Creative Contemplation

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February 20, 2026
Creative Contemplation
S4E9 Marie Riccio; Exploring Symbolism, Composition And Design Through Still Life

Suzanne Lago Arthur, host and creator of The Creative Contemplation Podcast has a conversation with Maryland based painter, Marie Riccio about her development as an artist and the inspiration behind the work for her upcoming solo show "Community" at First Street Gallery (3/4/26-3/28/26) 

Website: mariericcio.com

Instagram: @marie_riccio

"Community" Solo Show, First Street Gallery, NYC

TAG/The Artists Gallery, Frederick MD

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February 5, 2026
Creative Contemplation Presents
EU02.5 In The Orbit of Euan Uglow; Chris Bennett and Laura Smith {Continued}

In this special mini-series host and creator, Suzanne Lago Arthur, seeks to capture the living art history of famed British artist, Euan Uglow by interviewing his students, contemporaries and those who knew him best.  In this episode, Suzanne continues her insightful conversation with 2 of Euan's students from the Slade, artists Chris Bennett, ROI and Laura Smith, NEAC. 

Chris Bennett Website, Chris Bennett ROI

Laura Smith Website, Laura Smith NE...

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January 29, 2026
Creative Contemplation Presents
EU02 In The Orbit of Euan Uglow; Chris Bennett and Laura Smith

In this special mini-series host and creator, Suzanne Lago Arthur, seeks to capture the living art history of famed British artist, Euan Uglow by interviewing his students, contemporaries and those who knew him best. In this second episode, Suzanne has a deep and moving conversation with 2 of Euan's students from the Slade, British artists Chris Bennett, ROI and Laura Smith, NEAC. 

Chris Bennett Website, Chris Bennett ROI

Laura Smith W...

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January 13, 2026
Creative Contemplation
S4E8 Ayako Shimada; Gathering Inspiration Close to Home

Suzanne Lago Arthur, host and creator of The Creative Contemplation Podcast has a delightful conversation with Tokyo based painter, Ayako Shimada about her solo show "Painting Diary" at Opa Gallery (1/16/26-1/21/26) of her recent landscape paintings of Inokashira Park and its playgrounds, which subtly hint at her private life beyond the canvas--her role as a mother and caregiver.

Opa Gallery, Shibuya Tokyo, Japan

Website: Ayakoshimada-art.com

Instagram: @Ayakoshimada5050

Influences...

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December 30, 2025
Creative Contemplation 
EU01.5 In The Orbit of Euan Uglow; Susannah Fiennes, Ann Gardner & Lisa Micklewright {Continued)

In this special mini-series host and creator, Suzanne Lago Arthur, seeks to capture the living art history of famed British artist, Euan Uglow by interviewing his students, contemporaries and those who knew him best. In this episode, Suzanne continues her inspired conversation with 3 of Euan's students from the Slade, artists Susannah Fiennes, Ann Gardner and Lisa Micklewright. 

Susannah Fiennes Website, Susannah Fiennes Instagram,

Ann Gardner Website, Ann Gardner In...

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December 18, 2025
Creative Contemplation 
EU01 In The Orbit of Euan Uglow; Susannah Fiennes, Ann Gardner & Lisa Micklewright

In this special mini-series host and creator, Suzanne Lago Arthur, seeks to capture the living art history of famed British artist, Euan Uglow by interviewing his students, contemporaries and those who knew him best. In this inaugural episode, Suzanne has an inspired conversation with 3 of Euan's students from the Slade, artists Susannah Fiennes, Ann Gardner and Lisa Micklewright. 

Susannah Fiennes Website, Susannah Fiennes Instagram,

Ann Gardner Website, Ann Gardner In...

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November 20, 2025
Creative Contemplation
S4E7 Aaron M. Thompson; Painter of Observation And Imagining

Suzanne Lago Arthur, host and creator of The Creative Contemplation Podcast reconnects with Pennsylvania based painter, Aaron M. Thompson to discuss his work, his journey as an artist and the relationships he has forged with his mentors, two exceptional American realist painters--Phillip Geiger and Scott Noel.

Website: www.aaronmichaelthompson.com

Instagram: @paintlanguage

Phillip Geiger Retrospective, Daura Museum of Art, University of Lynchburg

Scott Noel talk at the...

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October 8, 2025
Creative Contemplation
S4E6 Morgan Irons; Painter of Archetypal Symbolism Within The Western Landscape

Suzanne Lago Arthur, host and creator of The Creative Contemplation Podcast has a moving and at times astonishing conversation with Montana based painter, Morgan Irons about her psychologically charged work set within the Western landscape that she lives in. Don't miss this inspiring episode that will have you listening with bated breath.

