Willy (Wilamina) Russo

Mid year holiday episode! Sophie Vander is the Director and Founder of Curatorial + Co. Curatorial + Co have built a solid reputation placing contemporary artwork within residential and commercial architecture and the public domain. They also have a thriving Art Consultancy business, working with a strong network of interior designers and architects. Willy and Sophie talk about: her enduring love for art and the realisation she was never going to be an artist artist websites and what you need to have on them the most recent artist to join the gallery the role art fairs such as The Other Art Fair have in an emerging artists career and much more ___________________________ One-on-one mentoring, tailored to your artistic practice opens up again in January 2024, for further information head to www.wilaminarusso.com and sign up the monthly newsletter helping artists take the right next step - The Next Step Interview With An Artist is hosted by Willy (Wilamina) Russo and produced by Cameron Furlong. 

Season Five of Interview With An Artist is Gallery Directors from around Australia. Katie Hopkinson-Pointer opened Project Gallery 90 in 2018, but her love affair with art started a long time before that. As an artist herself, Katie has been creating and showing for decades. The jump to open the gallery was made when Katie’s Sydney gallery closed.  In today's episode we talk about  How she deals with representing and selling her own work What she’s looking for when she discovers new artists What nurturing an artist’s career entails Why group shows play such a big role in the gallery’s schedule How the spirit of collaboration over competition lead her to be showing the works of artist from three regional galleries Interview With An Artist is hosted and created by arts broadcaster and mentor www.wilaminarusso.com You can sign up the monthly newsletter helping artists take the right next step - The Next Step This podcast is produced by Cameron Furlong. 

Season Five of Interview With An Artist is Gallery Directors from around Australia. Second generation art dealer and gallerist Kathryn Stafford knows what it takes to run a gallery. With over 30 years in the industry, Kathryn is now the Director of Gallows Gallery in Perth, on the land of the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation. In today's episode we talk about:  The early days of her career and her involvement with the Cossack art awards Her take on the current Western Australian art market The biggest challenge facing artists now compared to 20 years ago The conversation she has with emerging artists who she feels there may not be a market for their work How she is managing the gallery amidst the current wider economic climate __________________ For one-on-one mentoring, tailored to your artistic practice book in at www.wilaminarusso.com and sign up the monthly newsletter helping artists take the right next step - The Next Step Interview With An Artist is hosted by Willy (Wilamina) Russo and produced by Cameron Furlong. 

Season Five of Interview With An Artist is Gallery Directors from around Australia. Don't give up. Make art because you want to. If you believe in something, keep pursuing it.  These are just a few of the takeaways from the powerhouse that is Alexie Glass-Kantor. Among many things, Alexie is the Executive Director of Artspace in Sydney. Her accolades include spending time as Director–Senior Curator for Gertrude Contemporary, working in curatorial at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image. Not to mention, curating the bone shattering performance of Marco Fusinato for the Australian Pavilion at the 2022 Venice Biennale. In today's episode we talk about  Artspace and what opportunities it provides for Australian artists The exciting next chapter of Artspace with it's redeveloped premises and funded studio spaces And some fascinating stories on the background to the 2022 Venice Biennale show  ___________ For one-on-one mentoring, tailored to your artistic practice book in at www.wilaminarusso.com and sign up the monthly newsletter helping artists take the right next step - The Next Step Interview With An Artist is hosted by Willy (Wilamina) Russo and produced by Cameron Furlong. 

Season Five of Interview With An Artist is Gallery Directors from around Australia. Luke Potkin’s high school art teacher, Mr Howles, had little faith Luke would end up in the art world. How wrong he was. As Fair Director of The Other Art Fair Sydney, Luke is in a dream role. Marrying his love of art and his expertise in events.  The Other Art Fair can be a rite of passage for emerging artists. And with it coming up in Sydney on the 11th to the 14th of May, I thought it might be good to hear from Luke.  In today’s episode, we talk about: the role of the fair in the Australian art ecosystem the interesting dynamic of the fair being both a collaborative and competitive space the traits of artists and booths that do well an incredible story about an artist and collector interaction at the London fair and a story about the one that got away, with a difference _____________ For one-on-one mentoring, tailored to your artistic practice book in at www.wilaminarusso.com and sign up the monthly newsletter helping artists take the right next step - The Next Step Interview With An Artist is hosted by Willy (Wilamina) Russo and produced by Cameron Furlong.

