Pixels & Paint

E22 David Ariew — Meditative Mirror Boxes with Octane Jesus

"Artists may have one of the most important jobs—connecting with people’s emotions, bringing them together, making them think, healing them." — David Ariew
 
David Ariew (ar-ee-ev) is a skilled 3D artist, animator, and educator with expertise in creating visually striking narratives. He is well-known across the 3D and NFT worlds for his mastery of 3D animation tools and his ability to craft immersive experiences that meld the boundaries between the digital and the physical world. David's portfolio boasts a wide range of work, from intricate music videos and commercials to evocative short films and groundbreaking NFTs.
With a background in neuroscience, David brings a unique perspective to his artistic endeavors, infusing his creations with a deep understanding of human perception and emotional resonance. He has honed his skills over the years, working with notable clients in the music and film industry, which has solidified his reputation as a creative force.
As an educator, David (AKA Octane Jesus [for his beard, long hair, and generosity]) is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience. He teaches the intricacies of 3D animation, rendering, and various industry-standard software, empowering a new generation of digital artists to push the limits of their creativity. 
In the rapidly evolving world of digital art, David Ariew stands out as a visionary artist and a dedicated mentor, continuously exploring the vast possibilities of 3D animation and its impact on storytelling and artistic expression.
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Please enjoy!
The transcript of this episode can be found here. 
The show notes for this episode can be found here.
 
Episode Highlights
Finding Artistic Style: The transition from being a "hired gun" to finding and developing a unique artistic style through NFTs and mirror rooms.
Artistic Evolution Through NFTs: The development of his style with NFTs, moving from concrete shapes to more abstract, meditative visuals.
Immersive Art Experiences: The impact of bringing his art into VR and creating immersive experiences that evoke powerful emotional responses.
Emotional Impact of Art in VR: DA recalls the profound emotional reactions of viewers experiencing his virtual reality art, including transformational moments and intense personal memories.
Intuition Over Technique: The importance of intuition in the creative process, with Ariew crediting a spiritual guide for helping enhance his creative intuition.
Storytelling in Abstract Art: Ariew describes his intuitive process for imbuing abstract pieces with narrative, often collaborating with a composer.

Bonus Episode: Marco Santini — Slicing Up Priceless Art Books & Channeling Love Languages

"I define success as being able to create what you want, when you want, where you want, how you want." — Marco Santini 
About Marco Santini
Marco Santini is a multifaceted artist with a background in sports, broadcasting, and branding, who has fully embraced his creative calling. His art draws from a rich tapestry of experiences and influences, combining elements of language, love, and community engagement. Marco's work is characterized by vibrant geometric designs and meaningful words that transcend language barriers and foster a sense of connection and positivity.
 
See the Show Notes here.
The transcript of this episode can be found here. 
 
Episode Highlights
Iconic Artistic Mashup - A deep dive into how Santini's Signature Series is a testament to his respect and admiration for iconic artists from history.
Journey into Muraling - Marco discusses how he explored different mediums, including street art, murals, and graphic design.
The Vision of Creating in Any Medium - Marco's desire to be versatile in his artistic expression, regardless of the medium.
Bridging Cultures through Art - Marco's work with schools and hospitals internationally to foster creativity and inclusivity.
Collaborative Nature of Creativity - Marco's collaborative approach to art, involving students and communities in the creative process.
Transition to NFTs - How Marco has adapted to the digital world with NFTs.
The Small, Beautiful World of Art - Marco's perspective on the interconnectedness of the art world.
Leading with Your Heart - The importance of valuing relationships and leading with your heart in art.
See the Show Notes here.

That’s a Wrap on Season 1

Thanks for so much for joining us for Season 1 of Pixels & Paint. We're planning an even better Season 2 for early 2024. In the meantime, check out any of the episodes you may have missed.
E01: Empress Trash
E02: Norcal_Guy and Signal Noise
E03: Rob Sheridan
E04: Vakseen
E05: Leo Caillard
E06: sgt_slaughtermelon
E07: noCreative
E08: Ana Maria Caballero
E09: Leo Crane
E10: Scott Sholder
E11: Originalplan
E12: Eric P. Rhodes
E13: Dawnia Darkstone
E14: AL Crego
E15: Maria Finkelmeier
E16: Marc Bamuthi Joseph and Kirsten Magwood
E17: Adamtastic
E18: Christian Burke of Refik Anadol Studios
E19: jrdsctt
E20: Vincent D'Onofrio and Laurence Fuller

E20 Vincent D’Onofrio & Laurence Fuller — Embracing Failure, Celebrating Joy, & Pushing Poetry Further Out

"Your art has to come from you, your faults, and your greatness. That's how your work comes out. It comes out like you." - Vincent D'Onofrio
 
About Laurence Fuller
Laurence Fuller is a British-Australian actor, writer, and artist best known for his roles in films like "The Slaughter" and the HBO series where he portrayed David Hockney. He's also known for his active social media presence, particularly on Twitter, where he engages with the artistic community and shares his creative endeavors. His heritage deeply influences Fuller's artistic journey; his mother is a painter, and his father was an influential 20th-century art critic in England. His work often explores the themes of history and artistic legacy, especially the mid-20th-century London School painters.
 
