Pardon My Art - Unlocking the Business of Creativity

Today's guest is Anton Ripatti, a remarkable singer-songwriter known for his distinctive blend of garage blues and theatrical performance. Hailing from the Republic of Georgia, Anton's music is a captivating reflection of his experiences and emotions, seamlessly intertwined with his witty lyrics. He's not just an artist; he's a storyteller who paints vivid images with his music.

Anton's journey is as intriguing as his music. He's a Russian exile who has been an outspoken critic of the Russian war in Ukraine and the government. As a musician, performer, and light experimenter, Anton is constantly on the move, touring and connecting with fans from all corners of the globe. While he may not have achieved pop icon status, he takes immense pride in being a working artist who not only creates incredible music but also manages to make a living doing what he loves.

What sets Anton apart is his unwavering determination. He made a bold leap from the confines of corporate life to pursue a full-time career as a musician. It wasn't an easy transition, but Anton's story is a testament to the resilience required to follow your passion.

Visit me at www.oskarcastro.com and if you like what you hear please support us at - https://www.patreon.com/Oskar.

🌟 Meet Maya Chalee: A Colorful Maestro in the Artistic Symphony! 🎨

Today, we're thrilled to welcome Maya Chalee, a dynamic artist and graphic designer, to our creative journey. 🌈 Maya's artistic roots trace back to her great-grandmother, the renowned Taos Pueblo artist Pop Chalee, infusing her work with a profound love for color and the sanctity of every living thing. 🎨✨

Growing up in the vibrant tapestry of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Maya was immersed in a rich fusion of Native, Latino, and Anglo cultures. 🏞️ Surrounded by a diverse community of cowboy mystics, spiritual mechanics, and fellow artists, she absorbed inspiration from every corner of her surroundings.

Maya's creative path has been as diverse as the cultures that shaped her. From costume designer and director to a versatile freelancer and in-house designer in the corporate realm, her artistic expression knows no bounds. 🚀

What sets Maya apart is her exceptional ability to transform ideas and data into vibrant visual narratives. 📊🎨 She's not just a master of raw creativity but also a collaborative powerhouse, seamlessly working within marketing teams, engaging with stakeholders, and contributing to communal projects. 🤝

Join us as we dive into Maya's incredible journey – a celebration of art, diversity, and the boundless possibilities of creative expression! 🚀✨ #MayaChalee #ArtisticJourney #CreativeExpression #DiversityInArt

Visit me at www.oskarcastro.com and if you like what you hear please support us at - https://www.patreon.com/Oskar.

Finding Inspiration and Self-Expression

"🎨 Episode 29  🎙️: Join me, Oskar, on another creative journey in 'Pardon My Art.' Unlocking the Business Side of Creativity. 

Today, on episode 29 - Finding Inspiration and Self-Expression -  we explore finding inspiration, crafting artist statements, and reflecting on artistic vision. There's a lot to cover from exploring diverse art forms to creating vision boards! 🌟 Don't forget to subscribe and share your thoughts. Stay inspired, and keep creating! 🔥 

#PardonMyArt, #CreativityUnleashed, #ArtistsOnInstagram, #CreateEveryday, #ArtisticExpression, #FindYourStyle, #ArtisticProcess, #ArtLife, #ArtistryMatters, #ArtisticSoul, #InspirationalArt, #ArtisticCommunity, #ArtLifeJourney

Visit me at www.oskarcastro.com and if you like what you hear please support us at - https://www.patreon.com/Oskar.

Episode 28 is LIVE and in EFFECT!  "Pardon My Art" Podcast: Setting and Achieving Creative Goals 🌟

In this episode, we're delving into setting and achieving creative goals. Whether you're an artist, writer, designer, or any other creative, these insights can help you strike that perfect balance between productivity and creativity. Here's what we've got for you:

✅ The SMART goal framework: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.

✅ Breaking down colossal projects into manageable tasks.

✅ Prioritization and time management techniques, including the Eisenhower Matrix and the Pomodoro Technique.

✅ Self-care and the importance of taking breaks to fuel your creative energy.

