Women Unscripted

In this inspiring biographical interview, we sit down with acclaimed cinematographer Gretchen Warthen, whose distinct visual storytelling and dedication to craft have made her a respected voice behind the camera. From early creative influences to her celebrated cinematography career, Gretchen offers an intimate look into her evolution, her artistic philosophy, and the experiences that have shaped her as an image-maker. Gretchen discusses her pathway into cinematography, how she found her visual voice, and the mentors and collaborators who guided her journey. She explores her approach to lighting, composition, and narrative intention—revealing how she crafts emotionally resonant imagery for film, television, and commercial productions. Listeners will hear behind-the-scenes stories, advice for filmmakers and artists, and reflections on creativity, persistence, and professional growth. Whether shaping imagery on remote location shoots or designing cinematic language in studio environments, Gretchen shares how she balances preparation with intuition to deliver authentic visual storytelling. This episode is a must-listen for emerging cinematographers, filmmakers, students, and anyone passionate about the art of the moving image. Discover how Gretchen continues to innovate, collaborate, and champion storytelling through the power of photography and film.

✅ Keyword Block Gretchen Warthen, Gretchen Warthen interview, cinematographer, filmmaking podcast, cinematography podcast, creative biography, film production, visual storytelling, DP interview, director of photography, film lighting, behind the scenes, film industry interview, camera department, filmmaking career, motion picture photography, creative process, artist interview, documentary cinematography, narrative cinematography, film school, filmmaking inspiration, women in film, podcast interview

BIO
Gretchen Warthen is an American cinematographer whose work has taken her from Hollywood sound stages to shooting from the back of a camel in India, an elephant in Thailand, the bow of a boat off Venezuela, hovering over Alaskan glaciers and the deserts of the Sahara in a helicopter. Gretchen was born in Idaho, the only child of parents Kathryn Warthen, a retired horticulturist, and Brian Warthen who, after a lifetime of struggle, found his true success in graphic arts. As a child, Gretchen was a tough girl in school with a rebellious nature. After High School, she headed to Boise State University where she gained a Bachelors in Communications before moving to Washington State where she went back to school at the Evergreen State College for a Bachelors in Liberal Arts. It was at Boise State that she began taking an interesting in film-making and undertook projects that showed her natural talent for the art which led her to pursue a career in the industry. By now Gretchen had a plan to be a camera operator and she steered her course starting in wardrobe through set design and props until she was on set where she wanted to be. Her youthful defiance and determination paid off and led her to success across genres. Gretchen has worked as the Director of Photography for the Emmy-nominated Netflix documentary feature "Circus of Books," the epic international OWN documentary series "Operation Change," the Emmy Award-winning NBC series “Starting Over,” the Showtime documentary series “The Real L Word” and the award winning documentary feature “East LA Interchange." She has also DP’d two award-winning narrative feature films; Sharon Gless’s “Hannah Free” and “Jamie and Jessie are Not Together.”  Gretchen has been a camera operator on popular Emmy Award-winning prime time reality programming, including “Project Runway,” “The Apprentice” and “America’s Next Top Model”. Her narrative credits also include FX’s “Mayans MC”, FOX’s “Call Me Kat” and FOX’s “Welcome to Flatch.” Gretchen has also been a camera operator on popular Live Comedy Specials including Netflix’s "Dave Chappell - Age of Spin” and “Hannah Gadsby - Douglas”.  When she is not working, Gretchen’s passion is collecting Vespa scooters and driving fast cars. She lives in LA with her wife Documentary Director, Unscripted Reality Co-Executive Producer, Natalee Watts.
 
Gretchen’s links: Website: https://www.ladycameraguy.com/
IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1008443/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladycameraguy/  @ladycameraguy
 
Women whose work Gretchen admires:
Shana Hagan - I admire her mentorship, high standards and gentle guidance. Shana has the documentary career I have always dreamed of having. 
Mandy Walker - I admire her creativity and ability to do it the way she wants to do it without being too heavily influenced by others. (Plus, works with Baz Luhrmann…)
Ana Amortegui - I admire her passion for life and having it all. Her gratitude for life’s struggles along the journey.
Chris Wairegi - I admire her motivation to make a difference in other people’s lives. 

