Artist Decoded By Yoshino

Shari Frilot is a filmmaker who has produced television for the CBS affiliate in Boston and for WNYC and WNET in New York before creating her own independent award-winning films, including Strange & Charmed, A Cosmic Demonstration of Sexuality, What Is A Line?, and the feature documentary, Black Nations / Queer Nations? She is the recipient of multiple grants, including the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Media Arts Foundation. She is presently working on a feature film project about the crisis in water supply with producer Effie Brown's production company, Duly Noted Inc. In tandem with filmmaking, Shari also maintains a career in festival programming, occupying a distinguished position on the curatorial vanguard through her pioneering development of immersive cinematic environments. As the Festival Director of the MIX Festival in New York (1992-1996) she co-founded the first gay Latin American film festivals, MIX BRASIL and MIX MEXICO film festivals. As Co-Director of Programming for OUTFEST (1998-

Artist Decoded is a weekly podcast hosted by Yoshino. Join us as we dive into the habits, mindsets, and inner workings of some of today's greatest artists and creative thinkers. 

Yoshino is a visual artist, writer, entrepreneur, and host of Artist Decoded. Show Notes: The power of introspection and self-analysis The pitfalls of following false prophets “Getting lost in the forest” Seeking answers Pantheism Art as a communication mechanism Critical thinking “You and you alone hold the answers to your questions.” Yoshino’s Links: yoshinostudios.com nohwave.co instagram.com/yoshinostudios twitter.com/yoshinostudios

Yoshino is a visual artist, writer, entrepreneur, and host of Artist Decoded. Show Notes: Identity and persona Leaving the commercial and fashion photography world Martial arts Exploring the idea of what it means to be an artist Living a life of fluidity Capitalism Growing up Christian Spirituality Moving to the desert from LA The Conversation Art Podcast Links: iTunes SpotifyMichael Shaw’s IG The Conversation’s IG Yoshino’s Links: yoshinostudios.com nohwave.co

Fashion and advertising photographer from Singapore turned 3D virtual model creator, Shavonne Wong creates artworks with her virtual models that juxtapose realism and surrealism together, placing the virtual models in scenes that cannot be done with a real human model. She is part of the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list in 2020 and has recently done an NFT for the first-ever NFT cover of Vogue. Show Notes: Shavonne’s past fashion photography career Romanticizing the struggling artist lifestyle Stereotypes and the importance of art 3D modeling and the transition into the NFT space The social implications of virtual influencers Shavonne’s NFT charity work The future of NFTs The negative aspects of NFT’s & the blockchain Criticism and feedback Krav Maga www.artistdecoded.com www.shavonnewong.com www.instagram.com/shavonne.wong www.twitter.com/shavonnewong_

Sarah Zucker is an artist + writer based in Los Angeles. Her art merges the gorgeous and grotesque through humor, psychedelia, mysticism, and the interplay of cutting edge + obsolete technologies. She works across mediums, specializing in mixing digital and analog video techniques and the use of VHS. Her GIF art has been viewed over 6.7 billion times on Giphy. She has been involved in Crypto Art since early 2019, tokenizing single and limited editions of her screen-based artwork on the blockchain. Her NFTs – digital art editions – can currently be found on SuperRare, NiftyGateway, Foundation, KnownOrigin, Hic Et Nunc, and Rarible. She holds a BA in Theater/Creative Writing for the Media from Northwestern, and an MFA in Dramatic Writing from NYU. Show Notes: Sarah’s childhood and developing interest NFTs and Crypto Art “Wrestling your angels” Struggling as an artist The call to be an artist Theosophy Humanitarian contributions in the NFT space Identity Changing the world Dancing with the abyss Exploring

