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This week the Food and Beverage Stylist Chriscilla Browning.  Chriscilla has blended her love of photography with a creative palette of culinary art establishing herself as a leading visionary in the designing and crafting of visual delights for advertising and editorial stages where beauty stimulates the senses with mouth watering creations.  Chriscilla was born in Waynesboro, Virginia in 1973, the eldest of three girls, to Glenna Lyle, a homemaker and latterly a rural mail carrier, and David Miller, US Navy veteran turned electrician, safety inspector and explosives expert.  Chriscilla grew up on the family farm where rural life grounded her while she developed an interest in fashion and illustrating. She was also an athlete in High School proving herself as a runner. Her interest in the finer art of photography took her to the American College in Atlanta from which she graduated with a BA in Fine Arts in 1994. After a period of waiting tables and bars, Chriscilla found work in a photographer’s studio in Atlanta where she learned the tricks of the trade in styling food and dishes, and even beds for Bloomingdales. It was during this time that she met her husband and took a break in her career to have Skyler, the first of her two sons.  Chriscilla has since built a lucrative business in food and beverage styling that leaves her little time for herself beyond exercising, which these days focuses on weight lifting.  Chriscilla live in Greensboro, NC, when she is not traveling the country on photo shoots. Chriscilla on Instagram: @chriscilla_browning  https://www.instagram.com/chriscilla_browning/ [https://www.instagram.com/chriscilla_browning/] Host: Chris Stafford Produced by Hollowell Studios Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram The AART Podcast on YouTube Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wisp--4769409/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wisp--4769409/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

This week the British Fine Artist Frances Featherstone. Frances says her art is guided by an appreciation for storytelling. Narrative serves at the heart of her work with which she seeks to fill her paintings with ideas and conceptual depth. Her creative explorations revolve around the interplay between figures and interior spaces offering viewers a window into intimate emotions that are entangled with the spaces we occupy. Frances employs aerial perspectives to craft patterns seen from above that compress and flatten the spatial dimensions. These pieces venture beyond the constraints of conventional perception and seek to challenge our normal sense of space. One of two children—she has a brother Walter, Frances was born in 1976 in Roade, England, to parents Jane Gill, a teacher —formerly a silversmith and jeweler—and Michael Featherstone a furniture designer. Art runs throughout her family and Frances was always encouraged and supported in her talent which naturally led a formal art education. She achieved an Art Foundation Distinction and First Class Degree in Fine Art and Visual Culture from the University of the West of England, Bristol. before changing direction for her Post Grad in Interactive Multimedia at Bath Spa University, graduating in 2000. She worked as a Designer in the BBC’s Interactive Factual and Learning Department for six years. In 2006 she got married and started a family, at which point she returned to painting, firstly by taking commissions for portraits. Her work took off and she was quickly gaining recognition. In 2019 Frances was shortlisted for ‘Artist of the Year’ by ‘Artists and Illustrators Magazine’. In 2021 she won the ‘The Chair’s Purchase Prize’ at the ING Discerning Eye exhibition at The Mall Galleries in London. And in 2024 was awarded a Certificate of Commendation for ‘an exceptional work selected for the Royal Institute of Oil Painters’ annual exhibition. She has also won Sky Arts Portrait of the Week twice for her paintings of Booker Prize winner Bernardine Evaristo and the singer Dannii Minogue.  Frances is represented by the Fairfax Gallery in Tunbridge Wells and Arcadia Contemporary Gallery in New York. She lives near Groombridge in East Sussex with her husband Munir Hassan and children Sam and Layla.   Frances' links: https://www.francesfeatherstone.co.uk/ [https://www.francesfeatherstone.co.uk/] Instagram: @francesfeatherstone    Some favorite female artists: Paula Rego Jenny Saville Frida Kahlo Joan Mitchell Rachel Whiteread    Host: Chris Stafford Produced by Hollowell Studios Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram The AART Podcast on YouTube has bonus content not included on the podcast. Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wisp--4769409/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wisp--4769409/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

Hungarian Esther Horvath is a multi-award winning polar photographer whose work focuses on climate research in the polar regions. By documenting the work and life of scientists who deliver important data, Esther hopes to help make a difference in how people understand what actually is occurring, and her collaborations with scientists help raise public awareness about these increasingly fragile environments. Esther was born in 1979 in Sopron, Hungary. Esther grew up behind the Iron Curtain and even though she lived only a few kilometers from the Austrian border she was ten years old before the ‘curtain’ came down and she was able to explore the Austrian mountains where the Alps start, discovering a world that held a fascination which would become a life-long passion for her as an explorer.  Despite a childhood interest in art and photography Esther chose to study Economics at West Hungarian University for her Masters Degree. Upon graduating she worked in the private sector in Vienna  and at 25 she owned her first camera which would prove to be life-changing. With a growing passion for photography she decided to go to New York to study Photojournalism and Documentary Photography at International Center of Photography, (ICP). After finishing ICP, she received an assignment from Audubon magazine, to the Arctic Ocean, which was the next most important milestone in her life. Today she documented 25 scientific expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctica. From 2019 – 2020, Esther spent almost four months on board the Polarstern icebreaker during polar nights in extreme conditions, documenting the MOSAiC expedition in the Central Arctic Ocean, the largest ever Arctic Ocean science expedition.  In 2022 she was the official photographer of the Endurance22 expedition, searching and finding Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship the Endurance. Esther won the first prize in World Press Photo Award, Environmental single category in 2020. In 2022, she received the Infinity Award from the International Center of Photography in New York for her work in raising awareness about conservation, environmental justice and climate change. Esther is a contributing photographer and explorer for National Geographic Explorer, and a Nikon Ambassador and photographer for the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research. Esther has homes in Sopron, Hungary and Hamburg, Germany even though she spends most of her time traveling.    Esther’s links: https://estherhorvath.com/ [https://estherhorvath.com/] https://www.instagram.com/estherhorvath [https://www.instagram.com/estherhorvath]   Some of Esther’s favorite female artists: Ami Vitale (photographer) Lyndsey Addario photojournalist) Deirdre Hyde (painter) Rita Rebecca Kirady (interior designer)  Host: Chris Stafford Produced by Hollowell Studios Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram The AART Podcast on YouTube Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wisp--4769409/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wisp--4769409/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

