Advice to millennials, emerging artists, and so much more on Podcast #25 with the irreverent, and always gregarious Don Hall. The best and worst thing a parent can do is tell a child their "special". Words to live by from director of live events at WBEZ, Don Hall. Saved by the universe at a young age - at least according to his mother - Don Hall ha…

In Episode 24 I sit down Faheem Majeed, educator, builder, and community engaged artist. Majeed's work does more than explore the material world through the built environment; it challenges our relationships to it. Yet, were it not for his varied - and admittedly, circuitous career path - his work might lack the interdisciplinarity that critic Patr…

The improv stylings of Jazz musician Andy Baker influenced our conversation in many ways and informed my understanding of how a veteran trombonist, composer and arranger was able to find success by "goin' with the flow". In this episode we take a trip down memory lane. We revisit life lessons learned - perhaps the hard way - but how, in effect, the…

Have you ever asked yourself, "How am I ever going to make this work in today's economy?" Do you incessantly rant about how Pandora and Spotify are ruining the music industry? If the answer is yes, then you'll most definitely find this week's podcast inspiring. Listen to DJ, Music Producer and Musician Jesse Hoz as he reflects on his 20 year career…

Sitting down with Chicago-based sculptor and art educator Sabina Ott, I learned the do's, dont's and everything in between. Sitting together in her home/studio/art space (a.k.a Terrain) Sabina offers earnest advice to emerging artists. Reflecting on 20+ years of working and making, Sabina admits that it is the relationships she's built and her unwa…

WE'VE MADE IT! The long-awaited 20th episode of Artists Mean Business is here. In advance of Thanksgiving, I've take time this month to feature New York based photographer, Ben Ritter - an artist who shares his gratitude for an early internship opportunity that opened the floodgates to a prolific career as an arts entrepreneur and freelance photogr…

Welcome to Episode 19 of Artists Mean Business. This month we recognize an award winning artist, educator, and activist, Sophia Nahli Allison. Her upcoming installation and photo essay will be featured in Fall, 2013 at Columbia College Chicago (details at www.chicagograduation.tumblr.com). Her work explores the lives of Chicago's youth and how they…

Welcome to Episode 18 of Artists Mean Business. This February we celebrate a heroine of the Chicago visual arts scene: Stephanie Dawn Burke. As an artist, her photography shows audiences unseen, although sometimes disturbing, moments in time. However, in this episode I talk with Stephanie about what it takes to be both artist and arts blogger. For …

This month I sat down with world renown photographer, educator, and multimedia artist Matt Siber. Getting his start as a commercial artist, Siber has explored a variety of media and worn more hats than he can count. What does Matt say is the one thing every artist entrepreneur needs to sustain their professional practice? Listen in and find out. Th…

Welcome to Episode 16 of Artists Mean Business. This week I met with artist, entrepreneur, and designer extraordinaire Mattie Vandersteen, founder of MattieMade. Mattie has been hitting the Chicago craft fair scene hard, making a splash with her ecofelt onsies. She shares her experiences as a craft artist and what she wishes she had done differentl…

Welcome to Episode 14 of Artists Mean Business. This week I sat down with young entrepreneur and networking maven Rachel Cherny of Rachel Street Press. You know what they say, big things come in small packages! I'm referring to her business cards of course! Rachel is my go-to when I need anything print-related, so its only natural I have her on the…

Welcome to Episode 13 of Artists Mean Business. This week, rather than focusing on an individual artist, I have instead focused on one organization in particular, LINKS HALL. Dance and performing artists listen up...this one is for you. In this episode I speak with Shawn Lent and Debra Giunta - members of Links Hall's Associates Board. We discuss w…

Welcome to Episode 11 of "Artists Mean Business" with Jess Kaswiner. The talented Nat Soti Joined me for this nutrient rich podcast. Listen in for a truly entrepreneurial artist who started his own business and art gallery. Now in its 10th year, Chicago Art Department is the foundation of Pilsen art scene, and a formidable collective of artists. Wh…

Welcome to Episode 10 of "Artists Mean Business" with Jess Kaswiner. After many months of scheduling snafus, we finally found time to connect. Tom's career as a painter and artist shows that talent and dedication truly do trump all. As the creative hand behind one of my all time favorite political satire blogs, The Daily Punch, Tom takes cartooning…

Welcome to Episode 9 of "Artists Mean Business" with Jess Kaswiner. I'm here after hours with Nicole Garneau, the creative mind behind the Uprising Series! We discuss what it means to live multiple lives, as artist, cultural worker, bread winner, etc. Nicole's incites offer a "this-is-how-it-is" approach, if you want to make successful art. For Nic…

Welcome to Episode 8 of "Artists Mean Business" with Jess Kaswiner. Taking time away from our busy schedule at the One State in the Arts Conference in Bloomington, I sat down with Kevin Coval, Spoken Word artist and co-founder of Louder Than a Bomb. We chatted about what it takes to start an art education program in this city and what it means to s…

Welcome to Episode 6 of "Artists Mean Business" with Jess Kaswiner. This week I met with the founders of Sixty Inches from Center, Nicolette Caldwell and Tempestt Hazel. We discuss what it takes to start a bold new project in the contemporary art world, regardless of the skepticism that may surround us. These women are a powerhouse to be reckoned w…

Welcome to Jess Kaswiner's "Artists Mean Business" Podcast Episode 5. This week I meet with Janice Bond of SAVANT/SAVANT, sitting in the fabulous space at Creative Lounge in Wicker Park: the location for this Saturday's MO:Global POPs event (2-8pm). Listen in as I grill this entrepreneurial maven about how she started her own business as artist rep…

Welcome to Jess Kaswiner's "Artists Mean Business" Podcast Episode 4. This week I interview Paul Klein, Founder of Klein Artist Works here in Chicago. In this episode Paul has subtly suggested a more organic format for our interview. So listen in as we get into the nitty gritty of what it takes to "make it" in the visual arts community. Also, don't…

Welcome to Jess Kaswiner's "Artists Mean Business" Podcast Episode 3. This week I interview Abra Johnson and Meida McNeal, Co-Curators for the upcoming "To Art and Profit" festival. In this episode I chatted with these two inspiring women who saw a need in the arts community and made their vision a reality. I am looking forward to their kickoff per…

Welcome to Jess Kaswiner's "Artists Mean Business" podcast Episode 2. This week we interview Meg Duguid, interdisciplinary artist and curator. We've got a new look with the same great taste! Learn from our veteran artist as she shares her experiences with emerging artists, Listen in to learn from those who have made successful careers in the arts a…

Welcome to Jess Kaswiner's podcast, where she interviews veteran arts entrepreneurs in the Chicagoland area! Listen in to learn from those who have made successful careers in the arts and who can offer valuable advice to emerging arts leaders. For more information about Nancy Plummer and her fashion consulting services check out: www.finethreadschi…