The Revolution Will Be Handmade

Lissa M. Cowan
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Exploring how women--of all identities--artists, writers, and makers are reshaping our world through creativity and defiance. I record this podcast on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people, who have been stewards of this land since time immemorial. I acknowledge my responsibility as a settler to work toward decolonization and right relations. inkandearthchronicles.substack.com

Episodes

  1. Sep 9

    Writing the land with poetry

    There’s so much going on that we can’t see. SUMMARY Lissa M. Cowan speaks with Pam Lostracco, a mural artist who has been transforming walls into mood-enhancing landscapes through her revitalizing, biophilic murals. Based in Toronto, Pam sees her art as a bridge—connecting people to the power of the natural world, especially in urban environments where nature can feel hidden. Her work, featured in Apartment Therapy, BlogTO, CBC News, and Global News, is celebrated for its ability to relieve stress, build connections to nature, and bring joy. Pam’s murals can be found in spaces throughout Toronto and beyond, from Princess Margaret Hospital and Toronto Metropolitan University, to public art projects like the Gratitude Garden Mural, Billy Bishop Airport Perspectives exhibit murals at BMO and Fire Hall #211 in her hometown Brampton. She has also created indoor works for private homes. By alchemizing the beauty of the natural world into powerful, relational art, Pam invites us all to pause, reflect, and engage with nature. WHERE TO FIND PAM pamlostracco.com Instagram LinkedIn Art Letter - subscription ARTWORK BY PAM LOSTRACCO MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE The Grand Room Mountain Mural Willow and Oak Tree Playroom Princess Margaret Hospital (Cancer Centre) Cosmos on Yonge (photo: Sharon Mendonca) Countryside Drive-by. Fire Hall #211. Government of Canada GARDENS Jardin les Quatre Vents Kew Royal Botanical Gardens ARTIST INSPIRATION Andy Goldsworthy – Land artist Claire Basler – Painter FILMS The Earthing Movie The Gardener (trailer) Painted Land SHOW NOTES 00:00 - Introduction to Pam Lostracco and her biophilic murals 01:48 - Personal roots and childhood connection to gardens 03:50 - Understanding the calming power of nature in urban spaces 06:18 - Childhood influence and family gardening traditions 08:10 - How murals impact viewers and their emotional responses 10:00 - The role of murals in children’s spaces and public environments 12:03 - Designing murals with site context; example of the Brampton fire station 14:54 - Creating illusions of motion and depth in murals 16:04 - Materials and techniques: vinyl, acrylics, digital design 17:45 - The benefits of digital design and printed murals 19:37 - The scale of mural art and the desire to work bigger 23:32 - The story behind the mountain mural and starting her business 27:45 - Serendipity and happy accidents in mural creation 31:42 - Site-specific elements and repurposing physical objects 32:28 - Art as a form of defiance and self-expression 34:46 - Artists who inspire Pam: Claire Basler and Andy Goldsworthy 37:45 - Visiting Claire Basler’s chateau and outdoor art influences 41:11 - Nature as a protector and a meditative tool 42:53 - Connecting with nature as grounding amid distractions 44:10 - Incorporating greenery into everyday life and workspaces 47:15 - Engaging with natural materials creatively outdoors 48:54 - Land art and playful interactions with nature 50:42 - Squirrel land art: a humorous, natural expression 51:11 - Closing reflections and gratitude for the conversation QUOTES FROM PAM “I’ve always been someone who’s spent a lot of time in nature and gardens and realizing that spending time in those places helps calm me down and makes me feel energized and inspired.” “So, if you can’t access nature, even looking at a plant or the colour green can [help] calm and make you feel happier, which is such a powerful change that I can make through artwork and that’s very satisfying to me.” “It’s hard to describe because it’s such a deep feeling I have when I’m there and the sun is on your face or the wind is through your hair and you become a part of nature.” Instagram Substack.com BlueSky lissamcowan.com Theme music credit: This is the Dark Bean, The Dark Bean, Free Music Archive, Creative Commons License. Get full access to Ink & Earth Chronicles at inkandearthchronicles.substack.com/subscribe

