The Bodies of Work Podcast

Jess Wainer
  • 5.0 (2)
  • ARTS

Conversations with artists about how becoming a parent transforms their life and work. From loss to creative reinvention, their stories reveal the complex and unique transformation career artists go through in parenthood. Hosted by Jess Wainer, RISD alumni, glass artist and lighting designer, turned solo parent and late-night storyteller.

  1. In conversation with George Sawyer

    06/30/2025

    In conversation with George Sawyer

    George Sawyer is the lead fine woodworker and creator of Windsor Chairs at Sawyer Made, a family business started by his father in rural Vermont. George describes the evolution of his business and how both the studio and their natural surroundings enrich their children's lives. George explores how long commutes to school and out of town work commitments are challenging at times but overall manageable realities of life for he and his wife who run their business together.

    1 hr
  2. In conversation with Mark Slee

    06/30/2025

    In conversation with Mark Slee

    Mark Slee is a polymath with a successful career in software engineering, music, and sculpture. Now based in the UK, Mark describes juggling his many interests and talents with the constraints and joys of parenting. In this candid conversation, we look at the time and energetic demands of both creative and academic work, and how they relate to life as a parent of young children.

    1h 4m
  3. In conversation with Chris Keating

    03/21/2025

    In conversation with Chris Keating

    Chris Keating is a free spirited, devoted father to a 10 year old daughter. He paints an honest picture of the messiness and beauty of parenthood and describes how his shifting priorities ostensibly lead to him ending his career as a performing artist/musician in the band, Yeasayer. He currently lives in Los Angeles, CA where he spends his time parenting, composing film scores and producing music. Helping his daughter realize her own creative visions brings him joy and fulfills him creatively.

    53 min
  4. In Conversation with Jim Drain

    03/21/2025

    In Conversation with Jim Drain

    Jim Drain is a widely collected American Artist who has received numerous prestigious awards and has exhibited extensively across the United States and abroad. In this conversation, he describes the arc of his career from showing in Chelsea galleries and museums, to teaching as a professor at the Rhode Island School of Design to his current life as an educator, parent and artist with a more private studio practice. His story illuminates the leveling effect of parenthood through presenting somewhat universal practical and emotional shifts that professional artists go through in their transition into parenthood.

    48 min
  5. In Conversation with Bohyun Yoon

    02/13/2025

    In Conversation with Bohyun Yoon

    Bohyun Yoon is an imaginative, playful and brilliant glass artist based in Richmond, VA.  His thought provoking work with glass employs its essential qualities to explore the human body and experience with a sense delight and wonder. Bohyun is an associate professor of glass in the Craft/Material Studies department at Virginia Commonwealth University.  Bo shares intimate details about the struggles of parenthood as well as the enriching quality of taking on many roles: father, husband, artist, and professor. Family is a theme that infuses his current work.

    56 min
  6. In conversation with Noah Breuer

    02/07/2025

    In conversation with Noah Breuer

    Noah Breuer is a Professor of Print Media for University at Buffalo SUNY. His formal training in printmaking has served as the foundation of his current sculptural work that utilizes glass and textiles to explore the Jewish diaspora through his personal family history.  Noah talks about maximizing his time and efforts as an exhibiting fine artist while navigating the logistical and financial constraints of parenthood. He shares intriguing ideas about how his fatherhood journey and personal identity may inform upcoming works.

    57 min
  7. In conversation with Ivan Lee Mora

    02/07/2025

    In conversation with Ivan Lee Mora

    Ivan Lee Mora is a self-taught, independent artist based out of Los Angeles, CA. His concept-driven work leads to an ever-evolving process and use of materials including glass, clay, wood, and metal. The passion and heart Ivan puts into his work is apparent in his attitude about parenthood. The newest parent in the series, Ivan's son was just a few months old when we recorded this candid chat.

    55 min
  8. In conversation with Jeremy Mayer

    02/07/2025

    In conversation with Jeremy Mayer

    Jeremy Mayer is an extraordinary sculptor whose primary medium is typewriter parts. He meticulously sorts and assembles these parts using purely mechanical joints to make human figures, animals, mandalas and more. He shares about his deep love of fatherhood, and the creative mentorship his daughter received being in the studio with him over the years.  Jeremy presents a special 20-year portrait of parenting and art making in parallel. He is based in Sebastopol, CA.

    54 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Conversations with artists about how becoming a parent transforms their life and work. From loss to creative reinvention, their stories reveal the complex and unique transformation career artists go through in parenthood. Hosted by Jess Wainer, RISD alumni, glass artist and lighting designer, turned solo parent and late-night storyteller.

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