Artist Decoded by Yoshino

https://www.patreon.com/artistdecoded About CJ: Cj Hendry (b. 1988) is a New York based artist originally from Brisbane, Australia. Globally renowned for her large-scale, photo-realistic drawings of consumer goods and immense, interactive exhibitions, she has developed a dedicated following through her unique brand of technical mastery and conceptual depth. A self-professed "lover of products", Hendry is heir to the Pop Art tradition that firmly established depictions of everyday objects and mass culture in the art historical canon. In the footsteps of Andy Warhol, Hendry generates instantaneously appealing images that celebrate kitsch aesthetics and it's ubiquitous presence in contemporary digital culture. More recently, the artist has incorporated new subject matter to delve into deep-seated concerns and anxieties of current society. After seven years of studying architecture and finance in Australia, Hendry abandoned the endeavor in 2014 to pursue art full-time. She has since presented 6 solo exhibitions across Australia, the U.S., and Asia. In 2017, the artist collaborated with esteemed fashion house Christian Louboutin to present her first works in color during the 2017 edition of Art Basel in Hong Kong. Topics Discussed In This Episode: Adaptability Not being bogged down by life and "going on with the show" The dynamic of achieving greatness without falling into individualistic, isolated, and greedy viewpoints. Discipline, and its relation to our daily life. The importance of community, and how opening yourself up and allowing people to be involved with what you are doing brings about a particular level of freedom. The concept of creative energy - Being relaxed, calm, and effortless within your life and art practice. Art not about being able to draw something well. Rather, art being more about the conceptual nature behind it. Creatively letting go of what others think about you, and doing work that is fulfilling for yourself within art. The concept of working hard and living humbly. Triumphing in the midst of defeats. www.artistdecoded.com CJ Hendry's Instagram CJ Hendry's Website

https://www.patreon.com/artistdecoded About Anna: Anna Park is a contemporary artist based in New York City, creating pieces that blur the lines between figurative and abstract work. Creating a dazed, yet emotional experience, Anna's central content revolves around larger bodies of people within social settings while provoking a vaporous and ethereal sensation. Her most recent work takes on a new form, having a larger, tangled, and fragmented abstraction that envelops the viewer as the cacophony of black and white charcoal reveals intimate messages relating to society and the people we interact with. Topics Discussed In This Episode: The inspiration behind her most recent work describing them as an "amalgamation of people" The desire for "the viewer can become the voyager" Anna feeling that the inspiration for her new body of work can be attributed to her living in New York City The dynamic of paintings feeling nostalgic and how our subconscious draws from past memories without truly knowing why Work and life during the quarantine The dynamic of creating art in a self-fulfilling way vs creating art specifically for other people Anna's upbringing moving from multiple states and her interactions with her mentor, Bruce Roberson, and how he "taught her everything" and how it solidified Anna's desire to be an artist Gratitude surrounding Anna's move to New York Submergence within different cultures Community Power structures and how toxic masculinity has permeated the world and made it difficult to empathize and move past our hierarchical viewpoints www.artistdecoded.com Anna Park's Instagram Anna Park's Website

https://www.patreon.com/artistdecoded About Ryan: Ryan York is a Doctor of Philosophy, postdoctoral scholar within the department of neurobiology at Stanford University, and an author of over a dozen publications. His research is focused on the evolutionary genomic basis of brain and behavior with a specific interest in the courtship behaviors of Lake Malawi cichlid fish. Having a passion for music and working in constant collaboration with individuals such as Justin Daashuur Hopkins, Ryan borders the line between highly intellectual compositions and spontaneous, free-flowing, and seemingly primal soundscapes Topics Discussed In This Episode: Ryan's work as an evolutionary biologist, and his specific project working within computational methods in understanding behaviors Applying concepts used within artificial intelligence and using them for work in other areas of science The overlap of art and science The idea of repeatability Collective consciousness and collaboration Provisional answers and the unknown Continually shifting based upon your ever-changing context Scientific having ties to elements of spirituality Free will Humility The power of the mind Philosophy of science Different levels of understanding Dogmatism Placebo's having a similarity to art The subconscious vs analytical instinct Slow vs fast understanding and experience Creativity being an exploration of what the world is www.artistdecoded.com Ryan's Stanford Profile Ryan's Instagram

https://www.patreon.com/artistdecoded About Daniele: Bolelli reads a passage about fear from his book, "Not Afraid: On Fear, Heartbreak, Raising a Baby Girl, and Cage Fighting" Daniele Bolelli (born January 11, 1974) is an Italian-American writer, university professor, martial artist, and podcaster based in Southern California. He is the author of several books on philosophy, and martial arts, including On the Warrior's Path. Known for his writing since the 1990s in Italy and the early 2000s in the United States, Bolelli rose to greater public prominence in the 2010s, beginning with his appearances on popular podcasts such as The Joe Rogan Experience. He went on to create his own podcasts, and has hosted The Drunken Taoist since 2012 and History on Fire since 2015. Bolelli holds M.As in American Indian Studies and history from UCLA and California State University, Long Beach, and did postdoctoral research in history at Cardiff University. As a professor, he has taught a wide variety of courses in the arts, humanities, and social sciences on topics including Native American history and culture, Taoist philosophy, and Ancient Rome. He teaches at CSULB and Santa Monica College. www.artistdecoded.com www.danielebolelli.com

