In this powerful and intimate episode of AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with acclaimed wildlife filmmaker, biologist, and conservationist Jocelyn Stokes for a raw and deeply personal conversation about the beauty and fragility of our natural world. Through her lens and her heart, Jocelyn shares the emotional realities of documenting endangered species, the ethical challenges of storytelling in the wild, and the spiritual connection that drives her mission to protect life on Earth. Listeners will be taken behind the camera into the heart of the jungle and the depths of the ocean, discovering how science, empathy, and art converge to inspire action for conservation. This is more than a story about wildlife—it’s about humanity’s bond with nature, purpose, and resilience. Whether you’re passionate about wildlife filmmaking, environmental activism, or the emotional truth of creative storytelling, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the wild spirit that lives within us all.

🎧 Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you listen.

 🔑 Tags / Keywords (for SEO & Discovery):
Jocelyn Stokes interview, wildlife filmmaker podcast, conservation podcast, biologist interview, nature storytelling, wildlife conservation, female filmmaker, environmental podcast, wildlife photography, animal documentary, nature filmmaking, biodiversity, sustainability podcast, women in science, wildlife cinematography, climate action, wildlife protection, AART Podcast, Chris Stafford, nature inspiration, creative storytelling in conservation

 American wildlife biologist, conservationist and filmmaker, Jocelyn Stokes. Jocelyn has filmed programming for PBS NATURE, Mongabay, National Geographic, the BBC, Waterbear, ILCP, Health in Harmony, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Future Alam Borneo and Borneo Futures, among others. She is most at home filming endangered species in some of the world's most remote wilderness locations. Her technical skills in long lens shooting, gimbal work and drone operation to capture unique natural history sequences have led to award-winning conservation films. Jocelyn was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, the eldest of three; she has two brothers. Her father Robert Stokes is in media marketing and her mother Debra a medical assistant and artist. Growing up in the desert, Jocelyn spent her childhood outdoors exploring nature and wildlife. And she was fascinated by still photography from an early age immersing herself in storytelling with her camera. By the time she had graduated high school Jocelyn knew the career she wanted and achieved her BA in Photography from Lewis & Clark followed by graduate studies at Oregon State University for Wildlife Sciences. Jocelyn traveled to South East Asia after college and began to lay the foundation for her career of combining her passions of wildlife conservation and filmmaking from producing a documentary to conserve sun bears in Borneo to environmental journalism pieces for the conservation news web portal Mongabay.  She is currently filming and producing a PBS NATURE series In Her Nature focused on female wildlife conservationists around the world, beginning with Nepal, Indonesia, Costa Rica, and Madagascar, which will air in March 2025. Jocelyn is married to wildlife photographer, Peter Mangolds, and the couple live in Jackson Hole, WY. 

Jocelyn’s website: https://www.jocelynstokes.com/
Her Wild Life https://www.herwildlife.com/
Instagram: @wiledandstoked 
https://www.instagram.com/wildandstoked/

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
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Email: [email protected]

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A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: [email protected]
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

n this intimate and thought-provoking episode of AART: The Voices of Women in Visual Arts, host Chris Stafford sits down with Sydney Swisher, a visionary multi-media artist known for her bold exploration of identity, emotion, and transformation through diverse artistic mediums. Sydney opens up about her creative process, the emotional depth behind her work, and how art becomes a language for self-discovery and human connection. Listeners will be drawn into a personal and reflective journey through Sydney’s world — where color, texture, sound, and emotion intertwine to reveal the truth of lived experience. Whether you’re an artist, collector, or simply passionate about creativity and storytelling, this conversation offers rare insight into the heart and mind of one of today’s most compelling contemporary artists. Discover how Sydney’s work challenges perception, celebrates imperfection, and redefines what it means to express the self through art.

