Women Unscripted

Step inside the mind and heart of Jana Ireijo, a celebrated muralist, painter, and public artist whose large-scale works transform walls into stories of resilience, community, and identity. In this intimate and introspective interview, Jana opens up about her creative process, the emotional layers behind her murals, and how she finds purpose through art that lives beyond the gallery. From her early inspirations to the challenges of creating in public spaces, Jana shares insights on creativity, self-expression, and the courage it takes to make art that speaks to others. Whether you’re an artist, creative thinker, or simply someone seeking inspiration, this episode invites you to reflect on how art connects us all — and how every wall can become a canvas for change.

🎧 Keywords: Jana Ireijo, muralist interview, street art, public art, creativity, artist story, creative journey, introspective podcast, art and purpose, creative inspiration, mural painting, women artists, art podcast, creative mindset.

Jana Ireijo is an Hawaii born muralist whose passion as a conservation artist is born out of a love of art that started at a very young age. Jana creates vanishing murals using charcoal gathered from areas recently affected by wildfires.  This material, formed by the heat of the flames, carries the story of destruction and renewal that is intrinsic to the natural world.  She says her art is a reflection of the transience and impermanence of life and nature. Born in Honolulu in 1968, Jana has spent most of her life in transit leaving the island for California, before attending grad school in New York, then as a divorced woman to Connecticut where she raised her family, and finally returning to Hawai’i in 2023, where she has come full circle. Jana is the eldest of three children; she has a younger sister and brother. Her parents Rona August, a realtor, father James Ireijo, and step-father Joel August (both attorneys) encouraged Jana as a child to explore the arts, taking her to museums and galleries, and ensuring she always had access to arts and crafts. It was her mother that recognized a natural talent and told Jana she would become an artist. When the time came to choice her career pathway, Jana was drawn to advertising and after graduating from H. P. Baldwin High School (Maui) in 1986, she headed for the University of Hawai’i at Manoa to earn a BFA in Graphic Design in1991.  She then attended Pratt Institute, New York, where she earned an MFA Painting in 1999.  Jana took ten years off from her art to raise a family before turning her hand to public murals and developing her own style. Now back in the islands as an empty nester, Jana has immersed herself in her passion for environmental issues, such as the ocean, deep sea mining, and helping her community. She is also working on her first book for children entitled Vanishing Moon. 
 
Jana’s links:
https://janaireijo.co/
https://www.instagram.com/janaireijo
 
Some favorite female artists:
Gillian Jagger - sculptor - she was my thesis advisor at Pratt, and a huge influence in my practice. Maya Lin
Lita Albuquerque
Nina Bentley 






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 behind the camera and into the creative heart of acclaimed cinematographer Annemarie Lean-Vercoe in this introspective and inspiring interview. Known for her evocative storytelling and striking visual style, Annemarie opens up about the emotional depth behind her work, her path into cinematography, and how she captures human stories through light, movement, and perspective. In this personal conversation, we explore the craft, the challenges, and the quiet power of visual storytelling. Annemarie shares insights from her journey across film and television, the moments that shaped her artistic vision, and how intuition and collaboration guide her on set. Whether you’re a filmmaker, a creative professional, or simply someone curious about how emotion becomes image, this episode offers rare perspective and honesty from one of today’s most thoughtful cinematographers.

🎬 Keywords: cinematography, Annemarie Lean-Vercoe, filmmaking, visual storytelling, creative process, behind the scenes, interview, women in film, creative inspiration, camera work, storytelling through visuals

