In this unflinching episode of Women United ART PODCAST, I’m joined by Maria Gvardeitseva—an extraordinary Belarusian-born, London-based artist whose practice confronts political exile, memory, and feminism through performance, video, and installation. Maria’s art is both deeply personal and profoundly political. Born in Belarus, she carries the lived experience of displacement and exile, transforming it into work that refuses silence and challenges systems of violence. Her pieces often wea...
In this inspiring episode of Women United ART PODCAST, I sit down with Jocelyn Benford, an abstract painter who took a bold leap from a 21-year career in elementary education to embrace her passion for art full-time. What began in 2020 as a creative outlet during the pandemic quickly grew into a daily practice—and a thriving career. Jocelyn shares how she built her artistic journey step by step: from her first solo show at Sweet Lorraine Gallery to exhibiting in prominent New York City spaces...
In this episode, we sit down with London-based interdisciplinary artist Claudia Tong, whose work spans painting, illustration, mixed media, visual computing, photography, and music. Claudia brings a unique perspective to art, merging her background in computer science, psychology, and finance with her creative practice. She shares how knowledge from diverse fields can fuel originality, conceptual depth, and innovation in artistic work. Claudia discusses her approach to exploring cultural na...
In this heartfelt episode of Women United ART PODCAST, host Mona Lerch welcomes celebrated artist Susie McColganfor a moving conversation about resilience, rediscovery, and the emotional power of painting. Susie shares how her lifelong relationship with art began in childhood, growing up in northern Michigan where nature, color, and light first stirred her creative soul. After earning a BFA from the University of Michigan and building a successful career in commercial art and illustration, Su...
In this powerful episode of Women United ART PODCAST, I sit down with Meryl Lettire—an accomplished artist, illustrator, and educator whose remarkable career has woven together creativity, storytelling, and service to others. From working with major publications like The New York Times and The Boston Globe to dedicating over two decades to art education, Meryl has made an indelible impact across the art world. Now, in the latest chapter of her journey, she’s returned to her personal practice ...
In this heartfelt episode of Women United ART PODCAST, I sit down with Cecilia Lopez, also known as Ceci Loel—a Mexican-born visual artist and designer whose vibrant, culturally rich work is a true celebration of self-expression and heritage. With a background in Industrial Design and a PhD in Sustainable Architecture, Ceci’s creative journey has taken many turns, but her love for art has always remained at the center. Ceci’s artistic path shifted in 2020 when she became a mother. In this hon...
In this episode of Women United ART PODCAST, I sit down with artist, coach, and founder of A Mighty Practice, Christine Garvey. Christine has spent over a decade helping artists navigate the challenges of sustaining a creative practice—from overcoming scarcity mindset to building financial stability. With an impressive career spanning international exhibitions, a Fulbright Research Grant, and artist residencies, she brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation. We dive into the realitie...
In this deeply moving episode of Women United ART PODCAST, I sit down with a visual artist Deborah Pearse to discuss her powerful journey through art, grief, and advocacy. Deborah has spent the past 12 years separated from her daughter due to parental alienation, a heartbreaking phenomenon in which one parent is unjustly cut off from their child’s life. Through her artistic practice, she has processed the immense grief of this experience, using creativity as both a refuge and a way to reclaim...
Welcome to another episode of Women United ART PODCAST, Season 4, in which Mona chats with Stephanie Morton-Millstein, a Los Angeles-based painter and sculptor whose work explores the ever-evolving cycles of nature, identity, mood, and consciousness. Embracing an intuitive, abstract expressionist style, she allows her mediums—oil and clay—to guide her, layering and sculpting until each piece feels complete. Her creative process is deeply immersive, often unfolding over months in moments of cl...
Welcome to another episode of Women United ART PODCAST - today with a special guest, Ashara Shapiro, the founder and owner of ArtWRKD, a full service art consortium, with a mission for discovering, fostering and sharing all mediums of original work by today's best emerging artists through its curated exhibition space. From the stage to the studio, Ashara Shapiro’s creative journey has been anything but conventional. A Magna Cum Laude graduate in Acting and Theater Education from Emerson Col...
