Path to Mastery: Professional Insights for Artists New Masters Academy

In episode four, Johanna Schwaiger will be interviewing Ben Fenske, an exceptional oil painter in the spirit of the 19th and 20th-century impressionists. Ben will be sharing with you his creative routine and his inspiration from the Russian Impressionists. You will learn about his opinion on composition, lighting, and his preferrable painting materials. Lastly, Ben will give you an overview of his upcoming course here at NMA.

In episode three, Johanna Schwaiger will be interviewing Maudie Brady, an Australian figurative and visual effects sculptor. A few of her famous film projects include The Hobbit, Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Maudie will be sharing with you her inspiration, creative process, training, and teaching experience at the Florence Academy of Art. You will also learn about the importance of scale and poses, as well as the influences from the Old Masters in Maudie’s sculptures.

In episode two, Johanna Schwaiger will be interviewing Miles Yoshida, an outstanding draftsman and sculptor from Long Beach, CA. Miles will be sharing with you his use of ink for crosshatching, his creative routine, and the story behind his famous hand portraits. You will learn how his sculpting and drawing careers influence one another. Miles will also speak about his main inspirations from the past, such as Michelangelo, Albrecht Durer, Leonardo Da Vinci, Katsushika Hokusai, Tsuguharu Foujita, and many more.

In episode one, sculptor Johanna Schwaiger will be interviewing Iain McCaig, a remarkable artist, writer, and filmmaker best known for his work on the Star Wars film series. Iain will be sharing with you the beginning of his art career, his creative process between writing, drawing, and music, his love for storytelling, and his tips for getting over any creative blocks. You will also take a sneak peek at his current and future projects.