Annemarie Lean-Vercoe is a British Award winning and BAFTA Nominated Cinematographer. She most recently lensed Outrageous, which follows the lives of the fascinating Mitford Sisters. The show premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2025 and will be airing this summer on UKTV and BritBoxTV.  Annemarie is a graduate of the National Film and Television School (NFTS) with film and TV credits as Cinematographer or Director of Photography spanning more than 26 years. These include Call the Midwife, Breeders, The Chelsea Detective, All Creatures Great and Small, Marilyn Reframed, the BAFTA winner Suffragettes with Lucy Worsley and BAFTA nominated Is There Anybody Out There.  Annemarie was born in Devon, England in 1977 and has an older sister and step siblings. Her parents divorced when she was just four but remarried locally and remained close by, providing Annemarie with an extended family. In his second career her father was a sailing photographer who introduced her to cameras and she soon developed a curiosity as to what was possible behind the lens. She enjoyed an idyllic childhood with freedom to explore the surrounding countryside, learning to ride ponies and how to sail. After Yealmpton Primary School, Annemarie attended the Royal School in Bath but left early to be with her mother. An early interest in arts and crafts then led her to a year-long Foundation Arts Course before attending an under-graduate program at the London College of Printing (University of the Arts London). By now she had developed an interest in film cameras and started to gain some experience as a trainee on productions in the UK. A series of introductions and the benefit of a scholarship led her to the NFTS with an eye to becoming a cinematographer.  After graduating Annemarie has been consistently in demand balancing her career with raising her family, thanks to the help of her mother and mother-in-law. She is a proud member of Illuminatrix and Women Behind The Camera.  Her numerous awards include BAFTA, BIFA and STAR OF TOMORROW.  Annemarie is currently in production on the British TV drama series Bergerac.  She lives in Sussex, England with her husband Finn and two children.
 
Annemarie’s links:
https://cargocollective.com/cinematographer
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1233187/
https://www.instagram.com/annemarieleanvercoe1 https://www.illuminatrixdops.com/member/annemarie-lean-vercoe/
 
Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
The AART Podcast on YouTube
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]

Jana Ireijo is an Hawaii born muralist whose passion as a conservation artist is born out of a love of art that started at a very young age. Jana creates vanishing murals using charcoal gathered from areas recently affected by wildfires.  This material, formed by the heat of the flames, carries the story of destruction and renewal that is intrinsic to the natural world.  She says her art is a reflection of the transience and impermanence of life and nature. Born in Honolulu in 1968, Jana has spent most of her life in transit leaving the island for California, before attending grad school in New York, then as a divorced woman to Connecticut where she raised her family, and finally returning to Hawai’i in 2023, where she has come full circle. Jana is the eldest of three children; she has a younger sister and brother. Her parents Rona August, a realtor, father James Ireijo, and step-father Joel August (both attorneys) encouraged Jana as a child to explore the arts, taking her to museums and galleries, and ensuring she always had access to arts and crafts. It was her mother that recognized a natural talent and told Jana she would become an artist. When the time came to choice her career pathway, Jana was drawn to advertising and after graduating from H. P. Baldwin High School (Maui) in 1986, she headed for the University of Hawai’i at Manoa to earn a BFA in Graphic Design in1991.  She then attended Pratt Institute, New York, where she earned an MFA Painting in 1999.  Jana took ten years off from her art to raise a family before turning her hand to public murals and developing her own style. Now back in the islands as an empty nester, Jana has immersed herself in her passion for environmental issues, such as the ocean, deep sea mining, and helping her community. She is also working on her first book for children entitled Vanishing Moon. 
 
Jana’s links:
https://janaireijo.co/
https://www.instagram.com/janaireijo
 
Some favorite female artists:
Gillian Jagger - sculptor - she was my thesis advisor at Pratt, and a huge influence in my practice. Maya Lin
Lita Albuquerque
Nina Bentley 

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


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

Step inside the mind and creative world of Catalina Gómez Beuth, an internationally recognized fine artist whose evocative works explore emotion, memory, and the human experience. In this introspective interview, Catalina opens up about her artistic journey, her connection to color, form, and intuition, and how her personal evolution shapes the way she sees and creates. 🎧 Join us as we talk about:

• The emotional layers behind Catalina’s most powerful works
• How she finds meaning and mindfulness in the creative process
• The intersection of culture, identity, and art
• Her path from early inspiration to international exhibitions
• How art can become a tool for healing, reflection, and transformation

Whether you’re an art lover, creative thinker, or someone seeking inspiration, this conversation will leave you reflecting on your own creative spirit.

✨ Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and YouTube — tune in and discover the soul behind the canvas.


