In case you can’t tell by the conversation, I am a real fan of these two. Chris & Anne Lukeman are genius escape room designers that come to the artform via the lens of independent film makers. Their escape rooms are based on Anne and Chris’ favorite movies & tropes, and are not just piles of puzzles. These two are masters of the most unusual, and underrated, modern art forms.

CU Adventures in Time & Space https://cuadventures.com/

Play at Home (The Lost Temple) https://cuadventures.com/at-home

Twitter https://twitter.com/cu_adventures

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cu_adventures/

FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/CUAdventures

Intro Music by Friedrich Habetler https://www.friedrichhabetlermusic.com/

Exit Music by Alexy Rom https://www.youtube.com/c/pianosynthorgan/videos

Joining me today at the local coffee shop (please excuse the background noise) is Tony Brandl, a fine artist and storyteller who has essentially re-invented the “choose your own adventure” experience. Heavily influenced by comic books, zen buddhism, and visual poetry, Tony is one of the great philosophers of our time. I encourage you to explore his website while you listen. Stay weird.

https://www.therabbithero.com/

https://linktr.ee/therabbithero

https://www.facebook.com/therabbithero

https://www.instagram.com/therabbithero/

Intro Music by Friedrich Habetler https://www.friedrichhabetlermusic.com/

Exit Music by Alexy Rom https://www.youtube.com/c/pianosynthorgan/videos

Ryan Fleming is a multi-passionate artist that is a walking, talking contradiction. She can see into your soul and her own at the same time! She is capable of delving deeper into the questions of “what is art?” and “why is there art?” than most folks I know. Ryan is the master at exposing the juxtapositions of life, art, and everything. As we walked away from the coffee shop, Ryan proclaimed “We are the avatars of art.” . . . . I will just leave you with that. 

https://www.instagram.com/ryandaniellefleming/

https://www.facebook.com/ryan.fleming.351

https://podvine.com/podcast/quest-fest

https://www.instagram.com/questfestpod/

Intro Music by Friedrich Habetler https://www.friedrichhabetlermusic.com/

Exit Music by Alexy Rom https://www.youtube.com/c/pianosynthorgan/videos

A true, real-life renaissance man. Phil Strang is a multi-passionate artist who has no fear when it comes to trying something new. Phil has been a painter, singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, actor, director, producer, architect, and heaven only knows what other talents he might be hiding. He is epitome of a life-long-learner. Enjoy.

Phil’s website: https://1-phil-strang.pixels.com/

on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilStrang

Intro Music by Friedrich Habetler https://www.friedrichhabetlermusic.com/

Exit Music by Alexy Rom https://www.youtube.com/c/pianosynthorgan/videos

And yet another guest who has a special place in my heart. Maggie is an up-and-coming voice talent with skills beyond her years. She is unmatched as a storyteller, and I honestly, I don’t think that she realizes just how talented she is. Check out her work through the links below and you, too, will see how amazing she can be.

Website: https://www.maggieobriensounds.com/

Mad Gab podcast: on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1a0fn5WbYjXEK150RG4I7I

on Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5yZWRjaXJjbGUuY29tL2Q1NDM1Yjk1LTQ2YjItNDQ3Yi1iZTg1LWIzYTFkMzNkZDM2Zgsa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi65dDGtfX5AhWYk4kEHbrBCUgQ9sEGegQIARAN

Quality Time with the OBriens podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/51B7BOJaGEMStEl4HCRl9m

Intro Music by Friedrich Habetler https://www.friedrichhabetlermusic.com/

Exit Music by Alexy Rom https://www.youtube.com/c/pianosynthorgan/videos

This week I got to talk with a true trail blazer, and quite frankly, one of the bravest performer I’ve met in a long time. Kathryn bills herself as a loop pedal violist, which is super-cool in it’s own right, but she is also composes through improvisation. This brilliant young artist has skills that just blow my mind. Enjoy.

My music: https://kathrynpatricia.bandcamp.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathrynpatriciaviolist/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kpviolist/

Links to Kathryn’s work: https://www.masconline.ca/artist/kathryn-patricia-cobbler/

Website: https://www.kathrynpatricia.com/

Intro and Exit music by Kathryn Patricia Cobbler https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQz6hx063m06xOxS9SVh0pw

Jenna is such a marvelous and joyous person, that I married her. Yes, my wife is an artist. Professionally she is a musician, singer and teacher. However, in recent years Jenna has started to explore multiple different arts, art techniques, materials, and means of expression. This is one of my favorite episodes because it is rare that an artist makes a discovery-of-self during the podcast. So, if you like a good story, listen in. Enjoy.

