Podcast Content


Exploring the Scottsdale Art Scene with Artists Priscilla Nelson and Ryan Schmidt

I am always fascinated by art and in particular, the artists behind the art. In today’s podcast we feature two very talented and prolific Scottsdale artists, first modern figurative  artist, Priscilla Nelson, and modern sculptor Ryan Schmidt. And to add even another perspective we also had Ryan Schmidt’s wife, Janice,  join us and she gave us her take on living with an artist! 

We had a wonderful discussion about each of their respective work and passions and how they both deal with the stress of their work and craft and what continues to motivate and inspire them. We also talk about the Scottsdale art scene and everything that’s happening to make Scottsdale one of the top art spots in the country! 

Exploring the Inspiring Life & Career of Artist Priscilla Nelson

Episode 37 of Season 2 features Contemporary Figurative Artist and fellow Scottsdale Arts Board Member, Priscilla Nelson. Together we talk about art, creativity, family, passion, motivation and upcoming art events. Priscilla’s art career spans over 40 years and the majority of her work falls under two categories, Figurative, which explores the figure, clothing, and water to capture "a poignant mood and the hint of a story that can be interpreted in many ways". In her more Contemporary paintings she takes a very organic approach with inspiration from reflections and movement.

It's All in the Details with Anna & Scott Sadler of Surface Refinements

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This week we have a two part series with artist Anna Sadler of Scottsdale-based business Surface Refinements. In Part 1, Anna delves into her work, her craft and the various projects she’s worked on. In Part 2, her and husband Scott talk about their personal life and how they started their business. Anna shares all the amazing places she’s lived and visited and all the stories, people and projects that came with those places. Anna’s life and craft have so many incredible details, we couldn’t limit her to just one hour!

Encouraged from a young age to enjoy and explore her artistic side, Anna has “passionately spent most of my life in one creative endeavor or another.” In the early ’90s, she owned and operated two art galleries in Monte Carlo, France where she was able to spend time with their mostly- international clientele and met many world-renowned artists. “I will never forget these experiences as they were life changing!” she recounts.

Years later, Anna moved to Canada to be near family where she met and married her second husband, Scott Sadler who joins us in Part 2. In 2005, the happy couple moved to Arizona, and today they own and operate Surface Refinements in Scottsdale, AZ. They are a decorative painting company that specialize in creating artistic finishes for walls, ceilings and furniture. They also create custom large scale art on canvas, and do highly realistic antiquing of mirrors, far more authentic in nature than commercially “antiqued” mirrors. “We have an endless array of products that we employ in creating a finish, everything from actual mica flakes, glass beads, glitters, patterned foils, metallic and various other unique plasters, Italian Venetian plasters, Swarovski crystals, gold and silver leaf, pigmented mica powders, etc.”

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Tapping your Soul with Abstract Artist Cody Hooper

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Today’s podcast episode we talk with Abstract Artist out of Austin, Texas, Cody Hooper. He describes his process for helping clients find that special piece or pieces and how he approaches outfitting a home with his work, matching the feelings that a client wants in their home. We also dive deep, discussing how after loosing his father and grandmother to a murder-suicide he conquered depression, anxiety and broke the confines of medications to function through painting. This is apparent in his work and the play of light and dark in his art, as he says “needing one to illuminate the other. Art is therapy.” Being true to himself and allowing his audience to see through his paintings and creations is very important to him.

Hooper studied under Southwest watercolor artist Barbara Hughes for several years, establishing his foundation as an artist and led him to focus primarily on realistic watercolors in the beginning. When he began experimenting with abstracts in various mediums, he enjoyed the freedom and personal expression and it was then he really began to flourish. He is deeply interested in the effects of color, texture and the emotional response to strong composition and design. Removing the representational and creating something that told a story without observational subject matter excited Cody.

Today, his work is a bold mix of styles, ranging from sleek and contemporary to weathered and organic. He brings a subtle and sophisticated feel to his paintings through a unique balance of color, composition and texture. His work is exhibited in prestigious galleries and featured in private and public collections worldwide.

Although Cody doesn’t live in Arizona, it holds a special place and like a magnet, it keeps pulling him back. In 2018 he did a large installation for Bob and Renee Parson's PXG private golf course in Scottsdale (pictured below) and has pieces featured in the Andre Kohn Fine Art Gallery in Old Town Scottsdale.

www.codyhooperart.com

facebook.com/CodyHooperArtist/

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The Art of Living with Art Featuring Niki Woehler

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Woehler grew up in Toronto, Canada and has lived in Phoenix since 1994. She studied broadcasting and marketing at Sheridan College, and spent almost 25 years in the industry, including founding and running a boutique ad agency for more than a decade. In 2012, Niki made the decision to follow her passion and devote herself to painting and parenting full time. She hasn’t looked back since!

Her large scale art pieces have caught eyes world wide and is currently represented by Forré & Co Fine ArtGalleries in both Aspen and Vail, Colorado, Slate Gray Gallery in Telluride, Colorado and Kerrville TX, The Broadmoor Galleries at the iconic Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, and House of Anderson in Scottsdale, Arizona. Niki is one of a select few artists invited to show at the Found:Re Hotel, an upscale boutique hotel dedicated to the visual arts downtown Phoenix, opened fall 2016.

Her art can be found in both private and corporate collections all over the USA and Canada. Top-tier interior designers integrate her work into their contemporary designs. Woehler is also contracted with several top art consultants throughout the United States. In 2017 CBRE commissioned a 54ft x 6ft installation for their new offices in the Esplanade, in Phoenix Arizona. In 2018 Indeed commissioned a custom logo art wall or their new Scottsdale head offices.

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Follow Niki here:

Website: www.nikiwoehler.com 

Instagram: @NikiWoehlerArtist

Facebook: facebook.com/nikiwoehlerartist/