Colombian fine artist, Catalina Gomez Beuth.  Catalina says: ‘Through my art I narrate, with brush strokes in people’s faces, each person’s individuality, avoiding the boundaries created by skin color and ethnicity.” She invites the viewer to start a conversation and connect with something deeper to discover the humanity we all share and to feel the raw emotions such as innocence, hopelessness, loneliness, resilience, happiness, determination and more that she portrays in each canvas. Catalina was born in Medellín, Colombia in 1970 to parents Rosita Beuth, a house wife, and Jorge Gomez, a businessman who divorced when she was 17. Catalina has a younger brother and sister. As a child she was constantly drawn to her art which proved her refuge when her family life became challenging. After High School she studied fashion design at the Escuela De Diseño Proyectual (School of Design Proyectual) and further developed her interest for design while studying in Italy. Upon graduating she worked for seven years in her father’s factory, which, she says, was more of a job than a career. However, her true passion has always been painting and she found time to continue her art and begin selling it in Colombia. Catalina met her future husband while on vacation in the US and in 2001 the couple moved to the US where she was able to establish a studio and become a professional artist while raising a family. Catalina lives in Georgia with her husband Jose Pablo Cellario and two children Camilla and Matias.
 
Catallna’s links:
Website: https://www.catalinagomezbeuthart.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catalinagomezbeuthart/
 
Some of Catalina’s favorite artists:  
Suzy Schultz     
Lene Kilde  
Lita Cabellut 

Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
The AART Podcast on YouTube has bonus content not included on the podcast.
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]

Step behind the lights and into the heart of Hollywood with Farah Bunch, one of the industry’s most sought-after celebrity makeup artists. In this intimate and introspective interview, Farah opens up about her creative journey, the art of transformation, and what it really means to bring characters — and people — to life on and off camera. From red carpet secrets to the emotional side of beauty, this episode dives deep into Farah’s early inspirations, career-defining moments, and the lessons she’s learned working behind the scenes in film, television, and fashion. Whether you’re a beauty enthusiast, aspiring artist, or simply someone fascinated by the human stories that shape Hollywood, this episode offers a rare, authentic look into the world of artistry, identity, and resilience.

✨ Keywords: Farah Bunch, Hollywood makeup artist, celebrity makeup, beauty podcast, creative journey, behind the scenes, Hollywood stories, artist interview, women in film, personal growth, beauty industry, makeup transformation.

Hollywood makeup artist Farah Bunch whose work has earned her multiple nominations in Daytime and Primetime TV  Awards and Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards. Her work over several seasons on the hugely successful TV Comedy Will & Grace proved a pivotal moment in her career. Other notable credits include Dancing with the Stars, The Oscars, Sunset Beach, Entourage, Fuller House, and Makeup Department Head on Frazier on Paramount +.  Farah was born in 1975 in Toluca Lake, California where she and her brother Justin were raised in the long shadow of the Hollywood sign.  Her parents; the producer and six-time Emmy nominated film and television composer Velton Ray Bunch, and three-time Emmy nominated makeup artist Patricia (Patty) Bunch who were once the Disco Band known as Strut, introduced Farah to a life on set from an early age. She was five years old when she made her set debut. She also has a couple of acting credits to her name. But it was always going to be makeup that would be the foundation of her career from the moment at 18 when she graduated from the Joe Blasco Makeup School. Her mother’s status in the industry and guidance on set steered her into multi-camera shoots, which is the world she loves most of all, despite having early ambitions to be a pop-singer with encouragement from her father. She remains inspired by her music and is currently writing a musical with her father. Farah recently obtained a license from the International College of Beauty in Esthetician and Cosmetology. She lives in Toluca Lake, California with her two cats.
 
Farah’s links: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1095568/
https://www.instagram.com/farahbunch/
@farahbunch 

Some of Farah’s female artists:
Jo Baker
Kathryn Bigelow 

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
The AART Podcast on YouTube
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 and deeply personal episode, we sit down with Leanne Johnson — an award-winning actor, filmmaker, and creative visionary — to explore the heart and hustle behind a life in storytelling. From her early beginnings in acting to her bold transition behind the camera, Leanne opens up about the realities of the film industry, the creative process, and what it truly means to find your voice through art. Whether you’re an aspiring artist, filmmaker, or simply someone chasing your own creative dreams, this honest and introspective conversation will leave you feeling motivated, grounded, and creatively recharged. 🎧 Tune in to hear Leanne share:

• How vulnerability fuels authentic storytelling
• Lessons learned from both sides of the camera
• The balance between passion, purpose, and perseverance
• Insights on building a meaningful career in film and acting

Perfect for fans of creative journeys, independent cinema, and personal growth, this episode invites you to step behind the scenes — and into the mindset — of one of today’s most thoughtful emerging voices in film.

