Creatives in the Florida Keys

Despite many of the major set-backs we’ve had to overcome as creatives during the pandemic, creativity will always find a way to prevail. In today’s interview, Elizabeth Young, the Executive Director of the Florida Keys Council of the Arts, shares how the Keys has been impacted by COVID-19 and what the Council of the Arts has been doing to support local artists.  Nancy and Liz discuss the changes being made in order to allow artists to continue their work, and the importance of them being persistent in pursuing the arts. Tune into this interview to hear more about the amazing supports the Florida Keys Council of the Arts is providing for local artists and how you can continue to support local artists through difficult times.    Show Highlights:  What is life like for locals in the Keys during quarantine  How did COVID impact the local art scene  Nancy shares what the art council did to help support local artists during the pandemic  What changes are being made for the arts community to continue their work  Why the pandemic won’t stop creativity   Links:  https://www.43keys.com Contact Liz:  https://keysarts.com

Today’s episode of Creatives in the Keys is an update from a previous guest. I interviewed Jessica Ann Hessing during Art Walk in Islamorada more than a year ago. So much has changed in the art world in just the last 6 months, that I wanted to bring Jessica back to give us an update on how her business has survived Covid-19 and how her business has changed because of it. Jessica Ann Hessing is a marine life artist connecting people to a moment they shared in, on, or by the sea. Her mission is to connect you to conservation through her art. She hopes to inspire you to protect our beautiful oceans and shorelines by connecting with the work she creates. She was born and raised in the Florida Keys, you can always find her near the ocean. Show Highlights: Jessica has a brick and mortar gallery in the Morada Way Art District in Islamorada. Since festivals and in-person art shows have been canceled due to Covid-19, Jessica has pivoted to more online art sales. Jessica has been working on some beautiful collections in partnership with conservation organizations. If you sign up for Jessica’s email list on her website, you get access to her new collections when they come out. Instagram is where Jessica has been spending her time and she uses the platform for live art sales too! Functional art is what Jessica has been adding to her collections lately, with a line of cutting boards and vases. You can check them out on her website!   Resources: Jessica Ann Art Follow Jessica on Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest  Other Artists and Galleries Mentioned: Morada Way Clay Portside Studio The Rum Brush Florida Keys Brewing Company   Follow us at 43keys.com

Carving is a unique artistry that takes practice, time, and dedication. Often times, it can take years of patience before a piece speaks to you and it’s finished. In today’s interview, artist Mike Ashcraft shares what inspired him to become a woodworker, and what inspires him every day to create his pieces. Mike talks about his journey as an artist and what it’s like to be an independent artist in the Keys. Join Nancy in this interview to hear more about Mike’s work and for tangible tips for starting artists in the Keys.  Show Highlights:  Mike shares what brought him to the Keys  Mike talks about how he got into carving and how he learned to do it  The wood often speaks to you and inspires what to carve  There are endless possibilities for what Mike can carve and the various woods he can use  Mike shares the story that pushed him into the shop he has now  Being an independent artist in the Keys can be difficult  Having confidence and loving what you do can help you pursue your passion  Mike shares how he found his passion and how it saved him  Giving your work all of your time is important to get started  The business side is the most important part to navigate  Keeping a journal and having contracts for everything can help you long term  Mike discusses how you price things as an artist    Links:  https://www.43keys.com

Painting is an amazing creative outlet for anyone willing to take instruction and dedicate the time to learn. If nothing else, it can be a fun experience, especially at paint night! Paint night is an event hosted at Puerto Vallarta in the Florida Keys where local artists and tourists come together to paint with local artist, Susan Jankowski. Sue creates a safe space and opportunity for painters of all skill levels to come and paint something they are proud of. Join Nancy in this episode as she interviews various artists at Paint Night to hear more about their experiences and why you should come participate in a fun night of painting and guac with your family and friends.  Show Highlights:  Nancy talks about why she paints and became an artist  Paint night allows for artists to get together in a creative space with an amazing instructor  There is a great mix of locals and tourists who come together to create something new Nancy shares the process of getting started at paint night  Painting provides for the opportunity to relieve stress and have a community  Painting for young children is a great opportunity for them to explore their creativity  Jewel shares why she loves paint night and what drew her to start coming  Paint night creates a great environment to meet new people and have fun  What makes paint night different from other paint with a twist, paint and sip, or paint by numbers  Puerto Vallarta is a unique space for people to come create and eat  George talks about what brought him to paint night and what his experience has been  Liz talks about what inspired her to paint and how she expresses her creativity through fashion   Paint night is one of the best evening experiences in the Florida Keys  Sue helps you translate your inspiration by mixing colors and helping you sketch    Links:  https://www.43keys.com Susan Jankowski’s paint classes have moved to her art studio in the Morada Way art district in Islamorada, FL.  Contact Susan Jankowski on Facebook or at (305) 304-6478

