AART

Step inside the world of Frances Featherstone, an acclaimed figurative fine artist whose evocative paintings capture the emotional depth and beauty of the human form. In this intimate interview, Frances opens up about her creative journey, the stories behind her art, and the transformative power of painting emotion onto canvas. We explore how she translates feeling into form, the inspiration behind her most powerful works, and the challenges of staying authentic in today’s art world. Whether you’re an art lover, a creative soul, or simply someone seeking insight into the mind of an artist, this episode will leave you inspired to see the world — and yourself — a little differently.

🎨 Topics Covered:

• Frances Featherstone’s path as a figurative fine artist
• The emotional language of painting and portraiture
• How vulnerability fuels creativity
• The intersection of beauty, identity, and human experience in art
• Tips and reflections for aspiring artists

📍Available on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | YouTube

🔑 SEO Keywords: Frances Featherstone interview, figurative fine artist podcast, art and creativity, fine art conversations, artist interview, painting and emotion, creativity podcast, contemporary art, studio stories, creative process.


British Fine Artist Frances Featherstone says her art is guided by an appreciation for storytelling. Narrative serves at the heart of her work with which she seeks to fill her paintings with ideas and conceptual depth. Her creative explorations revolve around the interplay between figures and interior spaces offering viewers a window into intimate emotions that are entangled with the spaces we occupy. Frances employs aerial perspectives to craft patterns seen from above that compress and flatten the spatial dimensions. These pieces venture beyond the constraints of conventional perception and seek to challenge our normal sense of space. One of two children—she has a brother Walter, Frances was born in 1976 in Roade, England, to parents Jane Gill, a teacher —formerly a silversmith and jeweler—and Michael Featherstone a furniture designer. Art runs throughout her family and Frances was always encouraged and supported in her talent which naturally led a formal art education. She achieved an Art Foundation Distinction and First Class Degree in Fine Art and Visual Culture from the University of the West of England, Bristol. before changing direction for her Post Grad in Interactive Multimedia at Bath Spa University, graduating in 2000. She worked as a Designer in the BBC’s Interactive Factual and Learning Department for six years. In 2006 she got married and started a family, at which point she returned to painting, firstly by taking commissions for portraits. Her work took off and she was quickly gaining recognition. In 2019 Frances was shortlisted for ‘Artist of the Year’ by ‘Artists and Illustrators Magazine’. In 2021 she won the ‘The Chair’s Purchase Prize’ at the ING Discerning Eye exhibition at The Mall Galleries in London. And in 2024 was awarded a Certificate of Commendation for ‘an exceptional work selected for the Royal Institute of Oil Painters’ annual exhibition. She has also won Sky Arts Portrait of the Week twice for her paintings of Booker Prize winner Bernardine Evaristo and the singer Dannii Minogue.  Frances is represented by the Fairfax Gallery in Tunbridge Wells and Arcadia Contemporary Gallery in New York. She lives near Groombridge in East Sussex with her husband Munir Hassan and children Sam and Layla.  

Frances' links: https://www.francesfeatherstone.co.uk/
Instagram: @francesfeatherstone 
 
Some favorite female artists:
Paula Rego
Jenny Saville
Frida Kahlo
Joan Mitchell
Rachel Whiteread 
 
Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
The AART Podcast on YouTube has bonus content not included on the podcast.
Email: [email protected]


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

Hollowell Studios Production
Website: https://hollowellstudios.com/podcasts
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: [email protected]
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step into the frozen silence of the Arctic through the lens of Esther Horvath, award-winning polar photographer and visual storyteller for National Geographic and the Alfred Wegener Institute. In this deeply introspective interview, Esther shares the emotional and physical challenges of documenting life at the ends of the Earth — from the fragility of polar ecosystems to the resilience of the scientists who study them. We explore what drives her to capture some of the most remote and hauntingly beautiful places on the planet, how her work raises awareness about climate change, and what it means to find purpose in extreme isolation. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to photograph the melting Arctic, live among icebreakers and polar bears, or find creative meaning in wild places, this conversation will leave you inspired — and changed.

