Art Unknown Podcast

Jim Wills
  • 4.9 (14)
  • VISUAL ARTS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to the Art Unknown Podcast: Feed Your Soul With Art Step into a world where the strokes of a brush tell stories untold, and the whispers of creativity echo through time. The Art Unknown Podcast is your gateway to the hidden realms of artistry, where each episode unravels the mysteries behind the masterpieces and the minds that create them. Hosted by the insightful Jim Wills, this podcast is a journey through the vibrant tapestry of art, exploring the depths of human expression and the transformative power of creativity. From intimate conversations with renowned artists to explorations of the unconventional paths that lead to artistic brilliance, the Art Unknown Podcast invites you to see the world through a lens of wonder and inspiration. Join us as we delve into the unknown, where every episode is a canvas painted with the colors of curiosity and passion.

  1. 10H AGO

    Ep93 Cliff Beach

    “You curate life like anything else. If you want that kind of life and you make it happen, then it will happen.” - Cliff Beach The funk, the hustle, and the grind Musician, author, and creative entrepreneur Cliff Beach joins Jim Wills for a lively conversation on persistence, reinvention, and building a life around passion. Cliff shares his journey from studying at Berklee, auditioning for American Idol, performing on cruise ships, and eventually creating his own lane as an independent artist with more than a dozen albums to his name. They dive into the realities of the music business, why talent alone is never enough, and how entrepreneurship gave Cliff the freedom to fund his own art on his own terms. The conversation also explores creativity, discipline, health, side hustles, AI in music, and why art still matters in a distracted world. Funny, honest, and full of wisdom, this episode is a masterclass in staying true to yourself while evolving with the times. images: ©cliff beach cliff beach instagram cliff beach on spotify Subscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Email | RSS MORE ART UNKNOWN PODCASTS

    1h 2m

  2. APR 12

    Ep92 Kneet

    “Art is a form of self-expression. Caring about art is caring about how you feel, how other people feel, and how they express themselves.” - Kneet Through Music and Love, she will Rise This episode of Art Unknown starts as a creative conversation and quickly turns into something deeper; part origin story, part survival story, part “how did we get here?” I sit down with Kneet, a Thai Sikh artist in New York who walked away from cultural expectations and built her own lane. What follows is a journey through identity confusion, strict family dynamics, and finding her voice through music when she wasn’t supposed to have one . Then it takes a turn. The conversation opens into a raw look at domestic and psychological abuse; the kind that leaves no bruises but cuts deeper, and often goes unseen or unrecognized . From that, her song “Rise" emerges; not just music, but a way to reclaim identity, voice, and power. Along the way, you’ll hear reflections on spirituality, family pressure, and what it really takes to become yourself when everything around you says don’t. What you’ll take away: Why restriction often fuels creativity What psychological abuse actually looks like The importance of support systems How art becomes a tool for survival It’s honest, heavy at times, and ultimately empowering. You might come for the music; you’ll leave with a whole new definition of strength. images: ©kneet kneet spotify kneet on instagram Subscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Email | RSS MORE ART UNKNOWN PODCASTS

    1h 1m

  3. MAR 25

    Ep91 Lora Arbrador

    “I think we need something that's elevating or beyond us, otherwise life is just too drab I think.” - Lora Arbrador The Courage to Paint What Matters...with Eggs The Art Unknown Podcast sits down with Lora Arbrador; an artist whose life feels like it was dropped straight into the middle of history and told to figure itself out. From the chaos of 1960s Berkeley and living out of a van, to working as a nurse on the frontlines of the AIDS epidemic, Lora’s story is anything but ordinary. We dive deep into her devotion to egg tempera; an ancient, painstaking technique that demands patience, precision, and a willingness to surrender to time. But this conversation goes far beyond process. Lora opens up about creating deeply personal and often provocative work; paintings that explore death, intimacy, the human body, and the moments most people shy away from. This is a conversation about living your art, not just making it. About embracing imperfection, letting go of timelines, and trusting the slow burn of a creative life. It’s raw, reflective, and a powerful reminder that art doesn’t come from comfort; it comes from experience. images: ©lora arbrador lora arbrador website lora arbrador instagram Subscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Email | RSS MORE ART UNKNOWN PODCASTS

    1h 3m

  4. MAR 18

    Ep90 Rupali Kumbhani

    “For me, art is an experience. There is no right definition for it.” - Rupali Kumbhani The Art of Becoming Through Experience Jim Wills sits down with multidisciplinary artist Rupali Kumbhani to trace a life in motion. One shaped not by a single medium but by persistent curiosity and the courage to follow wherever creativity leads. From her early days in Mumbai to a practice spanning painting, photography, and beyond, Kumbhani shows how her work grows through lived experience, careful observation, and a constant willingness to explore. At the center of the conversation is a question; what does it mean to create without clinging to outcome or label? Choosing independence over convention, Kumbhani focuses on process over perfection, letting intuition, travel, and even the design and care of over a hundred plants guide her work. Part creative philosophy, part meditation on discipline, presence, and freedom, this episode reminds us that art is not something we capture or control; it is something we grow into, step by step, through a life of experiences. images: ©rupali kumbhani rupali kumbhani website rupali kumbhani instagram Subscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Email | RSS MORE ART UNKNOWN PODCASTS

