AART

Step inside the tactile world of Elena Bondar, a master feltmaker and wool artist, whose richly textured creations capture memory, emotion, and the quiet poetry of everyday life. In this intimate and revealing episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford explores Elena’s artistic beginnings, her personal evolution through fiber and wool, and the deep emotional resonance embedded in her handcrafted pieces. Elena shares how she shapes raw fiber into sculptural forms, textiles, and wearable designs—each rooted in nature, place, and personal story. We discuss her creative process, the meditative rhythm of felting, and how she translates feeling into physical texture. From inspiration to technique, identity to artistic purpose, this conversation sheds light on the power of wool as a medium for connection and meaning. Whether you’re an artist, collector, craft enthusiast, or simply curious about the soulful side of fiber art, this episode invites you to slow down, look closely, and listen deeply.

⭐ Keywords:
Elena Bondar, feltmaker, wool artist, fiber artist, textile art, felting, contemporary craft, slow craft, hand-felted art, sculpture, wearable art, creative process, artist interview, personal narrative, fiber arts podcast, AART Podcast, Chris Stafford, art and craft, handmade textiles, sustainable art

BIO
Russian born felt-maker Elena Bondar 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 Dallinga
• Fingerpainter Iris Scott
• Ceramist Heather Knight
• Ceramicist Iris Apfel

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.

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 reflective conversation, host Chris Stafford sits down with Diana Bittar, an acclaimed portraiture mixed-media artist whose work investigates the emotional, psychological, and spiritual layers of identity. Diana shares the stories behind her creative process—how she blends paint, drawing, and unconventional materials to explore memory, womanhood, displacement, and the unseen dimensions of personal history. Through raw honesty and quiet curiosity, she reveals how portraiture becomes a mirror, a healer, and a tool for connection. Listeners will gain insight into:

• Diana’s evolution as a mixed-media portrait artist
• How personal narrative and cultural memory inform her work
• The emotional depth behind her layered and textural compositions
• Her creative rituals, challenges, and inspirations
• The transformative nature of art as self-discovery

Whether you are an artist, collector, curator, or simply someone who loves meaningful stories, this episode offers a beautiful reflection on how art helps us understand ourselves—and each other.

🔎 Keywords:
Diana Bittar, portraiture artist, mixed-media artist, contemporary art, portrait artist interview, women artists, art process, creative journey, emotional storytelling, art and identity, mixed media portraiture, creative inspiration, personal narrative art, art podcast, Chris Stafford, AART podcast, intimate artist interview, visual storytelling, artist studio practice, modern portraiture

BIO
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.com
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/diana_bittar_art/

Diana's playlist:
The Weather Report
Lettuce
The Blackyards
Alfa Mist
Otis McDonald
Herbie Hancock
Miles Davis
Ron Carter
Pat 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 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.

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 award-winning cinematographer Erin Haynes to explore the emotional and visual language behind her work. Known for her poetic use of light, human-centered storytelling, and intuitive sense of composition, Erin reveals how her artistic voice developed and the moments that shaped her path behind the camera. From creative inspirations to on-set challenges, Erin reflects on the subtle art of capturing truth, building trust with subjects, and the spiritual connection between cinematography and lived experience. She opens up about her creative philosophy, the evolution of her career, and how she brings presence, empathy, and authenticity to every frame. Whether you’re a filmmaker, photographer, artist, or lover of visual storytelling, this intimate conversation invites you to slow down and consider the transformative power of the lens.

🔎 Keywords:
Erin Haynes, cinematographer interview, filmmaking podcast, visual storytelling, personal interview, creative process, artistic journey, cinematography, camera craft, movie making, film lighting, composition, film production, behind the scenes, creative inspiration, director of photography, DOP interview, Apple Podcasts film podcast, Spotify film podcast, YouTube filmmaking, art podcast

