Episode 2 - Christina Ballantyne

In Episode #10 of WIPTHENRIP, Sydney Guzman and Ryan Sandison Montgomery sit down with artist and recent 2026 MacArthur Fellow Vincent Valdez for a conversation about art, politics, humanity, and the experiences that shape his artistic practice. Vincent reflects on growing up in San Antonio, learning to draw at an early age, and the influence of Superman on his understanding of heroism, responsibility, and the American ideal.The conversation explores how Vincent developed his voice as an artist and the ways he uses painting to confront difficult histories, question dominant narratives, and reflect on the world around him. He discusses the changing social and political landscape of America, the growing influence of technology, and whether people are beginning to recognize the realities unfolding around them. At the heart of his practice is a deep concern for humanity. His work is about people and for people, rooted in empathy, care, and a desire to bring attention to the experiences of others.Together, they reflect on the importance of following one's convictions, remaining curious and attentive to the world, and finding purpose through creative expression. The conversation considers the role of artists in uncertain times and the ability of art to encourage reflection, challenge perspectives, and connect us to one another.⸻SUPPORT WIPTHENRIPPATREON: https://www.patreon.com/wipthenrip⸻FOLLOW WIPTHENRIPINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wipthenrip/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@wipthenrip⸻FOLLOW THE HOSTSSYDNEY GUZMANINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sydneycguzman/RYAN SANDISON MONTGOMERYINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_r_s_m_/⸻GUESTVINCENT VALDEZWEBSITE: https://www.vincentvaldezstudio.com/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/vincentvaldez77/⸻CREDITSEdited by Sydney Guzman, Art Villarreal, Ryan Sandison MontgomeryWIPTHENRIP Theme Song by Jeff Allen#WIPTHENRIP #VincentValdez #MacArthurFellow #ContemporaryArt #ContemporaryPainting #ArtistInterview #ArtPodcast #PoliticalArt #Painting

n Episode #9 of WIPTHENRIP, Sydney Guzman and Ryan Sandison Montgomery sit down with Dallas-based painter Jessica Vollrath for a conversation about religion, identity, spirituality, and the experiences that shape her artistic practice. Jessica reflects on growing up in a Mennonite community, questioning the limitations of organized religion, and how her upbringing continues to influence the spiritual and symbolic imagery in her paintings.As a Black and Mexican woman, Jessica discusses how her identity has shaped the way others perceive her and the expectations that come with being seen through a particular lens. The conversation explores the tendency to place people into categories, the assumptions made about artists and their work, and the ways Jessica has learned to navigate and challenge those expectations.They also question why painters are so often expected to explain every aspect of their work rather than allowing the paintings to speak for themselves. Jessica reflects on her evolving practice, her desire to create work that extends beyond aesthetics, and the unpredictable nature of painting as it develops into something of its own. Together, they consider the relationship between art and spirituality, the freedom of moving beyond established boundaries, and the need for greater understanding and change in the world around us.Jessica's current solo exhibition, The Smell of Rain on Dust, is on view at Erin Cluley Gallery in Dallas, Texas, through November 7, 2026.⸻SUPPORT WIPTHENRIPPATREON: https://www.patreon.com/wipthenrip⸻FOLLOW WIPTHENRIPINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wipthenrip/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@wipthenrip⸻FOLLOW THE HOSTSSYDNEY GUZMANINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sydneycguzman/RYAN SANDISON MONTGOMERYINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_r_s_m_/⸻GUESTJESSICA VOLLRATHWEBSITE: https://www.jessicavollrath.com/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jessicavollrathart/CURRENT EXHIBITIONThe Smell of Rain on DustOctober 3 – November 7, 2026Erin Cluley Gallery, Dallas, TXGALLERY: https://www.erincluley.com/⸻CREDITSEdited by Sydney Guzman, Art Villarreal, Ryan Sandison MontgomeryWIPTHENRIP Theme Song by Jeff Allen#WIPTHENRIP #JessicaVollrath #ContemporaryArt #ContemporaryPainting #ArtistInterview #ArtPodcast #Painting #ArtAndIdentity

