Creative Contemplation

Ayako Shimada; Gathering Inspiration Close to Home

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1972836/open_sms] January 13, 2026 Creative Contemplation S4E8 Ayako Shimada; Gathering Inspiration Close to Home Suzanne Lago Arthur, host and creator of The Creative Contemplation Podcast has a delightful conversation with Tokyo based painter, Ayako Shimada about her solo show "Painting Diary" at Opa Gallery (1/16/26-1/21/26) of her recent landscape paintings of Inokashira Park and its playgrounds, which subtly hint at her private life beyond the canvas--her role as a mother and caregiver. Opa Gallery [https://opagallery.net/], Shibuya Tokyo, Japan Website: Ayakoshimada-art.com [https://www.ayakoshimada-art.com/] Instagram: @Ayakoshimada5050 Influences Mentioned: Erin Raedeke [https://www.erinraedeke.com/] Ed Praybe [https://www.edmondpraybe.com/] Lennart Anderson [https://www.lennartanderson.com/] Euan Uglow [https://hh-h.com/exhibitions/12-euan-uglow/] John Dubrow [http://johndubrow.com/paintings] Ayako Shimada's [https://www.ayakoshimada-art.com/] Artist Statement: For me, painting is an universal language that I can talk with anybody. I am a mother of a little kids and a Japanese teacher. Talking with visual language is such a powerful way to show how I see and think about things.  For my works, finding a mundane moment and working with motifs that are close to me is important. In my painting process, I want to catch a beauty of moments such as daylight shift or atmosphere, find interesting relationships between each motifs and combine those elements into paintings rather than just paint as they are. So that way people would see true moment in terms of colors and feelings from my paintings. Host Bio: Suzanne Lago Arthur [https://www.lagoarthurstudio.com/]is a contemporary realist painter from Northern Virginia. Born in Puerto Rico to Cuban-American parents, her artistic explorations were nurtured from an early age by her family. Through her paintings Suzanne explores the themes of beauty, transience and memory.  She has exhibited both nationally and internationally in such venues as the Corcoran Gallery of Art and Art Museum of the Americas in Washington DC, Booth Museum of Western Art in Cartersville, GA, the United States Interests Section, Havana, Cuba and in art galleries across the United States. She holds a BFA from the Corcoran School of Art and an MA in Museum Studies from George Washington University. Website: www.lagoarthurstudio.com [https://www.lagoarthurstudio.com/] Instagram: Suzanne Lago Arthur (@lagoarthurstudio) [https://www.instagram.com/lagoarthurstudio/] https://www.lagoarthurstudio.com/tuition/the-sunflower-still-lifeLogo design by Elisa Nader,  Mag7 [http://www.mag7collective.com/bios/] Artwork, "Abby in Contemplation" [https://www.lagoarthurstudio.com/paintings/p/abby-in-contemplation]

In The Orbit of Euan Uglow; Susannah Fiennes, Ann Gardner & Lisa Micklewright {Continued}

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1972836/open_sms] December 30, 2025 Creative Contemplation  EU01.5 In The Orbit of Euan Uglow; Susannah Fiennes, Ann Gardner & Lisa Micklewright {Continued) In this special mini-series host and creator, Suzanne Lago Arthur, seeks to capture the living art history of famed British artist, Euan Uglow by interviewing his students, contemporaries and those who knew him best. In this episode, Suzanne continues her inspired conversation with 3 of Euan's students from the Slade, artists Susannah Fiennes, Ann Gardner and Lisa Micklewright.  Susannah Fiennes Website [https://susannahfiennes.com/], Susannah Fiennes Instagram, [https://www.instagram.com/susannahfiennesart/] Ann Gardner Website [https://www.anngardner.co.uk/], Ann Gardner Instagram,  [https://www.instagram.com/anngardnerpaintings/] Lisa Mickelwright Website [https://www.lisamicklewright.com/], Lisa Mickelwright Instagram,  [https://www.instagram.com/lisamicklewright_/] Susannah Fiennes [https://susannahfiennes.com/index.php/biography/] studied painting at the Slade School of Fine Art, University College, London [https://www.ucl.ac.uk/slade/] (BA Hons 1st class) 1979-1983. She was awarded a BP Portrait Travel Award (China) in 1993, a British Institution Fund Award, a Royal Academy Award  (London) 1984 and a Boise Travel Scholarship (Italy) in 1983. Ann Gardner  [https://www.anngardner.co.uk/about]was born in 1964 in Bedford and attended Bedford High School for Girls, leaving in 1982 after gaining a place at The Slade School of Fine Art [https://www.ucl.ac.uk/slade/]. After achieving a BA (Hons), 2:1, she gained a postgraduate place at The Slade to be started in 1987. Lisa Mickelwright [https://www.lisamicklewright.com/about] Following in the footsteps of her artists parents, Jane Maltby and Keith Mickelwright, Lisa studied her foundation year at Bournemouth College of Art and Design  (1982-1983) and holds both a BA (Hons) (1983-1987) and Post Graduate Diploma (1987-1989) from the Slade School of Fine Art, UCL. [https://www.ucl.ac.uk/slade/]  "Euan Uglow, Some Memories Of The Painter" by Susan Campbell [https://amzn.to/4pTyuDZ] "The Uglow Papers" By Andrew Lambirth [https://amzn.to/3Le1JT3] "Euan Uglow The Complete Paintings" by Richard Kendall [https://amzn.to/4sfDvbB] "Drawing: Mastering The Language Of Visual Expression" by Keith Mickelwright [https://amzn.to/3MWhjmU] Host, Suzanne Lago Arthur's Website [https://www.lagoarthurstudio.com/] https://www.lagoarthurstudio.com/tuition/the-sunflower-still-lifeLogo design and episode cover by Elisa Nader,  Mag7 [http://www.mag7collective.com/bios/]