Gretchen’s playlist:
Superchick/One Girl Revolution
Ladytron
Metric
Wax Tailor
Silver Sun Pickups
Old Madonna/Ray of Light
Doris Day/Fun
Sydney Bechet
Bessie Smith
Big Maybell
Nina Simone 

First published on the AART podcast, October 21, 2023,

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Host: Chris Stafford
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In this episode of AART the Podcast, we sit down with Nazafarin Lotfi, an Iranian-born, Chicago-based multi-disciplinary artist whose practice spans sculpture, drawing, photography, and performance. Known for her meditative exploration of space, embodiment, and materiality, Lotfi’s work invites viewers to slow down and experience the quiet intersections between the personal and the political, the visible and the hidden. Through an intimate and insightful conversation, Nazafarin discusses her artistic evolution from Iran to the U.S., the influence of architecture, light, and landscape on her creative process, and how memory, displacement, and identity inform her work. She reflects on navigating multiple cultural contexts, finding freedom through abstraction, and building community within the contemporary art world. Listeners will gain a deep understanding of Lotfi’s conceptual approach, her studio practice, and the subtle ways she challenges perception through form and presence. Whether you’re an art lover, student, or creative professional, this episode offers a compelling look into the life and vision of one of today’s most thought-provoking artists. 🎙️ About the Artist Nazafarin Lotfi is an Iranian-American multi-disciplinary artist whose work examines the tension between interior and exterior worlds through a poetic material language. Her art has been exhibited in leading galleries and museums across the U.S. and internationally, with pieces that bridge minimalism, embodiment, and philosophical inquiry.

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BIO
Nazafarin Lotfi is an Iranian multi-disciplinary artist who studies how the self and notions of identity are understood in relationship to architecture, landscape, space, and place. She explores humanness in relation to non-human bodies and places that are defined by practices of map-making and gardening. Nazafarin was born in Mashhad, Iran in 1984 during the Iran-Iraq war. She is one of four girls, her mother was a teacher who introduced her daughters to arts and literature. And her father owned a small business. Her exposure to the arts was limited as a child before she attended the University of Tehran where she earned her BA in Industrial Design. With ambitions to further her education in the West, Nazafarin headed to the US and gained an MFA in Painting and Drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. After graduating she took to teaching, always seeking a life that would reflect her art. She would soon find a place for her work in exhibitions and shows, nationally and internationally at venues such as the University Galleries at Illinois State University, Tucson Museum of Art, Artpace, Phoenix Art Museum, and Elmhurst Museum of Art. Nazafarin is the recipient of 2023 Eliza Moore Fellowship for Artistic Excellence. She says of her art: “I think placing myself between two very different aesthetics and ideologies allows me to create a more complicated personal language. And that does more justice to the complexities that I experience as an Iranian female artist living in the U.S. I grew up with social realist propaganda and had developed a mistrust of it. I come from a traditional society for which history weighs so much, and that can be limiting.’ Nazafarin is represented by Regards in Chicago. She lives in Tucson, Arizona with her husband Austin, a Professor of Persian Poetry, and two cats.

Nazafarin's website: http://www.nazafarinlotfi.com/
Instagram: @nazafarinlotfi

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
Email: [email protected]


BIO
Nazafarin Lotfi is an IDirector of Photographywho studies how the self and notions of identity are understood in relationship to architecture, landscape, space, and place. She explores humanness in relation to non-human bodies and places that are defined by practices of map-making and gardening. Nazafarin was born in Mashhad, Iran in 1984 during the Iran-Iraq war. She is one of three girls, her mother was a teacher who introduced her daughters to arts and literature. And her father owned a small business. Her exposure to the arts was limited as a child before she attended the University of Tehran where she earned her BA in Industrial Design. With ambitions to further her education in the West, Nazafarin headed to the US and gained an MFA in Painting and Drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. After graduating she took to teaching, always seeking a life that would reflect her art. She would soon find a place for her work in exhibitions and shows, nationally and internationally at venues such as the University Galleries at Illinois State University, Tucson Museum of Art, Artpace, Phoenix Art Museum, and Elmhurst Museum of Art. Nazafarin is the recipient of 2023 Eliza Moore Fellowship for Artistic Excellence. She says of her art: “I think placing myself between two very different aesthetics and ideologies allows me to create a more complicated personal language. And that does more justice to the complexities that I experience as an Iranian female artist living in the U.S. I grew up with social realist propaganda and had developed a mistrust of it. I come from a traditional society for which history weighs so much, and that can be limiting.’ Nazafarin is represented by Regards in Chicago. She lives in Tucson, Arizona with her husband Peter, a Professor of Persian Poetry, and two cats.