🔹 Topics: Polar photography, climate change storytelling, art and science, female explorers, Arctic expeditions
🔹 Guest: Esther Horvath, Polar Photographer | National Geographic Contributor | World Press Photo Award Winner
🔹 Keywords: Esther Horvath interview, polar photography, Arctic photographer, climate change photography, women in exploration, nature documentary, environmental storytelling


Hungarian Esther Horvath is a multi-award winning polar photographer whose work focuses on climate research in the polar regions. By documenting the work and life of scientists who deliver important data, Esther hopes to help make a difference in how people understand what actually is occurring, and her collaborations with scientists help raise public awareness about these increasingly fragile environments. Esther was born in 1979 in Sopron, Hungary. Esther grew up behind the Iron Curtain and even though she lived only a few kilometers from the Austrian border she was ten years old before the ‘curtain’ came down and she was able to explore the Austrian mountains where the Alps start, discovering a world that held a fascination which would become a life-long passion for her as an explorer.  Despite a childhood interest in art and photography Esther chose to study Economics at West Hungarian University for her Masters Degree. Upon graduating she worked in the private sector in Vienna  and at 25 she owned her first camera which would prove to be life-changing. With a growing passion for photography she decided to go to New York to study Photojournalism and Documentary Photography at International Center of Photography, (ICP). After finishing ICP, she received an assignment from Audubon magazine, to the Arctic Ocean, which was the next most important milestone in her life. Today she documented 25 scientific expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctica. From 2019 – 2020, Esther spent almost four months on board the Polarstern icebreaker during polar nights in extreme conditions, documenting the MOSAiC expedition in the Central Arctic Ocean, the largest ever Arctic Ocean science expedition.  In 2022 she was the official photographer of the Endurance22 expedition, searching and finding Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship the Endurance. Esther won the first prize in World Press Photo Award, Environmental single category in 2020. In 2022, she received the Infinity Award from the International Center of Photography in New York for her work in raising awareness about conservation, environmental justice and climate change. Esther is a contributing photographer and explorer for National Geographic Explorer, and a Nikon Ambassador and photographer for the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research. Esther has homes in Sopron, Hungary and Hamburg, Germany even though she spends most of her time traveling. 
 
Esther’s links: https://estherhorvath.com/
https://www.instagram.com/estherhorvath
 
Some of Esther’s favorite female artists:
Ami Vitale (photographer)
Lyndsey Addario photojournalist)
Deirdre Hyde (painter)
Rita Rebecca Kirady (interior designer) 

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

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

Hollowell Studios Production
Website: https://hollowellstudios.com/podcasts
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: [email protected]
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

In this deeply introspective episode of AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with acclaimed British Artsmith and blacksmith Bex Simon, whose sculptural metalwork transforms fire and steel into soulful art. From the rhythmic clang of the forge to the quiet power of creativity, Bex shares her personal journey as a woman redefining blacksmithing in the modern art world. Explore how craftsmanship becomes self-expression, how heat and hammering reveal resilience, and why art forged by hand carries such emotional weight. Bex opens up about her creative process, public art commissions, and the spiritual balance between strength and vulnerability that fuels her work. Whether you’re an artist, designer, maker, or creative mind, this episode will leave you inspired to forge your own path — no matter the heat.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and YouTube. 

🔑 SEO Tags / Keywords Bex Simon, British blacksmith, artsmith, women in metalwork, women in art, blacksmith interview, creative podcast, artist podcast, sculpture art, metal art, craftsmanship, art and creativity, British artist, AART Podcast, Chris Stafford podcast, artistic process, creative storytelling, women in sculpture, public art, forging art, modern blacksmithing, artist interview, creative resilience, introspective podcast, fire and steel art, UK artist spotlight, maker culture, metal sculpture inspiration, blacksmithing artistry