About Vincent D’Onofrio
Vincent D'Onofrio is a renowned American actor, producer, and director. He gained prominence for his role as Private Leonard "Gomer Pyle" Lawrence in "Full Metal Jacket" and as Detective Robert Goren in "Law & Order: Criminal Intent". He is also well-known for his roles in "Jurassic World" and "Daredevil". Besides his acting career, D'Onofrio has an artistic side, presenting his work on social media platforms like Twitter. His approach to creativity is eclectic and inclusive, drawing on a wide range of influences, and he is a keen advocate for a balanced perspective on the artistic life that values joy and experience as much as struggle and pain.
 
Episode Highlights
Vincent D'Onofrio views his artistic approach as more like a "sponge" than a scholar, absorbing experiences and influences without getting tied down by academic constraints.
Laurence Fuller was influenced by his father, an influential 20th-century art critic in England. Fuller used his father's writings to write a screenplay about him and is particularly inspired by the mid-20th-century London School painters.
Fuller, despite being a prolific artist, manages to engage actively with the community on Twitter and often draws parallels between the emerging web three art world and the vibrant art scene of 1960s London.
D'Onofrio, on the other hand, uses Twitter as a platform to share art, appreciate friends, and occasionally engage in conversations about art and life. He believes young actors need to live life fully to portray emotions authentically.
Both D'Onofrio and Fuller believe that social media can play a significant role in building an artist's career if used creatively and healthily.
Fuller also talked about the changing dynamics of the art world with evolving technology and emphasized that with this new connectivity, anything is possible.
In terms of personal growth, D'Onofrio stressed the importance of sharing more, giving more, and accepting more, while Fuller encouraged listeners to pursue their dreams.
They both revealed their future collaborations, including a New York-themed exhibition for the Head Crash Hotel where they plan to present filmic pieces, moving portraits that tell a story.
D'Onofrio revealed their ambitious future plan to create an interactive gallery where their moving, filmic portraits could be displayed.
Despite their professional success, both artists emphasize the human aspect of their journey and inspire others to follow their artistic passions.
Read the show notes
 

E19 jrdsctt — The New Breed of AI Artist, Videogame Art, and Cheeky Glitch Fealty

"We have this urge to communicate ideas, and when words fail, we turn to other mediums." — jrdsctt
 
About jrdsctt
Minneapolis-born digital artist jrdsctt is a MakersPlace OG and a staple of the community with over 250 unique collectors on MakersPlace. With his Genesis Drop, jrdsctt invites a new element into his creative process: artificial intelligence.   
 
jrdsctt joined MakersPlace as an artist in early 2019. He later became their first official ambassador, helping run the MakersPlace Discord server alongside staff. This role eventually transitioned into an official job with the company in May of 2021.
 
He has been working there ever since, helping build the MakersPlace community during the day, and glitching dystopian worlds in the evening. The web3 space has consumed most of his waking hours (and some of his unconscious hours as well).
 
Key Takeaways
Continuous evolution and learning are essential, as seen with jrdsctt's journey from glitch art to AI-infused creations.
The use of AI can provide fresh perspectives and expedite the creative process, even for those not typically engaged with technology.
Grounding one's work in a set structure or rules can help maintain creativity and lead to unexpected innovations.
Every art form, from traditional painting to digital glitches, seeks to communicate and connect.
Art serves as a means to interpret human existence and communicate it across generations.

E18 Christian Burke of Refik Anadol Studio — Sights, Sounds, Textures, and Data

“When it comes to the actual meaning and purpose of art, people take away whatever they want from it based on their own perspectives. What we really focus on is the human experience, allowing people to feel emotional reactions.” — Christian Burke
 
About Christian Burke
In this revealing interview with Pixels and Paint, we get an in-depth look into the world of data scientist Christian Burke, right-hand man to Refik Anadol. Navigating the fine lines between art, technology, and science, Burke provides insights into the future of AI in art, the intersection of sensory experiences, and the innovative projects he's been a part of. For those intrigued by the melding of technology and creativity, this conversation is an illuminating deep dive.
 
Christian Burke (@christianburke0) is a contemporary artist operating at the intersection of art and technology. As a key collaborator with Refik Anadol and a leader at the AI and data science teams, Burke has been instrumental in numerous groundbreaking projects that blend the realms of AI, sensory experiences, and visual art. 
 
With a background in data science and machine learning, he's been at the forefront of initiatives that explore the latent space of AI, the application of technology in creating multisensory experiences, and the democratization of AI tools for a wider audience. 
 
Key Takeaways
Christian's involvement in significant projects like Unsupervised at MoMA and his first project with RAS, Machine Hallucinations NYC showcases his influential position in the art-tech landscape.
The trajectory of AI's growth is influenced by its increasing accessibility to a broader audience.
AI in the coming years will focus on broader accessibility while emphasizing transparency and ethical operations.
Refik Anadol's studio is working on converting AI-generated images into corresponding scents and textures, pushing the boundaries of sensory experiences.
The future holds exciting prospects for AI in art, with projects like Dataland and collaborations like the one at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
Refik Anadol Studio is set to unveil "Dataland" in 2024, an innovative intersection of technology and art.
Please enjoy!
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, iHeart, PlayerFM, Podchaser, Boomplay, Tune-In, Podbean, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Check out our show notes: 
Show Notes
Transcript
YouTube

End of Summer Breather

Come back on September 7th for our interview with glitch and AI maestro jrdsctt! Follow us on Twitter @makersplace

E17 Adamtastic — Color, Community, and Staying Forever Fluffy

"People are always so afraid of the butterfly effect, that if they did the smallest little thing in the past, it would create a gigantic ripple into the future. Yet people in the present aren't willing to accept that small changes now will have giant ripple effects in the future." — Adam Levine
About Adam Levine, aka Adamtastic
Adamtastic (@adamtastic) is an award-winning Creative Director with a passion for telling stories. He studied film and animation receiving an MFA with honors from The Savannah College of Art and Design. His artwork has been showcased during Art Basel Miami and in several galleries including the 2Art4TV series at the Bunny Cutlet Gallery in Brooklyn, NY.  From 2007 to 2021, Adam was the Creative Director for video and animation production at All Things Media.
Through his art, Adam’s goal is to spread joy & positivity while also provoking thought. His pieces are character-driven, vibrant & whimsical inviting viewers to connect with their inner child. Since January 2021, Adam has been selling digital art on various platforms such as SuperRare, Nifty Gateway, and via his own Manifold Smart Contract. 
Charity partnership highlights: (RED), charity: water, Safe Away from Home, Hospitallers Client highlights: The Tonight Show, MTV, Colorforms, BMW, Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG, Rolls-Royce Motorcars, Jaguar, Mazda, Toys R Us, Laureus Foundation, Thickwater Entertainment, Pearson Education, McGraw Hill Education, Cognizant Technologies, Stryker, and Sunovian Pharmaceuticals Inc.
 
Key Takeaways
In this insightful and candid interview with Adam Levine, he shares his experiences and perspectives as an artist, creative director, and strategist. Levine's conversation with interviewer Brady Walker explores his creative process, the importance of planning, his connection with the art community, and personal growth. They delve into various topics, including how to manage different roles, the impact of small changes, and the importance of authenticity in creativity.
Balancing Creativity and Business: Pre-planning, structure, and flexibility are vital for managing multiple roles in the art and business world.
The Importance of Commitment: Once a public commitment is made, sticking to it is essential to maintaining trust.
Self-Confidence and Growth: Doubting yourself less and pushing yourself creatively leads to personal and professional growth.
Authenticity Matters: Being true to oneself and focusing on personal passion over outside opinions can lead to deeper connections with others.
The Power of Small Changes: Small, intentional changes in the present can lead to significant future impacts.
Embrace Supportive Communities: Appreciating and engaging with supporters and collectors fosters a positive environment.
Inspiring Others: The willingness to share personal experiences, insights, and tips with others contributes to the growth of the art community.
Please enjoy!
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, iHeart, PlayerFM, Podchaser, Boomplay, Tune-In, Podbean, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Check out the show notes
Read the transcript
Watch on YouTube

