Artist Decoded by Yoshino

www.patreon.com/artistdecoded Shari Frilot is a filmmaker who has produced television for the CBS affiliate in Boston and for WNYC and WNET in New York before creating her own independent award-winning films, including Strange & Charmed, A Cosmic Demonstration of Sexuality, What Is A Line?, and the feature documentary, Black Nations / Queer Nations? She is the recipient of multiple grants, including the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Media Arts Foundation. She is presently working on a feature film project about the crisis in water supply with producer Effie Brown's production company, Duly Noted Inc. In tandem with filmmaking, Shari also maintains a career in festival programming, occupying a distinguished position on the curatorial vanguard through her pioneering development of immersive cinematic environments. As the Festival Director of the MIX Festival in New York (1992-1996) she co-founded the first gay Latin American film festivals, MIX BRASIL and MIX MEXICO film festivals. As Co-Director of Programming for OUTFEST (1998-2001), she founded the Platinum section which introduced cinematic performance installation and performance to the festival. She is presently in her 22nd year as a Senior Programmer for the Sundance Film Festival. She is the curator and driving creative force behind New Frontier, an exhibition and commissioning initiative that focuses on cinematic work being created at the intersections of art, film, and new media technology. Topics Discussed In This Episode: Collective consciousness and being on the cusp of the new year Shifts within communities Finding confluence within multiple subjects Art and science working together Visualization Shari's love of culture, and her work within curation and art Wave-particle dualities Measuring the concept of love within our life The differences in seeing something versus feeling something Neuroplasticity Perceiving reality Storytelling Sundance Festival and New Frontier 2021, and the innovations that are taking place Subjective and objective truths Empathy The lost art of listening Shari's experiences with filmmaking and changing the framework of the industry itself The complications within creating and presenting Sundance's 2021 festival Focusing on humanity Pushing into the new year with aspirations of inclusivity and connectedness Finding clarity within your vision www.artistdecoded.com www.sundance.org/programs/new-frontier www.festival.sundance.org

www.patreon.com/artistdecoded Mark Henick is an internationally recognized mental health strategist, advocate, speaker, podcaster, and media commentator. His TEDx talk is one of the most-watched in the world. He regularly speaks to diverse audiences about mental health, hope, and recovery. Mark Henick's TEDx talk about being saved from death by a stranger is one of the most-watched in the world and has been viewed millions of times. His search for "the man in the brown jacket" whose bravery and strong arms kept him from falling to his death went viral around the world (and was successful!). Henick has been on television and radio and has written many articles on mental health. He has hosted more than 60 intimate conversations about mental health with notable public figures and celebrities on his podcast, So-Called Normal, and has executive produced and hosted the Living Well podcast for Morneau Shepell. Henick has served on the board of directors for the Mental Health Commission of Canada and was the president of a provincial division of the Canadian Mental Health Association — the youngest person in either role. He has worked as a frontline clinician, a program manager, and the national director of strategic initiatives for CMHA. Mark is currently the CEO and principal strategist for Strategic Mental Health Consulting. Topics Discussed In This Episode: Destigmatizing mental illness Mark's personal story and TedX Talk The search for the man in the light brown jacket Struggles and hardships being a source of strength Self-actualizing and truth Commercial art Compartmentalizing particular aspects of your life Life being an artform Going all-in on your passion Building your passion Resilience and grit Recovery Not knowing your full self yet Toxic productivity Toxic masculinity www.artistdecoded.com www.instagram.com/markhenick www.markhenick.com

www.patreon.com/artistdecoded Sean Cheetham was born in 1977 in San Francisco, studied at the College of San Mateo, in California, and earned a B.F.A. degree with honors from Art Center College of Design, in Pasadena, California. His paintings have been included in numerous significant exhibitions internationally including the National Portrait Gallery in London. He has a devoted following of collectors and art students that are inspired by his work and distinctive technique. Primarily a figurative painter, Sean is known for his technical prowess in achieving accuracy and harmony in his alla prima paintings which he credits to a deep understanding of drawing and his own system of mixing colors which he uses adeptly to govern shadows, midtones and highlights. In addition to having an exceptional ability to understand, draw, and paint the human form, Cheetham's selection of subjects typically in familiar urban scenes contributes a truthful and often raw spirit that makes his work distinctive and a contemporary testimony of our time. Kate Zambrano is a self-taught fine artist who applies major influences and themes such as the systemic urge to understand human nature, behavior, and the beauty in the expressive nuances. Topics Discussed In This Episode: Kate and Sean's relationship COVID's effect on workflow Personal hobbies and the meditation behind them Endless curiosities within relationships and art Community and interaction in the midst of COVID Appreciating the mundane experiences of life The origin of Kate and Sean's art practice Balance Teaching and lessons learned from the experience Remaining flexible within your career Relying on other mediums to feed into your main passions Refinement Flipping your mentality Ego Natural talent, and doing the hard thing Persistence www.artistdecoded.com www.seancheethamfineart.com www.katezambrano.com

