I Love Your Stories- Conversations with Artists and Creatives with Hava Gurevich

Hava Gurevich
  • 4.9 (29)
  • VISUAL ARTS

I Love Your Stories is a soulful conversation series hosted by artist and creative guide Hava Gurevich, where art meets authenticity. Each episode invites you into an intimate dialogue with artists, makers, and visionaries who are courageously crafting lives rooted in creativity, purpose, and self-expression. From painters and poets to healers and community builders, these are the stories behind the work—the moments of doubt, discovery, grief, joy, and transformation. Through honest, heart-centred conversations, Hava explores how creativity can be both a healing force and a path to personal truth. If you’re an artist, a dreamer, or someone drawn to a more intuitive and intentional way of living, this podcast will remind you that your story matters—and that the act of creating is a sacred, revolutionary act.

  1. 4D AGO

    Episode #16 Creative Evolution: Building a Sustainable Life in the Arts with Lindsay Peyton

    Artist, curator, and writer Lindsay Peyton joins host Hava Gurevich for a wide-ranging conversation about what it takes to build a lasting life in the arts. Lindsay shares her path from acreatively rich childhood into painting and photography, her time studying photojournalism, and the many hats she’s worn along the way—teaching, curating, running galleries, doing PR forartists, and returning to graduate school later in life. They talk about the realities of sustaining anart career, including the invisible business and promotional work behind getting art seen, howcreativity moves across disciplines, and Lindsay’s perspective on AI as a tool for writing andbeyond. Lindsay's website:  https://www.lindsaypeytonart.com/ Lindsay's IG account: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypeytonart

    34 min

  2. JAN 5

    Episode #15 Michael Gurevich: Creativity as a Core Need: Play, Flow, and Letting Go of Outcomes

    In part two of Hava Gurevich’s conversation with Michael “Misha” Gurevich, they explore the idea that creativity isn’t optional—it’s a core human need. Misha shares how an existential crisis during the dot-com era led him from software development in San Francisco to meditation and creative exploration in Fairfield, Iowa, including discovering morning pages through The Artist’s Way and building a writing tool called Ilys. They discuss creativity as process over outcome, the role of play, how expectations block flow, and how “permission” opens the gates for expression. Misha also describes how he practices play through riding an electric unicycle, training to become a kiteboarding instructor, and preparing for a 1,800 km kiteboardingexpedition in Brazil—using these activities as real-world flow training. www.instagram.com/michaelgurevich777/    Discover Ilys: https://www.ilys.com/ Memorable quotes “Creativity isn’t optional… a core human need, right after food and sex.” “I was living the dream… until I had an existential crisis when my grandfather died and I began asking questions.” “I really felt a deep, meaningful internal shift… when I allowed myself to do that with no outcome other than just having the experience.” “The only requirement for it to be successful is that you just do it.” “You have to let go of the need to create in order to actually create.” “There’s this level of mental overseer that’s looking and judging…” “We might not recognize it when it comes up… it won’t be until later… to look at the mess that we’ve made and inside that mess where are the gems.” “Any supermarket is as spiritual as any holy temple.”

    43 min

  3. 12/17/2025

    Episode #14 Carmen Davailus: Creativity, Courage, and Finding Your Voice at Any Age.

    In this crossover Halloween episode, host Hava Gurevich sits down with photographer, podcaster, and former nurse practitioner Carmen Davailus. They talk about creativity, vulnerability in sharing art, how people connect emotionally with images, and what it means to step into your voice later in life. Carmen reflects on her journey from 40 years in healthcare to photography and storytelling, and shares a powerful full-circle moment when she reconnected with the family of her first neonatal patient after 40 years. Hava discusses patterns in art, personal growth, and how creativity ties together different parts of life. Together, they explore passion, meaning, and why it’s never too late to say thank you or share a story.https://www.carmensfineart.com/  https://www.instagram.com/carmensfineart/  Carmen's podcast: The Art of a Meaningful Life: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLytsm2Q-CHzaUIxZbrUkZbivL0p1-xa-l&si=cTmvlLtgX9nxYzHz

    45 min

  4. 11/18/2025

    Episode #13 From Classroom to Canopy: Rosalind Philips on Nature, Teaching, and Tenacity

