 
Paulette’s Playlist -The Beatles – My favorite band of all time. I especially love Yesterday, In My Life, Let it Be, Blackbird, Get Back… -Ella Fitzgerald – It’s A Lovely Day Today, Dream A Little Dream, etc. -Louis Armstrong – La Vie En Rose, Cheek to Cheek, What a Wonderful World, etc. -Pomplamoose – Les Champs-Elysées, Sympathique -Something’s Gotta Give movie soundtrack (Astrud Gilberto - Summer Samba (So Nice), Coralie Clement - Samba de mon Coeur qui bat) -Nat King Cole – Unforgettable, Smile -Billie Holiday – Blue Moon, I’ll Be Seeing You.

Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step into a world where imagination becomes a living document in Drawing the Moment: An Intimate Conversation with Flash Rosenberg, Visual Storyteller on the AART Podcast with Chris Stafford. In this deeply personal and delightfully curious episode, internationally acclaimed visual storyteller, illustrator, photographer, and performance artist Flash Rosenberg invites us into her creative universe—where ideas move, pictures speak, and humor reveals truth. With her signature blend of sharp wit, emotional insight, and visual language, Flash reflects on her journey as a Guggenheim Fellow, a live sketch documentarian, and a pioneering creator on stages from New York City to the digital realm. She offers a rare look into the playful seriousness of drawing on the spot, translating conversations into art, and telling stories that celebrate the fleeting beauty of lived experience. Listeners will hear about:

• Flash’s evolution as a visual storyteller & conceptual artist
• How she captures the “heartbeat” of a moment with line and gesture
• The relationship between humor, honesty, and creativity
• What it means to “draw thinking” in real time
• How curiosity drives her artistic practice
• Personal stories behind some of her most iconic works

Whether you are an artist, creative thinker, or someone who loves seeing the world through a new lens, this episode offers an inspiring and intimate encounter with one of the most dynamic and original minds in contemporary visual culture.

Discover the joy of seeing—and feeling—ideas come alive. 🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, and YouTube.

✨ Subscribe to AART for more intimate artist conversations.

✅ Keywords:
 Flash Rosenberg interview, Flash Rosenberg podcast, visual storyteller, conceptual artist interview, illustrator interview, creative process, live sketching, performance art, AART podcast, Chris Stafford podcast, artist storytelling, drawing conversation, creativity podcast, contemporary art podcast, art and humor, live illustration, creative life interview

BIO
Visual storyteller Flash Rosenberg, is a self described 'Attention Span for Hire' who photographs, draws, writes and talks as a performer. Flash was the pioneering artist in residence for ‘LIVE from the New York Public Library’ for seven years, capturing live-drawings of literary discussions in real-time to create panels and animated summaries known as “Conversation Portraits Flash was born in Mt. Vernon, NY; one of three children—she has a younger brother and sister— to Marilyn, an early childhood educator, and David, a chemical engineer and rocket scientist. Her family moved to Delaware when she was four years old. Flash attended the University of Delaware where she graduated with a BS in Graphic Design as a Dean’s Scholar in Visual Communication. In 2011, she was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in the Creative Arts. Her animations have been commissioned for Broadway shows. Her Main Stage stories for ‘The Moth’ have been broadcast nationally on NPR. “FlashThink Cartoons” were a weekly, online feature on the Conde Nast site, Archetypes.com. Flash has had an elaborate and original teaching career, specializing in provocative approaches to art, including workshops in Visual Humor, and a Perception Studies class conducted entirely in the NYC subways for Cooper Union. She lives in Harlem, NY.
 
Websites: http://flashrosenberg.com/ https://www.archetypes.com/flash-rosenberg (http://www.nypl.org/live/conversation-portraits
Instagram: @flashrosenberg
https://www.instagram.com/flashrosenberg/
 
Flash’s playlist: Blackbird - The Beatles The Penguin - Raymond Scott Gymnopédies - Erik Satie Toc - Thom Ze Hot in Heere - Nelly Atomic Dog - Parliament Funkadelic Incense Peppermint - Strawberry Alarm Clock Sunshine Superman - Donovan Hava Neegila - Harry Belafante Oh Yeah - Yello Crazy Women - Jess Korman Both Sides Now - Joni Mitchell Old Man - Neil Young Dust in the Wind - Kansas Another One Bites the Dust - Queen In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel Somebody I Used to Know - Gotye You Don't Have to Cry - Crosby, Stills & Nash The Humpty Dance - Digital Underground Gangnam Style - PSY Mustt Mustt- Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn Trigger Hippie - Morcheeba Computer Love - Kraftwerk Drumbone - Blue Man Group Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is - Chicago King Kong - BETTY Tubthumping - Chumbawamba Get Lucky - Daftpunk Happy - Daftpunk Technologic - Daftpunk Yeah! - Usher Calabria 2007 (Club Mix) - Enur (featuring Natasja Scream & Shout - will.i.am (with Britney Spears) Dare - Gorillaz Clint Eastwood - Gorillaz Walking and Falling - Laurie Anderson Super Bon Bon - Soul Coughing/Michael Doughty Ruby Vroom Paint Kiss From a Rose- Seal Here Comes the Hotstepper - Ini Kamoze
 
Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
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Email:


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A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step inside the evocative, memory-rich world of Lisa Golightly, the celebrated figurative painter known for transforming fleeting moments into timeless silhouettes. In this deeply personal and introspective episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with Lisa to explore how her quiet visual language speaks volumes about identity, nostalgia, and the subtle stories we carry. Through soft brushstrokes and simplified figures, Lisa’s work invites viewers to step into the frame and reflect on their own memories. Here, she shares her artistic process, what drew her to figurative minimalism, how motherhood informs her creativity, and the emotional resonance behind the scenes of her ethereal paintings. Listeners will hear Lisa discuss the power of suggestion, color, and composition—and how she paints not just what she sees, but what she remembers. This is an intimate and heartfelt conversation about art, vulnerability, and finding meaning in the everyday. Whether you’re an artist, collector, creative thinker, or simply curious about the stories behind figurative art, this episode offers inspiration, reflection, and a rare glimpse into the poetic inner life of one of today’s most captivating painters.

✅ Keywords:
Lisa Golightly, Lisa Golightly interview, figurative painter, figurative art, contemporary figurative art, minimalism in painting, memory and art, painting process, emotional storytelling in art, female artists, contemporary painters, personal interview, AART Podcast, Chris Stafford podcast, artist conversation, artist stories, creative process, fine art inspiration, painting techniques, art and memory, art podcast, studio practice, art collectors, art discovery, visual storytelling

BIO
Figurative painter Lisa Golightly whose work revolves around memory and how snapshots shape and influence change. Lisa was born in Eugene, OR in 1974—one of two children; she has an older brother— to parents Frank, an accountant, and Patty, a teacher. Her father was also an amateur painter and sculptor who guided Lisa’s introduction to art. She was also a keen rider and enjoyed showing hunter-jumper.  Lisa’s early academic interest was photography and she graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor in Fine Arts leaning towards a career in photography. It was after she married her husband, John, that she turned her attention back to art and progressed to becoming a professional artist. Lisa works exclusively in her studio and shows her work at several galleries, including Billis Williams Los Angeles, CA., George Billis Gallery, NYC/CT, Maya Froedman Gallery Jackson Hole, WY, Julie Nester Gallery, Park City, UT and the Patricia Rovzar Gallery in Seattle, WA. She lives in Portland, OR with her family and two dogs.

Lisa on Instagram: @lisagolightlyart
https://www.instagram.com/lisagolightlyart 
Lisa's website: https://www.lisagolightlyart.com/

Lisa’s playlist:
Pixies-Hey Pixies-U Mass Pixies- Monkey Gone to Heaven The Stone Roses- Don't Stop Arcade Fire- Neighborhood (tunnels) Arcade Fire- Wake UP The Verve- Velvet Morning The Temper Trap- Summer's Almost Gone M83- Midnight City Blur- The Universal Radiohead- Thinking About You Radiohead-Let Down
 
Lisa’s favorite female artists:
Kathryn Lynch
Lynette Yiadom-Boakye
Cayce Zavaglia
Erin Lawlor
Lois Dodd
Boo Saville
Kaye Donachie
Rose Wylie

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step into the wild with Aishwarya Sridhar—award-winning filmmaker, wildlife photographer, and conservation storyteller—in this deeply personal episode of the AART Podcast with Chris Stafford. In this intimate conversation, Aishwarya opens up about her emotional and artistic journey—how nature became both her muse and mission. From capturing elusive creatures to navigating unpredictable landscapes, she shares how visual storytelling can change minds, heal hearts, and reconnect us to the untamed world. Discover her path to becoming a National Geographic Explorer, her creative philosophy behind wildlife filmmaking, the challenges of documenting endangered species, and the quiet spiritual lessons nature continues to reveal. Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker, photographer, conservationist, or lover of wild spaces, this episode invites you to slow down, look deeper, and explore the intersection of art, purpose, and wilderness.

🔎 Keywords
Aishwarya Sridhar, Aishwarya Sridhar interview, wildlife filmmaker, wildlife photography, conservation photography, National Geographic Explorer, wildlife artist, nature storytelling, nature photographer, documentary filmmaking, creative journey, Indian wildlife artist, environmental storytelling, art and nature, filmmaking podcast, photography podcast, AART podcast, Chris Stafford interview

BIO
National Geographic explorer and award-winning wildlife film-maker, photographer, presenter, and founder of Bambee Studios, Aishwarya Sridhar. Aishwarya was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India in 1997, the only child to parents Sridhar Ranganathan and Rani Sridhar. Her father is a chartered accountant and her mother an advertising professional. Both her parents help Aishwarya with the business aspects of her film studio and have been instrumental in introducing her to wildlife and conservation from an early age. She has always been passionate about protecting the natural environment, climate change and the impact on India’s wildlife. Although career pathways for women in filmmaking in India are limited, Aishwarya created her own opportunities beginning in college at Pillai College of Arts, Science and Commerce where she studied Mass Media. Her first two films were picked up by DD National and National Geographic WILD respectively, and it wasn’t long before the awards came her way for her conservation work, including the Sanctuary Asia Young Naturalist Award,,which she won at age 15, The Princess Diana Award for Young Change Makers aged 9-25, the Woman Icon Award, and the International Inspirational Women's Award. In 2020, she became the first Indian woman to win at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award.  Aishwarya also became the youngest conservation storyteller from India to join the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP) as an Emerging League Fellow. Her work has been telecast on leading networks like National Geographic WILD, Discovery, Arte, KBS, NHK, Love Nature and BBC Earth and her images have been published worldwide in newspapers and magazines, such as BBC Wildlife, The Guardian, and Times of India. Aishwarya is currently working on.a documentary about a leopard, Rana, in the Jhalana Leopard Reserve.
 
Aishwarya's website: https://www.aishwaryasridhar.com/
Instagram: Chikoo_wild https://www.instagram.com/chikoo_wild/

Ash’s Playlist:
Taylor Swift
Michael Jackson
Hindi Bollywood Soundtracks 
 
Ash’s favorite female artists:
Beverly Joubert
Shannon Wild
Vanessa Berlowitz
Rathika Ramaswamy
Alia Bhatt
Priyanka Chopra
Kartiki Gonsalves
Guneet Monga 

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Dive into an intimate and deeply personal conversation with Michele Usibelli, award-winning fine artist celebrated for her expressive use of color, bold brushwork, and emotionally charged compositions. In this episode of the AART Podcast with Chris Stafford, Michele opens up about her artistic evolution, the joys and challenges of a creative life, and how she continues to cultivate authenticity through her work. From early inspirations and pivotal career moments to reflections on the spiritual, emotional, and technical aspects of painting, Michele shares a vulnerable and insightful look into her artistic process. Her story encourages listeners to embrace curiosity, take creative risks, and find meaning in every stroke—both on the canvas and beyond. Whether you’re an artist, collector, student, or admirer of contemporary fine art, this conversation offers rare insight into a soul-driven creative journey. Join us as we explore color, identity, and what it truly means to live a life devoted to art.

✅ Keywords:
 Michele Usibelli, Michele Usibelli artist, fine artist interview, contemporary fine art, painting, colorist, AART Podcast, Chris Stafford, creative process, artist studio, art podcast, personal interview, emotional art, impressionist painting, expressive art, women in art, artistic journey, modern fine art, art education, artist storytelling, art inspiration, creativity, brushwork, plein air, art collecting, art techniques, artist spotlight

BIO
Fine Artist, Michele Usibelli, whose work ranges from landscapes and animals to still life and figurative art. A Washington State native Michele was born in Seattle in 1962 then spent time in Utah and Alaska before returning to Edmonds, WA where she divides her time with another studio in Montana. Michele is the eldest of three children—she has two brothers—to John Hampson (d) a former navy serviceman and realtor, and mother Carol who was a home-maker, pianist and seamstress. Michele’s childhood was spent mostly outdoors and playing sport. She was she says something of a tomboy, and she also followed in her mother’s footsteps by playing the piano and sewing. Michele’s interest in fine drawing led her to study architecture at the University of Washington and pursue corporate architecture. She also worked as Director of Marketing for the National Park Service, which involved extensive traveling. It was while she was on a business trip to Denali, AK that she met her husband, and after raising her three children—Nathan, Jacqueline and Angelina, that Michele returned to her love of art. Aside from painting most of the week, she also teaches workshops. Michele has won numerous awards, including the Silver Medal Award at the prestigious Salmagundi Club, NYC and the UCI Institute and Museum of California Art Award. Her work is in the permanent collection at the University of Alaska Fairbanks/Museum of the North the Brinton Museum/Wyoming, and her painting "First Light, Pioneer Mill Smokestack", was acquired by the State of Hawaii for their permanent collection. Michele lives in Edmonds, Washington State with her husband Mitch.
 
Michele’s website: https://www.micheleusibelli.com/about
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/micheleusibelliart/
 
Michele’s playlist: One Eskimo - Kandi, Amazing Amos Lee-Windows Are Rolled Down Lord Huron - The Night We Met Two Feet - Winter Alt J - U&ME BORNS - God Save Our Young Blood Dennis Loyd - Nevermind Absofacto - Dissolve Moby - Love of Strings BORNS - Man Two Feet - Quick Musical Doodles Sir Sly - High Michael Kiwanuka - Love & Hate
 
Michele’s favorite female artists:
Susan Woolgar
Kellie Weeks
Abigail Gutting
Ingrid Christensen
Wendy Conklin/Upholstery
Annie Leibovitz
Mary Cassatt (d)
Berthe Morisot (d) 

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step inside the tactile world of Elena Bondar, a master feltmaker and wool artist, whose richly textured creations capture memory, emotion, and the quiet poetry of everyday life. In this intimate and revealing episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford explores Elena’s artistic beginnings, her personal evolution through fiber and wool, and the deep emotional resonance embedded in her handcrafted pieces. Elena shares how she shapes raw fiber into sculptural forms, textiles, and wearable designs—each rooted in nature, place, and personal story. We discuss her creative process, the meditative rhythm of felting, and how she translates feeling into physical texture. From inspiration to technique, identity to artistic purpose, this conversation sheds light on the power of wool as a medium for connection and meaning. Whether you’re an artist, collector, craft enthusiast, or simply curious about the soulful side of fiber art, this episode invites you to slow down, look closely, and listen deeply.

⭐ Keywords:
Elena Bondar, feltmaker, wool artist, fiber artist, textile art, felting, contemporary craft, slow craft, hand-felted art, sculpture, wearable art, creative process, artist interview, personal narrative, fiber arts podcast, AART Podcast, Chris Stafford, art and craft, handmade textiles, sustainable art

BIO
Russian born felt-maker Elena Bondar has established a second career as an artist in her adopted country of Finland. Elena taught herself the art of wool and felt-making, and since 2010 she has been crafting bespoke wool paintings, infusing them, she says, with the strategic planning, self-reliance, and dedication to excellence honed during her athletic career. Elena was born in the Ural Mountains near Ekaterinburg, Russia in 1981—one of two children—she has an older brother, Andrey, to parents Svetlana Moskovskikh, a technology engineer, and Yuri Moskovskikh, a chemical engineer. She spent a happy childhood learning crafts from her mother and grandmother before attending the School of Art in Novouralsk for eight years. She then turned to sports at the Secondary School for Olympic Reserves, Ekaterinburg as a Specialist in Physical Education and Sports from 1999-2002 followed by the Ekaterinburg State Institute of Education for Physical Education Teaching from 2002-2007.  In addition to music and art school Elena also participated in sports such as volleyball and track and field. However, it wasn’t until she was16, with encouragement from her new coach, that she started taking sports seriously. Elena subsequently began a professional career, which led to becoming the 2009 European Rogaining Champion. She also competed in the 2009 World Ski-Orienteering Championships in Rusutsu, Japan, and Adventure Racing World Series in South Africa, Portugal, Sweden and Turkey. After retiring from pro sports, Elena moved to Finland where she met her partner Ville Rissanen, and decided to revisit her interest in art. She attended the JEDU Vocational Education Centre, Piippola from 2015 - 2017 earning a Bachelor of Arts and Crafts degree. And she is currently undergoing specialized vocational education specializing in industrial arts and design in Jyväskylä. As well as crafting her wool and felt-making, Elena teaches the art in person and online both in Finnish and English. She lives in Palonurmi, Finland with her family and three dogs.

Elena;s website: https://woolrealm.com/ 
Instagram: @ellunhuopa 

Elena’s playlist:

• INOSSI (Somewhere)
• Pink Floyd (Dark Side of the Moon)
• 50 Cent (Candy Shop)
• Simon & Garfunkel (the Sound of Silence)
• Guano Apes (Big in Japan)

Elena’s favorite female artists in visual arts:

• Feltmaker Marjolein Dallinga
• Fingerpainter Iris Scott
• Ceramist Heather Knight
• Ceramicist Iris Apfel

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

In this intimate and deeply reflective conversation, host Chris Stafford sits down with Diana Bittar, an acclaimed portraiture mixed-media artist whose work investigates the emotional, psychological, and spiritual layers of identity. Diana shares the stories behind her creative process—how she blends paint, drawing, and unconventional materials to explore memory, womanhood, displacement, and the unseen dimensions of personal history. Through raw honesty and quiet curiosity, she reveals how portraiture becomes a mirror, a healer, and a tool for connection. Listeners will gain insight into:

• Diana’s evolution as a mixed-media portrait artist
• How personal narrative and cultural memory inform her work
• The emotional depth behind her layered and textural compositions
• Her creative rituals, challenges, and inspirations
• The transformative nature of art as self-discovery

Whether you are an artist, collector, curator, or simply someone who loves meaningful stories, this episode offers a beautiful reflection on how art helps us understand ourselves—and each other.

