the AP Collection

Eight months after the last submission I've got a good farewell chat for The AP Collection Podcast. Listen to John, Brett, and Donna from The John Riegert Project and check out the show at SPACE before September 4th, 2016!

Chris Williams is an artist from New York but also defines himself as a multi-maker, which he defines as a combination of being both multifaceted and a maker. He has a background in biology, and a lot of his work includes themes of life and environment.  Chris Williams talks about his time in Texas, working for a woman who used robotics to save lives after the tsunami in Fukushima, as well as the time he spent in Turkey, which included being in the midst of protest. In Pittsburgh, he has worked on a wooden audio game for the visually impaired ("Coral"), an installation in Lawrenceville that mimics a pier and uses light patterns that interact and work with the environment ("Ghost Pier"), and a simulation of the experience of listening to an 8-9 hour brass music performance in Turkey ("Pittonkatonk"). He also engages in a conversation about the Black Lives Matter movement. View the links below to see more images from the projects. Chris Williams on the Internet Email him: chriswilliams2@gmail.com Coral Project Ghost Pier Project in Lawrenceville Pittonkatonk Theme Music by DJ Thermos Twitter: @LikeAThermos Instagram: @amoswolf

Lesley Rains is the woman behind East End Book Exchange on Liberty Avenue in Bloomfield. Before that, Lesley's love of books and the lack thereof in the city drove her to start something new. The exchange started by setting up bookstalls at community public markets around the city.  In this chat, Lesley discusses her journey to opening her own business, her favorite books, and the need for diversity in the book market. Lesley Rains on the Internet www.eastendbookexchange.com Like East End Book Exchange on Facebook Follow @EastEndBooksPgh on Twitter Follow @eastendbookexchange on Instagram Theme Music by DJ Thermos Twitter: @LikeAThermos Instagram: @amoswolf  

Selling yourself, or being a working creative has nothing to do with being the best. I will never be the most talented or amazing painter. I am however, one of the most dedicated and determined people you will ever know in just about any field out there.  The AP Collection has always been a journey for me to figure out what helps me create. As of right now, it's listening to people talk about themselves and drawing or painting responses to that. That simple exchange is inside everything that I as an artist have created.  The next endeavor for my practice is to produce work that connects directly with those that are supporting it. For now the interviews and other free things on this site are all the same and always free but for a small amount of support, there's more for those that want it. Patreon is a way for me to keep drawing—the thing I want to do always. Please check out the site,  pick a level, and help me make more. If you like what I do, share it with others. Below are just some of the things that I've done. I'm stoked to see what's next.

Rachel Arnold Sager is an illustrator and designer. After having her daughter and leaving her job at a design agency to pursue freelancing, she decided to try out new things that scared her, to get out of her comfort zone and take risks. She tried creative writing and improv, to name just a few of the things, and she continues on the path towards the new. Rachel indulges us in her journey navigating through creativity, freelance work, challenging herself, and motherhood. She puts it best when she says (or, quotes Ira Glass), "Your taste level will probably exceed your skill level for a long time." Most recently, she started (and finished) her "100 days" project, consisting of only non-digital illustrations and art works. Rachel emphasizes that the key to growing as a creative is commitment and perseverance––traits she has engrained into her practice. Rachel Arnold Sager on the Internet www.rasager.com/ Follow @rasager on Twitter Follow @r.a.sager on Instagram "100 Days" Project Theme Music by DJ Thermos Twitter: @LikeAThermos Instagram: @amoswolf

Travis Mitzel is a Pittsburgh-based artist, who was also born and raised in the city. His body of work focuses on sculpture and photography, using these mediums to tackle and explore different topics. From creating styrofoam-replicas of unknown people by memory to leaving plastic on plants in a futile effort towards conservation, Travis' work incorporates dark humor and absurdity and sheds an intriguing and unique perspective on the strangeness and ironies of the world. In July, he had his first solo show, "As Best I Can Remember," at 707 Gallery. He gives us the 411 on how he views the art scene in Pittsburgh and openly tells us about his experience of being a local artist.  For more on his works and what he is up to, visit the links below! Travis on the Internet www.travismitzel.com Travis on Facebook Follow @adobesausage on Instagram Follow @travmitz on Twitter

Just a little experiment for the podcast... enjoy and let us know wha you think!

