Studio Noize: Black Art Podcast

It’s every artist’s dream to be able to do what you want to do. International superstar artists, like today’s guest, Harmonia Rosales, are out here living their creative dreams and its inspirational to all the rest of us. Not only has Harmonia been creating her amazing Renaissance inspired paintings, she has recently finished her first sculpture commission with Unbound at the King’s Chapel in Boston. As if that wasn’t amazing enough she has written Chronicles of Ori: An African Epic, a personal retelling of African myths passed down to her from her grandmother. Harmonia talks about all her latest works and we get into other topics like: what is it like in the studio with Harmonia, the good and bad parts about her success and the power of the stories in her high anticipated book. Listen, subscribe and share!

Episode 208 topics include:

maturing as an artist vs evolving as an artist

creating Unbound sculpture for King’s Chapel

lesson learned at the foundry

talking to/ talking with your art

Harmonia’s perfect studio day

artists need encouragement

creating her new book Chronicles of Ori

using mythology and history to connect to your roots

the gift and curse of success as an artist

Harmonia Rosales Bio

Since the genesis of her career, Harmonia Rosales’s main artistic concern has focused on Black female empowerment in Western culture, depicting and honoring the African diaspora.

As a young girl, the impeccable skill and composition of the Renaissance masters' fascinated her but the depiction of white hierarchy and the idealization of subordinate women, often falling under Eurocentric notions of beauty, dissuaded her passion. Thus, her message is not to create an ideal or simply to copy, but rather to create a sense of harmony between the struggling dichotomies.

The artist is informed by the ebb and flow of contemporary society where she seeks to reimagine new forms of aesthetic beauty, snuggled somewhere between pure love and ideological counter-hegemony.

Rosales draws on the energy of living life as a woman of color and society's objectification of that identity. Yet her subjects embody something within us all as they serve as conduits to an inner struggle within our society, which she depicts through metaphorical crowns and deities. The primary purpose of her art is and will always be to encourage sympathy, empathy, and empowerment.

See more: Harmonia Rosales’ website + Harmonia Rosales’ IG honeiee
Harmonia Rosales Launches Book Tour For Chronicles Of Ori: An African Epic

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Jamaal Barber: @JBarberStudio

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Happy Atlanta Art Week! Its exciting time around the city. With so much going on its a perfect time for a new episode of the Noize! Let them other folks deal with that crazy Atlanta traffic. You can sit back in your studio and listen to two printmakers and educators talk about art. We got Harris Wiltsher on the show today. Harris has been teaching art at Florida A&M University for 29 years. He talks about the changes in education over his career, the different ways students and technology has evolved in the classroom, the highs and lows of higher education, and of course, we talk about his beautiful prints. All that and more on this episode of the Noize! Listen, subscribe, and share!

Episode 207 topics include:

teaching at FAMU for 29 years

changes in students over decades

economics of printmaking

what are the new students doing conceptually

In What We See print show traveling to HBCU’s

the benefits of being at an HBCU

the genesis of the Crown series

making an interesting print

HARRIS WILTSHER Bio

Born in New York, New York

Raised in The Bronx

“To address specific elements of black history or its community certainly is attainable but the position of my work is to provide a cultural and / or educational meaning to dialogue with my audience and document my personal experiences within the framework of African Diaspora.”

 Wiltsher’s artistic endeavors span from being a Bronx Recognizes Its Own (BRIO) recipient, visiting artist, lecturer, independent curator, program administrator for the Florida Art in State Buildings Program, professor and Gallery Director at Florida A & M University. 

 In addition, his work is included in collections by the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Cranbrook Academy of Art Museum, Sande Webster Gallery Collection, Carver Federal Bank, Art Academy of Honolulu and The Black Archives Research Center & Collection Reserve.

See more: Harris Wiltsher’s website + Harris Wiltsher’s IG @harriswiltsher.art

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Jamaal Barber: @JBarberStudio

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There is no one way to succeed in this art game. Melissa A. Mitchell is showing us all how to make moves with your art. The story will be told of her incredible run of partnerships, from Spanx, to Foot Locker to Bloomingdales, etc. Today on the Noize we’re going to acknowledge and appreciate the creative talent behind the brand. Melissa talks about her process, her studio, her journey into wearable art, and the deeper connections under the bright colorful designs. Her new ventures include furniture, a new book of affirmations, and much more. That good art talk you love with a global superstar on the Noize! Listen, subscribe, and share!