In The Orbit Of Euan Uglow; Susannah Fiennes, Ann Gardner & Lisa Micklewright

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1972836/open_sms] December 18, 2025 Creative Contemplation  EU01 In The Orbit of Euan Uglow; Susannah Fiennes, Ann Gardner & Lisa Micklewright In this special mini-series host and creator, Suzanne Lago Arthur, seeks to capture the living art history of famed British artist, Euan Uglow by interviewing his students, contemporaries and those who knew him best. In this inaugural episode, Suzanne has an inspired conversation with 3 of Euan's students from the Slade, artists Susannah Fiennes, Ann Gardner and Lisa Micklewright.  Susannah Fiennes Website [https://susannahfiennes.com/], Susannah Fiennes Instagram, [https://www.instagram.com/susannahfiennesart/] Ann Gardner Website [https://www.anngardner.co.uk/], Ann Gardner Instagram,  [https://www.instagram.com/anngardnerpaintings/] Lisa Mickelwright Website [https://www.lisamicklewright.com/], Lisa Mickelwright Instagram,  [https://www.instagram.com/lisamicklewright_/] Susannah Fiennes [https://susannahfiennes.com/index.php/biography/] studied painting at the Slade School of Fine Art, University College, London [https://www.ucl.ac.uk/slade/] (BA Hons 1st class) 1979-1983. She was awarded a BP Portrait Travel Award (China) in 1993, a British Institution Fund Award, a Royal Academy Award  (London) 1984 and a Boise Travel Scholarship (Italy) in 1983. Ann Gardner  [https://www.anngardner.co.uk/about]was born in 1964 in Bedford and attended Bedford High School for Girls, leaving in 1982 after gaining a place at The Slade School of Fine Art [https://www.ucl.ac.uk/slade/]. After achieving a BA (Hons), 2:1, she gained a postgraduate place at The Slade to be started in 1987. Lisa Mickelwright [https://www.lisamicklewright.com/about] Following in the footsteps of her artists parents, Jane Maltby and Keith Mickelwright, Lisa studied her foundation year at Bournemouth College of Art and Design  (1982-1983) and holds both a BA (Hons) (1983-1987) and Post Graduate Diploma (1987-1989) from the Slade School of Fine Art, UCL. [https://www.ucl.ac.uk/slade/]  "Euan Uglow, Some Memories Of The Painter" by Susan Campbell [https://amzn.to/4pTyuDZ] "The Uglow Papers" By Andrew Lambirth [https://amzn.to/3Le1JT3] "Euan Uglow The Complete Paintings" by Richard Kendall [https://amzn.to/4sfDvbB] BBC Radio 3 "The Essay" with Martin Gayford and Euan Uglow [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw4wxHdJTVA&list=PLjuXw0gLLn-aHvj3E_ygHMSE4wJ4MGDpB&index=106] Host, Suzanne Lago Arthur's Website [https://www.lagoarthurstudio.com/] https://www.lagoarthurstudio.com/tuition/the-sunflower-still-lifeLogo design by Elisa Nader,  Mag7 [http://www.mag7collective.com/bios/]

