Ep. 173 Ann Morgan – Abstract Painter, Melding the Traditional With Technology
Ann Morgan discusses painting big, technology informing her process, xeroxes, learning to paint at age 13, winning awards in her youth, AmeriCorps VISTA, getting her B.F.A. at Michigan State University, not painting for 20 years, always considering herself an Artist, her “Art Stuff" folder, the catalyst to start painting again, melding the traditional with technology, Artificial Intelligence, RunwayML, painting in oil, Her show at Next Gallery “Once When I Was You,” her process using A.I., painting in the dark, being bendy, A.I. prompts, borrowing imagery, what scares her about A.I., artist statements living in a simulation, pricing social media, art scammers her “Burn Series,” painting environments, and art being unapologetic joy.
Ep. 169 Topher Straus – American Impressionistic Landscape Artist – 2023 Check-in
This week, Wes and Todd do their annual interview with Artist Topher Straus. Topher talks about technology, Maui, charities, Sauvage Spectrum Winery, changes in his business model, World Heritage Sites, marketing & advertising, Vail International Gallery, the secondary market for his work, new gallery representation, Japan, traveling, new work, photo collages, the Design With Us competition, proven business tactics and goals.
Ep. 165 Clay Ross – Abstract & Impressionistic Artist - Curator & Gallerist, The Look Up Gallery
This week Wes and Todd sit down with Colorado Springs Artist, Clay Ross. Clay discusses growing up in Colorado Springs, his journey as an Artist, being color blind, the “ache” to make art, working in acrylic, his two series, being a cheerleader for his community, True North Art Gallery, mixed media, abstract work, cityscapes, his current exhibition, Colorado Springs pride, light, pricing, selling art, Yobel, and The Look Up Gallery.
Ep. 156 Melody Epperson – Artist, Curator – Tree Tales
In this episode, Wes and Todd catch up with Artist and Curator, Melody Epperson. Melody discusses her recent solo show “Lifetime of Snapshots," Women’s Caucus for Art, receiving a PS You Are Here grant from Denver Arts & Venues, her public art installation “Tree Tales," engaging youth and community, challenges of facilitating the “Tree Tales” project, the various skill sets gained by the youth that participated, the future of the project, and advice to those interested in taking on a similar project.
Ep. 144 Billy Ludwig – Digital & Mixed Media Artist
Billy Ludwig discusses the art scenes in Miami and New York, Art Basel, art fairs, digital work, photoshop, mixed media, process Lucasfilm, compositing images, Star Wars vs. World War II, research, the importance of authentic representation in his work, getting flagged on Instagram, being invited to Okinawa, Japan by the Marine Corps, Vaudeville Phantoms, Galactic Samurais, art in his youth, having an addiction to ideas & being creative, music, the compulsion to create, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., emoting through art, abstract art, Thirteenth Floor, and rules.
Ep. 136 Lindsey Bell – Curatorial Director, Bell Projects
Lindsey Bell of Bell Projects, discusses the two-year anniversary of Bell Projects, the catalyst for starting a gallery during the pandemic, risk taking, the mission & vision of Bell Projects, the move from RINO to the City Park area, what art does for her, art exposure and experiences, the importance of being connected to the art community, the Mona Lisa, Van Gogh, performance art, climate change protests, her art education, highlights from the past two years, her “Parallels” exhibition, balance and the advice that she would give to her younger self…
Ep. 108 Dan Drossman – Artist, Curator – The Waiting Room Gallery
In this episode, Wes and Todd sit down with Denver Artist and Curator, Dan Drossman. Dan talks about the “alternative art space,” The Waiting Room Gallery, that he has been curating, the catalyst for the Waiting Rooms existence, exhibitions – past, present and future, what he’s learned curating, and we talk about the upcoming exhibition with Roy Nydorf and Michael Dowling.
