Chilean watercolorist GERALDINE MACKINNON didn’t find her artistic direction in art school. Instead, the defining moment in her creative career occurred while assisting an archeological study on Easter Island, crawling through the caves with her sketchbook and headlamp trying to capture the “truth of the plants.” Fastforward, Geri has developed a sustainable career in the demanding practice of botanical watercolor illustration and in turn, her newest adventure: luscious, meticulously handcrafted mineral-based watercolors.

A relentless work ethic, persistence and teamwork are just a few of the qualities football instilled in watercolorist Rich Samuel that have allowed him to create a booming art practice and studio that has grown into an East Austin community hot spot. Rich shares how the responsibility of being the only Black-owned gallery in Austin gives him a sense of purpose that energizes his own art practice. Rich also reveals how he uses TikTok to fuel his art sales.

Continuing our conversation with metal sculptor and painter VALERIE CHAUSSONNET, we learn how Valerie’s work with the Smithsonian inspired her to take art classes. After moving to Austin, Valerie raised her children, created a French-immersion school and surrounded herself with colorful art and colorful people, all of which are reflected in the sculpture and paintings she makes today.

The ARTish Plunge podcast explores how VALERIE CHAUSSONNET, a French metal sculptor and painter who now calls Austin home, honed her sculpting skills as a way of better understanding the Inuit artifacts she was studying for the Smithsonian Institute.