👉 Available on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | YouTube #Acting #Filmmaking #CreativeJourney #LeanneJohnson #PodcastInterview #BehindTheScenes #Storytelling

Canadian-American actor and filmmaker Leanne Johnson whose philosophy is founded on seeking understanding and sharing truth through bold characters and stories to redefine the narrative about women in film and our world. Since graduating from the University of Alberta in 2011 with a BSc. in Nutrition and Food Science, Leanne has consistently produced a repertoire of diverse and dynamic performances. In May 2025 she made her directorial debut with A Tree Falls in The Forest, which speaks to her raison d’etre as a storyteller. Her performance in the 2024 action-crime movie Extraction, USA resonates with her own story of humble beginnings growing up the daughter of immigrants in rural Alberta.  Her credits range from NBC's Chicago PD to Dracula: The Count’s Kin, Chasing Rabbits, Oregonda and Idle Girl. She has garnered multiple Best Actress awards including Chasing Rabbits (2022), Oregonda (2024) plus best Supporting Actress in Greek Fire-Demon Spirit (2023).  As well as her versatility on screen, Leanne is a Personal Trainer having graduated from the National Academy of Sports Training (NASM), in Lafayette, IN. Her lifelong love for sports is evident in a range of skills, including snowboarding, martial arts and roller derby where she is known as Chariot of Fire. Leanne embraces her queer identity and stereotype-bending on-screen performances while staying true to her faith which remains at her core. Leanne is currently based in Indiana and is a proud mother of two daughters.
 
Leanne’s links:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9786306/
https://www.leannejohnsonofficial.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@leannejohnsonactor
https://www.instagram.com/leannejohnsonofficial 

Some of Leanne's favorite actors: 
Helen Mirren
Kate Winslet
Margot Robbie
Jennifer Lawrence
Frances McDormand
Brie Larson
Chloe Zhao
Julia Roberts
Sandra Bullock

Leanne’s playlist:
Marlee Carpenter
Need To Breathe
Coldplay 
Lady Gaga 
Taya Hozier

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
The AART Podcast on YouTube
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 captivating episode, we sit down with Sarah Hickey, one of Australia’s most introspective and emotionally resonant painters. Known for her luminous portraits and dreamlike compositions, Sarah takes us behind the brush to share her creative process, artistic philosophy, and how intuition guides her every stroke. From exploring themes of feminine energy, memory, and emotional truth, to balancing art, family, and purpose, this heartfelt conversation reveals the layers of an artist who paints not just what she sees — but what she feels.

✨ Listen if you love:

• Art, creativity, and storytelling
• Deep, meaningful conversations with artists
• Contemporary Australian art and culture
• Insights into the emotional and spiritual side of painting

📍 Keywords
Sarah Hickey, Australian painter, Australian artist, contemporary art podcast, art interview, female artists, creativity podcast, painter stories, artist inspiration, art and emotion, painting process, artistic journey

Australian painter Sarah Hickey whose bold colors radiate through her expansive canvases expressing an internal world of dreaming and reflection through her spirituality and imagination. We hear how Sarah’s creative soul was evident in her childhood as she explored a range of visual elements from theater to fashion and iconography. Sarah was born in Brisbane in 1975 and grew up in the surrounding area.  She was educated at Queensland College of Art where she earned a BFA in Visual Art and a BEd at Griffith University. Parents Eileen and Paul gave Sarah and her younger brother Sean the freedom to explore, which enabled Sarah to connect with nature in a spiritual sense—something that is constant in her paintings. While in high school, Sarah visited England, France and Spain when she became enthralled by European artists. After she graduated college she spent time in Germany as a nanny living her own version of her favorite film, The Sound of Music. Sarah was always drawn to teaching and has been a High School Art teacher for 23 years. After her marriage to George Hickey, Sarah returned to her art and has participated in numerous shows and exhibitions, and garnered several awards including The Percival Portrait and Sunshine Coast National Art Prize, The Kennedy Art Prize, Redland Art Awards. Sarah lives in Brisbane with her husband George and dog Molly.