🎯 Keywords/Tags:
Sydney Swisher, multi-media artist, contemporary art, women in art, creative process, artist interview, visual storytelling, modern art podcast, emotional art, identity in art, introspective podcast, art conversation, creativity and self-expression, AART podcast, Chris Stafford, art and emotion, art and identity, behind the art, women artists 2025

American multi-media artist Sydney Swisher whose work on fabric creates a unique dimension to weaving photography and digital art with textiles. Her tapestries explore memory, materiality, and machine intelligence as she references family photos to generate locations based on descriptions of childhood memories.  Sydney was born in Olney, Illinois in 1994 the oldest of three children; she has a sister Maci and brother Sutton. She comes from a family of educators; her mother Melissa was a kindergarten teacher and father Martin, a high school science teacher.  But it was a BA Mass Communications studying TV and Radio with a Minor in Art that Sydney chose at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville from where she graduated in 2016. Her internships included graphic design while photographing weddings would help her develop her skills as a photographer. Sydney returned to Illinois to focus on her art career and her first solo exhibition, Fabricate, was shown in Peoria, Illinois in March 2024. She is currently preparing for a new show in Chicago this month. Sydney and her husband Nash live in Newton, Illinois with their two whippets.

Sydney’s website: https://www.sydneyswisher.com/
Instagram: @sydswisher https://www.instagram.com/sydswisher/
 
Sydney’s favorite women artists:
Jenna Gribbon
Megan Lewis
Holly Andres
Sasha Gordon
Njideka Akunyili Crosby 

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
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A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: [email protected]
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step into the heart of the wild through the eyes of acclaimed wildlife acrylic artist Ilse de Villiers. In this deeply personal and introspective conversation, Ilse opens up about her artistic journey—from her early connection with nature in South Africa to the emotional storytelling that defines her vibrant animal portraits. Discover how she captures the spirit, emotion, and soul of wildlife on canvas, and why her art resonates with collectors and conservationists around the world. Join host Chris Stafford as they explore the intersection of creativity, conservation, and the unspoken bond between humans and the natural world. This episode is a soulful exploration of how art can inspire empathy for the creatures we share our planet with.

 🎧 Perfect for art lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and anyone moved by stories of passion, purpose, and creative connection with nature.

🔑 Tags / Keywords (for Google, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube):
Ilse de Villiers interview, wildlife artist podcast, acrylic painting, wildlife art, South African artist, animal art, conservation art, art and nature, wildlife conservation, creative inspiration, artist stories, fine art podcast, painter interview, art and environment, women artists, contemporary wildlife art, artist conversations, painting wildlife, acrylic techniques, emotional art, AART podcast, Chris Stafford

South African wildlife acrylic artist Ilse de Villiers. Ilse works in detailed realism of her subjects, which portray the dramatic wildlife of Africa in its natural habitat drawing mainly from photographic reference. Ilse says although she was  always considered relatively talented she was not encouraged to pursue art so making it her career was never in her wildest dreams. Ilse was born in Durban in 1965, one of two daughter to father Frik Kleynhans (d) an education inspector, and mother Julie Kleynhans, a secretary, talented batik artist, horticulturist and watercolorist. An outdoor child, Ilse was always an animal lover with a wandering mind. She describes herself as a neat and organized person who preferred pencils to paint as a child. Ilse graduated with a B.A degree and Diploma in Higher Education at Bloemfontein University before teaching at a High School.  In 1987 she married her college boyfriend Abraham de Villiers and the couple eventually moved to his family’s farm in Middelburg, Bethal where they raised a family while Ilse became a farm girl, cooking, sewing, baking and gardening. The tragic loss of their eldest son Abraham Jnr. in 1996 in a farm accident would prove a pivotal point in Ilse’ life when some months later a friend encouraged her to start painting which turned out to be the therapy she needed. She says she found a creative expression and that became the beginning of her life story as an artist.  Ilse and her husband live in Tzaneen in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Her husband’s photographs are often used by Ilse as reference.  They have a son Herman and daughter Julése.  Ilse annually shows her artwork at two shows and in galleries across the US.

