Art Unknown Podcast

“What is art? On its basest level I think it's the communication of emotion.” - Chris Orcutt Memory Mining & 80s Magic In this episode of the Art Unknown Podcast, Jim Wills chats with Chris Orcutt, a writer and educator, in a reflective dialogue on art, memory, and creativity. They connect over their shared experiences growing up in the 1980s, using this as a backdrop to explore how art preserves culture and identity. Chris shares insights into his creative process for his nine-book series, Bodaciously True and Totally Awesome, set in the mid-1980s. He describes his unique approach of disconnecting from...

“There's no secret recipe to how you find success. It's simply not giving up.” - Don Rodriguez Creativity Unleashed: Dive into an illuminating conversation with Don Rodriguez, where we explore the essence of creativity as a holistic way of life. Don shares his journey of embracing creativity across multiple fields; construction, real estate music and film, and how this has profoundly influenced his personal and professional evolution. Our dialogue emphasizes creativity's universal role as a problem-solving tool and how recognizing this can enhance self-awareness, connection, and purpose. Don reveals his bold decision to transition from a successful career in real esta...

“[Art] is how we express ourselves...It’s how we connect with people; and how we understand ourselves better.” - Franky Corcoran Crafting Stories and Community from the Great White North: In this captivating episode, host Jim Wills engages in an inspiring conversation with Franky Corcoran, a dynamic theatre artist from Miramichi, New Brunswick., Canada. Franky’s multifaceted career encompasses acting, writing, directing, producing, and podcasting, all driven by a passion for storytelling that took root during his high school years. The episode delves into how the COVID-19 pandemic became a catalyst for Franky, inspiring him to write original plays, start hi...

"But to me art is a way of life, and it's the way of the curious, it's the way of the search." - Maba Ba Curiosity Is the Compass: Jim sits down with Senegalese-born filmmaker, writer, and entrepreneur Maba Ba for a rich conversation on curiosity as a guiding force in life and art. Maba reflects on his journey from Senegal to New York, from philosophy and film to winemaking, revealing how every creative path he follows is rooted in storytelling and human connection. Together they explore identity, community, and the dangers of confirmation bias, while unpacking why art; and...

"Art is here after we're gone, but art also documents culture...and art is our culture." - Wednesdae Reim Ifrach Transformative Artful Healing: Prepare to be inspired by Wednesdae Reim Ifrach, a visionary licensed art therapist and clinical counselor who is reshaping the landscape of mental health care. With a passion that transcends traditional therapy, Wednesdae is a beacon of hope and healing for the LGBTQ+ community, specializing in gender-affirming care, body positivity, and trauma-informed therapy. At the heart of their work lies Rainbow Recovery, a sanctuary for those seeking empowerment and self-discovery. Here, Wednesdae co-creates a nurturing environment where...

"Art enriches our lives. It can transform people in a moment of deep need." - Dawn Farrow Crafting Experiences In this enlightening conversation, we delve into the intricacies of succeeding in the entertainment economy, focusing on the vital role of producing successful live events. Guest Dawn Farrow shares her journey from working in marketing for theatre and live events to founding On Sale Group. She recounted her transition from agency work to launching her own marketing and partnerships agency, and how she now operates as a consultant, delivering sales and marketing campaigns for global live experiences. Dawn emphasized the importance...

"Art is the best means we have for exploring our own thoughts and our own nature." - Richard Moon From Physics to Fantasy This episode of the Art Unknown Podcast dives into the eclectic world of Richard H Moon, a man who seamlessly blends the scientific with the fantastical. As a co-founder of MoonHill Productions with his wife, Isabel Hildebrandt, Richard's journey from a degree in physics to the vibrant sets of indie films like "Driving by Braille" and "West Virginia Stories" is nothing short of cinematic. He's a storyteller who refuses to be boxed into a single genre. In...

"I think art has an interesting way of tapping the emotions." - Kirk Voclain Capturing Life's Moments: In this engaging episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Kirk Voclain, a seasoned photographer from Houma, Louisiana. Kirk's passion for photography ignited with the purchase of a Kodak Instamatic camera from collecting cereal box tops, and by age 15, he was able to purchase his own SLR and shoot his very first wedding. Kirk's expertise spans a wide range of photography services, including senior portraits, real estate photography, business headshots, and more. His commitment to capturing authentic moments is evident in his...

"I really think if you want to be a balanced human being, you need to be creative." - Stan Lai A Maestro of Modern Theater A luminary in the world of theater, Stan Lai has long captivated audiences with his groundbreaking and thought-provoking plays. Renowned for his innovative storytelling, Lai seamlessly blends traditional Chinese elements with contemporary themes, crafting narratives that resonate across cultural boundaries. Born in the U.S. and raised in both America and Taiwan, Lai received his doctorate from UC Berkeley before launching an award-winning career spanning decades. His contributions to theater have not only enriched the...

"I think there is something good for our souls to create. We're built to create. The world changes when artists are doing their best work" - Dennis Welch From Knowing to Doing: A Songwriter's Journey In this captivating episode of the Art Unknown Podcast, we delve into the transformative journey of Dennis Welch, a passionate songwriter who has embraced the art of saying "yes" to life's opportunities. Join us as Dennis shares his inspiring story of crafting songs in solitude, drawing wisdom from award-winning friends, and reigniting his musical passion later in life. Dennis's journey is a testament to faith...

"Art creates love and connection to the human spirit." - Jim Wills For our 75th episode extravaganza, we're flipping the script and turning the spotlight on the maestro himself, Jim Wills! And who better to commandeer the host's chair than his exceptional wife, Janrace? She's got a knack for asking the questions no one saw coming; it's like a musical mystery tour, but with more cowbell and fewer maps! As Jim takes us on a rhythmic journey through his musical career, it's less about his dusty old records and more about the fresh beats of the here and now. Discover...

"I really feel that creativity is fundamental to our existence." - Cameron Smith In the realm of boundless creativity, where imagination flows like an unending river, one must harness this torrent of ideas and share it with the world. This is the very essence of our guest on Episode 74, Cameron Smith, whose life has been a testament to the art of storytelling since his formative years. From a tender young age, Cameron was captivated by the act of documenting his life, capturing the essence of his existence and the tapestry of interactions that colored his youth. This relentless pursuit of...

"It just makes life better. It just helps us get through life. That's why art's important." - Siquoyia Blue The life of an artist is often a delicate dance between creative passion and the practical demands of making a living. It is a journey filled with both inspiration and struggle, where the flame of artistic genius must be carefully nurtured amidst life's challenges. The essence of resilience and perseverance is at the heart of Episode 73, where we delve into the remarkable journey of Siquoyia Blue; an artist's artist. Siquoyia's creativity knows no bounds, seamlessly weaving through the realms of music...

"Everything in life is temporary. We can create a different day. We can create a different vision." - Clementine Moss Episode 72 is a mesmerizing journey into the vibrant life of Clementine Moss, a writer turned drummer, whose story unfolds like a symphony of passion and discovery. In this conversation, we delve into Clementine's unexpected foray into drumming in her 20s; a time when she realized the profound need not just to create, but to collaborate. This epiphany propelled her into the world of music, where she has flourished as a professional musician, singer, songwriter, and an undeniable force behind the...

"Art informs all of culture. Art is the spice of life" - Maya Elizabeth & Rob Murat When two powerhouse performers join forces, the result is pure magic. In Episode 71, we welcome Rob Murat and Maya Elizabeth, the creative minds behind the captivating track "All I Can Say." Rob Murat, a talented singer, songwriter, musician, and actor, has appeared in popular TV shows like Extant, Bones, and the Netflix hit series On My Block. His musical journey, marked by a passionately resonating voice, led him to collaborate with Maya Elizabeth. Raised amidst "all the choirs," Maya's angelic voice perfectly complements Murat's...

"Having art in your life gives you the ability to see things in different way." - Meg Raiano Meet Meg Raiano, our dynamic Episode 70 guest who embodies the creative spirit. Her journey began like many artists; on a traditional path that took an unexpected and thrilling turn. From her initial love affair with photography to her college days immersed in dance, Meg has always been a true artist at heart. Though dance brought her joy, it was behind the camera where her passion truly ignited. Meg's journey took her from college in New York City to the serene landscapes of...

"Life's passing by, if you are not doing the things you love anyway, why not just give it a shot." - Kat Sparks While many people follow the path of the creative, few have done it as diversely as Episode 69 guest Kat Sparks. From a young actor in Hollywood to a powerful film producer in Austin, Texas, Kat has developed a keen sense of what makes great film. In this episode we discuss the ways in which her award-winning company, Southwest Film Productions helps up-and-coming artists and screenwriters develop and improve their storytelling. In an Art Unknown Podcast exclusive we...

"Art transforms our minds. Music transforms our hearts." - Christopher Quigley Christopher Quigley spent his working life assisting artists and architects create their own incredible public art works around the world, yet it wasn't until a pair of massive strokes nearly took his life, that he decided to embrace his own inner artist. Moved by the tragic murder of Elaine Mosher and his own experience of childhood violence Christopher began developing a social art piece to address the ongoing tragedy of gender-based and intimate partner violence. This project is Transformation of Dangerous Spaces and will be an interactive, multi-sensory art...

"Create art for other people to experience and to enjoy and for it to enrich their lives." - Shanti Hershenson Everyone is inspired by the success of the youth. As for the young adult novel world, our Episode 67 guest, the award-winning author, Shanti Hershenson is taking it by storm. Starting from very early on in her teenage years, Miss Hershenson has written over 30 books and published 20. This alone is an accomplishment any author can be proud of. But add in the fact that Shanti is barely 17 years old and one quickly realizes the power that this author IS and WILL...