  2. May 2

    Bringing nature and connection to the city

    There’s so much going on that we can’t see. SUMMARY Lissa M. Cowan speaks with Pam Lostracco, a mural artist who has been transforming walls into mood-enhancing landscapes through her revitalizing, biophilic murals. Based in Toronto, Pam sees her art as a bridge—connecting people to the power of the natural world, especially in urban environments where nature can feel hidden. Her work, featured in Apartment Therapy, BlogTO, CBC News, and Global News, is celebrated for its ability to relieve stress, build connections to nature, and bring joy. Pam’s murals can be found in spaces throughout Toronto and beyond, from Princess Margaret Hospital and Toronto Metropolitan University, to public art projects like the Gratitude Garden Mural, Billy Bishop Airport Perspectives exhibit murals at BMO and Fire Hall #211 in her hometown Brampton. She has also created indoor works for private homes. By alchemizing the beauty of the natural world into powerful, relational art, Pam invites us all to pause, reflect, and engage with nature. WHERE TO FIND PAM pamlostracco.com Instagram LinkedIn Art Letter - subscription ARTWORK BY PAM LOSTRACCO MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE The Grand Room Mountain Mural Willow and Oak Tree Playroom Princess Margaret Hospital (Cancer Centre) Cosmos on Yonge (photo: Sharon Mendonca) Countryside Drive-by. Fire Hall #211. Government of Canada GARDENS Jardin les Quatre Vents Kew Royal Botanical Gardens ARTIST INSPIRATION Andy Goldsworthy – Land artist Claire Basler – Painter FILMS The Earthing Movie The Gardener (trailer) Painted Land SHOW NOTES 00:00 - Introduction to Pam Lostracco and her biophilic murals 01:48 - Personal roots and childhood connection to gardens 03:50 - Understanding the calming power of nature in urban spaces 06:18 - Childhood influence and family gardening traditions 08:10 - How murals impact viewers and their emotional responses 10:00 - The role of murals in children’s spaces and public environments 12:03 - Designing murals with site context; example of the Brampton fire station 14:54 - Creating illusions of motion and depth in murals 16:04 - Materials and techniques: vinyl, acrylics, digital design 17:45 - The benefits of digital design and printed murals 19:37 - The scale of mural art and the desire to work bigger 23:32 - The story behind the mountain mural and starting her business 27:45 - Serendipity and happy accidents in mural creation 31:42 - Site-specific elements and repurposing physical objects 32:28 - Art as a form of defiance and self-expression 34:46 - Artists who inspire Pam: Claire Basler and Andy Goldsworthy 37:45 - Visiting Claire Basler’s chateau and outdoor art influences 41:11 - Nature as a protector and a meditative tool 42:53 - Connecting with nature as grounding amid distractions 44:10 - Incorporating greenery into everyday life and workspaces 47:15 - Engaging with natural materials creatively outdoors 48:54 - Land art and playful interactions with nature 50:42 - Squirrel land art: a humorous, natural expression 51:11 - Closing reflections and gratitude for the conversation QUOTES FROM PAM “I’ve always been someone who’s spent a lot of time in nature and gardens and realizing that spending time in those places helps calm me down and makes me feel energized and inspired.” “So, if you can’t access nature, even looking at a plant or the colour green can [help] calm and make you feel happier, which is such a powerful change that I can make through artwork and that’s very satisfying to me.” “It’s hard to describe because it’s such a deep feeling I have when I’m there and the sun is on your face or the wind is through your hair and you become a part of nature.” Instagram Substack.com BlueSky lissamcowan.com Theme music credit: This is the Dark Bean, The Dark Bean, Free Music Archive, Creative Commons License. Get full access to Ink & Earth Chronicles at inkandearthchronicles.substack.com/subscribe

  3. Feb 25

    Tracing symbols, water, and dreams

    (This conversation was recorded back in June.) “Using your voice in such a specific way…sometimes makes people uncomfortable.” SUMMARY Lissa M. Cowan speaks with Stephanie Hill, a nature-inspired narrative and pop surrealist artist based in the Gatineau Hills, Quebec. Drawing on everything from comic books to Victorian botanical illustrations, Stephanie's work weaves together Celtic wisdom, the divine feminine, and the threads of her own personal and family stories. Discover how her connection to water, mythology, and symbolism shapes her creative process and the deeper meanings behind her art. And to top it off, Stephanie is something of a dream whisperer—she closes the conversation with practical tips for beginning to interpret your own dreams. WHERE TO FIND STEPHANIE Instagram.com/stephaniehillartgarden Facebook.com/stephaniehillartgarden ARTWORK BY STEPHANIE HILL MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE Fledgling, Ink, watercolour, gouache on cotton rag paper, 15" x 20”, 2025. My Museum, ink, gouache and watercolour on paper, 15"x 20", 2023. Purple Stemmed Angelica Winter Birds, ink on paper, 9" x 12", 2023. Floating Loon, ink on paper, 9"x12" Cicada Choir, from 2017. Oil tempera on linen. CHILDREN’S BOOKS Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass and by Lewis Carroll, The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupèry BOTANICAL/NATURE-BASED SOURCES & READINGS ON ANIMA MUNDI ⁠plantillustrations.org — A comprehensive resource for high-resolution plant illustrations, scientific and vernacular names, and search options by taxonomy or distribution. iNaturalist — A social network for naturalists. Merlin Bird ID — Identify the birds you see or hear. “Anima Mundi: Awakening the Soul of the World,” The Golden Sufi Center, Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, September 2005. CARL JUNG & DREAM INTERPRETATION Dreams by C.G. Jung, translated by R.F.C. Hull. Princeton University Press, 1974. Man and His Symbols by C.G. Jung. Doubleday, 1964. Memories, Dreams, Reflections by C.G. Jung, recorded and edited by Aniela Jaffé. Pantheon Books, 1962. "A Jungian Approach to Understanding Your Dreams," Psychology Today, Doris E. Cohen, September 2024. DIVINE FEMININE "The Rise of the Divine Feminine," Awaken, Courtney Long, February 23, 2026. FASHION Frock Flicks — A trio of costumers from the SF Bay Area who have OPINIONS about historical costume movies & TV shows. Arden Conroy — Historical👗and the women who wore them. The Art of Dress — ❤️Art, Heart, and History of Dress. SHOW NOTES 00:00 Introduction to Stephanie Hill 03:57 Childhood Memories and Nature’s Influence 06:48 Symbolism and Water in Art 10:10 The Power of Myth and Symbolism 13:01 Personal Connections in Art 15:58 Researching Flora and Fauna for Art 18:49 Exploring Historical Contexts in Art 21:59 The Role of Literature in Artistic Inspiration 24:50 Art as a Form of Defiance 28:03 Dream Interpretation and Personal Insights OVERCOMING ARTISTIC BLOCK QUOTES FROM STEPHANIE “It stripped me bare in every possible way.” “It’s a ritual of appreciation for the plant.” “Water is emotion and the feminine part.” “Dreams use symbolism to communicate.” “Everything in a dream is about you.” UPCOMING OFFERINGS The Museum of Lost Things A Drawing and Painting Course | Ottawa & Gatineau, March 2026 Art has the power to reveal truths about the things we carry, what we leave behind, and what defines us. This course invites you to explore that power through the tradition of Vanitas—a genre of 17th-century Dutch still-life painting that used everyday objects to reflect on life. Drawing on that history, we’ll build our own personal museums: arrangements of objects, artifacts, sacred animals, botanicals, and abandoned keepsakes that tell a deeper story of who we are. Through themes like childhood, ancestry, healing, wabi-sabi—or whatever resonates with you—you’ll develop your skills in drawing, composition, and painting while exploring the creative decisions that give art meaning. The more personal your theme, the richer the work! This in-person course is open to all levels. Contact stephaniefhill@gmail.com to learn more or to register. Instagram Substack.com BlueSky lissamcowan.com Theme music credit: This is the Dark Bean, The Dark Bean, Free Music Archive, Creative Commons License. Get full access to Ink & Earth Chronicles at inkandearthchronicles.substack.com/subscribe