Bex Simon is a British Artsmith who has overcome difficult mental health issues to become highly sought after for her creative work in metal. Bex is unconstrained in her approach to design by combining geometric shapes and textures. Her sculptures and public art tell stories relative to the surrounding environment and can be found around the UK. Bex was born in Chertsey, Surrey in 1973, the third of four children—she has an older sister and brother and a younger brother. She reflects on a very strict upbringing from parents Tim, a computer programmer and Gel a retired teacher who later volunteered at a school for handicapped children; a relationship which has mellowed with time and understanding of Bex’s mental health. Bex was attracted to the art of blacksmithing as a teenager and despite struggling at school with dyslexia, she studied at the Surrey Institute of Art and Design – Foundation graduating in 1992.  In 1995 she graduated with a BA in Three-Dimensional Design in Metal Surrey from the Institute of Art and Design; followed in 1998 by a Diploma and National Certificate from Hereford College of Technology and in 2017 a Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Forge Work DFS from Herefordshire and Ludlow College. In 2019 she began studying Geometry at the Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts. In 1999 Bex moved to London and established her creative blacksmithing business with the help of the Prince’s Trust. Initially, she worked on private commissions acquired from exhibiting regularly at RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows. Later, she moved on to larger scale public artwork projects via collaborations with a selected group of artist blacksmiths. Her biggest commission to date being a forty meter public artwork for Westminster Magistrates’ Courts in London. It was for that installation that she became the first woman to receive the Tonypandy Cup; the most prestigious award given by the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths.  Bex lives in North Devon with her husband Dave and their daughters Molly and Lyonie.
 
The book that Bex recommended on the YouTube video -
 https://www.youtube.com/@theaartpodcast -
The Creative Art, A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
 
Bex’s links:
https://bexsimon.com/
https://www.instagram.com/bexsimonartsmith/
 
Bex’s favorite female artists:
Zaha Hadid
Emma Kunz
Lousie Bourgeois 

Bex’s playlist:
Beastie Boys / Sabotage
Sinead O’Connor / Troy
Doja Cat / Paint the Town Red
Radiohead / Street Spirit
Sleaford Mods / Nudge It
The Sundays / Can’t Be Sure
Chase & Status / Backbone
Goldfrapp / Ooh La La
System of A Down / Chop Suey
Royksopp Robyn / Monument
Nia Archives / Off Wiv Ya Headz

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
The AART Podcast on YouTube -  https://www.youtube.com/@theaartpodcast
Email: [email protected]

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

Hollowell Studios Production
Website: https://hollowellstudios.com/podcasts
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: [email protected]
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

In this intimate and deeply personal episode, internationally acclaimed painter and sculptor René Romero Schuler opens up about her extraordinary journey through art, resilience, and emotional truth. Known for her evocative figurative works that embody both fragility and strength, René shares the raw and real stories that shaped her creative path — from overcoming personal struggles to finding empowerment through her brush and sculpting tools. Join us as we explore how art can become a vessel for healing, identity, and human connection. This conversation dives into themes of vulnerability, transformation, and the beauty of imperfection, revealing how René continues to redefine what it means to be both artist and woman in today’s creative world. Whether you’re an artist, collector, or simply someone seeking inspiration, this episode invites you to feel, reflect, and rediscover the power of self-expression through René’s lens.

🔑 SEO Tags / Keywords: René Romero Schuler, painter interview, sculptor interview, contemporary artist podcast, women in art, emotional art, figurative painting, art and healing, creative resilience, artistic journey, women artists, modern sculpture, fine art podcast, inspirational artist stories, art and vulnerability, art therapy, contemporary sculpture, emotional expression through art, artist life story, creative empowerment



American painter and sculptor René Romero Schuler creates powerful images that speak to the complexities of the human condition and the spirit that connects all human beings. René did not have any formal art training but since a small child felt that she was always meant to be an artist. She endured a difficult childhood and those real life challenges are imbued in her work illustrating her appreciation for the struggles and triumphs of humanity. René was born in Chicago in 1968 to parents Maryanne, a retired nurse and Rocky, who René describes as a bit of an enigma, though always in sales. René and her siblings grew up in Chicago, though she spent a year and a half in Quito with her grandparents. By time she reached her teenage years her home life was becoming difficult with a troubled relationship with her mother and an intrusive fear of her father. At the age of 14 René ran away from home and lived rough pulling on all her resources and determination. She eventually found work as an artist, painting murals in commercial properties. When she was 17 René moved into her own apartment and worked a variety of jobs from waitressing to bartending. By collaborating with a variety of artists around Chicago, René was gradually becoming a full-time artist with her own studio and plenty of commissions. In 1999 she met her future husband and for a while the couple lived in New York before René was drawn back to Chicago to focus on her art. It was here that she was able to reconnect with her contacts in art galleries and establish herself as a professional artist. René is represented by galleries across the U.S., Canada and Europe, She has had major exhibitions throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia, and has work included in the permanent collections of numerous museums and institutions. René now lives in Monterrey, CA with her husband Rick and two sons Ian and Owen.