Today’s guest is professional ceramicist, Beth Kaminstein. At the age of 16, Beth’s mother  helped her form a relationship with a local potter who taught and inspired her. Beth also studied ceramics, drawing, and dance in college and enjoyed traveling to Italy and studying ceramics there. So how did Beth finally get to the Florida Keys? Catch the show to hear her story.   Show Highlights: Beth shares how she began her career as a ceramicist. Beth tells how her love of the Florida Keys began. Beth says while traveling to Greece and Turkey, she met a potter who had the lifestyle she wanted. Beth realized she could have the affordable lifestyle she wanted in the keys. Beth shares how the nature, including leaves of the keys inspires her work. Beth tells us that ceramics is not how she makes her living, by choice. Beth gives advice for anyone interesting in making the Florida Keys home. Beth’s work is sometimes featured in Steven Harvey’s gallery on Forsyth in NYC Beth’s work will travel to NADA Fair in Miami with Steven Harvey during the first week in December. Beth did an exhibition proposal for the Studios of Key West. Beth shares about what inspires her to create.   Links:  Steven Harvey’s Fine Art Projects NADA Fair in Miami, FL The Studios of Key West   Currently, Beth’s work can be seen online at the Huxley-Lavelle Fine Art Gallery.    Beth's Website

Today’s guest is artist, gallery owner, and lifelong educator, Carmen Sotolongo Kelley. Carmen is the owner and founder of Key Largo Art Gallery, which includes work from various artists, along with her own work. Carmen is a Cuban-American artist who experiments with various mediums and colors to allow for an array of diversity in her work. Join Nancy in today’s conversation to learn more about Carmen’s journey as an artist, what her creative process looks like, and how the Keys has influenced and inspired her artistic career.  Show Highlights: Carmen shares how she began her career as an artist  Carmen was relocated to the Keys and began renting a studio space to prioritize her art, which led to her owning a gallery  Carmen discusses her creative process and what inspires her  Much of Carmen’s work is reflective of her Cuban heritage but she likes to experiment with emotions  What is it like to be an artist in the Keys in comparison to other places  It’s important to give back to your community as an artist  Carmen has been a lifelong educator and currently teaches art  Becoming an artist can be hard and take years to get recognized  If you always do your best, you’ll always be successful  Links: Connect with Key Largo Art Gallery on Facebook Connect on the Web

There are many challenges to being in a creative career. Not only do you have to manage your own business, but you also have to consistently come up with new ideas, find new clients, and find new ways to sell yourself. However, it can also be a highly rewarding industry.  In this episode, photographer Karrie Porter Bond shares how she’s established herself as a professional photographer for 18 years and the abundance of fulfillment it’s brought her. She discusses how to establish yourself in a creative career, the importance of understanding the quality of the service you’re providing people, and various aspects of her work life. Join Nancy in this energetic interview to hear more about what life is like as a photographer in the Keys.    Show Highlights:  Karrie shares how she became a professional photographer and her career story  Karrie discusses the various aspects of photography that feed her creatively There are various different types of events Karrie shoots for and she shares how she does those shoots  Photography offers a sense of validation and excitement  Providing happiness for others and having creative freedom can be a huge benefit to having a photography career  Karrie shares some of the limitations and benefits a photography career can have  Karrie shares what makes her style colorful, vibrant and energetic  How is being a photographer in the Keys different than other places You are reselling yourself to a new market every day  The Keys is a great place to pursue a creative career If you have the creative problem-solving skills to be an artist, you can run a business  Finding your motivation and reason for pursuing your creativity  You have to learn how to sell in a way that solves people’s problems    Links:  https://kporterphotography.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kporterphoto/?hl=en