Episode 206 topics include:

artist vs creative

where do ideas come from

deeper connections in Mellissa’s art

Melissa’s studio set up

partnership with Bloomingdales

the power of personality

designing furniture

the journey into wearable art

new book of affirmations

stories from people moved by your art

Melissa A. Mitchell Bio:

Melissa A. Mitchell is a powerhouse and a prominent Bahamian artist closing critical gaps in art, technology, and fashion worldwide. In just eight short years, the self-taught artist has earned international recognition and the attention of many high-powered and leading brands. This Miami, Florida native utilizes her ideas and creations to heal people through the happiness that only creating can bring. A global deal with Foot Locker, winning a Ford Explorer from a global contest/campaign, a global deal with SPANX, an official TED TALK speaker, an inaugural member of Hennessey’s “Never Stop Never Settle Society, an Afropunk/ Shopify Black Fashion Accelerator member, and features in Forbes and Vogue (design worn by Lupita Nyong’o) only scratch the surface of her accomplishments. Her company, Abeille Creations (ABL), is unique and easy to identify, and Melissa’s impact is undeniable. She is a proud graduate of Florida A&M University, holding a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a minor in graphic design. She also earned a master’s degree in public management from the elite institution. She cultivates her philanthropic reach through the college and as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.   She has created over 500 original art pieces and 40 larger-than-life murals. Other notable features and partnerships include ESSENCE Magazine, Black Enterprise, Atlanta Journal Constitution, The Huffington Post, Peloton, Cadillac, Microsoft, Pepsi, CNN, The Home Depot, MARTA, Jack Daniels, and countless others. Her signature headwraps are textiles that still hold beautiful life and have been worn on Tabitha Brown, Amara La Negra, Yandy Smith, Karen Civil, Rebecca Gross, and more. She is also the author of a coffee table book, Views from My Kaleidoscope and an interactive coloring book, Color &Manifest. The mind of Melissa is sharp and sure to continue to magnify the excellence placed in her to be a household and international name. The heart of Melissa is one of the best, and she pours it so graciously into her work and people, producing a needed change in this world.  

See more: Melissa A Mitchell’s website + Melissa A Mitchell’s IG @abeillecreations

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Jamaal Barber: @JBarberStudio

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In Tandem, the joint exhibition between printmaker extraordinaire Chloe Alexander and your boy, JBarber, recently ended its run at the Emma Darnell Aviation Center in Atlanta, GA. If you made it thank you we definitely appreciate your support. If you didn’t get to see the show now worries! We recorded the artist talk live and your can still here the insights of this incredible show. Moderated by Studio Noize fam Natassha Chambliss, Chloe and Jamaal take about the big themes of the show, relationships, grief and memory. They also talk about the exploration of color, pushing the printmaking medium to new limits, the approach to curating and much more. Its that good art talk (literally!) that you love right here on the Noize! Listen, subscribe, and share!

Episode 205 topics include:

In Tandem artist talk recorded live at the Emma Darnell Aviation Center

weaving narratives together

exploring printmaking as a medium

responding to the moment

pushing each other to be great

curating Bonds of Kinship exhibition

how to Jamaal and Chloe picked the colors for the show

childhood memories

Chloe Alexander Bio:

Chloe Alexander is a printmaker who lives and works in Atlanta, Georgia. Her most recent work focuses on using various printing techniques to create unique works and varied editions. She obtained a BFA from the Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design at Georgia State University in 2010. Since then, her work has been exhibited broadly, including at Kai Lin Art in Atlanta, the International Print Center in New York, and the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair in London. Chloe has received several awards, including the Parent Artist Award at Kala Art Institute in Berkeley, California and the Penland Summer Residency Fellowship at Penland School of Craft in North Carolina. Her work is included in numerous public and private collections, including the Harvard Museums in Cambridge, MA; The Museum of Fine Art in Boston, MA; The Fidelity Investments Art Collection; and The Petrucci Family Foundation for African American Art in Asbury, NJ.