Rene’s links: 
https://www.reneromeroschuler.com/ 
https://www.instagram.com/reneromeroschuler/

Some favorite female artists:
Maryann Kolb
Kelly Reemsten
Bisa Butler
Joan Brown
Annie Leibovitz
Tamara de Lempicka
Helen Frankenthaler
Louise Bourgeois
Tracey Emin 

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


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

Hollowell Studios Production
Website: https://hollowellstudios.com/podcasts
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: [email protected]
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

In this deeply personal and revealing episode, British Impressionist painter Ellen Howard opens up about her life, creative process, and the emotional connection behind her luminous landscapes. Known for her evocative use of light and color, Ellen shares how nature, atmosphere, and personal reflection shape her art and vision. From her early inspirations to the evolution of her distinctive Impressionist style, this conversation offers rare insight into the heart and mind of an artist who paints not just what she sees—but what she feels. Join us for an intimate journey through creativity, resilience, and the beauty of imperfection, as Ellen Howard invites listeners to see the world through her brushstrokes.

✨ Perfect for: art lovers, collectors, painters, creatives, and anyone seeking inspiration through stories of artistic life and expression. 

🎧 Keywords / Tags:
Ellen Howard interview, British Impressionist painter, Impressionism podcast, women in art, contemporary Impressionism, landscape painting, fine art podcast, artist stories, creative journey, plein air painting, emotional art, art and life, modern Impressionists, art inspiration, creative process, British artist interview, women painters, art podcast 2025


Meet American impressionist painter Ellen Howard. Ellen says: "My art is centered around living a faithful life and trusting in the unfolding of the great tapestry of life. As an avid explorer and traveler, I’m curious about the transitory elements of nature and love discovering quiet unexplored areas. Seeing the light move across the land, cascading off a mountain range, streaming through the leaves, dancing on the top of the waves, and creating a beautiful ray of warmth in the sky and clouds is pure serenity; where I find my center and solutions through art for life.” Ellen has been a professional artist for 15 years since she raised her two children Rachael and Jonathan and attending a range of art classes covering a variety of subjects and mediums. Her work has been shown extensively across the country and in a number of publications.  Ellen was born in Summit, NJ in 1965 to parents Joyce and Jim Guter. Her mother was a nurse who dabbled in watercolors as a hobby, and her father was a musician and high school band director. Ellen grew up with her younger brother Mark in NJ and Massachusetts but her parents divorced when she was just 14. Ellen immersed herself in swimming, running track and dancing with her friends as she navigated her teenage years. She graduated from Syracuse University with a B.S. in Marketing and Human Resources and at the age of 24, moved to San Fransisco where she embarked on a career in finance which, she says, stood her in good stead for running her own business. It was here that she met her husband and started a family. Now a full-time professional, Ellen divides her time behind the easel in her studio or in plein air. When she is not painting she is giving classes and workshops in the US and Europe. Ellen lives near San Fransisco with her husband Mark and two dogs. 

Ellen’s links: https://www.ellenhowardart.com/
https://www.instagram.com/ellenhowardart/

Some os Ellen’s favorite female artists:
Adrienne Stein - painter

Kim Lordier - pastelist Jill Carver - painter 

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

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

Hollowell Studios Production
Website: https://hollowellstudios.com/podcasts
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: [email protected]
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

In this deeply personal and introspective episode, we sit down with Sinziana Iordache, an internationally recognized hyperrealistic artist, to explore the intricate intersection of art, emotion, and human experience. From her early inspirations and artistic evolution to the meticulous techniques that bring her lifelike works to reality, Sinziana opens up about the discipline, vulnerability, and vision behind her creative process. Join us for an intimate conversation that reveals the soul behind the hyperrealism — a story of passion, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of truth through art. Perfect for art lovers, collectors, and anyone fascinated by the depth of human expression captured on canvas.

