NeedleXChange Jamie Chalmers

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Kate Kretz. Kate Kretz is an acclaimed multidisciplinary artist known for her intricate, time-intensive works that tackle challenging societal issues.
In this second part of our NeedleXChange we talk about how American politics shaped Kate's work, how her book evolved from her work with artists and we discover an interesting fact about Kate's hobby for collecting... well, you'll have to listen to find out!
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:02 - Using Art to Address Political Issues
00:08:03 - The MAGA Hat Series and Political Commentary
00:15:07 - Bully Culture and its Influence on Art
00:22:17 - Using Art to Navigate Challenges
00:23:56 - The Evolution of the Book
00:24:40 - Starting a Boot Camp for Artists
00:27:07 - Advocating for Artists' Voices
00:29:43 - The Impact of the Book
00:30:51 - Favourite Band/Album
00:31:17 - Favourite Book
00:32:01 - Favourite Film
00:33:46 - An Interesting Fact About Kate Kretz
Links:
Website: katekretz.com
Instagram: katekretzartist
Intro music is Meant to Love by William Benckert via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange:
NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.
Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.
Visit the NeedleXChange website: https://www.needl.exchange/
Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChange
If you want embroidery inspiration and regular doses of textile art, visit the Mr X Stitch site here: https://www.mrxstitch.com
If you're looking for modern cross stitch designs, then XStitch is the magazine you need!
Subscribe to XStitch Magazine here: https://xstitchmag.com/modern-cross-stitch-magazine/
And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrXStitchTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/MrXStitchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/MrXStitchPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Kate Kretz. Kate Kretz is an acclaimed multidisciplinary artist known for her intricate, time-intensive works that tackle challenging societal issues.
In this first part of our NeedleXChange we talk about Art from the Core, Kate's new book, we discover Kate's creative background and take a look at the experience of using human hair as an embroidery medium.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:01 - The Power of Art to Shape the World
00:08:06 - Finding Your Unique Artistic Voice
00:11:17 - Balancing Artistic Voice and Making a Living
00:14:22 - The Importance of Small-Scale Artistic Expression
00:23:31 - The Meditative Nature of Needlework
00:25:14 - Art as a Response to the World
00:27:01 - Childhood and Early Artistic Expression
00:32:23 - Discovering Fibre Art
00:34:27 - Exploring Hair as an Art Material
00:39:19 - Creating Art with Hair from Personal Experiences
Links:
Website: katekretz.com
Instagram: katekretzartist
Intro music is Meant to Love by William Benckert via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange:
NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.
Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.
Visit the NeedleXChange website: https://www.needl.exchange/
Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChange
If you want embroidery inspiration and regular doses of textile art, visit the Mr X Stitch site here: https://www.mrxstitch.com
If you're looking for modern cross stitch designs, then XStitch is the magazine you need!
Subscribe to XStitch Magazine here: https://xstitchmag.com/modern-cross-stitch-magazine/
And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrXStitchTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/MrXStitchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/MrXStitchPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Kathy Halper.
Kathy Halper is a mixed media artist from Illinois whose art takes a leftfield look at life. Her embroidered pieces explore slices of normal life with wit and style but they are just part of Kathy's creative repertoire.
In this second part of our NeedleXChange we discuss Kathy's fearless approach to problem solving and how she plays with media to bridge reality and fiction. And we have a good old chinwag about British TV as well.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:45 - The difference between the process of painting and of stitching.
00:06:45 - Abstract Paintings and Vases as Bridges
00:11:45 - The Story of Dog Park and the Fetch Vase
00:20:15 - Favourite band
00:22:15 - Favourite book
00:23:45 - Favourite podcast
00:29:15 - Favourite film
Links:
Website: kathyhalper.com
Instagram: kathyhalperstudio
Intro music is Down By The Creek by Victor Lundberg via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange:
NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.
Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.
Visit the NeedleXChange website: https://www.needl.exchange/
Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChange
If you want embroidery inspiration and regular doses of textile art, visit the Mr X Stitch site here: https://www.mrxstitch.com
If you're looking for modern cross stitch designs, then XStitch is the magazine you need!