🔎 Keywords:
Diana Bittar, portraiture artist, mixed-media artist, contemporary art, portrait artist interview, women artists, art process, creative journey, emotional storytelling, art and identity, mixed media portraiture, creative inspiration, personal narrative art, art podcast, Chris Stafford, AART podcast, intimate artist interview, visual storytelling, artist studio practice, modern portraiture

BIO
Portraiture, mixed-media artist Diana Bittar whose large canvases convey bold, uninhibited figures reflecting the artist’s new found confidence and expression. ‘I am constantly fascinated by faces, and how the personalities and thoughts of each individual inspire me to form delicate relationships with each canvas’, she explains. Diana was born in London in 1974, the middle of three children—she has an older sister and younger brother. Her father Doraid is Syrian and her mother Helen, a Czech, who met while studying mechanical engineering in Prague. Diana was born during her parents’ visit to London for her father who needed medical attention following the loss of a leg when the oil refinery at which he was working in Syria was targeted during the 1973 Arab-Israeli War. The family returned to Prague until 1980 when they moved to Syria. From the age of two, when her mother first gave her crayons, Diana has shown a natural talent for the fine details of her art. By the age of 17, despite being an introvert, she was receiving her first commissions. Meanwhile, following a chance encounter in the pool, Diana proved to be a natural swimmer and would go on to win national championships. But it was her passion for art that would eventually decide her career path. She chose to major in Visual Communications and Graphic Design at the Fine Art University in Damascus, graduating in 1995. Shortly after, she met her Syrian husband, Tarek, an orthopedic surgeon, and followed him back to California. Diana took a break from her art to raise her three sons. When she returned to her easel she changed her focus from landscapes to what she describes as Abstract Realism in Portraiture. She lives in Granada Hills, Los Angeles where she has held a number of shows in the area.
 
Diana Bittar Website: https://www.dianabittar.com
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/diana_bittar_art/

Diana's playlist:
The Weather Report
Lettuce
The Blackyards
Alfa Mist
Otis McDonald
Herbie Hancock
Miles Davis
Ron Carter
Pat Metheny

"I mainly listen to instrumental, like fusion Jazz or old traditional Arabic music. Also love old school rap and hip hop. At times my heart craves 80s music every now and then." - Diana


 
Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

In this deeply personal and introspective episode, we sit down with award-winning cinematographer Erin Haynes to explore the emotional and visual language behind her work. Known for her poetic use of light, human-centered storytelling, and intuitive sense of composition, Erin reveals how her artistic voice developed and the moments that shaped her path behind the camera. From creative inspirations to on-set challenges, Erin reflects on the subtle art of capturing truth, building trust with subjects, and the spiritual connection between cinematography and lived experience. She opens up about her creative philosophy, the evolution of her career, and how she brings presence, empathy, and authenticity to every frame. Whether you’re a filmmaker, photographer, artist, or lover of visual storytelling, this intimate conversation invites you to slow down and consider the transformative power of the lens.

🔎 Keywords:
Erin Haynes, cinematographer interview, filmmaking podcast, visual storytelling, personal interview, creative process, artistic journey, cinematography, camera craft, movie making, film lighting, composition, film production, behind the scenes, creative inspiration, director of photography, DOP interview, Apple Podcasts film podcast, Spotify film podcast, YouTube filmmaking, art podcast

BIO
American cinematographer Erin Haynes is making her way in an industry that she believes has a long way to go to increase diversity among its crews. Erin was born in New Orleans in 1999—one of two daughters to Denise and Joe Haynes. She grew up in the 7th Ward of a complex city as a young Black woman mindful of the challenges facing minorities. Erin attended Cabrini High School in the shadow of New Orleans Museum of Art where she was drawn to English Literature, writing, art and film. She developed a talent as a sketch artist and at Loyola University she studied Mass Communications; Journalism and French.  Erin describes herself as a ‘shy, nerdy kid’ who surprised everyone by leaving the Big Easy for the Big Apple in pursuit of modeling opportunities; something she is still open to today alongside her day job. Her immersion in fashion modeling led to an interest in the photography and filmmaking. She prefers film that makes you think like psychological thrillers and horror. Her early inspiration in filmmaking came when she discovered Greta Gerwig’s work in the 2017 Comedy Romance Lady Bird, and Christopher Nolan’s 2014 SciFi/Adventure Interstellar, which captured her imagination for its visuals and soundtrack. Erin’s career path has so far led to being a Second Camera Assistant, FAA Drone Pilot and an emerging Steadicam and Underwater Camera Operator at the age of 24. She says: ‘I want to be a complete master of the camera.’  Erin’s ambitions align with her mission to champion the need for diversity, visibility and possibilities for women of color in the film industry.
 
Erin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinhaynesofficial/

Some Female Visual Artists Erin admires:
Supermodel Coco Rocha
Supermodel Naomi Campbell
Cinematographer, Camera Operator, and Founder of 600 Black Women, Chris Wairegi Cinematographer, Camera Operator, and Founder of @ladycameraguy on Instagram, Gretchen Warthen
Cinematographer and Steadicam Operator, Megan Masur
Actress Zendaya
Director and Cinematographer Chloe Weaver
Cinematographer Mandy Walker
Fashion Model and Activist Bethann Hardison (whose film Invisible Beauty was shot by Cinematographer Mia Cioffi Henry)
Photographer Nadia Lee Cohen
Fashion and Beauty Influencer: Karen Blanchard (@karenbritchick on Instagram and YouTube)
Singer, songwriter, entertainer, performer and business woman Beyoncé Knowles Carter
Filmmaker Ava DuVernay
Filmmaker Shonda Rhimes
Fashion Designer Donatella Versace
Visual Artist and Painter Hill Spriggins
Photographer Kris Davidson
Actress, Filmmaker, Fashion Icon, and Founder of PATTERN Beauty Tracee Ellis Ross
Director, Writer, and Actress Greta Gerwig
Actress, Writer, and Producer Meryl Streep 

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

In this deeply personal and poetic episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with world-renowned photographer and creator, Jamie Beck, for an intimate journey into her artistic soul. Best known for her celebrated series An American in Provence, Jamie talks about leaving New York to rediscover a slower, more mindful way of living and creating. Together they explore the emotional texture behind her work—how nature, solitude, motherhood, and nostalgia shape her visual storytelling. Jamie opens up about creativity as devotion, the beauty in imperfection, the art of embracing stillness, and the quiet details that often go unseen. From her early commercial career to becoming a beloved voice in analog photography and modern-day artistry, Jamie shares the truth, vulnerability, and wonder within her process—and why she believes art is not just made, but felt. This heartfelt conversation invites listeners into Jamie’s most sacred creative spaces, inspiring anyone who seeks a deeper connection to their craft, their environment, and themselves.

✅ Keywords:
Jamie Beck interview, Jamie Beck podcast, photographer interview, An American in Provence, Provence photography, fine art photographer, creative process, analog photography, artist storytelling, creative inspiration, AART podcast, Chris Stafford, slow living creativity, mindfulness art, intimate artist interview, visual storytelling, creative life, contemporary photographer, art and culture podcast, creative journey


American photographer Jamie Beck is known for focusing on portraying life and her natural surroundings in the Provence. Jamie is the author of two books: ‘An American in Provence: Art, Life and Photography’ published in 2022 which became a New York Times Bestseller, and The Flowers of Provence published in 2024. In the last few years Jamie has created an online marketplace for her custom designs and also founded The Starling Club, an online social club for creative women.  Jamie was born in Arlington, TX, one of two children to James Beck, a law enforcement officer and Gina Pine, an accountant. She has an older brother and a step-father. Her early interest in photography began as a child wanting to memorialize images, which led to taking photos once her mother gave her her first camera. Jamie’s love of fashion led her to starting her career in fashion photography once she graduated from the New York Fashion Institute of Technology with a degree in Fashion Photography. She then worked in New York as a fashion and commercial photographer for 13 years before moving to the South of France. Jamie’s raison d’être is to capture the beauty of nature most notably through her love of flowers and the lifestyles of the Provence. Jamie lives in Apt with her husband Kevin and daughter Eloise.
 
Jamie's website:
https://jamiebeck.co/
Jamie on Instagram: @jamiebeck.co
https://www.instagram.com/jamiebeck.co/
The Starling Club https://club.jamiebeck.co/
 
Jamie’s favorite female artists:
Maria Rose
Natasshia Neary
Ronni Nicole
Katie Whipple 

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

In this intimate episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with Weatherly Stroh — acclaimed equestrian and landscape artist — for a deeply personal conversation on the intersection of art, nature, and the emotional bond between horses and humans. Weatherly shares her artistic journey, from growing up surrounded by animals to painting expressive equine portraits and vibrant landscapes that capture wilderness, movement, and memory. She discusses her creative process, the discipline of the studio, and the quiet spirituality she finds in the natural world. Together, they explore themes of identity, inspiration, grief, resilience, and how horses have shaped her life’s vision both on and off the canvas. Whether you’re an art lover, horse enthusiast, collector, or creative spirit, this thoughtful and soulful conversation offers a window into the passion and purpose that drive Weatherly’s work. 🌿 Listen to discover:

• How Weatherly began painting horses and landscapes
• The emotional truths behind her equine portraiture
• The role of intuition, solitude, and nature in her craft
• How personal experiences shape artistic expression
• Advice for artists navigating growth, doubt & self-discovery

Tune in for an inspiring reflection on creativity, connection, and what it means to capture the soul of a subject.

✅ Keywords:
Weatherly Stroh, equestrian artist, landscape artist, horse art, equine art, equine portraiture, contemporary landscape painting, art interview, creative process, artist story, art podcast, AART Podcast, Chris Stafford, painter interview, nature art, fine art, artist inspiration, women artists, horse lovers, art and nature, creative journey, studio life, art collectors, artistic identity, intimate artist interview.



BIO
American equestrian artist, oil painter, landscape artist and retreat host Weatherly Stroh. Her unique palette and eye for horses brings a soft light to her work as she captures the gestures and movement of her subjects She says: ‘My paintings reflect the inspiration I find in the world around me, with a deep appreciation for slowing down to capture and appreciate the everyday magic that surrounds us.’  Weatherly was born and raised in Metamora, Michigan in 1974 the youngest of four children—including two step-siblings—to Gari Melchers Stroh (d) and Susanne Stroh. Her parents' love of horses brought them together and they subsequently conveyed their passion for riding to a young Weatherly who became a competitive rider. Her mother is also an artist and sculptor who instilled an artistic eye in her daughter so it was not surprising that, after high school at Cranbrook-Kingswood (affiliated to the renowned art academy graduate school) in Michigan,  Weatherly chose to major in art and photography at the University of Colorado. Whilst in college she spent a year in Florence, which stoked her interest in travel as well as inspiring her art. After college, she pursued various personal and professional directions including: racing mountain bikes, working for a magazine, a non-profit organization and teaching elementary school. It was during her twenty years in Colorado (Boulder for 10 years and then in the Vail Valley for 10) that Weatherly would also negotiate a divorce before she made a decision to relocate to Florida in 2011 where she has established herself as a professional artist. When she is not in her studio in Wellington, Weatherly is riding, playing tennis, and organizing Art of Life creative retreats. 
 
Weatherly's website: https://weatherlystroh.com
Instagram: @weatherlystroh 

Some favorite female artists:
CJ Hendry
Lizzie Larock
Claudia Rilling
Jill Soukup 

Weatherly’s playlist:
Fleetwood Mac
Tracy Chapman
Country
Classical
Pop 
“Depending on my mood, I listen to pop music in my studio when I need energy, classical music for focus or a random mix of opera, country, oldies, and pop.” - Weatherly
 
Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

In this intimate conversation, award-winning filmmaker Kire Godal sits down with host Chris Stafford to explore the heart, vulnerability, and curiosity that drive her powerful storytelling. Known for capturing deeply human narratives and cinematic beauty across cultures and landscapes, Kire shares how she seeks truth through her lens, the emotional and physical challenges of documentary filmmaking, and the deeply personal moments that have shaped her artistic path. From her earliest creative sparks to defining professional milestones, Kire opens up about where her inspiration comes from, how she builds trust with subjects, and the role of empathy, intuition, and resilience in shaping her voice as a filmmaker. Together, we explore the quiet inner reflections that guide her creative process and the evolving purpose behind her work. Whether you’re a filmmaker, artist, storyteller, or simply inspired by authentic human journeys, this episode offers a rare, heartfelt look into a life lived in pursuit of connection, honesty, and meaning.

Keywords:
Kire Godal, Kire Godal interview, filmmaker interview, documentary filmmaking, art podcast, storytelling podcast, creative process, independent filmmaking, cinematography, film director, documentary director, creative journey, personal interview, creative storytelling, artist conversation, behind the scenes filmmaking, purpose-driven art, intimate podcast, AART podcast, Chris Stafford podcast

BIO
Filmmaker Kire Godal whose focus on African culture and wildlife has reached audiences through National Geographic, the Discovery Channel, BBC, Amazon Prime among others. Her purpose and goal is to capture and memorialize important stories that she feels need to be recorded for history and to educate a wider public at a time when both people and animals are under threat of radical social and environmental changes or extinction.  Kire was born in Aspen, Colorado in 1962, one of three children—she has two brothers—to Norwegian immigrants Inge and Bente Godal . Her childhood was spent exploring the back country of Colorado, riding and skiing. She soon developed a passion for the outdoors and animals, which drew her to ambitions of being an explorer. But first, after High School, she was going to find herself in the Big Apple, drawn to the world of modeling after being talent spotted on the slopes by the American modeling agency executive, Eileen Ford. Whilst on fashion shoots, and catwalks of New York, Kire became fascinated in the art of photography and was soon drawn to being behind the camera. It was also at this time that Kire met her first husband, the Italian model agent, Giogio Piazzi, which would take her in a new direction. Kire found herself living in Aguilla BWI and Caracas, Venezuela while raising her first two children before returning to the US. She had decided by now that she wanted a career in filmmaking and took herself back to school at UCLA to study broadcast journalism. From there she worked in TV news, but it was the draw of the wild that led her to Kenya where she met her second husband and started her own production company Malaika Media as an independent filmmaker while raising three children but by now as a single parent. Her dreams and ambitions led to make her own self-funded films, which gradually led to bigger and more ambitious productions. Her portfolio includes Maasai The Last Dance of the Warriors for National Geographic, Lion Warriors for National Geographic Wild, Skypaths, and many more ethnographic, and natural history wildlife productions. Kire lives in Kenya and is currently working on two productions; Tolstoy, The Tomato Thief about a Super Tusker Elephant, and Maasai Eunoto featuring the important Maasai Warrior passage to elderhood ceremony.

Kire's website:
https://www.kiregodal.com/
Kira on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiregodal_filmmaker_in_africa/
Tolstoy The Tomato Thief:  https://www.tolstoythetomatothief.com/
Kire’s IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0323701/

Kire’s playlist
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4gzA9O48M99t6ddwJfhgdU?si=j9pCGQA0T-C8W3srs3ij9A&pi=u-1bohYGWNTsuR&nd=1&dlsi=152ed12c0d9a4342
 
Women whose work Kire admires:
Mirella Riccardi
Leni Reifenstahl
Angela Fisher
Carol Beckwith
Annie Leibowitz
Mandy Walker
Dame Jane Campion 

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Join host Chris Stafford for a deeply personal and intimate conversation with Carylon Cooper, a visionary contemporary artist whose work challenges the boundaries of memory, emotion, and identity.
In this reflective interview, Cooper shares the early influences that shaped her creative path, how she navigates the evolving art world, and the emotional core that anchors her artistic voice. From the poetry of color to the psychology of self-expression, Carylon opens up about the successes, struggles, and spiritual moments that guide her process.
Whether you’re an artist, collector, or creative seeker, this episode invites you to slow down, reflect, and experience art through a deeply human lens.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• Carylon Cooper’s personal creative journey
• How memory and emotion influence artistic storytelling
• Navigating self-doubt and the courage to create
• The meaning of contemporary art in a digital age
• Building authenticity and trust in one’s artistic voice

✨ Ideal for listeners who love: art, creativity, process, emotional storytelling, and contemporary culture. Keywords Carylon Cooper interview, contemporary artist, modern art, creative process, art podcast, artist story, personal interview, art and identity, artistic journey, emotional storytelling, creative inspiration, visual arts, fine art, studio practice, art YouTube, Apple Podcasts art, Spotify art podcast, creativity and emotion

BIO
Carylon Cooper is an American contemporary artist whose work includes abstract, figurative, still life and animal portraits. Carylon was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1948, one of two daughters to Imogene & Herschel Cooper. She attended High School in Nashville and, since she was 19, she has called Chattanooga, TN home. Carylon’s art education began at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and she followed that by majoring in art at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga (UTC) where she audited classes in printmaking and mono-printing. She spent time as a model in New York City before marriage and raising three children took priority. During a difficult first marriage, Carylon found peace in focusing on her fitness and became an endurance runner.  Her art proved to be her salvation through a second marriage, which ended after 30 years. Carylon is now happily single and feels stronger than she has ever been, She says: ”every single day of my life has been ordained.”  We hear about her discipline in the studio, and the profound impact of faith and perseverance on her life and legacy. Carylon now enjoys a happy mix of art, yoga, hiking and exercise routines. She also keeps busy as a grandmother of 10 and great-grandmother of 4 children.
 
Carylon’s playlist:
Vivaldi Four Seasons
Andres Segovia
Chris Botti
Brandenburg Concerto No. 61
Santana
Nora Jones
Chris Stapleton
Bonnie Raitt
Ero Ramazzotti
Podcasts including AART 

Favorite female artists:
Louise Bourgeois (
Camille Henrot
Tracey Ermin
Sunny Apinchapong
Peggy Kroll Roberts
Nancy Chaboun
Margaret Dyer 

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Journey into the life and creative evolution of Eleanor Cardozo, an acclaimed portrait artist and sculptor whose work transforms the human spirit into timeless visual poetry. In this intimate biographical interview, Cardozo reflects on the early influences that shaped her artistic path, the hidden stories behind her most celebrated sculptures, and her devotion to capturing emotional depth through form, expression, and movement. From her artistic training to global exhibitions, Eleanor opens up about the discipline behind her studio practice, the philosophical exploration embedded in her portraits, and the intersection of art, identity, and storytelling. Whether sculpting in bronze or translating faces into classical portraiture, her work lives at the crossroads of tradition and innovation. Perfect for collectors, art lovers, and emerging artists alike, this episode explores:

• The evolution of Eleanor’s portrait & sculptural language
• Her creative rituals and artistic influences
• Commissions, exhibitions, and public installations worldwide
• How she interprets the emotional, spiritual, and physical form
• Advice for young artists pursuing their craft

Listen now for a compelling conversation about inspiration, artistic devotion, and the enduring power of the human form.