🚀 Listen now to unleash your creative potential and bring your artistic visions to life while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. 🎧

#CreativeGoals #SMARTGoals #ProductivityTips #TimeManagement #EisenhowerMatrix #PomodoroTechnique #CreativeJourney #SelfCare #PodcastEpisode #UnlockYourCreativity #Artists #Designers #Writers #CreativityUnleashed

Visit me at www.oskarcastro.com and if you like what you hear please support us at - https://www.patreon.com/Oskar.

Today’s guest is the acclaimed writer, Kathie Giorgio, whose literary career is nothing short of remarkable.

Kathie Giorgio has authored multiple books that include six novels, two story collections, essays, poetry chapbooks, and a full-length poetry book. In March 2023, she released her seventh novel, "Hope Always Rises," published by Black Rose Writing.

It was great getting to know Kathie and learning more about her work ethic. Her works have received nominations for prestigious awards, including the Pushcart Prize and the Write Well Award, and she's been recognized as one of the top 21 Wisconsin writers of the 21st century by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Visit me at www.oskarcastro.com and if you like what you hear please support us at - https://www.patreon.com/Oskar.

🎧 Tune in to Podcast Episode 26: "10 Things for Monetization of Your Creativity" 🚀

Ready to take your creative journey to the next level? Join us in this episode as we uncover the ten vital strategies to turn your artistic passion into a successful and sustainable career. From creating high-quality work to diversifying your income, these insights are a game-changer for artists and creatives.

Listen now and unlock the secrets to monetizing your creativity! 🎨📈

Visit my website for a free pdf: 10 Things to Focus on for Monetization of
Your Creativity

#Artists #CreativeEntrepreneurs #MonetizeYourCreativity #PodcastEpisode26

Visit me at www.oskarcastro.com and if you like what you hear please support us at - https://www.patreon.com/Oskar.

🎨 Exciting News! 🎨 Our upcoming podcast episode 25, "Empowering Voices: Organizing BIPOC Art Events," with Shari Jones of The ROOTS Art Show is a must-listen! 🌟

In this episode, we delve into the incredible work of Shari, her partners, and other dedicated individuals who are passionate about creating inclusive spaces for BIPOC artists. Shari, a visionary artist herself 🖼️, shares her inspiring journey and how it led to founding "The ROOTS Art Show." 🌱

I was inspired by Shari's vision and the collective effort to empower voices through art and hope you are too! 🙌✨ Don't miss this enlightening episode! 🎧✨ 

#EmpoweringVoices #BIPOCArtEvents #ShariJones #TheROOTSArtShow #ArtInclusion #PodcastEpisode, #ArtistryUnearthed 🎙📻 #InclusiveArt, #DiverseArtists, #CreativeCommunity, #ArtAdvocacy, #SupportBIPOCArt, #ArtisticExpression, #EmpowerArtists, #ArtForChange, #ArtWorldDiversity, #PodcastEpisode, #CreativeJourney, #ArtisticInspiration, #ArtistsOfColor, #ReshapingArt

Visit me at www.oskarcastro.com and if you like what you hear please support us at - https://www.patreon.com/Oskar.

• 🎙️ Welcome back, creative minds! Today, we're unlocking the world of Art Licensing and Merchandising on the podcast. Tune in for tips to expand your art's reach and income. Don't miss it! 🌟 
• #PardonMyArtPodcast 
• #ArtLicensing 
• #Merchandising
• #FreeCreativeBusinessAudit
• #CreativeBusiness
• #ArtisticJourney
• #ArtistCommunity
• #ArtisticInspiration
• #PodcastAlert
• #ArtisticEntrepreneur
• #ArtAndCommerce
• #Creativepreneur
• #UnlockYourCreativity

Visit me at www.oskarcastro.com and if you like what you hear please support us at - https://www.patreon.com/Oskar.

Today’s guest is Josh Smith, a poet, curator of culture, and a performance artist. I’ve known Josh since he was a child and worked with his dad in the music business in the mid-90s. Josh was a deep thinker and a precocious person as a child, and watching him grow up I saw him turn that energy into being a poet, and writer with a few books that he’s published, but it was incredible to find out that he is now organizing musical showcase events. 

Josh has created The County Jawn a curated concert series that spotlights independent artists while supporting the economic growth of local businesses in Delaware County, PA. I had the privilege of being in the front row at one of his latest events, and let me tell you, I feel like we should have paid Beyonce and Taylor Swift ticket prices to have access to the talent that Josh assembled. A good man with an incredible passion for the arts, it was a pleasure chatting with Josh about where he’s been and where he’s going.