Jamaal Barber bio:

Jamaal Barber is a creative, imaginative soul born in Virginia and raised in North Carolina. In 2013, after seeing a screen printing demo at a local art store, Jamaal started experimenting with printmaking, making it his primary focus. His woodcuts and mixed-media prints illustrate the new Folio Society special edition of The Underground Railroad written by Colson Whitehead. Jamaal recently participated in the MTV/Smithsonian Channel art competition show The Exhibit. He has also worked for Twitter, the New York Times, Penguin Random House, Black Art in America, and Emory University. 

See more: Chloe Alexanders’ website + Chloe Alexander’s IG @cbrooksart + Jamaal Barber’s website + Jamaal Barber’s IG

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Jamaal Barber: @JBarberStudio

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The Atlanta art community is second to none. The scene is so vibrant, diverse and supportive in so many ways. Courtney Brooks has been on the scene as an artist and curator for many years. She recently got the opportunity to open her own gallery space, CBrooks Gallery, and take her creative vision to the next level. We caught up to Courtney live in her gallery space to talk about her growth as curator from to doing pop-up shows to running a gallery space, balancing her artistic practice with curating and how to pour into yourself after you do so much for others. It’s that good art talk you love to hear on the Noize! Listen, subscribe, and share!

Episode 204 topics include:

operating an art gallery

special art residency

integrating art into residential spaces

Know Regrets inaugural show at CBrooks Art Gallery

growth in curating from pop-ups to galleries

Journey of a Black Girl project

making art focused on Black girls/women

taking care of yourself

Courtney Brooks Bio:

An avid supporter for all creatives, Courtney is proud to be a visual artist first and is not afraid to experiment with various mediums like, watercolor, acrylic, oils and photography.  Through personal experiences, traveling aboard, whether teaching art classes, painting on canvas or walls, her love for art and building relationships have led to a journey of curating. Since 2014, she developed professional skills that have provided a platform for her peers through creative direction,team building, private and community fundraising events, solo shows and group exhibitions. The significance of the work Courtney has contributed thus far has opened many opportunities. She is the former a Gallery Director  and curator of the Southeast Community Cultural Center, known as the ArtsXchange’s Jack Sinclair Gallery. In addition, the first woman of color Curator- in- Residence for Art the Atlanta BeltLine, where she will have the freedom to transform a public art space. 

Brooks has a gift to work with a wide range of  entrepreneurs, small businesses, grass root based organizations and collaborates with emerging to established visual artists of multiple disciplines, cultures and backgrounds. Along with assisting artists/ muralist  as a curator, she focuses on understanding the creative process and undiscovered narratives that provides a sense of urgency. Her goal is to help maximize artists’ potential and  expand the visibility in their careers. She understands that being curator carries a role with great expectations and It is a privilege to share work from private collections, establish studio visits and handle concepts with care.

See more: Courtney Brooks’ website + Courtney Brooks IG @cbrooksart

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Jamaal Barber: @JBarberStudio

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To understand what it takes to have a long career in this art game we have to talk to the people that have been doing for decades. LaShun Beal has been making and selling art for 50 years. He’s seen all facets of the art world and has a lot of gems to give on working with galleries, the approach to creating, how to survived at art festivals and more. We talk about the age old question what is a style for an artists and how to interact with potential collectors. After a little art break where your boy JBarber had to get into show mode we are back in these art streets bringing you the best in Black art. It’s the Noize! Listen, subscribe, and share!

Episode 203 topics include:

50 years in the art game

phases in an art career

creating with no limits

what is a style?

doing outdoor festivals

the business of art

how to deal with galleries

the creative process

LaShun Beal, contemporary, figurative artist, born January 28, 1962, has dedicated his career to perfecting his art. He is a native of Detroit who now resides in the Houston area.He challenges and expresses himself through many mediums. The ground surfaces and canvases that he uses have their own distinctive character and matchless capacity which gives voice to his work and complements his unique style.After mastering the technical subtleties of different mediums and subject matters, Beal is content with the spirit that drives him to create a particular work of art; and, the evolution of his progress which is exemplified in his creations.He has done extensive traveling throughout Europe, South America and the Far East which has afforded him the opportunity to witness other cultures which is reflected in his art. Beal states, “As an artist, I must be free to choose what I do. I enjoy the process of creating with no limits. That is my vision . . . to let the viewer experience the depth of my range as an artist from their own perspective”.He translates his creativity into imagery while simultaneously masterfully using the mediums of acrylic paint, clay, oil pastels and graphite in his work. 