Ilse’ website https://ilsewildlife.com/
Ilse on Instagram: @ilse_wildlife 
https://www.instagram.com/ilse_wildlife/
 
Women who inspire Ilse:
Danielle Fisher
Carla Grace
Thalia Stanton
Annie Drew
Dina Brodsky
Louise Hancock
Samantha Greenhill
Sandra Bartels 

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
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A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: [email protected]
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
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In this deeply personal and inspiring episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with acclaimed camera and Steadicam operator, Ashlea Downes, for an intimate look into the artistry, discipline, and emotional honesty behind visual storytelling. Ashlea shares the journey that led her behind the lens—from early creative sparks to the physically demanding craft of Steadicam work—and how she learned to see movement as a language all its own. She discusses the challenges of working on fast-paced sets, honing precision through strength and intuition, and how vulnerability plays a role in crafting powerful imagery. Listeners are invited into her world of creative risks, personal breakthroughs, and the collaborative magic that fuels every frame. Filled with thoughtful reflections and cinematic insight, this episode offers a rare look at the heart and hustle of a visual artist whose steady eye captures motion, meaning, and human truth. Perfect for filmmakers, cinematographers, creators, and anyone curious about the emotional stories behind the camera.

✅ Tags / Keywords
Ashlea Downes interview, camera operator interview, steadicam operator, steadicam artistry, filmmaking podcast, cinematography podcast, behind the scenes filmmaking, women in film, film production stories, camera movement, creative process interview, visual storytelling, film industry careers, AART podcast, Chris Stafford, women behind the camera, on-set filmmaking, cinematographer spotlight, film equipment, filmmaking education, film crew insights, podcast for filmmakers, camera department, film interview, entertainment podcast, personal storytelling

South African camera operator and steadicam operator, Ashlea Downes. Among Ashlea’s credits are the popular Netflix series Bridgerton on which she is working with a previous guest on this podcast, Alicia Robbins. Ashlea has also worked on House of the Dragon, Wicked, Skyfall, Spider-Man: Far From Home and His Dark Materials. Ashlea was born in Pretoria, South African in 1985. Her father, Ant, was an accountant and business owner, and her mother, Alex, an artist and art teacher. Her brother, Scott, is a hand painted sign artist. Ashlea grew up enjoying sports and the outdoors; she was a competitive rider, taking after her mother who was a keen horsewoman. She also swam, played water polo and netball but academia was not her rap. Instead she followed her father’s interest in photography and her mother’s talent for art. Her love of wildlife gave her aspirations to be a wildlife documentary filmmaker so it was no surprise that these influences steered her to the AFDA Film School where she graduated with a degree in Cinematography. After college, her relentless determination and ambition to break into the industry opened up opportunities that would prove the foundation of her career, and soon she would find herself being called up for the Bond movie Skyfall filming in Turkey and then to the UK to film at the London Olympics. A turning point in her career was moving to the UK shortly after where she met her partner and found steady work from trainee to 2nd AC/ loader and then making her mark as a camera operator. Ashlea lives between Reading, England and Cape Town, South Africa with her husband Karl Taggart. She is currently working as a camera operator on Season 4 of Bridgerton.
 
Ashlea on IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4701569/
Instagram: @ashlea_downes 
https://www.instagram.com/ashlea_downes
 
Ashlea’s favorite women in visual arts:
Charlotte Bruus Christensen
Mandy Walker
Reed Morano
Rachel Morrison
Catherine Goldschmidt
Alicia Robbins
Alice Brook
Elana Garret 

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
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Email: [email protected]

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A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: [email protected]
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

In this deeply personal and introspective episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with celebrated glass and scent artist Goldie Poblador, whose work occupies a rare and evocative space between material, memory, ecology, and ritual. Known for her multi-sensory installations that merge blown glass, fragrance, feminine narratives, and environmental storytelling, Poblador invites us into the places—both emotional and physical—that have shaped her artistic voice. Together, Chris and Goldie explore how scent becomes a vessel for history, identity, and collective healing; how glass serves as both a metaphor for fragility and transformation; and how her Filipino heritage influences the depth of her artistic inquiry. She shares her creative origins, the spiritual and ecological themes embedded in her process, and the intimate human stories behind her most compelling works. Listeners will be transported into Goldie’s atmospheric world, where smell, memory, culture, and form fuse into experiences that awaken the senses and expand our understanding of art’s emotional power. Whether you are a seasoned art lover, a creative soul, or simply someone drawn to compelling personal journeys, this episode offers a rare look into a practice where the invisible becomes tangible, and the past is preserved through scent and flame. Tune in to discover:

• How scent and memory inform artistic storytelling
• The cultural and ecological roots of Goldie’s practice
• The symbolism of glass as a medium of transformation
• What environmentalism means to the multi-sensory artist
• The intimate emotional landscape behind her installations

A captivating conversation about embodiment, identity, and the power of sensory experience, Goldie Poblador’s story reminds us that healing can take many forms—and that art is sometimes meant to be breathed in.