🎨 Discover how Sinziana transforms real life into visual poetry, one brushstroke at a time.

🎙️ Keywords :
Sinziana Iordache, hyperrealism artist, hyperrealistic painter, fine art, realism in art, contemporary art, artist interview, art podcast, painting techniques, hyperrealist art, female artists, art and emotion, art collectors, creative process, modern art, inspirational artists, visual storytelling, art career journey, art inspiration, artist spotlight, realism painting Would you like me to make this match your Women in Sport and the Arts podcast brand style (tone and structure) like the others I’ve written? I can adapt the title and description for full consistency.


Canadian based Romanian Hyperrealist Artist Sinziana Iordache specializes in detailed graphite drawings of luxury watches. Sinziana’s produces photorealistic and hyperrealistic drawings with each meticulously placed stroke, every shade and tone carefully chosen. Her artworks reflect not just timepieces but the epitome of horological elegance.  Sinziana was born in Constanta, Romania in July,1986, the only child of Elena Chris, an accountant and web designer, and Ion Iordache, a consultant and trainer in security management. While she was still a toddler, her family moved west to Resita near the Serbian border—her father was serving as a captain in the military—and where she says she had a very happy childhood. Her mother’s interest in precision art appealed to Sinziana from an early age and she would easily amuse herself for hours. Education began at the Traian Vuia High School and Politehnica University, Timisoara studying architecture before Sinziana moved to Canada in 2007 following her mother and step-father who had emigrated in 2003. Sinziana attended the Ryerson University in Toronto where she studied Interior Design which would become the catalyst for her starting her own business. Nowadays she is a partner at Unfold Creative Studio and spends much of her time outside the business on drawing luxury watches, which can be time consuming. It can take 150 hours to draw one watch. Sinziana lives in Toronto with her partner, the artist Alex Sauret and her cat.
 
Sinziana’s links:
https://sinzianaiordache.com/
'https://www.instagram.com/sinzianaiordache
 

Some of Sinziana’s favorite artists:
Elizabeth Waggett (painting, drawing)
Kit King (painter) CJ Hendry (hyperrealist)
Golsa Golchini (painter)
Vanessa Hogge (ceramist)
Karen Konzuk (jewelry)
Heather Knight (ceramist)
Gaby Wormann (mechanical art)
Carla Grace (wildlife painter)
Zai Divecha (paper artist)
Lauren Williams (textile artist)
Julia Ibbini (paper art) 

Host: Chris Stafford
@theaartpodcast on Instagram
The AART Podcast on YouTube

Email: [email protected] Produced by Hollowell Studios


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

Hollowell Studios Production
Website: https://hollowellstudios.com/podcasts
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: [email protected]
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step behind the camera and into the heart of one of the most captivating visual storytellers of our time — Sarah Thomas Moffat, an award-winning cinematographer and visual artist whose lens captures both light and emotion in perfect harmony. In this deeply personal and introspective interview, Sarah opens up about her creative evolution, the art of translating human experience into moving imagery, and the emotional truth behind her cinematic vision. From the early inspirations that shaped her passion for storytelling to the challenges and triumphs of building a career in film, this episode explores the raw, reflective journey of a woman defining her craft and her purpose through the power of visual language. Whether you’re a filmmaker, creative soul, or lover of art and authenticity, this conversation reveals what it truly means to see the world through an artist’s eyes.

💡 Keywords/Tags:
Sarah Thomas Moffat, cinematographer interview, women in film, filmmaking podcast, cinematography, visual storytelling, creative process, film industry, behind the lens, female cinematographer, artist interview, creative journey, storytelling in film, cinematography career, lighting and emotion, filmmaking inspiration, creative women podcast, personal interview, art and emotion, life behind the camera


Cinematographer Sarah Thomas Moffat’s work has spanned across all genres from docs, factual and commercial with a focus now on scripted. Her productions have aired worldwide, including on CBC, History Channel, CTV, Hulu and Netflix. Sarah was the first woman to run as a Racer-Cam Operator on the Canadian reality competition show Amazing Race Canada. She has won multiple awards across genres including film festival awards for Best Cinematography. along with three CSC nominations.  Sarah’s parents emigrated from Scotland to Canada shortly before Sarah was born in Toronto. As a child she developed an interest in still photography through artistic parents which led to Sarah studying Film, Radio, TV Broadcasting at Centennial College, Ontario. She describes herself, at that time, as focused and determined when she realized that this was her calling and she could make a career as a cinematographer. Sarah is a dual citizen of Canada and the UK. She is a member of IATSE, a CSC Associate Member, an ASC Vision Mentee Alumni, and Illuminatrix DOP based in London. 
 