Keywords:
Eleanor Cardozo, portrait artist, sculptor, bronze sculpture, fine art, contemporary art, biographical interview, art career, studio practice, creative process, figurative sculpture, artistic inspiration, art podcast, artist spotlight, emerging artists, classical portraiture, public art, gallery exhibitions, art storytelling

BIO
English portrait artist and sculptor, Eleanor Cardozo, is known for her bronze sculptures and the dynamic movement in her work. Eleanor was born in London in 1965, the second of 10 children to Colonel Benedict Cardozo, a Military Attaché in the British Army, and Caroline Cardozo, an artist and musician. Her childhood was subjected to the typical adventures of a military family when her father was posted overseas to Aden, Malaysia, Germany, Malawi, Ghana, Cyprus and Gibraltar. Eleanor’s education began at a French school in Ghana, followed by boarding school from ages 8 -18 at St Mary’s Convent in Dorset. Her interest in art began as a small child so it was with a degree of inevitability that she chose the City & Guilds School of Art London for Fine Art in Sculpture, followed by the Florence Academy and Cecil Graves School in Italy for portraiture. She says: ”I think because I respected my parents so much and they had very high expectations, pretty much everything we did, whether it was piano or art or academics, they wanted it to be at the highest level.” This episode is more than an interview; it's an intimate portrait of an artist's life, filled with anecdotes that make you laugh, moments that inspire, and revelations that make you ponder the nature of creativity. Eleanor's reflections on her boarding school days, her family's musical legacy, and her spiritual journey add layers to her persona, revealing a woman who is as multifaceted as the sculptures she creates. We hear how being a gymnast and dancer through her teens informed her appreciation for athletic movement. Her love of beauty is evident in her work, which has adorned venues such as the Beau-Rivage Palace hotel in Lausanne, Cirque du Soleil, Harrods in London, Terminal 5 at Heathrow, Westminster Abbey, the Palais Wilson in Geneva to name a few. Her work is primarily commission based but, as she explains, she is also keen to explore other art forms. Eleanor and her husband Rupert live in Geneva and have three children, Cosima, Daniel and Harry.
 
Eleanor’s wedsite:
https://www.eleanorcardozo.com/ I
nstagram: @eleanorcardozo 

Playlist:
Ennio Morricone - Cinema Paradiso
Camille Saint-Saëns - The Swan
Stan Getz & Gilberto - Girl from Ipanema ( my phone ring!)
Diana Krall - Why Should I Care
Amy MacDonald - This Is The Life
Pharrell Williams - Happy
Pietro Mascagni - Cavalleria Rusticana
The Godfather Love Theme 

Favorite women artists:
Camille Claude
Elizabeth Frink
Luo Li Rong So many more painters

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step inside the extraordinary creative universe of Kasumi, the internationally acclaimed media artist, filmmaker, and visual innovator known for transforming moving images into groundbreaking digital experiences. In this intimate biographical conversation, Kasumi reflects on her early artistic influences, the evolution of her process, and the experimental techniques that have earned her worldwide recognition. From the fusion of film, sound, and performance to her philosophical take on memory, culture, and perception, Kasumi reveals how she builds meaning from fragments—turning chaos into poetic design. You’ll hear the stories behind her acclaimed works, including her award-winning visual compositions, multimedia performances, and explorations of AI and technology as artistic tools. Whether you're a filmmaker, artist, or creative thinker, this episode offers rare insight into a visionary who continues to redefine what media art can be.

Keywords:
Kasumi, media artist, digital art, video art, multimedia art, filmmaking, creative process, experimental art, contemporary artist interview, art podcast, artist biography, AI art, visual storytelling, art and technology, digital expression, art documentary

BIO
Media artist Kasumi whose career ranges from musician, filmmaker, author, designer, illustrator and painter. Her work features short and feature length experimental films, live shows, VJ, and public art projection, creating looping electronic sculptures, designing motion graphics and animated gifs, producing immersive 360 virtual reality pieces and making fine art prints and wearable art. Kasumi studied music at the Stadliche Musik Hochschule in Cologne, Germany playing the lute. She then moved to Japan, where she lived for 12 years and taught Baroque music at the Tokyo College of Music. Kasumi performed as a soloist throughout Japan, Europe and the U.S., recorded four albums, and performed twice at the Carnegie Hall. Whilst living in Japan, Kasumi explored her writing and published her first book; The Way of the Urban Samurai, in 1992. Kasumi married and raised her son, Kitao Sakurai who became a renown filmmaker. While simultaneously pursuing her work in painting and set design she continued to publish writings on music, politics and social issues for among others; the Asahi Shimbun, The Japan Financial Journal, The Early Music Quarterly Tokyo, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Sacramento Bee. From prints and collage to films and video art installations at the Rocket Mortgage Field House; at the Lincoln Center with The New York Philharmonic and Carnegie Hall; performances with Grandmaster Flash and DJ Spooky; public art at The Cleveland Museum of Art, DC Tower, Vienna, and Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires; VR 360, post-production, and gifs for The Eric Andre Show; and interactive art-making apps. Kasumi’s work Surfacing, developed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, was expanded into a solo exhibition for The Sculpture Center. Perhaps her most impactful production came after being awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2011 when she embarked on the feature-length film project, ‘Shockwaves’, which included 25,000 plus short public domain film samples. It proved to be a life-changing project, which she says ‘was like being in therapy for five years’. Kasumi’s next production is ‘Farandole’, an hour long cinematic assemblage, selected as part of Lincoln Center Presents Women and Non-binary Artists in Tech. It will screen at 6:30 pm on March 14 at the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center.- free and open to the public.

Kasumi’s website - http://kasumiartstudios.com/ Kasumi’s
Instagram: @kasumifilms

Kasumi’s favorite women artists:
Amanda Bluglass
Flash Rosenberg
Leslie Swackhamer
Julie Patton

Kasumi’s playlist:
Lil Cherry & Goldbuuda - Mukkbang!
Miles Davis
David Starfire / Cobra
Harsh Kale / One Step Beyond
Ricardo Imperatore / Omelet Banana
Cheb i Sabbah / Ganga Dev
Nightnoise / Fionnghuala
Electronic World Music
Dublicator

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step inside the creative world of Anna Echols, a renowned cake artist and designer celebrated for her innovative sculptural cakes and artistic storytelling through sugar. In this intimate biographical interview, Anna shares her journey from discovering culinary creativity to building a career that blends art, design, craft, and food culture. Learn how Anna elevates cake into a fine-art experience—drawing inspiration from architecture, texture, history, and nature. From early creative influences to building a client base, Anna reflects on the passion, discipline, and curiosity required to grow professionally as an independent artist. Whether you’re a cake lover, pastry enthusiast, entrepreneur, or creative professional, this episode offers inspiring insights into the emotional, personal, and professional evolution of a modern food artist.

🎧 Listen to explore:
• Anna’s artistic origin story
• Unexpected paths into cake artistry
• Building a creative business
• Inspirations: nature, architecture, design
• Creative process + signature techniques
• Balancing craftsmanship and innovation

• The future of edible art Perfect for fans of cake art, culinary design, creative careers, pastry arts, and artistic storytelling.

🔍 Keywords: Anna Echols, cake artist, cake designer, sculptural cakes, pastry artist, edible art, creative interview, biographical podcast, culinary design, food art, artist story, creative journey, entrepreneurship, art and design podcast

BIO
Anna Echols is a cake artist, designer and bakery owner who creates life-like cakes celebrating every occasion. With painstaking attention to detail, her goal is to produce a cake that is hard to decipher from the real thing; almost too good to eat. Anna was born in Wilmington, NC in 1984 to Douglas and DeLonna Echols. She has one brother Douglas Echols, Jnr., a custom home renovator. Her father, who passed away in 2006, was a Commercial Real Estate Developer and entrepreneur who loved cooking, and Delonna, a stay-at-home mom. Her father once owned the shopping center where Anna’s bakery business is now based although he sadly did not live to see her business develop. Anna attended Cape Fear Academy for pre-k-12th grade in Wilmington and Meredith College, Raleigh, NC for her bachelors degree before she went to Orlando Culinary Academy for the Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie and Baking Program. It was while she was there that she took part in TLC’s “The Ultimate Bake-Off”, which Anna says was a defining moment in her career. In 2011, she returned home to Wilmington to her mother’s house where she started her bakery business and operated for the first two years. One Belle Bakery took off and she expanded her space for customers and, which now, has eight full-time staff whom Anna considers her family. Anna's creativity has attracted celebrity clients, including the late Country Music singer Charlie Daniels who gave her a cowboy hat in return.

https://www.onebellebakery.com
Instagram: @onebellebakery

Anna’s favorite women artists:
Liz Marek
Natalie Sideserf
Maggie Austin
Brooke Helton
Brooke Lupton
Jennifer Rose

Playlist:
Faith (with Dolly Parton ft. Mr. Probz)
Wake Me Up (Avicii)
I Just Wanna Shine (Fitz and the Tantrums)
Take a Walk (Passion Pit)
Sugar, Sugar (The Archies)

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step inside the studio of acclaimed realism artist Felicity Starr, whose breathtaking paintings merge technical mastery with emotional storytelling. In this intimate biographical interview, Felicity traces her creative evolution—from early inspiration and formal training to the development of her signature realistic style. Listeners will discover how Felicity brings her subjects to life through meticulous detail, light, and narrative depth. She reflects on her artistic philosophy, the role of observation, and how real-world experience shapes her visual language. Whether you’re an artist, collector, or art enthusiast, this episode offers rare insight into the mindset of a modern realist committed to honoring truth through paint. Join us for heartfelt reflections, career-defining moments, studio practice revelations, and a deeper look at the artistic world that fuels Felicity’s vision.

✅ SEO Keywords:
realism artist interview, Felicity Starr podcast, contemporary realism, fine art interview, artist biography podcast, art career journey, realism painting techniques, fine art storytelling, realism inspiration, studio practice interview, art podcast, visual arts podcast, creative journey, figurative realism, classical realism artist

BIO
Felicity Starr is a contemporary realism artist who seeks to ‘celebrate life and excite the soul’ through her paintings, which portray still life, landscapes and portraits. Felicity was born in Colchester, England in 1982, the eldest of three daughters to Steve and Fiona Menadue. Her father was in IT and her Fiona a stay-at-home mom. At the age of 14, Felicity's family moved to Paris and she attended the British School of Paris. She focused on politics and international studies as a foundation for a career but instead found that she had a talent for sales. Whilst her career has taken her down that path Felicity has never stopped drawing and is mostly a self taught artist. Her dedication to art though has been a constant source of solace and self-discovery, allowing her to navigate the unique challenges associated with dyslexia and ADHD. Felicity has shown her work at the Royal Society of British Artists, The Royal Institute of Oil Painters, The Royal Society of Marine Artists and the Society of Wildlife Artists; exhibitions held at the Mall Galleries in London. In 2023, she also exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and the Royal West Academy. Felicity combines her art with a full-time job in IT as VP at Salesforce. She is married to Richard, who also works in IT, and the couple live in Hampshire, England with their two children, Annabelle and Charlie. 

Felicity's website: https://www.felicitystarr.com/
Felicity on Instagrm: @felicityjoystarr

Felicity’s favorite women artists:
Haidee-Jo Summers
Ruth Fitton
Kate Bryan
Gail Reid
Zoey Frank
Melissa Scott-Miller
Catherine Gray
Rosemary Lewis

Felicity’s Playlist:
Birdy Turkish March - Mozart
Motown music
Taylor Swift
Stereophonics
Oasis
Disney
French songs


Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com


BIO
Felicity Starr is a contemporary realism artist who seeks to ‘celebrate life and excite the soul’ through her paintings, which portray still life, landscapes and portraits. Felicity was born in Colchester, England in 1982, the eldest of three daughters to Steve and Fiona Menadue. Her father was in IT and her Fiona a stay-at-home mom. At the age of 14, Felicity's family moved to Paris and she attended the British School of Paris. She focused on politics and international studies as a foundation for a career but instead found that she had a talent for sales. Whilst her career has taken her down that path Felicity has never stopped drawing and is mostly a self taught artist. Her dedication to art though has been a constant source of solace and self-discovery, allowing her to navigate the unique challenges associated with dyslexia and ADHD. Felicity has shown her work at the Royal Society of British Artists, The Royal Institute of Oil Painters, The Royal Society of Marine Artists and the Society of Wildlife Artists; exhibitions held at the Mall Galleries in London. In 2023, she also exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and the Royal West Academy. Felicity combines her art with a full-time job in IT as VP at Salesforce. She is married to Richard, who also works in IT, and the couple live in Hampshire, England with their two children, Annabelle and Charlie. 

Felicity's website: https://www.felicitystarr.com/
Felicity on Instagrm: @felicityjoystarr

Felicity’s favorite women artists:
Haidee-Jo Summers
Ruth Fitton
Kate Bryan
Gail Reid
Zoey Frank
Melissa Scott-Miller
Catherine Gray
Rosemary Lewis

Felicity’s Playlist:
Birdy Turkish March - Mozart
Motown music
Taylor Swift
Stereophonics
Oasis
Disney
French songs


Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step inside the extraordinary tiny worlds crafted by Tamar Cohen, a renowned miniaturist and fine-detail artist who constructs entire universes in just a few inches. In this intimate, biographical podcast interview, Tamar shares her creative journey, artistic influences, and the meticulous craftsmanship behind her miniature masterpieces. Discover how Tamar transforms everyday objects, environments, and memories into intricately detailed works of small-scale art that captivate collectors, galleries, and design lovers across the globe. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, maker, or curious creative, this conversation reveals the patience, storytelling, and imagination that power Tamar’s unique discipline. Perfect for listeners who love miniature art, handmade craftsmanship, sculptural narrative, dollhouse artistry, tiny object design, fine art interviews, and behind-the-scenes creative stories.

Listen on Google, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Keywords:
Tamar Cohen, miniaturist, miniature artist, small-scale art, tiny worlds, craftsmanship, fine art, design, sculptural art, dollhouse art, artist interview, creative journey, storytelling, artisan, miniature craft, contemporary art podcast

BIO
Tamar Cohen is a self-taught creator of miniatures and diorama. Her work reflects her passion for architecture, particularly European gothic, castles and art nouveau. Tamar was born in Tel Aviv, Israel in 1981, one of four children; she has an older sister who lives in New York, and an older brother and younger sister who live in Israel. She describes her parents as being crafty in an artistic sense; her father was an electrician by trade who enjoyed building furniture and her mother knits quilts and is an artist. As a child, Tamar studied painting, photography, sculpting and history of art. When she was 21, she learned silversmithing for a year, but decided not to make that a career. Instead, she went to college and then, having enjoyed gymnastics in her youth, she became a personal trainer for six years. In 2016, Tamar moved to Canada. It was during the COVID pandemic lockdown in 2021 that she began building dolls houses for her daughter. This proved to be the start of a new career building miniatures and diorama, which is now a full-time job. Tamar lives in Montreal with her husband Zac, a concept artist, and their daughter Sophia.

Tamar on Instagram: @miniatureit
Tamar’s website - https://msha.ke/miniatureit
Tamar’s Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/miniatureit

Tamar’s Playlist:
P!nk - Just Like Fire
Celeste - Stop This Flame
Celeste - Love Is Back
Teddy Swims - Lose Control
Teddy Swims - Devil in a Dress
Teddy Swims - You're Still The One
Teddy Swims - Bed On Fire

Favorite female artists:
Céline B. La Terreur
Sunshine Kim
Sophie Alp
Sasha Tudvaseva

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

In this episode, we explore the captivating world of macro photographer Marit van Ekelenburg, whose imagery transforms everyday natural subjects into stunning micro-landscapes. Marit shares how her love for nature evolved into an artistic calling, revealing the patience, technique, and curiosity behind her unique visual storytelling. From photographing intricate insects and delicate flowers to navigating light and composition at a microscopic level, Marit takes us behind the lens to uncover the quiet beauty and unexpected drama living just beyond the naked eye. Whether you’re a photographer, nature enthusiast, or a creative searching for inspiration, this intimate conversation offers fresh insight into process, passion, and the power of perspective.

✅ What We Discuss

• Marit’s creative beginnings and early artistic influences
• How she discovered macro photography
• The technical challenges of shooting at tiny scales
• Working with light, texture, and depth in nature
• Ethical considerations when photographing flora + fauna
• What inspires her most in the natural world
• Storytelling through detail and magnification
• Advice for aspiring photographers

Keywords:
macro photography • nature photography • floral photography • insect photography • creative interview • visual storytelling • post-processing • lens techniques • photography inspiration • fine art photography • biographical artist interview

BIO
Marit van Ekelenburg is a macro photographer who specializes in photographing insects and spiders in their natural habitat. She seeks out her subjects in the early morning light creating colorful backgrounds that compliment each creature. Marit works as an editor and enjoys combining her skills as a writer and photographer to tell stories. But photographing insects is her favorite occupation. Marit was born in Udenhout, The Netherlands in 1988 to Henk, a mechanical engineer and entrepreneur, and Olga, a gardener. She has an older sister, Kim, a psychologist, and younger brother, Thijs, who is an architectural draftsman. Marit was educated at Utrecht University, and Leiden University where she earned her Masters in Russian Studies and History. Her interest in photography developed a few years after graduating, and in 2018 she realized her true passion was learning the habits of the smallest of earth’s creatures and capturing them in larger than life images. Marit will be showing her work in an exhibition entitled Design by Nature at the State Museum Muiderslot from March 16 - May 12, 2024. Marit lives in Delden in the east of The Netherlands.