CJ Hendry (b. 1988) is a New York-based artist originally from Brisbane, Australia. Hendry transforms her fascination with contemporary material culture into large-scale, hyper-photorealistic drawings. Cj Hendry’s exhibits aren’t intended to be passively observed but, rather, actively experienced through engaging, fun, and thought-provoking exhibits. For her exhibit Monochrome, Hendry and her team built an entire multi-room “home” inside a warehouse with each room entirely monochrome-colored from floor to ceiling and everything in between. For Rorschach, guests jumped through a gigantic bouncy house maze in order to reach and finally view the impressive series. Each Cj Hendry exhibit, from Miami to Melbourne, draws massive crowds with attendees waiting in line for several hours - and, in the end, everyone leaves more enriched than when they arrived. With her celebrity clientele – and many works in private collections - Hendry’s waitlist is now well over 3,000 collectors with a wait time of up to five years t

Alice Brooks (ASC) is a cinematographer who has photographed award-winning feature films, television shows, and commercials. Her next feature project is director Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the hit musical WICKED. Brooks most recently photographed tick tick…BOOM! for Netflix and Imagine Entertainment, directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and produced by Ron Howard. Her other recent work includes the 2021 summer release of Miranda’s IN THE HEIGHTS directed by Chu. The film’s cinematography received widespread critical acclaim. Brooks is a graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts and is a member of the International Cinematographers Guild, Local 600. She became a member of the prestigious American Society of Cinematographers in Oct. 2021. Show Notes: Alice’s start in cinematography  Her childhood & the inspiration behind the film, “tick, tick... BOOM!” Collaborating with director and long time friend, John Chu Having a “Definite Chief Aim” The gift of an existential crisis The ebbs and flows of the film

Mitch Horowitz is a historian of alternative spirituality and one of today’s most literate voices of esoterica, mysticism, and the occult. Mitch is a writer-in-residence at the New York Public Library, lecturer-in-residence at the Philosophical Research Society in Los Angeles, and the PEN Award-winning author of books including Occult America; One Simple Idea: How Positive Thinking Reshaped Modern Life; and The Miracle Club. Show Notes: The power of masterminds The New Thought Movement  Napoleon Hill and Neville Goddard’s teachings Writing and the habits of writing Using different platforms to test material The myth of the self-made person The significance of the word, “Miracle” Book recommendations on the creative process Mitch’s writing process www.artistdecoded.com www.mitchhorowitz.com www.twitter.com/mitchhorowitz www.instagram.com/mitchhorowitz23

Skygolpe interviewed by Jesse Draxler The essential figures that emerge from Skygolpe’s research have an openly disruptive immediacy and impact. His work represents the artist’s tension towards the definition of a clear idea and a path outlined towards direct introspection. Skygolpe explores the NFT medium in a unique and original way. His single digital editions are sought after by major collectors and demonstrate how works created with a strong meaning and a defined concept can have a lasting place in the new world of digital collecting. Show Notes: Skygolpe’s intro into art Art contradicting itself Catastrophe, existentialism, and nihilism The denial of the divinity Objective truth Skygolpe’s distinct aesthetic The power of conceptual art Inspiration Memories, traumatic experiences, and their overflow into Jesse’s artwork  “Destroying the Belief” Skygolope’s NFT work The history of digital art / Web 3.0 www.artistdecoded.com www.superrare.com/skygolpe www.instagram.com/skygolpe www.twitter.com/skygolpe

After a high profile career designing, drawing and painting images for movie poster art in Hollywood — Return of the Jedi, Labyrinth, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom — Chris now feels driven to produce works which celebrate compelling stories of American perseverance — the Tuskegee Airmen, First Nations peoples of America’s Pacific Northwest, and the Japanese Americans who were incarcerated during WWII. It’s been an unusual career path, to say the least. Chris was a star on the Southern Oregon College wrestling team when he dropped out in 1974 rather than bow to the inevitable pressure to become a high school wrestling coach. He loaded up his ’68 sky blue Camaro and hit the road, picking up jobs from southern California to Montana and living out of his car. After he ran out of gas in Boise, Idaho, he settled there for a year and a half and worked as a bouncer at the Bronco Hut (the college bar where he met his wife), a lift operator at a ski resort, and as an utterly unqualified counselor at a home shel