Website: www.morganirons.com

Instagram: @morganirons

Old Main Gallery, Bozeman Motana

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September 2, 2025
Creative Contemplation
S4E5 Lenny Campello; Artist, Gallerist & Curator

Suzanne Lago Arthur, host and creator of The Creative Contemplation Podcast talks with Cuban born, American Artist, Gallerist & Curator-Lenny Campello. Lenny shares his journey to becoming the artist he is today in this engaging episode as well as discusses his largest curatorial project to date; a multi-venue Washington DC area survey show happening this Fall 2025 entitled "Women Artists of the DMV".

Website: www.lennycampello.com

Facebook: @lenny.campello

Instagram: @lennycampello

"...

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August 19, 2025
Creative Contemplation
S4E4 Jack Rasmussen; Director and Curator at American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center

Suzanne Lago Arthur, host and creator of The Creative Contemplation Podcast has an engaging conversation with one of the principal figures of the Washington DC arts scene for the past several decades--The Director and Curator at American University Museum, Jack Rasmussen. Jack and Suzanne discuss the history of the local arts scene, as well as a Cold War era espionage tie-in and share professional development advice for artists in this...

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July 10, 2025
Creative Contemplation
S4E3 James Lloyd; A Brush with Royalty

Suzanne Lago Arthur, host and creator of The Creative Contemplation Podcast has a delightful conversation with British Portrait Painter, James Lloyd about his exceptional career painting portraits of some of England's most extraordinary individuals including Sir Paul Smith, Dame Maggie Smith and the late Queen herself, Elizabeth the II. 

Website: jameslloyd.org.uk
Instagram: @james_lloyd_artist   and  @james_lloyd_drawings

Representation: Browse & Darby and Galerie Hübner + Hübner

ArtUK.Org<...

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May 22, 2025
Creative Contemplation
S4E2 Matt Klos; Perceptual Painter of Lived Environments

Suzanne Lago Arthur, host and creator of The Creative Contemplation Podcast has a conversation with Baltimore M.D. based, perceptual painter, Matt Klos about his work and inspiration, his development as an artist and the various roles that he occupies as a creative professional.

Website: mattklos.com
Instagram: @mattklosspainting

Yorkshire Dales, UK Workshop co-taught with Erin Raedeke

Jemulpo Club Museum, Incheon, South Korea

Bio:<...

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April 21, 2025
Creative Contemplation
S4E1 Alex Cree; Painting with Imagination from Lived Experience

Suzanne Lago Arthur, host and creator of The Creative Contemplation Podcast converses with British painter, Alex Cree about his training in observationally based, representational painting and how he broke away from a more traditionally realist approach in order to find his own true artistic voice.

Website: alexcree.co.uk
Instagram: @alexjcree

Classes

Galleries:

Tregony Contemporary, Cornwall England U.K.

Fraser Gallery...

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December 31st, 2024
Creative Contemplation
S3E10 Bryan Whitney; Photographing the Transcendent and the Unseen

Suzanne Lago Arthur, host and creator of The Creative Contemplation Podcast has a fascinating conversation with NYC based photographer and artist, Bryan Whitney who specializes in alternative methods of imaging such as X-Rays, 3-D Imagery and Virtual Reality and uses them to explore subjects in our world that are both seen and unseen.

Website: bryanwhitney.com
x-rayphotography.com
Instagram: @temporarypedestal

Partial List of Artists Mentioned:
Minor White
...

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December 17th, 2024
Creative Contemplation
S3E9 Rob Evans; Magic Realist Artist Elevating the Ordinary into the Extraordinary

Suzanne Lago Arthur, host and creator of The Creative Contemplation Podcast interviews famed Magic Realist Artist, Rob Evans about his fantastic work and his amazing career which includes hanging alongside many of his own artistic idols.

Website: robevansart.org
Instagram: @robevansart

Partial List of Artists Mentioned:
Jerome Witkin
Julio Larraz
Chris Van Allsburg
Antonio López García

NFT Sites:
Su...

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November 14th, 2024
Creative Contemplation
S3E8 Bethann Moran-Handzlik; Painting from Intuition, Memory and Observation

Join Suzanne Lago Arthur, host and creator of The Creative Contemplation podcast for this deep and enlightening conversation with Wisconsin based painter, Bethann Moran-Handzlik on the subjects of intuition, memory and painting from observation. This is an episode that will stay with you and transform the way you think about painting.