Visit me at www.oskarcastro.com and if you like what you hear please support us at - https://www.patreon.com/Oskar.

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of art and business, exploring how artists can strategically use an LLC (Limited Liability Company) to enhance their careers. Join us as we uncover the marketing advantages, branding benefits, and the potential for elevating your artistic journey to the next level. Discover how embracing the 'LLC' label can not only boost your professional image but also open doors to new collaborations and opportunities. If you're an artist looking to make a mark in the art world, this episode is a must-listen for insights that can transform your art into a thriving business. Tune in and explore the art of business with us!

Visit me at www.oskarcastro.com and if you like what you hear please support us at - https://www.patreon.com/Oskar.

In this digital age, having a strong online presence is no longer an option – it's a must. So, let's explore the strategies and elements that can help you establish a compelling and impactful presence in the vast world of the internet."

Visit me at www.oskarcastro.com and if you like what you hear please support us at - https://www.patreon.com/Oskar.

Today’s guest is Oluwafemi, a rhythmist, and DJ based in Philadelphia, originally from Lagos, Nigeria. As a well-known DJ, his unique blend of classic rhythms, soul, and funk with world fusions creates an electric combination that brings high-energy excitement to audiences across the US, Africa, and Europe. This is combined with over 15 years of experience in music and visual art. 

Femi has worked as a graphic designer, muralist, video jockey, and music producer with musical influences including Nigerian legends such as Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade, and Fela Kuti. Through his African-inspired musical style and visual explorations, his rhythmic evolution of repetition is woven into a unique creative tapestry and a captivating experience for his audience.

Visit me at www.oskarcastro.com and if you like what you hear please support us at - https://www.patreon.com/Oskar.

Today's guest is Sam Slade. Sam and I met when I was part of the process for hiring her to be the Director of Communications for Philadelphia Yearly Meeting in Philadelphia, PA and we instantly bonded around the creative consciousness. Sam defines herself as a contemplative mixed-media artist. 

Samantha's journey is an inspiring blend of creativity and activism, as she masterfully weaves together the threads of art, journalism, and social justice. When she's not immersed in her creative sanctum, Samantha is also diving deep into the realm of Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice in Design – a true visionary who understands the pivotal role design plays in shaping a more equitable world.

Beyond her artistic endeavors, Samantha finds rhythm and harmony through an embodied movement meditation practice known as the 5Rhythms. It's a dance of self-expression and inner exploration that brings both vitality and serenity to her life.

https://samanthaslade.com/about-samantha-slade/

Visit me at www.oskarcastro.com and if you like what you hear please support us at - https://www.patreon.com/Oskar.

Today’s guest is Tim Simmons, an educator, musician, writer, and artist living in the suburbs of Philadelphia. He loves to explore the intersections between music and language. On most days, he can be found behind his beat-up old Gretsch drum kit.

Tim teaches Lower, Middle, and Upper School music at Delaware Valley Friends School where he developed the music program there based on the concept of improvisation. In addition to a course of general music classes that students throughout all three divisions can take part in, Tim offers classes in music theory, audio engineering, and songwriting. Tim has a certification in music improvisation facilitation from Music for People and a Master of Arts in Individualized Studies from Goddard College. His master's degree focused on the neurologic intersections between music and language so that he could develop a unique music curriculum that targets language learning needs.

Tim also directs the writing process and pit band for the annual DV original musical and directs the DV Rock Ensemble and the DV Dragon Drum Corps. Tim is also the author of Serafine Finds a Song, a storybook guide to musical improvisation for music teachers. 

Visit me at www.oskarcastro.com and if you like what you hear please support us at - https://www.patreon.com/Oskar.

Today’s guest is Femi J. Johnson, a talented artist who has made a name for himself in the contemporary art scene with his unique abstract storyscapes. Born in Manhattan, New York, and raised in Easton, Pennsylvania, Femi’s early talent in graphite and charcoal drawing led to a professional career as a Master Draftsman & Designer for companies such as Bell Laboratories and Lucent Technologies. 

After thousands of technical drawings over decades of work, Femi redirected his creative energy back to the fine arts. He completed a two-year studio program in art at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York, where his engagement with contemporary and modernist art inspired his emerging studio practice. 

