Interview: Genny Platon

I wanted to learn how Genny manages her time. She's a mother of three energetic daughters, a homeschooler, an active dancer, a cosplayer and a self-employed artist. Seriously, I see how much she gets done and I can't help thinking A) there is a lot to be learned from her and B) I never have an excuse not to get stuff done. She never claims it's easy, but nothing worth doing ever is.

How would you describe what is it that you do?

In fancy terms, an endlessly learning alchemist. I take materials and turn it into something completely different than it's origin. I play with all kinds of materials at hand and transform them into something else.

In less than fancy terms, I make art. I sculpt, paint, sew costumes, and dance.

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Interview: Tina Guo-Morabito

Tina Guo-Morabito is an internationally known cellist, a photographer, a philosopher of metaphysics, and a really nice person. She expresses all of these loves and skills daily and with a level of commitment that suggests she really enjoys what she's doing and respects her creative/intellectual pursuits enough to do them well. And she doesn't just do them well, she kicks their asses.

How would you describe you what is it that you do?

I play the cello and the electric cello.  Classical, Metal, and New Age are my favorite genres to dabble in. 

Have you always done this for a living or did you transition from something else? What triggered your decision to make a change?

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Interview: Brad MacDonald

Up until recently it never occured to me to submit to one of my own interviews. Thanks to Francy for calling me on this and writing up some special questions for the occasion. Francy, I'm stealing some of your questions for future interviews!

You are a writer, teacher, lecturer, event coordinator, musician, artist.  How would YOU describe what you do?

I've been trying to find a catch-all phrase that covers everything and, frankly, I'm stumped. Recently I was designing a new business card and I asked some close friends for suggestions of job titles. My friend Pete suggested Practical Design Philosopher. It’s a little silly, broad enough to encompass different disciplines, touches on my obsession with studying and sharing what I learn about the creative process.

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Interview: Tamar Kali

Tamar Kali is fierce. She's also obervant, intelligent, worldly, artistic and maybe even a little bit of a romantic. A few years ago I caught her pyscho-acoustic set up in Harlem and it felt like going to church. At least my fictionalized dream of what church should be. Join her for a drink or see her live show and you realize that she is who she is. There's no front and there's no room for pretense. 

How would you describe you what is it that you do?

I’m a performer, composer, vocalist and songwriter.

Is there another artist from whom you draw inspiration?

Many. Musically my inspiration ranges from Beethoven to Bad Brains with some Riot Grrl and Grace Jones in between.

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Interview: Rose Freymuth-Frazier

Mastery is not an accident. When I first met Rose Freymuth-Frazier she was painting still lifes in her studio and in Central Park. She busted her ass practicing her craft and tool another big step - she sought out mentors. Between her talent, intelligence, discipline and selection of mentors it's not an accident she's as good as she is.

How would you describe what is it that you do? 

I am an oil painter. I basically spend all of my daylight hours pushing around pigment with animal hair tied to the end of a stick. When I’m done I call the resulting paintings “figurative realism”.

Have you always done this for a living or did you transition from something else? What triggered your decision to make a change? 

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Interview: Baba Israel

I almost never bump into Baba Israel in NYC but the past two times I've been in Amsterdam I've seen him on the street. The same street, outside a cafe called Baba's. He's like that. He gives and recieves creative energy equally and, as a consequence, things just seem to happen around him. He manifests opportunity and, as a poet, an artist, a teacher, an emcee and a beatboxer he's always involved in something interesting.

How would you describe you what is it that you do?

I am an artist, producer, educator and an improviser. I was raised in NYC and found my creative voice in Hip Hop culture. I was raised in political and community based theatre and that is a big influence on my choices and focus. Specifically I am an emcee, writer, beatboxer, beatmaker, and theatre director. 

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Interview: Pete List

In addition to being a good friend Pete is an animator, multi-instrumentalist, and beatboxer. Over the years we've collaborated on a number of musical projects, such as our band Djinn, and I'm always amazed by his abilities as a technician and an artist with a distinct vision. He's ambitious, a perfectionist, and he lays down some phat beats. After all these years it's interesting to get some insight into his creative process.

How would you describe you what is it that you do?

I’m a multimedia character animator and composer. I create hand drawn animation, stop motion, photo animation, clay, but always animating characters. I play a number of different instruments, but I think of myself more as a composer than a musician.

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Interview: Ryan Daniel Beck

Ryan Daniel Beck is a contemporary dancer, choreographer, and visual artist. I'm not sure if he'd describe himself as a philosopher but, after reading his interview, I'm sure you'll agree he's an active thinker on a whole bunch of levels.

How would you describe you what is it that you do?

I consider myself a visual art teacher, working through the medium of dance. Unlike the static forms of sculpture, photography, or painting, my medium is constantly changing and evolving, but the underlying principles of visual art remain constant.

Have you always done this for a living or did you transition from something else? What triggered your decision to make a change?

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Interview: Eric Fogel

My first animation gig was working on Eric Fogel’s The Head at MTV Animation. Eric later created the stop-motion cultural phenomenon, Celebrity Deathmatch, and ensured his place in our collective consciousness.

His personal projects are an ode to the kid drawing lightning bolts and skulls on the back of his notebook. The challenge, and appeal, of this work is that it is both youthful and gruesome. It has a base appeal that celebrates the bit of darkness in all of us. The little bit of weird that we’re afraid to share. Thankfully, Eric has no such fear.

How would you describe you what is it that you do?

I’ve been creating, directing and producing animation professionally for over 20 years.

