Art Pays Me

Bookbinder Rhonda Miller shares with us what bookbinding is and how she found herself working in this medium. She also talks about how she was able to grow her customer base, factoring in your experience level when pricing your work and why she has a diverse service offering.

Rhonda Online:

• My Handbound Books Blog
• Scotia Bookbinding Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

I recently had the pleasure of participating in Black Designers Connect, a workshop panel that's part of the Black Diamond Ball, an annual event that celebrates Black culture across Canada. The panel was hosted by Dr. Dori Tunstall, Dean of Design at OCAD University who also happens to be the first Black woman to be Dean of a Faculty of Design. I've been an admirer of her for a while so I was deeply honoured to be asked to participate in this panel with fellow Artist and Designer Tafui. We shared some of our business strategies, discussed the implication of being a Black person in the creative industry and the social responsibility that comes with it. I thought that the conversation would be valuable to you so I asked if I could share it on the podcast and everyone agreed. You can also watch it in video form at artpaysme.com.

Artist, Frances Dorsey and I talked about her creative process and why she avoids putting a label on her art. We also talked about how the chance discovery of a book on weaving set her on the path she's on today, how studying and then teaching at the university level impacted her practice. We learn about her latest project, Plant Kingdom and why you should just "Go for it". Thank you to Craft Nova Scotia for making this series possible and Arts Nova Scotia for the additional support.

Frances Online:

• Website
• Instagram

I spoke with performance artist, musician and producer Russell Louder (they/them) about their creative process and the meaning behind some of the songs on their new album, Humor. We also talked about coping through the pandemic, what it's like working with a record label and why it's important for them to be involved in the writing and production of their music.

Russell Online

• Listen to Humor
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Facebook

Woodcarver Jennifer Marlow discusses her creative process, common subjects in her work and how she balances the various aspects of her practice that includes independent projects, commissions and teaching. Thank you to Craft Nova Scotia for making this series possible and Arts Nova Scotia for the additional support.

Jennifer Online:

• Website
• Instagram

Singer-songwriter and performer, Gisun talks about her new collaborative cover of Violeta Parra's song Gracias a la Vida that she initiated to raise awareness for the benefits of music therapy. The song features fellow musicians Ada Lea, Sans Soucis, Bianca Muñiz, Joy Morales, Luz Pinos, Alper Tuzcu and Stephen Orr. We also talk about how Gisun's intersecting cultural identities impact who she is and ultimately the type of music she creates, the importance of approaching your art with an open mind and heart and what she has in store for the future.

Gisun Online

• Website
• Instagram

Gracias a La Vida Project

• Gracias a La Vida GoFundMe
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter

Lori Nason, The Fused Glass Diva shares how she turned a hobby in glass into a business after working in studios in the US. We talk about the origin of the Diva moniker, how painting plays a part in her process and why she's drawn to glass as a medium. We also got into the importance of pricing your products appropriately and how language is important when marketing your work. Thank you to Craft Nova Scotia for making this series possible and Arts Nova Scotia for the additional support.

Lori Online:

• Website
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Musician and Filmmaker Mobley talks about his new record, Young & Dying in the Occident Supreme and how he inserts important topics into very catchy pop songs. Mobley also does his own visual work so we dig into the benefit and challenges of being a multi-disciplinary artist, how being Black changes how your work is perceived and how artists can be exploited by capitalism on social media and streaming platforms.

Mobley online

Mobleywho.com

In episode one of the six part Craft Pays Me Series, I speak with Ceramic Artist, Toni Losey about her creative process, her influences and managing a creative practice that includes both functional and boundary pushing sculptural work. We also talk about how having different aspects of your practice can make promoting yourself on social media complicated, adjusting to the pandemic and how she was able to get the attention of both retailers and galleries. Thank you to Craft Nova Scotia for making this series possible and Arts Nova Scotia for the additional support.

Toni Online

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram

I spoke with Elizabeth Rodriguez and Magdelys Savigne of Toronto-based JUNO-nominated and Independent Music Award winning Afro-Cuban jazz ensemble OKAN. We discussed their latest album, Espiral, how COVID-19 has impacted their work and why their Afro-Cuban heritage is so important to their art. We also discussed the impacts of colonialism and some aspects of Cuban culture that are often misunderstood.

OKAN online:

• Website
• Facebook
• YouTube