Artist Planet

This is my (Natasha Maidoff) conversation with conceptual artist Meg Cranston, who creates sculptures, paintings and installations with an air of whimsy that often belies the symbolism and deeper implications of the ideas she explores. Her interest lies in the symbiotic relationship between identity and branding. In 1992, she was part of the Helter Skelter exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. She's shown work in the Venice Biennale, at Art Basel and at museums and prestigious galleries all around the world. Her books include "Hot Pants in a Cold Cold World" and "Good Morning, Evil Genius."

This is my (Natasha Maidoff) conversation with JoAnne McFarland, a visual artist and poet living and working in Brooklyn. Founder of Artpoetica. Her mission as an artist is to reflect on the brutal truth of what she sees around her and to honor and celebrate the ability to thrive in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. She's committed to one creative act every day. Follow her on Instagram: @joannemcfarland55

This is my (Natasha Maidoff) conversation with Amy Kaps, a renowned performance and visual artist living in Venice, California. Her work has been exhibited in Germany, Cuba and many venues in Los Angeles, as well as across the United States. Her work carries an ironic tone as she playfully presents her intellectual and political reflections from a point of view of, say, a poodle; or the experience of a black and white striped form living in a fully striped world. I first met Amy at a party in Venice over 20 years ago, and once I'd seen her experimental film, "The Poodle's Point of View" I knew I'd want to follow whatever Amy did next. Follow her on Instagram at @amykaps.

This is my (Natasha Maidoff) conversation with Leslie Kerby, a visual artist and animation designer living in Brooklyn. She works in drawing, collage, printmaking and video to create figurative and abstract works, which examine the individual as a complex social product. She often does this with a sense of irony. We first met in 2012 at Virginia Center for Creative Arts. Follow her on Instagram at @lesliekerby.

This is my (Natasha Maidoff) conversation with Nataša Prosenc Stearns, a Slovenian filmmaker who came to California on a Fulbright to study at CalArts. Her work has been in the Venice Biennale representing Slovenia, shown internationally and won many awards. I learned of her work two years ago when we were both on the Venice (California) Art Walk and since then we've become friends. Follow Nataša on IG @natasastearns.

This is my (Natasha Maidoff) conversation with Alexandra Dillon, a Los Angeles based surrealist who paints on found objects. I met her over 20 years ago when we were both living in Venice Beach, CA and discovering who we were as artists. Follow Alexandra on IG @alexandradillonartist