Colborn Bell is currently the co-founder and curator of the Museum of Crypto Art (M○C△), an immersive digital art center in virtual reality. Unconstrained by the limitations of physical reality, the aim of this project is to create bridges to Metaverse spaces and usher in a creative renaissance that empowers digital artists and reawakens the imaginations of its participants. He is a long-time blockchain and venture investor. Guest Interviewer: Jesse Draxler Show Notes:  00:15:00 - Colborn’s background 00:20:54 - The Museum of Crypto Art 00:22:57 - What Colborn specifically looks for in NFT Artwork 00:25:10 - The gift of an existential crisis 00:31:25 - The ecological effects of crypto currency 00:40:40 - Crypto art breaking down traditional barriers  00:44:27 - Preserving the pure nature of art / societal shifts 00:52:15 - What a good day looks like for Jesse and Colborn 00:55:17 - The future of NFT’s  00:58:57 - M.O.C.A’s Artist Residency & M.O.C.A’s Genesis Collection 1:04:15 - Advice to artists 1:08:

Hayden Silas Anhedönia, a Florida native better known as Southern Gothic musician, Ethel Cain, creates her art with the same simple intention behind a Sunday morning sermon; to not only be heard, but also felt. Combining her Southern Baptist upbringing with her love of folk, country, and rock music, as well as all things horror and drama, she aims to create nothing other than a visceral experience that lingers long after consumption. Show Notes: The meaning of her tattoos Religion / Hayden’s problems and fascination with Christianity and cults Her childhood experiences Social order, classism, eastern and western cultures Identity Cancel culture, honesty, and speaking freely The beginnings of “Ethel Cain” Mental health and dismantling the narrative Wrap Up www.artistdecoded.com www.instagram.com/mothercain www.daughtersofcain.com

After studying filmmaking with Leslie Thornton at Brown University, and French New Wave director Eric Rohmer at The University of Paris-Michelet, Sam Levy began his professional career as an apprentice to cinematographer Harris Savides. Sam first gained recognition as a cinematographer in his own right when he photographed Wendy and Lucy for director Kelly Reichardt - voted one of the “Best 25 Films of the 21st Century” by The New York Times. Sam went on to shoot three films for director Noah Baumbach: Frances Ha, Mistress America, and While We’re Young. Sam’s recent films include Lady Bird - nominated for 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture - as well as two projects for director Spike Jonze: Changers and Untitled Frank Ocean Project. Sam has photographed commercials and music videos for such directors as Spike Jonze, Mark Romanek, Fredrik Bond, Stacy Wall, Randy Krallman, Lisa Rubisch, and Brigitte Lacombe among others. Show Notes: New experiences while shooting “Mayday” Sam’s experience being a pr

John Wentz is a contemporary painter born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. His interest in art began at the age of 6 when he first discovered Batman and Spiderman comic books. After years of copying comics panel by panel, he worked in the commercial arts as a muralist, billboard creator, and freelance illustrator. After learning to paint by doing airbrushed billboards, he decided to pursue fine art and work in oils. Since then, he has had 3 solo exhibitions in San Francisco and numerous group exhibitions both nationally and internationally. His works have appeared in many publications and have won multiple awards. Show Notes: Cultural nuances John’s shift towards digital artwork Imposter syndrome The effects of COVID on people’s consciousness NFT’s The background to John’s latest gallery show, “Liminal Spaces” at Stolen Space Gallery in London The Liminal Space Grieving The concept of “ritual” How painting has changed for John over the years The idea of self-expression Voice and style Intentionally

Books Referenced In This Yoshinocast Episode: "The Millionaire Next Door" by Thomas J. Stanley "The Psychology of Money" by Morgan Housel "Atomic Habits" by James Clear "The Miracle of a Definite Chief Aim" by Mitch Horowitz Link To Yoshino's Strava Profile: www.strava.com/athletes/63049717 Other Links: www.artistdecoded.com www.yoshinostudios.com www.nohwave.co