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Interview: Sean Mosher-Smith

You may not know Sean Mosher-Smith by name but I’m willing to bet you know his work. For almost 20 years he has been a go-to visual designer for the music industry and, in recent years, has expanded his vision in other markets. He has developed a distinct photo-illustrative style that is elegant, dark and immune to trends. Like many of the creatives I’ve featured he is disciplined with both hemispheres of his brain and works well solo or collaboratively. 

How would you describe you what is it that you do?
I am a Creative Director and Image maker.

Have you always done this for a living or did you transition from something else? What triggered your decision to make a change?
I have always done this since graduation,

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Interview: Rob Mastrianni

It was New Years Eve, maybe fifteen years ago, when I first saw Rob playing guitar at a small downtown music venue called Baby Jupiter. I was struck by the realization that he was an artist - not a person cultivating the identity of an artist, but a true honest-to-goodness creator. Fourteen years later the club has come and gone but Rob has continued playing and I’ve been fortunate to call him a friend and we have gigged on occasion. He is a deeply passionate, ego-free, person who is always composing, practicing and learning. He's also a park ranger and expert on birds of prey. 

How would you describe you what is it that you do?
I’m a guitarist and composer. I love to create music. I play unconventional guitars like the Coral Electric Sitar guitar (aka Electric Harp Guitar).

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Interview: Tamalyn Dallal

I know people who are adventurous but Tamalyn is one of the few whom I would describe as an Adventurer. She is a dancer, a teacher, an author and filmmaker. In a world where safety, lawsuits and cultural conservatism are rampant she consistently seeks out those corners of the world that would be deemed by the mainstream as dangerous or unworthy of attention. And in these remote villages she finds stories that are more human than anything we see on the news. Everything Tamalyn does is a reminder of what someone can do when they stop worrying about what other people think and follow their heart.

How would you describe you what is it that you do?
I teach bellydance, and produce supplementary cultural information in the way of books, music, and films.

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Interview: Marc Scheff

Marc is a renaissance man. That’s going to embarrass him but it’s true. He is the rare breed of artist who equally occupies all spheres of his brain - an illustrator, painter, art director and former computer scientist who approaches his work with discipline and humor. I don’t know for sure but I’d bet he can also cook.

He’s an inclusive, articulate, social person (and professional) who surrounds himself with talented people and he’s eager to share the glory. I expected I’d learn something from his interview and I wasn’t disappointed.

How would you describe you what is it that you do?
I am an artist and an art director, so I make art for clients, and I hire artists for other clients. I also write, and work on creative side-projects.

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Interview: Paul Dinletir

I don’t know anyone who has invested at much time and energy into their own personal growth as Paul Dinletir and the results show. He’s a gifted composer and creative power behind Audiomachine, one of most successful companies producing music for movie trailers. That’s a niche, right? Well, he’s turned this niche into a success story because he’s motivated, disciplined, talented and loves what he does. Everytime I hang out with Paul it’s a life affirming event and listening to his music will make you want to wield an axe.

Do you still practice? If so, what do your practice sessions look like?
A few years ago, I read an interview with John Williams where he gave advice to up and coming composers, he said to work on your craft every day even if you only have five minutes.

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Interview: Keavy Blueher

I first met Keavy a few years ago, right about the time she made the bold decision to switch careers so she could bake cupcakes for a living. She was friends with some of my co-workers and was bringing batches of freshly baked cupcakes to our office for feedback on her recipes. Since then her business Kumquat Cupcakery has taken off and she’s begun a new venture, Butter & Scotch, a baked goods and booze bar in Brooklyn.

Do you still practice? If so, what do your practice sessions look like?
I guess my practice would be when I get to play around in my own kitchen.  To be honest this doesn’t happen often.  I’m typically so exhausted by the time I get home from baking that all I want is a large glass of wine and a movie. 

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Interview: Edward Minoff

When I first met Edward he was Ted and we both worked at MTV Animation. He was an instigator, a good natured trouble-maker, graffiti artist and gifted illustrator. His drawing was effortless and full of energy. Between then and now he made a serious transition - he is now a mature, disciplined and gifted painter known primarily for his studies of water. This New York kid captures the tranquility and peace of nature with a poet's touch. His story is one of talent but also dedication and living in the moment.

Do you still practice? If so, what do your practice sessions look like?
Practice never ends. In my case, I feel like there is some linear trajectory to my artistic career, so in some way each painting is practice for the next painting.

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Interview: Carmine Guida

When I asked Carmine if I could interview him he seemed surprised because he's not a visual designer. But he is visionary. An accomplished musician, gifted programmer and an entrepreneur. His organizational skills are second to none, he is a natural leader, a teacher and inclusive collaborator. Where you find Carmine you'll find people pushing themselves and having fun.

Do you still practice? If so, what do your practice sessions look like?
With programming. I’m always programming. I program every day. I don’t know if “practice” is the word. But there is a lot of trying out an idea / quickly prototyping, and then deleting it.

With music practice. This is more about “keeping my chops up” making sure my skills/speed/tricks are where they should be.

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Interview: Fung Chern Hwei

Born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Fung Chern Hwei has studied the violin since he was eight years old. As a musician he is both technical and fiercely improvisational. He is currently the first violinist of Sirius Quartet, a string quartet based in New York City that tours and performs extensively internationally. His list of collaborators is a who’s who of innovative musicians including Uri Caine, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Stanley Clarke, Tony Bennet, Bobby McFerrin, Steve Wilson, Elliot Sharp and more.

Where do you find inspiration?
Everywhere, from the surroundings, people, the music I listen to, books I read, movies I watch...

Where are you when you have the most a-ha moments?
Good question. Usually in the subway.

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