Art Pays Me

I share my perspective on 2020 and what I hope to see in 2021.

Multidisciplinary Creative, Perri Furbert discusses how following her passion for revamping shoes led to opportunities in wardrobe styling and eventually her Gold The Label brand. We discuss her product development process, having a hit product like her Girlfriends Tee, and the role God plays in her creative process. She also talks about the importance of business knowledge in a creative pursuit and the unglamorous moments that can arise in a business that looks glamorous on the outside.

Perri Online

• Personal Website
• Gold The Label Website
• Perri on Instagram
• Gold The Label on Instagram

R&B singer Keonté Beals talks about his transition from singing gospel music in church to pursuing a career as an R&B singer and the importance of vulnerability in his songwriting and production. We also dig into his new album, titled King, his new company KBeals Entertainment and why talent isn't enough to be successful.

Keonté Online

• Website
• Instagram
• Twitter

This episode is an artist talk hosted by me that was facilitated by the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University (NSCADU). The talk is by their first virtual Visiting Artist in Residence in Film and Media Studies, Fabienne Colas. Fabienne talks about her journey from Haiti to Canada, creating 9 successful film festivals, being named one of Canada's top 100 most powerful women in 2019 and listed as one of Canada's Top 40 under 40 in 2018 for her achievements in business. Shortly after this was recorded I found out that Fabienne would be joining me as a colleague on the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design's Board of Governors. Thank you to Melanie Colosimo, NSCADU and the Anna Leonowens Gallery for making this event happen.

Fibre Artist, Author and Blogger, Jen Meza talks about pivoting into her creative pursuits after losing her job during the pandemic. We learn about her woven wall hangings, her love for travel and why she created the Our Best N.S. Adventure Journal, her start in blogging and how she found success on Etsy and Amazon.

Jen Online

• Website
• Settling For Great Instagram
• Fringe Street Designs Instagram

Designers and Retailers Ana and Zac talk about the history of their new brand Ana + Zac, their design philosophy and the importance of sourcing sustainably. We also talk about supply chain, shifting priorities during the pandemic and I even share some insight into my design and production process.

Ana + Zac Online

• Website
• Instagram

Visual Designer and Artist, Anthony Grant and I talk about his origin story as an artist and designer and the thinking behind his work that blurs the lines between design and art. We also talk about how our paths crossed and the visibility of Black people in the design industry.

Anthony online

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Website
• Black Designers Ignite

Cartoonist and Filmmaker, Josh Rodgers and I discuss his influences, working on kid friendly cartoons by day, and adult cartoons like Henry vs the Reptilian Overlords from the Cosmos by night. Josh also offers some career advice for animators and why he doesn't think going to university is necessary.

Josh Online:

• https://mushfacecomics.com/
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Troma

Dylan Edwards is a Writer, Artist and Animator based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. We talk about how he got into the animation industry, how it's been impacted by COVID-19 and why so few people know the Halifax studios that contribute to the industry. We also talk about the value of intellectual property, why it's good to work on independent side projects and why it's important to understand business when working as a commercial artist.

Dylan Online:

• Animated Short Film 'The Fly'
• As Told By Emoji "Beauty & the Beast"
• The Last Human webcomic
• AFX - The Animation Festival of Halifax

Textile Artist, Quilt Designer, Author and Educator Andrea Tsang Jackson talks about her transition from architecture, to exhibit design, to making her creative escape, quilting her full-time pursuit. She shares the emotional impact of doing creative work as a mom and non-Black or Indigenous woman of colour during the pandemic and social uprisings. We also talked about the "model minority" concept and the complicated dynamic of race and gender in quilting as a practice and industry.

Andrea Online:

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter