The Artist Matters
Welcome to The Artist Matters. Each episode we are going to meet artists from all walks of life. Actors, painters, writers, singers, dancers and so many more. You will hear how their art has helped them overcome struggles and obstacles, start their own businesses and leave a more positive mark on the world . Be inspired by their stories to either start a career of your own or just have fun being creative.
Episodes
March 4, 2019 • 33 mins
Welcome to The Artist Matters premiere episode. It's a little get to know me and my artistic journey. And what the show will be about.
Mark as Played
March 11, 2019 • 61 mins
Did you ever fell like you just didn't fit in with any group? That there was something about you that was different?
That's how today's guest, Laurie Ann Davis felt when she was a kid. But once she found acting, she knew where she belonged.
Playing Anne Frank was the catalyst to push her to pursue this as a career. Taking classes. Auditioning. Getting roles on stage and screen.
Someone felt she could be a teacher, so...
That's how today's guest, Laurie Ann Davis felt when she was a kid. But once she found acting, she knew where she belonged.
Playing Anne Frank was the catalyst to push her to pursue this as a career. Taking classes. Auditioning. Getting roles on stage and screen.
Someone felt she could be a teacher, so...
Mark as Played
March 18, 2019 • 62 mins
"Happiness Made Solid". This is what you get when a family therapist turns to pottery.
As a child, Dean McRaine always enjoyed building things with his hands. When he got older, he found pottery as a creative and relaxing way to take his mind off the often times stressful and intense world of family therapy.
He taught himself through magazines, books and lots of trial and error. He considers himself to be a great problem...
As a child, Dean McRaine always enjoyed building things with his hands. When he got older, he found pottery as a creative and relaxing way to take his mind off the often times stressful and intense world of family therapy.
He taught himself through magazines, books and lots of trial and error. He considers himself to be a great problem...
Mark as Played
March 25, 2019 • 61 mins
"Acting is like a disease, I don't know when or if it can be cured, all I know is that if I give up, It will surely kill me."
This describes today's guest, actor Lou Lentino-Rodgriguez to a tee. As early as he can remember, he was entertaining the family doing character impressions and dancing and singing. It came natural to him. Maybe not by accident either. Turns out his family has connection to none other than...
This describes today's guest, actor Lou Lentino-Rodgriguez to a tee. As early as he can remember, he was entertaining the family doing character impressions and dancing and singing. It came natural to him. Maybe not by accident either. Turns out his family has connection to none other than...
Mark as Played
April 1, 2019 • 43 mins
What do you get when you combine a love of music with a love of photography? You get today's guest, Barbie Bowser.
She found her love of music first. Learning the piano and the clarinet and later in life, the guitar, playing in school bands and church worship teams.
Her husband Chuck introduced her to the world of photography and she was hooked.
And in her 40's, Barbie decided to take it seriously. She went to the Art Ins...
She found her love of music first. Learning the piano and the clarinet and later in life, the guitar, playing in school bands and church worship teams.
Her husband Chuck introduced her to the world of photography and she was hooked.
And in her 40's, Barbie decided to take it seriously. She went to the Art Ins...
Mark as Played
April 8, 2019 • 62 mins
Can creativity really help us heal the pain and struggles we go through? Today's guest, Deborah Louise Ortiz would answer that question with a resounding "Yes!"
And not just one creative outlet, mind you. This multi-talented woman is a dancer, actor, writer, producer and director!
Raised in the Bronx, Deborah had her share of tough times, but found release through the arts. Starting with dance, she joined a dance compa...
And not just one creative outlet, mind you. This multi-talented woman is a dancer, actor, writer, producer and director!
Raised in the Bronx, Deborah had her share of tough times, but found release through the arts. Starting with dance, she joined a dance compa...
Mark as Played
April 15, 2019 • 76 mins
Words can either create or destroy. You can build someone up with a heartfelt compliment or easily tear them down with a hurtful remark.
Thankfully, today's guest - Billy Lamont - uses his words and his voice on the creation side. As a poet for over 30 years, his focus has been to help, inspire and bring some joy into the lives of others.
Whether it's performing skits with his family when he was a kid or reading poetry fo...