✅ Tags / Keywords (SEO-Focused) goldie poblador, goldie poblador interview, glass artist interview, scent artist, fragrance artist, filipino artist, contemporary artists, multi-sensory art, sensory installations, environmental art, eco-art, ritual art, identity art, aart podcast, chris stafford podcast, women in the arts, visual artists interview, creative process, glass sculpture, blown glass, olfactory art, smell and memory, artistic ritual, filipino culture art, artist storytelling, creative inspiration podcast, art and identity, art and ecology, fine art podcast, contemporary art podcast, experimental art


Filipina artist Goldie Poblador who works in scent and glass interactive instillation art.  Goldie specializes in glass flameworking combined with performance, video, installation, and scent embodying themes of feminism, the environment, and decolonization as it relates to the body.  Goldie was born in Manila, The Philippines in 1987. Her parents; Napoleon Poblador, a lawyer and painter and Gizela Poblador, a home-maker who had earlier studied dentistry. Goldie is the eldest of four children; she has three younger brothers. She was, she says, an imaginative child who enjoyed creating worlds and performing. Her parents exposed her to art and music; she visited art shows, galleries and museums, learned the piano, and performed in a drama club. By the age of 18 Goldie was performing in a Punk band; something she likes to recreate today for fun. But it was her fascination with glass and painting that would steer her through college. She graduated from the University of The Philippines in 2009 with a BFA in Studio Art and later with an MFA Glass from the Rhode Island School of Design. Between colleges Goldie was introduced to the Scuola Abate Zanetti in Murano, Italy. She also worked as an artist and attended the Pilchuck Glass School in Seattle, co-founded by the renown glass sculptor Dale Chihuly.  Goldie has been exhibited internationally at such institutions as the Yangon Secretariat Building Knockdown Center, Cemeti Art House, Singapore Art Museum, Bangkok Art and Culture Center, Fine Art Museum of Hanoi and The Cultural Center of the Philippines. She is currently working on a show for the Art Fair in The Philippines in 2025. Goldie will be a featured artist in the Sensorium, Stories of Glass and Fragrance; an exhibition that will explore the millennia-long relationships between glass, perfumery, and the storage of scent, at the Corning Museum of Glass (CMoG) from September 7, 2024 - February 1, 2025.  Goldie is married to Joseph Sousa and the couple live in New York City.
 
https://goldiepoblador.com/Information
Instagram: @_goldieland 
https://www.instagram.com/_goldieland
 
Goldie’s favorite female artists:
Janine Antoni
Agnes Arellano
Joan Jonas
Camille Claudel
Kiki Smith

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
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Email: [email protected]


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A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: [email protected]
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

In this deeply personal and visually evocative episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with internationally acclaimed acrylic artist Carla Bosch to explore the heart, history, and emotion behind her vibrant, impressionistic paintings. Known for her signature use of bold color and joyful energy, Carla shares the inspiring story of her artistic journey—from her South African roots to her flourishing studio life in the United States. Listeners are invited into an intimate conversation touching on creative vulnerability, the discipline behind daily artistic practice, and the emotional resonance of capturing beauty in everyday life. Carla opens up about the sparks that guide her expressive style, the landscapes that continue to shape her palette, and the importance of remaining curious and courageous as an artist. Whether you are a collector, painter, creative thinker, or simply someone who loves stories of passion and persistence, this episode offers an uplifting and introspective look into living a life committed to color, expression, and meaning. 🎧 Tune in to discover:

• Carla’s artistic beginnings and global influences
• Why acrylic is her medium of choice
• The emotional language of color
• How she balances spontaneity with intention
• Advice for emerging artists pursuing their voice

Immerse yourself in the radiance and spirit of Carla’s world—where art becomes a joyful reflection of life lived boldly.