Nazafarin's website: http://www.nazafarinlotfi.com/
Instagram: @nazafarinlotfi

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram

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Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Website: https://hollowellstudios.com/podcasts
Instagram: @twomenunscriptedpodcasts
Email: [email protected]

In this episode of AART the Podcast, we sit down with Cammi Climaco, a celebrated ceramicist, multidisciplinary artist, and educator whose work defies traditional boundaries between craft, sculpture, and storytelling. Known for her deeply personal and often provocative ceramic pieces, Cammi brings a raw honesty to her art that explores themes of humor, vulnerability, identity, and human connection. From her early experiments in clay to her current multidisciplinary practice that merges ceramics, performance, and installation, Cammi shares her creative evolution and the philosophy behind her work. She discusses the role of teaching and mentorship in her life, how she navigates the balance between art-making and instruction, and the importance of building authentic creative communities. Listeners will gain insight into the world of contemporary ceramics and the emotional depth that clay can hold in the hands of an artist who uses it to tell stories both intimate and universal. Whether you’re an artist, educator, or lover of contemporary art, this conversation offers inspiration, humor, and a powerful reminder of why creativity matters.

🎧 Listen on: Google Podcasts | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube

📍 Presented by: AART the Podcast – Conversations with artists shaping today’s creative landscape

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BIO
Cammi Climaco is a ceramicist, multidisciplinary artist, educator and erstwhile stand-up comedian based in New York. Cammi’s art moves between performance, sculptural and functional pieces and ruminates on the history of women in ceramics, finding joy in unreachable places and ancient love poems. Cammi was born in Cleveland, OH in 1971, the youngest of six children. Her father John Climaco ran a printing press at a printing company in Ohio and her mother Wanda was a homemaker who later cared for the elderly. Cammi received her BFA at Kent State University in Crafts and her MFA in Ceramics at Cranbrook Academy of Art. After college, Cammi spent some time in the corporate world from waitressing to selling furniture and recruiting executives, none of which satisfied her. Eventually her part-time teaching in ceramics led to her becoming a regular educator in her preferred medium. She has taught at the Pratt Institute of Art and Design and the 92NY in Manhattan and currently also teaches at BKLYN Clay. Cammi attended The Pottery Workshop residency in Jingdezhen, China. And she is the co-host of The Ceramics Podcast. Her work can be found in galleries and theaters in New York. Cammi lives in Queen’s with her parter, musician Cru Jones.

Cammi’s website: https://www.cammiclimaco.com/
Instagram @cammiclimaco

Favorite artists:
Marguerite Wildenhain
Maija Grotell
Lucie Rie
Eva Zeisel
Yoko Ono
Cara Benedetto
Sarah Allwine
Dini Dixon
Katie Coughlin

Cammi’s Playlist:
We Live in Brooklyn,
Baby/Roy Ayers
Ubiquity Sweet Tears/Nuyorican
Soul Tryon/Erykah
Badu Loungin’/Guru Kiss
From a Rose / Seal

Host: Chris Stafford
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Host: Chris Stafford
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In this episode of AART the Podcast, we sit down with Robin Antar, a celebrated rock sculptor known for transforming marble, limestone, and sandstone into thought-provoking representations of American culture and identity. With a career spanning over three decades, Antar’s work captures the textures of everyday life — from sculpted Levi’s jeans and sneakers to massive marble hamburgers — blending humor, nostalgia, and craftsmanship into striking stone realism. Robin Antar’s art challenges perceptions of permanence and fragility, exploring how solid materials can embody the fleeting icons of modern life. Her sculptures have been featured in museums, galleries, and private collections across the United States, earning her a reputation as a visionary who bridges the gap between pop art and fine art through the timeless medium of stone. In this insightful biographical interview, Robin shares her early inspirations, her artistic process, and how personal experience and cultural observation shape her creative practice. Listeners will get a rare glimpse into the world of a sculptor who quite literally carves emotion into stone, creating works that resonate far beyond their physical weight. Whether you’re an art lover, sculptor, student, or creative thinker, this episode offers an inspiring look at dedication, identity, and the enduring power of art to tell human stories. 

