The Oystercast

This episode is in conversation with Annu Palakunnathu Matthew, a photo based artist, living in Rhode Island. We discuss her history, creative journey, soon to be published book https://minormattersbooks.com/collections/in-development/products/the-answers-take-tim ("The Answers Take Time" ), and multimedia project https://www.annumatthew.com/gallery/unremembered/ ("The Unremembered") .

This week Ron sits down with an old friend and fellow NESOP alum Dana Smith to talk about the photography industry over the past 30 years, shifting perspectives, outworking millennials, and just getting back to playing like an artist.

Jesseca Ferguson is an artist living in Boston who works with antiquarian photo processes to think about things that pass through this world. https://www.museumofmemory.com “You can close your eyes to reality, but not to memories.”   … StanisÅ‚aw Lec (1909-1966) I work with handmade photography and collage in a studio filled with old books and other oddments.  Interacting synergistically, these objects enable me to continue my ongoing investigation of the photograph as a story written with light – a story that may, in fact, never have happened. “Separation penetrates the disappearing person like a pigment and steeps him in gentle radiance.”    … Walter Benjamin (1892-1940)

Francine Weiss is the Senior Curator for the Newport Art Museum. We talked about how her job has evolved with technology, advice for artists, how to communicate with art and who is inspiring her. Please https://newportartmuseum.org/ https://newportartmuseum.org/exhibitions/hair-stories/ (https://newportartmuseum.org/exhibitions/hair-stories/)

The tendency to overthink and overproduce work is not discouraged in the age of immediate gratification and competition for nanoseconds of attention. Working against that trend is often where real "art" exists.

Mara Trachtenberg is a fascinating artist who creates worlds to tell stories about the world we all live in. Our conversation moved from mechanical process to myths and legends. She is a powerful creative force. https://www.heragallery.org/mara-trachtenberg

Today, Ron and Alex talk about good work and great work and what the difference is between them. And what is that secret sauce that makes good work, great work. It's not as simple as you might think.

Today we are talking with Susan McDonald. Suzanne is a brand journalist education innovator community launch your success advocate, pod cast, or multi award winning marketing solutions and all around great person. And it was a pleasure to listen to what she's up to. https://newportinteractivemarketing.com/events/ https://anglesandinsights.com/Results https://www.roiinu.com/insights

Recorded live in Providence, Rhode Island near the famous pedestrian bridge, Ron and Alex take on the idea of professionalism and what that means now. When someone calls themselves a professional, what are they trying to convey? What's wrong with being an amatuer? Why does it matter?

This week Alex is sitting down with Eden from Eden Casteel Music Studio to talk about the challenges of living a life in music during a pandemic. Not only has she kept her students engaged, but she is working on her third album since June, and has played live with talented musicians throughout the world, but she's done it all from the comfort of her home. Eden's Website: http://www.edencasteel.com/ (http://www.edencasteel.com/)

This is our first recording outside and we're having a ball. We test new equipment (video to follow) and talk about gear and technology. Drop us a line.

This week we talk with Tuni Shartner, Rhode Island's Economic Gardner and business connector, about her role in creating innovation spaces for businesses of all sizes. She has a keen insight and several accurate predictions. Then Alex and I discuss the creative habits that help us, and anyone, produce successful ideas.

We're talking with Tammy Brown, Artistic Director of the https://www.contemporarytheatercompany.com/ (Contemporary Theater Company) in Wakefield, Rhode Island about directing, Shakespeare, her artistic journey, and the process of building something new after a pandemic. Then, Alex and I discuss the creative process, Chase Jarvis, ice climbing, and the importance of finishing projects.

Is there a method for producing ideas? The answer is "Yes". This week: We discuss the book https://www.amazon.com/Technique-Producing-Advertising-Classics-Library/dp/0071410945 ("A Technique For Producing Ideas" ) by James Webb Young. Also, we're talking with Jess Bachman, Co-Founder and Creative Strategy Director of http://fireteam.is/team/ (Fireteam), a creative marketing team that specializes in taking great ideas to the highest possible level of engagement.

“Getting it wrong is right.” from Paul Arden's bookhttps://www.amazon.com/Its-Not-How-Good-Want/dp/0714843377 ( It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want To Be) is a path to making something fresh by doing it wrong. Being right means holding on to how things have always been done instead of breaking into new territory. To be right is to play it safe but to be wrong often is where innovation and new ideas are created. Today we look at some examples of how this thinking has been practiced and how you can practice it today. Artistshttps://www.sallymann.com/southern-landscapes ( Sally Mann) &http://www.amygiese.com/concealed-at-first-at-last-i-appear.html ( Amy Giese) are leaning into making things wrong to get them right. We also talk about the movie Valley Uprising, about the Yosemite Park dirtbags who changed, elevated, and innovated climbing. Alex talks about Netflix and their gatekeeping ways Ron talks about his firsthttps://www.roncowiephoto.com/leaving-babylon-2 ( real body of art) and how it made him miserable.

A large industry and been created around photo and video production insisting that their product will take your "vision to the next level". We talk about how that has affected our creative process for both good and bad. What makes a great image? How important are the tools of your trade? The answer isn't as simple as you might think.