    1h 2m

  5. MAR 9

    Ep89 Regina Linke

    “Life is the fuel of art and art is basically what grows out of it.” - Regina Linke The Boy, the Ox, and Questions That Shape Life In this thoughtful and luminous conversation, Jim Wills sits down with Taiwanese American author and illustrator Regina Linke to explore the unlikely journey that led her from nonprofit technology work to creating a philosophical children’s book series rooted in ancient wisdom. What began as a personal art practice in Taiwan soon blossomed into The Oxherd Boy; a contemplative illustrated world inspired by Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, and sparked by the profound curiosity of her young son. At the heart of the conversation lies a deeper question; how do we help children navigate fear, compassion, responsibility, and belonging without handing them easy answers? Through the gentle adventures of a boy, an ox, and eventually a rabbit, Linke’s stories invite young readers to wrestle with life’s biggest ideas in the spirit of ancient philosophy; patience, humility, and the quiet power of small actions. Part creative origin story and part meditation on culture, parenting, and artistic devotion, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the most profound wisdom arrives in the simplest form: a child’s question, a brushstroke, and the courage to follow curiosity wherever it leads. images: ©regina linke regina linke website oxherd boy instagram Subscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Email | RSS MORE ART UNKNOWN PODCASTS

    1h 8m

  6. FEB 23

    Ep88 Alec Harrison

    “Art is here for all of us and it's for everyone. If you want to go and make art for the rest of your life, go and make art for the rest of your life.” - Alec Harrison The Sound Behind the Screen: Guest Alec Harrison pulls back the curtain on the invisible art that makes films breathe. From a life-changing encounter with armless drummer and speaker Alvin Law to a lifelong career scoring documentaries, global sports broadcasts, and cinematic experiences, Harrison reveals how music becomes the emotional engine behind the films and TV that we love. He walks through the workflow of a modern composer; studying rough cuts like a detective, decoding temp tracks, collaborating with directors, and shaping sound to story long before audiences ever notice it. The conversation moves from scrappy early gigs to recording orchestras overseas, the secrecy of high-profile projects, the shift to digital studios, and why human storytelling still matters in an AI-saturated world. His story is a journey into how music quietly tells us what to feel, and why the right notes can turn moving images into unforgettable moments images: ©alec harrison alec harrison website alec harrison instagram 6 music & sound Subscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Email | RSS MORE ART UNKNOWN PODCASTS

    1h 12m

  7. FEB 6

    Ep87 Lee Isaacs

    “Keep being creative... continue to pursue whatever your passion is.” - Lee Isaacs A Song of Life: Sit down with Nashville-based singer-songwriter Lee Isaacs for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about creativity, storytelling, and building a life in music on his own terms. From his roots as a writer to discovering songwriting as a way to compress entire emotional narratives into just a few minutes, Lee reflects on the artists, moments, and quiet observations; sunsets, stillness, and everyday life, that continue to shape his sound. Jim and Lee dive into the realities of being an independent artist today: blending genres without chasing trends, using video and social platforms as creative tools, protecting your work through ownership and publishing, and finding success by simply refusing to give up. This episode is a grounded, inspiring look at what it really takes to stay curious, stay honest, and keep creating in a noisy world. images/video: ©lee isaacs – used with permission lee isaacs website lee isaacs instagram Subscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Email | RSS MORE ART UNKNOWN PODCASTS

    1h 12m

  8. JAN 27

    Ep86 Evgenia Selina & Ilya Lapich

    “I think that the operatic theatre is something that you can connect to, and in this moment when you are in the theatre you forget your worries.” - Evgenia Selina From Pop to Puccini: Engage in an enlightening conversation with the award winning, Russian-born opera singers Evgenia Selina and Ilya Lapich, a dynamic husband-and-wife duo now thriving in Germany. The episode delves into their distinct journeys toward opera: Evgenia's path, deeply rooted in a musical family where classical music was a constant companion, and Ilya's unique transition from pop, rock, and choral singing into the world of classical opera. Listeners are invited to explore the transformative power of opera, as Evgenia and Ilya discuss the psychological depth and emotional vulnerability required to embody characters on stage. They share personal insights into their creative inspirations, professional challenges, and the reasons why Europe offers a uniquely supportive environment for opera singers, in contrast to larger nations like the United States or Russia. The conversation extends beyond the stage to touch on themes of language, culture, and family life, including the experience of raising multilingual children and living between diverse worlds; balancing Russian heritage with European careers and global artistic traditions. At its heart, this episode is a profound reflection on opera as a vibrant, living art form that seamlessly blends music, theater, visual design, and storytelling, crafting an experience that transcends language, geography, and time. images: ©evgenia selina & ilya lapich – used with permission evgenia selina instagram ilya lapich instagram Subscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Email | RSS MORE ART UNKNOWN PODCASTS

    1h 17m
See All (65)

4.9
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Art Unknown Podcast: Feed Your Soul With Art Step into a world where the strokes of a brush tell stories untold, and the whispers of creativity echo through time. The Art Unknown Podcast is your gateway to the hidden realms of artistry, where each episode unravels the mysteries behind the masterpieces and the minds that create them. Hosted by the insightful Jim Wills, this podcast is a journey through the vibrant tapestry of art, exploring the depths of human expression and the transformative power of creativity. From intimate conversations with renowned artists to explorations of the unconventional paths that lead to artistic brilliance, the Art Unknown Podcast invites you to see the world through a lens of wonder and inspiration. Join us as we delve into the unknown, where every episode is a canvas painted with the colors of curiosity and passion.

Information

  • Creator
    Jim Wills
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    65
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All content copyright Jim Wills/Art Unknown Podcast
  • Show Website
    Art Unknown Podcast