Are you a lover of art? Do you enjoy meeting artists and watching musicians perform? We’re with Riona Campbell today. She is in charge of the Morada Art Walk, and in today’s show, she will be telling us all about it. She will explain what’s so cool about the Art Walk, and she will tell us why we should be there on the third Thursday of every month. Stay tuned to hear what she has to say! Riona Campbell is the Executive Director of Morada Way Arts and Cultural District. The area is home to many vibrant artists, and on the third Thursday of each month, the Art Walk shares a collection of their works. The art of these local artists ranges from painting to printmaking to photography to ceramics. There are also wonderful local and visiting musical acts happening there, and a huge variety of delicious food, ice-cold craft beer, and tempting cocktails are available. Be sure to listen in today, to find out why you cannot miss the Morada Art Walk on the third Thursday of every month. Show highlights: What’s in it for the tourist. The Art Walk is the perfect balance between community events and welcoming visitors from out of the area. The Art Walk is the perfect place for locals to see and be seen. What you will see and do at the Art Walk. The Art Walk captures the heart and soul of the Keys. There is a fun-filled, family, and puppy-friendly event. Art Walk will never be canceled, no matter the weather. There are some air-conditioned galleries where you can cool down if it’s too hot. There’s a garden, with live music, and games, behind the Florida Brewery. Between fifteen and fifty artists are featured. Links and resources: Morada Way Arts and Cultural District Third Thursday Morada Way Art Walks Lone Star BBQ on Facebook Olive Morada Jessica Ann Art Forty-Three Keys Media Consulting Group

We are thrilled to have Mr. Dave Feder, a tremendous musical artist who lives in the Florida Keys, join us on the podcast today. Dave's name is very familiar to most of the residents of the Keys, and many of them have seen and heard him perform, so we're really looking forward to talking to him today. Dave does not play other people's music and he prefers to allow the atmosphere in the room to move him and dictate where each performance will go. Be sure to tune in today, to hear what Dave has to share about his kind of music.   Dave was a curious kid, growing up. He had unusual and interesting parents who didn't want to teach their children their prejudices and forced all three of them to take piano lessons, which Dave did not enjoy. When he was about nine or ten years old, he was given a Hohner guitar. He had a book of cowboy songs and he managed to learn every song in the book. He had a neighbor who had a band that would play in the barn, and Dave would often escape from his room and run to the neighbor's house to listen to the band. They played in open tunings, which really fascinated and affected Dave. Later on, Dave's cousin, a talented guitarist, taught him some things about playing the guitar, and eventually, Dave went on to teach himself to play the guitar properly. Listen in today, to find out more about this interesting and talented musician.     Show highlights: Dave explains why he does not enjoy being referred to as a 'local artist'. Dave talks about why he does not usually play other people's music. He could probably play songs that he has written for ten hours straight, without repeating any of them. When Dave sits down to perform, he likes to let the vibe of the room dictate what will happen. Dave is currently influenced by the Spanish and Lucian styles of music, which are traditionally improvisational. Why he isn't capable of playing the same songs, in the same way, over and over. Dave likes to have his mind and body tuned well enough to allow the music to come out of his hands and be delivered and shared with the audience, in the present moment. Dave's preferred band understands him well. They are all in tune with each other and they have a conversation, musically, which is very meaningful to the people who are involved in it. Dave talks about his role in the Jimmy Buffett Projects. Dave shares his definition of success. It can take years to perfect certain technical skills on the guitar. His parents were interesting, unusual and forward-thinking people. Dave likes to fix electronics. He built a television set when he was thirteen years old, from an old army kit. When something interests him, he learns about it because his parents taught him that he could learn anything he wanted to. But his parents were aghast when he wanted to go to music school.   Dave comes from a family of over-achievers, and they are all very charity-minded. Dave talks about ICE, which was formed to build an amphitheater, to bring art, music, and dance to the public at no cost, and to fund scholarships. In general, Dave has found that the people who have made it big, are charitable. Establishing a value for your art is an important step in being an artist. Links and resources: Dave's website - https://davidfeder.com/ ICE - www.keysice.com 

Liz Young shares with us how her organization supports locals artists in the Florida Keys.