Marit’s website: https://www.macrobymarit.nl/
Marit on Instagram: @macrobymarit

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Marit’s playlist:
Sting // Fields of Gold - When we Dance - If You Love Somebody Set Them Free
Keane // Bedshaped - Somewhere Only We Know
Dire Straits // Money for Nothing
Coldplay // Trouble - God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
Fleetwood Mac // Little Lies - Dreams
John Mayer // Vultures - Stop This Train
Enya // Lazy Days - Wild Child
Fleet Foxes // Ragged Wood
Saybia // 7 Demons - Fool’s Corner
Muse // Supermassive Black Hole - Pressure
Elderbrook // Old Friend

Marit’s favorite female artists:
Alison Pollack
Carlijn Kingma
Kristine

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

n this compelling episode, Kerry shares how her deep love for personal expression, color, and transformation led her to a fulfilling career in hair and makeup. She reflects on the early influences that shaped her creative voice, the mentors who guided her, and the pivotal career moments that cemented her place as a sought-after artist. From behind-the-scenes stories on high-pressure shoots to thoughtful insights on building trust with clients, Kerry brings listeners into the inner world of a makeup artist—where humanity meets craft. She opens up about the evolving nature of beauty, the power of collaboration, and the spiritual importance of helping individuals feel truly seen. Listeners will also gain insider perspectives on the business of beauty—how Kerry navigated creative challenges, adapted to an ever-changing industry, and built a sustainable career rooted in authenticity. Whether you are an artist, creative professional, student, or lover of beauty and storytelling, this episode is brimming with wisdom, humor, and heart. Tune in to discover:

• Kerry’s personal and artistic origins
• The emotional and expressive nature of hair and makeup
• Navigating creative identity and self-employment
• Collaboration in fashion, editorial, and film
• The future of beauty and individuality
• Advice for emerging stylists and creatives

Join us for an intimate and insightful conversation with a visionary artist redefining what beauty means—inside and out.

KEYWORDS:
Kerry September, hair stylist, makeup artist, beauty industry, biographical interview, creative journey, fashion hair and makeup, film makeup, editorial makeup, beauty career stories, artist biography podcast, creative entrepreneurship, behind-the-scenes beauty, makeup and storytelling, artistic inspiration, beauty podcast interview, hairstyling techniques, makeup artist career path, personal transformation, artistic identity, beauty business insights.

BIO
Kerry September is a British Hair Stylist & Make-up Artist who has worked in theater, film, TV, music, fashion and beyond in her 30-year career. Kerry was born in 1971 in Bridgend, Wales. the oldest of five children; she has three sisters and a brother. Her father, Gideon September, emigrated to the UK from South Africa and worked as a service engineer. Her mother, Christine Blackwell was a housewife who, after raising her children, went back to school to become a psychotherapist. Most of Kerry’s family is in psychology and she says her work too is like being a therapist listening to her client’s share their life stories. When Kerry was two years old, her family moved to Twickenham and she went to Chase Bridge Primary School before being sent to Rosebery School, Epsom, an all-girls school for which she quickly developed a dislike. Her parents discovered she had a hearing deficit when she was three years old but Kerry rebelled against hearing aids which she felt put her at a disadvantage thus making school more challenging. Her mother told her she could do anything she wanted to so Kerry decided to pursue her studies at Epsom Art College, followed by two years at the London College of Fashion. As a teenager, Kerry was absorbed in American TV culture and so her parents agreed to let her attend Camp America in Pennsylvania. After 10 week’s work, for which she was paid $150, Kerry and her new friends spent four months traveling until her cash ran out and she returned to the UK. She found her first real job in the wig department in West End theater, which proved the foundation to her career. She did make-up for music videos such as Prodigy ‘Smack My Bitch Up’, Smashing Pumpkins ’Everlasting Gaze’ and Manic Street Preachers ‘Why So Sad’. Kerry has done make-up for a variety of photographers, actors, artists, politicians and celebrities. Nowadays she is also focusing on her health and fitness while studying quantum biology and looking forward to her next adventure. Kerry lives in Kent, England.

Kerry’s Playlist:
Light years / Kylie Minogue
Absolute beginners / David Bowie
Go your own way / Fleetwood Mac
Shannon / Let the music play
Fast car LIVE / Tracy Chapman
We are the people / Empire of the Sun
Cry to me / Solomon Burke

Women who inspire Kerry:
Zoe Irwin - Trend forecaster
Jane Howard - Superstylist/Editor of Archivist magazine
Cynthia Lawrence John - Artist/costume designer

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

n this deeply personal and soul-stirring episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with acclaimed wildlife artist Lucy Joyce, whose vibrant paintings and profound connection to the natural world have inspired countless collectors, conservationists, and art lovers across the globe. Lucy opens up about her journey into wildlife art, the emotional and spiritual dimensions of her creative process, and the quiet stories hidden inside the creatures she paints. From her early inspirations in nature to the meditative rhythm of the studio, Lucy reflects on how art can reconnect us to the wild—and to ourselves. Together, Chris and Lucy explore themes of conservation, artistic identity, creative stillness, vulnerability, environmental storytelling, and the power of observation. Lucy shares how she studies animals in the field, the meaning behind her color choices, and how she uses her artwork to foster empathy and advocacy for endangered species. Whether you’re an artist, nature enthusiast, collector, or dreamer seeking deeper meaning, this episode offers a heartfelt look into the raw beauty of nature viewed through the artist’s inner lens.

🎧 Listen to discover
– How wildlife inspires emotional storytelling
– Lucy’s process: from field sketches to finished work
– How art can awaken our relationship with nature
– The quiet meditations behind her brush

– Her hopes for conservation and future generations Experience the wild—through the eyes and heart of Lucy Joyce.

✅ Keywords Wildlife Artist Lucy Joyce, wildlife painting, contemporary wildlife art, wildlife conservation art, intimate artist interview, nature-inspired art, AART Podcast, Chris Stafford, artist storytelling, wildlife creativity, emotional art process, art and nature connection, endangered species art, creative introspection, field sketching, nature-inspired creativity, wildlife art interview, artist spotlight, modern wildlife painter, conservation storytelling


British wildlife artist Lucy Joyce. Lucy’s painstaking attention to detail is her signature on portraits of a variety of animals. Her artistry is crafted from photographic images, and in some cases her own compositions, as she meticulously accounts for every hair and whisker. Lucy was born in Northampton in 1979, the oldest of two children—she has a younger brother Robert. Her mother Jackie Smith, is a part-time seamstress, and her father Brian was a precision engineer in motorsport. Lucy completed her GCSE and A Levels at Chenderit School in Oxfordshire including two GCSEs in Art and A Level Art, before working in print and design. She then attended Southampton Solent University where she earned a degree in Marketing Design. Lucy met her husband at uni and upon graduation the couple spent a year working in Canada before returning to the UK. After the birth of her two sons, Lucy returned to her art and built a clientele for pet portraits. In 2016, she became a full-time artist and now has commissions for her wildlife and pet portraits that extend far into next year. Lucy lives near Newbury in Berkshire with her husband Simon, two sons; Jack and Charlie and two Cocker Spaniels.
 
www.mrsjoycedraws.co.uk
Instagram: @mrsjoycedraws
TikTok: @mrsjoycedraws
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mrsjoycedraws
 
Some favorite female artists:
Carla Grace
Dina Brodsky 
Zoe Fitchet
Demi Lang
Georgia Hart
Jennifer Gennari 

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step into the visionary world of German book illustrator Julia Bangert, an artist celebrated for her expressive style, imaginative storytelling, and the emotional depth she brings to every page. In this biographical podcast interview, Julia shares the personal journey behind her artistic voice—shaped by her early influences, formal education, and passion for visual narratives. Julia discusses her creative process, from conceptual sketches to fully realized artwork, exploring how she uses color, texture, symbolism, and composition to bring characters and stories to life. We go behind the scenes into her studio practice, her experience working with publishers, and how collaboration with authors elevates her illustration work. Listeners will discover Julia’s insights into the book publishing world, the challenges and joys of professional illustration, and her evolving artistic philosophy. Whether she’s illustrating children’s books, editorial works, or personal projects, Julia’s art reflects a unique blend of whimsy, emotion, and cultural influence. This episode inspires artists, creatives, aspiring illustrators, and lovers of art and literature who want to learn how visual storytelling builds new worlds and deep emotional connection. Join us as Julia reveals how she finds creative rhythm, stays motivated, and continues developing her craft—one story at a time. If you’re passionate about illustration, narrative art, character design, or the creative life, this conversation offers an intimate look at how illustration can transform the way stories are experienced and remembered.

✅ SEO Keywords:
Julia Bangert, German illustrator, book illustrator, illustration podcast, creative interview, visual storytelling, children’s book illustration, publishing, editorial illustration, art biography, illustrator workflow, drawing, sketching, painting, artist spotlight, creativity, creative process, book arts, design inspiration, storytelling through art, contemporary illustrators, artist interview, women artists, European illustrators, illustration career, art techniques, illustrator journey.

BIO
Julia Bangert is a book illustrator who crafts hand-made designs into text. Her work with the Gutenberg Society led to combine her passion for painting with theoretical knowledge and she worked for the Gutenberg Shop in Mainz, which reproduces individual pages from the Gutenberg Bible. Julia was born in Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany in 1987. Her mother Katrin Hoffman is a writer and musician, and her estranged father, Oliver Streigel, a graphic designer. As the only child, Juliet indulged in drawing portraits and animals and although she enjoyed art she decided instead to focus her studies on book science, the German language, literature, and art history at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz where she graduated with her Masters degree in 2012 and a PhD in 2017. During that time she focused on the work of Johannes Gutenberg, the German inventor and craftsman who invented the printed press. She says: ‘I was particularly fascinated by the transitional phase, when the new technology allowed mass production of text, but the initials and decorations were still added by hand which made each copy unique.’ Since 2013 Julia has been working part-time as a freelance artist specializing in the field of book painting and takes commissions from around the world. She lives in Eisenberg, Germany with her husband Stephan.

Juliet’s website: https://www.julia-bangert.de/english/
Instagram: @book illumination

Julia’s favorite female artists:a
Tamar Cohen
Kelly Louise
Judd Ioana Pioaru
Tania Crossingham
Frida Kahlo (d)

Julia’s Playlist
Long Long Time - Linda Ronstadt
Bird set free - Sia
Surrender - Birdy
Look what I found - Lady Gaga
Waves - Dean Lewis
Control - Zoe Wees
Lovely - Billie Eilish, Khalid

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step inside the creative world of Jana Büttner, an acclaimed figurative sculptor known for her evocative works that illuminate the emotional tension between humanity, form, and material. In this deeply personal and artistic episode, Jana shares her journey from discovering sculpture as a calling to refining her practice through experimentation, discipline, and constant curiosity. Listeners will gain rare insight into her artistic process—how she selects materials, conceptualizes themes, and brings human stories to life with texture and precision. Jana also discusses the emotional and psychological dimensions of sculpting the human figure: how memory, identity, vulnerability, and imperfection shape the characters she creates. From early studies and artistic influences to studio life, international exhibitions, and navigating the contemporary art world, Jana reveals the triumphs and challenges behind building a career in fine art. This conversation explores her unique vision, reflections on creative risk-taking, and the spiritual connection between artist and subject. Whether you’re a sculptor, collector, student, or lover of contemporary fine art, this episode offers inspiration, education, and an intimate look at the dedication behind Jana Büttner’s work.

Tune in to learn:

• How Jana discovered figurative sculpture and developed her signature style
• The techniques, materials, and philosophies that guide her studio practice
• The emotional storytelling embedded in form and gesture
• What it takes to establish a career in the international art world
• Advice for emerging artists on creativity, resilience, and originality

Perfect for listeners fascinated by sculpture, figurative art, fine arts careers, and the inner lives of working artists.

SEO Keywords:
Jana Büttner, figurative sculptor, contemporary sculpture, figurative art, fine art podcast, artist interview, sculptural process, art career journey, contemporary artist spotlight, creative process, clay sculpture, art studio practice, sculpture techniques, visual storytelling, museum-level artwork, emerging artists, art education, art history influence, creative inspiration, gallery exhibitions, art collectors, European sculptors, modern figurative sculpture

BIO
Jana Büttner is a figurative sculptor who focuses on sculpting from life from her studios in Salzburg and Florence. Jana was born in Salzburg, Austria in 1997 and has what she describes as three half siblings. Her mother Petra, an art teacher is from Prague and her father Uwe is from Dortmund. She grew up in an artistic and musical family, learning violin and piano, and visiting museums and galleries around Europe. From 2008-2012 Jana studied at he Musisches Gymnasium Salzburg where she was exposed to music, dancing, literature and fine art. After graduating she decided to spend a year in New Zealand which helped her clarify her career goals. When she was 19 she was accepted at the prestigious Florence Academy of Art where she spent three years studying under multiple instructors including the founder of the sculpting program Robert Boden. Jana has won numerous awards and shown in exhibitions and permanent collections around Europe and the US, including “Face 2021,“ Society of Portrait Sculptors, La Galleria Pall Mall London, the Espaco Exhibitionista Gallery, Lisbon Portugal, and the Figurativas in Barcelona. She says her goal is it to provoke emotions and encourage empathy in the viewer. The viewer should be engaged by the work, so they can identify themselves within it.

Jana’s website: https://www.janabuettner.com/
Instagram @janabuettner.art

Jana’s favorite women artists:
Colleen Barry
Hannah Sutton
Mirjam Jahn
Hannah Brictson
Käthe Kollwitz (d)
Camille Claudel (d)

Playlist Cerca De Ti - Hermanos Gutiérrez
Mariella - Khruangbin, Leon Bridges
Jungle - Jimi Hendrix
Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Pts 1-5 - Pink Floyd

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step into the dynamic world of visual storytelling with award-winning cinematographer Chris Wairegi—a creative force reshaping filmmaking through bold imagery, collaborative artistry, and intentional representation. In this powerful biographical episode, Chris reflects on the journey from early creative influences to becoming a sought-after cinematographer known for visual narratives that amplify identity, culture, and lived experience. From on-set insight to emotional creative pivots, Chris opens up about building a career from the ground up, finding community, and the significance of authentic representation in today’s film and media landscape. Listeners will hear behind-the-scenes stories from notable productions, how artistic style develops through experimentation, and what it means to lead with curiosity, empathy, and purpose. Chris also discusses the importance of mentorship, the technical and philosophical sides of the craft, and why cinematography matters now more than ever. Whether you’re a filmmaker, storyteller, student, or cinephile, this conversation offers wisdom, inspiration, and a deeper appreciation for the power of images to move hearts and shift culture.

🎧 Tune in for creative guidance, insight into visual storytelling, and a compelling life story grounded in passion and purpose.

✅ Keywords (SEO) Chris Wairegi, cinematographer interview, filmmaking podcast, visual storytelling, film production, camera department, creative career, filmmaker biography, cinematography techniques, on-set experience, representation in film, emerging filmmakers, creative inspiration, behind the scenes, artist journey, motion picture photography, documentary cinematography, film industry insights, podcast interview, creative storytelling

BIO
Chris Wairegi is a New York based cinematographer, local 600 camera operator, ASC Mentee and creator of 600 Black Women. Chris was born in Cleveland, OH to parents, who are both entrepreneurs, and she has an older brother. A keen student, she enjoyed art and history as well as excelling at a number of sports. During high school she developed an interest in photography and decided to pursue a film career so she chose Rochester Institute of Technology where she would be able to make films in her first year. She already knew that she was destined for the Big Apple so armed with a dual degree to her credit she made her way into the industry. Chris emphasizes the importance of starting at the bottom and learning different roles, which has helped her appreciate the multi-faceted industry now that she is a cinematographer. Chris’ filming experience is cross genre from narrative to documentary, commercial to experimental, and short to long form works for streaming, television, and the big screen. Her credits include Netflix’ Survival of the Fittest, Starz’ Run The World, Black Girl Beauty for VH1, andMTV’s, Women in Rap. In 2021, Chris founded 600 Black Women whose mission is to create a more inclusive industry and for which she was the recipient of the very first Kodak Vanguard Award. She is a member of the ICG Scholarship Committee, a 2021 ICG Generation Next Change Maker and a 2023 ASC Vision Scholar. Chris lives in New York with her husband and their dog.

Chris’ links: Website: chriswairegi.com
600 Black Women: https://www.600blackwomen.com/
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6384689/
Instagram: @blackberryfilms


Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
Facebook: AART, the podcast
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step into the vibrant world of Christine Lashley, an award-winning painterly realism oil painter celebrated for her bold brushwork, expressive color harmonies, and immersive plein-air landscapes. In this inspiring biographical interview, Christine shares her creative journey—from her early artistic influences to the evolution of her luminous style that bridges classical realism with impressionistic emotion. Listeners will discover how Christine interprets nature through a poetic lens, transforming everyday environments into richly textured visual narratives. She opens up about her artistic process, the importance of intuition and observation, and how natural light shapes her compositions. Christine also discusses her studio practice, plein-air techniques, personal challenges, and career milestones that have guided her to become one of today’s beloved contemporary painters. Whether you’re a painter, an art collector, or someone captivated by stories of creative devotion, this episode offers meaningful insight into the life of a modern realist who paints with both technical mastery and heartfelt sensitivity. Christine’s reflections illuminate the fearless experimentation, lifelong learning, and emotional honesty required to truly see—and paint—the world.

Tune in for an uplifting and educational conversation ideal for anyone passionate about fine art, oil painting, and the inner life of artists redefining realism.

🔎 Suggested Keywords (SEO):
Christine Lashley, painterly realism, oil painting, plein-air artist, contemporary realism, realism painter interview, landscape oil painting, fine art podcast, painter biography, art career story, painting techniques, impressionistic realism, realistic art, art education, creative journey, painter spotlight, visual artist interview, art studio practice, contemporary art podcast, women in art, nature painting, color theory, brushwork techniques, landscape art process, art inspiration.

BIO
Christine Lashley is a American landscape oil painter who says the beauty of a moment held in memory and fusing reality and the abstract, are key elements of her style. Christine was born in San Francisco in 1967 but moved when she was still a baby. Her father Charles worked for the US government which involved being frequented relocated. Her mother Marta was a stay at home mom who, aside from raising Christine and her sister Rebecca, was a doll-maker. Because of the transient lifestyle of her family, Christine attended four different high schools. When her mother spotted her natural talent she was encouraged to pursue art. At the age of 17, Christine studied at the Sorbonne and Parsons in Paris. It was there that she was spotted for a different talent and offered work as a fashion model, which led to international travel and living the high life for a while. But after two years Christine decided she wanted to go back to school so she returned to the US and gained a BFA from Washington University in St. Louis. Her first job was in graphic design and creating murals for set design in theater and ballet. She met her husband in college and the couple moved to Seattle before moving east to Boston and then the Washington, DC area. Christine currently lives in Reston, VA and has two daughters who are both artistic.

