Strand, the Story of an Artist

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Strand, the Story of an Artist, is a podcast that explores the intricate motivations and inspirations that drive people to pursue their passion for creating art. Produced by Kevin Kirkwood @kevinwillpaint

  1. 4d ago

    127: Leonard Porkchop Zimmerman

    Kevin Kirkwood joins Augusta artist and graphic designer Leonard “Porkchop” Zimmerman at Wier Stewart for Episode 127 of The Strand. Raised in Augusta, Leonard developed an early love for drawing that eventually led him to study graphic design at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Today, he balances his career as a graphic designer with a vibrant art practice that brings color, humor, and optimism into public spaces. Through murals, illustrations, and his internationally recognized HAPPY Campaign, Leonard has created work that resonates far beyond his hometown. Behind the playful imagery is a deeply personal story of love, loss, and the pursuit of happiness. Together, we discuss his childhood, creative influences, the experiences that shaped his work, and how art can bring people together. Learn more about Leonard Zimmerman: makemyporkchop.com | @pantone811 HAPPYMAIL (for HAPPY stickers): P.O. Box 501, Augusta, GA 30903 Follow the host: kevin-kirkwood.com | @kevinwillpaint | @strandpodcast Listen to The Strand on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, Amazon Music, and other major podcast platforms.

    127: Leonard Porkchop Zimmerman

  2. Oct 23

    126: Alex Foltz

    Kevin Kirkwood sits down with Alex Foltz, an Augusta-based painter whose work moves between realism and surrealism, combining remarkable technical precision with an imaginative approach to portraiture. Originally from Vermont, Alex developed an early fascination with painting and the human figure. His work reflects years of dedication to his craft, balancing careful observation with unexpected imagery and compositions. In this episode, Alex reflects on his early influences, the experiences that shaped his artistic development, and his relationship with Augusta. He also discusses his creative process, the challenges of building a career as an artist, and his ambitions for the future. Learn more about Alex Foltz: foltzstudio.com |  @foltzstudio Follow the host: kevin-kirkwood.com | @kevinwillpaint | @strandpodcast Listen to The Strand on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, Amazon Music, and other major podcast platforms.

    126: Alex Foltz

  3. Oct 16

    125: Ivan Toth Depeña

    Kevin Kirkwood sits down with Ivan Toth Depeña, a Charlotte-based artist whose work moves between painting, sculpture, architecture, public art, light, and interactive technology. With a Master’s degree in Architecture from Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, Ivan has built a multidisciplinary practice that moves from drawing and material experimentation to large-scale public commissions. His work challenges how we see, experience, and interact with the spaces around us. In this episode, Ivan reflects on his journey from Miami to New York and eventually Charlotte. He shares how art, architecture, and music shaped his early ambitions, and how his curiosity about materials and technology continues to open new possibilities in his work. Our conversation also explores the differences between creating work in the studio and for the public, the challenges of bringing complex ideas to life, and the people who have helped him along the way. Ivan speaks warmly about Charlotte, the McColl Center, and the creative community that has embraced him and helped his practice thrive. Learn more about Ivan Toth Depeña: depenastudio.com  |  @depenastudio  Shout out to the McColl Center: mccollcenter.org  |  @mccollcenter Follow the host of The Strand: kevin-kirkwood.com | @kevinwillpaint | @strandpodcast Listen to The Strand on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, Amazon Music, and other major podcast platforms.

    125: Ivan Toth Depeña

  4. Oct 9

    124: Kalie Demerjian

    Kevin Kirkwood sits down with artist and ultramarathon runner Kalie Demerjian at his studio in Savannah, Georgia. Known as imokay_art, Kalie has built a creative practice rooted in illustration and tattooing. Outside the studio, she has established herself as an accomplished endurance athlete, competing in ultramarathons and winning the women's division of the 2021 Brazos Bend 100 Mile race. Their conversation traces the physical and mental demands of ultramarathons, the discipline required to pursue both art and athletics, and what she has discovered about herself along the way. Learn more about Kalie: @imokay_art Follow the host: kevin-kirkwood.com | @kevinwillpaint | @strandpodcast Listen to The Strand on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, Amazon Music, and other major podcast platforms.

    124: Kalie Demerjian

  5. Oct 2

    123: Natasha Gaskill

    Kevin Kirkwood sits down with Natasha Gaskill at his studio in Savannah, Georgia. Natasha has led pastry programs at The Grey, Husk and Ardsley Station, while also developing her own A Squad Bake Shop. Her work has earned national attention, including a James Beard Foundation nomination for Outstanding Pastry Chef and features in Eater, Bon Appétit, Vogue, Martha Stewart, and Food & Wine, which named one of her pies the best in Georgia. Today, Natasha is the owner of Sixby, a small bakery in Savannah’s Thomas Square neighborhood. This episode stays close to home. Kevin became interested in Natasha’s story by watching what she was creating at Sixby. He was fascinated by how much she was able to do within such a small space and inspired by watching her build a thriving neighborhood business from the ground up. Their conversation moves from Natasha’s early years growing up in the Pacific Northwest to the people and kitchens that shaped her, and the path that eventually led her to Sixby. They also talk about creativity, taking risks, running a small business, and building something of your own. Follow Natasha and Sixby:  sixbysavannah.com |  @natashagaskill | @sixbysavannah Follow the host: kevin-kirkwood.com | @kevinwillpaint | @strandpodcast Listen to The Strand on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, Amazon Music, and other major podcast platforms.