Website: bethannmoran.com
Instagram: @pasmeche
Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee MI
Edgewood Orchard Gallery, Door County MI

Suggested...

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August 28, 2024
Creative Contemplation
S3E7 Erin Raedeke; Reimagined Memories Through Painting

In S3E7 of the Creative Contemplation Podcast, host & creator Suzanne Lago Arthur has a thoughtful conversation with Washington DC area painter, Erin Raedeke about her beginnings, her international career and the process and creation of her largely memory-based paintings.

Website: erinraedeke.com
Instagram: @erinraedeke
Upcoming Classes
Tregony Gallery, Cornwall, England


Bio:

Erin Raedeke received her MFA from American University in 2009 and her BFA in Painting...

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July 30, 2024
Creative Contemplation
S3E6 Ferrier, Bishop & Van Dyke
 
Creative Contemplation podcast host & creator Suzanne Lago Arthur has a light-hearted yet insightful conversation with three artists; Jodi Kolker Ferrier, Lindy Bishop and Rachael Van Dyke about their work, their interactions as both colleagues and friends and the artist residencies that they have participated in together. Are you a Creative that wants to broaden your horizons and travel? Then this episode is for you!

Ferrier Website: jodiferrier.com
Bishop Website: lindybishop.com
Van Dyke Website: rachelvandyke.c...

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June 26, 2024
Creative Contemplation
S3E5 Kai Samuels-Davis Continued
 
Creative Contemplation podcast host & creator Suzanne Lago Arthur continues her S3E4 conversation with American painter Kai Samuels-Davis about his journey to becoming an artist, his re-discovery of self and how in the process he discovered his own artistic voice. Kai describes in detail the inspiration behind his current body of work and his solo show "Emergence" at Ryan Graff Contemporary which runs until June 29th, 2024. Check out the S3E4 episode with Kai before listening to this one. Both episodes d...

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May 29, 2024
Creative Contemplation
S3E4 Kai Samuels-Davis
 
Creative Contemplation podcast host & creator Suzanne Lago Arthur has an enlightening conversation with American painter Kai Samuels-Davis about his journey to becoming an artist, his re-discovery of self and how in the process he discovered his own artistic voice. Kai describes in detail the inspiration behind his current body of work and his solo show "Emergence" at Ryan Graff Contemporary. This mind-expanding episode delves deeply into the topics of spirituality and creativity.

Website: kaisamuelsdavis.com
Instagram (Painting): @kaisamuelsdavis
R...

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May 13, 2024
Creative Contemplation
S3E3 Laura Smith
 
Creative Contemplation podcast host & creator Suzanne Lago Arthur has a very special conversation with British painter Laura Smith about her work, her formative years and the extraordinary training she acquired with some of Britain's most beloved observational painters.  This is truly an episode you don't want to miss!

Website: laura-smith.com
Instagram (Painting): laurajrsmith
NEAC: Laura Smith
Crean and Company (Gallery): Laura Smith

Artists Mentioned:

William Coldstream
Euan Uglow
Frank Auerbach

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April 3, 2024
Creative Contemplation
S3E2 Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco
 
Creative Contemplation podcast host & creator Suzanne Lago Arthur has a delightful conversation with the Italian painter Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco about her painting and printmaking practices and the self-discovery she has gained from her work.

Website: ilardt.com
Instagram (Painting): @ilariardt
Instagram (Printmaking): @ilaria.rdt_ink


Bio:

Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco initially trained as an illustrator in Florence and Rome but eventually found that her true passion was for p...

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March 2, 2024
Creative Contemplation
S3E1 Teresa Oaxaca Returns
 
Creative Contemplation podcast host & creator Suzanne Lago Arthur has an engaging conversation with her friend, the classical surrealist painter, Teresa Oaxaca. In this episode, Teresa and Suzanne discuss how to best align your life so that you are engaging in your creative practice as much as possible and making a living from it.

Website: teresaoaxaca.com
Instagram: @teresaoaxaca
X (formerly Twitter): @teresaoaxaca

"Mythos and Nature", Teresa Oaxaca Solo Show @ Touchstone Gallery
Washington, D...

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December 22, 2023
Creative Contemplation
S2E10 Stephen Copeland
 
Creative Contemplation podcast host & creator Suzanne Lago Arthur has a fascinating conversation with writer Stephen Copeland about his latest memoir, In the House of the Rising Sounds published by Resource Publications, which explores the themes of "thin spaces" and the connection between spirituality and creativity which he discovered at the famed blues venue in Charlotte, NC - the Double Door Inn.  Be sure to listen to this mind-expanding episode perfectly timed for Christmas.

Website: copelandwrites.com
Facebook: Stephen Copeland

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November 14, 2023
Creative Contemplation
S2E9 Franklin White
 
Creative Contemplation podcast host & creator Suzanne Lago Arthur reconnects with one of her most beloved Corcoran School of Art professors, the artist Franklin White. Suzanne and Franklin have a delightful conversation about his solo show, "Franklin White, An American in Venezuela" at the American University Museum, Katzen Center in Washington DC which is currently hanging until December 10th, 2023.

Website: Franklin White Studio
Facebook: Franklin White
Instagram: @franklin.white.artist
Baltimore Museum of Art: "Motown", Franklin White, 1971
N...

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October 20, 2023
Creative Contemplation
S2E8 Victoria Browning Wyeth
 
In this very special Halloween themed episode, Creative Contemplation podcast host & creator Suzanne Lago Arthur interviews Victoria Browning Wyeth, the only grandchild of the iconic American artist, Andrew Wyeth.  Victoria generously discusses with Suzanne what it was like growing up in such a famous family of artists.  She shares fond memories of both her grandfather Andrew and her Uncle Jamie while discussing details of their work, techniques and process.

Website: www.victoriawyeth.com
Facebook: Victoria Wyeth
Instagram: @vic...

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October 10, 2023
Creative Contemplation
S2E7 Daniel Shadbolt
 
Creative Contemplation podcast host & creator, Suzanne Lago Arthur has an insightful conversation with British painter Daniel Shadbolt about his formation as an artist, his work and practice and his unending search for the subtle nuances of color and atmosphere in painting.

Website: www.danielshadbolt.com
Instagram: @daniel_shadbolt_painting
New English Art Club: Daniel Shadbolt

Bio:

British painter Daniel Shadbolt took his foundation at the University of Hertfordshire in 1999.  He then moved to London to...

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August 31, 2023
Creative Contemplation
S2E6 Dan Finaldi
 
Creative Contemplation podcast host & creator, Suzanne Lago Arthur interviews realist painter and arts educator, Daniel  "Dan" Finaldi, about his work and life and his decades long friendship with two of his greatest mentors, Lois Dodd and Mel Leipzig.

Website: www.danielfinaldi.com
Instagram: @danfinaldi

Bio:

American painter Daniel "Dan" Finaldi, holds an M.F.A. from Brooklyn College where he studied with such realist luminaries as Lennart Anderson, Lois Do...

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July 6, 2023
Creative Contemplation
S2E5 David Cheifetz
 
Creative Contemplation podcast host & creator, Suzanne Lago Arthur interviews oil painter David Nishita Cheifetz on the development of his career, the role intuition plays in his work and his embrace of and explorations in the nascent worlds of NFTs & AI.

Website: davidcheifetz.com
Instagram: @davidcheifetz
Twitter: @davidcheifetz

Bio:

American painter David Nishita Cheifetz was born in the Pacific Northwest. A former architect, David started learning to paint with oils in t...

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May 23, 2023
Creative Contemplation
S2E4 Mia Bergeron
 
Creative Contemplation podcast host & creator, Suzanne Lago Arthur has a delightful and deep conversation with oil painter Mia Bergeron about her classical training and her "shift" into the unique artistic style she has today.  Suzanne and Mia discuss the importance of intuition in her working process, how she developed it and how you can begin to recognize it in your own work - allowing you to unlock your own creative potential.

Website:
miabergeron.com

Bio:

Mi...

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Creative Contemplation podcast host & creator, Suzanne Lago Arthur has a discussion with novelist Carrie Callaghan about her work, her development as a writer and what art and writing have in common.

Twitter
Instagram

BIO
Carrie Callaghan is a historical fiction writer living in Maryland (US) with her spouse, children, and two ridiculous cats. She is the Author of A Light of Her Own about 17th C Dutch painter, Judith Leyster and Salt the Snow set in 1930's Moscow.

MENTIONS
Judith Leyster
Gaithersburg Book F...

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March 29, 2023
Creative Contemplation
S2E2 Mel Leipzig
 
Creative Contemplation podcast host & creator Suzanne Lago Arthur interviews realist painter and living legend, Mel Leipzig about his work and training, the famous artists he's known and how the art scene has evolved during his long and productive lifetime.

Website:
Mel Leipzig Artist

"Mel Leipzig: Everything is Painting" Documentary
https://www.njpbs.org/programs/state-of-the-arts/mel-leipzig-everything-is-paintable-91rwyv/

Bio:

MEL LEIPZIG, born in Brooklyn in 1935, resides in Trenton, N.J. He was a P...