    In this episode, host Hava Gurevich talks with wildlife photographer, teacher, scientist, and software engineer Rosalind Phillips, who has spent her life “exploring the connections between art, science, and education.” Rosalind shares stories from growing up in Inwood in upper Manhattan near the Cloisters, attending a progressive school based on John Dewey’s laboratory school, and spending summers at a Quaker camp in Vermont, where her deep love of nature took root. She recalls getting her first camera as a child from her amateur-photographer father, becoming a national leader in using computers in the classroom, and the hummingbird nest photograph that re-ignited her passion for photography in 1992. Rosalind talks about her project-based teaching, her move into software engineering after serious illness, three decades on the art fair circuit in Olympia and Seattle, her philosophy of intent in photography, and the belief that “every living creature…deserves the same respect that we give other human beings.” She also speaks candidly about navigating racism, building long-term relationships with collectors, and her current passions: astrophotography, abstract nature work, and her annual Juneteenth images. https://www.instagram.com/rosalind.philips/   https://rosalindphilipsphotography.com/shop-art/

    44 min

  5. 11/03/2025

    Episode #12 Andrea Cote: The Body, Connection, and Creativity

    In this episode of I Love Your Stories, host Hava Gurevich talks with multidisciplinary artist and educator Andrea Cote, who works across printmaking, sculpture, video, and performance. Andrea shares how early collaborations with women artists shaped her creative path, how modelling for other artists transformed her understanding of herself, and how motherhood changed her art and sense of purpose. The conversation moves through her teaching journey, community-based projects, and what it means to find flow, resilience, and connection through art. Andrea Cote is an artist and educator whose practice includes printmaking, sculpture, performance, and video. Her work often uses her own body as subject and instrument, inviting viewers to find connection through traces of lived experience. Andrea teaches across all ages and abilities, currently at Suffolk Community College, and leads community-based projects throughout eastern Long Island. Website: andreacote.com Instagram: @AndreaCoteArt

    34 min

  6. 10/19/2025

    Episode #11 Shoot What You Love: A Conversation with Photographer Henry Horenstein

    Hava Gurevich sits down with her longtime friend, photographer, author, and educator Henry Horenstein, who has taught generations of photographers and published over 40 books. In this conversation, Henry reflects on his early days studying under Minor White, Harry Callahan, and Aaron Siskind, and how the 1970s marked a turning point for photography as an art form. He shares stories from his life — from working at Polaroid and teaching at RISD to creating his newest self-published book, Miles and Miles of Texas. With humour and honesty, Henry discusses the importance of following your passion, defining success on your own terms, and doing what you love for as long as you can. Topics Covered: Studying at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) after being expelled from college in Chicago Mentorship under Minor White, Harry Callahan, and Aaron SiskindEarly days of photography education and the limited career paths in the 1970s Working at Polaroid in PR and communications and meeting Ansel AdamsTransition to teaching photography at RISDThe rise of photography as an accepted art form Reflections on his memoir Shoot What You LoveCreating and self-publishing Miles and Miles of TexasWhy he prefers self-publishing for creative control Advice to artists on publishing: “Do it yourself.” His philosophy on success: “Doing what you love for as long as you can.” Upcoming events and book tour details, including Rizzoli Bookstore, NYC and Texas Book FestivalFind Henry online: 📸 Website: henryhorenstein.com 📧 Email: Henry@Horenstein.com 📕 Book: Miles and Miles of Texas — available on his website and (soon) on Amazon ✨ Memorable Quotes (verbatim from transcript) “The best advice is shoot what you love.” “I see myself as a historian with a camera.” “You’ve got to be you. It’s the most obvious lesson in the world, but it’s one a lot of students have trouble with.” “For me, success is just getting to do it.” “You don’t make money on what you do, you make heart.” “Doing what you love for as long as you can — that’s success.” “If it comes, great. If it doesn’t come, great. It’s not following your own — that’s the only failure.”

