Artist Decoded By Yoshino

Brad Kunkle was raised in rural Pennsylvania and graduated from Kutztown University with a BFA in painting in 2001. Rather than continue his artistic pursuits in an academic environment, he became a house painter. That dubious, professional beginning however, taught him valuable lessons that became crucial to his later success. Having taught himself how to gild with precious metals for some of those residential projects, he later implemented those skills in his personal, fine art works. His debut, fine art exhibition in 2010 at Arcadia Contemporary in NYC sold out before the show's opening night and was followed by a second sold-out exhibition two years later. Since then he has exhibited his paintings in New York, Los Angeles, Berlin, London, Miami, and his works can be found in private collections all over the world. His paintings have twice graced the cover of American Art Collector Magazine and have been published extensively online and in print in such highly read publications as Hi-Fructose, American Art

“What I want is to open up. I want to know what's inside me. I want everybody to open up. I'm like an imbecile with a can opener in his hand, wondering where to begin—to open up the earth. I know that underneath the mess everything is marvelous. I'm sure of it.” - Henry Miller Digging beneath the mess of the world to find the beauty underneath is perhaps the most consistent theme in Chelsea Wolfe’s expansive discography—a theme that ties together her ceaseless explorations in unorthodox textures, haunting melodies, and mining the grandeur embedded within ugliness and pain. With her sixth official album Hiss Spun, Wolfe adopts Miller’s quest to become empowered by embracing the mess of the self, to control the tumult of the soul in hopes of reigning in the chaos of the world around us. “I wanted to write some sort of escapist music; songs that were just about being in your body, and getting free,” Wolfe says of the album before extrapolating on the broader scope of her new collection of songs. “You’re just bom

​​​​​​​Nika Roza Danilova has been recording and performing as Zola Jesus for more than a decade. As a classically trained opera singer with a penchant for noisy, avant-garde sounds, she launched her career with a series of lo-fi releases that pitted her soaring vocals against harsh industrial clatter and jittery synths. The signature Zola Jesus sound became more hi-fi as she began to explore her own skewed vision of pop music on releases like Stridulum, Valusia, and Conatus. With the release of Conatus, Danilova was propelled to regular appearances on festival stages all around the world, as well as a special performance at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York. That era culminated in the release of Versions, a collection of string quartet interpretations of her most beloved work, conducted by J.G. Thirlwell (Foetus). That album and subsequent tour were followed by her most hi-fi outing to date, Taiga. Now, coinciding with her return to both the Wisconsin woods in which she was raised and her longtime

"Jesse Draxler is an artist best known for his collage and mixed media works, though with his new exhibition "Tire Fire" we find him returning to the medium that sparked his love of image making, drawing. As a child growing up in rural Wisconsin Draxler drew incessantly. Being that his father was a mechanic he would spend hours upon hours drawing cars, trucks, and engine parts. Later in adolescence, his attention changed as circumstances became bleak. Draxler’s mother was in a near-fatal car accident when he was nine. Upon her recovery, over a year later, his parents were divorced. His mother, whom he was now living with, soon remarried. Then just months after the wedding she was ran over and killed by her new husband in his truck, an event to which he arrived just moments later. In the following years, Draxler states that he barely remembers a thing. These times of pervasive uncertainty and loss changed him forever and his focus shifted to much darker interests. He was always an outcast from his peers, but f

"Photographer John Kilar’s site will tell you, simply, that he is a nomad. Portraits and landscapes by Kilar will show you that too, with a raw presentation of untamed characters and equally wild and beautiful locations. Variety does not shake the colorful, documentary aesthetic that is true to his photos, which show a curious admiration for each subject. John Kilar’s images can be found in Oyster Magazine, VICE, Dazed & Confused, Purple Fashion, and DIS Magazine. His client list includes Heineken, Urban Outfitters, The Cobra Snake, and several other lifestyle-saavy brands which Kilar worked with while living in Venice Beach, California." Text by Linnea Stephan @ Juxtapoz Topics Discussed In This Episode: His journey into a nomadic lifestyle Synchronicities Following your bliss Deactivating technology to be more focused on the present moment Expanding consciousness Identity Having empathy towards others www.artistdecoded.com www.twitter.com/yoshinostudios

Originally hailing from Toronto, Canada, Michelle Groskopf is a Los Angeles based photographer. Her work is a mix of photo journalism, portraiture and street photography. She holds a BFA in film and video production from the School Of Visual Arts in New York where she also taught as an adjunct professor in the graduate film and video dept. She is a member of the celebrated flash photography collective Full Frontal Flash. Michelle is dedicated to empowering youth through photography and education initiatives working with the Lucie Foundation, Educare and Youth Arts to inspire the next generation of photographers and artists. Her work has been shown around the world and featured in publications such as The British Journal Of Photography, American Photo, The Huffington Post, Vice Magazine and It’s Nice That, among others. Her clients include, Refinery 29, Bloomberg Businessweek, Vice Magazine, Marie Claire France, Aftenposten, and Stern Magazine. Her first monograph is being published by The Magenta Foundation a