TWYGA is an art project from The AP Collection. Erica Pilgram shares her talent for TWYGA, see more at thatiswhatyouaregoodat.com

Jordon Milchak is the creator and curator of On The Skids Studios & Gallery in Allentown. He's lived in Allentown for the past 11 years and has seen the town grow. Before that, Jordon owned a bike shop up in Mt. Washington, but stopped because life happened and he enjoyed riding bikes (BMX!) more than he liked fixing and selling them. There's some good bike chat/debate in this chat. With On The Skids, Jordon's goal was to create a brand through the gallery. It's a little bit of everything – they screen print for other people, the space is open as a gallery with four shows a year, and On The Skids is its own brand with shirts, prints, and much more. He hopes that his gallery will be a place where he can showcase the success of others, and he dives into some talk about the Pittsburgh art scene as well as what it means to be an artist. The next On The Skids show is called THE HUNT, featuring works by Abby Diamond and Sean Coxen. The show's opening is on October 17th from 7PM-1PM at the On The Skids Gallery (419 Warrington Avenue). Jordan Milchak on the Internet www.ontheskids.bigcartel.com Like OnTheSkids on Facebook Follow @on_the_skids on Twitter  

This ramble goes through the same career stuff and into other wander-y like thoughts. Enjoy.

Mayor of Pittsburgh Bill Peduto graciously gave us his time and sat down to have a chat! He talks briefly about his past –– his upbringing, the early years as a Chief of Staff to Dan Cohen, and his years as City Councilman. As you probably know, Pittsburgh has a rich history, which Peduto knows a good deal about. He has a way of talking about Pittsburgh's past, using it as a way to color and influence the city's future without hindering its growth. Peduto also mentions ways in which he tries to get Pittsburghers to engage in local government, from Mayor's Night Out (going out to talk to people) to Mayor's Night In (having people go and talk to him), allowing the chance for any and every voice to be heard. Check out P4 Pittsburgh to learn about the bold vision that Peduto and his office envisions for Pittsburgh. Bill Peduto on the Internet P4 Pittsburgh: People, Planet, Place, Performance Follow @billpeduto on Twitter www.billpeduto.com Like Bill Peduto on Facebook www.pittsburghpa.gov/mayor/ Call his office! 412-255-2626

Tickets on sale for the next Finder Quigley event!

Today's chat is brought to you by The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council A Fair in the Park is the yearly celebration of visual art, craft, and making from Southwestern PA creators. Everything from wearables, ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, mixed media, wood, two dimensional work, leather, and metal are on display in a series of tents nestled cozily in Mellon Park—tucked in the shade of the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. This event is more intimate than the Three River's Arts Festival. The park and adjacent gardens are nestled into the picturesque and residential Shadyside neighborhood. It's effortless to wind through the paved paths past a variety of artists lined up under grand and graceful trees. The following interviews are a selection of four vendors representing different types of craft offered at this year's Fair. For the 46th annual event, they've organized a silent auction, activities for children (face painting and crafts optimized for little hands), and a great line up of musicial guests including Cello Fury and Mahajibee Blues—so there's something for everyone. A Fair in the Park on the Internet Craftsman's Guild of Pittsburgh A Fair In The Park Mellon Park The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council (Thank you for sponsoring this episode!) Artist's Links Jeff Brunner heybeast.com Susan Phillips ceramicsusan@gmail.com joshuakosker.com and touchstonecrafts.org Michelle Sabol aka Memphis George

General updates in order of when they popped into my brain: Great news! The Society of Illustrators accepted me as a full member! Go to pittsburghillustrators.org to see where my portfolio will be posted and check out some >amazing< local talent.  Patreon update: I'm shooting my video (hopefully) this weekend while I'm in DC for The National Book Festival. Patreon is like a Kickstarter crowd funding thing but instead of a one time donation it's a regular pledge, (I'm setting my scale from $1 to $500 per month). Patrons recieve rewards from shout outs on the podcast, to a monthly care package cool stuff I print pictures on. Be on the look out for the patreon launch later in September. Note: This isn't taking the place of just sending money through the website. If people want to do that they can—this just creates a more sustainable environment for me to create in. This is also not a fee for listening to the podcast. It is a way of trying to make my art practice as a while more sustainable.  Recently I talked about writing down and keeping track of how I use my time and it has been a real game changer! Since keeping a simple list of what I'm doing each day has allowed me to better prioritize things and stress a lot less—focusing on the task at hand. Speaking of which, I've been doing A LOT OF ILLUSTRATIONS and it's pretty fucking wonderful. (Most of my free time is spent drawing and that's what I really love and all I really want to be doing you guys!) It's not just straight forward commisions (that I enjoy doing very much) either. Friends and past guests of the AP Collection, IDK Magazine had me illustrate their whole issue and >>it got a little conceptual<<. It's one of the few times I am reminded that my expensive education might have been worth it after all. If you want me to make something for you hit me up! theapcollection@gmail.com Paid promotional podcasting is already off to a great start! The Greater Pittsburgh Art's Council has me coming to cover an event next week so be on the look out for that. (Rate: $25 an hour with a minimum of a 2 hour commitment.) With all this change I haven't updated the site—it's coming. The winter will bring new things for your eye balls at theapcollection.com. In the meantime, ask questions and keep in touch!  

