Studio Noize: Black Art Podcast

Vanessa Meshack is fresh off her first solo gallery show at Pencil and Paper Gallery and a feature in the international printmaking magazine Pressing Matters. Now she joins her favorite art podcast, Studio Noize, to talk about her new career. Vanessa was one of the super fans featured on the 100th episode! She’s made huge leaps in her art practice since she me JBarber out at Print Austin years ago. She discusses the way that making art has helped her find herself again, how she began exploring printmaking, and the challenges of setting up a new studio practice. Listen, subscribe, and share!

Episode 187 topics include:

Inner Visions solo show at Pencil and Paper Gallery

figuring out a direction

obstacles on the way to making art

falling in love with printmaking

using yourself as a reference

expressing yourself through art

being featured in Pressing Matters magazine

print nerding out over monoprinting

separating your practice from your business

Vanessa Meshack bio:

In her profound journey towards self-actualization, Vanessa Meshack draws upon spiritual guidance, memory's whispers, graceful movement, and rich experiences to craft abstract figurative masterpieces. Her creations convey not just strength, healing, vulnerability, and joy, but also embody the intricate tapestry woven by intersectionality, shaping her unique worldview. Rather than dwelling on the shadows of overlapping social identities, Vanessa reframes the narrative, showcasing the elegance that blooms from embracing one's inner wisdom. Her chosen mediums, such as drawing, fiber, and printmaking techniques like monotype and woodcut, are meticulously applied to archival paper and fabric. Through stitching and quilting, she imparts intention, infusing her work with a profound meditative essence. Vanessa Meshack, a self-taught maestro, channels her artistic voyage into her prints. Her monotypes, a dance of ink and texture, create vignettes of her narrative. Her studio, nestled in a detached garage apartment in Dallas, Texas, serves as her sanctuary. Here, she transforms solitude into eloquent expressions, demonstrating the boundless potency of artistic exploration. 

See more: Vanessa Meshack website + Vanessa Meshack’s IG @vlmeshackart

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Jamaal Barber: @JBarberStudio

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After spending 8 weeks at the Penland School of Craft there was a perfect time to reflect on the experience. Your boy JBarber got together a diverse panel of Penland people to talk about it. You got students (Erika Marin and Tori Hoang), a teaching assistant (Jasmin Warnock), a CORE student (Nicholas Malik), and an instructor. Not to mention some diverse ethnic backgrounds from Latinx to Asian to Black to discuss being in art spaces like Penland and exploring your curiosity in craft. We discuss their experience in the spring concentration, how diversity effects art spaces, and what they have learned during the process. Most importantly, do we recommend Penland to other artists of color? Listen, subscribe, and share!

Episode 186 topics include:

how to find out about Penland

making time for an 8 week class/residency

Core students at Penland for 2 years

experiencing craft for the first time

living at an adult summer camp

interacting with creatives

learning from the other people at Penland

diversity at Penland and art spaces

learning about yourself with making

Penland School of Craft is a national craft education center dedicated to the creative life. Located in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Penland offers total-immersion workshops in sixteen beautifully-equipped studios along with artist residencies, a gallery and visitors center, and community programs.

See more: Penland School of Craft website + Penland School of Craft IG @penlandschool  , Nicholas Malik’s IG @nicholas_malik, Jasmin Warnock IG @warnockart

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Jamaal Barber: @JBarberStudio

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Your boy, JBarber, has been teaching at the Penland School of Craft and now we’re back with new Studio Noize! We found David Harper Clemons in a weaving cabin making broaches, print, sculptures and drawings. David is also the HBCU tour coordinator for Penland. We talk about the HBCU tours and how to get more diversity into artist communities. David talks about his curiosity with materials in making his functional and wearable art, the value of Black narratives in objects and what you need to be a great metalsmith. Listen, subscribe, and share!