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February 24, 2023
Creative Contemplation
S2E1 Jotham Malavé Maldonado
 
Season 2 of the Creative Contemplation podcast returns with a discussion between host & creator, Suzanne Lago Arthur and Puerto Rican artist Jotham Malavé Maldonado about his work, his formation as an artist and his inspirations. Jotham Malavé Maldonado studied at the School of Plastic Arts of San Juan in the Department of Painting, from which he graduated with honors (Magna Laude, 2014). Upon graduation with an MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts he was awarded prizes such as The...

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December 18, 2022
Creative Contemplation
S1E7 Trisha Adams
 
Creative Contemplation podcast host & creator, Suzanne Lago Arthur and contemporary representational painter, Trisha Adams discus her work and her journey to painting as well as outline suggestions for your New Year's Goals that you can implement in 2023 to help make your creative business thrive.

Website:
Trisha Adams Bold and Colorful Contemporary Paintings

Facebook
(3) Trisha Adams, Artist | Herndon VA | Facebook

Instagram
Trisha Adams (@trishaadamsartist) • Instagram photos and videos

Online Classes

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November 29, 2022
 Creative Contemplation
 S1E6 Edmond Praybe
 
 Creative Contemplation podcast host & creator, Suzanne Lago Arthur has an illuminating conversation with oil painter Edmond (“Ed”) Praybe about his work, his training and early influences and how he became the painter he is today. In addition, Ed generously shares his insight on how other artists can hone their own intuition, artistic vision and unique style.
 
Edmond Praybe is a painter concerned with the convergence of perception and abstraction. His work pairs intense direct observation of the motif with abstractions of struct...

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October 23, 2022
Creative Contemplation
S1E5 Jeff Huntington and Julia Gibb

Creative Contemplation podcast host & creator, Suzanne Lago Arthur interviews Annapolis based husband and wife artist duo, Jeff Huntington and Julia Gibb.  In addition to pursuing their own artistic careers, Jeff and Julia are the founders of the nonprofit Future History Now which creates public murals while mentoring and collaborating with at-risk youths. One of their most celebrated projects is the 7,000-square-foot portrait of Breonna Taylor created in 2020. 

Jeff Huntington and Julia Gibb Bio:

Julia Gibb an...

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September 26, 2022
Creative Contemplation
S1E4 Janis Goodman

Creative Contemplation podcast host & creator, Suzanne Lago Arthur interviews Washington DC oil painter, Fine Arts Professor and TV Arts Commentator on WETA's Around Town, Janis Goodman. Janis and Suzanne discuss what inspires her work, her education and training, the importance of residencies for an artist, the closure of the Corcoran Gallery of Art and rebirth of the Corcoran School of Art as the GW Corcoran School of the Arts & Design.

Janis Goodman Bio:

Janis Goodman is a DC...

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August 18, 2022
Creative Contemplation
S1E3 Kathleen Speranza

Creative Contemplation podcast host & creator, Suzanne Lago Arthur interviews oil painter Kathleen Speranza about her work, her education and training, and her advice to painters who want to make their work more emotive, Suzanne and Kathleen go deep on discussing the sublime in art and its influences in her work. This episode is an ode to the rose, which is a frequent subject in Kathleen's work.

Kathleen Speranza Bio:

Kathleen Speranza earned a Master of Fine Arts degree...

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July 11, 2022
Creative Contemplation
S1E2 Shawn Grove

Creative Contemplation podcast host & creator, Suzanne Lago Arthur interviews potter Shawn Grove about his work, the craft and inspiration behind it, his daily & seasonal studio routines, his lifestyle and philosophy towards art making.

Shawn Grove Bio:

Born in Allentown, PA. Holds a BA from Longwood University and an MA from Hood College.

Influences mentioned:

Randy Edmonson (Longwood University)
Joyce Michaud (Hood College)
Bill Van Gilder
John Jessiman (Cub Creek Foundation)
...

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Date: June 9,2022
Creative Contemplation
S1E1 Teresa Oaxaca

In this inaugural launch of the Creative Contemplation podcast, host Suzanne Lago Arthur interviews painter Teresa Oaxaca about her varied creative outlets, her painting practice and her thoughts on creativity.


Teresa Oaxaca Bio:

Teresa Oaxaca is an American born artist based currently in Washington D.C. She is a full time painter whose works can be seen in collections and galleries throughout the US and internationally. Her talent has been recognized and rewarded by museums and...