  4. 04/23/2025

    Seed sowing in the liminal

    We don't know what a new world could look like yet, so we're sort of in that in-between space. SUMMARY Lissa M. Cowan speaks with Hoann Chan Ignacio about her journey into horticulture, the importance of ecological gardening, and the cultural implications of gardening language. Hoann shares her personal connections to gardening and offers practical advice for new gardeners, emphasizing the significance of planting to support life and the environment. WHERE TO FIND HOANN Instagram.com/playingwithseeds RELEVANT RESOURCES BOOKS Medicine Wheel for the Planet by Dr. Jennifer Grenz; a personal and ecological exploration that blends Western science with Indigenous ecological knowledge to transform how we understand humanity’s role in healing the planet.  FILMS ⁠The Seeds of Vandana Shiva⁠ ⁠Yintah⁠⁠  ECOLOGICAL AND INDIGENOUS LAND STEWARDSHIP RESOURCES ⁠Blooming Boulevards  ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Pollinator Partnership ⁠  ⁠North American Native Plant Society ⁠ ⁠Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library ⁠ ⁠"Architects of Abundance: Indigenous Regenerative Land Management and the Excavation of Hidden History" by Dr. Lyla June at the North Carolina Botanical Garden⁠ CAUSES ⁠Thamra⁠ — Thamra, which means “fruit” in Arabic. Thamra supports Palestinians who lack the resources necessary to grow fresh, nourishing food. ⁠⁠Sulula Animal Rescue —  Sulala Society is the first and only animal rescue in the Gaza Strip. ⁠Apnature.org ⁠— The “Revive Gaza’s Farmland” project aims to rehabilitate Gaza’s agricultural sector and restore local food systems to combat famine, counter the blockade and build food sovereignty.  SHOW NOTES 00:00 Introduction with Hoan Chan Ignacio 04:12 The Journey into Horticulture 07:01 Understanding Ecological Gardening 10:02 Connecting with Nature and Childhood Memories 12:58 Awakening to the Environment 16:01 Language and Colonial Structures in Horticulture 25:14 Evolving Perspectives on Horticulture and Language 31:09 Indigenous Knowledge and Ecological Practices 35:00 Horticulture as a Tool for Resilience 37:20 Navigating the Liminal Space of Change 39:00 Getting Started with Ecological Gardening Instagram Substack.com BlueSky lissamcowan.com Theme music credit: This is the Dark Bean, The Dark Bean, Free Music Archive, Creative Commons License. Get full access to Ink & Earth Chronicles at inkandearthchronicles.substack.com/subscribe

    Seed sowing in the liminal
  • 4 Episodes

About

Exploring how women--of all identities--artists, writers, and makers are reshaping our world through creativity and defiance. I record this podcast on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people, who have been stewards of this land since time immemorial. I acknowledge my responsibility as a settler to work toward decolonization and right relations. inkandearthchronicles.substack.com

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