Thankfully, today's guest - Billy Lamont - uses his words and his voice on the creation side. As a poet for over 30 years, his focus has been to help, inspire and bring some joy into the lives of others.
Whether it's performing skits with his family when he was a kid or reading poetry fo...
Mark as Played
April 22, 2019 • 55 mins
What would it mean to you if your mother said you have a special mission in life? For this episode's guest, Rodini Almonacy, it means a great deal. Not only because his mother actually said this to him, but also for the fact that his own life almost never began. That is because Rodini was stillborn! I kid you not.
Obviously, he's a survivor. And this plays a huge part in how he approaches life, work, everything.
So, whe...
Obviously, he's a survivor. And this plays a huge part in how he approaches life, work, everything.
So, whe...
Mark as Played
May 6, 2019 • 80 mins
This is a first. A returning guest. Erik Herrmann is back from the last episode. And he’s not alone. With him is his bandmate from the group, Slow Apollo, Joram Roubique. We heard Erik’s story already, so this episode begins with a focus on Joram’s journey.
Joram was born and raised near, in and around Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The eldest of 5 children (4 boys, 1 girl), He was brought up in a strict fundamentalist Christian ho...
Joram was born and raised near, in and around Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The eldest of 5 children (4 boys, 1 girl), He was brought up in a strict fundamentalist Christian ho...
Mark as Played
May 13, 2019 • 65 mins
What is grizzly life? Today's guest, Illustrator and Designer, James T Ellison can explain.
For the last few years, James has been pursuing his dream as a freelance illustrator. He studied graphic design at Northern Kentucky University, but is mostly self-taught. He has gone to comic conventions and craft festivals to showcase his work. He's created posters for a local bar, logos for small businesses, T-shirt designs and mor...
For the last few years, James has been pursuing his dream as a freelance illustrator. He studied graphic design at Northern Kentucky University, but is mostly self-taught. He has gone to comic conventions and craft festivals to showcase his work. He's created posters for a local bar, logos for small businesses, T-shirt designs and mor...
Mark as Played
May 20, 2019 • 56 mins
So, what does it take to become a tattoo artist? Today’s guest, Victoria Ohman knows first hand.
Born on Long Island 1984, Victoria (or Tori, as I’ve known her) began making art as soon as she could hold a crayon.
She pursued an art sequence in high school (sachem class of 2002); Graduated with honors with a BFA in painting and drawing from SUNY New Paltz in 2006. Tori’s thesis consisted of oil paintings that were experimental, int...
Born on Long Island 1984, Victoria (or Tori, as I’ve known her) began making art as soon as she could hold a crayon.
She pursued an art sequence in high school (sachem class of 2002); Graduated with honors with a BFA in painting and drawing from SUNY New Paltz in 2006. Tori’s thesis consisted of oil paintings that were experimental, int...
Mark as Played
May 27, 2019 • 38 mins
How does learning about public speaking turn into a career in stand up comedy? You’ll find out with today’s guest, Chris Roach. The Comedian/Actor, born and raised in New York, has been all over. Performing his unique and self-deprecating brand of stand up to some of the biggest and best-known stages in the country, such as Carolines on Broadway, The Borgata in Atlantic City and The Paramount in Huntington, NY. Chris recently t...
Mark as Played
June 3, 2019 • 57 mins
This is a special one. We finally have my wife, Anna Rudy-Monico on the show.
Back in 2002, we met at karaoke in New York. She laughed at my Mrs. Doubtfire imitation and the saga began. Besides her awesome singing voice, I soon discovered she was a dancer and a fitness instructor at a local gym. Got my first taste of her signature class, Jazzarobex in 2003. I loved the way she combined dance moves with aerobics. As did the m...
Back in 2002, we met at karaoke in New York. She laughed at my Mrs. Doubtfire imitation and the saga began. Besides her awesome singing voice, I soon discovered she was a dancer and a fitness instructor at a local gym. Got my first taste of her signature class, Jazzarobex in 2003. I loved the way she combined dance moves with aerobics. As did the m...
Mark as Played
June 10, 2019 • 55 mins
Today’s guest is someone I’ve known for 10 years. Back in 2009, he joined me and the cast of “The Godfather’s Messhuggener Wedding” dinner show. He is Keith Surplus. He jumped right into his role as Bernie, the Jewish groom and went on to play other varied and different characters in other shows we did.