www.patreon.com/artistdecoded Laura Fried is a Los Angeles-based curator and is a Co-Founder and Director of Active Cultures, a nonprofit organization that explores the convergence of food and art in contemporary life. Through collaborative projects by cooks and artists, Active Cultures' programming takes a multitude of forms such as performances, workshops, meals, and education initiatives. Throughout her career, Fried has advocated for artists and institutions while pushing forward new models for engagement and exhibition-making. She recently served as founding Artistic Director of the Seattle Art Fair, for which she organized a comprehensive program of large-scale installations, performances, talks, and projects. Fried was previously on the curatorial staff of Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, North Adams, MA, as well as a curator at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis. Fried received her MA in the History of Art from Williams College and the Clark Art Institute. Topics Discussed In This Episode: Laura's journey in curation Working within non-profit organizations The convergence of food and art Collaboration Unique opportunities that are provided through the community Laura's work with her business partner Laura's advocation for artists and institutions The innovation of the exhibition The interconnected nature of art and food The beginnings of "The MSG Club" Future endeavors of Active Cultures in the midst of COVID-19 www.artistdecoded.com www.laurafried.info www.active-cultures.org

www.patreon.com/artistdecoded Cliqua is a directing duo (Pasqual Gutierrez and RJ Sanchez) born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. They have directed music videos for J Balvin, Rosalia, Bad Bunny, and others. In the span of a year, the duo has amassed over 700 million Youtube plays. They have also worked with brands like Adidas, Nike, Amazon, and Tecate. Currently Cliqua is continuing to shoot music videos and commercials while developing a feature-length film and an episodic television show. Topics Discussed In This Episode: Pasqual and RJ forming Cliqua Reflections on past commercial and music video work Intentionality within Cliqua's planning process Going into the trenches within business and collaboration Teamwork and collaboration Shared business values Examining the future, reevaluating work practices, and moving forward Inspiration through others Taking a step back from one's work Controlling one's process Being aware of faults Workflow Cliqua's recent music video for The Weeknd's track "Too Late" Thematic filmmaking within music videos Creating something that is bigger than you The distillation of aesthetics and ideas www.artistdecoded.com www.cliqua.net www.instagram.com/cliquamundo

www.patreon.com/artistdecoded Densil McFarlane is the lead singer and guitarist of the Canadian rock trio, The OBGMs. Topics Discussed In This Episode: The origin of The OBGM's Complications and stresses of the business of music Densil's honest self-reflection on why he creates music Not caring too deeply about what others think of you The new clarity and purpose found within Densil's latest album. Being in touch with how you are feeling Success being a multi-dimensional phenomenon Batteling the identifiers of success Balancing your ego Shifting negative energy into positive and productive motivation The energy found within Densil's latest album The changes within the music industry Staying innovative Specific values that current listeners have Incentivization within social media Keeping musicianship alive throughout covid Cultivating real friendships Staying committed to your craft Differences between Canada and America www.artistdecoded.com www.theobgms.com www.instagram.com/theobgms