Writer / photographer, Scot Sothern, bounced around for forty years. In 2010, at 60, his first solo exhibit, LOWLIFE, photos and stories of life with street prostitutes, was held at the notorious Drkrm Gallery in Los Angeles. His first book of the same title was published in the U.K. by Stanley Barker in 2011. The British Journal of Photography called LOWLIFE, “The years’ most controversial photobook.” Scot’s work has since been exhibited in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, London, and Paris. In 2013 he began a biweekly column, Nocturnal Submissions, for VICE Magazine, and Curb Service: A Memoir, was published by Soft Skull Press. STREETWALKERS, stories and photographs was published by powerHouse Books in February 2016. Writer, Jerry Stahl, called it “An absolutely amazing and essential book." BIG CITY, published in 2017 by Stalking Horse Press, is Sothern’s first novel. Guest Interviewer: Nolwen Cifuentes www.artistdecoded.com

GEMS is the evolving ethereal pop project of former lovers Lindsay Pitts and Clifford John Usher. After an agonizing romantic split, the duo are continuing to make music together with the project: ‘Every Full Moon’. The full moon represents a time of culmination and fulfillment, of coming full circle, and a symbolic illumination in our inner lives that is mirrored in the night sky. GEMS will be releasing a new song with every full moon as they work through the ghosts of their past and face the uncertainty of the future. Their hope is that the music they create can serve as a vehicle to transform the pain and work through things that otherwise seem totally overwhelming. Topics Discussed In This Episode: Being able to separate yourself from your art Constantly investigating and navigating the world Neil Young, David Bowie, Joni Mitchell Astrology Releasing their songs at the end of the full moon cycle Changes the duo has been going through both personally and with their musical career Technological advances Th

"I'm an art director, motion designer, and illustrator from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I've been working online since 2003 with an extensive list of creatives in music videos, live visual packages, lookbooks, and everything art related. I have studied Beauty Arts in Bachillerato de Bellas Artes in my natal city, La Plata. I also have a teaching degree in Beauty Arts." - Gustavo Torres (aka Kidmograph)." Topics Discussed In This Episode: His beginnings as a painter then transitioning to digital art Juxtaposing disparate elements together His daily flow Staying disciplined Looking inward for inspiration www.artistdecoded.com

John F Simon Jr. is a multimedia artist and software art pioneer who work and installations are found in the permanent collections of The Whitney Museum of American Art, The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and The Museum of Modern Art in New York, among others. In 2011, he collaborated with Icelandic singer Bjork to write an app for her album, Biophilia. Simon's newest publication, Drawing Your Own Path: 33 Practices at the Crossroads of Art and Meditation, is out now by Parallax Press. Simon grew up in central Louisiana and currently lives and works in Sugar Loaf, New York. Topics Discussed in this Episode:  Creative ruts leading to personal creative breakthroughs His experiences going to Brown and SVA How he started to experiment with digital imaging Communal VR and AR spaces "Snowcrash", a book by Neal Stephenson Classic panopticons His research into AI The "no-self" experience Discussing the idea behind his book "Drawing Your Own Path" Understanding and dissecting meditation "Secret of the Golden Flower" (

Casey is a painter based in New York City. Topics discussed in this episode: Accepting imperfections Explanation of his upcoming solo exhibit, "Exposed" Being honest with oneself Creating visceral and guttural artwork Absorbing inspiration and life experiences Taking risks Balancing artistic, creative, and business practices Setting up monetary systems to allow yourself the freedom to create art for a living Tony Robbins Films Comparing films to paintings www.artistdecoded.com www.instagram.com/artistdecoded www.twitter.com/yoshinostudios

Rebecca Farr (b. 1973, Los Angeles, California) Lives and works in Los Angeles, California. Rebecca Farr recently exhibited her most recent show at Klowden Mann, Out of Nothing and was reviewed by New American Paintings. In 2015, Farr was awarded a residency at Kaus Australis in Rotterdam, and was featured in a group exhibition at Kaus in the Fall of 2015. Farr has exhibited in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Houston, Istanbul, Rotterdam, and throughout the Pacific Northwest. Her work is held in private collections both nationally and internationally, and she recently completed two years as faculty artist in the education department at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art where she has been developing youth driven public works. Rebecca is the founder of CREATE/ACTION, an artist driven community organizing collective based in Los Angeles. www.artistdecoded.com www.instagram.com/artistdecoded www.twitter.com/yoshinostudios

https://www.patreon.com/artistdecoded This podcast episode was originally recorded in Los Angeles, CA @ NOH/WAVE's event entitled MIND/WAVE on March 18th, 2017 with guest speakers Joshua Hagler, Jarell Perry, Maja Ruznic, and Yoshino. www.artistdecoded.com www.instagram.com/artistdecoded www.twitter.com/yoshinostudios