Christine’s website: https://www.christinelashley.com/
Instagram: @christinelashleyart

Christine’s favorite female artists:
Suchitra Bohstle
Nancy Tankersley
Carolyn Anderson
Berthe Morrisot

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step behind the curtain of modern television storytelling with this inspiring biographical interview featuring Natalee Watts — acclaimed TV Producer, Showrunner, and Director. From her early creative spark to leading some of television’s most compelling productions, Natalee shares an honest conversation about the passion, discipline, and collaboration required to bring powerful stories to life. In this episode, Natalee explores the behind-the-scenes world of producing prestige television — from pitching and greenlighting shows to building a writer’s room, mentoring new talent, and navigating the evolving entertainment landscape. She details how she has shaped her career with curiosity, resilience, and creative fearlessness, opening doors for diverse voices and forging new pathways of storytelling. Listeners will learn about:

• Natalee’s personal journey into film and TV
• The evolving role of the showrunner
• Directing with emotional clarity
• Building dynamic production teams
• The challenges and growth opportunities for women behind the camera
• Creative leadership and storytelling craft
• How to sustain inspiration in a fast-changing industry

Natalee shares valuable insight on how great television gets made — from concept to screen — and why the most powerful stories come from truth. Whether you’re a filmmaker, aspiring showrunner, or simply a lover of great TV, this conversation offers wisdom, humor, and a fresh perspective on the ever-changing creative process. Tune in for a deep and engaging look at the motivations, challenges, and artistic breakthroughs that have shaped Natalee’s remarkable career.

SEO Keywords: 
Natalee Watts, Natalee Watts interview, TV producer interview, showrunner interview, director interview, television producer, behind the scenes TV, filmmaking, television industry, directing, creative leadership, producing TV shows, show development, writer’s room, entertainment business, creative career stories, women in film, women in TV, storytelling craft, podcast interview, film & TV careers, Hollywood, production insights, biographical podcast.

BIO
Emmy-nominated TV producer, showrunner, and director Natalee Watts. Among her many credits, Natalee was Chef Jamie Oliver’s Producer for two seasons of ABC’s Emmy Award winning, Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, and was a producer-director on his 7-part British documentary series Dream School for Channel 4. She was the Co-Creator, Executive Producer and Showrunner for the 10-part documentary series, Operation Change for the Oprah Winfrey Network as well as the Director and Co-Executive Producer of the 10-part documentary series Kentucky Ayahuasca for Vice. Natalee has produced 38 episodes of ABC’s Emmy-nominated Dancing With The Stars and 24 episodes of ABC’s The Bachelor. She has also produced series for NBC, CBS, FOX, TBS, MTV, OWN, E! Entertainment, and DISNEY+. Recently, Natalee served as the Co-Executive Producer of the CBS hit competition reality series, Tough As Nails. Tough As Nails celebrates hard-working women and men who are essential to America’s infrastructure. She has so far filmed in 31 countries around the globe. Natalee was born in Wilmington, NC, the middle of three daughters to Evan ‘Butch’ Watts, a retired financial services advisor and artist, and Vickie Tienken Watts, a teacher. After graduating from New Hanover High School, Natalee attended the Appalachian State University to study Broadcast Journalism & Psychology. Once she decided to embark on a career in television with her sights ultimately set on Hollywood, she headed for Chicago where she had her first break in the business. For five years she worked on the Jenny Jones Talk Show starting as a PA and leaving as a producer. Natalee has gained extensive experience in different genres within the television medium which have profoundly impacted her and now influence her future goals in TV production. In her spare time she enjoys designing websites and still photography and lives in LA with her partner cinematographer Gretchen Warthen.

Natalee's links:
Instagram: @nataleewatts
Website: https://www.nataleewatts.com/
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1451659/

Women whose work Natalee admires:
Beth Robinson, Film & TV Set Decorator
Anna Echols, Cake Artist
Kerry September, Makeup Artist
Anna Jones, ANNA JONES - Food Stylist & Author

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

In this inspiring biographical interview, award-winning filmmaker and cinematographer Hope Hall shares her remarkable creative journey—from her early curiosity in visual storytelling to becoming one of the most respected names in documentary filmmaking and political cinematography. Best known for her role as Official White House Videographer for President Barack Obama, Hope takes listeners behind the lens, recounting the memorable stories, human moments, and history-shaping experiences she captured throughout her career. Hope’s work spans documentary film, commercial production, advocacy storytelling, and intimate political narratives. In this episode, she reflects on the responsibility and privilege of documenting real life as it unfolds, the filmmaking values that guide her, and how a camera can change lives by revealing truth with empathy. Hope discusses her evolving creative practice, her passion for centering humanity in her work, and the technical craft that elevates her filmmaking—from lighting and composition to story structure and editing. Listeners will gain insight into:

• How Hope discovered filmmaking and honed her storytelling voice
• Her role in the Obama White House and what it meant to chronicle a presidency
• Lessons about ethics, trust, and presence in documentary cinematography
• Her approach to field production, visual intimacy, and authentic representation
• Creativity, purpose, and using film to inspire empathy and global change

Whether you’re a filmmaker, documentarian, political storyteller, or simply someone who loves stories rooted in connection, this episode delivers valuable wisdom and uplifting perspective from one of the industry’s most thoughtful creators.

✅ SEO Keywords / Tags Hope Hall, Hope Hall filmmaker, Hope Hall cinematographer, Obama White House videographer, official White House videographer, documentary filmmaking, political cinematography, behind the scenes White House, documentary director, women filmmakers, women cinematographers, creative biography podcast, filmmaking interview, storytelling, visual storytelling, documentary storytelling, film career journey, art of cinematography, creative inspiration, photography and film, cinematographer life, filmmaking leadership, Obama administration history

BIO
Hope Hall who has built a career that includes assuming the role as Principal Presidential Videographer to President Obama, a position that she considered was the best job in the world. Her journey however started a long way from the White House in a different world as a modern dancer. Hope was born in 1969 in Chicago to Tom Hall, a retired Navy officer and advertising account executive, and Betsy Hall, a secretary. She is the youngest of three children and has three more siblings from her father’s second marriage. Her mother navigates lifelong severe mental illness and Hope asked for her siblings and her to move in with her father and step mother, after living in Mexico and Brazil and her parents’ divorce. She then lived with her new family in Chicago, California and Connecticut. Music has always played a role in Hope’s life; she plays the piano, guitar, and now the drums, as well as being a singer. She also practiced gymnastics in her youth, and classical ballet proved to be the start of her dancing career. Hope took part in dance and theater in high school and college before making her way to Venice, San Francisco and New York as a professional dancer. From an early age she had a sense of social justice and enjoyed story telling so she was naturally drawn to photo-journalism, which gave her the foundation for film-making. Hope studied at the University of Paris III, IV, Center for Critical Studies (1989-90), the University of California, Berkeley, getting her B.A. in History and French (1991) and her M.A. at Stanford University in Documentary Film & Video (2000). Hope then moved back to NYC where she began incorporating music videos and projection design into her cinematography and directing practice. In addition to serving as President Obama’s videographer, Hope was Senior Advisor for Video & Senior Road Videographer to Senator Warren's presidential campaign, and then Director, Digital Strategy Advisor and Cinematographer for both the Biden and Harris campaign and administration. Hope lives in New York where she is now enjoying life as a freelancer. 

Hope’s website:IMDB and Instagram:
https://www.hopehall.com/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0355650/
https://www.instagram.com/hopiehall

Hope’s playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3XEjsZ56rsZcKydhZ7d4gY?si=fab36f6723184574

Some women whose work Hope admires:
Wendall Harrington
Penny de los Santos
Jessie Henson
Purcell Carson
Sadia Shepard

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

In this inspiring biographical interview, we sit down with Aimee Erickson — acclaimed American artist, internationally renowned oil painter, award-winning instructor, and celebrated author. Known for her masterful use of color, expressive brushwork, and compelling visual storytelling, Erickson has become one of the most respected contemporary painters working today. From studying classical foundations to building a thriving professional career, Aimee shares how she blends observation and imagination to create atmospheric paintings that transcend traditional plein-air and studio boundaries. She opens up about the formative influences that shaped her artistic voice, the creative challenges she has overcome, and the deeply personal philosophy that guides her work. Listeners will hear about her award-winning plein-air practice, evolution as a teacher, and the process behind her acclaimed book. Aimee offers invaluable insight into building artistic confidence, exploring curiosity, and practicing art with intention. Whether you’re an artist, collector, educator, or creative soul, this conversation invites you to reflect on what it means to pursue mastery while staying connected to a spirit of wonder. Highlights include:

• Aimee’s early artistic development and professional breakthroughs
• How observation, intuition, and design shape her painting process
• Her love of plein-air painting—travel, patience, and presence
• The craft of teaching and mentoring emerging artists
• Lessons from writing and publishing her book
• Using curiosity and personal voice as creative tools
• Advice for artists navigating career growth and self-doubt

Aimee Erickson’s thoughtful wisdom and approachable storytelling make this a deeply enriching episode for anyone passionate about painting, creativity, and lifelong learning.

✅ Keywords (SEO) Aimee Erickson, Aimee Erickson interview, American artist, oil painter, contemporary art, plein-air painting, art podcast, painting techniques, artist biography, creative journey, color mastery, fine art, art education, art instructor, art mentorship, artistic process, art inspiration, landscape painting, figurative painting, how to paint, art philosophy, visual storytelling, studio practice, creative growth, art career development, painting workshops, art teacher, artist author, modern painters, art book, creativity podcast, artist stories, art collectors, painter interview

BIO
American artist Aimee Erickson, is an internationally renowned oil painter, teacher, and author. Aimee has exhibited and painted all over the world, and has won numerous awards. Aimee was born in 1967 at the American Hospital in Paris’s 16th arrondissement. She is the second of five children born to Ed, an astrophysicist and Beth Erickson, a high school English teacher, both from Seattle, Washington. When she was three years old her family returned to the US via a brief spell in England, settling in Sunnyvale, CA. As a child, Aimee “had lots of bonus extracurricular education and activities - cello, baking, sewing, soccer, lots of reading, and my mom taught us all to speak French, plus lessons or gear for anything I wanted to learn, like oil painting from the age of six, unicycling, gymnastics, and we were all required to play the piano”. Aimee gained her BFA from Brigham Young University in Utah in Visual Communication Design with an Illustration emphasis. But after college she struggled with depression and moved back to Oregon taking jobs in stage scenery. Growing up as a Mormon proved to be a challenge for Aimee and even though she spent 18 months in France as a missionary, she was never comfortable with the religion. In 2003, after much heartache she left the Mormon faith which she says was a turning point to liberating her both personally and professionally. Aimee has spent her life as an artist; her portfolio extends from landscapes to still life to portraits. She lives in Portland, OR.

Aimee’s website: https://www.aimeeerickson.com/
Instagram @1aim

Aimee’s Playlist:
Jason Isbell, "How to Forget"
Chris Stapleton, "Traveller"
Wilco, "California Stars"
The Finn Brothers "Won't Give In"

Favorite female artists:
Sophie Franz.
Kathleen B. Hudson
Jessie Wilcox Smith

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

In this inspiring biographical interview, we sit down with Hannah Epstein — award-winning Director of Photography (DP) and cinematographer — to explore the creative path that led her behind the lens of some of today’s most compelling visual stories. Known for her meticulous eye, intuitive storytelling, and ability to translate emotion into striking imagery, Hannah shares how she discovered her passion for film, built a successful cinematography career, and developed a signature visual style that resonates deeply with audiences. Hannah takes us through her earliest creative influences, her hands-on training across a variety of camera systems, and the professional milestones that shaped her journey. From documentary and narrative work to commercial filmmaking, she discusses the challenges and triumphs of working in fast-paced production environments and the importance of creative collaboration with directors and producers. Listeners will hear about Hannah’s process on set — from shot conception and lighting design to lens selection and color palettes — and gain valuable insight into the artistic and technical mindset of a modern cinematographer. She also speaks about navigating a competitive industry, the importance of mentorship, and how she remains grounded while continuing to grow her body of work. Whether you’re an aspiring DP, filmmaker, film student, or simply someone who loves captivating visual storytelling, this episode offers an authentic look at the craft, discipline, and passion behind remarkable cinematography.

✅ Primary Keywords (SEO) director of photography interview, cinematographer interview, Hannah Epstein, filmmaker podcast, behind the lens, visual storytelling, film production, cinematography career, women in film, camera department, DP workflow, lighting design, commercial filmmaking, narrative filmmaking, filmmaking education, film industry stories, creative career path

BIO
Director of Photography and Cinematographer Hannah Epstein has been with National Football League (NFL) since 2012 and is the first female camera operator on the staff. Hannah was born in Pennington, NJ in 1990 to Terri, a writer and artist, and Jonathan, a lawyer. She has a brother Harrison who works in finance. In her youth, Hannah was a keen sportswoman and played on lacrosse and basketball teams. She became fascinated with cameras at any early age, vigorously studying the fine art of still photography, which provided the foundation for film. She attended Middlebury College in Vermont, which had a film and media culture and where she also enjoyed cinema studies. Hannah also spent a semester in Ireland where she produced music videos. In 2005, Hannah volunteered for the Israel Lacrosse organization, coaching kids and filming the program’s U19 women’s team. Back in the US, Hannah interned in the camera department of the NFL, which led to her current position as Staff Cinematographer. She was DP for HBO’s “Hard Knocks Training Camp, and DP on the TV series Earnin’ It and Abby’s Places, and camera operator on 30 for 30. When she is not on the road with NFL Films, Hannah is working with her parent’s dog Winnie in agility training or taking still photos for fun. She lives in Haddon Heights, NJ. 

Hannah on Instagram @hannah.k.epstein
Hannah’s IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13357021/

Playlist:
Wavelength - Vance
Joy Sunrise - Norah Jones
Ivy - Taylor Swift
Crash Into Me - Dave Matthews Band
Broken Halos - Chris Stapleton
Keep It Loose, Keep it Tight - Amos Lee
Leon Bridges - Brown Skin Girl
If I Ain't Got You - Alicia Keys
Beatles "Rubber Soul" Album

Women visual artists I admire:
Lynsey Addario (photojournalist, conflict photographer)
Sophie Darlington (wildlife cinematographer)
Dorothea Lange (documentary photographer)
Krystle Wright (Nat Geo / Adventure photographer)
Rachel Morrison (cinematographer/director of Photography)

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

In this inspiring biographical episode, we sit down with American sculptor Leah Jeffery—a rising voice in contemporary sculpture known for her intuitive connection with form, texture, and emotional storytelling. Leah shares her creative journey, from early artistic influences to her evolution as a sculptor working across mediums including clay, bronze, stone, and mixed material installations. Listeners will discover how Leah’s artistic practice blends traditional craftsmanship with modern conceptual ideas to explore themes of identity, memory, and the natural world. She discusses her process of shaping organic forms, the physical and emotional labor behind large-scale sculpture, and how she continues to push the boundaries of material and technique. Leah also opens up about studio life, what it means to create authentically, and how she connects her work to community through public art and exhibition. With honesty and candor, Leah reflects on her challenges, major milestones, and the artistic mentors who shaped her career. Whether you are an emerging artist, sculptor, collector, or simply curious about the creative process, this conversation offers deep insight into the mind and hands of an artist dedicated to bringing raw material to life. Tune in to explore:

• How Leah discovered the transformative power of sculpture
• The meaning behind her signature forms and natural motifs
• Her approach to scale, texture, and working with stone and metal
• Lessons learned from gallery exhibitions and public installations
• The emotional and physical discipline of studio practice
• Advice for young artists building a personal voice

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about sculpture, contemporary art, creative expression, or the journey of becoming an artist.

✅ Suggested Keywords (SEO) American sculptor, Leah Jeffery, contemporary sculpture, modern sculptors, art interview, biographical art podcast, creative process, fine art, sculpting techniques, stone sculpture, bronze sculpture, contemporary art podcast, artist story, studio practice, public art, art exhibitions, mixed media sculpture, women sculptors, emerging artists, creative inspiration, art education, artistic journey.

BIO
American sculptor Leah Jeffery transforms scrap metal into beautiful pieces of art depicting birds and animals. Leah was born in 2000 in Tampa, Florida one of eight children to Suzanne, a home-maker and home-schooler, and Craig, a business consultant. At the age of six months her family moved to Peachtree City, Georgia where she grew up. Her metalworking shop is in Hogansville, GA where she also works part-time in metal fabrication. As a child Leah struggled with school as dyslexia challenged her and she realized that college was not for her. While at school, she learned to weld and was fascinated by the process of being creative with metal so she decided to go to welding school. It was here that she explored techniques to create art beyond functional welding and realized she had a talent for multi-dimensional forms. Leah’s business has grown so much that she is planning to go full-time in the New Year. She says her commissions have taken off this year but her goal is to find a balance between exploring and creating new art forms combining her love of nature. In her spare time, Leah is building her own Cob house. She lives in Peachtree City, GA. 

Leah’s website and Instagram:
https://www.bruisedreedstudio.com/
@bruised_reed_studio

Leah’s Playlist:
June - Briston Maroney
White Blank Page - Mumford and Sons
Surfing in Iceland - Goth Babe
Pyrotechnics - Jean Dawson
Fallingwater - Maggie Rogers
Be Around - Ocie Elliott

Leah’s favorite female artists:
Barbie the Welder
Kutovakika
Jen Phillips

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

In this inspiring biographical episode, we sit down with Swedish camera operator Sandra Wording, whose evolving career behind the lens has taken her from Scandinavia to film and television sets around the world. Known for her precision, adaptability, and intuitive storytelling sensibility, Wording shares how she developed her craft and built a career in one of the most demanding roles on set. With openness and humor, Sandra reflects on her early creative influences growing up in Sweden, her entry into the film industry, and the mentors and experiences that shaped her visual approach. She breaks down the artistry and technique of camera operation—from framing and movement to collaborating with directors, cinematographers, and on-set teams. Listeners will gain insight into the workflows of film and television production, the challenges of life on set, and the emotional drive behind cinematic storytelling. Sandra also discusses the importance of representation, navigating a competitive industry, and her love of creating images that resonate with audiences. Whether you’re a filmmaker, student, film lover, or simply fascinated by what happens behind the scenes, this interview offers a rich look at the dedication, skill, and creativity required to bring images to life. Tune in for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation with camera operator Sandra Wording, and discover how she continues to frame stories that matter.

