the makers podcast

Greg Lundgren does a lot of stuff, as the owner of Vito's, The Hideout and Lundgren Monuments, you'd think he'd have his hands full. But no, he had to go create Out Of Sight, a huge survey of art from the PNW currently in its second year and opening August 4th alongside the Seattle Art Fair. We sat down in my studio to talk about what went into its creation, what's new this year, what keeps him going and what drives him crazy.

Allyce Wood's work addresses the intersection of humankind and the natural world, considering the ecological and cultural ramifications on both. She is also in possession of an extremely agile and curious mind which makes for lively conversation peppered with surreal tangents and funky sub-references. She wants to be eaten by an Orca, me not as much. Discover the resoning behind both our stances by pressing play.

In the second half of my conversation with Tonya Lockyer we discuss the challenges of turning Velocity Dance Center around and reinvigorating its community reach, then move on to examining the nature of dance and art and they're relationship with broader society. And as always, a bunch of other stuff. Stuff that further cements the idea that Tonya is the bees knees.

Tonya Lockyer began dancing at the age of four, at 9 she was invited to join the National Ballet School of Canada in Toronto, after which moving to New York to study with Merce Cunningham. From there her explorations as a dancer and choreographer has taken her all over the world, eventually bringing her to Seattle where she worked with local dance institutions like On The Boards, Cornish College for the Arts and Velocity Dance Center, where she became Executive Director in 2011. After revitalizing and dramatically expanding the organization over the next three years she proposed changing the organizational structure to an executive team, with Tonya becoming Artistic Director in 2014. But these highlights don't begin to tell half of her story. Tonya is an incredibly energetic and generous soul and sitting down with her in her place in Pioneer Square was a fantastic experience, one which produced one of my favorite conversations thus far. This is part one of a two-part episode, and to be honest, I'd happily sit down with her again and again, she's the cat's pajamas.

UK artist Jamie Moakes tackles some serious economic questions through an admittedly somewhat absurd quest: manipulating the market for Ram Man action figures in order to turn said action figures into valuable currency. I sat down with Jamie at Interstitial Gallery in Seattle and over the course of a handful of bourbon and gingers, got to know this witty, charming and generally delightful fellow. Plus he's got that lovely British accent that makes everything he says sound more authoritative to American ears (I'm so goddamn provincial).

Amanda Manitach Is an artist, the visual arts editor for CityArts Magazine, The director of the Hedreen Gallery at Seattle University and the co-founder of The Factory, a new arts space in Seattle's Capital Hill Neighborhood. That's like, three and a half people's worth of stuff that she's getting done. What have you gotten done today? That's right, think about it. And then go do something already, but not until you've listened to the podcast. Priorities. It's all about priorities.

Susie Lee is an artist, Katrina Hess is a designer, and together they are the co-founders of Siren, a new dating app that introduces a unique and engaging platform that helps build community while empowering its users. We talk about the nature of online dating and the reasons these two decided to try to create something different. And a whole bunch of other stuff, you know the drill by now.

Episode 20 is a whopper of a show, live from Seattle Town Hall I spoke to about 15 different folks about all manner of creative and arts-centric stuff. Big props to Juan Alonso for throwing the whole thing together and Town Hall for hosting!

Episode 19 has me continuing my conversation with Washington artist Brian Cypher. Having discussed his youth and early artistic life we move on to what drives his current practice, what questions and concerns confront us in the studio and his newest upcoming venture, Occasional Galery.

Brian Cypher produces work that is honest, direct, unadulterated, and at the same time vulnerable and approachable. It's no surprise our conversation shared many of the same traits. I've long admired his artwork and visiting him in his studio was a real pleasure. It was a little early in the day for my customary bottle of wine so there was nothing to combat the triple latte I had on the way to his house, consequently, I think I talked a whole bunch more than usual, which I realize is saying a lot. Once again, this is part one of a two-part episode. 

For the second part of my conversation with Sharon Arnold we discuss her launching of the Length x Width x Hight art subscription service that led to her Georgetown gallery of the same name. Her current partnership in Roq La Rue Gallery is also discussed along with many other things, including her plans for world domination. Enjoy.

Sharon Arnold has been director of youth programs at Gage Arts Academy, Owner of Length x Width x Hight Gallery, freelance curator, arts writer and artist. And a whole bunch of other stuff. Currently, she is co-owner and director of Roq La Rue, one of the nation's premier Pop Surrealist Galleries. In part one of a two-part episode we discuss her upbringing here in Seattle, her years working and studying in NYC, her return home and first moves as artist and curator. Oh, and she has a great dog (sorry, Sharon's cats).

Whatever Kimberly Trowbridge does, be it painting or teaching, playing music or conversing about art, she does with incredible energy and focus. I sat down with her at Top Hat studio, to discuss her journeys, both physical and spiritual, and the impact they've had on her life and artwork. Once again, music from Adam Levy buttons up the end of the show in advance of his March 27th show at my house in Seattle.

