Working Artist

Full-time artist Tabitha Arnold discusses her artwork focused on labor and the unfair end of capitalism. She explores the intersection of textile art and labor movements, the challenges of being a full-time artist, and finding clients through community and genuine relationships.

Frances Cordelia Beaver, a multi-talented artist, talks about her passion for storytelling through various art forms such as drawing, film, animation, songwriting, and theater. She shares her experiences working in different industries and emphasizes the freedom she found in not pursuing a traditional career. The podcast also explores her journey in education, the challenges she faced as a studio technician during the pandemic, and the importance of pedagogy and mentorship in the art world. She discusses her dream job and current aspirations, including writing full-time and working on comic books.

Scott Kip(http://www.scottkip.com/index.html) is an installation artist, restoration woodworker for the Wanamaker Organ, and freelance fabricator. He also makes clock movement. “I listened to the episode, Going off the Script with Teresa Cervantes, and her idea of the free school was really inspiring to me. I want to say to Teresa: ‘I will teach at your free school…in fact, I’ve got a big room, and I can even host it.’ What I actually want or what I think everyone needs is a healthy interdependence.”

Daniel Zentmeyer, an artist, educator, and construction worker, discusses his creative process and the value of useful art. He explores his journey in the art world, shares his experiences in different cities, and talks about his interest in conceptual art. The conversation also touches on payment rates and tools used in his work, personal experiences with paper towels, working in a museum, gender issues in the workplace, and appreciating different types of work.

Suso Phizer, performance-based artist and mental health therapist, discusses how studying and practicing therapy has healed them. They explore creating art as a gift and the fear of hoping it's received as such. They reflect on the struggle for visibility as an artist. The importance of supervision in therapy and finding a supportive community is also discussed. They describe their dream work environment of combining therapy and art on a self-sustaining compound.

Teresa Cervantes, an interdisciplinary artist and former housekeeper and barista, discusses going off the script in her artistic career. She reflects on her childhood dreams of being an astronaut and fashion designer. The podcast also explores topics such as family history, market research, and issues with resource distribution. Teresa shares her experience as an adjunct teacher and her aspirations to create a free school.

Keenan Jackson (https://www.keenanjackson.com/) is a project-based artist, adjunct professor, and curriculum developer and the math design lead at an educational technology company for kindergarten to 8th-grade courses. “(I feel) I can’t give students anything, and I can’t give art-viewers anything through my art either…I’m more interested in the possibility of creating space for thoughts to run into each other, and maybe from that, we can wrest some takeaways. Maybe some of them will stick with us and have some effect on our lives, but if not, that’s okay too.”

Tony Miceli, jazz vibraphonist and music educator, discusses his website that offers music classes and supports a community of vibraphone players. He talks about how the website has helped him with visibility, generated income, and allowed him to travel around the world. The podcast also explores topics like gig bookings, balancing work and play, choosing passion over comfort, accepting where you are, balancing relationships and pursuing dreams, and exploring perspectives on monogamy in relationships.

Emmy Thelander, a multimedia artist, discusses budgeting time and money as an adjunct professor, the challenges of being recognized and financially supported as an artist, and the journey to saving $5,000. They also talk about their experiences teaching art, adapting to new courses during the pandemic, and navigating parental perception. Additionally, they share insights on unions, dream jobs, and considering a career in garden design.

Oona Taper (https://www.oonataper.com/) is a multimedia artist and experimental animator. Besides working at coffee shops, doing freelance works, and being a studio assistant, she also made money from participating in a medical trial. Better off, she used it as an artist residency. “I was so excited to have the time and space...These two weeks, I don’t have to cook, I don’t have to clean, I CAN’T go anywhere never mind I don’t have to go anywhere...hmmm, it felt really good.”