Ep. 105 Autumn T. Thomas – Interdisciplinary Artist, Wood Sculpture
Autumn T. Thomas talks about becoming a full-time Artist, the non-verbal language of art, Ashe, her M.F.A experience, being self-reliant, the catalyst that led her to explore wood sculpture, process, engaging people with art, her piece “Lift Every Voice”, residencies, and finding balance.
Ep. 102 Sarah Larsen – Intuitive Art
Sarah talks with us about the mediums she works with, process and exploration, the catalyst that got her back into art, juried exhibitions, being the conduit of the art, creating for the process, love, Scrupulous OCD, line art, fear and failure, intuitive art, mental health, loss, and the healing power of art.
Ep. 095 Brenda Stumpf – Contemporary Sculptor and Painter
Wes and Todd talk with Contemporary Sculptor and Painter, Brenda Stumpf. Brenda talks about growing up in a family of makers, quitting art school, Cy Twombly, poetry, mythology, trusting your intuition, process, finding beauty where you’re at, the Colorado art community, connection, cautionary tales, integrity of the work, and advice to aspiring Artists.
Ep. 094 Topher Straus – American Impressionistic Landscape Artist
Wes and Todd check in with their friend, Artist Topher Straus. They talk about what’s been going on since last year during the pandemic, his evolving style, Grand Teton National Park, Hawaii, gallery relationships and their importance, commissions, dealing with rejection, charitable work, wineries, art fairs, marketing, collectors and he shares with us a powerful story. We finish up with another special visit with Topher’s son, Oliver, and what’s been going on with his artistic endeavors.
Ep. 084 Romelle – Abstract Maximalist and Muralist
Wes and Todd talk with Abstract Maximalist Painter, Romelle. Romelle talks about her work, Michigan, art residencies, moving to Denver from Detroit, community, Babe Walls, what draws her to abstract work, Bridget Riley, process, her current exhibit “Supersonic Nonplace,” meditation, the conversation of painting, art and healing, murals, and collecting and connection…
Ep. 082 Kristina Davies – Abstract Expressionist and Figurative Painter
Wes and Todd talk with Artist, Kristina Davies about her journey from Educator to full-time Artist, her insatiable love of learning, what draws her to Abstract Expressionism, meditation and art, mentoring, art and social issues, inspiration, dealing with rejection, residencies, pricing and selling art, her exhibit “Interconnected”, and what it means to be bold.
Ep. 060 Paul Weiner - American Contemporary Abstract Artist
Wes and Todd talk with Paul Weiner. Weiner talks about infusing social commentary into his art, art and Covid, Covid lexicon, process, Instagram, art and the American flag, free speech, Pierre Soulages, patriotism, art as investment, collecting, zombie abstraction, gallery representation, residencies, Kehinde Wiley, pricing, and legacy.
Ep. 052 James Holmes - Abstract Artist, Executive Director of Cherokee Ranch & Castle Foundation
Wes and Todd talk with James Holmes. Holmes talks about lettering race cars as a kid, auto racing, his various business ventures, motorsports sponsor management, Cherokee Ranch & Castle Foundation, how to pivot during the pandemic, the incident that was the catalyst for him becoming an artist, his criteria for himself to be called an Artist, social media, collecting art, art advocacy, pricing, art and social commentary, the role of music in the creative process, and the power of positive thinking.
Ep. 031 Topher Straus -Digital Nature Painter
Wes and Todd talk with artist, Topher Straus about his journey to becoming an artist, his unique process in producing his paintings, the different series he has explored, tools he uses to market his art, and how he leverages social media to promote and sell his work.
Ep. 026 Dan Drossman - Graffiti, Cartooning, & Abstraction Merge
This week, Wes and Todd visit with Denver artist, Dan Drossman. They talk about art as therapy and meditation, staying true to your vision as an artist, promotion and social media, process and staying creative during the pandemic. Searching for a visual language that teeters the line between figurative and abstraction, intellect and emotion, construction and deconstruction.