Keywords:
Sandra Wording, Sandra Wording interview, Swedish camera operator, camera operator, women in film, women behind the camera, filmmaking, cinematography, film production, TV production, film crew, on-set stories, visual storytelling, Scandinavian filmmakers, creative careers, camera movement, framing, film industry insights, behind the scenes, film and television, camera department, movie making, film workflow, European filmmakers, film craft, storytelling through camera, professional film crew, biographical podcast interview, podcast filmmaking, camera operator spotlight, international filmmakers, film education, film techniques

BIO
Sweden’s Sandra Wörding has established herself as a leading Director of Photography in the male dominated world of sports photography. In 2021 she was named the Sports Photographer of the Year and is regarded as the top female sports camera operator in the world. Sandra was born in 1981 in Dalarna, Sweden to Elisabet and Mauritz Lindström. She has an older brother Marcus and younger brother Martin. Sandra played a variety of sports as a child although not ice hockey but she began filming the sport at the young age of 16. She quickly adapted to the nuances of anticipating a fast paced sport and regularly found work either on the ice or on the ski slopes. From 2017 -2022, Sandra attended Bergklint Education to become a Personal Trainer and Lifestyle Coach. She then studied Photojournalism at Mittuniversitetet in Sundsvall graduating in 2005. Sandra covers a wide variety of sports and in the winter this involves enduring long hours on the ski slopes, filming Nordic sports such as biathlon and of course ice hockey. She lives in Timrå with her two daughters Isabell and Amanda. 

Sandra on Instagram: @sandra.wording_camera.operator

Sandra’s Playlist:
Moov with Golden Temples E-Type with This Is The Way
Zara Larsson with End Of Time
Tomaso Albinoni with Adagio in G Minor
Miss Li with “Starkare"
Alessandra with Queen of Kings.

Women whose work Sandra admires:
Carolina Gynning - Swedish Free Spirit Artist
Veronika Eriksson - Swedish owner / Founder of Veronicc Arts
Malin Jansson - Swedish who uses her body to create amazing artistisk calisthenics in a male dominant genre.
Anna Caroline - Swedish painter

“I admire all the women who stood up for themself and other women that started #Metoo. And all the women and men who keep working for better work conditions for the women in the media industry."
- Sandra Wörding.

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

In this deeply personal and visually imaginative episode of the AART Podcast with Chris Stafford, we sit down with acclaimed cinematographer Alicia Robbins—a storyteller who shapes emotion through light, lens, and movement. Best known for her cinematic voice and ability to elevate character-driven narratives, Alicia brings us behind the camera to reveal how she captures truth and creates imagery that resonates long after the frame fades to black. Alicia shares her creative evolution, from discovering the poetry of cinematography to developing a signature style that’s both technically masterful and emotionally intuitive. We explore her artistic influences, on-set experiences, and the quiet internal work that supports her boldest visual decisions. With thoughtful reflections on collaboration, identity, motherhood, and navigating a dynamic industry, Alicia offers a rare window into the heart of a cinematographer—where craft meets vulnerability, curiosity, and artistic purpose. Whether you’re a filmmaker, artist, or lover of cinema, this intimate conversation invites you to consider how images can shift our perceptions, unearth memories, and help us tell stories only the heart recognizes. Tune in for a soulful and inspiring deep dive into the world of visual storytelling with Alicia Robbins.a

✅ Keywords: Alicia Robbins, cinematographer interview, film cinematography, woman cinematographer, visual storytelling, filmmaking podcast, AART Podcast, Chris Stafford, lighting design, camera artistry, women in film, behind the scenes filmmaking, creative process, film industry insights, movie storytelling, visual narrative, artistic journey, film craft, filmmaking career, cinematography podcast, creative conversation, movie production, on-set stories, Hollywood cinematographer, featured cinematographer

American cinematographer Alicia Robbins is the first female to become a full-time Director of Photography on a Shondaland series. Alicia was lead DP on  season 17 of GREY’S ANATOMY, and also lensed episodes of season 3 of the Netflix series, ‘BRIDGERTON. Other credits include a 2022 mini-series for Netflix titled KEEP BREATHING. She also shot four episodes of season 2 of the NBC re-boot of Quantum Leap. The feature BABYSPLITTERS, lensed by Alicia, won Best Feature Film at the 2020 Santa Barbara International Film Festival and Best Comedy Feature at the San Diego International Film Festival, and received a mention in Variety for its "sparkling" cinematography. And THE WEDDING INVITATION won Best Romantic Comedy at the Manhattan Film Festival and Best Comedy at Burbank International Festival in 2016. Alicia is the 2018 recipient of the prestigious Emerging Cinematographer Award from the Cinematographer's Guild for her work on the short INTERNET GANGSTERS.  Alicia was born in San Diego, California in 1979, the youngest of three children—she has an older sister Theresa and brother Tommy—to parents Mary Lynne and Tommy—both musicians, piano and voice teachers. Her parents lived in San Diego for over 20 years but when Alicia was four years old, the family moved to Trussville, AL where she grew up.  At the age of seven, she became a competitive swimmer through high school. Despite a musical background, Alicia chose a career in cinematography and in 2003, she graduated with an MFA from the American Film Institute (AFI).  Alicia will be returning to BRIDGERTON to shoot Season 4 later this year. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, fellow DP, David Smith.
 
Instagram:
@aliciacamchick
Website:
 https://www.aliciarobbins.com/
IMDB:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0730281/?ref_=nv_sr_1
 
Some favorite women in visual arts:
Mary Lynne Robbins
Mandy Walker
Natalie Kingston
Jeanne Tyson 

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step into the evolving world of contemporary representational art with acclaimed Colorado-based painter Zoey Frank. In this deeply engaging biographical interview, Zoey shares the artistic journey that led her to become one of the most compelling voices in modern painting today. Known for her dynamic approach to figurative and still-life painting, Zoey explores how observation, curiosity, and iteration shape the emotional depth and subtle abstraction found in her work. From her early fascination with painting to her rigorous artistic training and rapidly growing body of collector-favored pieces, Zoey reveals how she develops images over time — layering visual information, altering compositions, and pushing the boundaries between representation and abstraction. She speaks to the rhythms of her creative practice, the importance of environment and experimentation, and the influences that continue to guide her artistic evolution. Listeners will hear about:

• How Zoey builds paintings through accumulation, revision, and playful visual problem-solving
• Her development as a representational painter navigating contemporary art spaces
• The relationship between observation, narrative, and ambiguity in her compositions
• The shifting balance between precision and looseness
• The role of education, mentorship, and critique in an artist’s growth
• What keeps her inspired and curious in the studio

Whether you are a painter, collector, art student, or enthusiast drawn to thoughtful visual storytelling, Zoey offers invaluable insights into her artistic philosophy, studio process, and the ongoing pursuit of meaningful work. This conversation invites you to look more closely, think more deeply, and appreciate how art is built — not just made. If you love hearing directly from the artists shaping today’s creative landscape, you won’t want to miss this inspiring episode.

Keywords:
Zoey Frank, painter, Colorado artist, representational art, contemporary painting, figurative painting, still life painting, fine art podcast, artist interview, art studio practice, art biography, artwork process, oil painting, modern figurative art, art storytelling, creative journey, emerging artists, art collectors, art education, visual art, contemporary artist interview

BIO
Zoey Frank is a Colorado-based painter who works one large multiple figure compositions and still lifes in oil. And a new mother. She received her MFA in painting from Laguna College of Art and Design, California after studying for four years with Juliette Aristides at Gage Academy of Art in Seattle, Washington. Zoey has received three Elizabeth Greenshields grants, her work has been featured in publications such as Fine Art Connoisseur and High Fructose, and she has exhibited in galleries across the United States, England, and the Netherlands. Zoey was born in Boulder, CO in 1987, the only child of Ina Robbins, a psychotherapist and Douglas Frank, an acupuncturist. As a child, Zoey was drawn to arts and crafts. In school, she also enjoyed sports and briefly aspired to become a basketball player. But from the age of 13, she knew that art would be her life-calling and she found her way to art programs that would give her the foundation for her career. While she was studying she worked as a figure model for art courses. Whilst in her MFA program she was already selling her paintings so she was encouraged that once she graduated she could make a living with her art. For a while, Zoey struggled with health issues, which eventually served to confirm her life’s purpose. As her success has grown, so too have her canvases and she is currently working on an 18 feet high by 20 feet wide piece that she began two years ago. Zoey also offers online courses on a variety of subjects. She and her husband Peter and daughter Ida Joan live in Fort Collins, Colorado. 

Zoey's website: https://zoeyfrank.com/
Instagram: @zoeyfrank

Zoe’s Podcast Playlist:
Slate Culture Gabfest
Scriptnotes
Harry Potter and the Sacred Text

Some favorite artists:
Cecily Brown
Njideka Crosby
Lois Dodd
Susan Jane Walp
Susan Litchman
Catherine Kehoe
Jennifer Pochinski
Stephanie Pierce
Celeste Rapone

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step into the cinematic world of Ana Amortegui, an accomplished cinematographer and visual storyteller whose evocative imagery, emotional sensitivity, and innovative approach continue to shape film and television. In this in-depth biographical interview, Ana reflects on her artistic evolution, cultural influences, and the eye-opening journey that led her from early fascination with cameras to becoming a sought-after cinematographer. Listeners gain a behind-the-scenes look at the creative decisions that guide her lighting, composition, and narrative choices—along with the unique challenges and rewards of collaborating with directors, producers, and talent across diverse visual genres. Ana discusses the importance of authenticity in filmmaking, how she builds cinematic language for each story, and her thoughtful approach to representation both in front of and behind the lens. From early inspirations to career-defining projects, this episode explores Ana’s creative process, technical mastery, and artistic discipline—revealing how she balances intuition, emotional storytelling, and craft. She speaks candidly about navigating the film industry, building a network, and making bold creative decisions that have helped her forge a dynamic and enduring visual voice. Whether you're a filmmaker, film student, DP, visual artist, storyteller, or lover of the moving image, you’ll find inspiration and practical insights in Ana’s journey. This conversation is a powerful look at building a career in cinematography and the passion that keeps artists evolving.

✅ Key Topics

• Early creative influences and visual language
• Developing a personal cinematographic style
• Collaboration and communication on set
• Approaches to lighting and composition
• Narrative storytelling through camera movement
• Career milestones and personal breakthroughs
• Representation and identity in cinema
• Navigating film industry opportunities
• Advice for aspiring cinematographers and filmmakers

✅ Keywords (SEO) Ana Amortegui, cinematographer, director of photography, DP interview, filmmaking podcast, visual storytelling, film career, behind the scenes, camera movement, lighting design, composition, film education, movie industry, creative storytelling, women in film, film and television production, cinematography interview, filmmaking journey, artist biography, podcast for filmmakers

BIO
Ana Amortegui, ADFC DP, is a Colombian Director of Photography with a string of credits, including Resident Alien, Black Lightning, Into the Dark, Twenties S2, Gentrified, the web series, Heal and Quantum Leap S1 and S2 which is currently in production. Ana defines passion, determination and focus in her ambitions never letting anything or anyone stand in the way of her goals. And her journey from being a dancer in Colombia has taken her to the heart of Hollywood where women have to fight extra hard to break into the tough world of running camera. But Ana set herself a goal which she never lost sight of and worked her way up from Camera Assistant to DP. Born in Medellin, Colombia in 1979, Ana lost her mother Miriam when she was just seven years old so she was raised with her father Santiago and two brothers Jose and Javier. She proved herself a natural sportswoman, even playing softball for her country, but it was dancing that became an early passion and one that grew into her first career. Undeterred by her father’s opposition to her dancing ambitions she appeased him with being a diligent student and studying electrical engineer. Her talent soon drew the attention of casting directors and producers and she was hired on Protagonists de Novela as their dance teacher. Whilst on set Ana began to develop an interest in camera work and would take every opportunity to learn new skills. Following Electrical Engineering School, Ana graduated from video production and filmmaking at the Art Institute of California in 2010. While she was in school she would work a variety of jobs to make a living until she established herself in the industry. Her determination and passion on set led her from one job to another and she recalls that the turning point coincided with getting pregnant with her daughter Mila. Her friend and fellow Cinematographer Gretchen Warthen says: “Within four years, she achieved everything she told me she was going to do. Ana’s will and positive attitude is amazing. She inspires me always and I am so very proud of all she has accomplished.” During the actors strike Ana made use of the time studying a model of responsible parenting, as well as photography skills and face painting. Ana lives in Los Angeles with her husband actor Danny Pardo and their five year old daughter Mila.

Ana’s Playlist:
Salsa,
Tango,
Regueton
Marc Anthony
Carlos Vives

Some favorite female artists:
Kira Kelly, ASC, DP
Mariscela Mendez, DP
Alicia Robbins, DP
Kendra Jarnagin
Catalina Gomez Beuth, Colombian Painter

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

In this inspiring biographical interview, Canadian seascape and maritime painter Poppy Balser opens up about her lifelong connection to the ocean and how it shapes her award-winning watercolor and oil paintings. Recognized for her luminous depictions of coastal life, Balser shares her artistic journey—from growing up near the Bay of Fundy to becoming an acclaimed plein-air artist whose work reflects both awe and advocacy for the ocean environment. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how Poppy captures movement, atmosphere, and the changing seasons through her expressive brushwork, and how painting on location challenges her to respond to wind, waves, light, and the unpredictable conditions of nature. She discusses the emotional and technical complexities of maritime art, her plein-air philosophy, and the way her work expresses a profound respect for the sea and the people who depend on it. This episode dives into Poppy’s early influences, creative process, studio and outdoor practices, and her experiences participating in major exhibitions and international plein-air competitions. She reflects on the rewards and risks of painting on the water, how living near the dramatic tides of Nova Scotia informs her perspective, and what she hopes viewers feel when they encounter her artwork. Whether you are a painter, art student, coastal enthusiast, or creative soul seeking inspiration, this conversation offers rare insight into a life shaped by saltwater, weather, and paint. Discover how one artist transforms the rhythms of the ocean into timeless works of art.

✅ Keywords/SEO:
Poppy Balser, maritime artist, seascape painter, watercolor artist, oil painter, plein-air painting, coastal art, Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia artist, maritime painter interview, art podcast, artist biography, creative process, contemporary Canadian artists, marine art, coastal landscapes, ocean paintings, painting outdoors, artist storytelling, art inspiration, painting techniques, visual arts podcast, painter interview, watercolor seascapes, ocean conservation art, maritime culture, plein air watercolor, plein air oil painting.

BIO
Poppy Balser is a Canadian painter of maritime life and seascapes centered around the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia. Poppy was born in St Stephen, New Brunswick growing up in its environs before crossing the bay to settle in Nova Scotia. She has spent a lifetime close to the sea developing a natural connection to its shoreline, which has given her a unique perspective and appreciation for it resources. Poppy is the oldest of three children—she has a brother Owen and sister Rosie—to parents Udo Buerkle, a German immigrant and scientist, and mother Beth, a potter and homemaker. With a number of artists on both sides of her family, Poppy was encouraged as a child to take an interest in arts with access to a variety of crafts but it would be later in life that she revisited her passion. Growing up in rural New Brunswick, Poppy attended Vincent Massey Elementary and Sir James Dunn Academy. She enjoyed the outdoors, especially the fishing village life and surroundings that would later make it a natural choice of subject for her paintings. In school, she enjoyed science and physics so it was no surprise that she chose pharmacy school at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia as the foundation for a career as a pharmacist. It was then that she met her future husband Robert who also became a pharmacist. The couple later moved to Digby, NS and, while raising two children - Nick and Alice, Poppy resumed her painting. She has taken several workshops with several artists that would become her mentors and inspiration. Poppy is an award winning artist participating in plein air festivals and competitions across North America. She is currently Vice President of the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour (CSPWC). Poppy is represented by galleries, including Teichert Gallery in Halifax, Amicus Gallery in Chester, the Flight of Fancy in Bear River, Harvest Gallery in Wolfville as well as Camden Falls Gallery in Camden, Maine. 

Poppy’s website: https://www.poppybalser.com/
Instagram: @poppybalser

Poppy’s Playlist:
Podcasts, news, current affairs
RadioLab
Pop music

Poppy’s favorite women artists:
Watercolorists:
Shari Blaukopf of Montreal- fabulous sketcher and instructor Uma Kelkar of San Jose- urban sketcher, paints with abandon, is balancing two careers: engineer and painter, not afraid to experiment to make her art grow Linda Kemp, Ontario- beautiful painter, popular instructor Jean Pederson, Calgary, AB- fabulous painter, another one who welcomes experimentation in her art
Oil painters:
Nancy Tankersley, Easton, MD, gorgeous paintings, very skilled instructor. Nancy is one of the few (only?) woman instructor I have taken a workshop from Kathleen Hudson, Colorado Springs - balancing motherhood and painting Karen Blackwood, amazing seascapes, they take my breath away Barbara Jaenicke- paints snow like no one else, so stunning Olena Babak of Maine- beautiful light filled plein air paintings. I met Olena years ago at one of my first plein air events.

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step behind the camera and into the creative world of acclaimed Director of Photography, Ashley Barron, whose evocative cinematography blends artistic intuition with technical mastery. In this biographical interview, Ashley shares her journey from early creative influences to establishing a distinctive visual style across film, television, and commercial productions. Through insightful conversation, she opens up about navigating a competitive industry, collaborating with directors, shaping emotional narrative through lighting, color, and movement, and developing a sustainable creative career. Listeners will hear candid stories from set, how she approaches pre-production and visual research, and her philosophy on the evolving role of the cinematographer in a rapidly changing industry. Ashley also discusses her experiences as a woman in cinematography, mentorship, and what drives her to continuously experiment and innovate. Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker, an aspiring DP, or someone who simply loves visual storytelling, this episode is rich with real-world wisdom, artistic inspiration, and practical pathways for anyone pursuing work behind the lens. '

Tune in for an inspiring exploration of personal artistry, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of creative excellence.

Keywords:
Ashley Barron, Director of Photography, cinematographer, filmmaking podcast, women in film, female DP, visual storytelling, film production, behind the scenes, camera department, cinematic lighting, film and TV production, creative process, film industry insights, camera techniques, movie making, film career, artist journey, on-set experience, film collaboration, storytelling through camera, motion picture photography, filmmaker inspiration, DP interview.