"If you can't tell your own story; really, who's story can you tell?" - Alan Katz Episode 66 continues the conversation with Hollywood legendary phenom, Alan Katz. We get very deep from jump, as they say, but pretty soon Alan weaves a fascinating tale of recovery and discovery and we talk about his world today as a podcast storyteller, his beliefs on plant medicine, and much more in this second half of the gripping life of the voice of the Crypt Keeper. Enjoy! images: ©alan katz the donor podcast website Subscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Email | RSS MORE ART UNKNOWN PODCASTS.fusion-portfolio-wrapper#f...

"Making Tales From The Crypt was an extraordinary creative experience... it was fantastic." - Alan Katz Our Episode 65 is an Art Unknown first! The conversation with Hollywood legend Alan Katz was so good that we made it our first ever two-parter. Anyone enjoying tv in the 1990s will remember Tales from the Crypt and the lovable, terrifying Crypt Keeper. Mr. Katz developed the Keeper as a fully fledged character in the show. From a running dialogue of jokes and horror, Katz created the words, attitude, and sass of the Crypt Keeper. From TV to movies, Katz experienced a career low...

"[Art] is one of those quality of life things that give you a reason to get up in the morning." - Isaac Hersh Gutwilik Looking back at a life filled with art and music, our Episode 64 guest, Isaac Hersh Gutwilik is a drummer's percussionist. That is to say, while he knows his way around a drum kit, his true expertise lies in his ability to create complex beats and rhythms which balance and drive the music using traditional backing drums - bongos, congos, etc. After living and studying percussion around the world, Hersh found himself in Southeast Asia, teaching and...

"You do not want to leave this earth with things on a bucket list and wishing you had done something." - Teri M Brown What do you do when life has beaten you down? When you question your place in the world? After a bad 14 year marriage ended, Teri M Brown found herself questioning everything. It was during this tumultuous time that she met the man who would become her champion and would challenge her to reach new heights. It was time for a grand adventure. Teri and her new husband Bruce created a plan and in 2020 during the height...

"Without [music] the world would be empty. This is a huge part of the happiness of our soul." - DJ Windy M As creatives go, DJ Windy M is a true chameleon of the arts. From her humble beginnings in the world of hair, to time spent embracing her love of music, she has put in the hours and the hard work required to not only take the stage, but to own it. Her dynamic presense and positive energy is felt far beyond her music. She has traveled the world and found a home in the unlikeliest of places, Da...

"No matter how dark the day may seem there will always be light." - Ant Boogie When it comes to being immersed in what you love, few do it as well as Anthony Frazier - aka Ant Boogie. From musician to producer to radio DJ, Ant Boogie keeps himself busy with plates spinning and pots boiling. His love of music is infectious and his passion for life easily spills over to everyone who spends time in his orbit. With a lifelong dream of being on the air, Ant Boogie took the steps through learning guitar, owning a music store and...

"Art is the food of our souls." - Isabel Hülya Ergül What more can be said about the angelic vocals of our Episode 60 guest?! Isabel Hülya Ergül has lived a life of music from a very young age. She is classically trained as an choir singer and has progressed to become a powerful director of Antalya, Türkiye's own Choro Canzonetta; an international group of ameteur signers who love music and sing in multiple languages. I was extremely blessed to be a part of this group and perform in two concerts and my eternal thanks go to Is...

"Music, when it's done the right way... people can come together. Feel that energy. Feel that vibe." - Afro Preachah When your ancestors several generations back are men of the cloth, it would be natural and almost expected for you to preach the word of god as well. But then you find music. James Porter III grew up in the church, sung gospel and loved creating music. A child of the 80's he also fell in love with hip-hop. Fast-forward and we now have Afro Preachah, spreading his own gospel and preaching the truth of life to those who may...

"[Art is] a way of expression. It's something we need as human beings." - Sofia Zolezzi Chilean visual artist Sofia Zolezzi has had a lifetime to prepare for her relatively new art career. From studying art at a young age to playing around in the art realm for most of her upbringing, she took a left turn somewhere along the way to become an engineer, then a mother and a teacher. But she was left unsatisfied in her engineering and even teaching career and with the support and encouragement of her husband, decided in 2020 to dive into art full-time. She...

"Art can really touch a person. It's very available for those who want to enjoy it." - Janet Dossigny With this episode of the Art Unknown Podcast we bring you yet another artist who had a full life and career BEFORE she became an artist... of sorts. Janet Dossigny is a well traveled, deeply spiritual creative who spent part of her adult life in the painting business. House painting that is. Though not traditionally thought of an artistic endeavor, painting houses taught her much about the use of brushes and application processes which has translated well into her future artistic...

