Artist Decoded by Yoshino

Yoshino is a multi-hyphenate artist and the host of Artist Decoded. Yoshino's Links: yoshinostudios.com yoshino.substack.com instagram.com/yoshinostudios twitter.com/yoshinostudios

"Born in the UK I now live and work in Los Angeles. I studied fine art at UCA just outside London in the early 90s then moved to Italy for 7 years to immerse myself in classical art. On my return to London I started a successful fashion career that took me around the world, shooting for esteemed clients and magazines for 15 years. In 2013 I decided to return to fine art. This coincided with a move to Los Angeles, where I built a studio practice that broadened my horizons to include sculpture, painting, installation and video works. And this is where I've landed and feel comfortable, in that liminal space between art and commerce, recording the body clothed and unclothed using photography, video and 3 dimensional form making. The merging of these disciplines is what inspires me, creating immersive installations that ask questions of who we are and how we interact with each other, how our bodies are perceived in societal roles and how we can move past these structured ideas." - James Mountford Topics Discussed In This Episode: How Yoshino and James originally met (00:02:13) The beginning stages of James's artistic journey (00:04:10) James starting his photography career in Rome (00:11:18) How the role of a professional photographer has changed (00:14:41) James starting to paint again after stopping for many years (00:20:16) Creating sustainable homes and studios in the Mojave Desert (00:23:14) James's current photography practice (00:31:12) James talks about his favorite artists (00:35:25) Using social media and how it can impact one's artwork (00:42:18) Photography, nostalgia, and James's collaborations with NOH/WAVE (00:44:20) Finding a balance between personal and professional pursuits as a full time artist (00:48:43) Staying athentic to oneself (01:01:42) Yoshino's experience doing The Camino de Santiago (01:06:36) artistdecoded.com jamesmountfordstudio.com instagram.com/jamesmountfordstudio/

Justin Tyler Close (b. 1984, Toronto, Canada) is an award-winning director, photographer & visual artist. Justin founded the internationally distributed arts publication The Lab Magazine and was the active editor-in-chief/creative director from 2010-2018. The interview magazine featured artists, designers, filmmakers, and activists such as Marina Abramovic, Wes Anderson and Noam Chomsky. In 2020, Justin created his audio-visual installation titled The Fifty Eleven Project, which was exhibited at the prestigious Copenhagen Contemporary Museum. Soon after, Justin wrote and directed two award-winning short films, Like Father Like Son and Where The Time Goes. He is currently developing several projects, and set to direct his debut his feature film in the fall, 2025. Topics Discussed In This Episode: Justin's life in Athens, Greece (00:02:07) What Justin has been focusing on recently (00:05:09) The beginning stages of Justin's painting process and nostalgia (00:08:45) Being nomadic, defining a home, and socially imposed ideals (00:12:26) Justin's daily process and finding a flow state (00:22:06) Justin's thoughts about turning 40 and what he learned in his 30s (00:27:49) Finding a balance between personal and commercial work (00:28:20) Finding our artistic voice (00:41:07) Justin's advice to his younger self (01:00:02) artistdecoded.com jaeclose.com instagram.com/justintylerclose

Rose Ides is an artist from San Diego specializing in veristic surrealism, and a writer exploring the sociology of the arts in the United States. With a background in sociology, education, public health, and art, her work aims to participate in creative liberation and artistic compassion. She has published two illustrative projects with Running Press, the Oracle of Pluto deck and the illustrated astrological compendium The Cosmic Symposium, which you can pick up at all major book retailers. You can connect with her on Instagram at @idesofrose. Topics Discussed In This Episode: Why Rose decided to pursue art full-time (00:02:08) Artistic insecurities developing in childhood (00:04:49) The history of the word "art" (00:11:15) Breaking through illusions to simply "be" (00:15:24) Using our emotions to fuel our creativity (00:25:34) Translating the dreamworld (00:29:47) Working through educational trauma and Rose wanting to begin her PhD program in Indigenous Rights (00:40:43) Rose's advice for the audience (00:47:50) Episode co-host: Jennifer Sodini artistdecoded.com roseides.com roseides.substack.com instagram.com/idesofrose

Erik Davis, PhD, is an author, award-winning journalist, sometimes podcaster, and popular speaker based in San Francisco. He is the author of 6 books which include: Blotter: The Untold Story of an Acid Medium (MIT Press) High Weirdness: Drugs, Esoterica, and Visionary Experience in the 70s (MIT Press/Strange Attractor Press). Nomad Codes: Adventures in Modern Esoterica (Yeti, 2010). The Visionary State: A Journey through California's Spiritual Landscape (Chronicle, 2006), with photographs by Michael Rauner. Led Zeppelin IV (Continuum, 2005) - 33 1/3 volume. TechGnosis: Myth, Magic, and Mysticism in the Age of Information (Crown, 1998; republished by North Atlantic Press). Topics Discussed In This Episode: Erik's work and his areas of interest (00:04:37) Deciding what projects to dedicate his time to (00:06:36) Finding his authentic voice (00:13:27) The transformation of subcultural movements into mainstream cultural (00:13:18) Trying to make sense out of confusing times (00:24:22) Learning to appreciate banality, and simplicity in an increasingly more technologically focused world (00:36:33) Separating yourself from devices and giving yourself the space to allow the muse to enter (00:46:15) The consensus trance and becoming more conscious (00:49:38) Having good "epistemological hygiene" (00:57:04) Getting back to basic joys (01:05:09) Erik's new book "Blotter: The Untold Story of an Acid Medium" (01:07:09) Episode co-host: Jennifer Sodini artistdecoded.com techgnosis.com x.com/erik_davis burningshore.com