Unit London is an arts space and gallery founded in 2013 by Joe Kennedy and Jonny Burt. Unit London was born from a desire to break down the barriers of elitism and to include people in the contemporary art world - whether they are enthusiasts, first-timers, new collectors, or seasoned collectors and institutions - they strongly believe that everybody should be able to enjoy the world's most amazing art.  Topics Discussed In This Episode: The next generation of galleries Pop-up gallery experiences Making art more accessible Unit London was started with the approach of identifying 3 problems in the art world and a need to change these problems: art being exclusive and elitist, certain deserving artists not being celebrated, artists not having social recognition and relevancy. Defining your "why" and your "story" The importance of starting a business that connects with their audience on an emotional level www.artistdecoded.com www.instagram.com/artistdecoded www.twitter.com/yoshinostudios

Justin Hopkins interviews Martin Wittfooth and Sergio Barrale. Topics Discussed In This Episode: Being in control of yourself even if you're not in control of outside forces Sergio's car exploding while driving cross country Plant medicines Letting go of materialistic possessions The importance of family Not letting bad situations dictate your happiness Psychedelic experiences Martin leaving NYC to live in Woodstock Reflections on Martin's dog Luna Lessening one's own ego Being lost in a big city How Sergio and Martin met each other UFC Martin explains his work Terence McKenna www.artistdecoded.com www.instagram.com/artistdecoded www.twitter.com/yoshinostudios

https://www.patreon.com/artistdecoded About Elly: Originally from Ottawa, Elly Smallwood graduated from OCAD University in 2011 and now works as an artist in Toronto. Her paintings are intensely personal, a visual exploration of her mind and body, and those of the people around her. Topics Discussed In This Episode: Female sexuality in art The ephemeral feelings involved while painting Ron Mueck's sculptures The business of art Pricing artwork Nymphomaniacs www.artistdecoded.com www.instagram.com/artistdecoded www.twitter.com/yoshinostudios www.elly.ca www.instagram.com/ellysmallwood/  

Adam Lee is an Australian artist working from his country studio at the foothills of the Macedon Ranges just outside of Melbourne, Australia. His practice focuses on a re-interpretation of painting and drawing traditions and references a wide range of sources, incorporating biblical narratives, natural history, historical and colonial documentary photography, contemporary music and film, and varying literary sources. Employing new evaluations of landscape painting and old world portraiture Lee investigates humanity’s interface with the environment of the natural world and its relationship to ideas of a timeless zone of the divine. Topics discussed in this episode:  Accepting the unexpected Allowing the process of creating artwork guide you Embracing inspiration Describes his newest body of work, "Lament Asunder" Anselm Kiefer Chris Ofili Creative problem solving within paintings Understanding writers block The business side of the gallery system Ben Abraham www.artistdecoded.com www.instagram.com/artistdeco

Daniele Bolelli is an Italian-born writer, martial artist, university professor, and podcaster. He is the author of several books including On the Warrior's Path. He's also known for his podcasts History On Fire and The Drunken Taoist. How martial arts and physical activity can change your life Developing mental toughness The ability and willingness to challenge yourself Making small improvements to your life Joe Rogan The reasons why he started his podcasts The Drunk Taoist and History On Fire Existing as yourself Living an unedited existence Tackling fear Understanding work from a conscious perspective www.artistdecoded.com www.instagram.com/artistdecoded www.twitter.com/yoshinostudios

Anthony Lister was born in Brisbane, Australia in 1979. He graduated from the Queensland College of Art in Brisbane in 2001 and traveled to New York soon after where he mentored under the auspices Max Gimblett, one of New Zealand's most influential living artists. Lister began painting on the streets at the age of 17; a location which has become a key part of his practice as a space where he can take pleasure in his 'hobby' of producing art rather than the 'craft' of studio work. He has since exhibited his work extensively within Australia and internationally both in the gallery and on the streets. He is considered to be one of Australia’s most renowned contemporary artists. Topics Discussed: The process of creating his artwork Exploring the idea of "adventure painting" A curious exploration of the dualities of life Skateboarding abstracting itself into artwork Creative and mental breakthroughs Tactility of art changing or being lost with the advent of technologies His virtual reality app Decorating the apoc

Artist Decoded host, Yoshino, is interviewed by Cory Allen. This interview was originally on Cory's podcast The Astral Hustle. www.artistdecoded.com www.instagram.com/artistdecoded www.twitter.com/yoshinostudios