BIO
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 Rocha
Supermodel Naomi Campbell
Cinematographer, Camera Operator, and Founder of 600 Black Women, Chris Wairegi Cinematographer, Camera Operator, and Founder of @ladycameraguy on Instagram, Gretchen Warthen
Cinematographer and Steadicam Operator, Megan Masur
Actress Zendaya
Director and Cinematographer Chloe Weaver
Cinematographer Mandy Walker
Fashion Model and Activist Bethann Hardison (whose film Invisible Beauty was shot by Cinematographer Mia Cioffi Henry)
Photographer Nadia Lee Cohen
Fashion and Beauty Influencer: Karen Blanchard (@karenbritchick on Instagram and YouTube)
Singer, songwriter, entertainer, performer and business woman Beyoncé Knowles Carter
Filmmaker Ava DuVernay
Filmmaker Shonda Rhimes
Fashion Designer Donatella Versace
Visual Artist and Painter Hill Spriggins
Photographer Kris Davidson
Actress, Filmmaker, Fashion Icon, and Founder of PATTERN Beauty Tracee Ellis Ross
Director, Writer, and Actress Greta Gerwig
Actress, Writer, and Producer Meryl Streep 

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.

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

In this intimate episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with Weatherly Stroh — acclaimed equestrian and landscape artist — for a deeply personal conversation on the intersection of art, nature, and the emotional bond between horses and humans. Weatherly shares her artistic journey, from growing up surrounded by animals to painting expressive equine portraits and vibrant landscapes that capture wilderness, movement, and memory. She discusses her creative process, the discipline of the studio, and the quiet spirituality she finds in the natural world. Together, they explore themes of identity, inspiration, grief, resilience, and how horses have shaped her life’s vision both on and off the canvas. Whether you’re an art lover, horse enthusiast, collector, or creative spirit, this thoughtful and soulful conversation offers a window into the passion and purpose that drive Weatherly’s work. 🌿 Listen to discover:

• How Weatherly began painting horses and landscapes
• The emotional truths behind her equine portraiture
• The role of intuition, solitude, and nature in her craft
• How personal experiences shape artistic expression
• Advice for artists navigating growth, doubt & self-discovery

Tune in for an inspiring reflection on creativity, connection, and what it means to capture the soul of a subject.

✅ Keywords:
Weatherly Stroh, equestrian artist, landscape artist, horse art, equine art, equine portraiture, contemporary landscape painting, art interview, creative process, artist story, art podcast, AART Podcast, Chris Stafford, painter interview, nature art, fine art, artist inspiration, women artists, horse lovers, art and nature, creative journey, studio life, art collectors, artistic identity, intimate artist interview.



BIO
American equestrian artist, oil painter, landscape artist and retreat host Weatherly Stroh. Her unique palette and eye for horses brings a soft light to her work as she captures the gestures and movement of her subjects She says: ‘My paintings reflect the inspiration I find in the world around me, with a deep appreciation for slowing down to capture and appreciate the everyday magic that surrounds us.’  Weatherly was born and raised in Metamora, Michigan in 1974 the youngest of four children—including two step-siblings—to Gari Melchers Stroh (d) and Susanne Stroh. Her parents' love of horses brought them together and they subsequently conveyed their passion for riding to a young Weatherly who became a competitive rider. Her mother is also an artist and sculptor who instilled an artistic eye in her daughter so it was not surprising that, after high school at Cranbrook-Kingswood (affiliated to the renowned art academy graduate school) in Michigan,  Weatherly chose to major in art and photography at the University of Colorado. Whilst in college she spent a year in Florence, which stoked her interest in travel as well as inspiring her art. After college, she pursued various personal and professional directions including: racing mountain bikes, working for a magazine, a non-profit organization and teaching elementary school. It was during her twenty years in Colorado (Boulder for 10 years and then in the Vail Valley for 10) that Weatherly would also negotiate a divorce before she made a decision to relocate to Florida in 2011 where she has established herself as a professional artist. When she is not in her studio in Wellington, Weatherly is riding, playing tennis, and organizing Art of Life creative retreats. 
 
Weatherly's website: https://weatherlystroh.com
Instagram: @weatherlystroh 

Some favorite female artists:
CJ Hendry
Lizzie Larock
Claudia Rilling
Jill Soukup 

Weatherly’s playlist:
Fleetwood Mac
Tracy Chapman
Country
Classical
Pop 
“Depending on my mood, I listen to pop music in my studio when I need energy, classical music for focus or a random mix of opera, country, oldies, and pop.” - Weatherly
 
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.

