Jess Firshein is an amateur artist from Rockville, Maryland. A parent of two young children, Jess is an executive with the global tech consulting company Accenture. While her artwork is often a meditative exercise, she does not have the luxury of a studio in which to paint. Instead she uses a corner of the kitchen counter and finds a few moments here and there to paint or sketch. Her preferred mediums are acrylic, charcoal, and gouache, in which she captures beautiful still life impressions and figure sketches. She says her still life is an extension of real life as she finds inspiration around her home and even in the fridge! As a child, Jess was ‘doing a ton of art’ which later turned into ‘doodling’ at work. Nowadays Jess shows her work on Instagram and enjoys engaging with a global virtual art community.Jess on Instagram @jessfpaintsJess's playlist:BeyoncéLizzoStevie WonderSZAKendrick LamarSiaMissy ElliotMiles DavisElla FitzgeraldBiggieFlorence + the Machine.Jess’s favorite women artists:Maggie SinerIngrid ChristensenAnn Blair BrownLynne St Clare FosterCarla BoschKayla MartellSusie BakerAmy EricksonSuzy SchultzTrisha AdamsJihea YangFelicity Joy StarrHost: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosInstagram @thearrtpodcast Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wisp--4769409/support.

AART: S1E5 - Jess Firshein

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My guest this week is the National Geographic explorer and award-winning wildlife film-maker, photographer, presenter & founder of Bambee Studios, Aishwarya Sridhar. Aishwarya was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India in 1997, the only child to parents Sridhar Ranganathan and Rani Sridhar. Her father is a chartered accountant and her mother an advertising professional. Both her parents help Aishwarya with the business aspects of her film studio and have been instrumental in introducing her to wildlife and conservation from an early age. She has always been passionate about protecting the natural environment, climate change and the impact on India’s wildlife. Although career pathways for women in filmmaking in India are limited, Aishwarya created her own opportunities beginning in college at Pillai College of Arts, Science and Commerce where she studied Mass Media. Her first two films were picked up by DD National and National Geographic WILD respectively, and it wasn’t long before the awards came her way for her conservation work, including the Sanctuary Asia Young Naturalist Award,,which she won at age 15, The Princess Diana Award for Young Change Makers aged 9-25, the Woman Icon Award, and the International Inspirational Women's Award. In 2020, she became the first Indian woman to win at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award.  Aishwarya also became the youngest conservation storyteller from India to join the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP) as an Emerging League Fellow. Her work has been telecast on leading networks like National Geographic WILD, Discovery, Arte, KBS, NHK, Love Nature and BBC Earth and her images have been published worldwide in newspapers and magazines, such as BBC Wildlife, The Guardian, and Times of India. Aishwarya is currently working on.a documentary about a leopard, Rana, in the Jhalana Leopard Reserve. Ash’s website: https://www.aishwaryasridhar.com/Instagram: Chikoo_wild https://www.instagram.com/chikoo_wild/Ash’s Playlist:Taylor SwiftMichael JacksonHindi Bollywood Soundtracks  Ash’s favorite female artists:Beverly JoubertShannon WildVanessa BerlowitzRathika RamaswamyAlia BhattPriyanka ChopraKartiki GonsalvesGuneet Monga Host: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramAART on Facebook Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wisp--4769409/support.

