Conversation with Artist and Athlete Kimi Werner

Kimi Werner is not only an accomplished water-woman, but she is also a successful artist and chef and is currently traveling the world as an Ambassador for Patagonia. 

"Going diving feels like going home, and I hope to cherish it for the rest of my life." -Kimi Werner

Kimi is currently on a quest to learn as much as possible from the simplicity and beauty of the ocean and the people who respect it throughout the world. In this episode we hear Kimi's journey, her challenges and inspirations, and her incredible work and activism through simplicity, community building and care for the environment. 

Here is the conversation with Kimi Werner:

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More about the artist:

Kimi grew up on Maui, Hawaii where her father was a dedicated free-diver. With a craving for the simple life, Kimi followed in her dad’s footsteps, training to become one of the top divers in the nation and winning a U.S. National Spearfishing Championship in 2008.

• Below is a short film titled Variables, where Patagonia ambassador Kimi Werner strives to find her place in the ecosystem. She treads the line between predator and prey - eventually discovering balance in an unlikely place.

In Variables, Patagonia ambassador Kimi Werner strives to find her place in the ecosystem. She treads the line between predator and prey - eventually discovering balance in an unlikely place. For more from Kimi and our other Patagonia ambassadors, see patagonia.com/surfblog.

Patagonia Ambassador

Kimi Werner Art

Photo Credits: Allen Carrasco & Courtesy of Jake Marote, Chris Wade, Justin Turkowski

Music featured in this episode by: David Kahiapo, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, Three Houses Down, Sonny Chillingworth, Hapa, Keola Beamer and Justin Young.

Conversation with Artist and Writer Miyuki Baker

"One of the main reasons why I make art is because I seek to create new perspectives and ways of looking at the world. My work is predominantly centered on my various identities—queer, Japanese, Hapa, environmentalist, feminist, etc.—each of which suggests specific imagery and narratives to turn mundane everyday objects into unexpected and beautiful art.  I hope my art will invite intellectual, emotional and physical participation from the viewer." -Miyuki Baker

Miyuki Baker is a freelance artist, journalist, yoga and meditation teacher, barber, translator, seamstress, lecturer and performer.  

Cover Image from one of Miyuki Baker’s zines. Available on queerscribe.com 

Here is the conversation with Miyuki Baker:

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More about the artist:

Miyuki Baker is a resident of the place where circles overlap. As a queer, multi-racial/lingual female mixed-media artist, she is happiest when working with people who embrace intersectionality. After graduating from Swarthmore College in 2012, where she was involved in queer Asian activism and making art, she received the Watson Fellowship to travel the world in search of queer artists and activists and made 8 zines highlighting what she learned under her publishing house Queer Scribe Productions. 

Get Miyuki's most recent Zine 'Life Right Now' HERE

Connect further with Miyuki: 

www.estellamiyukibaker.com

www.heymiyuki.wordpress.com

www.queerscribe.com 

www.etsy.com/shop/QueerScribe

www.asiangayandproud.wordpress.com

Conversation with Artist Thomas 'BREEZE' Marcus

"The need for education and knowledge is the greatest social achievement…and is one way to uplift and empower the people back to their feet. To shed truth and light about the way worlds work and why we can and have the infinite potential to make our own world. Finding common ground and acknowledging situation and place. With the platform to speak, express and relate by creating art.. is an extremely potent and complex way of communication. Mental and physical barriers fade away once people begin to let go and unplug from an illusionary reality and get back to the state conscious being." - Breeze

BREEZE mural collaboration. Photo Credit: Chip Thomas

Here is the conversation with Thomas 'BREEZE' Marcus:

Subscribe to Art Beat Conversations on iTunes HERE and download this episode

Music featured on this episode by MC Optimal from Salt River, AZ.

Special thanks to Cannupa Hanska for helping to complete this interview!

BREEZE. 

BREEZE and Chris Pappan Collaboration

More about the artist:

Painter and large scale muralist Thomas 'Breeze' Marcus has painted over a dozen murals in the city of Phoenix alone, but he is also known to rock a canvas and mixed-media materials in a gallery setting with ease and grace. His work reflects the woven stories of our lives, and reminds us that everything is connected, that there is no one way to exist. Breeze has chosen the path of a full-time artist and although he goes where his art takes him, he seems most connected with his work when painting large walls or murals, respecting the craft of Graffiti as being one of the great contributors to contemporary art.