"Art elevates our lives everywhere." - Laura Viola Preciado A career as a full-time mom only lasts until the kids are grown and out of the house. This presents a perfect opportunity to embrace a new calling and explore a second passion. Laura Viola Preciado did just that. She went back to school with designs on being a nurse practitioner, but somewhere along the way, she found her inner artist. With coaxing from respected teachers and incredible support from her husband, Laura embarked on her journey to art school. After her studies she moved to Whidbey Island just across from...

"You have to live every single day to the fullest because you don't know when you are going to leave." - Suzanne Frazier When life presents opportunities, it is the most aware among us that seize and create. After a lifetime of service and leadership in multiple industries, Suzanne Frazier rediscovered her artistic roots. A few classes in art led to a full blown fine art degree- 20 years after she finished college the first time. With a huge shift in her life, Suzanne embraced her artistic calling and went on to perfect what she call her contemplative process- creating art...

"Don't be afraid to be yourself." - Dr. John Bacon Our Episode 54 guest is proof positive that we can transition from one successful career to another. With a fruitful medical practice as an orthopedic surgeon, John Bacon really had no reason to become an artist. But while on vacation and at the urging of his wife, they took a painting class together and he found a love for putting paint to canvas. He decided to pursue life as an artist as he was heading toward retirement from medicine. Making the wise choice to take a course on painting, Dr. Bacon...

"In our own way, every human being is creating their own masterpiece of themselves." - Heidi Luerra Though most of the Art Unknown Podcast interviews are with artists, every once in a while it becomes necessary to tap into the mind of an art influencer; to get deeper insights into the business side of art. However, to call Heidi Luerra just an influencer is a discredit to her artistic nature. Her humble beginnings in the fashion world led to a vision of creating something so unique in the arts, it is not surprising that others are excited to replicate it...

"One should always believe in what he or she can create." - Murat Germen For many of the world's best artists, life didn't start out with dreams of art. Murat Germen walked a similar path. His degree in architecture and city planning left him feeling constricted and boxed in. Instead of stifling his creativity, he allowed his artistic side to flourish, leading him to his life's passion... photography. Ever the artist, and not wasting the years of study, Germen infuses his architectural sensibility in much of his work, in documenting the cities he finds himself in and even in the...

"Find whatever stokes your inner fire and pursue it." - Monalicious When music permeates one's soul, there is little they can do other than let it out. Our Episode 51 guest, Monalicious has embraced their musical gifts from an early age, knowing that music and art would be the focus of their life. As a non-binary artist, Mona realizes their influence and impact on others trying to find identity in a strange, mixed-up world. As a business person, Mona has founded Free Music 4 Free People, expanding from live shows to video and music production. Their work with Youth On Record gives...

"Art feeds the human soul. It makes the world a better place" - Jim Wills Episode 50 sets a milestone at the Art Unknown Podcast. A name change, a pandemic, and a journey across the world. These are just some of the topics we cover in Ep50, as we look at life as lived by Jim Wills and his partner, the artist Janrace Prudent, aka JRP. The tables are turned once again and Janrace takes control of the conversation. They discuss their journey in the arts and how the world has changed since the days of Art Unknown Podcast Episode 25. The...

"You can change the world through art." - Angel Espino Seeing the artistic works of a master can move us in many ways. For Angel Espino, such an encounter awakened a desire deep within. A desire to paint; to express his emotions through art. The encounter was with an original Picasso piece and Angel was so taken by the experience that he decided to work on his own creative process. His journey has taken him almost 10 years and he is now on the cusp of realizing his dream of being a full-time artist. When he took up painting, Angel had...

"Oneness I think is the only way that all humans on planet Earth will be able to sustain and progress and move forward in our evolution." - Jesse Doyle Sometimes life carries us down the road in one direction. After a time our soul yearns for something more, or maybe just a different path. Visual artist Jesse Doyle has lived that very experience. After high school and some time in college, he decided the military would give him a sense of purpose and direction. Upon completing his time in the Marines, he entered into security work, as many in the...

"Art is how we respond to our environment. It is a way to process external events." - Mary Bue Musician. Yogini. Nature Lover. They say the best things in life often come in threes. As an artist, Mary Bue is more like three times three, and maybe times three again. She was a paid musician from an extremely young age and she knew while she was still a teenager that her musical journey would be her profession. So few artists these days have that kind of clarity as a youth. Yet, for Mary, it has served her well. She puts...

"Just make art more than you are thinking about art and the rest will figure itself out." - Messy Ever After What makes a true artist? In the case of Kelly Marie, aka Messy Ever After, it is a person who lives and breathes art in its many forms, every day. As a young creative, she was selling drawings to family friends at age 6. Fast forward through high school where she dabbled with creative writing, then to college where she decided on a traditional career path, only to be drawn back into the world of art. Being an artist is...