Art Pays Me

Duane Jones
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  • Visual Arts
  • Updated Monthly

The Art Pays Me Podcast is a series of informal conversations between successful creatives of diverse backgrounds with Duane. Duane asks guests about the work they're known for and how they got their start to explore the many ways possible to make a living off of art.

  1. Oct 9

    Morgan Toney, 2025 Indigenous Artist Recognition Award

    Musician, Morgan Toney discusses musical journey and why it's vital that young people preserve Indigenous culture and language. Toney also shares his creative process, drawing inspiration from nature and the importance of creating a comfortable and focused environment. The Creative Nova Scotia Awards are presented by Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council to celebrate artistic excellence across Mi'kma'ki. Award categories are as follows: Creative Community Impact Prix Grand-Pré Established Artist Emerging Artist Black Artist Indigenous Artist The Portia White Prize Collectively, the awards are worth $75,000! Visit artsns.ca for more information. This series would not be possible without the fantastic production work of Heist and Keke Beatz.

    Morgan Toney, 2025 Indigenous Artist Recognition Award

  2. Aug 17

    Christopher Webb, 2025 Established Artist Recognition Award

    Multidisciplinary artist, Christopher Webb discusses the early influence his grandmother had on him when she introduced him to oil painting at age three. Our conversation explores the intersection of art, business, and collaboration as Christopher reflects on significant projects, including selling artwork on the waterfront and a pivotal show with his friend Lennett Anderson. While acknowledging past achievements, Webb expresses excitement about his current work, future projects and lack of a traditional retirement plan. Christopher finds inspiration in his family's immigration story – making works that explore themes of identity, belonging, and the sacrifices made by his ancestors. He also reflects on the importance of preserving family traditions and recipes, as they evolve and adapt over time. The Creative Nova Scotia Awards are presented by Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council to celebrate artistic excellence across Mi'kma'ki. Award categories are as follows: Creative Community Impact Prix Grand-Pré Established Artist Emerging Artist Black Artist Indigenous Artist The Portia White Prize Collectively, the awards are worth $75,000! Visit artsns.ca for more information. This series would not be possible without the fantastic production work of Heist and Keke Beatz.

    Christopher Webb, 2025 Established Artist Recognition Award

  3. Jul 20

    Solomon Nagler, 2025 Established Artist Recognition Award

    Storyteller and filmmaker Solomon Nagler discusses his artistic journey and the importance of collaboration and community in his work. He emphasizes the grassroots nature of the Nova Scotia art scene – highlighting the support he has received from local film co-ops and fellow artists. Solomon also reflects on the healing power of art and the value of community-based projects that allow for shared learning and storytelling. The filmmaker finds inspiration in the unique places and communities of Nova Scotia, often incorporating local history and folklore into his work. Solomon values the collaborative nature of filmmaking, working with emerging artists and embracing chance encounters that enhance the storytelling process and hopes his work will evoke a visceral response in audiences that transcends time and cultural barriers. The Creative Nova Scotia Awards are presented by Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council to celebrate artistic excellence across Mi'kma'ki. Award categories are as follows: Creative Community Impact Prix Grand-Pré Established Artist Emerging Artist Black Artist Indigenous Artist The Portia White Prize Collectively, the awards are worth $75,000! Visit artsns.ca for more information. This series would not be possible without the fantastic production work of Heist and Keke Beatz.

    Solomon Nagler, 2025 Established Artist Recognition Award

  4. Jul 6

    Leah Johnston, 2025 Emerging Artist Recognition Award

    Halifax, Nova Scotia based filmmaker Leah Johnston discusses her artistic journey and creative process – sharing how a vocal surgery ended her singing career but led her to filmmaking. Johnston emphasizes the importance of patience and openness in finding inspiration for her films, often drawing from personal experiences and merging ideas over time. Leah values the support of institutions in Canada that foster culture and provide funding for film projects, making filmmakers in Canada less reliant on personal savings and investments. Leah also emphasizes the importance of having the time and space to develop scripts and ideas, and acknowledges the challenges of being a director – including the gruelling nature of being on set and making crucial decisions. The Creative Nova Scotia Awards are presented by Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council to celebrate artistic excellence across Mi'kma'ki. Award categories are as follows: Creative Community Impact Prix Grand-Pré Established Artist Emerging Artist Black Artist Indigenous Artist The Portia White Prize Collectively, the awards are worth $75,000! Visit artsns.ca for more information. This series would not be possible without the fantastic production work of Heist and Keke Beatz.