In Episode #8 of WIPTHENRIP, Sydney Guzman and Ryan Sandison Montgomery sit down with curator and cultural strategist Coka Treviño for a conversation about Austin's art scene, institutional politics, and the financial struggles that led to the closure of Big Medium. Coka reflects on the challenges of arts funding, the nonprofit's legacy, and the curious silence surrounding Big Medium since its closure, raising questions about how Austin's art community remembers the institutions that helped shape it.Coka discusses her experience curating the Texas Biennial, navigating criticism that often reflected larger frustrations with the art world's systems rather than her personally. The conversation explores the strange dynamics of Austin's creative community, the ways artists and arts workers can feel used or exploited, and what it takes to create meaningful change.They also discuss Coka's journey of rebuilding herself after losing touch with her identity during her years at Big Medium, her newsletter Yes Please and Thank You, and her work as a cultural strategist. Together, they consider the importance of accountability, recognizing harmful patterns, and building a healthier, more honest art community.⸻SUPPORT WIPTHENRIPPATREON: https://www.patreon.com/wipthenrip⸻FOLLOW WIPTHENRIPINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wipthenrip/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@wipthenrip⸻FOLLOW THE HOSTSSYDNEY GUZMANINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sydneycguzman/RYAN SANDISON MONTGOMERYINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_r_s_m_/⸻GUESTCOKA TREVIÑOWEBSITE: https://georginatrevino.comINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/georgina_trevino/YES PLEASE AND THANK YOUWEBSITE / NEWSLETTER: https://ypaty.comINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/yes_pleaseandthankyou/⸻CREDITSEdited by Sydney Guzman, Art Villarreal, Ryan Sandison MontgomeryWIPTHENRIP Theme Song by Jeff Allen

In Episode #7 of WIPTHENRIP, Sydney Guzman and Ryan Sandison Montgomery sit down with artist Deborah Roberts for a conversation about appropriation, authorship, politics, and what it takes to build a lasting career as an artist. Deborah reflects on the years of persistence behind her practice, developing a visual language of her own, and navigating the realities of the art world. The conversation also moves through appropriation, recent lawsuits involving artists' use of found imagery, and the complicated boundaries between influence, ownership, and artistic reference. Midway through the episode, the conversation turns closer to home as Deborah reflects on the Austin art world and the feeling that she had to become successful elsewhere before receiving her first solo exhibition in her hometown. The three talk about recognition, what it means to build a career from Austin, TX and the complicated relationship artists can have with the places they come from. They also discuss the darkness of the current moment, politics in America, representation, and what it means to continue making meaningful work in an increasingly uncertain world.SUPPORT WIPTHENRIP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/wipthenripFOLLOW WIPTHENRIP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wipthenrip/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@wipthenripGUEST DEBORAH ROBERTS WEBSITE: https://www.deborahrobertsart.com/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/rdeborah191/FOLLOW THE HOSTSSYDNEY GUZMAN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sydneycguzman/RYAN SANDISON MONTGOMERY INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_r_s_m_⸻Edited by Sydney Guzman, Art Villarreal, Ryan Sandison Montgomery

In Episode #6 of WIPTHENRIP, Sydney Guzman and Ryan Sandison Montgomery sit down with Chinese-born, Scotland-based painter Le Liu for a conversation about painting, the body, art history, and navigating the cultural differences that have shaped his life and work. Le reflects on growing up in China, moving to Scotland, and developing a practice centered around nude and naked figures—subject matter that can be difficult to openly discuss or exhibit within the cultural context of China. The conversation moves through sexuality, censorship, the difference between nudity and nakedness, and the ways living between different cultures has influenced how he approaches the figure. Along the way, Le discusses the artists who have shaped his understanding of painting, from Titian and David Hockney to Cecily Brown, Willem de Kooning, Degas, Cézanne, Matisse, and Van Gogh. He talks about combining different histories and approaches to painting, his relationship to gesture and the body, and the realities of trying to build a career—and ultimately make a living—from his work. Le recently exhibited alongside Adam H. Marchand in Formability: The Plastic Limit of Figures at PAKD Gallery Berlin, on view August 7–28, 2026. ⸻ SUPPORT WIPTHENRIP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/wipthenrip ⸻ FOLLOW WIPTHENRIP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wipthenrip/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@wipthenrip ⸻ FOLLOW THE HOSTS SYDNEY GUZMAN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sydneycguzman/ RYAN SANDISON MONTGOMERY INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/r_s_m/ ⸻ GUEST LE LIU INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/leliu/ ⸻ RECENT EXHIBITION FORMABILITY: THE PLASTIC LIMIT OF FIGURES Le Liu + Adam H. Marchand PAKD Gallery Berlin August 7–28, 2026 PAKD GALLERY INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/pakd.gallery/ PAKD GALLERY: https://www.pakd-gallery.com/ ⸻ Edited by Sydney Guzman, Art Villarreal, Ryan Sandison Montgomery Thank you for watching. If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, comment, subscribe, and share the episode. New conversations with artists, curators, collectors, and other voices from the art world are released regularly.

