Art Pays Me

For the first time on Art Pays Me, I speak with a tattoo artist. Nadia Katherine and I talk about how to get into the tattoo industry, her influences and the diverse skillset needed to be successful as a tattoo artist. Nadia on Instagram

Interdisciplinary Artist, Letitia Fraser discusses her roots as an artist, her experience in art school and why Black portrait artists are important right now. We also talk about why staying independent of galleries can be a good thing for artists. Letitia Online Website Instagram Facebook

Musician and writer Cadence Weapon discusses his approach to making songs and how his obsession with rap guided him early on. We also talked about becoming more politically engaged to influence change in society, why Houston is the Edmonton of the South and Dave Chappelle's The Closer. Cadence Weapon Online Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Newsletter

KTheChosen is a Zimbabwe born hip-hop artist and activist based in Calgary Alberta. We talked about his music, activism, the importance of knowing what you care about most in the creative process and crediting collaborators for their roles. KTheChosen Online Spotify Instagram Twitter KTheChosen Facebook  

Rapid fire conversations with new Craft Nova Scotia members, Adam McNamara of Acadian Mushrooms, Jessie Marshall of Jessie Louise Design, Jennifer McDonald of Vivid Vision Bags, Funmi Odeniyi of Michnat Fashion and Peter and Luci Wile of LuPe Leather who will all be participating in the Craft Nova Scotia Winter Craft Show.  Links Craft Nova Scotia Acadian Mushrooms Jessie Louise Design Vivid Visio...

Husband and Wife creative duo, Mike and Kristen talk about collaboration, the process of making their new travel book, You and Me, and their respective approaches to making art. We also talk about the unsexy parts of making and releasing a creativity based commercial product and what's scary about making the leap to full-time creative. Mike and Kristen Online Website Mike and Kristen on Instagram...

In this episode with Christine Goudie, Co-Founder + CEO of Granville Biomedical, we talk about design in the medical, research and development space. We discuss when you should or shouldn't say no to opportunities and why Granville Biomedical chose to pivot during the pandemic. Christine also talks about the importance of treating your creative practice like a business, and some common mistakes th...

Vancouver based band daysormay talk about how they started making music and how they've made the best of the pandemic. We also talk about their new album, Just Existing and why putting a deadline on your success can be unhelpful.   daysormay online Website Instagram Facebook YouTube TikTok Twitch

Graphic Designer and Educator Amy Batchelor shares what it's like doing exhibition design for the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. We nerd out about design and creativity and Amy's experience as Casual Faculty at the Nova Scotia Community College. Amy also gives advice about what to include in your portfolio and why it's important to know yourself when thinking about your career in design or art. Amy's...

John Orpheus is a Trinidadian musician and writer based in Toronto. We talked about his upbringing, his thoughts on creativity, his new book Saga Boy and the musical companion to it – his album, Saga King .   John Online Website YouTube Instagram Twitter Facebook

On the 100th episode of Art Pays Me, Designer, Author and Professor Reginé Gilbert shares how her background in fashion, psychology and project management influence her work in user experience, accessibility design and education. We also talk about how transferable skills can be applied to different industries, how Reginé's dad inspired her to become a very accomplished public speaker and so much...

Rebekah Higgs and I talk about the latest season of home renovation show, DIY Mom that she both hosts and produces. We get into how she runs her business, being a mom and the influence of God in her life. She also talks about her parent's influence, her background as a performer and how leaning into creative opportunities led her to where she is today. Rebekah Online YouTube Instagram diymom.ca Ma...

Jenny Lea, Mikey J Blige and Amine Bouzaher of genre bending band, I M U R share how they fought through writer's block to create their latest album, My Molecules. They talk about their collaborative writing and producing process, playing shows and how they've grown during their 6 years of making music together. The trio also talk about the importance of taking the professional side of music serio...

Photographer Amy Eaton gives some insight into her path to photography, her business and why she incorporated teaching online courses . We also talk about the importance of nurturing creativity in children and learn about Amy's podcast, Bold Company that features unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs and creators. Amy Online Website Instagram Facbook YouTube Pinterest

Jenn talks about how the pandemic gave her a chance to learn new skills that have made her more independent as an artist and discuss why we wish we took more classes during our time at NSCADU . She also talks about her collection of covers of Canadian classics, her cover of Eye Of The Tiger being featured on multiple shows and her new variety show, Jenny Town. Jenn Online Covers Playlist on Spotif...

UK based Jewelry designer and academic, Melanie Eddy talks about her work, her beginnings in Bermuda and how teaching at Central Saint Martins impacts her practice. We also talk about addressing social justice as a creative and why we think being Bermudian is a super power. Melanie Online Instagram Website

Textile Artist and Printmaker Julie Rosvall discusses her process, her solo exhibition, Iterations, at Harvest Gallery and how Craft Nova Scotia supports crafters in Nova Scotia. We also talk about why it's ok to not have it all figured out and the importance of community.   Julie Online Website Textile Instagram Textile Twitter Textile Facebook Printmaking Instagram   Printmaking Twitter Printmak...

Artist and Designer Tafui shares her journey from Jamaica to Canada, how culture influences her work and why her dad's lessons were so impactful. We also talk about why it's important to be open to diverse perspectives in art, design and life and how she's helping Black students pursue a creative education.   Tafui online Print Fundraiser  Website Instagram

Visual Artist Christopher Webb talks about the meaning behind his paintings and how training in boxing taught him how fear can be productive for artists. We also talk about his business, Pavia Gallery - Espresso Bar & Café , his segment on Global Television called Visual Arts Abstract and his recent exhibition at Acadia University Art Gallery. Christopher Online Website Instagram Facebook

I speak with artists Kris Reppas and Emily Sheppard about their recent exhibition of death shrouds called, Across the Fire and what it's been like as an art student during a global pandemic. We talk about "death positivity", how their latest project addresses mortality and how our cultures inform our relationship with grief.  

On the final episode of the Craft Pays Me series, Artist and Jewellery Designer, K. Claire MacDonald talks about the symbolism in her work and the importance of sharing the stories that go with it. We also talk about how having secondary creative outlets can influence your primary pursuit, what she learns from going for a daily run, her experience doing an artist residency and the business behind...

Award-winning musician/composer, sound and video designer, performer and theatre creator, Aaron Collier talks about why he loves to tell stories as both a performer on stage and a designer behind the scenes. We also talk about his experience playing in the Jimmy Swift Band and starring in and creating the live mixed reality show, Frequencies, presented by Heist .

Bookbinder Rhonda Miller shares with us what bookbinding is and how she found herself working in this medium. She also talks about how she was able to grow her customer base, factoring in your experience level when pricing your work and why she has a diverse service offering.   Rhonda Online: My Handbound Books Blog Scotia Bookbinding Website Instagram Facebook

I recently had the pleasure of participating in Black Designers Connect, a workshop panel that's part of the Black Diamond Ball , an annual event that celebrates Black culture across Canada. The panel was hosted by Dr. Dori Tunstall , Dean of Design at OCAD University who also happens to be the first Black woman to be Dean of a Faculty of Design. I've been an admirer of her for a while so I was de...

Artist, Frances Dorsey and I talked about her creative process and why she avoids putting a label on her art. We also talked about how the chance discovery of a book on weaving set her on the path she's on today, how studying and then teaching at the university level impacted her practice. We learn about her latest project, Plant Kingdom and why you should just "Go for it". Thank you to  Craft Nov...