Artists on Art

It's the Season 3 finale and it's a very special one with my cousin Kristine Irving. Kristine is an interior designer in Boston and runs the design company Koo De Kir. We talked about her beginnings as an artist and her life as the head of a company that designs spaces around the world, about how our surroundings can impact our well-being, and how design does not have to be expensive. I loved talking about the various art that she consumes and how this translates into ideas for her work. You can find out more about Kristine's beautiful design work on the Koo De Kir website. Producer, editor and host: Drea MacdonaldPodcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramTip me on Ko-fi to help support this podcast!

If you like to see live music in Charlottetown, then you've probably seen Bruce Rooney playing guitar and singing. He's been in a whole bunch of bands over the years, many of them still going, and prides himself on working at the art of music consistently. We talked about how having a fulfilling job can take the pressure off the music work and how he prefers to make music collaboratively rather than solo. And we talked about playing in bands with his brother Bradford. And more! You can find Bruce playing in Craig Fair Productions shows this fall and on stage in bands like Coyote, Sorrey and Hit the Coast. Producer, editor and host: Drea MacdonaldPodcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramTip me on Ko-fi to help support this podcast!

It's episode 50! I would say that I've surprised myself in getting this many episodes done, but I am extremely stubborn and relentless in my creative pursuits. This episode was super fun. Tom Froese is an illustrator based on the West Coast of Canada. He has built a varied and interesting art career that involves commercial illustration, teaching art, publishing a book (Drawing is Important), offering coaching sessions, and podcasting. We talked about his lively and colorful style of illustrating and how wonderful it is to create art specifically to bring joy into people's worlds, how an artist can work to develop their unique style, and the value of practice, practice, practice. If you're interested in his work, lessons, book and everything Tom Froese, head over to his website.Producer, editor and host: Drea MacdonaldPodcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramTip me on Ko-fi to help support this podcast!

Scott Pound has been an English professor for over 20 years. He wasn’t sure about being on my podcast but I’ve really enjoyed our chats over the years (we’re cousins) and I knew that we’d have a really great conversation about the craft of writing. We also talked about his journey through school and finding his groove in a poetics grad program in Buffalo, how what we love as kids shows up in our adult lives, how consuming poetry and literature can give you permission to grow and explore, and oh so much more. Producer, editor and host: Drea MacdonaldPodcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramTip me on Ko-fi to help support this podcast!

Digital artist Sue Gilbert has been turning heads recently with her “Love in Transit NYC” project - allowing millions of people to see her vibrant, colorful images while making their way through the NYC subway system. We had a wonderful, insightful chat about how that came to be. We also talked about art school and her first art job at a greeting card company, the inspiration found in transit hubs and in travel, how art can mean tapping into a child-like freedom of expression, and so much more! You see the Love in Transit show on Instagram and Tiktok. Sue’s website is where you can buy her work. Producer, editor and host: Drea MacdonaldPodcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramTip me on Ko-fi to help support this podcast!

Steve is a musician, teacher, writer and illustrator of children's books, and author of teaching materials that help schools incorporate pop and rock courses alongside traditional band programs. We had a wonderful chat about how music can set a kid up for success, the value of learning notes along with learning by ear, and how great it is to simply play music with friends. You can find out about Steve, his teaching resources and his line of children's books and associated learning materials on his website. You may also see him on a stage this fall with the Charlottetown Jazz Ensemble. Producer, editor and host: Drea MacdonaldPodcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramTip me on Ko-fi to help support this podcast!

Adam is a writer, teacher and musician based in North Carolina. It was great to meet him and talk about his new collection of short stories which will be published this fall. We also talked about how moving around a lot as a kid informs his stories, what his #1 job is as a creative writing teacher, and how writing involves both magic and working on a craft. We also talked about his band - The Mayflies USA - getting back together recently after being apart for 20 years or so. Oh and Virginia Woolf. You can find out more about Adam and his books on his website. He also has a Substack newsletter you can sign up for here. You can buy his band’s albums on Bandcamp and stream them pretty much anywhere. Producer, editor and host: Drea MacdonaldPodcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramTip me on Ko-fi to help support this podcast!

I met Hamilton's Matthew De Zoete as he toured through PEI to support his first few records. He's not touring as much as he used to, but continues to make music, record albums and play shows. We talked about his favorite venues to play in (and how house concerts break down the barriers between performer and audience), how he tries not to obsess about the past and stay in the present, and what gives him goosebumps. You should listen to his music - you can find it on Bandcamp. Producer, editor and host: Drea MacdonaldPodcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramTip me on Ko-fi to help support this podcast!

Dave Zackin is based in NYC and is currently selling hand-painted ceramics. He's not great with the pottery wheel though, so he takes the discarded pots and things leftover by people at his community pottery studios and dresses them up as only Dave can. I was smitten with his weird and wonderful work and am grateful he agreed to chat with me. We talked about cartoon drawing, mural painting and what his art practice means to him. You can find out more about his work on his website and on his Instagram page.Producer, editor and host: Drea MacdonaldPodcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam GallantPodcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramTip me on Ko-fi to help support this podcast!

I'm so glad I was introduced to Jesse Lee's work because I became an instant fan after reading one of her novels (My Life as a Silent Movie). She is a fiction writer, poet, memoirist, translator and visual artist (not to mention a retired professor) and has published over twenty books. We had a truly wonderful talk about the trajectory of her creative life and how it's never too late to learn new things. I wish I was closer to Madison, Wisconsin so that I could view the exhibition of her visual art that will be opening not long after this is published. Pretty impressive for someone who started learning to draw during the pandemic lockdowns! Do yourself a favor and look up her work. You can find her on Instagram and if you are local to PEI - The Bookmark in Charlottetown can order her books.Producer, editor and host: Drea MacdonaldPodcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam GallantPodcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramTip me on Ko-fi to help support this podcast!