Intro Music by Friedrich Habetler https://www.friedrichhabetlermusic.com/

Exit Music by Alexy Rom https://www.youtube.com/c/pianosynthorgan/videos

Grace is an intelligent and ambitious artist on the verge of a stellar career. Admittedly, this is a “proud papa” moment for me. It’s not often you look at your children objectively (or as objectively as possible) and see glimmers of hope for the future. This one is going to change the world.

https://graceobriendesign.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/graceo_design/

Intro Music by Friedrich Habetler https://www.friedrichhabetlermusic.com/

Exit Music by Alexy Rom https://www.youtube.com/c/pianosynthorgan/videos

When it comes to following your dreams and fulfilling your artistic passions, Caitlin is a true breath of fresh air. Caitlin is a life coach for those she calls multi-passionate artists - those with ever-evolving interests who think in a million different ways. Guaranteed, you will finish this episode feeling better about yourself. Thank you, Caitlin.

https://caitlinbosshart.com/

https://www.instagram.com/caitlin_bosshart/

Full Heart Free Voice podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7gb9eW0A5sRhg1jy6wSpE1

Intro Music by Friedrich Habetler https://www.friedrichhabetlermusic.com/

Exit Music by Alexy Rom https://www.youtube.com/c/pianosynthorgan/videos

On rare occasion you get to meet one of the great thinkers/philosophers of the art world. Michael Moses is one of those artists. Michael is an abstract painter and sculptor who has such a pure, almost zen-like connection to his creation process, that it makes me envious. He understands better than most how art influences our culture, and us as human beings. I had a great time talking with Michael and I hope you are enlightened by his artistic spirit.

michaelmosesartist.com

Intro Music by Friedrich Habetler https://www.friedrichhabetlermusic.com/

Exit Music by Alexy Rom https://www.youtube.com/c/pianosynthorgan/videos

After multiple attempts to sit down and podcast with Teri Lee, we were finally able to manage it - Only to discover that she is more of an artist than even she is aware of. Teri Lee is one of the new generation of artists that is confidently and shamelessly pulling things like D&D and pole dancing into the realm of respectable art forms. Her joy and esteem are to be admired. Enjoy.

https://linktr.ee/questfest

https://www.instagram.com/cheshirekitty95/

Intro Music by Friedrich Habetler https://www.friedrichhabetlermusic.com/

Exit Music by Alexy Rom https://www.youtube.com/c/pianosynthorgan/videos

Sitting around the table, these three guys are calm, cool, collected, smart, & savvy. However, put some drums, a guitar, and stand-up-bass in their hands, they become one of the hardest working rockabilly bands in the midwest! Meet Christopher, Steve, and Chris otherwise known as Union Avenue. These guys approach their music with passion and determination that is rarely seen. So, please excuse the thumping noises in the recording - the drummer couldn’t help himself.

https://www.facebook.com/UnionAvenueRockabilly

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCERBAcEOPqRY5ze_VEw1xXw

https://www.instagram.com/unionavenueband/

intro and outro music:

Red Cadillac and a Black Mustache by Warren Smith performed by Union Avenue.

This young woman gives the phrase “hit like a girl” an overdue update. Mirna Ayshoe is a heavy metal drummer and session musician that is breaking the down gender barriers in the music world. She weaves together musical cultures and genres as well as advocates for equality in the arts and education. Did I mention she is also a scientist? If Mirna doesn’t inspire you, no one will. Enjoy!

https://www.instagram.com/drumbitious_mirna/

https://www.facebook.com/drumbitious.drummer

https://www.tiktok.com/@drumbitious_mirna

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCplDwOjHSNWK7bCpm6AvE8Q

Intro Music by Friedrich Habetler https://www.friedrichhabetlermusic.com/

Exit Music by Alexy Rom https://www.youtube.com/c/pianosynthorgan/videos

Stephen is one of those people who will make you think - deeply and introspectively - and I get caught doing just that a few times during our talk. Stephen is a photographer with a masterful eye, not just for his own artwork, but for every artist and their work. I recommend listening to him while examining his photos. Check out his links below, and enjoy.

