This audio clip is a short conversation with emerging artist June Chen Ahleman, recorded at 1100 Florence Gallery where June's solo exhibition is on display. The exhibit was on display over two weekends, closing 3/12 at 5p, info at 1100florence.com

Identity and Fortune, is a a study on Asian American Identities through large-scale portraits created by June for her senior project at Chicago Waldorf School. The works were created in a guest room in her parent's house in Evanston, IL; size and material constraints didn't affect the outcome of this body of work, the paintings are powerful and painterly and quite an accomplishment for a 17 year old artist who's only training was Art Camp in 6th grade. 

This conversation is the first recorded interview June has ever done and we kept it very casual - spoiler alert, she did great. Totally comfortable talking about her work in person, June is full of humility, gratitude and curiosity - she in very interested in people as is evident in the careful attention she brings to even the tiniest brush strokes in her work.

Each subject was interviewed by June, you can learn more about the project and listen to the interviews athttps://www.juneahleman.com/general-7

I met June in 6th grade when she joined Evanston Made; it's rare to meet an incredibly talented artist who is in middle school and I've always believed she was a rising star. 

“It makes a difference to have people who believe in me," says June. 

Thank you for listening.

June Chen Ahleman on Identity, Luck and Painting Big in Small Spaces

Dreaming big is harder than you'd think. 

#2 Is Podcasting the Future or the Past?

Cold Heart

The Lisa D Show is a weekly podcast featuring 20 minute, unedited conversations with creatives.  Listen to us on Sound Cloud or online at thelisadshow.blogspot.com

Our guest Ken Krimstein is a Writer, Cartoonist, Right fielder, Professor in the College of Communications at DePaul University in Chicago, father, neighbor, husband, citizen and friend. We talk about Ken's work as a cartoonist for the New Yorker, one of the most competitive creative endeavors anyone can puruse. Because this interview is unedited it functions like a live-radio interview, it's 100% authentic and flawed which is why we kept the part where Ken spilled hot coffee on his leg (7:59) and "yeows" really loudly. See his work at www.kenkrimstein.com

Illustrator Ken Krimstein is the funniest person I've interviewed in 2017

Lisa Degliantoni and Ben Blount talk about his upcoming art exhibit Recollection which deals with race, memory and perception. The show is up through Feb. 28, with a closing reception and talk on Feb. 26, 3-5p, RSVP here http://ow.ly/2JZv3090Wlh

Recollection examines the notions of race and culture we encounter growing up in the United States. Shared through reimagined learning tools and remembered narratives, this work explores how we collect these formative ideas about identity and commit them to memory. This collection of work from artist Ben Blount includes letterpress prints, handmade books, and various interactive elements.

Ben Blount is a printer who uses books, posters and installations to explore notions of race and identity in America. Shaped by two decades of experience in design and advertising, his work draws on a common cultural language of objects, stories and experiences to draw attention to the differences between what we see, and how we are seen. With a range of contemporary influences from Dave Chappelle and Kara Walker to Mos Def and Amos Kennedy, Blount’s work is often provocative and topical. He has taught book arts courses at The Cleveland Institute of Art and Lillstreet Art Center in Chicago. A native Detroiter, he earned an MFA in Interdisciplinary Book and Paper Arts from Columbia College Chicago and currently lives in Evanston, IL. 

Image above: Spread from ABC: An Abecedarium of Black Culture
See more of Ben's work at http://benblount.com

1100 Florence is a new art event space in West Evanston, IL, owned and operated by Lisa Degliantoni and Dave Ford. Visit www.1100florence.com for more information.

Ben Blount's Letterpress Art is Timely and Dope

Excited to share my first interview with a WOMAN! Please know that Maggie Meiners is more than just a woman, she’s a creative powerhouse with skills to get tremendous amounts of things done and a huge heart that enables her to provide mentoring to young creatives coming up the ladder. (Full disclosure Maggie is a personal friend and cultural collaborator.)

In this interview we talk about a lot; why Maggie take the photos she does, specifically the latest installment of her body of work Revisiting Rockwell, a modern day take on the classic American paintings of Norman Rockwell circa 1925, "Freedom of Religion". How Maggie intends to connect the Chicago art scene from the Southside to Witchita, Kansas. Visit Maggie’s body of work atwww.maggiemeiners.com

Artist Bio

Maggie Meiners (b.1972, Chicago) is an artist and photographer whose work investigates connection with herself, others and the world at large. In 2016, Maggie received Best in Show for Photo Emerge 2016 at Center Gallery-The Midwest Photography Center, Wichita, KS. In 2017 she will be exhibiting her series, Revisiting Rockwell,  at the Butler Institute for American Art and The Garner Center at the New England School of Photography.   

Her work has been widely exhibited and remain in the permanent collections of the Illinois Institute of Art, Wheaton College, Harrison Street Lofts, Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Lowey, LLP and an extensive number of private collections. In addition, her work is on loan at the American Embassy in Uruguay through 2019.  

Maggie gives private lessons and critiques, teaches classes, and speaks regularly about her work.  Maggie currently serves on the Board of the Filter Photo Festival, is a member of the Advisory Committee at the Museum of Contemporary Photography and is a member of the photography group, f/8 Collective. Most recently, Maggie moved into a new studio space with the artist, Justine Bianco. Together they run, Platform, a non-commission based exhibition space for artists to show experiential work.

 Maggie grew up outside of Chicago and has an affinity for all things Midwestern. She recently moved back to the small town where she grew up with her two sons and her husband, whom she likes to describe as a Renaissance man. She is devoted to lifelong learning and daily picture taking and making.

Maggie's work is represented by Anne Loucks Gallery in Glencoe, IL.

Maggie Meiners is the most productive creative I interviewed in 2017

An unedited version of a song I've been playing around with

Fine For Now/Bruised Youth

Tour One Tickets on-sale here: 
https://www.kwekucollins.com/shows-2

Hosted by Lisa Degliantoni, this podcast features conversations with Evanston creatives. Degliantoni is the Founder and Executive Director of Evanston Made, a nonprofits arts organization with the mission to connect Evanston artists and creatives with the public.

Listen to short, unedited, conversations with Evanston creatives about what's happening in their studios, kitchens, yards, really any location where they make.

Learn more about our organization at evanstonmade.org

June Chen Ahleman on Identity, Luck and Painting Big in Small Spaces

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