In this deeply resonant episode, artist Lucy Cade explores the intersections of mental health, motherhood, and art. Known for her evocative female portraiture, Lucy delves into themes of subjectivity, agency, and the transformative potential of extreme emotional states. She shares her journey of engaging with her own postnatal psychosis through art, recounting her Arts Council-funded project and collaborative works like I FELT THAT, addressing gendered pain. Lucy offers a candid and empowerin...
In this episode, we’re joined by acclaimed fine artist Gabriela Gonzalez Dellosso, whose work pays homage to historical women artists and explores the female image in social and historical contexts. With a career spanning over three decades, Gabriela has exhibited in renowned museums, been featured in prestigious publications, and is currently presenting a traveling museum retrospective. Gabriela shares the dedication, focus, and lessons learned along her artistic journey—from drawing inspira...
In this episode, we sit down with Cincinnati-based visual artist Emily Moores to discuss the (sometimes difficult) transition into being a mid-career artist. Known for her intricate, hand-cut installations and playful use of materials, Emily opens up about the challenges and opportunities of this pivotal stage in her career. We explore questions many artists face: How do you move beyond the resources geared toward emerging artists? What’s the balance between commercial and nonprofit spaces, a...
In this powerful episode of Women United ART PODCAST, we are joined by KYRIANNA, an internationally recognized watercolor and mixed media artist whose work is a moving exploration of chronic pain and illness. Diagnosed with a debilitating condition at the age of twelve, KYRIANNA’s art delves into the realities of invisible disabilities, offering surrealist watercolor portraits and mixed-media pieces that amplify the voices of those living with chronic conditions. Through her personal story an...
Behind the Scenes of the Artist Intensive: Mastering Your Words & Winning Grants In this special episode, Mona and Katelyn take you behind the scenes of the Artist Intensive workshop! They share the “why” behind creating this transformative experience, plus tips and advice to help you present your work more effectively and craft compelling grant proposals. They break down: ✨ Who this workshop is for and why it’s a game-changer for artists at any stage. ✨ Key content highlights, from...
In this exciting episode of Women United ART PODCAST, we welcome Maria Müller, a Romanian actor, writer, producer, and Co-Founding Artistic Director of Et Alia, a theater company led by international women. Based in New York, Maria has an impressive portfolio spanning theater, film, and television, with work that tackles themes such as immigration, mental health, sexual freedom, and women’s rights. Maria shares her journey as a multi-hyphenate navigating the challenges and opportunities of th...
In this insightful episode of Women United ART PODCAST, we are joined by Sheelah Moloney, founder of 2020 Curates, an art consultancy based in Cork, Ireland. With over 15 years of experience in art sales, gallery ownership, and exhibition curation, Sheelah has curated nearly 50 exhibitions and worked with countless artists. Her passion lies in fostering connections between artists and communities, while offering mentorship to help creatives navigate the complexities of the art world. Sheelah...
In this episode of Women United ART PODCAST, we chat with London-based artist Eleanor Cowell, whose work navigates the boundaries between presence, spirituality, and the blurred realities of our modern lives. Eleanor shares her journey of using art as a tool for wellness and personal growth, including how sobriety has shaped her career and empowered her to express deeper emotions through her practice. From her time assisting renowned artists like Damien Hirst to developing her unique approac...
In this exciting episode of Women United ART PODCAST, we sit down with Katie Henry, Director of Art In Offices, a trailblazer in the corporate art industry. Since founding Art In Offices in 2012, Katie has been on a mission to make art accessible and affordable for companies of all sizes, from startups to established brands. With a background in fine art and arts management, she brings a unique perspective, bridging the gap between artists and businesses. Join us as Katie shares her insights ...
In this insightful episode of Women United ART PODCAST, we dive into the world of digital art and NFTs with Alisa Lisovskaia, an ArtTech leader, curator, and Chief Ambassador at IOGINALITY. With over a decade of experience in the art and art-tech industries, Alisa shares her journey from working in renowned Russian museums to bridging the gap between traditional and digital art. With an impressive academic background, including an MA in Art Business and Luxury from Sotheby’s Institute of Art,...