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BIO
Robin Antar is an American rock sculptor who moves seamlessly between Realism and Expressionism. From hyper-realistic icons of American pop culture influenced by Robin’s wry sense of humor, her art explores personal and social trauma and conflict. Robin’s parallel and intertwining bodies of work span her 40-year career as an artist-observer of human nature with a broad lens on the American life. Robin was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1957, one of four daughters. Her father Leon Betseh was a retailer and her mother Linda, an oil painter. In 1973, the family moved to Brooklyn, NY, which proved to be a tough move for Robin as a shy teenager in the city. She began learning to carve in stone in school and in the family’s basement as a means of coping with urban life, using art as her emotional lifeline. In 1976, at the age of 16, Robin discovered she suffered from retrolental fibroplasia causing blindness in her right eye since birth. While her vision was compromised it became an integral tool among the techniques she used to create her art despite an absence of depth perception. After graduating with a BFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York in 1981, Robin set up a working studio in Brooklyn, creating abstract sculptures in a loose, intuitive style deeply rooted in her emotional experiences. Her themes address marriage, motherhood, divorce and trauma through a series of Conversations, Relationships and Meditation that reflect the process of releasing life’s traumas and their importance to survival, healing and positive change. Trauma has visited Robin in devastating ways with the loss of two of her three sons whom she has memorialized through her art work. A series of stone D-Knots were carved in honor of her youngest child, David, representing his struggles with the trauma of child abuse and addiction. His death at the age of 26 resulted in one of Robin’s most personal and powerful creations, David’s Knot in Flames, carved from a 1,500-pound block of Turkish marble. The sculpture is permanently installed at Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks, New York, where her son received treatment during his short life. A sculpture is memory of Leon is in progress, out of a 10,000 pound piece of carrara marble. Robin has a studio and showroom in her home in New Jersey.

Robin’s website - https://robinantar.com/
Robin’s Instagram @robinantar

Robin’s favorite artists:
Barbara Segal
Madaline Weiner
Carol Turner
C.C. Griffin
Carole Feuerman

Robin’s Playlist
Carole King
Country music

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
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Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
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Join us on the latest episode of Women Unscripted, where we sit down with Ethiopian running sensation Tigist Assefa, the athlete who shattered the women’s marathon world record and rewrote the history of distance running. From her early days in Ethiopia to crossing the finish line in meteoric fashion, Tigist opens up about her journey — the training, the dedication, the setbacks and the triumphs. What you’ll hear in this episode

• How Tigist transitioned from middle‑distance to marathon, and how she found her stride in one of the world’s toughest events.
• The story behind her record‑breaking run: In Berlin 2023 she clocked an astonishing 2:11:53 — becoming the first woman to break the 2:14, 2:13 and 2:12 barriers. The Guardian+3Wikipedia+3Runner's World+3
• Her strategy, mental strength and what goes through an elite athlete’s mind when the world is watching.
• The role of technology, coaching and pacing in her performance — plus reflections on what it takes to stay at the top.
• Insights into what the record means not just for her, but for female athletes everywhere — challenging limits, rewriting expectations, and inspiring the next generation.
• A candid look at her life off the roads: balancing national pride, personal ambition, and the very human moments behind the champion.

Why this matters Tigst Assefa’s story is more than just a fast time; it’s a testament to resilience, excellence and the power of possibility. Her world‑record run in Berlin (2:11:53) stunned the marathon world by eliminating more than two minutes from the prior mark. Wikipedia+1
Her achievement underscores the rise of women’s distance running and poses new questions about what the future holds. This episode is perfect for runners, fitness enthusiasts, sports fans, and anyone inspired by stories of extraordinary achievement. Keywords to listen for Women’s marathon, marathon world record, Tigist Assefa, elite athlete interview, Ethiopia running, running training insights, women in sport, distance running, athlete mindset, sport technology. Tune in and be inspired by one of the fastest women on the planet — and learn how she got there.