BIO
Ashley Barron ACS is an international, award-winning Director of Photography with a string of credits across commercials, music videos, short films, TV and feature films. She is known for her work on Starz/Lionsgate's production Dangerous Liaisons, as well as the Australian Academy Award-winning series The Tailings, All Creatures Great & Small S2 for Channel 5 and PBS, and ITV’s The Tower S2. Born in Moscow in 1987 to her Russian mother Olga and Armenian father Sergey, Ashley draws on her international heritage, education and training, which gives her a unique perspective and approach to her art. At the age of seven, her family moved from Moscow to Limerick, Ireland where she adapted from Russian to English as she blended into Irish life with her older brother Nick. As a teenager, she and her mother moved to Perth, Western Australia after her parents separated and Ashley had to once again adjust to a new culture while deciding on her career path. She attended Curtin University in Perth where she gained her BA in Film & TV. From there her mother encouraged her to spend an Exchange Semester at the Ryerson University in Toronto, and then Hollywood where she earned her MFA in Cinematography at the American Film Institute Conservatory (AFI). In 2018, Ashley became one of 15 women to receive Accreditation from the Australian Cinematographer’s Society. Her work has earned a number of awards, including a coveted Gold Award from the Australian Cinematographer's Society (ACS), an AACTA Award (Aussie Oscar), a Nomination at the prestigious Camerimage Cinematography Film Festival, an invitation for membership of the Illuminatrix Collective, and one of the earliest memberships of the International Collective of Female Cinematographers (ICFC).

Ashley’s website: https://www.ashley-barron.com/ Ashley’s IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2551925/?ref_=nmbio_ov
Instagram: @ashleybarrondop

Some women whose work Ashley admires: Ari Wegner ACS Aga Szeliga ACO (Operator + founder of Women Behind the Camera) Catherine Goldschmidt BSC (+ Ness Whyte) (founders of Illuminatrix DOPs) Erika Addis (President of the ACS) Kim Snyder (President of Panavision)

Ashley’s Playlist: Foo Fighters "Everlong" The Pixies "Where is my Mind" Where is My Mind rendition Mumford & Sons "Hopeless Wanderer" Trent Reznor from The Social Network Smashing Pumpkins "Zero" Thomas Newman American Beauty Bicep "Atlas" Bicep "Cazenove" Nirvana "Aneurysm" Red Hot Chili Peppers "Dani California" The Dead Weather "Treat Me Like Your Mother" The White Stripes "Seven Nation Army" Foo Fighters "The Pretender" Nirvana "Heart Shaped Box" Mumford & Sons "Where Are You Now" Mumford & Sons "Hot Gates" Trent Reznor "In Motion" Of Monsters & Men "Dirty Paws" Requiem for a Dream Heroes by Bowie Where Is My Mind Everlong
I'm a Nu-Metal & Techno kid, otherwise I'm a big System of a Down, Manson, Slipknot, Korn, Mudvayne, Pendulum, Shapeshifter fan.

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step into the world of Amy Dury, an acclaimed English contemporary artist whose figurative paintings capture the essence of memory, emotion, and identity. In this intimate biographical podcast interview, Amy shares her artistic journey—from her early influences in the British art scene to her celebrated exhibitions and work inspired by archival photography and human experience. Listeners will gain insight into Amy’s creative process, her fascination with nostalgia and social history, and how she uses painting as a way to explore collective memory and personal narrative. This conversation dives deep into her artistic philosophy, techniques, and the role of women artists in today’s contemporary art landscape. Whether you’re an art lover, painter, or creative thinker, this episode offers inspiration and reflection on what it means to make meaningful art in the modern world. Perfect for audiences passionate about contemporary art, figurative painting, British artists, and the creative process, this episode showcases Amy Dury’s compelling perspective and enduring contribution to visual storytelling.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and YouTube.

🔑 Keyword:
 Amy Dury, English artist, British painter, contemporary art, figurative painting, female artist, art podcast, painter interview, creative process, British art scene, modern painting, fine art, memory in art, women in art, art and emotion, Amy Dury interview

BIO
English artist Amy Dury paints people by extracting figures from photographs from the pre-digital age found in family photographs or home movies. She is most often drawn to peoples’ roles in society, the hierarchies and dynamics of power. Amy says: “Our history instructs, seduces and tethers us, and I look to use paint to examine these emotive memories, which reflect current themes and tensions in contemporary life.” Amy was born in London, England in 1971, one of four children, she has two brothers and a sister. Her mother Susan was a teacher and creative in textile art. Her father John worked in the City. Amy studied for her BA in Printmaking at Glasgow School of Art graduating in 1997 before earning an MA in Fine Art at the University of Brighton. Prior to moving to Scotland where she met her husband, Amy studied in Belfast during The Troubles - the Northern Ireland Conflict - which was an uneasy time with the constant threat of bombing. When the couple moved to Brighton, Amy pursued her love of art by teaching before focusing on her painting. Of her art, she says: “I like looking at historical, vintage imagery. I feel very connected but I didn’t even live in those times and I don’t know who they are. I feel very tender, very emotional… moved by their lives, especially when you watch them on home movies and you see them walking and talking and laughing. It’s very moving and you feel reconnected and you feel part of the change of people, of society, of culture. When I make the paintings I feel like I’m connecting with that and I’m reaching something about my own experience now or the current experience through looking back into the past.” Amy divides her time as Head of Art at a Sixth Form College in Brighton and painting in her home studio. She is married to Peter, an artist and architect, whose father was a Scottish landscape artist. The couple have two children and live in Brighton. 

Amy’s website: https://www.amydury.com/
Instagram: @amy_dury

Favorite female artists:
Kaye Donachie
Jennifer Packer
Jenifer Pochinski
Lydia Petitt
Lynette Yiadem Boyake

Amy’s playlist:
Kate Bush
T-Rex, REM
The Smiths

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

In this inspiring biographical interview, we sit down with acclaimed cinematographer Gretchen Warthen, whose distinct visual storytelling and dedication to craft have made her a respected voice behind the camera. From early creative influences to her celebrated cinematography career, Gretchen offers an intimate look into her evolution, her artistic philosophy, and the experiences that have shaped her as an image-maker. Gretchen discusses her pathway into cinematography, how she found her visual voice, and the mentors and collaborators who guided her journey. She explores her approach to lighting, composition, and narrative intention—revealing how she crafts emotionally resonant imagery for film, television, and commercial productions. Listeners will hear behind-the-scenes stories, advice for filmmakers and artists, and reflections on creativity, persistence, and professional growth. Whether shaping imagery on remote location shoots or designing cinematic language in studio environments, Gretchen shares how she balances preparation with intuition to deliver authentic visual storytelling. This episode is a must-listen for emerging cinematographers, filmmakers, students, and anyone passionate about the art of the moving image. Discover how Gretchen continues to innovate, collaborate, and champion storytelling through the power of photography and film.

✅ Keyword Block Gretchen Warthen, Gretchen Warthen interview, cinematographer, filmmaking podcast, cinematography podcast, creative biography, film production, visual storytelling, DP interview, director of photography, film lighting, behind the scenes, film industry interview, camera department, filmmaking career, motion picture photography, creative process, artist interview, documentary cinematography, narrative cinematography, film school, filmmaking inspiration, women in film, podcast interview

BIO
Gretchen Warthen is an American cinematographer whose work has taken her from Hollywood sound stages to shooting from the back of a camel in India, an elephant in Thailand, the bow of a boat off Venezuela, hovering over Alaskan glaciers and the deserts of the Sahara in a helicopter. Gretchen was born in Idaho, the only child of parents Kathryn Warthen, a retired horticulturist, and Brian Warthen who, after a lifetime of struggle, found his true success in graphic arts. As a child, Gretchen was a tough girl in school with a rebellious nature. After High School, she headed to Boise State University where she gained a Bachelors in Communications before moving to Washington State where she went back to school at the Evergreen State College for a Bachelors in Liberal Arts. It was at Boise State that she began taking an interesting in film-making and undertook projects that showed her natural talent for the art which led her to pursue a career in the industry. By now Gretchen had a plan to be a camera operator and she steered her course starting in wardrobe through set design and props until she was on set where she wanted to be. Her youthful defiance and determination paid off and led her to success across genres. Gretchen has worked as the Director of Photography for the Emmy-nominated Netflix documentary feature "Circus of Books," the epic international OWN documentary series "Operation Change," the Emmy Award-winning NBC series “Starting Over,” the Showtime documentary series “The Real L Word” and the award winning documentary feature “East LA Interchange." She has also DP’d two award-winning narrative feature films; Sharon Gless’s “Hannah Free” and “Jamie and Jessie are Not Together.”  Gretchen has been a camera operator on popular Emmy Award-winning prime time reality programming, including “Project Runway,” “The Apprentice” and “America’s Next Top Model”. Her narrative credits also include FX’s “Mayans MC”, FOX’s “Call Me Kat” and FOX’s “Welcome to Flatch.” Gretchen has also been a camera operator on popular Live Comedy Specials including Netflix’s "Dave Chappell - Age of Spin” and “Hannah Gadsby - Douglas”.  When she is not working, Gretchen’s passion is collecting Vespa scooters and driving fast cars. She lives in LA with her wife Documentary Director, Unscripted Reality Co-Executive Producer, Natalee Watts.
 
Gretchen’s links: Website: https://www.ladycameraguy.com/
IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1008443/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladycameraguy/  @ladycameraguy
 
Women whose work Gretchen admires:
Shana Hagan - I admire her mentorship, high standards and gentle guidance. Shana has the documentary career I have always dreamed of having. 
Mandy Walker - I admire her creativity and ability to do it the way she wants to do it without being too heavily influenced by others. (Plus, works with Baz Luhrmann…)
Ana Amortegui - I admire her passion for life and having it all. Her gratitude for life’s struggles along the journey.
Chris Wairegi - I admire her motivation to make a difference in other people’s lives. 

Gretchen’s playlist:
Superchick/One Girl Revolution
Ladytron
Metric
Wax Tailor
Silver Sun Pickups
Old Madonna/Ray of Light
Doris Day/Fun
Sydney Bechet
Bessie Smith
Big Maybell
Nina Simone 

First published on the AART podcast, October 21, 2023,

Host: Chris Stafford A Hollowell Studios Production
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In this episode of AART the Podcast, we sit down with Nazafarin Lotfi, an Iranian-born, Chicago-based multi-disciplinary artist whose practice spans sculpture, drawing, photography, and performance. Known for her meditative exploration of space, embodiment, and materiality, Lotfi’s work invites viewers to slow down and experience the quiet intersections between the personal and the political, the visible and the hidden. Through an intimate and insightful conversation, Nazafarin discusses her artistic evolution from Iran to the U.S., the influence of architecture, light, and landscape on her creative process, and how memory, displacement, and identity inform her work. She reflects on navigating multiple cultural contexts, finding freedom through abstraction, and building community within the contemporary art world. Listeners will gain a deep understanding of Lotfi’s conceptual approach, her studio practice, and the subtle ways she challenges perception through form and presence. Whether you’re an art lover, student, or creative professional, this episode offers a compelling look into the life and vision of one of today’s most thought-provoking artists. 🎙️ About the Artist Nazafarin Lotfi is an Iranian-American multi-disciplinary artist whose work examines the tension between interior and exterior worlds through a poetic material language. Her art has been exhibited in leading galleries and museums across the U.S. and internationally, with pieces that bridge minimalism, embodiment, and philosophical inquiry.

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Nazafarin Lotfi, Iranian artist, multidisciplinary artist, conceptual art, contemporary Iranian art, sculpture, drawing, performance art, Chicago artist, AART podcast, artist interview, biographical podcast, contemporary art podcast, art and identity, Iranian American artists, women in contemporary art, materiality in art, visual art podcast, artist storytelling, art biography podcast

BIO
Nazafarin Lotfi is an Iranian multi-disciplinary artist who studies how the self and notions of identity are understood in relationship to architecture, landscape, space, and place. She explores humanness in relation to non-human bodies and places that are defined by practices of map-making and gardening. Nazafarin was born in Mashhad, Iran in 1984 during the Iran-Iraq war. She is one of four girls, her mother was a teacher who introduced her daughters to arts and literature. And her father owned a small business. Her exposure to the arts was limited as a child before she attended the University of Tehran where she earned her BA in Industrial Design. With ambitions to further her education in the West, Nazafarin headed to the US and gained an MFA in Painting and Drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. After graduating she took to teaching, always seeking a life that would reflect her art. She would soon find a place for her work in exhibitions and shows, nationally and internationally at venues such as the University Galleries at Illinois State University, Tucson Museum of Art, Artpace, Phoenix Art Museum, and Elmhurst Museum of Art. Nazafarin is the recipient of 2023 Eliza Moore Fellowship for Artistic Excellence. She says of her art: “I think placing myself between two very different aesthetics and ideologies allows me to create a more complicated personal language. And that does more justice to the complexities that I experience as an Iranian female artist living in the U.S. I grew up with social realist propaganda and had developed a mistrust of it. I come from a traditional society for which history weighs so much, and that can be limiting.’ Nazafarin is represented by Regards in Chicago. She lives in Tucson, Arizona with her husband Austin, a Professor of Persian Poetry, and two cats.

Nazafarin's website: http://www.nazafarinlotfi.com/
Instagram: @nazafarinlotfi

Host: Chris Stafford
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In this episode of AART the Podcast, we sit down with Cammi Climaco, a celebrated ceramicist, multidisciplinary artist, and educator whose work defies traditional boundaries between craft, sculpture, and storytelling. Known for her deeply personal and often provocative ceramic pieces, Cammi brings a raw honesty to her art that explores themes of humor, vulnerability, identity, and human connection. From her early experiments in clay to her current multidisciplinary practice that merges ceramics, performance, and installation, Cammi shares her creative evolution and the philosophy behind her work. She discusses the role of teaching and mentorship in her life, how she navigates the balance between art-making and instruction, and the importance of building authentic creative communities. Listeners will gain insight into the world of contemporary ceramics and the emotional depth that clay can hold in the hands of an artist who uses it to tell stories both intimate and universal. Whether you’re an artist, educator, or lover of contemporary art, this conversation offers inspiration, humor, and a powerful reminder of why creativity matters.

🎧 Listen on: Google Podcasts | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube

📍 Presented by: AART the Podcast – Conversations with artists shaping today’s creative landscape

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Cammi Climaco, ceramicist, multidisciplinary artist, ceramics podcast, contemporary ceramics, art education, artist interview, AART the podcast, modern ceramics, creative process, art and education, contemporary art podcast, teaching art, sculpture, mixed media artist, artist biography podcast

BIO
Cammi Climaco is a ceramicist, multidisciplinary artist, educator and erstwhile stand-up comedian based in New York. Cammi’s art moves between performance, sculptural and functional pieces and ruminates on the history of women in ceramics, finding joy in unreachable places and ancient love poems. Cammi was born in Cleveland, OH in 1971, the youngest of six children. Her father John Climaco ran a printing press at a printing company in Ohio and her mother Wanda was a homemaker who later cared for the elderly. Cammi received her BFA at Kent State University in Crafts and her MFA in Ceramics at Cranbrook Academy of Art. After college, Cammi spent some time in the corporate world from waitressing to selling furniture and recruiting executives, none of which satisfied her. Eventually her part-time teaching in ceramics led to her becoming a regular educator in her preferred medium. She has taught at the Pratt Institute of Art and Design and the 92NY in Manhattan and currently also teaches at BKLYN Clay. Cammi attended The Pottery Workshop residency in Jingdezhen, China. And she is the co-host of The Ceramics Podcast. Her work can be found in galleries and theaters in New York. Cammi lives in Queen’s with her parter, musician Cru Jones.

Cammi’s website: https://www.cammiclimaco.com/
Instagram @cammiclimaco

Favorite artists:
Marguerite Wildenhain
Maija Grotell
Lucie Rie
Eva Zeisel
Yoko Ono
Cara Benedetto
Sarah Allwine
Dini Dixon
Katie Coughlin

Cammi’s Playlist:
We Live in Brooklyn,
Baby/Roy Ayers
Ubiquity Sweet Tears/Nuyorican
Soul Tryon/Erykah
Badu Loungin’/Guru Kiss
From a Rose / Seal

Host: Chris Stafford
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In this episode of AART the Podcast, we sit down with Robin Antar, a celebrated rock sculptor known for transforming marble, limestone, and sandstone into thought-provoking representations of American culture and identity. With a career spanning over three decades, Antar’s work captures the textures of everyday life — from sculpted Levi’s jeans and sneakers to massive marble hamburgers — blending humor, nostalgia, and craftsmanship into striking stone realism. Robin Antar’s art challenges perceptions of permanence and fragility, exploring how solid materials can embody the fleeting icons of modern life. Her sculptures have been featured in museums, galleries, and private collections across the United States, earning her a reputation as a visionary who bridges the gap between pop art and fine art through the timeless medium of stone. In this insightful biographical interview, Robin shares her early inspirations, her artistic process, and how personal experience and cultural observation shape her creative practice. Listeners will get a rare glimpse into the world of a sculptor who quite literally carves emotion into stone, creating works that resonate far beyond their physical weight. Whether you’re an art lover, sculptor, student, or creative thinker, this episode offers an inspiring look at dedication, identity, and the enduring power of art to tell human stories. 