Season Five of Interview With An Artist is Gallery Directors from around Australia. Andy Dinan founded MARS Gallery in Melbourne 18 years ago. Andy pushes hard to give her artists international opportunities, such as Photo London this year, and in 2022 Photo Basel in Switzerland. In today’s episode we talk about: how Andy pushes public art opportunities for her artists and why they are so important what the situation is like with studio space in Melbourne how her initial naivety running a gallery has become her strength the qualities of a Mars Artist ________ For one-on-one mentoring, tailored to your artistic practice book in at www.wilaminarusso.com and sign up the monthly newsletter helping artists take the right next step - The Next Step Interview With An Artist is hosted by Willy (Wilamina) Russo and produced by Cameron Furlong. 

Season Five of Interview With An Artist is Gallery Directors from around Australia. Side Gallery is small but mighty.  Based in Brisbane on the land Yuggera and Turrubul people, Leesa Hickey and Laura Brinin are taking their gallery in the suburbs from strength to strength.  Leesa started with Designfront, a branding visual communication consultancy specialising in branding, literature and design for the web. In 2015 Side Gallery came to life, running alongside Designfront. Today the sister companies form a one stop shop providing their artists with a range of support other galleries have to outsource.  In today’s episode we talk about: When Laura joined the gallery how Laura and Leesa are the perfect work wives for running a gallery The Brisbane art scene and it’s trajectory The power of being small and agile and the direction of the gallery for 2023 The different offering Side Gallery and Design front offer their artists The relationship between the old guard galleries and newcomers like Side Gallery _____________________ For one-on-one mentoring, tailored to your artistic practice book in at www.wilaminarusso.com and sign up the monthly newsletter helping artists take the right next step - The Next Step Interview With An Artist is hosted by Willy (Wilamina) Russo and produced by Cameron Furlong and brought to you from the land of the Gadigal and Birrbirragal people. We acknowledge them as the traditional owners of the land and are forever grateful for their love and care for this beautiful country. 

Season Five of Interview With An Artist is Gallery Directors from around Australia. Two women started a conversation about art 7 years ago, and they’ve been talking ever since.  Megan Dicks and Hannah Abbott of Otomys on the land of  the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation have a deep, deep love for their work.  The conversation began as part of Hannah’s final assessment for her university study. Megan saw the potential in Hannah and very quickly brought her into the Otomys fold.   In today’s episode we talk about: how it was some notable advice from her father that set Hannah on her art world path the story behind the name Otomys and how Megan, Hannah and the artists, all work for this much loved third entity how they approach each artists entry and pathway in the gallery differently how an early experience with an artist’s work lead to one of their longest standing partnerships the ethos Megan lives by when it comes to collecting art ___________________________ For one-on-one mentoring, tailored to your artistic practice book in at www.wilaminarusso.com and sign up the monthly newsletter helping artists take the right next step - The Next Step Interview With An Artist is hosted by Willy (Wilamina) Russo and produced by Cameron Furlong. 

Season Five of Interview With An Artist is Gallery Directors from around Australia. Sarah Birtles is the founder of Sarah Birtles Art + Advice After a winding career through various arts positions, three years ago Sarah founded her business. I liken Sarah Birtles Art and Advice to a gallery without a set location. But not an online gallery. The level of involvement she goes into with both her artists and collectors is far beyond a straightforward online gallery.  As you will hear, Sarah works very closely with her artists to ensure the opportunities she has for them are furthering their career and also, suit their wishes. As for her collectors, Sarah speaks passionately about helping them uncover their taste.  In today’s episode we talk about: how Sarah moved from studying painting to founding her business how her business differs from other galleries and dealers a recent pitch from an artist that caught her eye the joy she gets from seeing her collectors tastes grow and diversify and how a visit to an op shop turned into the one that didn't get away! ___________________________ For one-on-one mentoring, tailored to your artistic practice book in at www.wilaminarusso.com and sign up the monthly newsletter helping artists take the right next step - The Next Step For tickets to the Sydney show of Audience With An Artist live on May the 4, 2023 follow this link. Interview With An Artist is hosted by Willy (Wilamina) Russo and produced by Cameron Furlong. 