Episode 185 topics include:

gettting into metals

HBCU tour at Penland School of Craft

bringing diversity to Penland

metalsmithing vs jewelry

the attention to detail

top 3 skills of a metalsmith

curiosity for materials

Black narratives in objects

importance of surfaces and touch

David was born in El Paso, Texas and spent much of his life in Austin, Texas.  Initially he began his undergraduate career attending Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, pursuing a degree program for Biology Art.  He attended the program for two years before returning to Austin to complete his BFA at the University of Texas in Austin, with a primary emphasis in painting. He earned his MFA in Metalsmithing in 2007 from San Diego State University. David taught in the art department at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock, Arkansas for 10 years. During 8 of those years he was responsible for creating and heading the Metalsmithing and Jewelry Department. In 2018 he relocated to Penland, North Carolina to dedicate his time to be an independent artist and workshop instructor.  Much of his work embraces the craft of Metalsmithing and it’s collected history of techniques and objects. The resulting works rendered in metal, mixed media, and hand made artist books are vehicles to communicate ideas surrounding identity, narrative, and forays into material and process-based work.  He has exhibited in numerous exhibitions including: Craft in America: Expanding Traditions, Different Tempers: Jewelry & Blacksmithing, RE/ACTIONS, and has work in the permanent collection of the Arkansas Art Center in Little Rock, National Ornamental Metal Museum. Yale Contemporary Craft Museum, Ollie Trout Collection at the University of Texas in Austin. 

See more: David Harper Clemons’ website + David Harper Clemons’ IG @harperclemons  

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Jamaal Barber: @JBarberStudio

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It’s an instant classic for you today on the Noize! We got the wonderful LaNia Roberts on the show and she came with all the energy, honesty and transparency that we needed in our studios. LaNia talks about how she got her big personality, empowering herself through art and the inner thoughts that artists feel and don’t often speak on. There is a truly awesome story on how she got to her style of painting that is a must here for any artist trying to find their way. You gotta rate the show 5 stars just for that! Its all that good art talk that you need in your life with a young woman artist that is blazing a trail in these art streets. Listen, subscribe, and share!

Episode 184 topics include:

being a young artist at SCOPE

getting empowerment through art

how LaNia developed her personality

creating systems to support your practice

the big shift in painting

Stan Squirewell as a mentor

overcoming the fear of growth

what artists believe about themselves

LaNia Roberts, born in 1996 and hailing from Louisville, KY, discovered a profound means of self-expression in visual art amidst her early struggle with identity. Supported by numerous scholarships as a first-generation college student, she pursued a degree in Painting at Syracuse University's Visual and Performing Arts School. LaNia culminated her academic journey in 2019, achieving a degree in Painting from Syracuse University and traveling to over 12 countries across three continents since attending art school. Presently, she resides in Louisville, KY, fully engaged as a professional artist. Her practice has also expanded into an online-based social art practice, empowering millions worldwide to embody radical self-compassion, love, and acceptance, with over 200,000+ followers between Instagram and Tiktok. Most notably, her artistic endeavors have garnered her the representation of the esteemed Claire Oliver Gallery in Harlem, New York City.

See more: LaNia Roberts’ website + LaNia Roberts’ IG @laniaroberts

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IG: @studionoizepodcast

Jamaal Barber: @JBarberStudio

Support the podcast 

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Today on the Noize we got printmaker, Tenjin Ikeda! he has been making art as for over 30 years and its been a journey across all kinds of mediums. From painting, to dancing, to sculpting, to printmaking, Tenjin has been open to where his talents and opportunity take him. We learn about Tenjin and his philosophy on making work. We nerd out a little bit on carving and relief printmaking masters like Latoya Hobbs, Elizabeth Catlett and more. Tenjin talks about a turning point print for him, how his spirituality inspires his work and what he’s learned by being in exhibitions over so many year. Listen, subscribe, and share!

Episode 183 topics include:

doing art for 30 plus years

finding printmaking

carving tips and secrets

developing compositions

what piece was a turning point in his eyes

the differences between mediums

experience gained from exhibitions

offering critique to younger artists

Tenjin Ikeda is an Afro-Puerto Rican artist born and raised in Brooklyn, New York on October 30, 1968. At a very young age learned the importance of tradition and heritage from his mother. He taught himself how to draw at an early age and he was hooked, he has been seriously making art for 30 plus years using the various mediums of painting, sculpture, and printmaking. He attended the School of Visual Arts in New York first focusing on graphic design and ultimately Fine Arts where he felt more freedom to express himself. It was at the Art Students League that he discovered printmaking, which has been his focus for the past 20 plus years. “It is my desire to continue to visibly show the richness of my ancestry to the world.” He has various works in private collections in the US, Canada, Mexico, Bahamas as well as acquisitions by The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The Print Club of Albany, and the Art Student’s League. Tenjin’s work has been featured as cover art and illustrations for various books. He has been included in “Modern Printmaking” an up coming book of 30 contemporary printmakers by Sylvie Covey.