See more: LaShun Beal’s website + LaShun Beal IG @lashunbeal

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Jamaal Barber: @JBarberStudio

Ceramicist, Malene Barnett, returns to the Noize! We learned all about her amazing book Crafted Kinship and now we learn all about her artistic practice. From designing rugs to ceramics walls Malene’s curiosity and passion has pushed her in new directions. After discovering her love for hand building clay she has been on a journey to learn the craft and make work in all forms. We talk about her ceramic murals, how residencies helped her learn about ceramics, being a part of a community of artists, and the structure she uses to keep her on track in the studio. Malene has some great insights in to clay and how it connects her to her ancestors. More of that good art talk that you love on the Noize! Listen, subscribe, and share!

Episode 202 topics include:

Crafted Kinship world tour

working in clay

finding residencies to study clay

being a part of the ceramics community

being objective about your work

sturcture and discipline in art practice

ceramic murals

traveling to Ghana for research

Malene Djenaba Barnett is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist, textile surface designer, and community builder. She earned her MFA in ceramics from the Tyler School of Art and Architecture and undergraduate degrees in fashion illustration and textile surface design from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Malene received a Fulbright Award to travel to Jamaica in 2022–23 as the visiting artist at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston.

Malene’s art reflects her African Caribbean heritage, building on her ancestral legacy of mark-making as a visual identity, and has been exhibited at galleries and museums throughout the United States, including the Mindy Solomon Gallery in Miami, the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling in New York City, the African American Museum of Dallas, and Temple Contemporary in Philadelphia. Malene’s art and design work has appeared in numerous publications, including the New York Times, Galerie, Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, Departures, and Interior Design. In addition, Malene hosts lectures on advocating for African Caribbean ceramic traditions and has participated in residencies at Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, Greenwich House Pottery, Judson Studios, the Hambidge Center, and Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. In 2024, Malene released her first book, “Crafted Kinship: Inside the Creative Practice of Contemporary Black Caribbean Makers” (Hachette), which includes interviews with over 60 artists of Caribbean heritage, taking readers on an important journey through the world of Black Caribbean creativity. This groundbreaking collection is the first to feature Caribbean makers’ intimate stories of their artmaking processes, and how their countries of origin—the “land” —influences and informs how and what they create.

See more: Malene Barnett website + Malene Barnett IG @malene.barnett

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Jamaal Barber: @JBarberStudio

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As things change around you it is important to stay ture to you passion and your calling. Its the only way to keep progressing toward your goals. Our guests today are George and Esohe Galbreath who know a little something about change lately. They are back to tell us all about their new event, Artful ATL. Saturday, June 7 at the Atlanta Contemporary. They tell us about the 30 plus artist being featured as well as the lessons they have learned from doing successful art event in the city for over a decade. We talk about building community, the new generation of artists working now, and how we pass the legacy on to other people. Listen, subscribe, and share!

Episode 201 topics include:

ArtfulAtl opening June 7 at the Atlanta Contemporary

changing and growing in the Atlanta art community

lessons learned for doing art events for over 10 years

a new generation of artists

continuing events around building community

appreciating the moments

being resilient in 2025

Sohé Solutions imagines and executes events and exhibits that promote and support the creative community. Our co-founded annual art summer social, ARTiculate ATL, in ten years has featured over 200 local artists with over $300K generated in sales. We are equally proud of our curation of New Georgia Project’s politically themed exhibit Politi-Art featuring women of color artists as well as the Many Rivers to Cross Music and Arts Festival dedicated to racial and social justice. Our goal for our curated experiences is to continue to amplify the voices of emerging artists and include them in rooms that they may usually be excluded from.