AART S2E20: Aishwarya Sridhar, Filmmaker, Photographer

This week the Fine Artist, Michele Usibelli, whose work ranges from landscapes and animals to still life and figurative art. A Washington State native Michele was born in Seattle in 1962 then spent time in Utah and Alaska before returning to Edmonds, WA where she divides her time with another studio in Montana. Michele is the eldest of three children—she has two brothers—to John Hampson (d) a former navy serviceman and realtor, and mother Carol who was a home-maker, pianist and seamstress. Michele’s childhood was spent mostly outdoors and playing sport. She was she says something of a tomboy, and she also followed in her mother’s footsteps by playing the piano and sewing. Michele’s interest in fine drawing led her to study architecture at the University of Washington and pursue corporate architecture. She also worked as Director of Marketing for the National Park Service, which involved extensive traveling. It was while she was on a business trip to Denali, AK that she met her husband, and after raising her three children—Nathan, Jacqueline and Angelina, that Michele returned to her love of art. Aside from painting most of the week, she also teaches workshops. Michele has won numerous awards, including the Silver Medal Award at the prestigious Salmagundi Club, NYC and the UCI Institute and Museum of California Art Award. Her work is in the permanent collection at the University of Alaska Fairbanks/Museum of the North the Brinton Museum/Wyoming, and her painting "First Light, Pioneer Mill Smokestack", was acquired by the State of Hawaii for their permanent collection. Michele lives in Edmonds, Washington State with her husband Mitch.  Michele’s website: https://www.micheleusibelli.com/about Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/micheleusibelliart/  Michele’s playlist: One Eskimo - Kandi, Amazing Amos Lee-Windows Are Rolled Down Lord Huron - The Night We Met Two Feet - Winter Alt J - U&ME; BORNS - God Save Our Young Blood Dennis Loyd - Nevermind Absofacto - Dissolve Moby - Love of Strings BORNS - Man Two Feet - Quick Musical Doodles Sir Sly - High Michael Kiwanuka - Love & Hate  Michele’s favorite female artists:Susan WoolgarKellie WeeksAbigail GuttingIngrid ChristensenWendy Conklin/UpholsteryAnnie LeibovitzMary Cassatt (d)Berthe Morisot (d)  Host: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramAART on FacebookEmail: hollowellstudios@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wisp--4769409/support.

AART: S2E19 - Michele Usibelli, Fine Artist

This week the Russian born felt-maker Elena Bondar who has established a second career as an artist in her adopted country of Finland. Elena taught herself the art of wool and felt-making, and since 2010 she has been crafting bespoke wool paintings, infusing them, she says, with the strategic planning, self-reliance, and dedication to excellence honed during her athletic career. Elena was born in the Ural Mountains near Ekaterinburg, Russia in 1981—one of two children—she has an older brother, Andrey, to parents Svetlana Moskovskikh, a technology engineer, and Yuri Moskovskikh, a chemical engineer. She spent a happy childhood learning crafts from her mother and grandmother before attending the School of Art in Novouralsk for eight years. She then turned to sports at the Secondary School for Olympic Reserves, Ekaterinburg as a Specialist in Physical Education and Sports from 1999-2002 followed by the Ekaterinburg State Institute of Education for Physical Education Teaching from 2002-2007.  In addition to music and art school Elena also participated in sports such as volleyball and track and field. However, it wasn’t until she was16, with encouragement from her new coach, that she started taking sports seriously. Elena subsequently began a professional career, which led to becoming the 2009 European Rogaining Champion. She also competed in the 2009 World Ski-Orienteering Championships in Rusutsu, Japan, and Adventure Racing World Series in South Africa, Portugal, Sweden and Turkey. After retiring from pro sports, Elena moved to Finland where she met her partner Ville Rissanen, and decided to revisit her interest in art. She attended the JEDU Vocational Education Centre, Piippola from 2015 - 2017 earning a Bachelor of Arts and Crafts degree. And she is currently undergoing specialized vocational education specializing in industrial arts and design in Jyväskylä. As well as crafting her wool and felt-making, Elena teaches the art in person and online both in Finnish and English. She lives in Palonurmi, Finland with her family and three dogs.Elena;s website: https://woolrealm.com/ Instagram: @ellunhuopa Elena’s playlist:INOSSI (Somewhere)Pink Floyd (Dark Side of the Moon)50 Cent (Candy Shop)Simon & Garfunkel (the Sound of Silence)Guano Apes (Big in Japan)Elena’s favorite female artists in visual arts:Feltmaker Marjolein DallingaFingerpainter Iris ScottCeramist Heather KnightCeramicist Iris ApfelHost: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramAART on FacebookEmail: hollowellstudios@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wisp--4769409/support.

