In Episode 15 of the ARTish Plunge podcast Brooklyn-based film producer Nadia shares how her early art collaborations in Miami and experiences in film production have allowed her to curate visual art experiences, including the new community-focused arts and fabrication studio Flower Shop Collective that supports skill sharing and work space for underrepresented artists.

Oklahoma native Christopher Nick uses his classically-trained painting skills to create detailed illustrations for major brands, children’s books and historical portraits.

In this ARTish Plunge episode, Christopher shares how a tiny retro delivery truck named Kirby gave him some financial breathing room and an unexpected introduction to his most authentic illustration style and character.

After a career in education that included roles as a kindergarten teacher, principal, grant writer and consultant, Canadian-born ISBELLE ALESSANDRA finally heeded her mother’s final advice to become a full-time artist.

The ARTish Plunge podcast explores how Isabelle, now a resident of southern California, channeled the same drive and work ethic that fueled her as a young figure skater into her artmaking and marketing, resulting in impressive art sales, magazine features and the gallery of her dreams.

For over twenty years JOAN HANLEY has balanced artmaking with a meditative practice. The ARTish Plunge podcast explores how Joan’s spiritual and art explorations around the world have influenced her practice, as reflected in her book Art & Yoga. Joan now creates contemplative paintings and coaches other artists seeking creative balance from her historic Harrisville, New Hampshire studio.

Native Minnesotan KATIE McCOLLOW is a self-professed “Jill of some trades.” A voice actor, regular-type actor, artist and writer with a contagious laugh and quick wit, Katie is that super-talented friend you wished lived next door. Her oversized family portraits and dreamy watercolor pieces take top billing, but you may recognize her voice from commercials for some of your favorite brands.

B SHAWN COX is an artist, trained architect and lawyer whose early experiences in the small West Texas town of Monahans are re-emerging in his artwork through brightly patterned cowboys and sassy bouffanted-ladies. A prolific artist who admittedly creates amongst controlled chaos, Shawn shares how he juggles multiple forms of artistic expression with a need for analytical challenges.

Artist, speech pathologist, lecturer and poet DIANA SYDER creates expressive landscapes and still life paintings from her studio in the Peak District of Derbyshire, England. Diana started her professional life as a speech pathologist and university lecturer, but always found space to write poetry, uniquely focused on themes of science and nature. After four books of poetry and numerous collaborations with composers, sculptors, dancers, artists, astronomers and engineers, Diana is now bringing similar energy to her evocative paintings.

Artist BARBARA BRYN KLARE works with “rescued textiles,” using thread as line and cloth as paint to explore topics such as fragility and sustainability. The ARTish Plunge podcast explores how Barbara, now a resident of southeastern Ohio with long-held connections to the San Francisco Bay area, worked as a surface designer and had a decades-long career as a technical writer before textiles brought her back to art as both a creator and curator.

The ARTish Plunge podcast explores how miniature artist BLAKE GORE exemplifies the old adage: “less is more.” Favoring .15 millimeter nib Micron pens, Blake creates tiny masterpieces on 2-inch squares — and smaller. Originally from Mississippi and serving as a career consultant by day, Blake explains how constraints, repetition and infinite curiosity are powerful tools for creative success.

The ARTish Plunge podcast explores how artist CHRIS CRANE combines metallurgy skills with a photographer’s eye for composition and color. With a keen curiosity for innovation, Chris has found a satisfying “day job” working alongside scientists to solve client’s AI and cognitive computing issues that still allows time for him to develop innovative art processes to “pull” color from sheets of steel or his latest project, images from re-crystallization.

The ARTish Plunge podcast explores how Austin artist ANN FLEMINGS stretches color in her abstract, organic shapes inspired by memories of places. Ann shares how she started making space for art while working in development and raising a family. During the transition, she learned the value of having your own art space, the importance of community, and finding role models. Ann also talks about showing artwork in the upcoming Round Top Antiques festival.

The ARTish Plunge podcast explores how artist JULIE FRITZ creates multi-layered landscapes with her cold wax technique. Julie shares how she developed her art practice after years working in event marketing and authoring two books. Throughout her life, a strong appreciation for place has guided her work.

The ARTish Plunge podcast explores how artist ARIELLE AUSTIN made the transition from graphic design, re-establishing her art practice in Austin, Texas, and recently making the big plunge to be a full-time Artist.

The ARTish Plunge podcast explores how Munich-based artist TAMIKO BRAUN transitioned from international consulting and marketing to the vibrant, texture-laden artwork she creates today.

The ARTish Plunge podcast explores how artist Sharon Kyle’s scavenger hunt for her found art materials was influenced by her prior experiences in real estate, construction management, and education sales.

Welcome to the ARTish Plunge podcast! I am your host, Kristy Darnell Battani, a full-time practicing Artist from Austin, Texas. I am fascinated by the curious relationship between Artists and the other professions, day jobs, or past vocations that have allowed them to make the art they do, or in other words, enabled them to take an Art-ish Plunge.