Maine is home to a rich and evolving music scene. Today we speak with two music-makers who have called Maine home for decades: Portland-based and nationally acclaimed singer, songwriter and producer, Spencer Albee, and one of Maine’s leading producers and recording engineers, Jonathan Wyman.
Making Music #269 Transcription
Authors, illustrators and artists fill many roles: from teaching to creating. We enjoy some of their creations in the books we read, both as children and adults. Today we speak with Debra Spark and Garry Mitchell, an author and an artist who are also college professors—and have been happily married for many years. We also speak with popular Maine-based children’s author/illustrator, Chris Van Dusen.
Art by Garry Mitchell. Extrovert, acrylic on panel, 2016.
Acrylic on panel
2016
Bringing Books & Art to Life #254 Transcription
Art reflects the culture from which it is created. This is especially important when a culture is irreparably changed by the forced movement—through situations such as slavery and war—of its people. Today we discuss this with African art and culture scholar, Aimée Bessire, and with internationally-acclaimed children’s book illustrator, Daniel Minter
CALL & RESPONSE by Daniel Minter
Art, Crossing Cultures #252 Transcription
Artists know that their craft can be both an aesthetic and kinesthetic experience. Our brains and bodies change as a result of time spent practicing and performing—this is especially true for children. Today we explore these ideas with Elizabeth Drucker, owner and director of The Ballet School in Topsham and with Dr. Anastasia Antonacos, award-winning recitalist and professor of music at the University of Southern Maine.
Photo by Nicole Wolf
Practicing Perfection: Music & Dance #251 Transcription
We meet many talented photographers through the work we do with Maine Magazine, Maine Home & Design and Old Port Magazine. Today we speak with two who have had distinctly different career paths. Jeff Roberts began his love of international photography with a high school adventure. Trent Bell trained in and practiced architecture before finding his vocation as a photographer. Each has a true passion for his work.
Maine Photographers #245 Transcription
Life informs art—and vice versa. As human creatures, we benefit from experiencing art as a way of helping us explore some of the larger questions we may find ourselves pondering. Today, we speak with internationally known Maine-based artist, Eric Hopkins, about how his art has been shaped by his interaction with the world. We also speak with Emma Wilson, managing director of Art Collector Maine and the Portland Art Gallery, about an innovative project focusing on the body as a work of art.
Life as Art #237 Transcription
Maine appeals to a broad range of people in part because of its beautiful coast. More than simply coming here for recreation, many people find creative ways to make a living with the water as inspiration. Today we speak with entrepreneurs Ben Davis, founder of True Course Yachting, and Shana Ready, designer and founder of The Ropes.
Coastal Creativity #235 Transcription
Mythologist and philosopher Joseph Campbell is perhaps best known for his suggestion that we “follow our bliss.” Today we speak with two individuals who—separately and without prompting—referenced this quote in their interviews, and described the ways in which they have attempted to do just that. Our guests are Deirdre Nice, executive director of St. Lawrence Arts, and landscape artist Jane Dahmen. We hope they inspire you to find ways to follow your own bliss.
Following Bliss #229 Transcription
Collaboration can be a magical thing. Working with others—especially on a one-one-one basis, can lead to creative advancement that we might not see when working solo. Today we speak with documentary filmmakers Christoph Gelfand & Caroline Losneck, and singer/songwriters Anna Lombard & Dave Gutter, about their experience as creative duos.
Creative Duos #217 Transcription
The Maine music scene is vibrant and evolving. From experienced musicians who have played on the world stage, to hardworking newcomers who are making their voices known, we have a front row seat to a wealth of talent. Today we speak with singer-songwriters Jonathan Edwards and Lyle Divinsky, who are each bringing their soul-filled messages to the Maine community in unique ways.
Soul Music #214 Transcription
Journeys can be both literal and figurative. We can see the world through travel, but we can also journey without leaving our physical space. Today we speak with international bestselling author, Tess Gerritsen, and musician Emilia Dahlin, about the journeys they each have taken while practicing their craft, and how the melodies of life have influenced their experience.
Musical Journeys #211 Transcription