In 2012 Femi returned to the Lehigh Valley, where he currently works out of Expressions Studio & Gallery in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He has exhibited extensively across the region and internationally, with works in corporate and private collections.  His work is held in the permanent collections of The Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African American Art in Asbury, New Jersey, and The David C. Driskell Center for the Study of Visual Arts and Culture of African Americans and the African Diaspora at the University of Maryland, in College Park, Maryland. 

Visit me at www.oskarcastro.com and if you like what you hear please support us at - https://www.patreon.com/Oskar.

Today’s guest is Nehad Khader, a Philadelphia-based film programmer, curator, and editor focusing on media and literature by Black and Brown creators. Nehad is the Festival Director for the infamous BlackStar Film Festival founded in 2012 by Maori Karmael Holmes, chief executive and Artistic officer for BlackStar. The BlackStar Film Festival is recognized around the world as an event that counters the erasure and the misrepresentation of BIPOC individuals in storytelling through film. 

BlackStar's fundamental mission is to create the spaces and resources needed to uplift the work of BIPOC artists working outside of the confines of genres. I learned a lot from Nehad about how she journeyed as a creator, became a festival director, and why this work is so important to her.

Visit me at www.oskarcastro.com and if you like what you hear please support us at - https://www.patreon.com/Oskar.

Today’s guest is Yujiro Seki, a visionary director whose passion has shaped a mesmerizing feature-length documentary, 'Carving the Divine.' 

In  Carving the Divine,' we witness the preservation and evolution of the revered art of Busshi,  sculptors who special in carving Buddhist statues.

Yujiro embarked on a rare journey, capturing the essence of a guild of Buddhist sculptors led by the esteemed Master Koun Seki, a former apprentice of the legendary Busshi, Kourin Saito, who is also featured in the film.  This cinematic project is the result of Yujiro's fortitude where he took on the roles of planner, cinematographer, and editor all by himself.

Visit me at www.oskarcastro.com and if you like what you hear please support us at - https://www.patreon.com/Oskar.

Today's guest is Mantel Amey, an experienced Visual Artist with a demonstrated history of working in the arts and crafts industry. Mantel and I have been social media friends for a number of years, and we have many mutual artist friends. I invited her to be a guest because Mantel’s work is exciting and dynamic ranging from portraits to scenic imagery framing a scene she composes with a key figure.  

A graduate of Moore College of Art, with a BFA in illustration, Mantel has developed a style that is uniquely her own. I really love the way that she brings in a sense of culture and being a strong woman of color into her work. Mantel hails from Philadelphia and it was a delight to learn more about her process.

Visit me at www.oskarcastro.com and if you like what you hear please support us at - https://www.patreon.com/Oskar.

Today’s guest is my friend and accomplice, Alex Smith. Alex is a speculative fiction writer, collage artist, vocalist, keyboardist, and lyricist in avant-garde punk bands Rainbow Crimes and Solarized. 

A 2021 Pew Fellow, Alex draws from influences like science fiction, Dadaism, and comic art, and through his creations, he frames the creativity, survival, and hopefulness of queer and Black people. One of his latest creations is Black Vans, a thrilling comic book series that centers around a team of LGBTQ+ hackers who provide superheroes essential support in their fight against evil forces. 

However, things take a dark turn when the superheroes start disappearing, and the hackers are left to unravel the mystery behind their disappearance. A groundbreaking adult-themed comic, Alex and his co-creator/illustrator James Dillenbeck aim to break stereotypes by showing fat and queer people in heroic roles.

Visit me at www.oskarcastro.com and if you like what you hear please support us at - https://www.patreon.com/Oskar.

Today’s guest is Petrova, a self-taught artist born and raised in New York City with Puerto Rican roots, now based in Orlando, Florida. For the past three years, Petrova has dedicated herself to painting and creating art inspired by space and everything cosmic. Her art is a reflection of her deep connection to the universe and her desire to bring a piece of it into people's homes. Petrova believes that space art is a constant reminder of our interconnectedness as humans and our interconnectedness with the universe. Her imaginative and inspired pieces serve as self-portraits of our past, present, and infinite future. 

Visit me at www.oskarcastro.com and if you like what you hear please support us at - https://www.patreon.com/Oskar.