Tenjin, also worked for 6 years as an artist assistant to Richard Artschwager and with artist Keith Haring on a mural project Mr. Haring did at Woodhull Hospital in Brooklyn, NY. He has participated in-group shows in different parts of the United States, Ireland, Japan as well as Spain and Australia.

See more: Tenjin Ikeda’s website + Tenjin Ikeda’s IG @ify.chi.chiejina

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Jamaal Barber: @JBarberStudio

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Ify Chiejina is a self taught artist making her way in art world. JB found her work after she created a beautiful print with master printmaker, Curlee Holton, at Raven Fine Art Editions. Ify talks about her work with Curlee and how she has navigated being a self taught artist and building the career that she wants. Her previous and recently announced illustrations for the Criterion Collection for legendary Senegalese filmmaker, Ousmane Sembene, has had an impact on how she approaches her practice. Ify is also active on IG @ify.chi.chiejina and we talk about the movitvation behind some of here interesting IG commentary on art and artists. Listen, subscribe, and share!

Episode 182 topics include:

working with Curlee Holton at Raven Fine Art Editions

being a draftswoman

defining yourself as an artist

artist having career goals

developing outside of art school

doing a project with the Criterion Collection

imposter syndrome

experimenting in the studio

Ifeatuanya (Ify) Chiejina is a visual artist born and raised in Queens, NY. Ify is a black Igbo female with ideas, thoughts, and truths that are rooted and reflective of different customs and traditions. As a Nigerian-American, Ify considers the tensions and complexities that come with being brought up in an African household, in a western society. Ify completed her B.A in philosophy from Queens College. Ify completed a certificate program for the Caribbean Cultural Center of African Diaspora Institute’s in 2015 She has participated in residencies at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning. Her paintings are in the Petrucci Family Foundation Collection. Ify is also one of the founding members for the Southeast Queens Artist Alliance, (SEQAA).

See more: Ify Chiejina website + Ify Chiejina IG @ify.chi.chiejina

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Jamaal Barber: @JBarberStudio

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Your boy JBarber manage to sit with two people from the Studio Noize fam while down at Miami Art Week. First up is Ben Muñoz, Chicano printmaker we talked to at Print Austin. JB met up with Ben and attended a bunch of the satellite fairs like Untitled, NADA, Ink, Prizm, and Pinta. We recorded a conversation riding in traffic after leaving Pinta. You get our fresh relfections on the day including how shows create a vibe, impressions of the work at the show, the best things about Miami, and more After that it’s the man himself Jeremiah Ojo, Founder and Managing Director of Ilèkùn Wa (an art business advisory firm). Jeremiah selected two artist to showcase at SCOPE and that lead to a conversation about what it means to show at the an art fair. What does an art career look like with being at Miami Art Week as the big goal? Listen, subscribe, and share!

Episode 181 topics include:

different fairs at Miami Art Week

Pinta - the Latin American art fair

creating a vibe an an art fair

comparing the work you see at the fair

participating in Scope Art Fair

curating for art fairs

increasing visibility and audience

defining what you want in your career

Benjamin Muñoz (b. 1993) is a Dallas-based multi-disciplinary artist whose practice spans painting, installation, and monumental printmaking. Muñoz grew up in the vibrant Chicano culture of Corpus Christi, Texas, which boasts the country's largest Day of the Dead celebration, lowriders shows, and unique food culture. The middle child of artist brothers, Muñoz found his voice by reflecting on his heritage, upbringing, and current surroundings.

J. Olayinka is the Founder and Managing Director of Ilèkùn Wa (Our doors), an art business advisory firm, facilitating & cultivating opportunities for visual artists of African descent to create, sustain and thrive.

Over the last decade, J. Olayinka has become a sought after arts and culture management consultant, working internationally in artist professional development, gallery management, and art fair operations. His collaborative work with minority emerging contemporary artists, art institutions, corporations, and collectors has carved a pathway of connectivity for creative professionals throughout the African Diaspora and on the continent. Having worked with a number of black-owned, fine art galleries throughout the African Diaspora, J. Olayinka has forged an alliance of artist collectives and galleries in North America, Europe, and Africa working uniformly to economically advance the artistic and cultural production of their communities. 

See more: Ben Muñoz website + Ilekun Wa Website

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Jamaal Barber: @JBarberStudio

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Live from outside of SCOPE we chat it up with Martha A Wade and Reisha from the Women’s LIVE Artist Studio. They had a wonderful journey from Chicago to Miami Art Week. They talk with us about process of showing at the fair and some insights on the interactions with attendees and how it all working into their plans for the studio. Time is a premium so this short interview is only an introduction to the good work they’re doing in Chicago. Your boy JBarber ends the episode with some reflection on the last year as we welcome in 2024. Listen, subscribe, and share!

Episode 180 topics include:

participating at SCOPE

raising money to come to Miami Art Week

Women’s LIVE Artist Studio

interacting with the SCOPE crowd

supporting young women artists

having tough conversations with colleagues

From the Women’s LIVE Artist Studio website:

The Women's LIVE Artist Studio (WLAS) is a vibrant hub nestled within the heart of Navy Pier, Chicago's premier indoor tourist destination, boasting over 9 million visitors annually. Our Gallery is dedicated to showcasing the artistic talents of women artists from the local community.

Through daily live art demonstrations, we invite our visitors to witness the creative process in action. We represent a supportive community of 30 female artists from diverse backgrounds and mediums, all sharing a common commitment to empowering women in the Chicago art scene and advocating for equal recognition and opportunities.

See more: Women's LIVE Artist Studio website + Women's LIVE Artist Studio IG @womensliveartiststudio

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Jamaal Barber: @JBarberStudio

Studio Noize done hit the big time! We’re back with a special series of episodes recorded at Miami Art Week. We’ve heard so much about Art Basel, the awesome art fairs on South Beach, The grand event of Art Basel. We are taking you behind the scenes to see what is really going on. Miami Noize is a series of episodes records live during Miami Art Week. Kicking off with Valerie Francis, owner and operator of Knowhere Art Gallery. It was A LOT going on but we stole 15 minutes from Valerie to talk about her experience at SCOPE, the artist she displayed including the OG Charly Palmer, and what is the value of being shown at an art fair. Its just a taste of the bigger conversation. Listen, subscribe, and share!

Episode 179 topics include:

participating at SCOPE

selling work at an art fair

Knowhere Art Gallery in Martha’s Vineyard

diversity at Miami Art Week

the value of art fairs

Valerie Francis is the director and chief curator of Knowhere Art Gallery. After graduating from Hunter College with a BFA in Printmaking, Interior & Architectural Design, and an MBA in Marketing from Rutgers Business School, Francis amassed a wealth of experience in the global health and technology field with over a decade in the public health sector with Sanofi. Francis serves on the board for Artists for Humanity (Boston, MA), the Leo Project (Nanyuki, Kenya), and the Martha's Vineyard Center of Visual Arts.

See more: Knowhere Art Gallery website + Knowhere Art Gallery IG @knowhereart

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The wonderful Althea Murphy-Price joins the Studio Noize fam today! Althea is an awesome printmaker and professor at the University of Tennessee- Knoxville. Her work explores the politics and culture of Black women’s hair. She’s not confined to one medium in her exploration. She does lithography, screenprinting, collage, photography, and 3D printing. We talked about what inspired her to do so much experimentation and where she found her love for printmaking. Of course, we talk about her wonder work, ideas of realness and perfection, adornment of little girls, being a “good printer,” and much more. Two printmakers that love printmaking talking that good art talk like you like it. It’s the Noize! Listen, subscribe, and share!

Episode 178 topics include:

Falling in love with printmaking

struggling with letting go

getting into teaching

having an artistic community

the politics of Black women’s hair

experimenting with materials

being a good printer

using technology in experimenting

making mistakes in the print shop

Althea Murphy-Price is inspired by the social implication of beauty and its relationship to female identity, women, and culture. Topics of real and false, decoration, and imitation are explored in two and three-dimensional working methods, using traditional and non-conventional approaches to printmaking and sculpture.

Althea Murphy-Price began her studies in Fine Art at Spelman College before receiving her Master of Arts in Printmaking and Painting from Purdue University and later studying at the Tyler School of Art, Temple University, where she earned her Master of Fine Arts. Her artwork has been shown widely throughout the country and in international cities in Spain, China, Japan, Italy and Sweden. Her writings and work have been featured in such publications as Art Papers Magazine, CAA Reviews, Contemporary Impressions Journal, Art in Print, Printmaking: A Complete Guide to Materials and Process., and Printmakers Today.

See more: Althea Murphy-Price website + Althea Murphy-Price IG @altheamurphyprice

Presented by: Black Art In America

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