Artifice

Zack Davisson is an award-winning translator, writer, and folklorist. He is the author of The Ultimate Guide to Japanese Yokai, Kaibyo The Supernatural Cats of Japan, Yurei the Japanese Ghost, The Art of Star Wars Visions, and Manga: A Visual Guide. He co-writes Ultimate X-Men with Peach Momoko for Marvel Comics. His works have been translated into multiple languages. Zack has translated globally renowned manga such as Go Nagai's Devilman and Cutie Honey, Leiji Matsumoto's Space Battleship Yamato and Captain Harlock, and Satoshi Kon's Opus. He translates Shigeru Mizuki's work such as Kitaro and Showa: A History of Japan, and currently translates Gou Tanabe's Lovecraft adaptations and Nadatani Wataru's Cat + Gamer. Zack lectured on manga, folklore, and translation at Duke University, Annapolis Naval Academy, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, UCLA, and the University of Washington and contributed to exhibitions at the Museum of International Folkart, Wereldmuseum Rotterdan, Världskulturmuseerna Stockholm, and

Kate Schroeder is a ceramicist and full time professional artist residing in Kansas City, Missouri. She earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Sculpture and Ceramics from the University of Central Missouri and a Masters of Fine Arts also emphasizing Sculpture and Ceramics from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Kate has exhibited nationally and has work in collections around the globe. In fact, it can be found on all 7 continents! Before transitioning to a full-time artist, Kate also spent nearly a decade as an educator. She has worked for universities, art institutes, and community colleges. She also spent several years dedicated to the non-profit sector. During this time she managed EPIC Clay Studio, a 501-C3 ceramics studio and Accessible Arts, a Not-For-Profit arts organization, which specialized in teaching art to people with disabilities. She also lived in Tanzania for a summer, where she started a small ceramics program for Walk in Love International.

Working at the intersection of horticulture, art and architecture, David has applied his passion for plants to a growing list of innovative projects, building a broad variety of modern, human-centric spaces with abundant plant life at their heart. David is a pioneer in the field of vertical gardens. He holds a degree in Environmental Horticulture Sciences and Psychology from California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo. He credits his time spent apprenticing at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, London, with setting him on the path to living wall design. It was at Kew that he came to appreciate the beauty of epiphytic plants—those which have naturally evolved to grow vertically on trees. David sees his work as an integral part of a public shift in consciousness towards a renewed desire for closeness with nature and an appreciation of the restorative effect of plants, especially in urban environments. For David, designing living walls affords the chance not only to promote awareness of native and endan

If you’re curious about the secrets of fulfilled creative living, then ask Lauren Spangler. As a creativity coach she helps artists bridge the gap between their boldest visions and their everyday reality. A painter, writer, and musician herself, as well as a wife and mom of two, Lauren’s mission is to empower artists to enjoy the creative freedom they crave without giving up their other roles and priorities. She has helped hundreds of professionals set and achieve their goals, and now she’s here to help you unblock your inner artist and take big steps toward your biggest dreams. Take the free "Spark or Sputter?" Self-Assessment at www.laurenspangler.com/spark and connect with Lauren on Instagram at @laurenspangler.

KARA BUSSEY, FOUNDER, INSTRUCTOR AND MAKER (CALGARY) Meet Kara, a stained glass artist from Calgary, Canada. She creates unique 3D glass floral sculptures using stained glass, copper wire, and found objects. Leveraging her over 15 years of experience in communications and public relations, Kara uses social media to bring modern stained glass to the masses, bringing the fun with entertaining stained glass process videos and supporting the next generation of budding artists with her in-person and online classes in stained glass. When she's not creating, Kara loves to travel, be outdoors, and spend time with her two daughters and cats. You can find Kara's work on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok @glimpseglass or glimpseglass.ca

Eriksen Dickens is an award winning filmmaker, actor, and business owner based in California. In 2016, Eriksen co-founded Platinum Peek Inc., with his brother, Soren, while in college. Platinum Peek is a video agency that specializes in creating story-driven video solutions for marketing, sales, and operations teams for clients around the country. In 2017, Eriksen directed his first documentary, His Legacy— a 2 hour film based on the life of his late father. Since then, Eriksen has directed numerous “legacy documentaries” for clients from all walks of life. These are films for accomplished people/businesses looking to preserve their story for future generations. His short documentary, Two Magic Drops, was featured in nine film festivals, winning best documentary at two. These legacy documentaries are formulated through a specific 7 step storytelling curriculum developed by the Dickens Brothers. Aside from filmmaking, Eriksen enjoys writing, having published his novel, The Orchard’s Offspring in 2018.