Chris & Nancy are back with a round-up of news which includes the Solheim Cup, which, once again favored Europe, the Berlin Marathon where Ethiopia's Tigist Assefa smashed women's marathon world record, a review of the Tennis Grand Slams which featured new and different champions: Aryna Sabalenka (Belarusia) Australian Open, Iga Swiatek (POL) French Open, Markéta Vondroušová (Czech) Wimbledon and Coco Gauff (USA) US Open, and Rugby England 50-24 win over Canada and a TV rights issue which meant it was not shown on network television, the World Athletics Championship which is an indication of what to expect next year at the Paris Olympic Games. Plus a review of the top stories in football which includes the USWNT winning both of its Friendlies against South Africa, the retirement of Julie Ertz and Megan Rapinoe, and the potential candidates to fill the coaching vacancy, which includes the names of Laura Harvery, Emma Hays, Sarina Wiegman, Bev Priestman and Tony Gustavsson; the Lionesses 2-1 win over Scotland in the first of their UEFA Women’s National League games. And finally our thoughts on the events surrounding the Spanish team which have somewhat overshadowed their magnificent World Cup victory.

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Host: Chris Stafford
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Email: [email protected]

In this captivating episode of AART the Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with Genevieve Leavold, an acclaimed English contemporary abstract artist celebrated for her expressive, intuitive paintings that explore the balance between chaos and control. Through rich conversation, Genevieve shares the evolution of her artistic journey—from her early explorations in figurative work to her transition into pure abstraction that speaks directly to the subconscious. Listeners will discover how Leavold’s creative process, deeply rooted in mindfulness and emotional exploration, allows her to channel flow, movement, and the unseen aspects of the human experience onto canvas. She discusses her inspirations, artistic philosophy, and the meditative practice that guides her approach to color, texture, and form. This biographical interview offers a window into the world of an artist whose work transcends traditional boundaries, inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and connect with something beyond the visible. Whether you’re an artist, collector, or art enthusiast, this episode will inspire you to see abstraction as a universal language of emotion and energy. Join us on AART the Podcast—where art meets life, and artists share the stories behind their creative evolution.

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 Genevieve Leavold, abstract art, contemporary artist, English painter, biographical art podcast, AART the podcast, abstract expressionism, modern painting, creative process, art interview, mindfulness in art, painting techniques, contemporary abstract art, artist conversation, color and texture, artistic journey, visual art podcast, art and emotion

BIO
English contemporary abstract artist Genevieve Leavold is a self-taught painter who draws on her love of eastern philosophy and organic forms found in nature as foundations for her work. Her intuitive process has developed initially through deep observation of nature and subsequent abstraction of essential qualities of form and color from the worn, overgrown and overlooked parts of urban spaces where nature had re-claimed parts of the city. Genevieve was born in Frome, Somerset the fifth of eight children. Her father Lawrence Oliver Hatton-Brown was a builder and Janet was a stay-at-home mother and volunteered her time for costume creation and design at a local theater. She also fostered a creative childhood that Genevieve nurtured in nature. Upon leaving high school Genevieve attended the Theater College for Design, she also worked in the local theater in Frome, attended painting classes at the Central St Martins School in London, as well as being a PA in London. It was then that an opportunity to visit Belgrave in Serbia for six months which turned into an eight year residency launched her career as an artist. She says that this was the birth of her work, which focused on drawing and the abstract. She soon became commercial, establishing herself in Europe and beyond before returning to the UK in 2022. A full-time artist Genevieve is currently showing her work in the US and UK. She lives in Frome with her husband James, a business coach, and two cats.

Genevieve’s website: www.genevieveleavold.com
Instagram: @genevieveleavold

Favorite artists:
Mira Schendel
Flora Yukhnovich
Georgia O Keene
Joan Jonas
Marina Abramovic
Helma af Klimt

Playlist:
White Rabbit - Jefferson Airplane
I Tokuni -Eivor
What else is There. - Royksopp
The Painter - Future Islands
Containing it - B of Bris
The sensual world - Kate Bush
Utopia - Goldfrapp
Play Dead - Bjork
Dumb. - Portishead