Season Five of Interview With An Artist is Gallery Directors from around Australia. Rachel Parsons is the Director of NERAM - that’s the New England Regional Art Museum in Armidale, on the land of the the ANAIWAN people.  Rachel began her time at NERAM as a curator in 2016. When Rachael interviewed for the job over Zoom, she was based in Brisbane and had never been to regional NSW. She had to google where it was. And what initially was a plan to spend 2 - 3 years, is coming up to six years.  In today’s episode we talk about: Rachael’s path from study to Director in a relatively short time How she balances bringing shows to NERAM  that will appeal to a regional audience and also presenting work that is leading the wider contemporary art scene How artists can apply to show in regional galleries and some of the things to bear in mind And how it’s the 40th birthday for NERAM and plans they have to celebrate ___________________________ For one-on-one mentoring, tailored to your artistic practice book in at www.wilaminarusso.com and sign up the monthly newsletter helping artists take the right next step - The Next Step Interview With An Artist is hosted by Willy (Wilamina) Russo and produced by Cameron Furlong. 

Season Five of Interview With An Artist is Gallery Directors and Managers from around Australia. We’re heading west again. Far north west, Western Australia. To Port Headland on Kariyarra Country and the land of the Karriyarra, Ngarla and Nymal people. The Junction Co’s Courthouse Gallery + Studio is a small but mighty group running a gallery and creative hub in one of Australia’s most isolated towns.  I spoke with Val Scoponi in January 2023 about life in the mining hub and the role she was working in as the Gallery and Studio Manager.  We covered off: how the gallery came to life in 2018 what the community make up is, and how a mining town engages with art how the team decide on the mix of shows the role creativity plays in a community, especially one as remote as Port Headland ___________________________ For one-on-one mentoring, tailored to your artistic practice book in at www.wilaminarusso.com and sign up the monthly newsletter helping artists take the right next step - The Next Step Interview With An Artist is hosted by Willy (Wilamina) Russo and produced by Cameron Furlong. 

Season Five of Interview With An Artist is Gallery Directors from around Australia. William Mansfield, the Gallery Manager of Arthouse Gallery on the land originally known as Kogerah by the Gadigal people or Rushcutters Bay, joins us this week.  Will first joined the gallery in a part time capacity after graduating with first class honours from COFA. Over the last 13 years working in the gallery, Will’s focus gradually shifted away from his own art practice to being focused full time in the gallery.  In today’s episode we talk about: the importance of accessibility in the art world and why Will feels strongly about it the role Will sees himself playing for the artists they work with what they look for in new artists they bring into the gallery and where they find them how they keep the rotation of shows interesting for all Will was so gracious with his answers and provides valuable insights for any artist who has ever aspired to Arthouse Gallery. ___________________________ For one-on-one mentoring, tailored to your artistic practice book in at www.wilaminarusso.com and sign up the monthly newsletter helping artists take the right next step - The Next Step Interview With An Artist is hosted by Willy (Wilamina) Russo and produced by Cameron Furlong. 

Season Five of Interview With An Artist is Gallery Directors from around Australia. Sandy Tippett from The Studio Gallery and Bistro in Yallingup on the land of the Wardandi people in Western Australia, has been at the gallery for eight years.  Sandy is the classic, graphic designer working in advertising who then moved into painting for her own practice and now is running a gallery. In today’s episode we talk about: how her thoughts around instagram have changed the point when she knows it’s not going to work with an artist why she loves working with artists like Mel Brigg and Lori Pensini and the one time she thought she shouldn’t sell a painting to a collector Sandy has a deep love for her artists and collectors and its evident in the way she speaks. _______________________ Interview With An Artist is hosted by Willy (Wilamina) Russo and produced by Cameron Furlong.  For one-on-one mentoring, to sign up to The Next Step Newsletter, or to work with Willy in some other way, head on over to www.wilaminarusso.com

Season 5 of Interview With An Artist is Gallery Directors from around Australia. Ralph Hobbs is one of the founders behind Nanda Hobbs Gallery in Sydney.  The first part of Ralph's career was spent teaching high school students about art and developing his own practice. Eventually his desire to talk to adults about art pushed him into the gallery realm. Fast forward to today, and Ralph has been in the gallery scene for close to 18 years. Nanda Hobbs was one of the first galleries to embrace the online space. Long before COVID, the gallery was building a digital presence and offering that others believed would never take off. In today’s episode we talk about: How shows sell out before openings and the importance of collector relationships when it comes to highly sought after artists Why galleries are no longer the gatekeeper to artists Why it’s important for an artist to have commitment to an idea AND technical ability Why he believes everyone should draw, not just artists Ralph has a wealth and depth of knowledge that he generously shares. Interview With An Artist is hosted by Wilamina Russo and produced by Cameron Furlong.  For mentoring, to sign up to The Next Step artist newsletter or to work with Willy on Exposure or group workshops, head to www.wilaminarusso.com

Season 5 of Interview With An Artist is Gallery Directors from around Australia.  Amber Creswell Bell is the Director of Emerging Art at Michael Reid. Amber’s career into art began with writing, and then curating her own shows with artists she hand picked, to eventually being approached by Michael to join their team. In the five years since joining the group, her role has evolved from an online focus to a much larger remit. In today’s episode we talk about:  the evolution of her role and what it now entails the learnings the team have had from year 1 to year 2 of the National Emerging Art Prize we unpack the term emerging and how they chose the 4 artists they are now representing at MRNB her 2023 book release _________ For more information on mentoring, Exposure, Group Workshops or The Next Step newsletter, head to www.wilaminarusso.com

@jasmine_mansbridge www.jasminemansbridge.com For the final episode of 2022 Jasmine Mansbridge joins us. Jasmine first joined the show back in 2020. Her murals, paintings and sculptures caught Willy's eye. Jasmine paints geometrical works that seem like portals or windows to another world. There is some incredible line work in her paintings - straight lines - and Jasmine doesn't use painters tape!  Fast forward to the end of 2022 and Jasmine has included NFT's, film work, and poetry to her creative disciplines. To say 2022 has been a big year for Jasmine and Willy, is an understatement. You can hear their voices are husky. They're reflective and fatigued.  And they meander into a deeper conversation about life and how they handle it. In today's episode of Interview With An Artist we talk about a raft of things including: the last year and how it contrasts to 2021 what it was like traveling to North Africa via Europe for residency the internal battle between being a responsible adult and mother of five children and then wanting to focus solely on her work how the lows of loss and grief focus your attention and show you who your tribe are and how the algorithm is making Jasmine consider traditional media opportunities again Now note - when we start talking about the residency in Tunisia and a philosophy for life, the philosopher Jasmine is searching for is the greek philosopher Epicurus and the Epicurean way of life. How Jasmine navigates the world and continues to push her practice forward is incredibly inspirational. It was great to reconnect with her again and round out the year with some deeper conversation. ________ Mentoring in January 2023 is already booked out so if you are wanting to start the year off on the right foot and a bit of a plan, there are still some sessions available in February - head on over to www.wilaminarusso.com to book in. Have a wonderful holiday break and see you in 2023 with season five which is going to be a little different! 

@e_milydaystudio @katequinnart @bloom_art_experiences Have you ever considered running creative workshops? Today's guest are the artists behind Bloom Art Experiences.  Brisbane based Emily Day and Kate Quinn started Bloom in early 2021. Far from the paint by numbers, or paint and sip type experience, every workshop is in a beautiful location, where each participant paints something unique. They make running a workshop sound fun and easy. Fun I am sure it is, easy I am sure it isn't. In today's episode of Interview With An Artist we talk about many things including: how they met and whose idea it was to start Bloom the highs and lows of running workshops with the likes of people who maybe haven't ever painted before or on the flip side those who've study years ago and are just picking the brush up again how organising and running bloom impacts on their own practice and individually, what they are hoping for out of their own practice in the years to come Emily and Kate are the perfect example of the power of just giving something a go. Kate even talks about this at the end of the interview the power of asking, the power of trying, the power of putting yourself out there and seeing what happens. Check out their upcoming workshops at Bloom Art Experiences. ******** Interview With An Artist is hosted and produced by Willy (Wilamina) Russo. Along with Championing the arts through this podcast and her radio work at 2ser107.3FM, Willy is also an artist mentor. She works with artists from a variety of stages and backgrounds, helping them figure out the right next step in their artistic practice. There is a monthly newsletter you can sign up to and also one-on-one mentoring available. If you're looking for some advice navigating your artistic practice, book a session today via her website, wilaminarusso.com

@r_o_n_e www.rone.art Rone is arguably Australia's preeminent street artist. The softly spoken, humble creative grew up in Geelong Victoria.  It was in his early 20s riding his skateboard around Melbourne that he really connected with street art. It was a discovery which steered his life in a completely different direction. Murals and installation work has taken him around the world, with his smaller scale pieces being shown in galleries in London, Berlin and New York. Domestically, he is one of the few street artists to permeate the barrier of public institutions when the National Gallery of Australia acquired one of his works. Rone's latest project, TIME at Flinders St Station in Melbourne, is an immersive experience blurring the lines between art exhibition and stage production. I was lucky enough to visit it and showcase it on day 15 of the 30 exhibitions in 30 days challenge. In today's episode of Interview with an artist we talk about many things including: how street art in Australia measures up around the world what's changed in the scene over the last two decades the logistics and planning behind TIME and how he prioritises between private commissions and works seen by the public If you are able to get to TIME at Flinders St Station, I strongly recommend it. Even if not for the art but for the incredible detail in overall execution of the experience. it is a ticketed event so you will have to plan ahead. ******** Interview With An Artist is hosted and produced by Willy (Wilamina) Russo. Along with Championing the arts through this podcast and her radio work at 2ser107.3FM, Willy is also an artist mentor. She works with artists from a variety of stages and backgrounds, helping them figure out the right next step in their artistic practice. There is  a monthly newsletter you can sign up to and also one-on-one mentoring can be booked. If you're looking for some advice navigating your artistic practice, book a session today via her website, wilaminarusso.com

@arch_pierre_mukeba The light and life in Pierre Mukeba is undeniable. The self taught artist won the Churchie art prize in 2017, the RamsayArt Prize People's Choice in 2019, and has exhibited in the Adelaide Biennial and the NGV Triennial and has had two solo shows with Roslyn Oxley. Pierre's story is one of navigating culture and finding what you want to say as an artist; of self belief and persistence; and of shooting for the stars. In today's episode of Interview With An Artist we talk about many things including: how his first foray into study was accounting how his mum gave him the advice to look to his own story and heritage for his art how his bedsheets played a vital role in kicking off his practice and what his hopes are for a big bright career I'm just warning we laugh a lot. And towards the end Pierre's friend comes and joins us in the studio. It was such a treat talking with Pierre and I hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did recording it. Also, here is the link to the talk he mentions.  ******** Interview With An Artist is hosted and produced by Willy (Wilamina) Russo. Along with Championing the arts through this podcast and her radio work at 2ser107.3FM, Willy is also an artist mentor. She works with artists from a variety of stages and backgrounds, helping them figure out the right next step in their artistic practice. There is a monthly newsletter you can sign up to and also one-on-one mentoring can be booked. If you're looking for some advice navigating your artistic practice, book a session today via her website, wilaminarusso.com

@julzberesford_artist www.julzberesford.com After a 20 year career as a food stylist, Julz Beresford has had a roaring start to her life as an artist. In the first four years of painting full time, she was hand picked up by Amber Creswell Bell to join the showing roster with Michael Reid.  And although it might seem like it's all happened overnight, it hasn't. Julz studied fine art at COFA straight out of high school. And even though she worked in a different field for two decades, she was always painting in the background. In today's episode of Interview With An Artist we talk about many things including: the importance of the land and nature to Julz and her practice how she loves to challenge herself how heading into Central Australia helped her come home to the Hawkesbury and see it anew the advice one of her mentors gave her that keeps her pushing forward I spoke with Julz a couple of weeks ago just as her solo with Michael Reid Southern Highlands was about to open. It's consequently sold out. ******** Interview With An Artist is hosted and produced by Willy (Wilamina) Russo. Along with championing the arts through this podcast and her radio work at 2ser107.3FM, Willy is also an artist mentor. She works with artists from a variety of stages and backgrounds, helping them figure out the right next step in their artistic practice. There is a monthly newsletter you can sign up to and also book a one-on-one mentoring session. If you're looking for some advice navigating your artistic practice, book a session today via her website, wilaminarusso.com