https://www.patreon.com/artistdecoded About Jerome: Acclaimed and revered painter, Jerome Lagarrigue, was born in France to a father who was an illustrator and a mother who was a writer and journalist. Being rooted within a world of creativity and culture, Jerome's life - from youth to adulthood, can be described as a type of compelling metamorphosis, including experiences both from a creative and racial point of view which directly saturates his current work as a painter. Finding love within depicting movement inside of his work, Jerome continues to create powerful work that calls into question particular aspects of the world we live in and frames the subtle and reflective essence of human beings. Topics Discussed In This Episode: Jerome being exposed to two different cultures, and how it offered both confusing and later, harmonious element to his life as a whole The topic of race – its objectivity, functionality, horrific nature, and the struggles that have come with being associated with a specific race Jerome's upbringing - living both in France and Harlem, and how he was always drawing as a child The effects of social injustices on racial identity The layered nature of the social justice protests and riots Capitalism shaping the way we live our lives The genesis of creativity Decisions of engaging in a subject matter Searching continually within art The power in saying no Creative instinct The wave and the weight of the reaction to coronavirus Captivation within the movement and process of painting Stanly Kubrick's process and its relation to creativity The growth from the mentality of seeing the world as either one or another absolute into viewing the world as being "gray" An Individual's desire to be comfortable rather than be challenged Jerome's decision to paint riots The connection of energy, nature, and humanism within paining Feeling, rather than reacting www.artistdecoded.com www.jeromelagarrigue.com Jerome's Instagram

https://www.patreon.com/artistdecoded About CJ: CJ Johnson is an acclaimed Speaker and Digital Marketing Consultant, servicing Fortune 50 clients worldwide and a prominent digital influencer with hundreds of thousands of online supporters. CJ is best known for creating successful influencer marketing campaigns as both an influencer and a Consultant, helping content creators and companies maximize their ROI. As a successful influencer, CJ uses his voice for creative storytelling to provide inspiration, digital marketing tips, and work/life balance advice in our modern era. As a Consultant, CJ specializes in digital brand strategy, creative campaigns, influencer marketing, future of work, diversity & inclusion, and trend forecasting. His work specializes in the technology, fashion, lifestyle, political, travel, and entertainment industries. Currently, CJ is a GQ Insider, Google Next Gen Policy Leader, and a Digital Marketing Consultant to innovative companies. Topics Discussed In This Episode: The joys of having a daughter Couch surfing while finishing college in Los Angeles Finding success through design and conscious actions Doing marketing for tech companies How money plays into an overall idea of success www.artistdecoded.com www.cjjohnsonjr.com www.instagram.com/cjjohnsonjr

https://www.patreon.com/artistdecoded About Steven: Steven Assael (born in 1957), is an award-winning American painter, credited most for his masterful artistry within his figure work and modern re-envisioning of the neo-classical, naturalist, and romantic techniques of old. Being captivated with what the human form and image represent, ever-changing and seemingly random elements and deeply rooted emotional intelligence, Assael traverses what it is to be human, and the subtleties included within an organic connection. Assael's latest work includes his collaboration between himself and his represented gallery titled "Now We Meet Again" which focuses on individuals presenting images of loved ones, or individuals of significance to Assael through Zoom calls. Working through the purpose of the painting, Assael paints not only the image, but interweaves the very emotional framework and intentions the recipient presented beforehand. Topics Discussed In This Episode: Seeking out advantages within painting and connecting with people during quarantine Separation bringing us together The intimate process of working with models and how they directly or indirectly affect the painting Allowing for change within his overall creative vision Teaching painting over Zoom What makes a good teacher The search for finding the right questions to ask Experience motivating change and providing a renewal of what you want Creating situations of exploration for oneself Extracting the right vocabulary while creating The element of control and power that children express when drawing different objects Understanding the dynamic of copying a subject while painting, and how that evolves into a deeper exploration of shapes, tone, atmospheres, and the figure itself. Giving breadth to form A great work of art being infectious The nature of romanticism Working from life being an "inquiry into your own humanness" The idea of questioning and rebelling within a visual outlook Human nature The environment of New York throughout the last forty years, and how it has changed The importance of theatre and the work of actors Symmetry and asymmetry, and its importance within artform and observation "Everything is everything" approach to life Learning what to see flowing into learning how to paint Nature being sporadic, and how we must become "like water" in order to succeed in our strategies in life A commercialized outlook within the art world Art becoming entertainment Faith and doubt Questioning of spirituality and existence www.artistdecoded.com www.stevenassael.com www.instagram.com/stevenassael