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
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Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
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In this episode of AART the Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with Michelle Im, a Korean-American ceramicist celebrated for her deeply expressive, hand-built sculptures that bridge cultural heritage, identity, and material exploration. Known for her organic forms and poetic surfaces, Michelle shares how her Korean roots, personal experiences, and process-driven approach shape her artistic voice in contemporary ceramics. Listeners will hear Michelle discuss her journey from early artistic influences to becoming a recognized figure in the contemporary art scene. She opens up about working with clay as a medium of transformation and storytelling—balancing tradition with experimentation, and emotion with form. This intimate conversation dives into Michelle’s creative rituals, the tactile nature of ceramic art, and how she infuses each piece with a sense of humanity and resilience. Whether you’re an artist, art collector, student, or admirer of contemporary craft, this episode offers a thoughtful glimpse into the life and mind of an artist who continues to redefine what ceramics can express.

🎙️ AART the Podcast features biographical interviews with today’s most compelling visual artists, exploring their inspirations, struggles, and creative evolution through candid storytelling.

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BIO
Korean-American ceramicist Michelle Im, aka RATxCHICKS,  was born in Atlanta, GA in 1984 to Kun Sook Im, a home-maker, and Jong Seong Im, an environmental engineer. She has one brother; Sewon Im, who is a financial consultant also living in the US. Her grandmother was a poet and calligraphy artist in South Korea. As a child the family moved around from Michigan to Boston and South Korea. Michelle returned to the US for college and since graduating with a degree in Biology and Art from The State University of New York at Buffalo, she has lived in New York City. She was named one of Ceramic Monthly’s 2022 Emerging Artists and is an award recipient of the American Craft Council’s 2022 Emerging Artist Cohort Program as well as a grant recipient of the Center for Craft’s Teaching Artist Cohort in 2023. Michelle was a Visiting Artist in Residence at the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts in 2022 and she was selected for a Distinguished Fellowship at Penland School of Craft during her winter residency in 2023. Before becoming a full time ceramicist, Michelle spent time in the service industry and since 2021 she has had her own studio in Queens where she lives with her partner, artist, John Almanza and her dog Inky. She teaches ceramics at Greenwich House Pottery in Manhattan, NY.

Michelle on Instagram: @ratxchicks
Michelle’s website: https://ratxchicks.club/

Michelle’s Playlist
Wu Tang Clan
Talking Heads
The Velvet Underground
Kendrick Lamar
Richie Hawtin
Jeff Mills
Mike Parker
LSDXOXO

Michelle’s favorite female artists:
Christian Joy
Haylie Jimenez
Sydnie Jimenez
Kristy Moreno
Soojin Choi
Mary Cassatt
Joanna Powell
Eun Ha Paek
Sulo Bee
Shea Burke
…and many more.

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
Email: [email protected]


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/women-unscripted--4769409/support.

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Website: https://hollowellstudios.com/podcasts
Instagram: @twomenunscriptedpodcasts
Email: [email protected]

In this inspiring episode of AART the Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with Madeleine Bunbury, a renowned English equine artist celebrated for her mastery in life-size oil paintings of horses. Known for her classical training and her ability to capture the spirit, movement, and personality of her subjects, Madeleine shares her creative journey—from her early passion for horses and art to becoming one of the UK’s most distinguished contemporary equine painters. Listeners will discover how Madeleine’s love for the natural world and equestrian culture shapes her artistic process, the challenges and joys of painting horses from life, and what it takes to maintain a traditional approach to art in a modern world. She opens up about her experiences painting in stables across England and Europe, her dedication to preserving classical techniques, and how her art bridges the gap between heritage and modern equine culture. Whether you’re an art lover, painter, equestrian enthusiast, or simply someone fascinated by creative lives, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the intersection of art, nature, and passion. Madeleine’s story is a testament to the power of devotion—to craft, subject, and tradition. Tune in to hear how she built her career, the insights behind her technique, and her vision for the future of equestrian art in the contemporary landscape.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and YouTube.

