Oh, For the Love of Art!

Sam Bishop Works

Oh, For the Love of Art is a podcast hosted by artist Sam Bishop, featuring casual and insightful interviews with creators from various mediums, exploring their personal journeys, inspirations, challenges, and the role of art in their lives. Throughout it's interviews it delves into topics ranging from creative processes and cultural influences to balancing art with everyday realities. The show aims to celebrate art's beauty and human connection while offering encouragement to aspiring artists.

Episodes

  1. Jul 29

    Ep. 9 - Jessica Metz: Textured Oil Florals, Vintage Botanicals & Healing Through Art

    In this episode of "Oh, For the Love of Art!", host Sam sits down with Madison, Mississippi oil painter Jessica Metz (In Bloom Art and Designs) for a rich conversation about creativity, faith, and the healing power of making art. Jessica shares how she began painting during COVID as a way to process anxiety and depression, discovering that the physical act of layering oil paint, oil sticks, pastels, and cold wax became a deeply healing practice. She talks about her love of highly textured floral work, recent experiments with landscapes and clouds, and vintage French pressed botanicals from the 1950s. We dig into: - Why florals feel like a metaphor for being rooted in the Lord - Building a body of work without formal art school training - The realities of applying to art shows (website she uses, learning process of which venues actually sell) - Framing choices and vintage frames - Oh, that pricing and commissions... - Practical advice for artists: stay in your lane, create what you love, and trust the right doors will open Jessica is refreshingly honest about the wins, the flops (including a Christmas market next to pickles), and the quiet confidence that comes from making work she truly loves. Find Jessica: Website: inbloomartanddesigns.com Instagram: @inbloomartanddesigns Catch her at the Loyola Art Show in Mobile this August (her third year!). Whether you’re an artist navigating the business side, someone who finds healing in creating, or simply love textured, soulful oil paintings, this conversation is full of encouragement and real talk. Listen, subscribe, and share if this episode resonates with you.

    Ep. 9 - Jessica Metz: Textured Oil Florals, Vintage Botanicals & Healing Through Art
  2. Apr 13

    Ep. 6 - Keri Davis: From Funk Bands & Opera to Owning Pacesetter Gallery – Building Community Through Mississippi Art

    In this heartfelt conversation on Oh, For the Love of Art!, host Sam Bishop sits down with Keri Davis, owner of Pacesetter Gallery in Flowood, Mississippi. Keri shares her unconventional path—from studying opera and singing in a funk band, to earning an art education degree at the University of North Texas, teaching middle school, running a multi-million-dollar business, and finally following a divine nudge to open her own gallery focused exclusively on Mississippi artists. Discover how Keri blends her love of music, watercolor, acrylic, and printmaking with her mission to champion over 60 local artists across mediums like pottery, sculpture, and mixed media. She opens up about the discipline of artmaking (inspired by her early lessons drawing spheres and cones for a week!), the emotional rollercoaster of being an artist, mentoring shy young creatives, and why art "saves" people by providing connection, expression, and community. Keri also discusses her major contributions to Mississippi tourism—curating art collections for all 11 state welcome centers—and her vision for making Mississippi art more visible and monetizable. Whether you're an aspiring artist, collector, educator, or simply someone who believes art enriches life, this episode is packed with practical wisdom on discipline, vulnerability, rejecting elitism in the art world, and living a purpose-driven creative life. Tune in for stories that remind us: art isn't just about selling pieces—it's about stories, soul, and setting the pace for a vibrant creative community in Mississippi.

    Ep. 6 - Keri Davis: From Funk Bands & Opera to Owning Pacesetter Gallery – Building Community Through Mississippi Art
  3. Mar 11

    Ep. 5 – Master Printer Steven Fournier on Collaborative Printmaking, Copperplate Etching & the Craftsman’s Life

    In Episode 5 of "Oh, For The Love Of Art!", host Sam Bishop sits down with master printer Steven Fournier (Flying Horse Editions at UCF, Orlando). Steven takes us behind the scenes of one of the world’s most respected collaborative print studios—where painters, sculptors, and conceptual artists create original fine-art prints using traditional techniques like copperplate etching, stone lithography, woodcut, and more. From interning at the legendary Universal Limited Art Editions (ULAE) on Long Island right after college to becoming a full-time master printer, Steven shares his unexpected journey from illustration major to craftsman who helps world-class artists turn their visions into limited-edition prints. He explains how print studios function like recording studios, why he still loves the tactile push-and-pull of copperplate etching, and how he sees himself more as a problem-solving craftsman than a traditional artist. You’ll also hear about growing up drawing comics and skate graphics, balancing music (French horn!) with visual art, some of his current favorite artists, building a stick chair from big-box-store materials, and why authenticity is what truly sells artwork. Whether you’re an artist, printmaker, collector, or just love the weird, wonderful side of making art, this episode is packed with inspiration, technique, and real talk about finding your path in the arts. 🎨 Perfect for anyone curious about fine art printmaking, collaborative studios, or what it really means to feel “most yourself” while creating.

    Ep. 5 – Master Printer Steven Fournier on Collaborative Printmaking, Copperplate Etching & the Craftsman’s Life
5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Oh, For the Love of Art is a podcast hosted by artist Sam Bishop, featuring casual and insightful interviews with creators from various mediums, exploring their personal journeys, inspirations, challenges, and the role of art in their lives. Throughout it's interviews it delves into topics ranging from creative processes and cultural influences to balancing art with everyday realities. The show aims to celebrate art's beauty and human connection while offering encouragement to aspiring artists.