Subscribe to XStitch Magazine here: https://xstitchmag.com/modern-cross-stitch-magazine/
And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrXStitchTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/MrXStitchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/MrXStitchPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Kathy Halper.
Kathy Halper is a mixed media artist from Illinois whose art takes a leftfield look at life. Her embroidered pieces explore slices of normal life with wit and style but they are just part of Kathy's creative repertoire.
In this first part of our NeedleXChange we explore the Joy Of Missing Out - the topics of Kathy's most recent series - and how Kathy's 2012 series looking at the emergence of teenage expression on Facebook turned out to be more controversial (and prescient) than she expected.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:00 - JOMO: The Joy of Missing Out
00:10:00 - The JOMO Series
00:16:00 - Exploring Heritage and Folk Art
00:18:00 - How Kathy started her textiles journey
00:22:00 - Documenting Teenagers on Facebook
Links:
Website: kathyhalper.com
Instagram: kathyhalperstudio
Intro music is Down By The Creek by Victor Lundberg via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange:
NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.
Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.
Visit the NeedleXChange website: https://www.needl.exchange/
Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChange
If you want embroidery inspiration and regular doses of textile art, visit the Mr X Stitch site here: https://www.mrxstitch.com
If you're looking for modern cross stitch designs, then XStitch is the magazine you need!
Subscribe to XStitch Magazine here: https://xstitchmag.com/modern-cross-stitch-magazine/
And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrXStitchTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/MrXStitchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/MrXStitchPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Audrey Montoya.
Audrey Montoya is a needle felting artist whose melancholic characters are strange in all the right ways. Her affinity for childhood icons and kitsch pop culture began at an early age, but after an education in the world of fine art, her adventure into needle felting has truly crystallised her vision.
This is the second part of our NeedleXChange where we discuss Audrey's solo show, how she fits into the artistic realm and find out the cultural items that float her boat.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:53 The Joy and Nostalgia of Needle Felting
00:06:05 How Audrey’s felted art fits within the artistic ecosystem
00:10:18 Transforming Artistic Style with Needle Felting
00:15:05 The Solo Show and Seeing Pieces Together
00:19:05 Favourite album
00:23:35 Favourite book
00:25:35 Last good film Audrey watched
00:27:05 An interesting fact that not a lot of people know about Audrey Montoya
Links:
Website: audreymontoya.com
Instagram: audreymontoya
Intro music is Zulu by Lucas Pittman via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange:
NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.
Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.
Visit the NeedleXChange website: https://www.needl.exchange/
Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChange
If you want embroidery inspiration and regular doses of textile art, visit the Mr X Stitch site here: https://www.mrxstitch.com
If you're looking for modern cross stitch designs, then XStitch is the magazine you need!
Subscribe to XStitch Magazine here: https://xstitchmag.com/modern-cross-stitch-magazine/
And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrXStitchTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/MrXStitchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/MrXStitchPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Audrey Montoya.
Audrey Montoya is a needle felting artist whose melancholic characters are strange in all the right ways. Her affinity for childhood icons and kitsch pop culture began at an early age, but after an education in the world of fine art, her adventure into needle felting has truly crystallised her vision. This is the first part of our NeedleXChange where we explore Audrey's beginning and get a sense of what an artistic force she is.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 Audrey’s early work and the influence of childhood icons
00:07:00 Audrey’s Needle-Felted Sculptures
00:12:00 The process of making a sculpture
00:15:30 Turning Point in Needle Felting
Links:
Website: audreymontoya.com
Instagram: audreymontoya
Intro music is Zulu by Lucas Pittman via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange:
NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.
Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.
Visit the NeedleXChange website: https://www.needl.exchange/
Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChange
If you want embroidery inspiration and regular doses of textile art, visit the Mr X Stitch site here: https://www.mrxstitch.com
If you're looking for modern cross stitch designs, then XStitch is the magazine you need!
Subscribe to XStitch Magazine here: https://xstitchmag.com/modern-cross-stitch-magazine/
And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrXStitchTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/MrXStitchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/MrXStitchPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.