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

In this intimate conversation, award-winning filmmaker Kire Godal sits down with host Chris Stafford to explore the heart, vulnerability, and curiosity that drive her powerful storytelling. Known for capturing deeply human narratives and cinematic beauty across cultures and landscapes, Kire shares how she seeks truth through her lens, the emotional and physical challenges of documentary filmmaking, and the deeply personal moments that have shaped her artistic path. From her earliest creative sparks to defining professional milestones, Kire opens up about where her inspiration comes from, how she builds trust with subjects, and the role of empathy, intuition, and resilience in shaping her voice as a filmmaker. Together, we explore the quiet inner reflections that guide her creative process and the evolving purpose behind her work. Whether you’re a filmmaker, artist, storyteller, or simply inspired by authentic human journeys, this episode offers a rare, heartfelt look into a life lived in pursuit of connection, honesty, and meaning.

Keywords:
Kire Godal, Kire Godal interview, filmmaker interview, documentary filmmaking, art podcast, storytelling podcast, creative process, independent filmmaking, cinematography, film director, documentary director, creative journey, personal interview, creative storytelling, artist conversation, behind the scenes filmmaking, purpose-driven art, intimate podcast, AART podcast, Chris Stafford podcast

BIO
Filmmaker Kire Godal whose focus on African culture and wildlife has reached audiences through National Geographic, the Discovery Channel, BBC, Amazon Prime among others. Her purpose and goal is to capture and memorialize important stories that she feels need to be recorded for history and to educate a wider public at a time when both people and animals are under threat of radical social and environmental changes or extinction.  Kire was born in Aspen, Colorado in 1962, one of three children—she has two brothers—to Norwegian immigrants Inge and Bente Godal . Her childhood was spent exploring the back country of Colorado, riding and skiing. She soon developed a passion for the outdoors and animals, which drew her to ambitions of being an explorer. But first, after High School, she was going to find herself in the Big Apple, drawn to the world of modeling after being talent spotted on the slopes by the American modeling agency executive, Eileen Ford. Whilst on fashion shoots, and catwalks of New York, Kire became fascinated in the art of photography and was soon drawn to being behind the camera. It was also at this time that Kire met her first husband, the Italian model agent, Giogio Piazzi, which would take her in a new direction. Kire found herself living in Aguilla BWI and Caracas, Venezuela while raising her first two children before returning to the US. She had decided by now that she wanted a career in filmmaking and took herself back to school at UCLA to study broadcast journalism. From there she worked in TV news, but it was the draw of the wild that led her to Kenya where she met her second husband and started her own production company Malaika Media as an independent filmmaker while raising three children but by now as a single parent. Her dreams and ambitions led to make her own self-funded films, which gradually led to bigger and more ambitious productions. Her portfolio includes Maasai The Last Dance of the Warriors for National Geographic, Lion Warriors for National Geographic Wild, Skypaths, and many more ethnographic, and natural history wildlife productions. Kire lives in Kenya and is currently working on two productions; Tolstoy, The Tomato Thief about a Super Tusker Elephant, and Maasai Eunoto featuring the important Maasai Warrior passage to elderhood ceremony.

Kire's website:
https://www.kiregodal.com/
Kira on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiregodal_filmmaker_in_africa/
Tolstoy The Tomato Thief:  https://www.tolstoythetomatothief.com/
Kire’s IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0323701/

Kire’s playlist
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4gzA9O48M99t6ddwJfhgdU?si=j9pCGQA0T-C8W3srs3ij9A&pi=u-1bohYGWNTsuR&nd=1&dlsi=152ed12c0d9a4342
 
Women whose work Kire admires:
Mirella Riccardi
Leni Reifenstahl
Angela Fisher
Carol Beckwith
Annie Leibowitz
Mandy Walker
Dame Jane Campion 

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.