Joe Sill is a filmmaker and founder of world-building lab Impossible Objects. Joe likes to think big. He forged his path as a live-action feature and commercials director, often using visual effects to bring new worlds and ideas to life. His love for telling grand visual stories has led him to work with top brands such as Apple, NASA, Nike, and Tesla, as well as his first foray into feature filmmaking with "Stray”. Recently, Joe decided to double down in the landscape of animation and virtual production, energized by the constant innovation and ability for artists like himself to imagine and create without limitation. Joe is currently developing an original television series with writer Matisse Tolin based on their short film, “Autonomous”, with Jon Berg and Greg Silverman of Stampede Ventures producing. Show Notes: Joseph Campbell on giving meaning to life Honestly expressing oneself Being journey focused vs. being results focused Turning interests into a career The role of the director on set The poten

Liana Finck, New Yorker Cartoonist, who has been deemed by ELLE, "Instagram's favorite cartoonist," and has been featured on Adult Swim and HBO's Very Semi-Serious, as well as authored multiple graphic novels and a cartoon book (and a forthcoming novel as well), and has drawn the cover for a Justin Bieber + Ariana Grande single. Show Notes: 00:03:34 - Artistry and childhood 00:05:26 - Different modes of creating art 00:10:45 - Finding one’s voice as an artist 00:12:54 - Liana’s artistic evolution 00:15:11 - Naive art and perfectionism 00:18:12 - Finding one’s rhythm 00:20:55 - Cities being a hub for a variety of people and perspectives 00:26:45 - What we say vs. what we mean 00:31:02 - Personality tests 00:34:20 - The anxiety of being around people 00:40:58 - Life changes 00:47:55 - Wrap up www.artistdecoded.com www.lianafinck.com www.instagram.com/lianafinck  

Ayoto Ataraxia 鄭博榕; pingyin: Zheng Borong; born 23 August 1985) is an artist, director, writer, performing artist, producer, poet, and musician. He graduated from Istituto Europeo di Design with cum laude in 2009, and from the School of Visual Arts with honors in New York City, 2013. His works have been exhibited at the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, and are part of the Beyond Fashion exhibition of the Foundation for the Exhibition of Photography. He is currently hosting Asian Provocation, exploring queer Asian diasporic identities through conversations and stories Show Notes: 00:04:55 - Ayoto’s reflections time in New York 00:09:06 - The dangers of romanticizing working artists 00:12:18 - Artistic expression 00:16:42 - Modern American culture / getting lost in the American dream 00:19:52 - Considering what we truly value in life 00:22:14 - Observing people in different dimensions 00:27:24 - The illusion of control 00:29:08 - Identity 00:35:37 - The background to Ayoto’s original name/freedom fr

NYC-based Iranian songwriter, producer, and vocalist Kris Esfandiari, also known as King Woman, is set to release a striking full-length album, Celestial Blues, on July 30, 2021, via Relapse Records. Kris Esfandiari (NGHTCRWLR, Dalmatian, Miserable, Sugar High, i8i) founded King Woman in 2009 — a solo project which later gained the talents of guitarist Peter Arensdorf and drummer Joseph Raygoza. Now wiser and holding less animosity than King Woman’s previous sentiments on 2014 EP Doubt and the highly-esteemed 2017 full length Created in The Image of Suffering, the fantasy world that once plagued Kris' psyche is dancing in a new light on Celestial Blues. Feeling compelled to reshape the biblical archetypes that once bound her, Esfandiari has created a theatrical tale of rebellion, tragedy, and triumph — a metaphor for her own personal experiences over the years — Celestial Blues was born. Show Notes: 00:05:17 - Monotheism/experiences with Christianity 00:17:16 - The fluidity of expressing emotions through