Sarah’s links:
https://sarahthomasmoffat.com/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3511986/
https://www.instagram.com/sthomasmoffat
 
Some of Sarah’s favorite female artists:
Mandy Walker
Eva DuVernay 

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

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

Hollowell Studios Production
Website: https://hollowellstudios.com/podcasts
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: [email protected]
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Hi I’m Chris Stafford host of the AART podcast about women in the visual arts and I wanted to let you know  lyou that I will be back in the New Year with a new season and we have a wonderful line up to kick off Season 3 starting in January with Jeanne Tyson the Los Angeles-based cinematographer and filmmaker. Her work includes narrative and documentary features, shorts, and series, and has been featured in film festivals worldwide. Jeanne has been the Director of Photography for ABC’s Gray Anatomy for the past two seasons and will shortly begin shooting Season 22.
 
Also in January the Toronto based Romanian Hyperrealist Artist Sinziana Lordache who specializes in Detailed Graphite Drawings of luxury Watches. Sinziana’s produces photorealistic and hyperrealistic drawings with each meticulously placed stroke, every shade and tone, carefully chosen, her artwork reflects not just timepieces, but the epitome of horological elegance. 

If you’ve been a listener to the show you will know we have 90 episodes across seasons 1 and 2.  And season 3 will offer another great selection of talented creative women from across the spectrum of visual arts.
 
I’m thrilled that this podcast has been so well received and given me the opportunity to introduce you to so many brilliant women artists and I look forward to another season. Keep in mind that Season 3 will be bi-weekly. The reason for that is so I have more time in post production.  So I hope you’ll stay with me, follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram and on YouTube Just look for The AART Podcast. We also have a new email address and that’s [email protected].
Please share this podcast with anyone you think will enjoy the show and tell them they can listen won any podcast app.
 
I hope you will join me for season 3 in 2025.

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

Hollowell Studios Production
Website: https://hollowellstudios.com/podcasts
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: [email protected]
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

In this deeply personal and introspective episode of women in art nfiltered, we sit down with acclaimed Chinese sculptor Lirong Luo to explore the artistry, emotion, and philosophy behind her breathtaking sculptures. From her early inspirations in China to her evolution as an international artist, Luo opens up about the intimate connection between culture, identity, and creativity. Listeners will gain insight into her creative process, the challenges of being a woman in the global art world, and how sculpture becomes a form of storytelling, meditation, and resilience. Whether you’re an art lover, creative professional, or simply drawn to stories of transformation and passion, this episode will inspire you to see art—and life itself—through a new lens. 

✨ SEO Keywords / Tags:
Lirong Luo, Chinese sculptor, women in art podcast, sculpture artist interview, Chinese art, contemporary sculpture, female sculptors, art and identity, artist interview podcast, creative process, art inspiration, women artists, Asian art, art storytelling, creativity podcast, art and culture, sculpture techniques, art podcast 2025, artistic journey, cultural heritage in art, introspective artist conversations


