AART

American flower portraitist Elizabeth Barlow joins host Chris Stafford on the AART podcast for an in-depth biographical conversation about the woman behind the paintings. Known for her luminous Flora Portraits, Barlow brings individuality and presence to her floral subjects. In this personal interview, Chris gets up close with the artist whose work invites us to pause, look carefully, and reconsid...

American wild horse and sports photographer Maureen Armstrong joins host Chris Stafford on the AART podcast. From the intensity of competitive sports to the open landscapes of the American West, Armstrong’s photography captures movement, emotion and the fleeting moments that give an image its story. Discover a photographer whose work brings audiences closer to America’s wild horses and the extraor...

In this episode of AART, Chris welcomes multi-award-winning American film editor, producer and writer Nancy Novack, ACE, for a biographical conversation about the life, experiences and creative choices behind her distinguished career in film.  For more than 25 years, Nancy has helped shape documentary and feature films for HBO, PBS, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu and Starz. Her work has appeared at l...

Can photographs of the natural world help create spaces of hope, comfort and healing?  In this episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford speaks with Sacramento-based American wildlife photographer and architect Beth Young, whose luminous images bring the restorative beauty of nature into healthcare and residential environments throughout California. Beth’s photography can be found in hospit...

Multi-award-winning British Production Designer and Set Decorator Alison Harvey joins Chris to share the story of her life and an extraordinary career spent creating some of the most memorable worlds in British film and television. Over more than two decades, Alison has built a remarkable career across the art departments of television series and major motion pictures, progressing through a profes...

Every career has a beginning, and every creative journey is shaped by moments of curiosity, courage, and unexpected opportunity.  In this episode of AART  host Chris Stafford sits down with American cinematographer Sharra Romany for a thoughtful conversation about the experiences that led her behind the camera and the people, places, and moments that have influenced her career. Rather than focusin...

On this episode of AART,  Chris welcomes Australian-born classical realist painter Hannah Sutton, whose artistic journey has taken her from her family's farm near Melbourne to the heart of Florence, Italy—the birthplace of the Renaissance. Working in one of the world's most influential artistic cities, Hannah has immersed herself in the centuries-old traditions of drawing and painting, embracing t...

On this episode,  Chris welcomes acclaimed American abstract artist Galen Cheney for an insightful conversation about creativity, artistic exploration, and the evolving language of contemporary abstract painting. Known for her vibrant, expressive works and fearless approach to experimentation, Galen Cheney has built a distinguished career creating paintings that balance intuition, movement, color,...

In this episode of AART, host Chris Stafford sits down with National Geographic Explorer photographer Mackenzie Calle to discuss the powerful intersection of art and storytelling. Through her lens, Mackenzie captures extraordinary images that not only reveal the beauty of the natural world but also help raise awareness about critical conservation challenges facing our ecosystems.  Mackenzie shares...

June Stratton is an American representational figurative painter known for her work capturing the human form with clarity, discipline, and emotional depth.  In this episode of the AART Podcast ,  Chris speaks with June Stratton about her career in figurative painting, her studio practice, and how she approaches realism in contemporary art. This conversation covers: How June Stratton became a figur...

In this episode of the  AART Podcast , host Chris Stafford sits down with renowned American digital collage artist Maggie Taylor , whose dreamlike, surreal imagery has redefined the boundaries between photography, technology, and fine art. Known for her pioneering work in digital collage, Maggie Taylor creates richly layered visual narratives that blend 19th-century photographic elements with cont...

In this compelling episode, host Chris Stafford welcomes German cinematographer  Bebe Dierken for an intimate and revealing conversation about the art and emotional power of visual storytelling.  Known for Dangerous Truth, Sexy Beast, Midas Man, Bridgerton with her distinctive visual language and ability to translate narrative into striking imagery, Bebe Dierken has built a career behind the camer...

In this fascinating episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with British illuminator Thea Gould to explore the intricate and fascinating world of illumination—an ancient art form that continues to inspire modern creativity. Known for her meticulous craftsmanship and dedication to preserving traditional techniques, Thea Gould shares the story behind her artistic journey, from dis...

In this compelling episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with acclaimed American author and art historian Donna Seaman to explore her extraordinary life and career at the intersection of visual art and literature. Known for her deeply insightful writing and influential voice in the art world, Donna shares her journey from an early passion for books and storytelling to becoming...

In this episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with acclaimed American trompe l’oeil painter Natalie Featherston, a Charlotte, North Carolina–based artist known for her extraordinary ability to create hyper-realistic paintings that challenge the viewer’s perception of reality. Natalie specializes in the centuries-old technique of trompe l’oeil, a style of painting designed to “...

In this episode of the  AART Podcast , host Chris Stafford sits down with Canadian hyperrealism artist Erin Rothstein for an in-depth conversation about her artistic journey, creative process, and the discipline behind creating incredibly lifelike works of art. Known for her strikingly detailed paintings that blur the line between photography and painting, Rothstein has built a reputation as a lea...

In this fascinating episode host Chris explores a very different art form when she meets American concrete artist Liz Nichols for a biographical conversation that explores her life, her career in the trades, and creative evolution. From transforming one of the most industrial materials in the world into expressive, tactile works of art, Liz Nichols has carved out a unique space within contemporary...

In this powerful and intimate episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with Austrian contemporary artist Katherina Olschbaur for a biographical conversation about her life, creative evolution, and the emotional force behind her large-scale figurative paintings. Known for her psychologically charged works that blur the boundaries between vulnerability and strength, Olschbaur has e...

In this episode of the  AART , host Chris Stafford sits down with American film and television professional Nica Fazio for an honest, wide-ranging biographical conversation about her life, career, and personal journey working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. Rather than focusing on technical details, this episode explores the human story behind a career spent on set—how Nica found...

In this intimate and reflective episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with American color pencil artist Megan Seiter for a deeply personal conversation about life, creativity, and the quiet dedication behind her work. Known for her richly layered drawings and extraordinary attention to detail, Seiter shares the story of how she found her voice as an artist—and why patience, pe...

In this deeply personal episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with acclaimed American film editor Jazzy Kettenacker for an intimate conversation about life, identity, and a career shaped by storytelling. Rather than focusing on technical process, this episode explores the human journey behind the edit — the experiences, values, and turning points that have defined Jazzy’s path...

In this deeply personal and wide-ranging episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with acclaimed South African production designer Sabrina Linder for an intimate biographical conversation about life, creativity, and the winding path that leads to a career in film. Rather than focusing on technical process, this episode explores the human story behind the work. Sabrina Linder refl...

On this inspiring episode of the AART Podcast , host Chris Stafford sits down with acclaimed painter and author Kami Mendlik , whose work is celebrated for its vivid portrayal of nature, her masterful study of color, and her ability to capture the ever-shifting qualities of light and movement. Known for her immersive landscapes and her deeply intuitive approach to plein air painting, Kami shares h...

Step behind the camera with Mia Cioffi Henry, a visionary cinematographer and filmmaker whose work explores the art of visual storytelling with depth, emotion, and purpose. In this episode, Mia shares her journey through the world of independent cinema, her creative process on set, and how she uses light, movement, and perspective to bring powerful stories to life. Discover insights on cinematogra...

Step inside the creative universe of Lorrie Minicozzi, an award-winning multi-media installation artist known for transforming ordinary spaces into extraordinary, sensory experiences. In this episode, we explore how Lorrie blends sound, light, sculpture, video, and storytelling to create immersive art installations that challenge perception and invite deep emotional connection. Discover the inspir...