Joan LeMay is a painter, analog illustrator, author, and musician whose creative journey spans fanzines, seventeen years as a music publicist, and a thriving visual art practice and commissions business. In this conversation, she speaks about what it actually takes to sustain a creative life—the financial extremes, pricing disasters, and why making art is vital. We dig into her book collaboration with Alex Pappademas on Quantum Criminals, her philosophy on the value of human-made work, and returning to her creative practice after open heart surgery. About the Guest: Joan LeMay is a Brooklyn-based painter and analog illustrator known for emotionally charged portraits and fragmented figurative work. Her art and text book with writer Alex Pappademas, Quantum Criminals: Ramblers, Wild Gamblers, and Other Sole Survivors from the Songs of Steely Dan, was called "weird and wondrous" by the New York Times and "one of the sharpest, funniest, and best books ever about any rock artist" by Rolling Stone. They're currently working on two more books for Random House—the first, Friends of the Devil, goes deep on the Grateful Dead. Her work has been exhibited internationally across New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, Provincetown, London, and Cologne, and appears on several album covers. Before focusing on visual art full-time, Joan spent seventeen years as a music publicist—including at Sub Pop Records and running her own firm, Riot Act Media. Episode Highlights: How Quantum Criminals evolved from a pandemic fanzine to a multi-book deal Balancing multiple creative identities across visual art mediums and playing in bands Surviving open heart surgery and wanting to "live triple" afterward The pricing lesson she learned from oversharing process on her website Why human-made art carries value that can't be replicated Not letting the "working" part destroy the "creative" part of being a working artist Connect with Joan LeMay: Website: joanlemay.com Instagram: @joanlemay Book: Quantum Criminals: Ramblers, Wild Gamblers, and Other Sole Survivors from the Songs of Steely Dan (co-created with Alex Pappademas) Music: Viennetta; Bull Thieves Connect with Creatives Processing: Instagram: @creativesprocessing Email: creativesprocessing@wordofmouthcreative.co Highlights Episode: Listen to the companion highlights episode for Sarah's reflections on Joan's most powerful insights about creative business, market realities, and artistic value [RELEASES 2/24/26] Learn More About Word of Mouth: Website: wordofmouthcreative.co Services: Strategic creative direction, brand development, and design for mission-driven organizations—always through the lens of humanizing the creative process Approach: Partner with Sarah to create authentic brand experiences that honor both strategic goals and human connection Subscribe to Creatives Processing to hear more conversations with creative professionals about their processes, challenges, and what it really takes to build sustainable creative careers. Rate and Review: If this episode resonated with you, please rate the show and share it with another creative who might benefit from Joan's insights.