    Leah Johnston, 2025 Emerging Artist Recognition Award

  5. Jun 25

    Lee-Anne Poole, Writer and Performer

    Duane welcomed Writer and Performer, Lee-Anne Poole to discuss her residency at Pavia Gallery. Lee-Anne is the author of 7 produced plays, her first full-length play, Splinters, has been adapted into a feature film by Thom Fitzgerald. Splinters premiered at The Toronto International Film Festival and was the Opening Night Gala presentation at The Atlantic Film Festival. Lee-Anne was featured in Hustling Verse: An Anthology of Sex Workers' Poetry and attended the BANFF Centre for a 3-week-long writing residency where she explored adapting her play Talk Sexxxy. Talk Sexxxy ran in January 2025 at the Saint Mary's University Art Gallery. Upcoming, she is writing a combination of zines and performance projects. Sometimes she knits and sometimes she is a playwright learning how to draw. She lives in Herring Cove with her two dogs – who will bark at you.

    Lee-Anne Poole, Writer and Performer

  6. Jun 16

    Vivian Zhou, 2025 Emerging Artist Recognition Award

    Cartoonist, illustrator and novelist Vivian Zhou discusses her creative process, influences, and experiences – emphasizing the importance of daydreaming and quiet time for developing stories. Vivian also highlights the value of having an agent to navigate the publishing industry and maintain creative control over her work. The Creative Nova Scotia Awards are presented by Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council to celebrate artistic excellence across Mi'kma'ki. Award categories are as follows: Creative Community Impact Prix Grand-Pré Established Artist Emerging Artist Black Artist Indigenous Artist The Portia White Prize Collectively, the awards are worth $75,000! Visit artsns.ca for more information. This series would not be possible without the fantastic production work of Heist and Keke Beatz.

    Vivian Zhou, 2025 Emerging Artist Recognition Award

  7. May 27

    Duane's First Artist Residency: Featuring Christopher Webb

    Return guest Christopher Webb joined me to chat about artist residencies and the residency that he hosts out of Pavia Gallery in Herring Cove, Nova Scotia. This conversation took place in July 2025.

    Duane's First Artist Residency: Featuring Christopher Webb

  8. May 12

    Nicola Miller, 2025 Emerging Artist Recognition Award

    Welcome to a special series of Art Pays Me interviews with the winners of the 2025 Creative Nova Scotia Awards. Presented annually by Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council, these awards celebrate artistic excellence across Mi'kma'ki. Award categories are as follows: Creative Community Impact Prix Grand-Pré Established Artist Emerging Artist Black Artist Indigenous Artist And finally, The Portia White Prize that is given to a person who has made outstanding and significant contributions to Nova Scotia's creative community over a sustained career – much like the incredible woman that the award is named after. The winner will also choose a protege, an emerging artist or cultural organization that will also receive funding. Collectively, the awards are worth $75,000! Visit artsns.ca for more information. This series would not be possible without the fantastic production work of Heist and Keke Beatz. artpaysme.com About Nicola Saxophonist and Composer Nicola Miller (she/her) is based on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, where she has become a vital part of the maritime creative music ecosystem. Weaving endless sonic curiosity into a jazz foundation, the music she plays and writes effortlessly traverses boundaries of style and approach. Miller has appeared in performances alongside a diverse cross-section of artists including Nicole Rampersaud, Charlotte Hüg, Terri Hron, India Gailey, Enrique Luna, Sam Wilson, Uri Caine, Tim Crofts, Glenn Patscha, and Nick Halley. She's been featured at the Open Waters Guelph and Halifax Jazz Festivals and also performed in contexts that span Berlin's Volksbühne and Jazz Am Helmholtzplatz to Acadia University's Physics Department. She is the winner of the 2025 Paul Cram Award and will be debuting her first piece for symphony in January of 2026 with Symphony NS.

    Nicola Miller, 2025 Emerging Artist Recognition Award
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About

The Art Pays Me Podcast is a series of informal conversations between successful creatives of diverse backgrounds with Duane. Duane asks guests about the work they're known for and how they got their start to explore the many ways possible to make a living off of art.

Information

  • Creator
    Duane Jones
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    187
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Duane Jones
  • Show Website
    Art Pays Me