Chinese Sculptor Lirong Luo.  Lirong says: "Most important for me is to create my artwork freely and show people what I am ready to show and what is interesting for me to show the world.”  Lirong’s sculptural work is influenced by Renaissance and Baroque techniques, an interest she developed while studying art in Beijing under the tutelage of Sun Jia Bo. This influence is evident in the life-like quality and grace of her figures, often women, captured in motion. Their poses are elegant, elongating their bodies, and Lirong’s attention to detail in skin folds and garment drapery imbues them with a sense of vitality. The dresses and garments of her sculptures often appear windswept, creating a compelling dichotomy between realism and a fantastical element. But her early life was not easy. Growing up in a small village in China, Lirong's path was filled with hard work and a determination to prove without anyone to show her the way that a Chinese woman could become a successful international artist. In this episode, she shares her story of resilience, her vision and artistic process, and how she created her own path in the art world. Lirong was born in the Hunan Province in 1980. Her parents, Huaifu Luo and Aiyu Guo are both farmers. She has a brother, Liping Luo. In 1998, Lirong entered the Changsha Academy of Arts in Changsha, Hunan, and from 2000-2005 she studied sculpture at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing graduating with honors. Lirong met her future husband the Belgian sculptor Arnaud Laroche while they were students together and once Lirong graduated the couple decided to move to Europe. They first lived in Paris where Lirong worked in a chocolate factory before moving to Belgium. It was here that she established a studio and in 2014 held her first exhibition. By 2017 Lirong had hit the big time and now her work can be seen in galleries in France and Belgium. Lirong lives in Beersel, Belgium with her husband Arnaud Laroche and their daughters Olivia and Maya.
 
Lirong’s links:
Instagram: @luo_li_rong_art 
https://www.instagram.com/luo_li_rong_art/?hl=en
Facebook:  LUO Li Rong
https://www.facebook.com/p/LUO-LI-RONG-100044201991035/

Lirong’s favorite female artists:
Camille Claudel
Kiki Smith
Beth Cavener 

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

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

Hollowell Studios Production
Website: https://hollowellstudios.com/podcasts
Instagram: @theaartpodcast 
Email: [email protected]
© Copyright: Chris Stafford | Hollowell Studios
All Rights Reserved

Step into the mesmerizing world of Vika Bren, the Russian-born illusion body artist who transforms the human form into living, breathing canvases of imagination. In this deeply personal and introspective episode, Vika opens up about her artistic journey—from her roots in Russia to her global recognition as one of the most innovative body illusion artists of our time. Host Chris Stafford explores the emotional and philosophical layers behind Bren’s art, revealing how she uses the body as both subject and medium to challenge perception, identity, and reality itself. Vika shares her inspirations, creative process, and the intimate stories behind her most powerful works—where paint meets flesh, and illusion meets truth. This episode invites you to see beyond the surface and rediscover the beauty of transformation, vulnerability, and artistic expression. Perfect for listeners who love: art, body painting, visual storytelling, surrealism, performance art, creativity, identity, and the intersection of body and mind.

🔑 Keywords
Vika Bren, illusion body artist, body art, Russian artist, visual art podcast, art and identity, surrealism, creative expression, contemporary art, body painting, illusion art, women in art, artistic process, performance art, visual storytelling, creative interview, art philosophy, art and transformation, Chris Stafford podcast

Russian-born Illusion Body Artist, Vika Bren. Vika says: “At the heart of my work is the fascinating interplay between reality and illusion. Each piece I create is a visual journey, where things aren't always as they first appear. My illustrations and paintings often feature subjects that seem to shift, transform, or disappear depending on the viewer's perspective.”  Vika’s talent has attracted millions of followers on social media making her something of a rock star in the world of body art illusion. But her versatility as an artist is no surprise given her lifelong flair for creativity.  Vika was born on New Year’s Day, 1989 in Moscow. She is the oldest of five children whose parents Marina and Dimitri were both architects and also talented artists. When Vika was still a toddler the family moved to Israel and from the age of seven to eleven she had a private art teacher. After that she said she has been completely self taught. Once she left school she tried her hand at graphic designing but soon realized that this would not fulfill her artistically. During the Covid pandemic, Vika saw the opportunity to develop her art work online and even through two wars she has managed to establish herself with a global reputation. Through the daily threat of rockets and background of sirens, Vika works in a converted garage, which has become her studio. She will be a visiting artist at Art Basel Miami Beach on December 6, 2024. Vika lives in Shavei Zion, Israel with her partner, the musician Assaf, and daughters Yahel and Lia.
 
Vika’s links:
Website: https://vikabrenart.com/ 
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@VikaBren
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/vikabrenart?utm_source=linktree_profile_share
 
Vika’s favorite artist: Dain Yoon
 
AART Host: Chris Stafford
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