Austin Art Talk Podcast

"What are the sensual takeaways from being in a place? When I think about how it feels to be lying in my backyard in the hammock watching the pecan trees it's not static images of green leaves. It's spectral light, it's rainbow light moving through. It has pink and it has orange and it has all of these colors." Elizabeth Chiles (http://www.elizabethchiles.com/) creates photographic collages and complex composites with images she has taken of nature. Growing up her love of the outdoors and the openness of the big Texas sky lent itself to her eventual pursuit of the natural world as her primary subject. As a child each day was an eternity without rules, with time to explore and enjoy her shared suburban wilderness. She found her innate calling to create art in college while studying art history and went on to study photography, video, performance, and book making in graduate school. During her years at school she also worked at many prestigious art galleries and gained a very useful education there as well. Si

"We all are photographers. Everybody will have their own excuses to take photos. But to me just being able to keep shooting I think it is already in my veins, in my mind, in my heart, in my soul." Photographer Faustinus Deraet (http://www.faustinusderaet.com/) learns more about himself every time he clicks the button on his camera, captures an image, and makes a print. These images are windows into his subconscious (subconsciente) which end up revealing something deeper that needs to be expressed. He also uses photography as a journal of his life as he tries to be fully in every moment and find balance. The work he creates is initially only for himself and is for the pure joy of it. The universality of his images are not as much about a specific place but more a kind of language of relationship, reality, and of something deep in the soul. What a fun and lighthearted conversation. Faustinus is such charming and humorous guy and his images really speak to me. We talk all about how he got started in photograph

"I am just grateful that people are finding this as an outlet to be able to say that this happened to them. As a way of walking through and finding some semblance of healing in it or using it as their very first outcry. There are people who have reached out to me who have never told anyone else……There is a true feeling of empowerment in doing this. It’s been so cathartic for me. Whether you are a survivor or not the one thing that I hope will happen is that it will make people talk." The Pink Bow Project (https://www.thepinkbowproject.com/) is an installation at Gallery Shoal Creek (http://galleryshoalcreek.com/) in Austin, Texas from April 13th to May 12th, 2018. Fifty two panels each with 1000 bows to approximately represent the substantiated cases of sexual abuse of females under the age of 18 each year in the US. The problem with that reported number is that it is likely very low when considering all of the factors that go into and work against each case first being shared, then believed, and lastly offi

"If everyone that wants to make a difference, just started making and taking those steps to actually make a difference, then imagine the world we would live in. I think that doing good today is invaluable and we need it. Just do it. Just start. Just take the necessary steps to make it happen." Jenn Hassin (https://www.jennhassin.com/) cares about the world we live in and is trying to figure out what we can do as a society to make it a better place. Her artwork is often focused on raising the awareness of important issues like veteran suicide, sexual abuse in the military, and mental health. She believes in community engagement and tries to bring people together to help connect them, especially when it comes to the gap between civilians and veterans, which she feels an obligation to help bridge as a veteran herself. This often happens around the creation of a new artwork where she gets a diverse group of people together and involved to help make the piece, a kind of art therapy. Like a Trojan horse some of h

"People they are the cloth that protect me, that cover me. Without them, I’m nothing, I can't do anything. So they take me to this level. They should not leave me here. They should continue. Be behind me. Be forward. Be at the back. Be at the side. And I will also do my best and continue to be there and be contributing to this world we are living." Olaniyi Rasheed Akindiya is most well known by the name AKIRASH (https://www.artwithakirash.com/). He is a unique interdisciplinary artist who has few boundaries when it comes to what can best be used to tell the story he wants to share. Painting, sculpture, clothing and textiles, paper, elaborate installations, voice and music, and performance are all enlisted to create moments and places, with people being the most important piece. His work attempts to address serious and thought provoking issues but is often done with humor as a way to educate and communicate truths. It was not until he thought his career as a pharmacist was set and he was a role model to his f