    48 min

  7. 10/09/2025

    Episode #10 Butterflies in My Stomach: The Surreal Worlds of Anya Anti

    What happens when you follow your creative vision without knowing where it will lead? In this episode of I Love Your Stories, host Hava Gurevich speaks with Ukrainian-born conceptual portrait artist Anya Anti. Known for her surreal, meticulously crafted images of women, Anya shares her artistic journey—from discovering Photoshop before picking up her first DSLR, to moving to New York with nothing but two suitcases and a dream. She opens up about the viral self-portrait that emerged during her darkest times, the painstaking process behind her photographs, and how she is navigating the challenges posed by AI-generated art. Discover Anya online:website: https://anya-anti.com/         Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anya_anti_art Show NotesGuest: Anya Anti – Ukrainian-born conceptual photographer specialising in surreal female portraiture.Early Creativity: Began with painting and crafts, later discovering Photoshop and digital photography around 2008–2009.Artistic Breakthrough: A pivotal manipulated portrait posted in 2011 defined her genre of surreal, storytelling portraiture.Moving to the U.S.: In 2014, Anya moved to New York with her husband, no job, no apartment, and faced cultural and language challenges.Self-Portraiture: Began exploring self-portraits after struggling to find models, leading to her viral piece “Butterflies in My Stomach”, symbolising anxiety and rebirth.Signature Style: Real-world locations, handcrafted props, and hours of digitalcompositing—avoiding background swaps to keep the surreal believable.Creative Milestones: Speaking at events like WMAX and creating the climate changeproject “Two and a Half Seconds” in Iceland.AI Challenges: Anya discusses the frustration of having her work mistaken for AI-generated images and reflects on how technology is reshaping art.Staying Creative: Despite doubts and obstacles, Anya remains dedicated to her craft,embracing select AI tools as complements—not replacements—for her process.

    55 min

  8. 09/29/2025

    Episode #9 Edi Matsumoto: From Nurse Practitioner to Otter Artist and Gallery Owner

    In this episode of I Love Your Stories, host Hava Gurevich speaks with Edi Matsumoto, a Japanese-born artist who transitioned from a 30-year career in healthcare to a full-time career in art. Edi recounts her early encounter with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, her nursing career in the U.S., and the pivotal moment when her husband rescued an old sketch of hers from the trash, encouraging her to pursue art classes. What began as weekend classes turned into a Master’s in Fine Arts and eventually a flourishing art practice. After retiring early from medicine, Edi leaned into business mentoring and discovered her niche: anthropomorphised otter paintings. This playful and deeply appealing work has led to her gallery, Edi Matsumoto Art and Design, in Carmel-by-the-Sea. She discusses the challenges of opening a gallery, the importance of mentors and business education, and the Japanese concept of Ikigai—finding joy, purpose, and service at the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, and what people need. Edi also talks about her upcoming book Otter Therapy, which pairs her otter artwork with humor and lighthearted wisdom. The conversation touches on creativity, overcoming self-doubt in selling art, living authentically, and inspiring others to rediscover their creative passions. Guest: Edi Matsumoto – artist, gallery owner, mentor, and authorHost: Hava GurevichKey Topics Covered:From healthcare to art: Edi’s journey from nurse practitioner to full-time artist.The Paris sketch that sparked her career, saved from the trash by her husband.The role of mentors and business coaching in shaping her success.Discovering her niche with otter paintings and how it grew into Otter Therapy.Opening her gallery in Carmel-by-the-Sea and building community through events.Ikigai: blending love, skill, need, and income into a joyful life purpose.Overcoming the discomfort of “selling” by reframing it as service.Inspiring others to reclaim their creativity and live authentically.Links:Gallery: [Edi Matsumoto Art and Design, Carmel-by-the-Sea] (Mission Street)Website: eddiematsumoto.com Book: Otter Therapy: 50 Whimsical Whisker Moments for the Soul (launching October, available on Amazon)

    44 min
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4.9
out of 5
29 Ratings

About

I Love Your Stories is a soulful conversation series hosted by artist and creative guide Hava Gurevich, where art meets authenticity. Each episode invites you into an intimate dialogue with artists, makers, and visionaries who are courageously crafting lives rooted in creativity, purpose, and self-expression. From painters and poets to healers and community builders, these are the stories behind the work—the moments of doubt, discovery, grief, joy, and transformation. Through honest, heart-centred conversations, Hava explores how creativity can be both a healing force and a path to personal truth. If you’re an artist, a dreamer, or someone drawn to a more intuitive and intentional way of living, this podcast will remind you that your story matters—and that the act of creating is a sacred, revolutionary act.

Information

  • Creator
    Hava Gurevich
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Hava Gurevich