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

Join host Chris Stafford for a deeply personal and intimate conversation with Carylon Cooper, a visionary contemporary artist whose work challenges the boundaries of memory, emotion, and identity.
In this reflective interview, Cooper shares the early influences that shaped her creative path, how she navigates the evolving art world, and the emotional core that anchors her artistic voice. From the poetry of color to the psychology of self-expression, Carylon opens up about the successes, struggles, and spiritual moments that guide her process.
Whether you’re an artist, collector, or creative seeker, this episode invites you to slow down, reflect, and experience art through a deeply human lens.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• Carylon Cooper’s personal creative journey
• How memory and emotion influence artistic storytelling
• Navigating self-doubt and the courage to create
• The meaning of contemporary art in a digital age
• Building authenticity and trust in one’s artistic voice

✨ Ideal for listeners who love: art, creativity, process, emotional storytelling, and contemporary culture. Keywords Carylon Cooper interview, contemporary artist, modern art, creative process, art podcast, artist story, personal interview, art and identity, artistic journey, emotional storytelling, creative inspiration, visual arts, fine art, studio practice, art YouTube, Apple Podcasts art, Spotify art podcast, creativity and emotion

BIO
Carylon Cooper is an American contemporary artist whose work includes abstract, figurative, still life and animal portraits. Carylon was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1948, one of two daughters to Imogene & Herschel Cooper. She attended High School in Nashville and, since she was 19, she has called Chattanooga, TN home. Carylon’s art education began at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and she followed that by majoring in art at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga (UTC) where she audited classes in printmaking and mono-printing. She spent time as a model in New York City before marriage and raising three children took priority. During a difficult first marriage, Carylon found peace in focusing on her fitness and became an endurance runner.  Her art proved to be her salvation through a second marriage, which ended after 30 years. Carylon is now happily single and feels stronger than she has ever been, She says: ”every single day of my life has been ordained.”  We hear about her discipline in the studio, and the profound impact of faith and perseverance on her life and legacy. Carylon now enjoys a happy mix of art, yoga, hiking and exercise routines. She also keeps busy as a grandmother of 10 and great-grandmother of 4 children.
 
Carylon’s playlist:
Vivaldi Four Seasons
Andres Segovia
Chris Botti
Brandenburg Concerto No. 61
Santana
Nora Jones
Chris Stapleton
Bonnie Raitt
Ero Ramazzotti
Podcasts including AART 

Favorite female artists:
Louise Bourgeois (
Camille Henrot
Tracey Ermin
Sunny Apinchapong
Peggy Kroll Roberts
Nancy Chaboun
Margaret Dyer 

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.

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

Journey into the life and creative evolution of Eleanor Cardozo, an acclaimed portrait artist and sculptor whose work transforms the human spirit into timeless visual poetry. In this intimate biographical interview, Cardozo reflects on the early influences that shaped her artistic path, the hidden stories behind her most celebrated sculptures, and her devotion to capturing emotional depth through form, expression, and movement. From her artistic training to global exhibitions, Eleanor opens up about the discipline behind her studio practice, the philosophical exploration embedded in her portraits, and the intersection of art, identity, and storytelling. Whether sculpting in bronze or translating faces into classical portraiture, her work lives at the crossroads of tradition and innovation. Perfect for collectors, art lovers, and emerging artists alike, this episode explores:

• The evolution of Eleanor’s portrait & sculptural language
• Her creative rituals and artistic influences
• Commissions, exhibitions, and public installations worldwide
• How she interprets the emotional, spiritual, and physical form
• Advice for young artists pursuing their craft

Listen now for a compelling conversation about inspiration, artistic devotion, and the enduring power of the human form.

Keywords:
Eleanor Cardozo, portrait artist, sculptor, bronze sculpture, fine art, contemporary art, biographical interview, art career, studio practice, creative process, figurative sculpture, artistic inspiration, art podcast, artist spotlight, emerging artists, classical portraiture, public art, gallery exhibitions, art storytelling

