Art Stories: The Official Podcast

Light on Water: Lara Shecter on Memory, Place & the Pacific Northwest

In this episode of the Art Stories Podcast, hosted by Sky Lilah (@skylilah), we sit down with Lara Shecter — Vancouver-based artist working in acrylic and mixed media, known for her luminous, resin-finished paintings rooted in the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Her canvases explore memory, solitude, and the quiet tension of place — capturing Jericho Beach at low tide, the working ships of the harbour, and the mountains and forests that define life in Vancouver. With a background in graphic design and a formative chapter shooting photo essays in Bangkok, Lara brings rare visual intelligence to every surface she works on. In this conversation, we explore how place becomes memory, how memory becomes paint, and what it means to build a practice out of the world right outside your window. Follow Lara: vanwrk.com [http://vanwrk.com] ✨ Follow & support: @artvancouver @vvafofficial Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review — we truly appreciate your support!

Get Melted: Art, Body & Transformation with Erica Marrello

In this episode of the Art Stories Podcast, hosted by Sky Lilah (@skylilah), we sit down with Erica Marrello, a Vancouver-based multidisciplinary artist whose work pushes the boundaries between painting, performance, and immersive experience. As the creator of GET MELTED, Erica transforms the human body into a living canvas, creating powerful, real-time works that explore identity, sensuality, vulnerability, and transformation. What began as an intimate photoshoot series has evolved into large-scale live performances that captivate audiences and challenge traditional ideas of art. Through both her canvas work and immersive experiences, Erica creates art that is visceral, bold, and unapologetically expressive — inviting viewers into moments of intensity, connection, and personal reinvention. In this conversation, we explore creative risk, the power of the body as a medium, and what it means to create art that is truly alive. Follow Erica: @emm.gallery @emm.erica ✨ Follow & support: @artvancouver @vvafofficial Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review — we truly appreciate your support!

Layer by Layer: The Contemplative Art of Jonathan Gomez & Confluent Studios

In this episode of the Art Stories Podcast, we speak with Jonathan Gomez - Confluent Studios, a contemporary artist whose work transforms inner awareness into visual form. Working with traditional decorative techniques like verre églomisé and raised lacquer, Jonathan and his wife, Tomoki, have spent over 15 years bridging historical craftsmanship with contemporary expression. Jonathan’s art emphasizes presence, material integrity, and contemplative awareness. Each piece is built slowly, layer by layer, inviting both maker and viewer into reflection. We talk about his creative process, philosophy, collaboration, and how these traditional methods can thrive as a living fine art practice today. Follow Jonathan: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jorgeizazawood/] ✨ Follow & support: @artvancouver @vvafofficial

Creating Without Boundaries: The Art of Margh

In this episode of the Art Stories Podcast, hosted by Sky Lilah (@skylilah), we sit down with Sara Margherita (Margh), a multidisciplinary artist based in Toronto whose work explores movement, transformation, and the freedom to create without boundaries. Rooted in the idea of art as therapy, Margh uses creativity as a living language for self-expression, centering emotion as both source and subject. Through layers, color, play, and experimentation, their work captures the complexity of feeling while embracing duality and change. In this conversation, we explore vulnerability, creative freedom, and how art can become a powerful tool for healing and self-discovery. This episode is an invitation to let go of perfection and create from a place of honesty and intuition. Follow Margh: @madebymargh madebymarg.com [http://madebymarg.com] ✨ Follow & support: @artvancouver @vvafofficial Thank you for listening to the Art Stories Podcast, where we celebrate the stories behind the art.

Through Her Lens: Stories with Sara Jimenez

In this episode of the Art Stories Podcast, we sit down with Sarah Jimenez, a videographer and photographer whose work focuses on capturing the authentic essence of the people and stories she encounters. Through both client collaborations and personal projects, Sarah approaches visual storytelling with curiosity, empathy, and an eye for the small moments that reveal who we truly are. Whether working behind the camera on professional projects or documenting life through her own perspective, Sarah’s work reflects a deep passion for showing the world as she sees it. In this conversation, we explore creativity, storytelling, the power of visual narrative, and how photography and film can capture the emotion and humanity within everyday moments. Follow Sarah: @saraj.rodriguez @picodelic.studio ✨ Follow & support: @artvancouver @vvafofficial Thank you for listening to the Art Stories Podcast, where we celebrate the stories behind the art.