Bex Simon is a British Artsmith who has overcome difficult mental health issues to become highly sought after for her creative work in metal. Bex is unconstrained in her approach to design by combining geometric shapes and textures. Her sculptures and public art tell stories relative to the surrounding environment and can be found around the UK. Bex was born in Chertsey, Surrey in 1973, the third of four children—she has an older sister and brother and a younger brother. She reflects on a very strict upbringing from parents Tim, a computer programmer and Gel a retired teacher who later volunteered at a school for handicapped children; a relationship which has mellowed with time and understanding of Bex’s mental health. Bex was attracted to the art of blacksmithing as a teenager and despite struggling at school with dyslexia, she studied at the Surrey Institute of Art and Design – Foundation graduating in 1992.  In 1995 she graduated with a BA in Three-Dimensional Design in Metal Surrey from the Institute of Art and Design; followed in 1998 by a Diploma and National Certificate from Hereford College of Technology and in 2017 a Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Forge Work DFS from Herefordshire and Ludlow College. In 2019 she began studying Geometry at the Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts. In 1999 Bex moved to London and established her creative blacksmithing business with the help of the Prince’s Trust. Initially, she worked on private commissions acquired from exhibiting regularly at RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows. Later, she moved on to larger scale public artwork projects via collaborations with a selected group of artist blacksmiths. Her biggest commission to date being a forty meter public artwork for Westminster Magistrates’ Courts in London. It was for that installation that she became the first woman to receive the Tonypandy Cup; the most prestigious award given by the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths.  Bex lives in North Devon with her husband Dave and their daughters Molly and Lyonie.   The book that Bex recommended on the YouTube video -  https://www.youtube.com/@theaartpodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@theaartpodcast] - The Creative Art, A Way of Being by Rick Rubin   Bex’s links: https://bexsimon.com/ [https://bexsimon.com/] https://www.instagram.com/bexsimonartsmith/ [https://www.instagram.com/bexsimonartsmith/]   Bex’s favorite female artists: Zaha Hadid Emma Kunz Lousie Bourgeois  Bex’s playlist: Beastie Boys / Sabotage Sinead O’Connor / Troy Doja Cat / Paint the Town Red Radiohead / Street Spirit Sleaford Mods / Nudge It The Sundays / Can’t Be Sure Chase & Status / Backbone Goldfrapp / Ooh La La System of A Down / Chop Suey Royksopp Robyn / Monument Nia Archives / Off Wiv Ya Headz Host: Chris Stafford Produced by Hollowell Studios Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram The AART Podcast on YouTube -  https://www.youtube.com/@theaartpodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@theaartpodcast] Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wisp--4769409/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wisp--4769409/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

The American painter and sculptor René Romero Schuler creates powerful images that speak to the complexities of the human condition and the spirit that connects all human beings. René did not have any formal art training but since a small child felt that she was always meant to be an artist. She endured a difficult childhood and those real life challenges are imbued in her work illustrating her appreciation for the struggles and triumphs of humanity. René was born in Chicago in 1968 to parents Maryanne, a retired nurse and Rocky, who René describes as a bit of an enigma, though always in sales. René and her siblings grew up in Chicago, though she spent a year and a half in Quito with her grandparents. By time she reached her teenage years her home life was becoming difficult with a troubled relationship with her mother and an intrusive fear of her father. At the age of 14 René ran away from home and lived rough pulling on all her resources and determination. She eventually found work as an artist, painting murals in commercial properties. When she was 17 René moved into her own apartment and worked a variety of jobs from waitressing to bartending. By collaborating with a variety of artists around Chicago, René was gradually becoming a full-time artist with her own studio and plenty of commissions. In 1999 she met her future husband and for a while the couple lived in New York before René was drawn back to Chicago to focus on her art. It was here that she was able to reconnect with her contacts in art galleries and establish herself as a professional artist. René is represented by galleries across the U.S., Canada and Europe, She has had major exhibitions throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia, and has work included in the permanent collections of numerous museums and institutions. René now lives in Monterrey, CA with her husband Rick and two sons Ian and Owen. Rene’s links:  https://www.reneromeroschuler.com/ [https://www.reneromeroschuler.com/]  https://www.instagram.com/reneromeroschuler/ [https://www.instagram.com/reneromeroschuler/] Some favorite female artists: Maryann Kolb Kelly Reemsten Bisa Butler Joan Brown Annie Leibovitz Tamara de Lempicka Helen Frankenthaler Louise Bourgeois Tracey Emin  Host: Chris Stafford Produced by Hollowell Studios Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram The AART Podcast on YouTube Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com [https://gmail.com]  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wisp--4769409/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wisp--4769409/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].