See more: Sohe Solutions website + Artful Atl IG @creatingfreedomnow

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Jamaal Barber: @JBarberStudio

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Everywhere you go you’ll find artists in community. The Atlanta community has supported and produced some incredible artists like today’s guest, Charity Hamidullah. You can see her murals all over the city, her tattoos all of the people and her canvases all over exhibition walls. Charity talks about switching mediums, the artists that inspire her to grow, and how she takes advantage of all the residency opportunities she’s had so far. It’s more of that good art talk we love on the Noize. Listen, subscribe, and share!

Episode 199 topics include:

switching from tattoos to canvas

learning how to draw

getting into murals

being fearless in your art practice

how public art changes space

exploring mixed media

being inspired by other artists

getting the most out of residencies

6 week residency in Portugal

Charity Hamidullah is a multi-disciplinary artist from Rochester, New York currently creating in Atlanta, Georgia.  Through the exploration of daily life as well as environments; Hamidullah utilizes the power of art to dive deeper into her purpose and connect with others.

By way of creativity, Charity embraces her vibrant cultural differences and upbringing to create visual narratives that many can relate to.  Her colorful pallets are full of emotion, and life; symbolic of the diversity which co-exist in her story.  From powerful abstract lines to impactful imagery, Charity unveils chapters of growth, self-discovery and empowerment.

From viewing pieces, it is undeniable that Hamidullah truly travels through her art as she examines different techniques, canvases and mediums.  But, no matter the style or approach; it is always made with love and the intention to inspire.

See more: Charity Hamidullah website + Charity Hamidullah IG @creatingfreedomnow

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IG: @studionoizepodcast

Jamaal Barber: @JBarberStudio

Support the podcast 

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Artists know how much of a grind it is to be an artist. So when we see artists exploring and evolving like today’s guest Shanneil Clarke we can appreciate the amount of effort that goes into it. Shanneil is out in these art streets, doing shows and building an audience with paintings featuring his unique Black figures. We talk about the essence of his style, the neck pieces, the gold, etc. and the inspiration behind his work. Shanneil talks about his Jamaican roots, how he vibes with collectors and the collab project he did recently with your boy, JBarber. Great incite into a young artist you can get follow on his journey. Right here on the Noize! Listen, subscribe, and share!

Episode 198 topics include:

grinding in the art streets

symbolism of hair

breaking down Shanneil’s style: neck pieces, gold, backgrounds

life experiences living in Jamaica

influence of Black cartoon characters in Shanneil’s art

collaborative prints with JBarber

exploring materials

connecting with collectors

Shanneil Clarke artist statement:

Art has always been my ultimate form of self-expression, a passion that has fueled me throughout my life. Born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, I spent my youth there before migrating to Pennsylvania in 2000. It was in the vibrant artistic environment of Philadelphia that I found inspiration in street art and historical murals. My art journey began during my time at Springfield High School, where I explored multiple mediums and discovered the joy of creating through various projects. After a brief hiatus, I rediscovered my love for art in 2008, particularly using oil-based medium, which reignited my creative energy. 

Each body of my work draws inspiration from both history and everyday experiences, crafted to evoke subjective interpretations in the viewer. I firmly believe that art is universal and shaped by each individual's life journey. As an introspective figurative artist, I incorporate natural motifs and floral fabric patterns to express communication and determination in the figures' pursuit of a better life. Each stroke of paint exudes boldness, confidence, and strength, aiming to inspire those who encounter my art. 

I draw inspiration from a multitude of artists, including Dali, Kevin Williams, Charly Palmer, David Hockney, Basquiat, and Amy Sherald, while also embracing techniques from different eras, like gold leaf and textures. Since moving to Atlanta, Georgia, in 2018, I have become actively engaged in the local art community, showcasing my work in various galleries, such as Mint Gallery and Future Dead Artist Gallery. Notably, in 2022, I was featured in an Exhibition sponsored by Amazon Prime during Art Basel Miami. 

My ultimate goal is to touch hearts and minds with my art, leaving a lasting positive impression on fellow art enthusiasts and inspiring others to express their own passion and creativity.

See more: Shanneil Clarke IG @artbys.clarke

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IG: @studionoizepodcast

Jamaal Barber: @JBarberStudio

Support the podcast 

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