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Madeleine Bunbury, English equine artist, equestrian painter, horse artist, oil painting, equine art, horse portraits, AART the podcast, art podcast, artist interview, British artist, contemporary equine art, classical oil painting, painting horses, horse art UK, fine art, biographical artist interview, creative process, life of an artist, art and horses


BIO
Madeleine Bunbury is an English equine artist who paints life portraits of horses and ponies. At just 28, Madeleine is aspiring to follow in the footsteps of her idol, George Stubbs, aligning with other great equine painters, such as Agasse, Munnings and Herring. Madeleine was born on the island of Mustique in 1995, one of four children; her mother Lotty is a fashion designer and her father Michael, a doctor. She grew up in an an island playground and from an early age sketching and painting was instinctive, and more accessible than riding ponies which she dreamed of. It was when she began her education at boarding school in England that she was able to indulge herself and become a horse-mad teenager taking every opportunity to ride. Her love of horses became the catalyst to her initial plan to become a veterinarian but she had to abort that idea once she failed the required science exams. It was then that she decided on a career in art with the confidence that this was something for which she had a talent. With the guidance of an artistic uncle and aunt, Madeleine spent three years studying traditional portraiture at the Charles Cecil Studios in Florence, Italy. It was to prove the launching pad for her to embark on a career as an equine artist and she was soon making a livelihood painting horse portraits. Madeleine can be found either in her studio in Fosbury, Wiltshire or traveling to horses across the UK and around the world. Her latest project is a series of 16 breeds of British native horses and ponies which, as well as producing very large paintings will also be a coffee book, and perhaps a documentary.

Playlist:
Eminem- Lose Yourself (Gets me out of bed and revved for the day)
Claude Debussy - Claire de lune (The first piece I learnt to play on the piano)
Chopin - Nocturne no.20 in C-Sharp Minor (so melancholy and beautiful to paint to)
Destiny's Child - Independent Woman (after various boyfriends let me down this is how I feel)

Favorite artists:
Isabella Watling
Daisy Sims
Hilditch Henrietta
Abel-Smith
Eleanor Cardozo

Madeleine’s website: https://www.bunburyart.com/
Instagram: @bunbury_equine_art


Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
Email: [email protected]


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/women-unscripted--4769409/support.

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Website: https://hollowellstudios.com/podcasts
Instagram: @twomenunscriptedpodcasts
Email: [email protected]

In this inspiring episode of AART the Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with Sarah Rossetti, a contemporary acrylic artist celebrated for her bold color palettes, emotional depth, and expressive brushwork. Sarah opens up about her artistic journey—from her early creative influences and self-discovery through painting, to developing a distinctive contemporary style that bridges abstraction and realism. Listeners will gain insight into Sarah’s creative process, her love for the textures and versatility of acrylic paint, and how she channels emotion, memory, and nature into her art. She also discusses the challenges of pursuing a full-time art career, finding authenticity in a crowded art world, and connecting with collectors and galleries who value expressive, original work. Whether you’re an artist, collector, or art enthusiast, this conversation offers an honest look at the artistic life—balancing creativity, business, and self-expression in today’s art scene. 🎧 Tune in to discover how Sarah
Rossetti turns everyday inspiration into captivating acrylic works that speak directly to the soul.

SEO Keywords:
Sarah Rossetti, contemporary acrylic artist, acrylic painting, contemporary art, modern artist, painter interview, artist biography podcast, creative process, art career, abstract art, realism, acrylic techniques, contemporary painter, AART the podcast, artist interview

BIO
Sarah Rossetti, aka 'Invader Girl', is a Contemporary Acrylic Artist painting evocative scenes of war, law enforcement, veterans and, more recently, horses. Sarah was born in Nonnweiler, Germany in 1987, the oldest of five children—she has a younger sister and two younger brothers. Sarah’s other young sister Lisa was tragically killed in 2004; a traumatic event that would impact Sarah in different ways. Her father John was a communications specialist in the Air Force, stationed in Germany where he met his wife Regina. As a military family they moved around and whilst in Germany her parents divorced and Sarah stayed with her mother who moved the family to the island of Guam, eventually helping her in the bar business that she operated. It was there that Sarah met the military personnel whose war stories would leave an impression that has influenced the art genre she specializes in today. Those graphic stories would create powerful images and inform the style of art that has become her trademark. Sarah did not feel at home as a student and once she graduated high school in Guam she bucked the idea of college, preferring to find her own way untutored as an artist. She endured a struggle with alcohol that she eventually won and, realizing that she needed a new direction, she moved to the US in 2017. She married Phil, a retired navy CMC, and after a spell in Alexandria, the couple found their home near Haymarket, which accommodates a large studio. For the time being, Sarah is not represented and prefers not to show her work in galleries. Instead she has a website and takes commissions, and has an impressive work rate of 3-4 paintings a day. 