In Episode #5 of WIPTHENRIP, Sydney Guzman and Ryan Sandison Montgomery sit down with artist Adam H. Marchand for a conversation about loneliness, masculinity, and the experiences that have shaped his life and work.Adam reflects on living in different places, periods of isolation, and feeling like he hasn’t fully found a strong sense of community. Along the way, the conversation moves through humor, GG Allin, cowboys, film, art history, Rembrandt, and the mix of influences and experiences that inform the way he sees the world.Adam is currently exhibiting alongside Le Liu in Formability: The Plastic Limit of Figures at PAKD Gallery Berlin, on view August 7–28, 2026.⸻Support WIPTHENRIPPatreon:https://www.patreon.com/wipthenrip⸻Follow WIPTHENRIPInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/wipthenrip/TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@wipthenrip⸻Follow the HostsSydney GuzmanInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/sydneycguzman/Ryan Sandison MontgomeryInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/r_s_m/⸻GuestAdam H. MarchandWebsite:https://www.adamhmarchand.com/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/adamhmarchand/⸻Current ExhibitionFormability: The Plastic Limit of FiguresAdam H. Marchand + Le LiuPAKD Gallery BerlinAugust 7–28, 2026PAKD Gallery Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/pakd.gallery/PAKD Gallery:https://www.pakd-gallery.com/Le Liu Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/leliu/⸻Edited by Sydney Guzman, Art Villarreal, Ryan Sandison MontgomeryThank you for watching. If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, comment, subscribe, and share the episode. New conversations with artists, curators, collectors, and other voices from the art world are released regularly.#ContemporaryArt #ArtPodcast #AdamHMarchand #ArtistInterview #ArtWorld #Painting #ContemporaryPainting #Masculinity #ArtHistory #BerlinArt #PAKDGallery #WIPTHENRIP

In Episode #4 of WIPTHENRIP, Sydney Guzman and Ryan Sandison Montgomery sit down with Texas-born, Brooklyn-based artist Loc Huynh to discuss his deep commitment to painting and what it means to build a sincere artistic practice.Together, they reflect on Loc’s graduate school experience, the unexpected history and reputation of the airbrush, the influence of Peter Saul, and the importance of remaining genuine as an artist. The conversation ultimately centers on why painting is a lifelong pursuit rather than a destination.

In this episode, hosts Sydney Guzman and Ryan Sandison Montgomery sit down with gallerist Kevin Ivester of Ivester Contemporary to talk about the often unspoken relationship between artists and galleries. Together they discuss trust, expectations, communication, representation, and how artists and galleries can build more genuine relationships within the art world.

In the second episode of WIPTHENRIP, Sydney Guzman and Ryan Montgomery talk with artist CHRISTINA BALLANTYNE.Through GRIPES, GOOD STUFF, GHOSTS, GUTS, and GROWTH, they discuss Christina's studio practice in Los Angeles, her artist critique group Ouroboros, and what shapes her work both inside and outside the studio.Produced by ART V.

In the first episode of WIPTHENRIP, Sydney Guzman and Ryan Montgomery talk with artist EMILIO VILLALBA about making work that holds up, the strange pressures of artistic ambition, and the difference between what lasts and what feels contemporary. Through GRIPES, GOOD STUFF, GHOSTS, GUTS, and GROWTH, they get into art history, studio practice, regional scenes, and the ongoing problem of trying to make something meaningful in public.