An Artful Transition From Finding the Gold in People to Working With It

From clarinetist to serial entrepreneur to jewelry artist, Shelli Kahl’s life path has been untamable, free spirited and uninhibited. And today, that is very much represented in her jewelry. 

Shelli, a California-based artist, began making her jewelry more than 17 years ago, initially because she wanted to make herself rings. But what may have started as a hobby quickly turned to a full-time career.

“I think artists have more than one outlet for creativity during their lives,” Shelli said. “It wasn’t until my mid 30s that I learned how to make jewelry.”

Shelli’s jewelry has an unmistakable look and personality, which she achieves through a unique reticulation process and gold fusion. In this episode of the Celebrating Art Podcast, she talks with host Susan Morrow Potje about what led her to jewelry, the inspiration behind her work, and the excitement that ensued during her first go-round with a blow torch. Listen by clicking the player above. 

James Ayers is a celebrated oil painter based in Scottsdale, Arizona. His works center on historic Native American cultures, pulling from the expertise he’s gained from decades of exploration and research. He honors his subjects by studying their rituals, customs and artifacts, and is dedicated to making sure every last detail is historically accurate. His passion for storytelling through art is why his works are found in museums and treasured private collections throughout the United States.

In this episode of the Celebrating Art Podcast, Susan Morrow Potje and James discuss his time at the Rhode Island Design School and how one school project unexpectedly set the course for his future career as an artist. James also explains his research methods, and how spending time on reservations over the years has informed his work. They also talk about the ways he has evolved as an artist, and why he’s drawn to a free-flowing style right now.

Erin Barrett is an oil painter based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Erin brings still lifes to life with a unique flair of contemporary realism and nostalgia, painting beloved items such as old newspapers, playing cards, candies and ice creams. By capturing the familiar in unexpected ways, Erin creates artwork that touches people’s hearts by stirring up memories of days gone by.

In this episode of the Celebrating Art Podcast, Erin joins Susan to discuss her journey as an artist and to talk about several instrumental teachers who supported and encouraged her along the way. Erin also shares how Salt Lake City inspires her work and what she does during her time off to recharge her batteries. She then discusses her unique approach to commissions and her favorite tools that she uses.

Leslie Duke is an oil painter based in Springville, Utah. Her enthusiasm for the arts was apparent from a young age, and her parents fostered her interest by signing her up for classes by local artists. Leslie went on to study illustration and graphic design at Brigham Young University, but after a few years of working in the field she felt dissatisfied. Sensing she needed a change, she challenged herself to start painting again. She began with small still lifes, setting a goal to paint every day for a month. Her daily practices soon unleashed her passion for capturing beauty in everyday subjects, and she knew it was time to transition to painting full-time. Today Leslie’s works are celebrated for conveying profound emotions and moods through her masterful use of color, space and texture. 

In this episode of the Celebrating Art Podcast, Leslie joins Susan Morrow Potje to talk about her journey, including how her time apprenticing with one local artist shaped her approach to art today.  Leslie also shares lessons she’s learned from fellow artists, especially the importance of following her feelings and painting what she loves. 

Rebecca Pashia never intended to be an artist. In fact, she never went to art school. But from a young age, she was drawn to the arts, including singing and dancing. In college, she focused on interior design and teaching, but the urge to create never left. Rebecca eventually founded several businesses that engaged art lovers in the creative process through private classes, group parties and team building events. Today she has sold more than 1,400 paintings, and has embraced her true calling as an artist.

In this episode, Susan welcomes Rebecca to discuss her journey to becoming an artist, including how she overcame insecurities about her technique and hesitations about her uncompetitive nature. Rebecca shares the moment when being an oil painter finally clicked for her and why thinking of herself as a windowpane helps ensure the light always shines through her works. Rebecca also talks about why her paintings need to be grounded in emotions, her unique approach to doing commissions and how being an artist has influenced her children.

Matt Sievers is an oil painter based in Rigby, Idaho whose love of art bloomed when he was a child studying under his father Greg Sievers, an acclaimed painter who has participated in the Celebration of Fine Art for more than 25 years. And while his dad instilled the foundation of his artistry, Matt’s style is uniquely his own. 

