The Gogh-Getters

You might have seen his work before you knew his name — hard-edged, pop-influenced bird paintings that are funny on the surface and quietly sophisticated underneath. David Yates has been at it for over 40 years, shown in nearly 100 exhibitions, and he's still adding to the flock. David is a lifelong Edwardsville resident who studied at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville under legendary draw...

Wil Thomas III rides a 1947 Harley he named 'So What' — after the Miles Davis song — because when he built it, bucking trends and going his own direction, nobody much cared. That name says everything about how Wil moves through the world: with complete conviction, full creative independence, and a quietly earned authority that tends to make people pay attention eventually.   In Episode 8, the Gogh...

What happens when a painter decides the canvas isn't enough? For Melissa (Missy) McDonough Borden , it leads to wire that mimics brushwork in midair, spinning vellum cylinders that paint the walls with colored light, and an installation show that fills an entire gallery with work made in just three months.   Missy is a painter, installation artist, educator, and Edwardsville institution. She h...

The Gogh-Getters have their first guests, and they did not set the bar low, instead they gave you a treasure trove of items to write down. Alex Johnmeyer is a 17-year painting veteran, St. Louis Magazine's Best Fine Artist of 2021, a queer and transgender artist and advocate, and the co-founder of the St. Louis VisualArtists Network — a Facebook group and monthly meeting now connecting 7,000 a...

Episode 5 features Steve Hartman. We chat about his entry into the arts, his design career and his favorite museum, Crystal Bridges in Bentonville, Arkansas. Steve is interviewed by his fellow Gogh-Getters, Kerry Smith, Juan Cruz and Dave Thomas. Steve Hartman is an Creative Director and Artist. You can see his work online: Design Portfolio: https://www.behance.net/Creativille Fine Art Portfolio :...

Episode 4 features the one and only Juan Cruz. Tatted to the hilt, loves a damn-fine museum, and maybe our hardest working Gogh-Getter. Juan talks tats, museums, drawing clubs and the St. Louis gallery scene. Juan is interviewed by his fellow Gogh-Getters, Kerry Smith and Dave Thomas. The Gogh-Getters are Gogh-Getters: ⁠Shop⁠ , ⁠Instagram⁠ Kerry Smith: ⁠Artist Website⁠ , ⁠Instagram⁠ Steve Hartman:...

On this episode, we meet another founding Gogh-Getter, Dave Thomas . Now retired, Dave lead a creative life as a sign designer, motorcycle racer and artist. Dave is interviewed by his fellow Gogh-Getters, Kerry Smith, Steve Hartman and Juan Cruz. The Gogh-Getters are Gogh-Getters: ⁠Shop⁠ , ⁠Instagram⁠ Kerry Smith: ⁠Artist Website⁠ , ⁠Instagram⁠ Steve Hartman: ⁠Artist Website⁠ , ⁠Instagram⁠ Juan Cr...

Episode 2 is an opportunity to meet Kerry Smith, our founding Gogh-Getter. Kerry is an Artist, Designer and Gogh-Getter who lives in Edwardsville and works above Eaker's Family Barbershop on Main Street. Dave Thomas joins us for this episode with Juan Cruz and Steve Hartman. We talk about recent art openings we recently experienced, along with some other shit. Learn more about Kerry Smith and...

Welcome to the pilot episode of The Gogh-Getters podcast. We are all over the board in our first attempt. We learn a little about our history, our current exhibit with John DenHouter and Lon Brauer, and future exhibits. Kerry reminisces about his first figure drawing class. Steve remembers his 10th Anniversary Letterpress show at the Edwardsville Arts Center and Juan fondly remembers his drawing i...