✅ Keywords / Tags Carla Bosch, Carla Bosch artist, acrylic artist interview, impressionist acrylic painter, South African artist, contemporary acrylic art, colorful painting, fine art podcast, artist spotlight, AART Podcast, Chris Stafford podcast, art inspiration, creative journey, artist storytelling, painting techniques, modern impressionism, art education, art collectors, artist biography, art career, creativity podcast, artistic process, visual artist interview, art YouTube, Apple Podcasts art, Spotify art


South African acrylic painter Carla Bosch is known for her vibrant colors and bold strokes that trademark an unapologetic style. Her landscape paintings represent a wide range of nature’s palette uniquely capturing its light. Carla was born in Pretoria in 1976 to Anton, a pharmacist and amateur artist, and Ronel Gericke a home-maker and keen musician. She has a sister Murentia.  Carla describes her childhood spent enjoying family hikes around South Africa as happy and loving. Her father encouraged an interest in art and she would follow his lead as she explored different mediums. Carla studied Interior Design at the University of Pretoria and although she says she has always had high energy and a limited attention it would be art that would fully absorb her as as self taught artist. By the age of 25 she found herself a full-time artist, and with the help of her husband Elroy, Carla operates a successful business with clients around the world. The couple moved to the US in 2013 spending five years in California before relocating to Texas.  Carla is represented in galleries in France, the UK, South Africa, Maryland and Texas. Carla has two children: Sarah and Daniel, and lives with her husband Elroy and their Chocolate Labradoodle Jamie in Austin, Texas.
 
Carla’s website: https://www.carlabosch.com/
Carla on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlaboschart
@carlaboschart
 
Some of Carla’s favorite female artists: 
Isabel Le Roux
Irma Stern
Maggie Laubser 

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
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A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: [email protected]
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
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Step behind the lights and into the heart of beauty with this intimate conversation featuring world-class make-up artist Patsy O’Neill. In this deeply personal interview, Patsy shares the experiences, inspirations, and emotional journey that shaped her creative path. From her earliest artistic influences to working with major personalities and productions, she reveals how vulnerability, intuition, and connection guide her work with every face she touches. Listeners will discover the power of storytelling through make-up, how authenticity fuels artistic resilience, and why beauty begins with self-acceptance. Patsy reflects on her favorite career moments, pivotal challenges, and the philosophies that continue to shape her craft, offering powerful insight for aspiring artists, beauty lovers, and anyone seeking deeper meaning in their creative journey. Whether you’re passionate about artistry, curious about the world behind the camera, or inspired by stories of transformation, this episode invites you to see beauty through a new lens—one grounded in honesty, empathy, and soul.

✅  Keywords Patsy O’Neill, makeup artist interview, beauty industry, celebrity makeup artist, behind the scenes beauty, creative journey, beauty podcast, makeup education, artistic inspiration, personal growth, beauty secrets, film & TV makeup, intimate interview, beauty storytelling, female creatives, artistry journey, beauty career advice, makeup tips, professional makeup artistry, inspiring beauty stories

British make-up artist Patsy O’Neill whose career was founded in the 90’s in MTV and has spanned the world of TV, music, commercials, film and editorial. Patsy was born in 1975 in the shadow of West Ham football ground in East London. Her parents Robert O’Neill, an electrical engineer and Julia Dooley, a nurse & practice manager were Irish immigrants. Patsy is the middle of three children—she has an older brother and younger sister— and was educated at the Ursuline Convent School for Girls in Forest Gate, London. Her love of the arts could be seen in her constant drawings as a child and interest in fashion so it was no surprise that she chose to study Design Fashion Styling For Make - up and Hair at the London College of Fashion from where she graduated in 1993. From there she chose to start working in the business to get hands on experience, which is where her early opportunities created a pathway for her career. She has, she says, done just about everything in the business and loves to share her knowledge by mentoring interns and graduates.  Her roster of celebrity clients are some of the most recognizable women on the red carpet and have led her to having her work showcased at the Oscars. Patsy lives in London with her partner Richard Jakes and son Arlo.