Joe Rudko is an artist living and working in Seattle. He's also young, smart and incredibly gifted. Despite these things, I truly like him very much. His work, which manipulates found photographs and the ancillary detrius of our chemical photorgaphy past to explore questions of truth and perception is, in a word, fantastic. And did I mention he runs a gallery called Two Shelves out of his apartment that features monthly intallations from established and emerging artists? Well, I just did.

For Episode 13 I sat down with New York artist Cicdy Hinant at Interstitial on the eve of her opening there in February of 2015. We discussed her work and the cult of celebrity voyeurism that informs it. I actually had quite a few of my misconceptions straitened out during this conversation, and as much as I can't stand the thought of personal growth I have to say I feel good about the whole thing. Music by the Honeydogs is featured at the end as part of a run up to Adam Levy's concert at my house at the end of March. (more on that in future episodes).

I sat down with Joey Veltkamp with a lovely bottle of bourbon for an even lovelier conversation with the loveliest fella around. from religion to politics to methods of coping with both without going crazy I got to know the man behind the bedding. Joey is one of those people that makes you feel better for having spent time with him. And he makes fantastic art, so there's that. Follow the link to check it out.

For the second part of my conversation with Tim Cross, We dig deeper into a whole slew of topics concerning art-making, the percieved value of novelty, remaining open and curious  in one's practice and whether winning the lottery would turn us into insufferable art snobs. Dig in and enjoy.

Episode 10 has me sitting down in the Seattle studio of artist Tim Cross for a fun, rambling and at times delightfully contentious conversation about absolutely everything. I'm not kidding, we talked about every single thing, seriously, I had to make it a two-parter just to fit it all in. I also apparently have lost the ability to count to ten, as I refer to it as episode nine about a hundred times. Pay no attention to the idiot with the microphone.

Episode 9 has me sitting down with Julia Greenway of Interstitial (formerly Interstitial Theater) in their brand new digs in Georgetown, Seattle to discuss new media, video art, homemade pizza, and how we both apparently value fresh seafood over human lives. Julia was a complete blast to hang out with and her energy and passion are infectious and inspiring. Check out interstitial at http://www.interstitialtheatre.com

Trenton Flock is a writer, poet and co-founder of Vanguard Seattle, an online arts, fashion and culture magazine based, you guessed it, in Seattle. Vanguard is a lot like Trenton himself: insightful, informitive and passionate about a broad range of things. We met at his place on New Years day and despite courting the obvious possibility of a dual hangover snooze-athon had a wonderfully candid conversation about a whole bunch of stuff, but mostly art. 

For Episode 7 we go back for the second half of Episode 5's interview with Emily Gherard, which begs the question "just which episode is this anyway?" (which sounds like a failed Judy Bloom novel for young adults). In this episode (whichever number it is) we talk about Emily's experience as an art instructor, our mutual social awkwardness, and chronic bridesmaid's syndrome.

For episode 6 I visit  artist  Juan Alonso Rodríguez  in his downtown Seattle studio. Juan emigrated here from Cuba as a child and his journey as a musician and an artist had him criss-crossing the states for several years before settling down in the Pacific Northwest. Christmas, San Francisco in the '80s, and strolling musicians are just a few of the topics covered.

For Episode 5 I visit Emily Gherard at her home and studio. Emily is a fantastic painter out of Seattle whose vision has been recognized locally as a Neddy Award finalist in 2013 and as a nominee for The Stranger's annual Genius Award this last summer. Personally her paintings have held me rapt since I first saw them and if I thought some sort of voodoo spell would devine for me the secret to their sublime creation I would have started collecting chicken bones a long time ago. This is part one of a two-part episode, the second of which will drop on Friday, December 19th. Bonus Xmas music from Lola and the Red Hots helps you get your yule on.

For episode four I visited the studio of post human contemporary artist Dylan Neuwirth. Dylan's work in glass, and neon not only references social media but employs it as sculptural medium in itself. At first blush cold and conceptual, his work is actually deeply rooted in explorations of identity and persona. Music, addiction, and Lenny Bruce are among the topics that pop up. 

Episode 3 brought gallerist Beth Cullom to my house to discuss her journey from Puyallup ragamuffin to art dealer at-large. Beth's passion is ridiculously infectious and her ideals are iron-clad. From her early years of musical commitment to the day she shed her brick-and-mortor gallery for loftier pursuits, Beth has been unwavering in her belief in the power of human expression. Plus she's got a pug, so, you know, she's on the team regardless.

Episode 2 finds us sitting down with Seattle Painter Carole D'Inverno,a painter's painter fearless in her pursuit of truth in expression. Her journey here from europe, New York in the '80's, Food as the ultimate artistic expression and getting poked with a stick pepper a lively, cacophonous conversation.

For our first conversation, I visit the studio of Seattle artist Robert Hardgrave. Robert has become a good friend over the past few years but there was still much of his story I didn't know as we sat down to record this week's episode. Skateboarding, cancer, Twisted Sister, hot ears, Robert's artwork and the unending enthusiasm of Gallerist Beth Cullom are among the many topics discussed. To view Robert's work head over to www.roberthardgrave.com, you'll be glad you did.