Vulnerability in life and art

Sara is a thoughtful photographer and writer, documenting the process of chronic illness But as she reminds us, the photo is an abstraction of the subject in front of the camera's lens.  There are many stories she can tell through her work, and her insights into vulnerability and strength are touching and relevant to all Be sure to check out her work at www.sarajwinston.com or on instagram @sarajw...

Nate was a wonderfully sweet, gentle, and insightful guest I now know a little more about psychedelics than I did before, but more importantly I enjoyed a warm and open conversation with someone who genuinely cares about people and the stories we tell ourselves and others Be sure to check out his podcasts: Curious Chimps and  Psychedelic Archives

P.S. When you listen to the personal story I shared, here's a side note.  I realized late last night that what I thought I told the woman wasn't quite what I actually said, which was something more like "...I miss it when we don't talk."  Talk about the subconscious at work. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts about what authentic vulnerability means to you. Please let me know! vulnerabil...

Season 2 of Vulnerability in life and art launches with Mark Murphy, talented collage artist, graphic designer, and musician We talked about the benefits of constraints, relationships between image and sound, the excitement of creating massive projections at scale, overcoming fear of failure, and what it may mean to call oneself an artist Check out Mark's work at www.markmurph.co.uk and on instagr...

This is the final episode of the first season of Vulnerability in life and art I had a different kind of conversation with Kate Rusko, which revolved around a triplet of related themes - refuge, rest, and resistance Kate has stepped through many fields, from fashion and economics through art and on to astrology and spirituality, and she shares a lovely series of insights from her experiences and r...

During our conversation, Tara Semenov talked about her evolution from sculptor to gallerist, experiencing the real-life physicality of art, and her plans to open her own gallery I really enjoyed hearing about Tara's experiences and vision for herself in the business side of the art world Be sure to check out her work on instagram @taralyd

Mixed media artist Jean-Christophe Couet talks about identity and community in such thoughtful and important ways I learned a lot from my conversation with him Check out his work on instagram @_jeanchristophe as well as the account for the Transmission project @transmission.nyc

I enjoyed a lovely conversation with Nadine Khalil, accomplished independent arts writer and curator based in Dubai Her passionate connection with language and culture shine throughout the interview as she shares her love of film, performance art, and literary work Be sure to check out her work @nadine_a_khalil on instagram

Chiara Williams is a talented artist, curator, and educator based in the UK Her series of still life paintings, titled Push/Pull, reflect a gentle awareness of our need for refuge from everyday challenges as we pursue art for art's sake, whatever that may look like for each of us Check out her work on instagram @chiara_williams and at chiarawilliams.com Image © Chiara Williams

To paraphrase John Lennon, this episode is what happened while I was busy making other plans I thought I'd share some thoughts on the challenge of taking the rest we need and how that relates to the benefits of true refuge

New York Times best selling co-author of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls , founder of Undercats Media, and creator of narratives about and for the children who have felt invisible Francesca Cavallo grew up in the south of Italy, without models for the life she dreamed of, and so she created her own.  The passion that drives her life and her art are inspiring for anyone with the desire to live i...

This was one of those conversations that changed how I think and feel about my life and what I want to do with it Angelika Kollin is a tremendously talented photographer with wonderful insight into what it means to make oneself vulnerable and create from that space Take time today to make something that is meaningful to you Explore Angelika's work online at angelikakollin.com and on instagram @ang...

In this episode, I introduce the next aspect of this exploration into vulnerability: the vulnerability journal project You can listen to the episode to find out what the project is all about, then check out vulnerabilitylifeart.com/journal for more details I would love to send you a blank journal to see what you create on your page and where it goes from there...

Frank Strunk III is a self-taught artist working in Saint Petersburg, Florida. From a background in commerical printing and construction, he made his way to developing his skills as a metal artist who creates evocative and gentle pieces, like the machine which is holding - or being held by - a delicate dancing balloon of parchment. Frank shares how he became an artist- not just a person who makes...

Shaun Stamp is an exceptional, sensitive artist whose work is a t once both conceptual and strongly emotional His pieces span many media, from photography to sculpture and text to installations, addressing themes related to identity, what it means to be human, and making meaningful connections with others Learn more about Shaun and his work by visiting @shaunstamp on instagram and shaunstamp.com ...

Sid Daniels has drawn incredible inspiration from art and music dating from the 1930s to the 1950s, creating dramatic, captivating illustrations, murals & paintings that reflect the unique influences on his work Sid shares highlights and lessons from his decades of experience as an artist.  And he continues to explore who he is - and is becoming - as he makes and refines his art, every day Visit @...

Where are you on your journey?  Are you open to learning from and connecting more deeply with other people, power animals, the natural world that surrounds us...? Eva Blossom talks about the shamanic journey, vulnerability as our truth, and the power of looking into the eyes of another Visit innerblossom.ca to learn more about gaining greater awareness and healing through the practices of shamanis...

What does it mean to be disabled?  And how might we be disabling others despite good intentions? Duncan Meerding is a lighting and furniture designer-maker from Tasmania.  He's also visually impaired.  How does that affect his work?  I learned a lot about vulnerability, accessibility, and sustainability from our conversation Be sure to check out Duncan's work on instagram @duncanmeerding or online...

Gary Trente is a gifted artist who shares wonderful insights into the act of making art and what it means to him, whether he is painting, drawing, or working through the process of creating his next piece. Even during those periods in his life when he was doing other things, he never stopped thinking about making art. Check out his profile @garytrente to see some of his beautifully rendered drawin...

Lynda Williams is a pioneer in multiple realms Among many accomplishments, she wrote a 10-book series set in Okal Rel, a universe of her own creation She shares her thoughts and experiences of writing, being published, connecting with an audience, and creating works of art in the spirit of #slowculture Learn more about her work at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynda_Williams

Teddy Syrette/Ozhawa Anung Kwe/Yellow Star Woman, who sits in the Wolf Clan, tells compelling stories about their life as a first nation 2Spirit storyteller, actor, artist, and advocate from Sault Ste Marie. The term '2Spirit' ( niizh manidoowag ) is a cultural identity that speaks to the long indigeneous history of gender diversity and same-sex relationships in different tribes and nations, which...

My conversation with Jocelyn Lee, an artist and photographer based in Portland Maine and Brooklyn New York, made me realize how vulnerability and strength truly complement each other.  The proof is in her photographs, which marry them in an exquisite way, as landscapes and human forms pass through stages of birth and blossoming, fertility, bounty, fragility, and death. Jocelyn shares how she feels...

I took this opportunity to reflect on what I've heard from the people I've spoken with so far, what it has meant to me in my personal life, and what the podcast is about.

As Nicole Travers explains, her art is "almost like a subtle takeover." We have to be gentle with our selves and spirits. If that bead is not laying quite flat, maybe it's not supposed to. Nicole works mainly with beads, inspired by traditional quillwork, elaborate Mi'kmaq indigenous patterns, and the loom she built with her father before he passed away. She pursues a boldness that takes people ab...

Erika Doyon, tattoo artist and owner of Studio Artease in Montréal, shares stories about the art of tattooing, mentoring artists, and her remarkable grandmother. Getting tattooed puts people in a vulnerable state. In those moments she plays two roles, both tattoo artist and therapist, creating body art in her own style that delivers on client desires. Her grandmother made a living as a painter fro...