www.patreon.com/artistdecoded About Adam Hall: As a visual artist, Adam Hall began working mostly with charcoals and oils. Self-taught, he attempts to mix traditional style with contemporary. Using palette knives and layering techniques he creates a true richness and depth to his work. Adam believes every painting is his next opportunity in truly expressing his vision and vibe through landscape. "Art is such a powerful tool and I strive to use it in the most positive way I know how." While his passion for art began growing up in Wellsburg, West Virginia, his professional artistic career began nearly two decades ago in Nashville. When he was not on the road touring with bands all over the world, Adam slowly became involved with a local design firm whose clientele took great interest and demand for his art. Eventually, he started working full time with major record labels and recording artists in Nashville, all the while pursuing his dream to become a full-time artist. Today, his work has been represented in galleries all over the United States and has been featured in such magazines as American Art Collector Magazine & Fine Art Connoisseur. Adam Hall proudly resides in Nashville, TN, with his wife Thais. Adam spends most of his time in his studio in Historic Franklin and continues to discover a fulfilling purpose through art. Topics Discussed In This Episode: The benefits of technology during COVID Adam's early career in the music industry Utilizing elements from outside fields of study and incorporating them into your artistic practice Adding different experiences and tools to your "toolkit" Adam's changing perspectives on painting The dynamic of a career vs. a hobby Being disciplined and producing organic results Healthy competition Surrounding yourself with individuals who are greater than you Humility Faith and understanding how it relates to our experiences Being in a constant state of questioning The notion of personal truth(s) Religion and ideologies Inclusivity and exclusivity Remaining open to other aspects of the world Adam's experiences traveling to Africa Morality and ethics Intentions behind our actions The meaning behind Adam's ocean paintings The emotion that translates through a person's artwork Adam's experiences as a father Micro-decisions within our daily lives Striving creatively through parenting "Current Journeys" Links: www.artistdecoded.com www.adamhallart.com www.instagram.com/adamhallart

www.patreon.com/artistdecoded Jeffrey Martin Zacks, American psychology educator, member of the American Psychological Association, American Psychological Society, and the Cognitive Science Society. His book, Flicker: Your Brain on Movies, delves into the history of cinema and the latest research to explain what happens in your brain when you sit down in the theatre and the lights go out. Topics Discussed In This Episode: How the brain helps us think perceive and aid us in solving problems Mirror neurons The impact that film has on it's viewers Mimicking attributes of the brain and how it specifically helps us in daily life Film perception Evoking and implementing cues for specific responses within films "The willing suspension of belief" Kids viewing violent films and how it affects them when they are adults Mindset and engagement Age and films Neuroplasticity The "nimble brain" The brain's development and how we can shift the way we think in order to retain a greater amount of plasticity Movies and the brain's correspondence with what we are visualizing "Feeling" what we are viewing Creating plots and narratives that affect your emotion The power of non-analytical effects The documentary "The Social Dilemma", and Jeff's views on the way technology is progressing "What are you subscribing to?" Children and social media Reflecting on how we use social media and how it influences our brain and habits www.artistdecoded.com

www.patreon.com/artistdecoded Self-taught, David Uzochukwu (b. 1998, Austria) creates (self-)portraits that speak of both placelessness and belonging. His work sees bodies shifting through nature, performance, and digital reconfiguration. Uzochukwu's photographs have been exhibited at Bozar, Photo Vogue Festival, and Unseen Amsterdam. He has collaborated with artists FKA twigs, Pharrell, and Iris Van Herpen, and received commissions by Dior and Hermès. Since 2019, he is a participant of CPH:DOX's talent development program. British Journal of Photography named him One to Watch in 2020. He currently lives in Berlin, where he pursues his first degree in philosophy. Topics Discussed In This Episode: David's development and obsession with photography Looking at other photographers work and being inspired Distraction and aesthetic within David's work Emotions and the expression of an image David's photography process Finding your signature approach Navigating your youth, and standing your ground Leaning into your intuition Organic transition within artwork Simplicity Swallowing your feelings and fighting to have your needs met Finding your artistic voice and rooting yourself within that David's interest in philosophy Ethics and practical reasoning for the things that you do Aesthetics being used as a "glazing" to your art Masculinity and the roles of gender Strength and vulnerability Futurism Getting to the point of reflecting your opinions within your art Bias The future for Davids self-portraiture and photography www.artistdecoded.com www.daviduzochukwu.com/ www.instagram.com/daviduzochukwu/

https://www.patreon.com/artistdecoded Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz are both directors and writers, known for Antebellum (2020), Rapture, and 17 Seventeen (2017). Topics Discussed In This Episode: Required solitude Shifting perspective within a paradigm Truth Bush and Renz's collaboration and how that has evolved Acceptance of failures and misfortunes The process of working together within relationships Discovery within the arts Companionship within the process of creating The process of trusting your art Spiritualism The collective consciousness Inspiration and how an artist taps into it Leaving behind a legacy When to put on and shed your ego Being afraid to feel something The emotion felt while filming Antebellum Social change The foundations and future of America www.artistdecoded.com Gerard's Instagram Christopher's Instagram