But his story goes back to visual arts as a kid. Then, in his teen years, he discovered the theatre.
Getting roles in musicals, l...
But his story goes back to visual arts as a kid. Then, in his teen years, he discovered the theatre.
Getting roles in musicals, l...
Mark as Played
June 17, 2019 • 63 mins
Welcome to the conclusion of my chat with actor/performer, et al - Keith Surplus.
This week we follow Keith on his journey into feature films as an actor and Production Assistant on films, such as “Camp Twilight”.
Keith will give us the low-down on some of his favorite musicals and roles, as well as roles he’d still like to play.
We talk about some of his influences and how they have inspired and motivated him in his creative pursui...
This week we follow Keith on his journey into feature films as an actor and Production Assistant on films, such as “Camp Twilight”.
Keith will give us the low-down on some of his favorite musicals and roles, as well as roles he’d still like to play.
We talk about some of his influences and how they have inspired and motivated him in his creative pursui...
Mark as Played
June 24, 2019 • 38 mins
Today, we get our first jeweler, Hamaila Qureshi. Her family wanted her to get an education to become a pharmacist, but it just wasn’t for her. Design was what spoke to her. A fascination with furniture design led her to woodworking and metalworking. When she was in art metals, her instructor noticed that she had been making a lot of bracelets and said, “Hamaila - have you looked into the jewelry department? I think you’d fit i...
Mark as Played
July 8, 2019 • 51 mins
Okay, so last week I featured Ariel, who was just starting her creative career. Well, this week we have an artist who has sustained a career in the music business for over 30 years. His name is is Jeff Allegue.
Jeff began learning classical guitar at the age of 10. He then learned the bass while in Bayport High School. Jeff was profiled in Guitar Player Magazine, Bass Player Magazine and Guitar for the Practicing Musician.
Along...
Jeff began learning classical guitar at the age of 10. He then learned the bass while in Bayport High School. Jeff was profiled in Guitar Player Magazine, Bass Player Magazine and Guitar for the Practicing Musician.
Along...
Mark as Played
July 15, 2019 • 74 mins
Welcome to episode #20! Can you believe it? It’s still blows my mind that I actually have a podcast and am able to put out episodes on a weekly basis. And people actually listen to it. Thanks for being on the ride so far.
Well, today’s guest knows what it’s like to run a podcast because she has one. She is our first podcaster on the show and her name is Hannah Hassler.
She has been writing as far back as she can remember. For a...
Well, today’s guest knows what it’s like to run a podcast because she has one. She is our first podcaster on the show and her name is Hannah Hassler.
She has been writing as far back as she can remember. For a...
Mark as Played
July 22, 2019 • 69 mins
Here we have a prime example of an artist living the American dream. But she had to leave her home country of Brazil to do it.
Today we have painter, entrepreneur and podcaster, Rebeca Flott.
Painting was what she loved to do at an early age. But family finances were tight and canvases were not affordable. So, she improvised and painted on tiles, wood, whatever she could find.
But Rebeca yearned to make here mark in America. So, ...
Today we have painter, entrepreneur and podcaster, Rebeca Flott.
Painting was what she loved to do at an early age. But family finances were tight and canvases were not affordable. So, she improvised and painted on tiles, wood, whatever she could find.
But Rebeca yearned to make here mark in America. So, ...
Mark as Played
July 29, 2019 • 53 mins
Today’s guest has taken that leap of faith and left her day job to pursue her artistic endeavors just this past week.
Welcome to the show, Sam Kimberle.
Sam was a lawyer and director of a non-profit, but felt these weren’t her calling. She needed a change and so, she ditched the corporate persona and is now a full-time creative.
Sam has found a place to publish her writing - from poems to articles - on the site called Medium. Here, ...
Welcome to the show, Sam Kimberle.
Sam was a lawyer and director of a non-profit, but felt these weren’t her calling. She needed a change and so, she ditched the corporate persona and is now a full-time creative.
Sam has found a place to publish her writing - from poems to articles - on the site called Medium. Here, ...
Mark as Played
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