Aaron M. Thompson; Painter Of Observation And Imagining

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1972836/open_sms] November 20, 2025 Creative Contemplation S4E7 Aaron M. Thompson; Painter of Observation And Imagining Suzanne Lago Arthur, host and creator of The Creative Contemplation Podcast reconnects with Pennsylvania based painter, Aaron M. Thompson to discuss his work, his journey as an artist and the relationships he has forged with his mentors, two exceptional American realist painters--Phillip Geiger and Scott Noel. Website: www.aaronmichaelthompson.com [https://www.aaronmichaelthompson.com/] Instagram: @paintlanguage [https://www.instagram.com/paintlanguage/] Phillip Geiger Retrospective, Daura Museum of Art, University of Lynchburg [https://www.lynchburg.edu/philip-geiger-retrospective-opens-aug-21/] Scott Noel talk at the Phillip Geiger Retrospective [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iBhyGUAWF8] Bio Aaron M. Thompson [https://www.aaronmichaelthompson.com/] is a professional painter whose Paintings and Drawings have been exhibited in P.A.F.A.’s Samuel M. V. Hamilton Museum, the Charles DeMuth Museum, and Provincetown Art Association Museum. A native of Charleston, South Carolina, Thompson earned his BFA from Savannah College of Art and Design and was awarded The Merit Scholarship from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, where he later earned a Masters Degree in Painting. As a Gamblin Artist Colors Mid-Atlantic Educational Representative, Aaron has given lectures on “navigating color space” and oil painting “material practices” at Museums and Institutions of Higher Education for a decade. Currently, he is a Full-Time Assistant Professor at the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design where he teaches drawing and painting in the Fine Art Department. Host Bio: Suzanne Lago Arthur [https://www.lagoarthurstudio.com/]is a contemporary realist painter from Northern Virginia. Born in Puerto Rico to Cuban-American parents, her artistic explorations were nurtured from an early age by her family. Through her paintings Suzanne explores the themes of beauty, transience and memory.  She has exhibited both nationally and internationally in such venues as the Corcoran Gallery of Art and Art Museum of the Americas in Washington DC, Booth Museum of Western Art in Cartersville, GA, the United States Interests Section, Havana, Cuba and in art galleries across the United States. She holds a BFA from the Corcoran School of Art and an MA in Museum Studies from George Washington University. Website: www.lagoarthurstudio.com [https://www.lagoarthurstudio.com/] Instagram: Suzanne Lago Arthur (@lagoarthurstudio) [https://www.instagram.com/lagoarthurstudio/] https://www.lagoarthurstudio.com/tuition/the-sunflower-still-lifeLogo design by Elisa Nader,  Mag7 [http://www.mag7collective.com/bios/] Artwork, "Abby in Contemplation" [https://www.lagoarthurstudio.com/paintings/p/abby-in-contemplation]

Morgan Irons; Painter of Archetypal Symbolism Within The Western Landscape

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1972836/open_sms] October 8, 2025 Creative Contemplation S4E6 Morgan Irons; Painter of Archetypal Symbolism Within The Western Landscape Suzanne Lago Arthur, host and creator of The Creative Contemplation Podcast has a moving and at times astonishing conversation with Montana based painter, Morgan Irons about her psychologically charged work set within the Western landscape that she lives in. Don't miss this inspiring episode that will have you listening with bated breath. Website: www.morganirons.com [https://www.morganirons.com/] Instagram: @morganirons [https://www.instagram.com/morganirons/] Old Main Gallery, Bozeman Motana [https://www.oldmaingallery.com/artists] Bio Primarily a self taught painter, Morgan Irons [https://www.morganirons.com/] began studying painting in 2015 following her move to a rural piece of land in Montana. It was then she began studying the work of master painters and has since sought out workshops with some of the top representational painters today. A figurative painter by nature, Irons believes in painting solely what she knows best, life on the land she lives. Her paintings are narrative and timeless in theme and palette.  Morgan Irons has been a featured artist in Fine Art Connoisseur's "Artists to Watch", Southwest Art Magazine’s “21 Under 31: Young Artists to Watch in 2017”, and Big Sky Journal's "Ones to Watch". She is a two-time recipient of the 2018 Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant for emerging figurative painters. Irons is represented by Old Main Gallery in Bozeman, Montana where she currently lives and paints in a cabin on a mountaintop. Host Bio: Suzanne Lago Arthur [https://www.lagoarthurstudio.com/]is a contemporary realist painter from Northern Virginia. Born in Puerto Rico to Cuban-American parents, her artistic explorations were nurtured from an early age by her family. Through her paintings Suzanne explores the themes of beauty, transience and memory.  She has exhibited both nationally and internationally in such venues as the Corcoran Gallery of Art and Art Museum of the Americas in Washington DC, Booth Museum of Western Art in Cartersville, GA, the United States Interests Section, Havana, Cuba and in art galleries across the United States. She holds a BFA from the Corcoran School of Art and an MA in Museum Studies from George Washington University. Website: www.lagoarthurstudio.com [https://www.lagoarthurstudio.com/] Instagram: Suzanne Lago Arthur (@lagoarthurstudio) [https://www.instagram.com/lagoarthurstudio/] https://www.lagoarthurstudio.com/tuition/the-sunflower-still-lifeLogo design by Elisa Nader,  Mag7 [http://www.mag7collective.com/bios/] Artwork, "Abby in Contemplation" [https://www.lagoarthurstudio.com/paintings/p/abby-in-contemplation]