AART: S2E18 - Elena Bondar, Feltmaker & Wool Artist

This week the portraiture, mixed-media artist Diana Bittar whose large canvases convey bold, uninhibited figures reflecting the artist’s new found confidence and expression. ‘I am constantly fascinated by faces, and how the personalities and thoughts of each individual inspire me to form delicate relationships with each canvas’, she explains. Diana was born in London in 1974, the middle of three children—she has an older sister and younger brother. Her father Doraid is Syrian and her mother Helen, a Czech, who met while studying mechanical engineering in Prague. Diana was born during her parents’ visit to London for her father who needed medical attention following the loss of a leg when the oil refinery at which he was working in Syria was targeted during the 1973 Arab-Israeli War. The family returned to Prague until 1980 when they moved to Syria. From the age of two, when her mother first gave her crayons, Diana has shown a natural talent for the fine details of her art. By the age of 17, despite being an introvert, she was receiving her first commissions. Meanwhile, following a chance encounter in the pool, Diana proved to be a natural swimmer and would go on to win national championships. But it was her passion for art that would eventually decide her career path. She chose to major in Visual Communications and Graphic Design at the Fine Art University in Damascus, graduating in 1995. Shortly after, she met her Syrian husband, Tarek, an orthopedic surgeon, and followed him back to California. Diana took a break from her art to raise her three sons. When she returned to her easel she changed her focus from landscapes to what she describes as Abstract Realism in Portraiture. She lives in Granada Hills, Los Angeles where she has held a number of shows in the area. Diana Bittar Website: https://www.dianabittar.art/Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/diana_bittar_art/Diana's playlist:The Weather ReportLettuceThe BlackyardsAlfa MistOtis McDonaldHerbie HancockMiles DavisRon CarterPat Metheny"I mainly listen to instrumental, like fusion Jazz or old traditional Arabic music. Also love old school rap and hip hop. At times my heart craves 80s music every now and then." - Diana Host: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramAART on FacebookEmail: hollowellstudios@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wisp--4769409/support.

AART: S2E17 - Diana Bittar, Portraiture Mixed-media Artist

American cinematographer Erin Haynes is making her way in an industry that she believes has a long way to go to increase diversity among its crews. Erin was born in New Orleans in 1999—one of two daughters to Denise and Joe Haynes. She grew up in the 7th Ward of a complex city as a young Black woman mindful of the challenges facing minorities. Erin attended Cabrini High School in the shadow of New Orleans Museum of Art where she was drawn to English Literature, writing, art and film. She developed a talent as a sketch artist and at Loyola University she studied Mass Communications; Journalism and French.  Erin describes herself as a ‘shy, nerdy kid’ who surprised everyone by leaving the Big Easy for the Big Apple in pursuit of modeling opportunities; something she is still open to today alongside her day job. Her immersion in fashion modeling led to an interest in the photography and filmmaking. She prefers film that makes you think like psychological thrillers and horror. Her early inspiration in filmmaking came when she discovered Greta Gerwig’s work in the 2017 Comedy Romance Lady Bird, and Christopher Nolan’s 2014 SciFi/Adventure Interstellar, which captured her imagination for its visuals and soundtrack. Erin’s career path has so far led to being a Second Camera Assistant, FAA Drone Pilot and an emerging Steadicam and Underwater Camera Operator at the age of 24. She says: ‘I want to be a complete master of the camera.’  Erin’s ambitions align with her mission to champion the need for diversity, visibility and possibilities for women of color in the film industry. Erin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinhaynesofficial/ Some Female Visual Artists Erin admires:Supermodel Coco RochaSupermodel Naomi CampbellCinematographer, Camera Operator, and Founder of 600 Black Women, Chris Wairegi Cinematographer, Camera Operator, and Founder of @ladycameraguy on Instagram, Gretchen WarthenCinematographer and Steadicam Operator, Megan MasurActress ZendayaDirector and Cinematographer Chloe WeaverCinematographer Mandy WalkerFashion Model and Activist Bethann Hardison (whose film Invisible Beauty was shot by Cinematographer Mia Cioffi Henry)Photographer Nadia Lee CohenFashion and Beauty Influencer: Karen Blanchard (@karenbritchick on Instagram and YouTube)Singer, songwriter, entertainer, performer and business woman Beyoncé Knowles CarterFilmmaker Ava DuVernayFilmmaker Shonda RhimesFashion Designer Donatella VersaceVisual Artist and Painter Hill SprigginsPhotographer Kris DavidsonActress, Filmmaker, Fashion Icon, and Founder of PATTERN Beauty Tracee Ellis RossDirector, Writer, and Actress Greta GerwigActress, Writer, and Producer Meryl Streep Host: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramAART on FacebookEmail: hollowellstudios@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wisp--4769409/support.

AART: S1E5 - Jess Firshein

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