Updates and shit! 8/25/15

Today, we have something a little bit different from the usual chat with creatives. This is our first one with someone who is a part of the local government – Councilwoman Deb Gross! If you live in District 7, you've probably heard of her, and if you live in the Pittsburgh area... well, you've probably heard of her.  Deb Gross grew up in a few parts of Pittsburgh, but mainly the South Hills. As a part of her colored experience, she has spent the last 15 years in Pittsburgh working with many community groups and stakeholders in the neighborhood to tackle revitalization issues. As she puts it, right now, the District's goal is to make the process easier for who want to do projects and make things happen in the city. Over the years, Pittsburgh has been growing more and more into a popular city, with big magazine and newspapers dubbing it as "most livable" and "affordable." Along with this popularity, comes the marginalization of groups that have been here for much longer, groups that are the foundation of the culture and history of Pittsburgh. We talk to Deb about how to include these groups and ways to get people more engaged in the community. The only way is through talking and listening, and this point is made very much clear in this chat. Deb Gross on the Internet http://pittsburghpa.gov/district7/ Follow @DebGrosspgh on Twitter Email District 7: district7@pittsburghpa.gov Theme Music by DJ Thermos Twitter: @LikeAThermos Instagram: @amoswolf

Ashley Cecil is an illustrator originally from Kentucky, who specializes in painting birds, bugs, and botany. When you see her artworks, this much is surely loud and clear. Her love of painting these subject matters has propelled her to start her own artist in residency, painting at the Phipps Conservatory, National Aviary, and Carnegie Museum of National History. Most recently, she has started to print her works onto fabrics, which are then sewn into textile products, such as scarves and pillows.  In this chat, Ashley shares with us her journey as an artist – from Kentucky to the Sotheby's Institute of Art London to Pittsburgh – and gives an inside look at the business of art and being and artist. Below are pictures from Ashley's studio, and the Kentucky Derby painting that we talk about in the chat is below, as well! If you like what you see and hear, support Ashley by going to her event, Art of Botany: An Open House of Art and Flowers, at Cuttings Flower and Garden Market on August 13 from 2PM - 6PM. Ashley Cecil on the Internet https://www.ashleycecil.com/ @ashleycecil on Twitter @ashleycecil on Instagram Ashley Cecil on Facebook Theme Music by DJ Thermos Twitter: @LikeAThermos Inastagram: @amoswolf

Jeremy is a Los Angeles filmmaker, who grew up in New Castle, a small town just an hour north of Pittsburgh. After college, Jeremy moved out west to go to film school at University of South California. In early 2016, he is finally coming back to Pittsburgh (specifically, New Castle) to film his first self-directed film, Yinz, which is about growing up in Western Pennsylvania. While telling the story of his upbringing, Jeremy shares how New Castle has inspired him to write this film after eight years of work in Los Angeles. His vision of the film is clear and deeply rooted in the mood of small town New Castle and the Rust Belt. His passion for film clearly comes through his way of explaining the creative, conceptual, and technical sides of movie-making, giving a behind the scenes look from the editing room to gritty film locations. Learn more about and support Jeremy's upcoming movie, Yinz, by checking out the Kickstarter page, which just started in the beginning of August! – Jennifer Jeremy Michael Cohen on the Internet http://www.jeremymcohen.com/ Kickstarter for Jeremy's upcoming movie, Yinz  Theme Music by DJ Thermos Twitter: @LikeAThermos Inastagram: @amoswolf