From windswept landscapes to bold barns, Matt’s works focus on the connections between nature and people. He pushes the boundaries of his paintings so they teeter between being simple and stylized. He slightly exaggerates his subjects to make their colors pop and adds texture and dimension through spontaneous brushstrokes and swipes from his palette knife. More recently he’s experimented with transparent layers to convey a deepness, creating images such as trees you can almost see into.  

In this episode, Susan and Matt explore the business side of art and his past experience as a gallery owner. Matt shares how his art has evolved from whimsical and light paintings to the peaceful and grounded works he creates today. He describes the techniques he uses to capture a subject’s energy and emotion, and why he is so intrigued by the connections between humans and nature.

Art has a timeless and unrivaled power to tell stories that spark imagination, evoke feeling, and inspire thought. And if there’s one artist who has truly mastered the ability to capture a viewer’s attention in this way, it’s J. Todd Paxton.

Todd is an acclaimed bronze sculptor drawn to themes in life that connect us all, such as love, longing, honor and courage. Todd tells these stories through his subjects and brings their energy to life through the smallest of details, such as the tilt of a chin or the flutter of a dress. Regardless of a sculpture’s size, he is committed to bringing people together and building genuine connections through his art.

Now in this fourth year at the Celebration of Fine Art, Todd joins Susan Morrow Potje to discuss his unconventional journey to becoming an artist, including working as a plumber and running a foundry. He shares lessons learned from the recession and the silver lining of career setbacks he’s experienced. Todd also tells the story behind one of his most celebrated sculptures, The Crow Warrior, and the question he wishes every visitor would ask about his works.

Michael Jones is a prominent metal artist based out of Bigfork, Montana, who has been participating in the Celebration of Fine Art for more than 20 years. His works of art include bold sculptures, eye-catching wall pieces and totems, as well as custom gates and fire screens that hang in many of America’s most beautiful homes. His medium may seem confounding to some; after all, steel can be cold and hard. But Michael loves a challenge, and in his many decades as an artist, he has mastered the art of manipulating metal and bringing it to life.

In this episode, Michael joins Susan to pull back the curtain on the production side of his art, how growing up in the Napa Valley influenced his artistic eye and why his heart will always belong to Montana. Michael also shares what inspired his early works of American folk and prehistoric art, along with the more contemporary style he’s recognized for today. Next they chat about the commission side of his business, including how a collector’s unique interests, architectural style and geographical location help Michael determine the right story to tell.

Thirty years ago, as Tom and Ann Morrow prepared for the inaugural Celebration of Fine Art, over one hundred artists submitted samples of their work to be considered for the show. Among those selected to participate were painters Graydon Foulger, Marty Le Messurier and Kirk Randle. Incredibly, these three haven’t missed a year ever since. 

In this episode of the Celebrating Art Podcast, Susan invites Graydon, Marty and Kirk to take a stroll down memory lane. They share behind-the-scenes stories from the first show, like how record-breaking rain causes flooding in the tent. They also discuss the ways in which their art has evolved, why millennials are keeping artists on their toes and the power of community support, including how collectors from the early days have become longtime friends.

Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West (SMoW) is celebrated for honoring the people, places and events of the American West, spanning 19 states, including those bordering Mexico and Canada. With such a rich history and culture to explore, the museum hosts an ever-evolving rotation of exhibits for visitors to choose from.

Tricia Loscher, Ph.D., is SMoW’s assistant museum director, where she is in charge of collections, exhibitions and research. Tricia is no stranger to the West, having grown up all over Arizona. Her fascination with the region, including her interest in native art, led her to eventually spend 12 years at the iconic Heard Museum as a curator and program director. 

In this episode, Susan and Tricia discuss how SMoW has evolved since its grand opening a few short years ago, why it places a high priority on storytelling and how the museum’s robust docent program enriches the visiting experience for everyone. Tricia highlights what guests can look forward to in 2020 and what advice she has for western art lovers curating their own collections at home.