Patsy’s website: https://www.patriciaoneill.co.uk/
Instagram: @patsyoneillmakeup
https://www.instagram.com/patsyoneillmakeup
 
Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: [email protected]

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: [email protected]
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step inside the layered world of Carla Ciuffo, an acclaimed multi-media artist whose imaginative process fuses photography, sculpture, digital art, and conceptual storytelling. In this deeply personal episode of the AART Podcast with Chris Stafford, Carla opens up about the inspirations that move her, the emotions she seeks to evoke, and the curiosity that drives her innovative practice. From the evolution of her artistic voice to the transformative power of material experimentation, Carla shares her inner journey—how she navigates creative vulnerability, shapes immersive narratives, and explores the space between reality and imagination. This intimate interview invites listeners into Carla’s creative universe, where art becomes both inquiry and reflection. If you’re inspired by contemporary art, creative exploration, and the minds behind transformative visual storytelling, this soulful conversation offers a rare window into one of today’s most dynamic artistic voices. 

✅ Keywords
Carla Ciuffo, multi-media artist, multimedia artist interview, contemporary art podcast, artist stories, creative process, art and storytelling, digital art, conceptual art, photography and sculpture, mixed media art, AART Podcast, Chris Stafford, artist interview, intimate artist interview, behind the art, creative inspirations, art conversation, innovative artists, visual art, modern art

The multi-media artist Carla Ciuffo whose innovative image making process and utilization of experimental printing and installation techniques, create a layered and immersive, often mystical environment. She says her approach treads the boundary between documentary and experimental arts. Carla was born on Long Island, New York to father Armand, a dentist and artist, and Loretta, a home-maker and amateur photographer.  She has two sisters who are also artistic: Adrienne is a documentary filmmaker and Roberta works in the Nashville Arts and Arts Education.  Carla attended some college but dropped out but then later proudly obtaining her Harvard ID when she did a study residency with the Disease and Biophysics Group. Prior to becoming a full-time artist, Carla worked a variety of jobs during her 20 years in New York City from candy stores to book printing. In her 40’s she left New York for Arizona where she trained as a massage therapist and became an entrepreneur starting small businesses. From Arizona, Carla moved to Tennessee in 2010 to become a professional artist and now an aspiring author of queer fiction. Carla and her wife Angela live in Nashville, TN.
 
Carla’s website: https://www.carlaciuffo.art/
Instagram: @Carla Ciuffo 
https://www.instagram.com/carlaciuffoworks/
 
Carla’s favorite female artists:
Jennifer O’Connell-Knoerzer
Courtney Minor
Suzanne Theodora White
Louise Dumont
Lea Craigie
Anna Karvounari
Olga Fedorova
Connie Hansen
Ursula von Rydingsvard  
Ana Francisca 

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: [email protected]

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: [email protected]
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

In this deeply personal and poetic episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with world-renowned photographer and creator, Jamie Beck, for an intimate journey into her artistic soul. Best known for her celebrated series An American in Provence, Jamie talks about leaving New York to rediscover a slower, more mindful way of living and creating. Together they explore the emotional texture behind her work—how nature, solitude, motherhood, and nostalgia shape her visual storytelling. Jamie opens up about creativity as devotion, the beauty in imperfection, the art of embracing stillness, and the quiet details that often go unseen. From her early commercial career to becoming a beloved voice in analog photography and modern-day artistry, Jamie shares the truth, vulnerability, and wonder within her process—and why she believes art is not just made, but felt. This heartfelt conversation invites listeners into Jamie’s most sacred creative spaces, inspiring anyone who seeks a deeper connection to their craft, their environment, and themselves.

✅ Keywords:
Jamie Beck interview, Jamie Beck podcast, photographer interview, An American in Provence, Provence photography, fine art photographer, creative process, analog photography, artist storytelling, creative inspiration, AART podcast, Chris Stafford, slow living creativity, mindfulness art, intimate artist interview, visual storytelling, creative life, contemporary photographer, art and culture podcast, creative journey