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Robin Antar, rock sculptor, American sculptor, stone sculpture, marble sculpture, limestone sculpture, contemporary sculpture, pop art sculpture, AART the podcast, artist interview, sculptor interview, women in sculpture, fine art podcast, modern art, American artist, biographical podcast, contemporary art, art and identity, sculpture process, marble carving, cultural commentary in art

BIO
Robin Antar is an American rock sculptor who moves seamlessly between Realism and Expressionism. From hyper-realistic icons of American pop culture influenced by Robin’s wry sense of humor, her art explores personal and social trauma and conflict. Robin’s parallel and intertwining bodies of work span her 40-year career as an artist-observer of human nature with a broad lens on the American life. Robin was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1957, one of four daughters. Her father Leon Betseh was a retailer and her mother Linda, an oil painter. In 1973, the family moved to Brooklyn, NY, which proved to be a tough move for Robin as a shy teenager in the city. She began learning to carve in stone in school and in the family’s basement as a means of coping with urban life, using art as her emotional lifeline. In 1976, at the age of 16, Robin discovered she suffered from retrolental fibroplasia causing blindness in her right eye since birth. While her vision was compromised it became an integral tool among the techniques she used to create her art despite an absence of depth perception. After graduating with a BFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York in 1981, Robin set up a working studio in Brooklyn, creating abstract sculptures in a loose, intuitive style deeply rooted in her emotional experiences. Her themes address marriage, motherhood, divorce and trauma through a series of Conversations, Relationships and Meditation that reflect the process of releasing life’s traumas and their importance to survival, healing and positive change. Trauma has visited Robin in devastating ways with the loss of two of her three sons whom she has memorialized through her art work. A series of stone D-Knots were carved in honor of her youngest child, David, representing his struggles with the trauma of child abuse and addiction. His death at the age of 26 resulted in one of Robin’s most personal and powerful creations, David’s Knot in Flames, carved from a 1,500-pound block of Turkish marble. The sculpture is permanently installed at Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks, New York, where her son received treatment during his short life. A sculpture is memory of Leon is in progress, out of a 10,000 pound piece of carrara marble. Robin has a studio and showroom in her home in New Jersey.

Robin’s website - https://robinantar.com/
Robin’s Instagram @robinantar

Robin’s favorite artists:
Barbara Segal
Madaline Weiner
Carol Turner
C.C. Griffin
Carole Feuerman

Robin’s Playlist
Carole King
Country music

Host: Chris Stafford
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In this captivating episode of AART the Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with Genevieve Leavold, an acclaimed English contemporary abstract artist celebrated for her expressive, intuitive paintings that explore the balance between chaos and control. Through rich conversation, Genevieve shares the evolution of her artistic journey—from her early explorations in figurative work to her transition into pure abstraction that speaks directly to the subconscious. Listeners will discover how Leavold’s creative process, deeply rooted in mindfulness and emotional exploration, allows her to channel flow, movement, and the unseen aspects of the human experience onto canvas. She discusses her inspirations, artistic philosophy, and the meditative practice that guides her approach to color, texture, and form. This biographical interview offers a window into the world of an artist whose work transcends traditional boundaries, inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and connect with something beyond the visible. Whether you’re an artist, collector, or art enthusiast, this episode will inspire you to see abstraction as a universal language of emotion and energy. Join us on AART the Podcast—where art meets life, and artists share the stories behind their creative evolution.

Keywords:
 Genevieve Leavold, abstract art, contemporary artist, English painter, biographical art podcast, AART the podcast, abstract expressionism, modern painting, creative process, art interview, mindfulness in art, painting techniques, contemporary abstract art, artist conversation, color and texture, artistic journey, visual art podcast, art and emotion

BIO
English contemporary abstract artist Genevieve Leavold is a self-taught painter who draws on her love of eastern philosophy and organic forms found in nature as foundations for her work. Her intuitive process has developed initially through deep observation of nature and subsequent abstraction of essential qualities of form and color from the worn, overgrown and overlooked parts of urban spaces where nature had re-claimed parts of the city. Genevieve was born in Frome, Somerset the fifth of eight children. Her father Lawrence Oliver Hatton-Brown was a builder and Janet was a stay-at-home mother and volunteered her time for costume creation and design at a local theater. She also fostered a creative childhood that Genevieve nurtured in nature. Upon leaving high school Genevieve attended the Theater College for Design, she also worked in the local theater in Frome, attended painting classes at the Central St Martins School in London, as well as being a PA in London. It was then that an opportunity to visit Belgrave in Serbia for six months which turned into an eight year residency launched her career as an artist. She says that this was the birth of her work, which focused on drawing and the abstract. She soon became commercial, establishing herself in Europe and beyond before returning to the UK in 2022. A full-time artist Genevieve is currently showing her work in the US and UK. She lives in Frome with her husband James, a business coach, and two cats.

Genevieve’s website: www.genevieveleavold.com
Instagram: @genevieveleavold

Favorite artists:
Mira Schendel
Flora Yukhnovich
Georgia O Keene
Joan Jonas
Marina Abramovic
Helma af Klimt

Playlist:
White Rabbit - Jefferson Airplane
I Tokuni -Eivor
What else is There. - Royksopp
The Painter - Future Islands
Containing it - B of Bris
The sensual world - Kate Bush
Utopia - Goldfrapp
Play Dead - Bjork
Dumb. - Portishead

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
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In this deeply personal and introspective episode of The AART Podcast with Chris Stafford, multi-talented artist Jamie Derr opens up about her creative evolution as a painter, poet, and singer. Through an intimate and heartfelt conversation, Jamie reveals how her artistic journey intertwines with her search for identity, emotion, and truth. From the fluidity of her brushstrokes to the rhythm of her words and melodies, she invites listeners into a world where art becomes both expression and healing. Discover how Jamie bridges the boundaries between visual and lyrical art, the role vulnerability plays in her creative process, and what it means to live authentically as a multidisciplinary artist in today’s world. Whether you’re an art lover, writer, musician, or seeker of creative inspiration, this episode captures the essence of what it means to live through art — with soul, courage, and honesty.

Jamie Derr, painter interview, poet interview, singer-songwriter, AART Podcast, Chris Stafford, multidisciplinary artist, creative process, artistic journey, modern art podcast, poetry and music, creative expression, artist stories, introspective art, behind the art, emotional storytelling, female artists, art inspiration, art and emotion, creativity and healing, art podcast interview

Painter, singer and poet Jamie Derr.  Jamie says: “I don’t usually know what I am visualizing until I see it emerge on the canvas, making me an intuitive artist.” Her portraits are both bold and nuanced depicting characters known and unknown. Jamie was born in Providence, RI in 1981, one of three children to parents Debra and Manuel Ribeiro. Her great-grandparents  emigrated from Portugal in the early 1900s and established Sunset Bakery in Bristol,Rhode Island in 1929. Besides owning the bakery, her father Manny was also an artist and musician which Jamie inherited. She started singing as a child which led to a singing career right out of High School. She later earned a full Davis Scholarship, and graduated from Wellesley School with a Bachelor of Arts continuing to perform till her late 30’s. Among her recorded songs under musical name “Jamie LaPearle” are Don’t Want to Let You Go, Next to You, and So Torn (all available on Spotify). At the age of 18, she had her daughter Lianna and worked as a make-up artist while continuing writing songs and performing. Jamie later transitioned to becoming a visual artist focusing on landscapes and portraits in both watercolor and oil. She is a member of Oil Painters of America, an Artist Member at the Rhode Island Watercolor Society and was recently accepted as an exhibiting artist at the Providence Art Club. She has received numerous international awards and exhibits frequently. Jamie has an upcoming show in September, 2024 at Deblois Gallery in Middletown,RI and Greenville Library in Greenville, RI in December, 2024. She lives in Cranston, RI with her husband James, two dogs and a cat.
 
https://www.jamiederrart.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jamiederrart/
@jamiederrart 

Jamie's favorite female visual artists: 
Kesja Tabaczuck
Irena Roman
Julia Powell 

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In this episode of AART the Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with Michelle Im, a Korean-American ceramicist celebrated for her deeply expressive, hand-built sculptures that bridge cultural heritage, identity, and material exploration. Known for her organic forms and poetic surfaces, Michelle shares how her Korean roots, personal experiences, and process-driven approach shape her artistic voice in contemporary ceramics. Listeners will hear Michelle discuss her journey from early artistic influences to becoming a recognized figure in the contemporary art scene. She opens up about working with clay as a medium of transformation and storytelling—balancing tradition with experimentation, and emotion with form. This intimate conversation dives into Michelle’s creative rituals, the tactile nature of ceramic art, and how she infuses each piece with a sense of humanity and resilience. Whether you’re an artist, art collector, student, or admirer of contemporary craft, this episode offers a thoughtful glimpse into the life and mind of an artist who continues to redefine what ceramics can express.

🎙️ AART the Podcast features biographical interviews with today’s most compelling visual artists, exploring their inspirations, struggles, and creative evolution through candid storytelling.

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BIO
Korean-American ceramicist Michelle Im, aka RATxCHICKS,  was born in Atlanta, GA in 1984 to Kun Sook Im, a home-maker, and Jong Seong Im, an environmental engineer. She has one brother; Sewon Im, who is a financial consultant also living in the US. Her grandmother was a poet and calligraphy artist in South Korea. As a child the family moved around from Michigan to Boston and South Korea. Michelle returned to the US for college and since graduating with a degree in Biology and Art from The State University of New York at Buffalo, she has lived in New York City. She was named one of Ceramic Monthly’s 2022 Emerging Artists and is an award recipient of the American Craft Council’s 2022 Emerging Artist Cohort Program as well as a grant recipient of the Center for Craft’s Teaching Artist Cohort in 2023. Michelle was a Visiting Artist in Residence at the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts in 2022 and she was selected for a Distinguished Fellowship at Penland School of Craft during her winter residency in 2023. Before becoming a full time ceramicist, Michelle spent time in the service industry and since 2021 she has had her own studio in Queens where she lives with her partner, artist, John Almanza and her dog Inky. She teaches ceramics at Greenwich House Pottery in Manhattan, NY.

Michelle on Instagram: @ratxchicks
Michelle’s website: https://ratxchicks.club/

Michelle’s Playlist
Wu Tang Clan
Talking Heads
The Velvet Underground
Kendrick Lamar
Richie Hawtin
Jeff Mills
Mike Parker
LSDXOXO

Michelle’s favorite female artists:
Christian Joy
Haylie Jimenez
Sydnie Jimenez
Kristy Moreno
Soojin Choi
Mary Cassatt
Joanna Powell
Eun Ha Paek
Sulo Bee
Shea Burke
…and many more.

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
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A Hollowell Studios Production
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In this inspiring episode of AART the Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with Madeleine Bunbury, a renowned English equine artist celebrated for her mastery in life-size oil paintings of horses. Known for her classical training and her ability to capture the spirit, movement, and personality of her subjects, Madeleine shares her creative journey—from her early passion for horses and art to becoming one of the UK’s most distinguished contemporary equine painters. Listeners will discover how Madeleine’s love for the natural world and equestrian culture shapes her artistic process, the challenges and joys of painting horses from life, and what it takes to maintain a traditional approach to art in a modern world. She opens up about her experiences painting in stables across England and Europe, her dedication to preserving classical techniques, and how her art bridges the gap between heritage and modern equine culture. Whether you’re an art lover, painter, equestrian enthusiast, or simply someone fascinated by creative lives, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the intersection of art, nature, and passion. Madeleine’s story is a testament to the power of devotion—to craft, subject, and tradition. Tune in to hear how she built her career, the insights behind her technique, and her vision for the future of equestrian art in the contemporary landscape.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and YouTube.

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BIO
Madeleine Bunbury is an English equine artist who paints life portraits of horses and ponies. At just 28, Madeleine is aspiring to follow in the footsteps of her idol, George Stubbs, aligning with other great equine painters, such as Agasse, Munnings and Herring. Madeleine was born on the island of Mustique in 1995, one of four children; her mother Lotty is a fashion designer and her father Michael, a doctor. She grew up in an an island playground and from an early age sketching and painting was instinctive, and more accessible than riding ponies which she dreamed of. It was when she began her education at boarding school in England that she was able to indulge herself and become a horse-mad teenager taking every opportunity to ride. Her love of horses became the catalyst to her initial plan to become a veterinarian but she had to abort that idea once she failed the required science exams. It was then that she decided on a career in art with the confidence that this was something for which she had a talent. With the guidance of an artistic uncle and aunt, Madeleine spent three years studying traditional portraiture at the Charles Cecil Studios in Florence, Italy. It was to prove the launching pad for her to embark on a career as an equine artist and she was soon making a livelihood painting horse portraits. Madeleine can be found either in her studio in Fosbury, Wiltshire or traveling to horses across the UK and around the world. Her latest project is a series of 16 breeds of British native horses and ponies which, as well as producing very large paintings will also be a coffee book, and perhaps a documentary.

Playlist:
Eminem- Lose Yourself (Gets me out of bed and revved for the day)
Claude Debussy - Claire de lune (The first piece I learnt to play on the piano)
Chopin - Nocturne no.20 in C-Sharp Minor (so melancholy and beautiful to paint to)
Destiny's Child - Independent Woman (after various boyfriends let me down this is how I feel)

Favorite artists:
Isabella Watling
Daisy Sims
Hilditch Henrietta
Abel-Smith
Eleanor Cardozo

Madeleine’s website: https://www.bunburyart.com/
Instagram: @bunbury_equine_art


Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
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© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
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In this inspiring episode of AART the Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with Sarah Rossetti, a contemporary acrylic artist celebrated for her bold color palettes, emotional depth, and expressive brushwork. Sarah opens up about her artistic journey—from her early creative influences and self-discovery through painting, to developing a distinctive contemporary style that bridges abstraction and realism. Listeners will gain insight into Sarah’s creative process, her love for the textures and versatility of acrylic paint, and how she channels emotion, memory, and nature into her art. She also discusses the challenges of pursuing a full-time art career, finding authenticity in a crowded art world, and connecting with collectors and galleries who value expressive, original work. Whether you’re an artist, collector, or art enthusiast, this conversation offers an honest look at the artistic life—balancing creativity, business, and self-expression in today’s art scene. 🎧 Tune in to discover how Sarah
Rossetti turns everyday inspiration into captivating acrylic works that speak directly to the soul.

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Sarah Rossetti, contemporary acrylic artist, acrylic painting, contemporary art, modern artist, painter interview, artist biography podcast, creative process, art career, abstract art, realism, acrylic techniques, contemporary painter, AART the podcast, artist interview

BIO
Sarah Rossetti, aka 'Invader Girl', is a Contemporary Acrylic Artist painting evocative scenes of war, law enforcement, veterans and, more recently, horses. Sarah was born in Nonnweiler, Germany in 1987, the oldest of five children—she has a younger sister and two younger brothers. Sarah’s other young sister Lisa was tragically killed in 2004; a traumatic event that would impact Sarah in different ways. Her father John was a communications specialist in the Air Force, stationed in Germany where he met his wife Regina. As a military family they moved around and whilst in Germany her parents divorced and Sarah stayed with her mother who moved the family to the island of Guam, eventually helping her in the bar business that she operated. It was there that Sarah met the military personnel whose war stories would leave an impression that has influenced the art genre she specializes in today. Those graphic stories would create powerful images and inform the style of art that has become her trademark. Sarah did not feel at home as a student and once she graduated high school in Guam she bucked the idea of college, preferring to find her own way untutored as an artist. She endured a struggle with alcohol that she eventually won and, realizing that she needed a new direction, she moved to the US in 2017. She married Phil, a retired navy CMC, and after a spell in Alexandria, the couple found their home near Haymarket, which accommodates a large studio. For the time being, Sarah is not represented and prefers not to show her work in galleries. Instead she has a website and takes commissions, and has an impressive work rate of 3-4 paintings a day. 

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Sarah’s website: https://www.invadergirlart.com/
Instagram: @_invadergirl_

Favorite female artists:
L. M. Hankins
Ashley Gessler Davis

Sarah’s Playlist:
Storm - Josh Vietti
Greed - Godsmack
The story of OJ- Jay Z
Rekt - Rob Bailey
Nice n Easy- Frank Sinatra
Scherzo for Piano no 2- Frederic Chopin
Pink Moon- Tash Sultana
The Ballad of londinium- Daniel Pemberton
23- chayce Beckham
Mftr- Pusha T
Fortunate So - CCR
Young and Free - Dermot Kennedy

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step into the world of contemporary landscape painting with Maria Josenhans, a celebrated Canadian artist known for her expressive brushwork and immersive plein air landscapes. In this inspiring episode of AART the Podcast, Maria shares her journey as a painter dedicated to capturing the poetry of the natural world — from the sweeping coastal vistas of British Columbia to the intimate stillness of forest interiors. Host Chris Stafford delves into Maria’s artistic process, creative influences, and the emotional connection she builds with the environment through her art. Listeners will discover how she balances spontaneity with structure, her approach to color and light, and the discipline behind working outdoors in ever-changing conditions. Maria also reflects on the role of observation, intuition, and patience in shaping her practice and how she translates the fleeting beauty of nature into enduring works of art. Whether you’re a landscape artist, an art enthusiast, or someone who finds peace in nature’s beauty, this episode offers a captivating look into the mind and methods of one of Canada’s leading landscape painters. 🎧 Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and YouTube to hear how Maria Josenhans continues to paint her way into the heart of the landscape and the imagination of her audience.

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Maria Josenhans, landscape artist, Canadian painter, plein air painting, contemporary landscape painting, landscape art, AART the Podcast, artist interview, art podcast, painting nature, art inspiration, creative process, landscape painter interview, fine art, painting outdoors, artistic journey, visual artist

BIO
Maria Josenhans is a landscape artist working both outdoors and in her studio. An artist for nearly four decades, Maria's work plays back and forth between representational and abstract as she allows each painting to find its own unique path. Maria was born in New Jersey, one of two daughters to parents James and Janet. Her mother was a librarian, and her father an engineer and keen photographer. Maria had an early introduction to the art of photography in her father’s dark room and developed an interest that shaped the early part of her career. As a child her mother introduced her to Scottish Highland dancing, which still today is a passion that she shares through teaching and adjudicating. Her talent for painting was discovered in High School where her teacher Mrs Erich would prove influential in guiding Maria into a career as an artist. From 1982-86 she studied at the Philadelphia College of Art (now University of the Arts), in Philadelphia, PA and graduated with a BFA in Illustration with Honors. In 1994, Maria studied Large Format Black & White Photography with Paul Caponigro. Her early career in photography and illustration was spent in New York before she moved to New England. Once she met her Canadian husband her path changed course and she turned exclusively to painting. In 2000, they moved to the west coast of Canada where Maria has enjoyed a climate that allows for year round plein air painting. She has always been a nature lover, and she is also a student of Zen Buddism. Maria currently lives in Burnaby near Vancouver with her husband Marcel and their new dog Basil.

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Maria’s website: http://www.mariajosenhans.com/about/
Instagram: @mariajosenhansart

Women artists whose work Maria admires:
Pat Steir
Lois Dodd
Joan Eardley
Joan Mitchell
Helen Frankenthaler
... and many many many more.

Maria’s Playlist:
Philip Glass (particularly solo piano)
Domenico Scarlatti, sonatas
Moby Beck (mutations)
Jeff Beck
Bob Dylan
Patti Smith
Neko Case
KD Lang
Pasty Cline

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved