AART

This week we meet the Hollywood makeup artist Farah Bunch whose work has earned her multiple nominations in Daytime and Primetime TV  Awards and Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards. Her work over several seasons on the hugely successful TV Comedy Will & Grace proved a pivotal moment in her career. Other notable credits include Dancing with the Stars, The Oscars, Sunset Beach, Entourage, Fuller House, and Makeup Department Head on Frazier on Paramount +.  Farah was born in 1975 in Toluca Lake, California where she and her brother Justin were raised in the long shadow of the Hollywood sign.  Her parents; the producer and six-time Emmy nominated film and television composer Velton Ray Bunch, and three-time Emmy nominated makeup artist Patricia (Patty) Bunch who were once the Disco Band known as Strut, introduced Farah to a life on set from an early age. She was five years old when she made her set debut. She also has a couple of acting credits to her name. But it was always going to be makeup that would be the foundation of her career from the moment at 18 when she graduated from the Joe Blasco Makeup School. Her mother’s status in the industry and guidance on set steered her into multi-camera shoots, which is the world she loves most of all, despite having early ambitions to be a pop-singer with encouragement from her father. She remains inspired by her music and is currently writing a musical with her father. Farah recently obtained a license from the International College of Beauty in Esthetician and Cosmetology. She lives in Toluca Lake, California with her two cats. Farah’s links: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1095568/https://www.instagram.com/farahbunch/@farahbunch Some of Farah’s female artists:Jo BakerKathryn Bigelow Host: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramThe AART Podcast on YouTubeEmail: theaartpodcast@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

This week the Canadian-American actor and filmmaker Leanne Johnson whose philosophy is founded on seeking understanding and sharing truth through bold characters and stories to redefine the narrative about women in film and our world. Since graduating from the University of Alberta in 2011 with a BSc. in Nutrition and Food Science, Leanne has consistently produced a repertoire of diverse and dynamic performances. In May 2025 she made her directorial debut with A Tree Falls in The Forest, which speaks to her raison d’etre as a storyteller. Her performance in the 2024 action-crime movie Extraction, USA resonates with her own story of humble beginnings growing up the daughter of immigrants in rural Alberta.  Her credits range from NBC's Chicago PD to Dracula: The Count’s Kin, Chasing Rabbits, Oregonda and Idle Girl. She has garnered multiple Best Actress awards including Chasing Rabbits (2022), Oregonda (2024) plus best Supporting Actress in Greek Fire-Demon Spirit (2023).  As well as her versatility on screen, Leanne is a Personal Trainer having graduated from the National Academy of Sports Training (NASM), in Lafayette, IN. Her lifelong love for sports is evident in a range of skills, including snowboarding, martial arts and roller derby where she is known as Chariot of Fire. Leanne embraces her queer identity and stereotype-bending on-screen performances while staying true to her faith which remains at her core. Leanne is currently based in Indiana and is a proud mother of two daughters. Leanne’s links:https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9786306/https://www.leannejohnsonofficial.com/https://www.youtube.com/@leannejohnsonactorhttps://www.instagram.com/leannejohnsonofficial Some of Leanne's favorite actors: Helen MirrenKate WinsletMargot RobbieJennifer LawrenceFrances McDormandBrie LarsonChloe ZhaoJulia RobertsSandra BullockLeanne’s playlist:Marlee CarpenterNeed To BreatheColdplay Lady Gaga Taya HozierHost: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramThe AART Podcast on YouTubeEmail: theaartpodcast@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

This week we meet the Australian painter Sarah Hickey whose bold colors radiate through her expansive canvases expressing an internal world of dreaming and reflection through her spirituality and imagination. We hear how Sarah’s creative soul was evident in her childhood as she explored a range of visual elements from theater to fashion and iconography. Sarah was born in Brisbane in 1975 and grew up in the surrounding area.  She was educated at Queensland College of Art where she earned a BFA in Visual Art and a BEd at Griffith University. Parents Eileen and Paul gave Sarah and her younger brother Sean the freedom to explore, which enabled Sarah to connect with nature in a spiritual sense—something that is constant in her paintings. While in high school, Sarah visited England, France and Spain when she became enthralled by European artists. After she graduated college she spent time in Germany as a nanny living her own version of her favorite film, The Sound of Music. Sarah was always drawn to teaching and has been a High School Art teacher for 23 years. After her marriage to George Hickey, Sarah returned to her art and has participated in numerous shows and exhibitions, and garnered several awards including The Percival Portrait and Sunshine Coast National Art Prize, The Kennedy Art Prize, Redland Art Awards. Sarah lives in Brisbane with her husband George and dog Molly.Sarah's website: https://sarahhickey.com.au/Instagram:@sarahhickeyart Some of Sarah’s favorite artists:Frida KahloLucy Culliton (Australian painter)Clairy Laurence (sculptor)Laura Jones (Australian painter)Yvette CoppersmithJulie FragarJudith Nangala CrispinOlivia Godbee Alicia Cornwell Penelope Boyd Wendy Sharpe Host: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramThe AART Podcast on YouTubeEmail: theaartpodcast@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

This week the American Landscape Painter Kim Casebeer whose career spans some 25 years and whose work is shown in private, corporate and museum collections throughout the United States. Kim is represented in galleries from Colorado to Wyoming, Montana, Arizona and her home state of Kansas. She is, she says, in a good place in her career now balancing her time between studio commissioned work, plein air painting and teaching workshops. Kim was born in Newton, KS in 1970 and grew up in the tiny town of Goessel, KS with her two younger sisters Trish and Jenny. Her father Lloyd is a retired farmer and mother Marlene, a retired nurse. Kim’s family are fifth generation farmers so her childhood was spent learning to grow a variety of crops and compete in the local 4H club where her talent as a horticulturist was noteworthy. An early interest in all things artistic was encouraged by her parents from drawing tractors with her dad to learning a variety of mediums through high school. It was a natural progression for Kim to choose art school as she laid the foundation for her career by graduating with a Bachelor in Fine Arts from Kansas State University with an emphasis in Graphic Design in 1992. It was here that she met Shannon and the couple recently celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary. Upon graduating, Kim’s first jobs were in graphic design with her art work pursued as a hobby. It was only when her paintings were generating more income than her employment that Kim decided it was time to quit her day job and focus on being a full-time artist in 2001. Kim is a Master Signature Member of the American Women Artists, and a Signature Member of the Oil Painters of America and the Pastel Society of America. She has received multiple awards and publicity for her work that focuses on the big skies and wide open spaces of the western United States. Kim lives in Manhattan, KS with her husband Shannon, sons Collin and Lucas, and Australian Shepherd, Matilda. Kim’s links:https://www.kimcasebeer.com/https://www.instagram.com/kimcasebeerartist/ Some favorite female artists in visual arts:Kami MendlikChula BeauregardJane HuntCindy BaronShanna HernandezMelissa Scott Miller Jan Beaney Chiharu Shiota  Host: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramThe AART Podcast on YouTubeEmail: theaartpodcast@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

This week the American Director of Photography and Cinematographer Theresa Vitale whose resume spans all genres of film and TV productions. Theresa is passionate about elevating women both in her love of sport and her dedication to the industry; two paths that have merged as she crossed the bridge from the US U23 National Rugby Team to film and TV production. As we will hear, sport taught her so much that has helped her in her career not least of all the value of team work and collaboration. Theresa was born in 1982 in Wallingford, CT, the eldest of two daughters; she has a sister Rosanne. Shortly after her parents Mario Vitale and Karen Weeks moved to Lawrence, NJ where her father could commute to New York, while her mother was the home care provider. Sports and music dominated her childhood—she played trombone for nine years — and tried every sport she could, eventually, and accidentally, discovering rugby. Her natural talent was soon recognized and within six months she made the squad which was competing for the national championships. Despite coming up short that year she did win the national championship with the US women’s U23 national team in 2005.  Alas, her career called and she chose the University of Massachusetts for its BA in Communications degree with a focus on TV/Film, graduating in 2005. An internship with MTV in New York convinced her that she wanted to be a camera operator and from that point on doors opened and led the way to a highly successful career.  Her work has been featured on major broadcast, cable, and streaming networks, including ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, HBO Max, Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Showtime, Bravo, to name a few, specializing in docu-series, competition reality, cooking shows, studio shows, live music, documentaries, BTS and women’s sports. Theresa also takes great pride in helping women find and properly fit personal protective equipment (PPE). As an ambassador for EasyRig, she continues the legacy of her mentor, Cat Cummings, by empowering women with the right gear and ensuring it fits them correctly. Theresa lives in Long Beach California with her wife Heidi and son Barron. Theresa’s website: www.TheresaVitale.comIMDB -  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2922553/Instagram: TheresaVitale21 & TheresaVitale_DP Theresa’s favorite female artists: Gretchen WarthenJen MortonMeagan Stockemer Host: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramThe AART Podcast on YouTubeEmail: theaartpodcast@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

The English textile artist Alison Holt uses her imagination to capture landscapes and nature and then weave them into colorful canvases that are often taken for paintings. Alison says: 'Each piece is a combination of silk painting and freehand machine stitching. The painting creates depth, perspective and richness to the work and combines effectively with stitch to give detail and texture.’ Her work can be found in private collections around the world and in galleries from London to Sydney.  Alison was born in Oswestry, Shropshire in 1956, the youngest of two girls, to Cyril and Brenda Holt who were garage proprietors. Her father died of a brain tumor when she was just 13 and her mother was left to raise her daughters. Her parents always supported her artistic interests and by the time Alison graduated from Oswestry Girls High School she had only one ambition which was to get into art college. From Shrewsbury Art School she was accepted into the prestigious Goldsmith College in London from where she graduated with a BA Hons in Fine Art Textiles, specializing in  Embroidery. By now her talent had already been recognized and she was immediately offered an exhibition and given commissions. She returned to Shropshire and began what was to become a parallel vocation in teaching at Wexham Art College. Alison married in 1993 and worked part time in her studio while raising her two boys Tom and Jonathan. For 40 years now Alison has built her business as a textile artist, which includes writing books about her practice and teaching courses at her home studio throughout the year. Alison lives in Oswestry with her husband John Moses and their dog Bobby. Alison’s links: https://www.alisonholt.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/alisonlholt/ Some of Alison’s favorite female artists:Melissa Scott Miller - Artist - painterJan Beaney - Textile ArtistChiharu Shiota - Installation Artist   Host: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramThe AART Podcast on YouTubeEmail: theaartpodcast@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

This week the Food and Beverage Stylist Chriscilla Browning.  Chriscilla has blended her love of photography with a creative palette of culinary art establishing herself as a leading visionary in the designing and crafting of visual delights for advertising and editorial stages where beauty stimulates the senses with mouth watering creations.  Chriscilla was born in Waynesboro, Virginia in 1973, the eldest of three girls, to Glenna Lyle, a homemaker and latterly a rural mail carrier, and David Miller, US Navy veteran turned electrician, safety inspector and explosives expert.  Chriscilla grew up on the family farm where rural life grounded her while she developed an interest in fashion and illustrating. She was also an athlete in High School proving herself as a runner. Her interest in the finer art of photography took her to the American College in Atlanta from which she graduated with a BA in Fine Arts in 1994. After a period of waiting tables and bars, Chriscilla found work in a photographer’s studio in Atlanta where she learned the tricks of the trade in styling food and dishes, and even beds for Bloomingdales. It was during this time that she met her husband and took a break in her career to have Skyler, the first of her two sons.  Chriscilla has since built a lucrative business in food and beverage styling that leaves her little time for herself beyond exercising, which these days focuses on weight lifting.  Chriscilla live in Greensboro, NC, when she is not traveling the country on photo shoots.Chriscilla on Instagram: @chriscilla_browning https://www.instagram.com/chriscilla_browning/ Host: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramThe AART Podcast on YouTubeEmail: theaartpodcast@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

This week the British Fine Artist Frances Featherstone. Frances says her art is guided by an appreciation for storytelling. Narrative serves at the heart of her work with which she seeks to fill her paintings with ideas and conceptual depth. Her creative explorations revolve around the interplay between figures and interior spaces offering viewers a window into intimate emotions that are entangled with the spaces we occupy. Frances employs aerial perspectives to craft patterns seen from above that compress and flatten the spatial dimensions. These pieces venture beyond the constraints of conventional perception and seek to challenge our normal sense of space. One of two children—she has a brother Walter, Frances was born in 1976 in Roade, England, to parents Jane Gill, a teacher —formerly a silversmith and jeweler—and Michael Featherstone a furniture designer. Art runs throughout her family and Frances was always encouraged and supported in her talent which naturally led a formal art education. She achieved an Art Foundation Distinction and First Class Degree in Fine Art and Visual Culture from the University of the West of England, Bristol. before changing direction for her Post Grad in Interactive Multimedia at Bath Spa University, graduating in 2000. She worked as a Designer in the BBC’s Interactive Factual and Learning Department for six years. In 2006 she got married and started a family, at which point she returned to painting, firstly by taking commissions for portraits. Her work took off and she was quickly gaining recognition. In 2019 Frances was shortlisted for ‘Artist of the Year’ by ‘Artists and Illustrators Magazine’. In 2021 she won the ‘The Chair’s Purchase Prize’ at the ING Discerning Eye exhibition at The Mall Galleries in London. And in 2024 was awarded a Certificate of Commendation for ‘an exceptional work selected for the Royal Institute of Oil Painters’ annual exhibition. She has also won Sky Arts Portrait of the Week twice for her paintings of Booker Prize winner Bernardine Evaristo and the singer Dannii Minogue.  Frances is represented by the Fairfax Gallery in Tunbridge Wells and Arcadia Contemporary Gallery in New York. She lives near Groombridge in East Sussex with her husband Munir Hassan and children Sam and Layla. Frances' links:https://www.francesfeatherstone.co.uk/Instagram: @francesfeatherstone Some favorite female artists:Paula RegoJenny SavilleFrida KahloJoan MitchellRachel Whiteread Host: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramThe AART Podcast on YouTube has bonus content not included on the podcast. Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

Hungarian Esther Horvath is a multi-award winning polar photographer whose work focuses on climate research in the polar regions. By documenting the work and life of scientists who deliver important data, Esther hopes to help make a difference in how people understand what actually is occurring, and her collaborations with scientists help raise public awareness about these increasingly fragile environments. Esther was born in 1979 in Sopron, Hungary. Esther grew up behind the Iron Curtain and even though she lived only a few kilometers from the Austrian border she was ten years old before the ‘curtain’ came down and she was able to explore the Austrian mountains where the Alps start, discovering a world that held a fascination which would become a life-long passion for her as an explorer.  Despite a childhood interest in art and photography Esther chose to study Economics at West Hungarian University for her Masters Degree. Upon graduating she worked in the private sector in Vienna  and at 25 she owned her first camera which would prove to be life-changing. With a growing passion for photography she decided to go to New York to study Photojournalism and Documentary Photography at International Center of Photography, (ICP). After finishing ICP, she received an assignment from Audubon magazine, to the Arctic Ocean, which was the next most important milestone in her life. Today she documented 25 scientific expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctica. From 2019 – 2020, Esther spent almost four months on board the Polarstern icebreaker during polar nights in extreme conditions, documenting the MOSAiC expedition in the Central Arctic Ocean, the largest ever Arctic Ocean science expedition.  In 2022 she was the official photographer of the Endurance22 expedition, searching and finding Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship the Endurance. Esther won the first prize in World Press Photo Award, Environmental single category in 2020. In 2022, she received the Infinity Award from the International Center of Photography in New York for her work in raising awareness about conservation, environmental justice and climate change. Esther is a contributing photographer and explorer for National Geographic Explorer, and a Nikon Ambassador and photographer for the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research. Esther has homes in Sopron, Hungary and Hamburg, Germany even though she spends most of her time traveling.  Esther’s links: https://estherhorvath.com/https://www.instagram.com/estherhorvath Some of Esther’s favorite female artists:Ami Vitale (photographer)Lyndsey Addario photojournalist)Deirdre Hyde (painter)Rita Rebecca Kirady (interior designer) Host: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramThe AART Podcast on YouTubeEmail: theaartpodcast@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

Bex Simon is a British Artsmith who has overcome difficult mental health issues to become highly sought after for her creative work in metal. Bex is unconstrained in her approach to design by combining geometric shapes and textures. Her sculptures and public art tell stories relative to the surrounding environment and can be found around the UK. Bex was born in Chertsey, Surrey in 1973, the third of four children—she has an older sister and brother and a younger brother. She reflects on a very strict upbringing from parents Tim, a computer programmer and Gel a retired teacher who later volunteered at a school for handicapped children; a relationship which has mellowed with time and understanding of Bex’s mental health. Bex was attracted to the art of blacksmithing as a teenager and despite struggling at school with dyslexia, she studied at the Surrey Institute of Art and Design – Foundation graduating in 1992.  In 1995 she graduated with a BA in Three-Dimensional Design in Metal Surrey from the Institute of Art and Design; followed in 1998 by a Diploma and National Certificate from Hereford College of Technology and in 2017 a Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Forge Work DFS from Herefordshire and Ludlow College. In 2019 she began studying Geometry at the Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts. In 1999 Bex moved to London and established her creative blacksmithing business with the help of the Prince’s Trust. Initially, she worked on private commissions acquired from exhibiting regularly at RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows. Later, she moved on to larger scale public artwork projects via collaborations with a selected group of artist blacksmiths. Her biggest commission to date being a forty meter public artwork for Westminster Magistrates’ Courts in London. It was for that installation that she became the first woman to receive the Tonypandy Cup; the most prestigious award given by the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths.  Bex lives in North Devon with her husband Dave and their daughters Molly and Lyonie. The book that Bex recommended on the YouTube video - https://www.youtube.com/@theaartpodcast -The Creative Art, A Way of Being by Rick Rubin Bex’s links:https://bexsimon.com/https://www.instagram.com/bexsimonartsmith/ Bex’s favorite female artists:Zaha HadidEmma KunzLousie Bourgeois Bex’s playlist:Beastie Boys / SabotageSinead O’Connor / TroyDoja Cat / Paint the Town RedRadiohead / Street SpiritSleaford Mods / Nudge ItThe Sundays / Can’t Be SureChase & Status / BackboneGoldfrapp / Ooh La LaSystem of A Down / Chop SueyRoyksopp Robyn / MonumentNia Archives / Off Wiv Ya HeadzHost: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramThe AART Podcast on YouTube -  https://www.youtube.com/@theaartpodcastEmail: theaartpodcast@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

The American painter and sculptor René Romero Schuler creates powerful images that speak to the complexities of the human condition and the spirit that connects all human beings. René did not have any formal art training but since a small child felt that she was always meant to be an artist. She endured a difficult childhood and those real life challenges are imbued in her work illustrating her appreciation for the struggles and triumphs of humanity. René was born in Chicago in 1968 to parents Maryanne, a retired nurse and Rocky, who René describes as a bit of an enigma, though always in sales. René and her siblings grew up in Chicago, though she spent a year and a half in Quito with her grandparents. By time she reached her teenage years her home life was becoming difficult with a troubled relationship with her mother and an intrusive fear of her father. At the age of 14 René ran away from home and lived rough pulling on all her resources and determination. She eventually found work as an artist, painting murals in commercial properties. When she was 17 René moved into her own apartment and worked a variety of jobs from waitressing to bartending. By collaborating with a variety of artists around Chicago, René was gradually becoming a full-time artist with her own studio and plenty of commissions. In 1999 she met her future husband and for a while the couple lived in New York before René was drawn back to Chicago to focus on her art. It was here that she was able to reconnect with her contacts in art galleries and establish herself as a professional artist. René is represented by galleries across the U.S., Canada and Europe, She has had major exhibitions throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia, and has work included in the permanent collections of numerous museums and institutions. René now lives in Monterrey, CA with her husband Rick and two sons Ian and Owen.Rene’s links: https://www.reneromeroschuler.com/ https://www.instagram.com/reneromeroschuler/Some favorite female artists:Maryann KolbKelly ReemstenBisa ButlerJoan BrownAnnie LeibovitzTamara de LempickaHelen FrankenthalerLouise BourgeoisTracey Emin Host: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramThe AART Podcast on YouTubeEmail: theaartpodcast@gmail.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

This week the American impressionist painter Ellen Howard. Ellen says: "My art is centered around living a faithful life and trusting in the unfolding of the great tapestry of life. As an avid explorer and traveler, I’m curious about the transitory elements of nature and love discovering quiet unexplored areas. Seeing the light move across the land, cascading off a mountain range, streaming through the leaves, dancing on the top of the waves, and creating a beautiful ray of warmth in the sky and clouds is pure serenity; where I find my center and solutions through art for life.” Ellen has been a professional artist for 15 years since she raised her two children Rachael and Jonathan and attending a range of art classes covering a variety of subjects and mediums. Her work has been shown extensively across the country and in a number of publications.  Ellen was born in Summit, NJ in 1965 to parents Joyce and Jim Guter. Her mother was a nurse who dabbled in watercolors as a hobby, and her father was a musician and high school band director. Ellen grew up with her younger brother Mark in NJ and Massachusetts but her parents divorced when she was just 14. Ellen immersed herself in swimming, running track and dancing with her friends as she navigated her teenage years. She graduated from Syracuse University with a B.S. in Marketing and Human Resources and at the age of 24, moved to San Fransisco where she embarked on a career in finance which, she says, stood her in good stead for running her own business. It was here that she met her husband and started a family. Now a full-time professional, Ellen divides her time behind the easel in her studio or in plein air. When she is not painting she is giving classes and workshops in the US and Europe. Ellen lives near San Fransisco with her husband Mark and two dogs. Ellen’s links: https://www.ellenhowardart.com/https://www.instagram.com/ellenhowardart/Some os Ellen’s favorite female artists:Adrienne Stein - painterKim Lordier - pastelist Jill Carver - painter Host: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramThe AART Podcast on YouTubeEmail: theaartpodcast@gmail.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

Canadian based Romanian Hyperrealist Artist Sinziana Iordache specializes in detailed graphite drawings of luxury watches. Sinziana’s produces photorealistic and hyperrealistic drawings with each meticulously placed stroke, every shade and tone carefully chosen. Her artworks reflect not just timepieces but the epitome of horological elegance.  Sinziana was born in Constanta, Romania in July,1986, the only child of Elena Chris, an accountant and web designer, and Ion Iordache, a consultant and trainer in security management. While she was still a toddler, her family moved west to Resita near the Serbian border—her father was serving as a captain in the military—and where she says she had a very happy childhood. Her mother’s interest in precision art appealed to Sinziana from an early age and she would easily amuse herself for hours. Education began at the Traian Vuia High School and Politehnica University, Timisoara studying architecture before Sinziana moved to Canada in 2007 following her mother and step-father who had emigrated in 2003. Sinziana attended the Ryerson University in Toronto where she studied Interior Design which would become the catalyst for her starting her own business. Nowadays she is a partner at Unfold Creative Studio and spends much of her time outside the business on drawing luxury watches, which can be time consuming. It can take 150 hours to draw one watch. Sinziana lives in Toronto with her partner, the artist Alex Sauret and her cat. Sinziana’s links:https://sinzianaiordache.com/'https://www.instagram.com/sinzianaiordache Some of Sinziana’s favorite artists:Elizabeth Waggett (painting, drawing)Kit King (painter) CJ Hendry (hyperrealist)Golsa Golchini (painter)Vanessa Hogge (ceramist)Karen Konzuk (jewelry)Heather Knight (ceramist)Gaby Wormann (mechanical art)Carla Grace (wildlife painter)Zai Divecha (paper artist)Lauren Williams (textile artist)Julia Ibbini (paper art) Host: Chris Stafford@theaartpodcast on InstagramThe AART Podcast on YouTubeEmail: theaartpodcast@gmail.com Produced by Hollowell StudiosBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

On this new season of AART our first guest is the cinematographer Sarah Thomas Moffat. Sarah’s work has spanned across all genres from docs, factual and commercial with a focus now on scripted. Her productions have aired worldwide, including on CBC, History Channel, CTV, Hulu and Netflix. Sarah was the first woman to run as a Racer-Cam Operator on the Canadian reality competition show Amazing Race Canada. She has won multiple awards across genres including film festival awards for Best Cinematography. along with three CSC nominations.  Sarah’s parents emigrated from Scotland to Canada shortly before Sarah was born in Toronto. As a child she developed an interest in still photography through artistic parents which led to Sarah studying Film, Radio, TV Broadcasting at Centennial College, Ontario. She describes herself, at that time, as focused and determined when she realized that this was her calling and she could make a career as a cinematographer. Sarah is a dual citizen of Canada and the UK. She is a member of IATSE, a CSC Associate Member, an ASC Vision Mentee Alumni, and Illuminatrix DOP based in London.  Sarah’s links:https://sarahthomasmoffat.com/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3511986/https://www.instagram.com/sthomasmoffat Some of Sarah’s favorite female artists:Mandy WalkerEva DuVernay Host: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramThe AART Podcast on YouTubeEmail: theaartpodcast@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

On the season finale of Season 2 our guest is the Chinese Sculptor Lirong Luo.  Lirong says: "Most important for me is to create my artwork freely and show people what I am ready to show and what is interesting for me to show the world.”  Lirong’s sculptural work is influenced by Renaissance and Baroque techniques, an interest she developed while studying art in Beijing under the tutelage of Sun Jia Bo. This influence is evident in the life-like quality and grace of her figures, often women, captured in motion. Their poses are elegant, elongating their bodies, and Lirong’s attention to detail in skin folds and garment drapery imbues them with a sense of vitality. The dresses and garments of her sculptures often appear windswept, creating a compelling dichotomy between realism and a fantastical element. But her early life was not easy. Growing up in a small village in China, Lirong's path was filled with hard work and a determination to prove without anyone to show her the way that a Chinese woman could become a successful international artist. In this episode, she shares her story of resilience, her vision and artistic process, and how she created her own path in the art world. Lirong was born in the Hunan Province in 1980. Her parents, Huaifu Luo and Aiyu Guo are both farmers. She has a brother, Liping Luo. In 1998, Lirong entered the Changsha Academy of Arts in Changsha, Hunan, and from 2000-2005 she studied sculpture at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing graduating with honors. Lirong met her future husband the Belgian sculptor Arnaud Laroche while they were students together and once Lirong graduated the couple decided to move to Europe. They first lived in Paris where Lirong worked in a chocolate factory before moving to Belgium. It was here that she established a studio and in 2014 held her first exhibition. By 2017 Lirong had hit the big time and now her work can be seen in galleries in France and Belgium. Lirong lives in Beersel, Belgium with her husband Arnaud Laroche and their daughters Olivia and Maya. Lirong’s links:Instagram: @luo_li_rong_art https://www.instagram.com/luo_li_rong_art/?hl=enFacebook:  LUO Li Ronghttps://www.facebook.com/p/LUO-LI-RONG-100044201991035/Lirong’s favorite female artists:Camille ClaudelKiki SmithBeth Cavener Host: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramEmail: hollowellstudios@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.