    123: Natasha Gaskill

  6. Sep 25

    122: Grace Stott

    Kevin Kirkwood sits down with sculptor Grace Stott inside her studio in Charlotte, North Carolina. Working primarily in ceramics and mixed media, and more recently stained glass, Grace creates colorful, playful, and strange objects shaped by decoration, nostalgia, and the everyday. Her work finds value in things we might otherwise overlook, allowing trash to become precious and something beautiful to still be a little ugly. Kevin and Grace talk about the experiences that shaped her as an artist and the ideas and materials that shape her work today. They discuss ceramics, stained glass, craftsmanship, nostalgia, humor, and the objects we collect and keep. They return often to the role of stream of consciousness in Grace’s process. One thought leads to another, an object can trigger a memory, and unexpected connections can become the starting point for something new. They also discuss motherhood, finding time to make, and the creative community Grace has found in Charlotte. Grace is currently the Constellation Artist at the Mint Museum, where her installation, The Artifacts of Being Human, is on view through March 2027. Learn more about Grace Stott: gracestott.com   |   @gracestott The Mint Museum: mintmuseum.org   |   @themintmuseum SOCO Gallery: socogallery.com   |   @socogallery Follow the host: kevin-kirkwood.com   | @kevinwillpaint   |   @strandpodcast Listen to The Strand at the link in bio and on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, Amazon Music, and other major podcast platforms.

    122: Grace Stott

  7. Sep 18

    Episode 121: Maria R. Hooper

    Kevin Kirkwood sits down with Maria R. Hooper inside Bululu Studios in Savannah, Georgia. Maria is the founder and Principal Art Consultant of EMROSE projects, based in Bluffton, South Carolina. For more than 20 years, Maria has worked across contemporary galleries and auction houses, corporate environments, hospitality design, and creative placemaking. Through EMROSE projects, she brings that experience into close collaboration with artists, designers, and clients to develop art collections that respond to the history, culture, and character of a place. In this episode, Kevin and Maria talk about the experiences that shaped her relationship with art and the path that led her to build a practice of her own. Their conversation explores finding and working with artists, developing collections, and the relationships and decisions involved in bringing art from the studio into the spaces we experience every day. At the center of Maria’s work is a belief that art can do more than transform a space. It can connect our daily lives to history, place, culture, community, and one another. Learn more about Maria and EMROSE projects: emroseprojects.com | @emroseprojects Follow the host of The Strand: kevin-kirkwood.com | @kevinwillpaint | @strandpodcast Listen to The Strand on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, Amazon Music, and other major podcast platforms.

    Episode 121: Maria R. Hooper

  8. Sep 11

    Episode 120: Marcus Kiser

    Kevin Kirkwood sits down with Marcus Kiser, a designer and visual artist who lives and works in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Marcus is the driving force behind a collection of elevated UI, illustrative, graphic, and digital works for Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Museum of Design, Jordan Brand, Adidas, Carolina Panthers, and the digitally designed wearable orthopedics innovator, Mign, Inc. Kiser’s tenure as Creative Director at Mign established the incomparable brand identity the company enjoys today. Marcus has participated in artist residencies through the Gantt Center’s Black Carolina Cohort and at the McColl Center. Alongside artist and designer Jason Woodberry, he is the co-creator of Intergalactic Soul, a national multimedia exhibition developed with playwright Quentin Talley and recognized as a leading work within contemporary Afrofuturism. In this episode, Marcus talks about some of the early life experiences that helped shape his practice. He also reflects on the visual languages that continue to inform his work, from classical art and comic books to sport, fashion, and science fiction. Learn more about Marcus Kiser: kisercorp.me | @marcus_kiser McColl Center: mccollcenter.org | @mccollcenter Follow the host of The Strand: kevin-kirkwood.com | @kevinwillpaint | @strandpodcast Listen to The Strand at the link in bio and on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, Amazon Music, and other major podcast platforms.

    Episode 120: Marcus Kiser
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About

Strand, the Story of an Artist, is a podcast that explores the intricate motivations and inspirations that drive people to pursue their passion for creating art. Produced by Kevin Kirkwood @kevinwillpaint

Information

  • Creator
    kevinwillpaint.com
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    127
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Strand, the Story of an Artist