Art Pays Me

Rhys Waters is an award winning television and radio producer from the UK whose now based in Nova Scotia. Rhys had diverse creative interests, growing up but didn't know exactly how he wanted to apply them to a career. We talked about how watching the DVD extras on the movie Evil Dead helped him figure that out and how not following others and exploring your individual "weirdness" as a creative ca...

International Outsider Artist, Flavia Testa is a rebellious free-thinker whose raw, unapologetic work drew me to her. We share our thoughts on pursing an art career without formal training from an art school, how pushing risky concepts in her art has been rewarding, how being a "third culture kid" with UN Diplomat parents impacts her work and why it's important to take your ego out of your art. Fl...

In this episode I spoke with model, Lily Lightbourn about how someone from the tiny island of Bermuda is working with some of the biggest brands and publications in the world, what it's like working with a modelling agency, the casting process and what it's like backstage at a major runway show. We also talked about diversity in the modelling industry and how social media is affecting the industry...

I chat with hip hop artist Maje about his passion for music, how winning $10,000 in the Viola Desmond Singing/Songwriting Competition simultaneously made his mother a believer and proved to himself that it's possible to make money from music. We discussed the importance of having systems in place to help hip hop artists grow, spending time in Atlanta to make music, his involvement with Spotify Sec...

On episode 30 I interview award winning Filmmaker, Public Speaker and Mental Health Advocate, Tyler Simmonds. We talk about his film projects, about growing up in North Preston, where masculinity and mental health in the Black community intersect, what it was like working on the Bell Let's Talk campaign and I even open up about my personal journey with mental health. Get in touch with Tyler Websit...

On this episode I chat with multihyphenate, Kayla Borden about being an Event Coordinator, Promoter and Community Advocate. We talk about how we faired during hurricane Dorian, how Kayla supports and advocates for artists in the community, the importance of getting offline and networking in person and how to create impact through board membership. Contact Kayla Personal Instagram Personal Twitter...

I'm excited to welcome the first rapper to Art Pays Me — I chat with 2019 Polaris Award winning artist Haviah Mighty about her latest project The 13th Floor and how it came to be. We talk about breaking through as an artist, and how race and gender can impact your career. I asked her if music artists need record labels in 2019. I even got Haviah to share her top 5 rappers dead or alive.  Haviah On...

On the the second half of the Art Pays Me Live recording I interviewed Illustrator, Artist and Creative Content Producer, Élana Camille Saimovici. Élana talks about how she expressed herself creatively in many ways growing up but having an illustration business happened unexpectedly. She recalls how selling at markets for her family's Bajan food business made her more equipped to sell her art. She...

This is the first half of the Art Pays Me Live Recording! In the first half of the show I interviewed Geordan Moore of Quarrelsome Yeti about his unique aesthetic, how he's been able to establish a successful career as an illustrator and whether he considers himself a fashion designer since a lot of his work ends up on clothes. We also talk about how he balances client work vs independent projects...

On episode 25 I chat with Medical Skin Therapist, Lash Artist and Educator Stella Niatsikas. Stella talks about her passion for eyelash extensions and the beauty industry. The thriving business she's built as a master Eyelash Technician and Trainer of aspiring "lashistas". She talks about her fine art background, why she feels her work with lashes is an extension of her artistic practice and what...

I had a great conversation with Painter, Kimberley Eddy about, where she grew up, how she went from teacher to full-time painter, her time living in my home country, Bermuda and how it left its mark on her. We dug into why she incorporates the ocean into so much of her work, how that's become her brand and how she feels about sharing work that's outside of what she's most known for. We also talk a...

This week I speak and Activist, Poet , Author and former Poet Laureate of Halifax Rebecca Thomas. We had an incredible conversation about her work raising awareness of Indigenous issues in this region, her creative journey and how establishing credibility can help an artist justify their rates. We also talk about: loving the land we know as Canada while not ignoring the ways that it can improve, a...