StephenKennedy.com

CrossCountryCamera.com

Intro Music by Friedrich Habetler https://www.friedrichhabetlermusic.com/

Exit Music by Alexy Rom  https://www.youtube.com/c/pianosynthorgan/videos

Never in my life have I met two more reluctant artists. Cindy and Tom are each geniuses in their own right, but as a team they are the most phenomenal, inspiring, giving artists I know. The local theatre community regards Cindy & Tom as indispensable artists and trusted colleagues, yet they refuse the accolades. Take a listen and you will fall in love with them. Enjoy.

Cindy & Tom's prop work: http://cuprops.com/

Intro Music by Friedrich Habetler https://www.friedrichhabetlermusic.com/

Exit Music by Alexy Rom https://www.youtube.com/c/pianosynthorgan/videos

This week on Art Nerds is the extremely talented, super smart, and freakishly eclectic musician and writer Riley Ann. She is a multi-faceted artist working out of Ft. Collins, Colorado and, despite her young age, she has actually been influenced by an 8-track tape!

Through the course of our talk, I came to admire her drive and attitude towards ‘writer’s block’. Riley Ann seems to continually challenges herself (and others), and strive to become a more prolific artist. She’s intuitive introspective empathetic, aware, and not to spoil anything, but we may be starting work on a new rock-opera. Just sayin’. 

Riley Ann: 

www.rileyannsound.com 

https://www.facebook.com/riley.ann.351

https://www.instagram.com/rileyannsound/

The Catcalls:

www.thecatcallsband.com

https://www.facebook.com/TheCatcalls

https://www.instagram.com/thecatcalls/

Back to the Mountain Band:

https://www.facebook.com/backtothemountainband

https://www.instagram.com/backtothemountainband/

Make More Everything Challenge:  

https://makemorefoco.com

Intro Music by Friedrich Habetler https://www.friedrichhabetlermusic.com/

Exit Music by Alexy Rom https://www.youtube.com/c/pianosynthorgan/videos

Katye thinks big and dreams even bigger. She is determined to redefine ‘art’ to include all forms of artistic expression. It’s wonderful to find an artist who takes such joy in the creation of their art, and truly believes art can bring us all together. Just take a listen to Katye and you will walk away believing art can indeed change the world. Enjoy.

KTKannibal - https://www.ktkannibal.com/

Prism Studios - https://www.prismstudiospaint.com/

Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center - https://www.ucimc.org/

Intro Music by Friedrich Habetler https://www.friedrichhabetlermusic.com/

Exit Music by Alexy Rom https://www.youtube.com/c/pianosynthorgan/videos

Meet Rob Poe, the creative mastermind behind the long-running webseries Space Hospital. Think one part daytime soap (that one in a hospital), one part lost in space, and one part 70s kitch, and you get Space Hospital. Yes, we were absolutely influenced by the social norms of 1970s television. Are we still allowed to think Archie Bunker is funny? It was an absolute delight getting caught up with my old college chum, and a great deep-dive discussion. Enjoy.

Space Hospital https://www.youtube.com/user/spacehospital

Intro Music by Friedrich Habetler https://www.friedrichhabetlermusic.com/

Exit Music by Alexy Rom https://www.youtube.com/c/pianosynthorgan/videos

If you have ever found "family" while participating in the arts, Ranae is probably one of the reasons why. An actor, singer, writer, and would-be director, Ranae and I deep-dive (sorta) into the humanity of working in live theatre. You will finish this podcast wanting her to be your best friend. Enjoy.

Intro Music by Friedrich Habetler https://www.friedrichhabetlermusic.com/

Exit Music by Alexy Rom https://www.youtube.com/c/pianosynthorgan/videos

Alicia Buskirk, a.k.a. The Midwest Midnight Checkout Queen, is not only a delightful human being, but a fake professional wrestler! OMG!! (OK, I kinda geeked out a little bit on this one). Is it fake? Is it real? Is that real blood? Well, listen to Alicia pull back the curtain a bit and reveal the inner workings of one of our guilty pleasures. Enjoy.

Champaign Ladies Amateur Wrestling - C.L.A.W. https://www.217claw.com/

on FB: https://www.facebook.com/217CLAW/

on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/217claw/

Intro Music by Friedrich Habetler https://www.friedrichhabetlermusic.com/

Exit Music by Alexy Rom https://www.youtube.com/c/pianosynthorgan/videos