BREEZE. 

Follow Breeze on his Blog

Conversation with Artist and Vocalist Valentina Gonzales (VRGNZ)

It was incredibly refreshing to sit down and talk with such an honest, strong and opinionated creative mind as Valentina Gonzales aka VRGNZ. 

VRGNZ. Photo Credit:Travis Duran

Valentina creating a mural on a new ShelterCare facility, Eugene, 2014.

In this episode, Valentina shares her journey as the artist, the mother, and the human. She reminds us all that as an artist, there is no point A to point B, but it is a long and winding path which, if you are open to receiving, will teach you passion and determination and ultimately could restore your faith in humanity. Valentina is a power house, and if you want to laugh and cry, get motivated to create, or just hear some crazy ass life stories, then listen in to hear Valentina's interview.

 

Here is the conversation with Valentia Gonzales (VRGNZ):

Subscribe to Art Beat Conversations on iTunes HERE and download this episode

All music featured on this Episode courtesy of VRGNZ

More about the artist: 

Valentina, better known in the music and art scene as VRGNZ was born a daughter of Texas music. This Appala Chilean exemplifies diversity not only in heritage, but also in her multi faceted artistic backgrounds. Her Chilean father, a musician and night club owner, and her Kentucky raised mother, a teacher, worked hard to cultivate they're daughters creative spirit. As a teen, Valentina grew with the underground hip-hop movement and after connecting with Chris Calloway, her greatest musical mentor and the daughter of legendary Cab Calloway, Valentina began her journey as an independent artist. Finding experience and passion through recording, traveling, skateboarding, and design, Valentina continues to evolve her artistic pursuits and abilities.

VRGNZ ON FACEBOOK

VRGNZ ON SOUNDCLOUD

VRGNZ

Conversation with Artist Yatika Starr Fields

Little Havana, Miami. Yatika Starr Fields 2013

Yatika Starr Fields is of the Cherokee, Creek and Osage tribes, a member of the Bear Clan, and was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His Creek name "Yvtekv" means Interpreter, and in interviewing Yatika it becomes apparent how fitting this handle is. In this episode, we learn how Yatika interprets the world through his art, as he recounts travel and inspirations from home that have shifted his perspectives and created the kaleidoscopic visions apparent in his work. We find out where this inspiring artist comes from, what people and places have influenced his thought process, and what currently motivates his artistic expression. I am truly honored to share with you the story of Yatika Starr Fields.  

Here is the conversation with Yatika Starr Fields:

Subscribe to Art Beat Conversations on iTunes HERE and download this episode

More from the Artist:

"I am motivated in my work fundamentally by the search for freedom in all forms. I seek to create a contemporary terrain in the juxtaposition of my living memories. Playing with elements of space and time, I create a synthesis of symbolic objects floating and bending on the canvas at all angles; negating the horizon and the rule of linear experience. In this suspended dichotomy between nature and the urban environment a new world is made. The creation mythology of this space is narrated in my work where Oklahoma meets NYC meets inspirations from travels. In the end, exploding the expectations of current experience." -Yatika Starr Fields

'Yatika's work is a vibrant and surreal fusion of Native imagery with both a pop and graffiti art aesthetic.' -Chiaroscuro 

Yatika Fields current work at Chiaroscuro Gallery:

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Commission interior mural for Oklahoma state University 2013:

"Connecting Roads From Past to Present," a mural by artist Yatika Starr Fields, at the Oklahoma State University Museum of Art, Postal Plaza Gallery, Stillwater, OK 2013

Commission interior mural for Oklahoma state University 2013. Yatika Starr Fields

Selected works:

Saturday Night. Yatika Starr Fields

Southern Plains. Yatika Starr Fields

"Sonoran Waltz", part of paint Phoenix mural project. 2014 Yatika Starr Fields 

Large scale mural Melbourne, Australia 2013. Yatika Starr Fields 

Large scale mural. San Juan (santurce). Puerto Rico 2013. Yatika Starr Fields