I’m Abby, the owner and creator of WoodSolStone studio located in Cincinnati, Ohio. My passion for plants and all things green has always been a part of my dna, so the organic way that this art came to be only made sense for me. I’ve always been a creative person and love the process of moss art. I use every bit of nature I find to create a magical like-living art to infuse the wonderful beauty of the outside world to your special spaces. Woodsolstonestudio.com Follow me on Instagram at @woodsolstone_studio And Facebook at @woodsolstonestudio

Bailey Elizabeth Hinkley Grogan is a jazz vocalist, songwriter, sound healer, and performer based out of Denver, CO and Los Angeles, CA. Her bright, yet melancholy sound is a reflection of her deep study into the jazz idiom while simultaneously playing homage to her influences in Nancy Wilson, Chick Corea, Sheryl Crow, and Pat Metheny. Her improvisatory style is fearless and bold, while her songwriting and lyrical delivery reflects the raw, emotional heartache and undying beauty found in her life story. In 2024 she released her debut album, “Three Sides of a Story” which highlights her advanced vocal ability and musical range. https://baileyhg.com/ https://baileyhinkleygrogan.bandcamp.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Tv547QVGBtAB0gml9t30I?si=Ifd5idSOTvWnC_Y8XEuVzA

Janne is a floral photographer living in North Yorkshire in the UK. With a background in fashion and textile design she is drawn to the colourful world of flowers and creates still life imagery using natural light. Janneford.com

‍Amrita is an entrepreneur and the founder of @mykalekitchen. She set up My Kale Kitchen Creative as a boutique content creation company that provides cinematic and emotive videography to food and beverage brands and is currently expanding into lifestyle content and short-films as well. Amrita specializes in short-form cinematography and her true passion is in capturing those special moments behind the scenes that don’t usually make it on screen. Amrita is also a seasoned coach and provides cinematic videography and editing coaching classes and retreats to creatives and business owners. Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mykalekitchen/ Website: https://www.mykalekitchen.com/

Dr. Matt R. Salmon, DO, MS is the Manager of Psychiatry at Whitman Walker Health in Washington, DC, specializing in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry with a focus on LGBTQ+ youth who’ve faced chronic interpersonal trauma. Matt's unique perspective is shaped by personal experiences of growing up queer and autistic in a conservative Mormon household in Phoenix, Arizona, and the challenges of navigating a political landscape with a Republican Congressman father and undergoing sexual orientation conversion efforts, often referred to as “conversion therapy.” Outside professional life, Matt cherishes the support of a wonderful family and friends, and the companionship of Chad de Bellum, a very affectionate pug. Matt’s passion for symbolic tattoos reflects a deep commitment to the values of life and purpose. Matt R. Salmon, DO, MS Author of Pride & Prejudice: Healing Division in the Modern Family https://linktree.com/lovemattrs

Brian Casey is a jazz bassist, educator and researcher based in Colorado. Brian serves as Associate Professor of Academic Jazz at the University of Northern Colorado and earned a DMA in Jazz Studies from the University of Colorado Boulder where he taught courses in Humanities, Jazz Studies, and American Music. Brian earned a MM in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas where he played with the Grammy-nominated One O’Clock Lab Band and served as a Teaching Fellow in Jazz Bass under the direction of Professor Lynn Seaton. Brian has performed and/or recorded with Pink Martini, Weber Iago, Henry Butler, and many others. Dr. Casey has presented original research in jazz-related fields at many national and international conferences including those of the College Music Society, the Jazz Education Network and the International Society of Bassists. He has written the entry for Miles Davis in the Oxford Online Bibliographies in Music, articles for Jazz Education in Research and Practice as well as Jazz and Cu

From Mesa, AZ. Attended film school at Scottsdale Community College and studied History and Sociology of Western Religion at MCC/BYU (note: I did not graduate from any of those colleges lol). Currently located in south bay Los Angeles, CA. Working for a digital Healthcare company called Sharecare in Value-based Care Technology Integrations. http://theantianti.blogspot.com/