BIO
English portrait artist and sculptor, Eleanor Cardozo, is known for her bronze sculptures and the dynamic movement in her work. Eleanor was born in London in 1965, the second of 10 children to Colonel Benedict Cardozo, a Military Attaché in the British Army, and Caroline Cardozo, an artist and musician. Her childhood was subjected to the typical adventures of a military family when her father was posted overseas to Aden, Malaysia, Germany, Malawi, Ghana, Cyprus and Gibraltar. Eleanor’s education began at a French school in Ghana, followed by boarding school from ages 8 -18 at St Mary’s Convent in Dorset. Her interest in art began as a small child so it was with a degree of inevitability that she chose the City & Guilds School of Art London for Fine Art in Sculpture, followed by the Florence Academy and Cecil Graves School in Italy for portraiture. She says: ”I think because I respected my parents so much and they had very high expectations, pretty much everything we did, whether it was piano or art or academics, they wanted it to be at the highest level.” This episode is more than an interview; it's an intimate portrait of an artist's life, filled with anecdotes that make you laugh, moments that inspire, and revelations that make you ponder the nature of creativity. Eleanor's reflections on her boarding school days, her family's musical legacy, and her spiritual journey add layers to her persona, revealing a woman who is as multifaceted as the sculptures she creates. We hear how being a gymnast and dancer through her teens informed her appreciation for athletic movement. Her love of beauty is evident in her work, which has adorned venues such as the Beau-Rivage Palace hotel in Lausanne, Cirque du Soleil, Harrods in London, Terminal 5 at Heathrow, Westminster Abbey, the Palais Wilson in Geneva to name a few. Her work is primarily commission based but, as she explains, she is also keen to explore other art forms. Eleanor and her husband Rupert live in Geneva and have three children, Cosima, Daniel and Harry.
 
Eleanor’s wedsite:
https://www.eleanorcardozo.com/ I
nstagram: @eleanorcardozo 

Playlist:
Ennio Morricone - Cinema Paradiso
Camille Saint-Saëns - The Swan
Stan Getz & Gilberto - Girl from Ipanema ( my phone ring!)
Diana Krall - Why Should I Care
Amy MacDonald - This Is The Life
Pharrell Williams - Happy
Pietro Mascagni - Cavalleria Rusticana
The Godfather Love Theme 

Favorite women artists:
Camille Claude
Elizabeth Frink
Luo Li Rong So many more painters

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.

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

Step inside the extraordinary creative universe of Kasumi, the internationally acclaimed media artist, filmmaker, and visual innovator known for transforming moving images into groundbreaking digital experiences. In this intimate biographical conversation, Kasumi reflects on her early artistic influences, the evolution of her process, and the experimental techniques that have earned her worldwide recognition. From the fusion of film, sound, and performance to her philosophical take on memory, culture, and perception, Kasumi reveals how she builds meaning from fragments—turning chaos into poetic design. You’ll hear the stories behind her acclaimed works, including her award-winning visual compositions, multimedia performances, and explorations of AI and technology as artistic tools. Whether you're a filmmaker, artist, or creative thinker, this episode offers rare insight into a visionary who continues to redefine what media art can be.

Keywords:
Kasumi, media artist, digital art, video art, multimedia art, filmmaking, creative process, experimental art, contemporary artist interview, art podcast, artist biography, AI art, visual storytelling, art and technology, digital expression, art documentary

BIO
Media artist Kasumi whose career ranges from musician, filmmaker, author, designer, illustrator and painter. Her work features short and feature length experimental films, live shows, VJ, and public art projection, creating looping electronic sculptures, designing motion graphics and animated gifs, producing immersive 360 virtual reality pieces and making fine art prints and wearable art. Kasumi studied music at the Stadliche Musik Hochschule in Cologne, Germany playing the lute. She then moved to Japan, where she lived for 12 years and taught Baroque music at the Tokyo College of Music. Kasumi performed as a soloist throughout Japan, Europe and the U.S., recorded four albums, and performed twice at the Carnegie Hall. Whilst living in Japan, Kasumi explored her writing and published her first book; The Way of the Urban Samurai, in 1992. Kasumi married and raised her son, Kitao Sakurai who became a renown filmmaker. While simultaneously pursuing her work in painting and set design she continued to publish writings on music, politics and social issues for among others; the Asahi Shimbun, The Japan Financial Journal, The Early Music Quarterly Tokyo, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Sacramento Bee. From prints and collage to films and video art installations at the Rocket Mortgage Field House; at the Lincoln Center with The New York Philharmonic and Carnegie Hall; performances with Grandmaster Flash and DJ Spooky; public art at The Cleveland Museum of Art, DC Tower, Vienna, and Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires; VR 360, post-production, and gifs for The Eric Andre Show; and interactive art-making apps. Kasumi’s work Surfacing, developed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, was expanded into a solo exhibition for The Sculpture Center. Perhaps her most impactful production came after being awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2011 when she embarked on the feature-length film project, ‘Shockwaves’, which included 25,000 plus short public domain film samples. It proved to be a life-changing project, which she says ‘was like being in therapy for five years’. Kasumi’s next production is ‘Farandole’, an hour long cinematic assemblage, selected as part of Lincoln Center Presents Women and Non-binary Artists in Tech. It will screen at 6:30 pm on March 14 at the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center.- free and open to the public.

Kasumi’s website - http://kasumiartstudios.com/ Kasumi’s
Instagram: @kasumifilms

Kasumi’s favorite women artists:
Amanda Bluglass
Flash Rosenberg
Leslie Swackhamer
Julie Patton

Kasumi’s playlist:
Lil Cherry & Goldbuuda - Mukkbang!
Miles Davis
David Starfire / Cobra
Harsh Kale / One Step Beyond
Ricardo Imperatore / Omelet Banana
Cheb i Sabbah / Ganga Dev
Nightnoise / Fionnghuala
Electronic World Music
Dublicator

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.

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

Step inside the creative world of Anna Echols, a renowned cake artist and designer celebrated for her innovative sculptural cakes and artistic storytelling through sugar. In this intimate biographical interview, Anna shares her journey from discovering culinary creativity to building a career that blends art, design, craft, and food culture. Learn how Anna elevates cake into a fine-art experience—drawing inspiration from architecture, texture, history, and nature. From early creative influences to building a client base, Anna reflects on the passion, discipline, and curiosity required to grow professionally as an independent artist. Whether you’re a cake lover, pastry enthusiast, entrepreneur, or creative professional, this episode offers inspiring insights into the emotional, personal, and professional evolution of a modern food artist.

🎧 Listen to explore:
• Anna’s artistic origin story
• Unexpected paths into cake artistry
• Building a creative business
• Inspirations: nature, architecture, design
• Creative process + signature techniques
• Balancing craftsmanship and innovation

• The future of edible art Perfect for fans of cake art, culinary design, creative careers, pastry arts, and artistic storytelling.

🔍 Keywords: Anna Echols, cake artist, cake designer, sculptural cakes, pastry artist, edible art, creative interview, biographical podcast, culinary design, food art, artist story, creative journey, entrepreneurship, art and design podcast

BIO
Anna Echols is a cake artist, designer and bakery owner who creates life-like cakes celebrating every occasion. With painstaking attention to detail, her goal is to produce a cake that is hard to decipher from the real thing; almost too good to eat. Anna was born in Wilmington, NC in 1984 to Douglas and DeLonna Echols. She has one brother Douglas Echols, Jnr., a custom home renovator. Her father, who passed away in 2006, was a Commercial Real Estate Developer and entrepreneur who loved cooking, and Delonna, a stay-at-home mom. Her father once owned the shopping center where Anna’s bakery business is now based although he sadly did not live to see her business develop. Anna attended Cape Fear Academy for pre-k-12th grade in Wilmington and Meredith College, Raleigh, NC for her bachelors degree before she went to Orlando Culinary Academy for the Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie and Baking Program. It was while she was there that she took part in TLC’s “The Ultimate Bake-Off”, which Anna says was a defining moment in her career. In 2011, she returned home to Wilmington to her mother’s house where she started her bakery business and operated for the first two years. One Belle Bakery took off and she expanded her space for customers and, which now, has eight full-time staff whom Anna considers her family. Anna's creativity has attracted celebrity clients, including the late Country Music singer Charlie Daniels who gave her a cowboy hat in return.

https://www.onebellebakery.com
Instagram: @onebellebakery

Anna’s favorite women artists:
Liz Marek
Natalie Sideserf
Maggie Austin
Brooke Helton
Brooke Lupton
Jennifer Rose

Playlist:
Faith (with Dolly Parton ft. Mr. Probz)
Wake Me Up (Avicii)
I Just Wanna Shine (Fitz and the Tantrums)
Take a Walk (Passion Pit)
Sugar, Sugar (The Archies)

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.