This week I chat with Author and Spoken Word Artist, Guyleigh Johnson. We talk about her books, her creative process, how she found her publisher and the fear of having your work stolen. We also talk about how mental health challenges present differently in the Black Community and how that impacted us. Guyleigh opens up about her experience working with child education and why her stories are impo...

This week I speak with Trevor Silver, the Designer and Founder of clothing brand tREv Clothing. Trevor is an inspiring young business owner with a bright future. We talk about the origin of his brand, where his love for fashion and entrepreneurship came from and how they intersect with who he is as a person. We also got into: Shifting goals and priorities as new opportunities present themselves We...

On this solo episode, I share the story of a potential client project that didn't pan out and why the way I was approached left me feeling uncomfortable. I recorded this episode while walking my dog on a beach in PEI and you can hear me gradually get more out of breath as the episode goes on. My dog is big and was pulling a lot so I apologize for that!

This week I talk about what it means to be an aspiring artist and how old-school gatekeepers sometimes fool us into believing that there's only one form of professional validation. I share some exciting news and announce that there won't be an episode next week because I'm on vacation baby! Vote for me in the Best Of Halifax Awards as Best Fashion Designer.  

I chat with Artist, Coach and Teacher Gwen Fox about her art practice and how she helps other artists develop as creators and business people through her coaching and teaching programs. We also talk about how shifting your mindset can help you achieve your goals as an artist. I felt like Gwen and I were kindred spirits. This is a great episode for the creative "late-bloomers" who are tired of aspi...

Painter, Video Artist and Textile Artist and Yale School Of Art student, Hangama Amiri chatted with me about the powerful statements in her art. She shares why her Afghan heritage is an influence on her work and we bond over the fact that we're both immigrants who juggle multiple identities. Hangama offers some advice about pricing art and I share the story of the first time I sold a painting. Han...

On this episode I use a basketball analogy to talk about the importance of trying and how it looks like failure sometimes, even when it's a stepping stone to success. I also talk about why you need to believe in your ability when others don't.

On episode 15 I interview Beau Cleeton, a Product Developer, Artist and the CEO of rolling paper company, Canadian Lumber. We challenge the commonly held belief that artists can't or shouldn't be business people. We talked about how Canadian Lumber came to be a leader in the Canadian rolling paper industry, its business model and how Beau's passion for Cannabis helped him first identity, then capi...

This episode is a recording of a podcasting panel that I spoke on during Social Media Day Halifax 2018. It took place before this podcast existed and I was still co-host of Changing the Narrative but I'm sharing it because I think that information is valuable and still holds up. The panel featured – Mike Tanner Digital Story Teller and Branding Specialist – Erin Trafford, Marketing Strategist and...

Erin Trafford is an award-winning broadcaster, media and brand ambassador and influencer marketing strategist. We talk about her roots in journalism and as an OG in the influencer game. Erin explains what it means to be a city mouse and country mouse and how she uses those dual identities to win over clients. We discuss why having a background in journalism is valuable in the current entrepreneuri...

On Episode 12 I chat with Architect and Adjunct Professor and lecturer at Dalhousie University School of Architecture, Eric Stotts about what an architect does, what skills an aspiring architect should develop and why it's important to consider history and human need when creating new developments. We also have a great philosophical discussion about function vs aesthetic needs in design. This is a...

On episode 11 of Art Pays Me, I speak with Grammy nominated, MTV Award and Cannes Lions Award winning Director, Andy Hines about how he went from making videos for clients in Nova Scotia to directing music videos for ASAP Mob and how that gave him the industry credibility to work with other big artists. Andy shares his philosophy around the importance of making good work, making a lot of it, putti...

Katrina Lopes is the president of KL Management, an artist management company whose roster includes platinum selling and Juno Award winning artist and producer Shawn Desman, R&B/soul artist, actor and cultural curator TiKA, and emerging pop/R&B artist Mandia. We talked about what an artist manager does, setting boundaries, why she started doing online coaching and the unconventional path she took...