E16 Marc Bamuthi Joseph & Kirsten Magwood — Black Dignity, Future Classics

"I hope that this work helps people experience blackness in a way that is not traumatic, that is peaceful, affirming. I hope for collectors of color that they find some moment of peace and healing in this black existence through what these artists have shared to heal." — Kirsten Magwood
"Artists ask questions, and it's that open-endedness that leads to design thinking, repositioning settled history as open possibility." — Marc Bamuthi Joseph
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About Marc Bamuthi Joseph & Kirsten Magwood
Marc Bamuthi Joseph is a spoken-word poet, dancer, playwright, musician, and actor who frequently directs stand-alone hip-hop theater plays. When Joseph was 10 years old, he made his Broadway debut as Savion Glover's tap dancing understudy in the musical, The Tap Dance Kid. By age 12, he had appeared on television and toured nationally with the production. Joseph attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA, where he was involved in the spoken word movement with classmate, Saul Williams. After graduating from Morehouse College in 1997, he was hired by The Branson School to teach English and dance.
Joseph is a 2017 TED Global Fellow, an inaugural recipient of the Guggenheim Social Practice initiative, and an honoree of the United States Artists Rockefeller Fellowship. He is also the artistic director of The Living Word Project, a theater company dedicated to the creation of new works for the stage. Joseph is considered one of America's vital voices in performance, arts education, and artistic curation. He is currently the director of performing arts for San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.
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Kirsten Magwood is a seasoned producer and branded marketing expert with over 15 years in content creation, merging television and digital broadcast. Her roles as a shooter, director, writer, and editor allow her to guide creative teams seamlessly, translating technical needs into innovative results. This versatility ensures she maintains quality and budget controls.
A graduate of Spelman College with a BA in History, Kirsten studied film at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She gained industry knowledge working as a music video PA and interned for prominent figures like Jonathan Demme. During her Music Business MA at NYU, Kirsten secured a position at MTV Networks. Within three years, she became a senior producer for notable shows like The Source All Access and Weekend Vibe, excelling in branded content by integrating sponsors into engaging, culturally relevant content.
Kirsten founded P.O.P. Media to offer her expertise to a diverse clientele. She has worked with high-profile individuals and brands, including Russell Simmons, Kanye West, Complex and Vibe magazines, Viacom, and Macy’s. Currently, Kirsten is venturing into documentary production and social impact, with projects at The Smithsonian Institution and two docu-series in the pipeline.
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Key Takeaways
Understanding Art as Healing: Both artists emphasize the transformative power of art, focusing on joy, healing, and the affirmation of black dignity.
The Creative Process: Marc Bamuthi Joseph shares insights into his writing process, including the importance of intuition and the questions posed within his works. Kirsten Magwood discusses the beauty found in mistakes and the importance of the human touch in art.
The Intersection of Art and NFTs: The guests explore how NFTs are not only shaping the art world but also offering unique opportunities for time-based artists. They discuss their collaboration involving physical and digital art, blending technology with tradition.
Value and Creativity: Marc Bamuthi Joseph's advice to his younger self revolves around recognizing work as an asset, while Kirsten Magwood emphasizes the importance of enjoying the process of creation.
Art as a Movement: Kirsten Magwood describes their project as more than just a moment, but a movement that connects communities through art both in real life and the digital metaverse.
Show notes can be found here

E15 Maria Finkelmeier — Turning Mallets into Paintbrushes & Using Tech to Create a Total Artform

"I want to make stories through art music that reflect our current times, using sounds and visuals that connect with how we experience the world today. That means the human and the machine working together." - Maria Finkelmeier
About Maria Finkelmeier
Maria Finkelmeier is a multi-faceted artist, teacher, and entrepreneur. She is a seasoned percussionist and composer, and her work expands into public art and music technology. Maria is also an educator at Berklee College of Music where she teaches classes on creative entrepreneurship and mindset.
Known for her innovative approach to the creative process, she often intersects different disciplines such as motion capture and glitch art in her work. She is respected for transforming public spaces into musical canvases, notably transforming a bridge into a playable instrument in Cincinnati and performing at renowned locations like Fenway Park and the Hatch Bandshell.
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Follow MakersPlace on Twitter: @makersplace
Follow Brady Walker on Twitter: @bradyevanwalker
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Episode Highlights
Maria teaches creative entrepreneurship at Berklee College of Music, and her courses explore the connection between creativity, entrepreneurship, and the mindset needed to navigate both fields.
She visualizes the creative process of building a career as a large arc with smaller project-based arcs within it, emphasizing the non-linear and messy nature of the journey.
She encourages a balance between methodical planning and embracing chaos as essential to success in a creative career.
Maria believes in letting the creative process be unpredictable and evolving, as opposed to the business process which often sticks to a predictable formula.
She notes the importance of networking in creating opportunities, pointing out that personal connections have led to some of her most significant projects.
Maria thrives on collaboration and looks for partners who allow her to experiment freely and make mistakes. She also values respectful and supportive interpersonal relationships in the collaborative process.
Recently, she has been immersing herself in learning new technologies like motion capture and the Unreal Engine, expanding her creative horizons.
One of her key takeaways is the importance of not losing sight of one's skills and achievements in the excitement of learning new things. She would advise her past self to maintain pride in her talents, even when venturing into unknown territories.
 
Please enjoy!
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, iHeart, PlayerFM, Podchaser, Boomplay, Tune-In, Podbean, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.
The transcript of this episode can be found here. Watch the interview on YouTube.