Explore the intersection of tarot, artistic creativity, and technical innovation in The Artist Decoded Tarot, a first-of-its-kind deluxe deck and guidebook set from author of Amenti Oracle Jennifer Sodini and artist Yoshino. Jennifer Sodini is an artist, writer, speaker, and producer whose creative endeavors span various realms of art and spirituality. She is the author of Amenti Oracle Feather Heart Deck and Guidebook and Everyday Amenti, and the co-creator of the Modern Nirvana Oracle. Jennifer explores the intersection of esoteric philosophy and cutting-edge technology, bridging the gap between ancient wisdom and modern innovation. Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Oprah Daily, Rolling Stone, Vice, Sounds True, and Maxim. She splits her time between Los Angeles and Mexico. Yoshino is an art polymath with a direct focus on image-making, writing, and interviewing. He uses photography as a medium to capture poetry within an image, and attempts to create a confluence between his internal and external observations. Within the image, he invites the viewer to enter a space of contemplation and self-reflection. Conversation and curiosity are cornerstones of Yoshino's creative practice. In 2015, he created Artist Decoded, a podcast that explores the practices, lifestyles, and psychology of artists from various mediums. ArtistDecoded.com The Artist Decoded Tarot - Hachette Book Group

John Wentz is a contemporary artist whose work is an exploration of process and technique. Working within the classical idiom of the human figure, his goal is to reduce and simplify the image to its core fundamentals: composition, color, and mark-making. Paint application and brush strokes are broad and simplified as a means to connect and convey these ideas to the viewer with an abstract sensibility. John was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. His interest in art began at the age of 6 when he first discovered Batman and Spiderman comic books. After years of copying comics panel by panel, he worked in the commercial arts as a muralist, billboard creator, and freelance illustrator. After learning to paint by doing airbrushed billboards, he decided to pursue Fine Art and work in oils. Since then, he has had 5 solo exhibitions in San Francisco and numerous group exhibitions both nationally and internationally. His works have appeared in many publications and have won multiple awards. artistdecoded.com johnwentz.com instagram.com/johnwentz

Tim Bettinson is a 27-year-old singer-songwriter and producer most recognized for creating and living behind the lustful, ambient guise of Vancouver Sleep Clinic. Across his catalogue, elements of anthemic indie rock, intimate R&B, and sophisticated folk provide a sweeping film soundtrack for Bettinson's gentle vocal and expansive storytelling. Emerging from his native Brisbane, Australia on the strength of a series of singles including "Someone To Stay," "Middle of Nowhere," "The Wire," and the bedroom-produced viral cover of "As It Was," Tim now roams the world with a laptop and headphones in pursuit of adventure and creative inspiration for his ever-evolving project. Topics discussed in this episode: Leaving Los Angeles (00:12:19) How Tim and Yoshino originally met (00:14:04) Lesson's Tim has learned throughout his journey in music and the industry (00:17:31) The feeling of making music (00:23:34) Yoshino's journey into martial arts and photography (00:26:47) The first song Tim released on Soundcloud called "Vapour" (00:30:19) Tim's decision to start singing and using falsetto (00:35:22) Natural talents vs. achieving abilities through hard work (00:40:39) Anxiety and self-imposed pressure (00:52:25) Advanced technologies (00:57:45) Finding balance and joy within the creative process (01:04:06) Dealing with anxiety, self-doubt, and negative thoughts (01:09:36) Navigating feedback and trusting your instincts (01:18:38) Defining one's purpose (01:25:16) Finding perspective on past work (01:30:49) People who inspire Tim and Yoshino (01:36:57) artistdecoded.com vancouversleepclinic.org instagram.com/vancouversleepclinic

Iranian-American filmmaker Saman Kesh has the most Vimeo staff picks, ever. He attributes this accolade to excessive consumption of rocket fuel and a knack for combining the human experience with a healthy dose of controlled chaos. After his music videos won him YDA Silver at Cannes and two Best Video at SXSW, his foray into advertising was an epic international Superbowl spot for Taco Bell. Since then, he has worked with major brands like Zoom, Google, Citibank, Uber, and most recently picked up a handful of Clio awards for his work with Toyota and Nintendo. Saman has written and directed two universally hailed short films, CONTROLLER and HIT TV, which are being developed into TV-shows, and he is currently working on two feature films. On his off hours, he plays video games and trolls racists. Topics discussed in this episode: Creating a sanctuary for yourself (00:03:20) His short film Controller, DP'd by Isaac Bauman (00:10:01) Saman's definition of success (0015:43) Celebrating small victories (00:22:28) Working professionally with ADHD (00:26:59) Knowing our strengths and weaknesses and how to work with them (00:35:40) Martial arts and spirituality (00:43:22) Saman's advice for artists and creatives (01:11:16) artistdecoded.com samankesh.com instagram.com/saman_kesh

Daniele Bolelli is a writer, martial artist, university professor, and podcaster. He was born in Italy and currently lives in Los Angeles. Topics discussed in this episode: Daniele's podcasts History on Fire and The Drunken Taoist (00:05:55) Daniele's writing practice (00:08:51) Family and navigating personal struggles (00:15:03) The origin of Daniele's passion for history (00:30:59) Reflections on legacy (00:35:02) Unpacking success, values, and the nature of quality (00:40:46) The complexities of meritocracy (00:53:32) Discussing personal values (01:08:19) Thoughts on the impact of advanced technology (01:17:10) Power and agency within decision making (01:44:50) Daniele's life advice (01:49:21) artistdecoded.com danielebolelli.com danielebolelli.substack.com historyonfirepodcast.com thedrunkentaoist.com instagram.com/daniele_bolelli