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

Step inside the studio of acclaimed realism artist Felicity Starr, whose breathtaking paintings merge technical mastery with emotional storytelling. In this intimate biographical interview, Felicity traces her creative evolution—from early inspiration and formal training to the development of her signature realistic style. Listeners will discover how Felicity brings her subjects to life through meticulous detail, light, and narrative depth. She reflects on her artistic philosophy, the role of observation, and how real-world experience shapes her visual language. Whether you’re an artist, collector, or art enthusiast, this episode offers rare insight into the mindset of a modern realist committed to honoring truth through paint. Join us for heartfelt reflections, career-defining moments, studio practice revelations, and a deeper look at the artistic world that fuels Felicity’s vision.

✅ SEO Keywords:
realism artist interview, Felicity Starr podcast, contemporary realism, fine art interview, artist biography podcast, art career journey, realism painting techniques, fine art storytelling, realism inspiration, studio practice interview, art podcast, visual arts podcast, creative journey, figurative realism, classical realism artist

BIO
Felicity Starr is a contemporary realism artist who seeks to ‘celebrate life and excite the soul’ through her paintings, which portray still life, landscapes and portraits. Felicity was born in Colchester, England in 1982, the eldest of three daughters to Steve and Fiona Menadue. Her father was in IT and her Fiona a stay-at-home mom. At the age of 14, Felicity's family moved to Paris and she attended the British School of Paris. She focused on politics and international studies as a foundation for a career but instead found that she had a talent for sales. Whilst her career has taken her down that path Felicity has never stopped drawing and is mostly a self taught artist. Her dedication to art though has been a constant source of solace and self-discovery, allowing her to navigate the unique challenges associated with dyslexia and ADHD. Felicity has shown her work at the Royal Society of British Artists, The Royal Institute of Oil Painters, The Royal Society of Marine Artists and the Society of Wildlife Artists; exhibitions held at the Mall Galleries in London. In 2023, she also exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and the Royal West Academy. Felicity combines her art with a full-time job in IT as VP at Salesforce. She is married to Richard, who also works in IT, and the couple live in Hampshire, England with their two children, Annabelle and Charlie. 

Felicity's website: https://www.felicitystarr.com/
Felicity on Instagrm: @felicityjoystarr

Felicity’s favorite women artists:
Haidee-Jo Summers
Ruth Fitton
Kate Bryan
Gail Reid
Zoey Frank
Melissa Scott-Miller
Catherine Gray
Rosemary Lewis

Felicity’s Playlist:
Birdy Turkish March - Mozart
Motown music
Taylor Swift
Stereophonics
Oasis
Disney
French songs


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


BIO
Felicity Starr is a contemporary realism artist who seeks to ‘celebrate life and excite the soul’ through her paintings, which portray still life, landscapes and portraits. Felicity was born in Colchester, England in 1982, the eldest of three daughters to Steve and Fiona Menadue. Her father was in IT and her Fiona a stay-at-home mom. At the age of 14, Felicity's family moved to Paris and she attended the British School of Paris. She focused on politics and international studies as a foundation for a career but instead found that she had a talent for sales. Whilst her career has taken her down that path Felicity has never stopped drawing and is mostly a self taught artist. Her dedication to art though has been a constant source of solace and self-discovery, allowing her to navigate the unique challenges associated with dyslexia and ADHD. Felicity has shown her work at the Royal Society of British Artists, The Royal Institute of Oil Painters, The Royal Society of Marine Artists and the Society of Wildlife Artists; exhibitions held at the Mall Galleries in London. In 2023, she also exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and the Royal West Academy. Felicity combines her art with a full-time job in IT as VP at Salesforce. She is married to Richard, who also works in IT, and the couple live in Hampshire, England with their two children, Annabelle and Charlie. 

Felicity's website: https://www.felicitystarr.com/
Felicity on Instagrm: @felicityjoystarr

Felicity’s favorite women artists:
Haidee-Jo Summers
Ruth Fitton
Kate Bryan
Gail Reid
Zoey Frank
Melissa Scott-Miller
Catherine Gray
Rosemary Lewis

Felicity’s Playlist:
Birdy Turkish March - Mozart
Motown music
Taylor Swift
Stereophonics
Oasis
Disney
French songs


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.

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