"Within our festival there’s space for really different kinds of expression of art, and some of those are perhaps harder immediately to relate to. But we’re holding space for those artists to challenge things, to experiment, to tinker. To help us as people, as artists, think about things in new ways, and give us things to chew on. I love things that have mystery to them, that I don’t understand." The annual Fusebox Festival (http://schedule.fuseboxfestival.com/) aims to allow for a meaningful exploration and exchange between varied art forms and art communities by making space for what might only be possible in a live environment with other people. Each year Ron Berry and his team curate and paint onto the canvas that is the festival, a rich cross section of artists from different backgrounds and geographies into a diverse set of live event situations and performances. It is a platform for local, national, and international artists to have their work seen and it fosters an exchange between them and with the

“Giving people compassion and respect, it just goes such a long way to healing. You never know what somebody is going through or what could happen in their lives.” A lot of people don’t know what art therapy is but for those who do they probably understand and appreciate its power and potential. Elizabeth Hendley (https://www.dellchildrens.net/services-and-programs/child-life-services-program/expressive-therapies/), the art therapist at Dell Children’s Medical Center, might not think she is a saint but she is doing really important work. It’s the kind of work that has a good chance of making a visit or stay in the hospital a little easier or at least a little less horrible. She is part of a team that also includes experts in music therapy and play. These expressive therapies allow kids to explore, process, and share their feelings in a healthy way with a trained professional and are a part a family centered care approach. Elizabeth has had a lifelong love of art and creating, and an openness and compassion

“We all have creativity in us and we’re all very imaginative people but we also have all these voices that tell us we’re not. I just don’t give myself credit for it. I don’t think any of us do.” Novelist Natalia Sylvester (https://www.nataliasylvester.com/) says of her most recent book, she is writing for the people who have shared common experiences around immigration and know about being caught in between. These powerful and sometimes painful stories need to be out in the open so that the subjects and those like them know that what they went through has not gone unnoticed. But it’s not just about the struggles. It’s also the overlooked triumphs, courage, strength, and ordinary moments of daily life that need to be recognized. To re-create a world based on the lives of many you have to exercise your empathy, listen, and imagine what it must have been like. Some of the story though she doesn’t have to imagine because she lived it herself. Her family fled Peru in the late 80’s to get away from the violence,

"That's the thing that got me excited about being creative is that you start with nothing and then something happens. We have so much power as creatives." If you get to the point in your artistic career where you are invited to help carve and build a church and sculptures out of ice in Slovakia for three weeks, you might think you have made it. But for Griffon Ramsey (https://griffonramsey.com/) it is only a part of the beginning of the next exciting chapter. After spending many years working and creating in the world of theater/film and the gaming/comic/online sphere she discovered something more entrepreneurial, challenging, physically satisfying, and ultimately a purer form of expression. How about carving raw masses of wood into highly detailed and often elaborate sculptures, using a portable mechanical saw with a toothed rotating chain, along with many other specialized tools. Over the course of many days or even in just an hour something amazing can be created. This could play out in a secluded warehou

"I’ve always dedicated my life to the work, and what ever the work needed that’s what I did." It has been an incredible year for Austin based artist Deborah Roberts. But after decades of hard work and scholarship it’s not really a surprise. She was already an established artist long before deciding to go back to school to get her MFA in 2014, to study and find the language and direction for her new work. Her imagery started out in a very romantic Americana style but after a time that didn’t completely match the reality of what she was feeling and seeing in the world. The work needed to change. After finishing school she gave herself two years to succeed in art before having to give up once and for all. Then she received a grant from the Pollock-Krasner Foundation in 2016. For the first time she could spend a whole year completely focused on her art full time and create without fear. What has followed is sold out shows all over the country and lots of press praising the work and giving her credit which was ove