https://www.patreon.com/artistdecoded About Damian: Damian Joseph Kulash Jr. (born October 7, 1975) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and music video director who is best known for being the lead singer and guitarist of the American rock band OK Go. Damien was born in Washington DC and spent a large amount of time studying at the Interlochen Arts Camp. He was active in bands at his time at Brown University, eventually winning a prize in music composition. From the time span of 2005-2007 while the band released and was touring off of the "Oh No" album, the music video "A Million Ways" ended up being the most downloaded video with over 9 million downloads. The band decided to cut ties with their major record label deals with EMI and Capitol Records, and eventually started their own label, Paracadute, in 2010. OK Go released their most recent album completely free on their website, which includes rarities, B-sides, and covers of other songs. Topics Discussed In This Episode: Damian discusses how both he and his family contracted coronavirus and how in hindsight, the time spent quarantined yielded different effects and revelations that Damian was not expecting. Damian speaks on how he personally finds hope within the world and how it comes to him emotionally rather than a linearly or algorithmically. "When the world breaks down or the rules shift in such a drastic way, it's a little like the shackles come off and everything begins to reconfigure. That is terrifying but it also brings an element of hope…" Deconstruction and equalization of power structures within the world and hope shining through the cracks of society shifting. The depth of what we experience and how it relates to the "Truth". Life being a puzzle with the pieces everchanging, how it relates to our humanity, and how we see others and ourselves change. Giving yourself the freedom to tread new waters, and to genuinely feel emotions. Dynamic of how we are all working together for a common goal. Collaboration and calling back to others who have to tread the path before us. "We are not individual actors" www.artistdecoded.com Damian's Letter For "All Together Now" Rebecca Solnit - "'The Impossible Has Already Happened': What Coronavirus Can Teach Us About Hope"

https://www.patreon.com/artistdecoded About Blake: Blake Mills is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, composer, producer, and owner of "Record Collection" and a Grammy Award-winning artist based in California. Mills has performed on over two hundred recordings, released four solo records, and worked with artists such as Lana Del Rey, Fiona Apple, and Bob Dylan. Playing as both a session guitarist and composing his own material, Mills meticulously masters both the abstract and intentionality of multiple instruments and seeks to explore the sounds they each have to offer. After working with artists such as Fiona Apple, and Andrew Bird, Mills revisited the studio and developed the sounds and resonant textures that became "Mutable Set" - a collection of eleven songs that focus on the dissonance of modern life. Show Notes: 0:00:00​ - Introduction 0:04:38​ - Origin of the Name of New Record "Mutable Set" 0:07:19​ - The Bigger Picture of the Album 0:11:41​ - The Self Above Any Specific Role in Music 0:17:44​ - Working On Own Projects VS For A Client 0:22:09​ - Collaborating and Experimenting with Perfume Genius on "Set My Heart On Fire Immediately" 0:26:28​ - Creating Unique Tones and Characteristics Lead to Artistic Fulfillment 0:31:16​ - Using The Environment and Studio as a Unique Characteristic of the Process 0:37:27​ - Sound City Studio, The Hybrid of Professional and Home Studio 0:40:40​ - Partnership With Tony Berg Through The Years 0:44:12​ - Mystery Job of Record Production 0:46:48​ - Constant Desire to Write New Songs 0:49:32​ - How "Mutable Set" Began and the Many Collaborations 0:56:23​ - In Love With A Sound That Can't Be Recreated 1:04:43​ - Future Plans 1:06:53​ - Wrap Up www.artistdecoded.com Blake Mills Instagram

https://www.patreon.com/artistdecoded About Christine: Christine Yuan is an Emmy-award winning director whose television documentaries have won Best Culture & History Documentary at the 2018 LA Area Emmy, Best Documentary at the 2018 Golden Mic Awards, and Best Feature Documentary at the 2017 National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards. Her narrative work has screened at the Cannes Film Festival Court Metrage, Marfa Film Festival, Los Angeles Film Festival, The Massachusetts Independent Film Festival, San Francisco International Festival of Short Films, and more. Her commercial work has been shortlisted for D&AD's Next Director Award, 1.4 Awards Show, Young Guns 15 Awards, and Shoot's Director's Showcase. Her short films and music videos have been featured on Nowness, i-D, Dazed, Fader, booooooom, Vice, and more. Topics Discussed In This Episode: Discipline being instilled through the act of running and physical activities Haruki Murakami's book "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running" Painting as an introduction to Yuan's interest in creating Lessons she learned from her grandmother about the joy of living a simple life Staying grounded and present Her short film, "DIYU" Kundalini Yoga Her background growing up in Christian schools Talent and discipline The idea of "Imposter Syndrome" Creating substance in one's own being Growing up as an only child Accepting and finding catharsis in loneliness The differences between directing a commercial, music video, and/or a short film Gender inequality that exists in the film industry www.artistdecoded.com christineyuan.com instagram.com/christineyuan