Sarah's website: https://sarahhickey.com.au/
Instagram:@sarahhickeyart 

Some of Sarah’s favorite artists:
Frida Kahlo
Lucy Culliton (Australian painter)
Clairy Laurence (sculptor)
Laura Jones (Australian painter)
Yvette Coppersmith
Julie Fragar
Judith Nangala Crispin
Olivia Godbee 
Alicia Cornwell 
Penelope Boyd 
Wendy Sharpe 

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
The AART Podcast on YouTube
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 episode, we sit down with Kim Casebeer, an acclaimed American landscape painter celebrated for her luminous portrayals of the Great Plains, open skies, and natural light. Kim shares her personal journey from growing up in Kansas to becoming one of the leading voices in contemporary American landscape art. We explore how she captures the quiet beauty of the land, the emotional connection between artist and environment, and the meditative process behind her plein air and studio paintings. This is more than a conversation about art — it’s an introspective look at creativity, simplicity, and finding meaning in nature. Whether you’re an artist, collector, or simply someone who finds peace in a sunrise, this episode will leave you inspired to see the world with fresh eyes.

🔎 Keywords:
Kim Casebeer, American landscape painter, landscape art, plein air painting, art interview, creative process, painting nature, artist conversation, Kansas artist, contemporary art, art and mindfulness, creative inspiration.


American Landscape Painter Kim Casebeer whose career spans some 25 years and whose work is shown in private, corporate and museum collections throughout the United States. Kim is represented in galleries from Colorado to Wyoming, Montana, Arizona and her home state of Kansas. She is, she says, in a good place in her career now balancing her time between studio commissioned work, plein air painting and teaching workshops. Kim was born in Newton, KS in 1970 and grew up in the tiny town of Goessel, KS with her two younger sisters Trish and Jenny. Her father Lloyd is a retired farmer and mother Marlene, a retired nurse. Kim’s family are fifth generation farmers so her childhood was spent learning to grow a variety of crops and compete in the local 4H club where her talent as a horticulturist was noteworthy. An early interest in all things artistic was encouraged by her parents from drawing tractors with her dad to learning a variety of mediums through high school. It was a natural progression for Kim to choose art school as she laid the foundation for her career by graduating with a Bachelor in Fine Arts from Kansas State University with an emphasis in Graphic Design in 1992. It was here that she met Shannon and the couple recently celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary. Upon graduating, Kim’s first jobs were in graphic design with her art work pursued as a hobby. It was only when her paintings were generating more income than her employment that Kim decided it was time to quit her day job and focus on being a full-time artist in 2001. Kim is a Master Signature Member of the American Women Artists, and a Signature Member of the Oil Painters of America and the Pastel Society of America. She has received multiple awards and publicity for her work that focuses on the big skies and wide open spaces of the western United States. Kim lives in Manhattan, KS with her husband Shannon, sons Collin and Lucas, and Australian Shepherd, Matilda.
 
Kim’s links:
https://www.kimcasebeer.com/
https://www.instagram.com/kimcasebeerartist/
 
Some favorite female artists in visual arts:
Kami Mendlik
Chula Beauregard
Jane Hunt
Cindy Baron
Shanna Hernandez
Melissa Scott Miller
Jan Beaney
Chiharu Shiota

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
The AART Podcast on YouTube
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]

Step behind the camera and into the creative mind of Theresa Vitale — Director of Photography, Cinematographer, and camera operator — as she opens up about the art, emotion, and technical mastery behind visual storytelling. In this in-depth interview, Theresa shares her journey from discovering her passion for cinematography to working on set, shaping light and shadow to bring stories to life. We explore what it means to lead a camera team, the challenges of breaking into the film industry, and the balance between creativity and precision in filmmaking. Whether you're a filmmaker, student, or cinephile, this episode offers rare insight into the world behind the lens — from cinematic composition to the personal mindset that drives an artist’s eye.

🎬 Keywords: Theresa Vitale, Cinematographer, Director of Photography, camera operator, filmmaking, film industry, cinematography podcast, creative process, behind the scenes, interview, visual storytelling, women in film.