"You're an artist, you can create your future" After twenty years of being a full time artist you learn a few things. Like how to make simple but transcendent art, and how powerful and capable you really are. At least that could be said for Roi James, someone who has made it through a lot of adversity and challenges of belief to find success. But it’s not over yet. After many leaps of faith he’s gotten to where he is now, but at this very moment he is in midair hoping to again find firm footing when he lands. It might be a similar feeling to staring into a blank canvas or deep into yourself. Roi creates sublimely beautiful abstract paintings and "Constructs" that are a combination of sculpture, painting, and architecture. Please enjoy this raw and fascinating conversation filled with the wisdom of the artists journey. Some of the subjects we discuss: Childhood talent Starving artist myth Discovering art again Choosing to create beauty Staying in touch with music Working at Dell for 7 years Joining Davis Gal

Advertising and editorial photographer Kirk Weddle has worked with a lot of different local and corporate clients on jobs that have taken him all over the world. Throughout his career he has honed his skills photographing people and loves to do environmental portraits which often include the opportunity to visit some interesting and exciting locations. He has also specialized in a very difficult and adventurous type of photography. Underwater. Near the beginning of his career he got a big break with a shoot for the iconic cover of Nirvana’s Nevermind (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevermind) album and a few months later photographed the band in a swimming pool. Kirk works well under pressure (and underwater obviously) and has a lot of experience which allows him to continue working steadily, but what will his next big gig be? We will just have to watch and see where his talent and momentum takes him. Some of the subjects we discuss: Beginnings in photography Diving and Underwater Photography Nevermind cover

Bale Creek Allen has chosen to pursue a beautiful and rich life and live by his own rules. He is a prolific artist with a great work ethic who creates art in a very diverse amount of ways and with many different materials. Bronze, neon, sculpture, painting, wood, photography, music, spoken word and theater to name a few. Bale grew up in California, went to school in Boston and now calls Texas his home. He is a working artist with a great Austin gallery that exhibits fantastic national and international contemporary art. What a joyous and inspiring interview full of the experience and wisdom that comes with working your ass off and having the courage to never stop. If you find yourself at Canopy in Austin which is at 916 Springdale Rd, and you are visiting another gallery or grabbing some coffee or food at Sa-Tén, be sure to stop by and see Bale's studio and gallery in Building 2 Suite #103. Call to make an appointment or if the light is on knock on the door and you might be lucky enough to meet Bale in perso

Michael Anthony García (https://www.mrmichaelme.com/) is a multidisciplinary artist, independent curator, and activist. His work takes many forms and attempts to addresses personal, local, and global issues, often highlighting those in this world who are marginalized, unseen, and under appreciated. Whether he is curating a show of someone else’s work, doing a live performance interacting with a video and audience, or presenting a very personal one man exhibit made up of sculptures created from old clothing and furniture, Michael is sharing with us his passion and what drives him to be an artist as he attempts to make a positive difference in his life and community and world as a whole. Some of the subjects we discuss: Dual citizenship Early life/College Discovering art Mark Monroe Finishing school/Move to Dallas Graphic production/Art Direction job Move to Austin Los Outsiders Curation projects Performance work Sculptural object art Suspension of belief Chimera at Grayduck Sci-fi influence Processing current

By seeking out the mundane and overlooked visual aspects of our world and sharing them through her perspective Nancy Mims shows us the beauty and expansiveness we might be missing. There can be order from chaos and it can be photographed. Not stopping there, by printing these images on fabrics, sometimes weaved back to together or embellished with vibrant stitching, she enhances these views to create a very personal take on what is right in from of us all. Our lovely conversation delves into her life and work and how hard it can be to accept and embrace the fact that you are an artist. Some of the subjects we discuss: The artist label Early influences Travel and family artists Studying medicine Switching to art Sculpture class turning point Moving to LA and working at a gallery Textile design career Mod Green Pod Shifting to photography Printing work and exhibiting outside The Elisabet Ney Taking and editing images Roots in the south Dougherty exhibit The practice of seeing Collaboration Future work Tera