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
Email: [email protected]

Sarah’s website: https://www.invadergirlart.com/
Instagram: @_invadergirl_

Favorite female artists:
L. M. Hankins
Ashley Gessler Davis

Sarah’s Playlist:
Storm - Josh Vietti
Greed - Godsmack
The story of OJ- Jay Z
Rekt - Rob Bailey
Nice n Easy- Frank Sinatra
Scherzo for Piano no 2- Frederic Chopin
Pink Moon- Tash Sultana
The Ballad of londinium- Daniel Pemberton
23- chayce Beckham
Mftr- Pusha T
Fortunate So - CCR
Young and Free - Dermot Kennedy


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/women-unscripted--4769409/support.

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Website: https://hollowellstudios.com/podcasts
Instagram: @twomenunscriptedpodcasts
Email: [email protected]

Step into the world of contemporary landscape painting with Maria Josenhans, a celebrated Canadian artist known for her expressive brushwork and immersive plein air landscapes. In this inspiring episode of AART the Podcast, Maria shares her journey as a painter dedicated to capturing the poetry of the natural world — from the sweeping coastal vistas of British Columbia to the intimate stillness of forest interiors. Host Chris Stafford delves into Maria’s artistic process, creative influences, and the emotional connection she builds with the environment through her art. Listeners will discover how she balances spontaneity with structure, her approach to color and light, and the discipline behind working outdoors in ever-changing conditions. Maria also reflects on the role of observation, intuition, and patience in shaping her practice and how she translates the fleeting beauty of nature into enduring works of art. Whether you’re a landscape artist, an art enthusiast, or someone who finds peace in nature’s beauty, this episode offers a captivating look into the mind and methods of one of Canada’s leading landscape painters. 🎧 Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and YouTube to hear how Maria Josenhans continues to paint her way into the heart of the landscape and the imagination of her audience.

SEO Keywords:
Maria Josenhans, landscape artist, Canadian painter, plein air painting, contemporary landscape painting, landscape art, AART the Podcast, artist interview, art podcast, painting nature, art inspiration, creative process, landscape painter interview, fine art, painting outdoors, artistic journey, visual artist

BIO
Maria Josenhans is a landscape artist working both outdoors and in her studio. An artist for nearly four decades, Maria's work plays back and forth between representational and abstract as she allows each painting to find its own unique path. Maria was born in New Jersey, one of two daughters to parents James and Janet. Her mother was a librarian, and her father an engineer and keen photographer. Maria had an early introduction to the art of photography in her father’s dark room and developed an interest that shaped the early part of her career. As a child her mother introduced her to Scottish Highland dancing, which still today is a passion that she shares through teaching and adjudicating. Her talent for painting was discovered in High School where her teacher Mrs Erich would prove influential in guiding Maria into a career as an artist. From 1982-86 she studied at the Philadelphia College of Art (now University of the Arts), in Philadelphia, PA and graduated with a BFA in Illustration with Honors. In 1994, Maria studied Large Format Black & White Photography with Paul Caponigro. Her early career in photography and illustration was spent in New York before she moved to New England. Once she met her Canadian husband her path changed course and she turned exclusively to painting. In 2000, they moved to the west coast of Canada where Maria has enjoyed a climate that allows for year round plein air painting. She has always been a nature lover, and she is also a student of Zen Buddism. Maria currently lives in Burnaby near Vancouver with her husband Marcel and their new dog Basil.

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
Email: [email protected]

Maria’s website: http://www.mariajosenhans.com/about/
Instagram: @mariajosenhansart

Women artists whose work Maria admires:
Pat Steir
Lois Dodd
Joan Eardley
Joan Mitchell
Helen Frankenthaler
... and many many many more.

Maria’s Playlist:
Philip Glass (particularly solo piano)
Domenico Scarlatti, sonatas
Moby Beck (mutations)
Jeff Beck
Bob Dylan
Patti Smith
Neko Case
KD Lang
Pasty Cline

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/women-unscripted--4769409/support.

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Website: https://hollowellstudios.com/podcasts
Instagram: @twomenunscriptedpodcasts
Email: [email protected]