American Director of Photography and Cinematographer, Theresa Vitale, whose resume spans all genres of film and TV productions. Theresa is passionate about elevating women both in her love of sport and her dedication to the industry; two paths that have merged as she crossed the bridge from the US U23 National Rugby Team to film and TV production. As we will hear, sport taught her so much that has helped her in her career not least of all the value of team work and collaboration. Theresa was born in 1982 in Wallingford, CT, the eldest of two daughters; she has a sister Rosanne. Shortly after her parents Mario Vitale and Karen Weeks moved to Lawrence, NJ where her father could commute to New York, while her mother was the home care provider. Sports and music dominated her childhood—she played trombone for nine years — and tried every sport she could, eventually, and accidentally, discovering rugby. Her natural talent was soon recognized and within six months she made the squad which was competing for the national championships. Despite coming up short that year she did win the national championship with the US women’s U23 national team in 2005.  Alas, her career called and she chose the University of Massachusetts for its BA in Communications degree with a focus on TV/Film, graduating in 2005. An internship with MTV in New York convinced her that she wanted to be a camera operator and from that point on doors opened and led the way to a highly successful career.  Her work has been featured on major broadcast, cable, and streaming networks, including ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, HBO Max, Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Showtime, Bravo, to name a few, specializing in docu-series, competition reality, cooking shows, studio shows, live music, documentaries, BTS and women’s sports. Theresa also takes great pride in helping women find and properly fit personal protective equipment (PPE). As an ambassador for EasyRig, she continues the legacy of her mentor, Cat Cummings, by empowering women with the right gear and ensuring it fits them correctly. Theresa lives in Long Beach California with her wife Heidi and son Barron.
 
Theresa’s website: www.TheresaVitale.com I
MDB -  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2922553/
Instagram: TheresaVitale21 & TheresaVitale_DP 

Theresa’s favorite female cinematographers:
Gretchen Warthen
Jen Morton
Meagan Stockemer 

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
The AART Podcast on YouTube
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]

Step into the vibrant, textured world of Alison Holt, one of Britain’s most celebrated textile artists, whose breathtaking embroidered landscapes blur the line between painting and stitchwork. In this deeply introspective interview, Alison opens up about her creative process, her lifelong connection to nature and color, and how she transforms threads into emotion and movement. We explore her artistic journey, from early inspirations and challenges to the meditative rhythm of stitching that defines her signature style. Listeners will discover how Alison uses free-motion embroidery to capture the essence of light, water, and landscape, and why textile art continues to inspire a new generation of artists around the world. Whether you’re a creative soul, art student, designer, or admirer of fine craft, this episode invites you to slow down, look closer, and rediscover the beauty woven into every detail of the world around us.

✨ Keywords: Alison Holt, textile art, embroidery, fiber art, British artist, creative process, art podcast, artist interview, contemporary craft, nature inspiration, free motion embroidery, creativity, handmade art, sustainable art, slow making, artistic journey.


English textile artist Alison Holt uses her imagination to capture landscapes and nature and then weave them into colorful canvases that are often taken for paintings. Alison says: 'Each piece is a combination of silk painting and freehand machine stitching. The painting creates depth, perspective and richness to the work and combines effectively with stitch to give detail and texture.’ Her work can be found in private collections around the world and in galleries from London to Sydney.  Alison was born in Oswestry, Shropshire in 1956, the youngest of two girls, to Cyril and Brenda Holt who were garage proprietors. Her father died of a brain tumor when she was just 13 and her mother was left to raise her daughters. Her parents always supported her artistic interests and by the time Alison graduated from Oswestry Girls High School she had only one ambition which was to get into art college. From Shrewsbury Art School she was accepted into the prestigious Goldsmith College in London from where she graduated with a BA Hons in Fine Art Textiles, specializing in  Embroidery. By now her talent had already been recognized and she was immediately offered an exhibition and given commissions. She returned to Shropshire and began what was to become a parallel vocation in teaching at Wexham Art College. Alison married in 1993 and worked part time in her studio while raising her two boys Tom and Jonathan. For 40 years now Alison has built her business as a textile artist, which includes writing books about her practice and teaching courses at her home studio throughout the year. Alison lives in Oswestry with her husband John Moses and their dog Bobby.

Alison’s links:
https://www.alisonholt.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/alisonlholt/

Some of Alison’s favorite female artists.
Melissa Scott Miller - Artist - painter
Jan Beaney - Textile Artist
Chiharu Shiota - Installation Artist 
 
Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
The AART Podcast on YouTube
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]