This is bonus content from the interview with Flip Solomon Episode 12. The first inspiring story is about Lek Chailert who with the help of many others saves and rehabilitates hundreds of animals in Thailand. The second story is of a dream that inspired a drawing and created a connection. If you haven't listened to Flip's main interview please go back and check that out first. Thanks! Breaking Cycles: Lek Chailert https://uploads.fireside.fm/images/4/41335247-836c-4f4a-8a8b-aeca55f3227a/1YvKksOK.png Breaking Cycles: Lek Chailert Hare of the Hare - Flip Solomon https://uploads.fireside.fm/images/4/41335247-836c-4f4a-8a8b-aeca55f3227a/A_FsZvGC.jpg Hare of the Hare

Flip Solomon grew up with art being at the center of her world but after leaving home found herself exploring everything else life has to offer for many years. But with the arrival of her daughter and the necessity of self care and meditation, to manage her newly intensified narcolepsy, she found her passion for creating art again and started translating the themes and symbols found in her very vivid dreams into epic, touching, and timeless pen and ink drawings. In the last five years she has built up a successful art business selling originals, prints, and a whole line of products based on her images. It's an inspirational story about how to turn a problem into a solution and help others in the process. Some of the subjects we discuss: Her upbringing and parents influence High School and college Taking a big break from art Having a baby Living with Narcolepsy Starting to draw again Getting older Meditating Sleep and dreams Passion and connection Needing lots of sleep Turning a negative into a positive Gett

PRINTAUSTIN is one of the top art events in town that happens every January and February. Cathy Savage and Eliva Perrin started this celebration of printmaking five years ago, and with a lot of hard work and some help along the way they have created a month long community building and art promoting steamroller. Join me for a fun conversation about their own careers, how they met and started PrintAustin, and many of the great exhibits, artist talks, demonstrations and workshops that will be happening this year. Some of the subjects we discuss: Cathy’s background Eliva’s background How they met Starting Print Austin Approaching galleries Printmaking history & evolution Learning about printmaking Austin printmaking hub? Print Culture event Flux - Paloma Mayorga Printexpo + Steamroller event Building printmaking community Board members Planning/Getting help Learning printmaking The contemporary print event Looking forward PRINTAUSTIN: Jan 15-Feb 15, 2018 https://printaustin.org/ Volunteer! https://signup.com/gr

This interview is with Claire Howard, the Assistant Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Blanton Museum of Art here in Austin. The museum is currently hosting a traveling photography exhibit called The Open Road: Photography and the American Road Trip. Claire speaks about the content and images that make up the exhibit and shares what goes on behind the scenes to plan for and integrate an exhibition into a new space. She also had the chance to add elements to the original line up that enhance the conversation and relate to our location and it’s history for the benefit of a local audience. Don’t miss this great exhibition which will be on view from November 25th, 2017 until January 7th, 2018. It was organized by the Aperture Foundation in New York and curated by David Campany and Denise Wolf, supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Photographs by Robert Frank, Inge Morath, Ed Ruscha, Garry Winogrand, Lee Friedlander, William Eggleston, Joel Meyerowitz, Stephen Shore,

Turns out that art and science are more related than you might expect. This weeks highly informative episode is with Dr. Hayley Gillespie, the founder and director of Art.Science.Gallery. She has bachelor’s degrees in biology, fine art, and environmental studies from Austin College and a doctoral degree in ecology, evolution, and behavior from UT. In addition to being a small business owner she also studies endangered species, creates art that is inspired by her activities as a scientist, and practices sustainable urban agriculture and native plant restoration. She is also a full time lecturer in Biology at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX. There is so much to learn in this episode. Be sure to explore the links at the bottom of the show notes to take a deep dive into many of the subjects and persons we talk about in the interview. So inspiring! Some of the subjects we discuss: Origins of the gallery Childhood influences Graduate school Blogging & making art Collages of scientists Charles Darwin, Ernst