Lauren McDonald Zuniga has been writing since she first learned to read at age three. She graduated with a BA in Creative Writing from the University of North Texas in 2012. She worked as a freelance contributor to the local Utah newspaper The Davis County Clipper, as well freelancing as a writing counselor for beginning creative writers for nearly ten years. She had her first non-fiction short story “Goodbye, My Love - A Skyrim Story” published in K’in Literary Journal in May 2021." I can shorten this if you need me to! Links: X/Twitter: @WishIWould88 Instagram: @laurenemcd88 Threads: @wishiwould Bluesky: @lauren.zuniga.bsky.social

Throughout her life, Kimber has had two deep passions: water and art. It seemed obvious she would foray into the underwater portrait photography industry however, the road she took was a bit more scenic. As a teenager, Kimber worked as a lifeguard and eventually became Open Water SCUBA certified in a frigid Ohio quarry. In college, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology at Texas A&M University During her time at A&M, Kimber became an AAUS Scientific Diver, Full Cave Diver, and an Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Diver. Upon graduation, she moved to Florida to continue pursuing her passion for diving while helping her partner conduct research in Florida's submerged cave systems. Kimber ended up in North Florida shortly after where she attended the University of Florida to research microbial films in underwater caves, but ultimately ended up pursuing a degree in the medical field as a Registered Nurse. Photography entered Kimber's universe after her son was born, and became a passion fueled by t

Double bass player Birgir Steinn Theodorsson graduated from FÍH's music school with distinction in 2015 and subsequently studied at the jazz department of the Berlin Academy of Arts and Hans Eisler in Berlin. Birgir Steinn has worked with numerous bands and musicians, both as double bass player, co-author and arranger. He has performed in many places in Europe and the USA, played at international jazz festivals as well as recorded on numerous records with various artists both in Iceland and in Berlin. Listening: - Köflótt https://open.spotify.com/album/2lYmMwFDzFKRItNyOOOima?si=Kg5m-NGyQtexdzyCa3KChQ - Japl https://open.spotify.com/album/6yOLDKkWlHL1EyJ7EZLmSL?si=3vRoCHxwTaeGDekAh868Dg - Aether https://open.spotify.com/album/3uegINfg4lnTWAO5ew3Znd?si=MG2n1A12S-2dU-Y7hXyBhw - Röggi https://open.spotify.com/album/2yzxP5XTg7wozihHaT7Acr?si=--q3YU7RTvuZqv4A82rJYA - Five Angles https://open.spotify.com/album/6nRYUssraAwixVfSPOOAF9?si=bwOtE8KfQIqEvFqDeQlMFQ

Ep. 180: Scott Franklin by Artifice Podcast by Emily Merrell

Thomas Bartlett is a wire jewelry craftsman and artist out of Minneapolis Minnesota. His work utilizes weaving and coiling of wire to create detailed highly textural settings for natural stones and crystals. In addition to jewelry work Thomas has a BFA in 2d media and creates psychosexual surrealist illustrations and paintings. Instagram.com/_whiskey_kitten_ Instagram.com/thomasbartlettart

Dave Chisholm is a graphic novelist and musician currently living in Rochester, NY where he received his doctorate in jazz trumpet from the Eastman School of Music in 2013. His expertise in music as well as his formal inventiveness within the comics medium has resulted in a string of critically-acclaimed music-centric graphic novels including Enter the Blue (2022, Z2 Comics), Chasin' the Bird: Charlie Parker in California (2020, Z2 Comics), and the groundbreaking graphic novel + original soundtrack Instrumental (2017, Z2 Comics). In his newest work, Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound, Chisholm portrays the life of Miles Davis, one of his oldest musical heroes, in a kaleidoscopic array of visual styles that represent Davis' famously varied oeuvre. Hailed by ComicsBeat as "one of the most exciting comic auteurs working in comics today," Chisholm also has a passion for education and teaches comics and music at the Hochstein School and the Rochester Institute of Technology. In his free time, Dave enjoys

Hailing from Narembeen in the wheatbelt of Western Australia, Jordan is a metal artist specialising in one-of-a-kind animal sculptures. Using retired tools, machine parts and recycled farm scrap sourced throughout rural Western Australia, Jordan finds inspiration in the animal kingdom and brings his sculptures to life. Now in his tenth year as a full time sculptor, Jordan builds a variety of pieces, ranging from small garden sculptures such as Willy wagtails and dragonflies, to large show-stopping sculptures such as the Australovenator and the Camel. Many of his pieces sit proudly in private homes, however he also has some public pieces across the country to be viewed by tourists and locals alike. Website https://www.jordanspriggsculptures.com.au Socials (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) @jordanspriggsculptures