American photographer Jamie Beck is known for focusing on portraying life and her natural surroundings in the Provence. Jamie is the author of two books: ‘An American in Provence: Art, Life and Photography’ published in 2022 which became a New York Times Bestseller, and The Flowers of Provence published in 2024. In the last few years Jamie has created an online marketplace for her custom designs and also founded The Starling Club, an online social club for creative women.  Jamie was born in Arlington, TX, one of two children to James Beck, a law enforcement officer and Gina Pine, an accountant. She has an older brother and a step-father. Her early interest in photography began as a child wanting to memorialize images, which led to taking photos once her mother gave her her first camera. Jamie’s love of fashion led her to starting her career in fashion photography once she graduated from the New York Fashion Institute of Technology with a degree in Fashion Photography. She then worked in New York as a fashion and commercial photographer for 13 years before moving to the South of France. Jamie’s raison d’être is to capture the beauty of nature most notably through her love of flowers and the lifestyles of the Provence. Jamie lives in Apt with her husband Kevin and daughter Eloise.
 
Jamie's website:
https://jamiebeck.co/
Jamie on Instagram: @jamiebeck.co
https://www.instagram.com/jamiebeck.co/
The Starling Club https://club.jamiebeck.co/
 
Jamie’s favorite female artists:
Maria Rose
Natasshia Neary
Ronni Nicole
Katie Whipple 

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
AART on Facebook
Email: [email protected]

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

A Hollowell Studios Production
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: [email protected]
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

n this deeply personal and soul-stirring episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with acclaimed wildlife artist Lucy Joyce, whose vibrant paintings and profound connection to the natural world have inspired countless collectors, conservationists, and art lovers across the globe. Lucy opens up about her journey into wildlife art, the emotional and spiritual dimensions of her creative process, and the quiet stories hidden inside the creatures she paints. From her early inspirations in nature to the meditative rhythm of the studio, Lucy reflects on how art can reconnect us to the wild—and to ourselves. Together, Chris and Lucy explore themes of conservation, artistic identity, creative stillness, vulnerability, environmental storytelling, and the power of observation. Lucy shares how she studies animals in the field, the meaning behind her color choices, and how she uses her artwork to foster empathy and advocacy for endangered species. Whether you’re an artist, nature enthusiast, collector, or dreamer seeking deeper meaning, this episode offers a heartfelt look into the raw beauty of nature viewed through the artist’s inner lens.

🎧 Listen to discover
– How wildlife inspires emotional storytelling
– Lucy’s process: from field sketches to finished work
– How art can awaken our relationship with nature
– The quiet meditations behind her brush

– Her hopes for conservation and future generations Experience the wild—through the eyes and heart of Lucy Joyce.

✅ Keywords Wildlife Artist Lucy Joyce, wildlife painting, contemporary wildlife art, wildlife conservation art, intimate artist interview, nature-inspired art, AART Podcast, Chris Stafford, artist storytelling, wildlife creativity, emotional art process, art and nature connection, endangered species art, creative introspection, field sketching, nature-inspired creativity, wildlife art interview, artist spotlight, modern wildlife painter, conservation storytelling


British wildlife artist Lucy Joyce. Lucy’s painstaking attention to detail is her signature on portraits of a variety of animals. Her artistry is crafted from photographic images, and in some cases her own compositions, as she meticulously accounts for every hair and whisker. Lucy was born in Northampton in 1979, the oldest of two children—she has a younger brother Robert. Her mother Jackie Smith, is a part-time seamstress, and her father Brian was a precision engineer in motorsport. Lucy completed her GCSE and A Levels at Chenderit School in Oxfordshire including two GCSEs in Art and A Level Art, before working in print and design. She then attended Southampton Solent University where she earned a degree in Marketing Design. Lucy met her husband at uni and upon graduation the couple spent a year working in Canada before returning to the UK. After the birth of her two sons, Lucy returned to her art and built a clientele for pet portraits. In 2016, she became a full-time artist and now has commissions for her wildlife and pet portraits that extend far into next year. Lucy lives near Newbury in Berkshire with her husband Simon, two sons; Jack and Charlie and two Cocker Spaniels.
 
www.mrsjoycedraws.co.uk
Instagram: @mrsjoycedraws
TikTok: @mrsjoycedraws
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mrsjoycedraws
 
Some favorite female artists:
Carla Grace
Dina Brodsky 
Zoe Fitchet
Demi Lang
Georgia Hart
Jennifer Gennari 

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
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