The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Alex Jennings! Who is Alex Jennings: Author, poet, and former standup comedian who lived in New Orleans for nearly 20 years—now working on his second novel from Chicago. You might remember Alex from my New Orleans series where we discussed his book, The Ballad of Perilous Graves, here. In our conversation, Jennings talks through his new book Dead End Boys—set in an alternate New Orleans where communicating with the dead is the main industry. He connects the project to comedy and digs into how moving from Louisiana to Chicago reshaped his rhythm. As he puts it, the book is "a chance to say something about blackness, about the pandemic and about the creep of fascism." He recalls discovering Henry Dumas and heading back to New Orleans for the Tolodano Comedy Festival. We get into living in one place longer than anywhere else, balancing graduate degrees with novel writing, and how that shift shaped his voice. Be sure to follow Alex Jennings to keep up with his work and future projects. Photo courtesy of subject The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob Lee Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production: Photos: Rob LeeSupport the podcast Fundraisinghttps://www.fracturedatlas.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialhttps://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enhttps://www.thetruthinthisart.com/Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In The Art, the guest is Barry Wright III! Who is Barry Wright III: Baltimore-based improviser, teacher, technology professional, and co-founder (and current board president) of Highwire Improv, launched in 2020. You might remember Barry from his first appearance on The Truth In The Art here. In our conversation, Wright talks about Highwire's origin during the 2020 lockdown, building an improv community in Highlandtown, and making improv financially accessible and sustainable. As he puts it, improv "can be done with absolutely no materials. You truly only need other human beings and space. Chairs are optional." He recalls launching 55 teams from across the world and running shows seven nights a week, all online. We dig into experimenting with programming like dinner-and-a-show, drop-in nights, worker-owned cooperative values, and how collaboration and feedback shape the evolving theater—all rooted in creating inclusive, community-driven arts programming that supports practitioners and connects audiences. For updates, visit https://highwireimprov.com/ Shows at Highwire Improv, 400 South Conklin Street, Baltimore. Photo courtesy of subject The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob Lee Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production: Photos: Rob LeeSupport the podcast Fundraisinghttps://www.fracturedatlas.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialhttps://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enhttps://www.thetruthinthisart.com/Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Cecilia M. McCormick! Who is Cecilia M. McCormick: President of MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art) with 33 years in higher education, an art collector who raised three sons now working in the creative field. In our conversation, McCormick talks through MICA's bicentennial year and the vision she's building as the school hits 200. She connects the programming to three themes—illumination, innovation, and entrepreneurship—and digs into new degrees shaped by workforce demand. As she puts it, creativity is "the commodity that cannot be automated, outsourced, or depleted." She recalls the "Set of Lights" event where students recreated colonial life through costume—everything from lanterns to candlelight soldiers. We get into AI's role in the classroom, how MICA is teaching students to use it as a tool while emphasizing "the human mark," and the best lesson she's learned: "know when to pivot." Looking ahead, her focus is on experiential learning and driving Baltimore's creative economy. Be sure to follow Cecilia M. McCormick and MICA to keep up with bicentennial programming and future projects. Join MICA in Celebrating 200 Years of Creative Impact Photo courtesy of subject The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob Lee Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production: Photos: Rob LeeSupport the podcast Fundraisinghttps://www.fracturedatlas.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialhttps://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enhttps://www.thetruthinthisart.com/Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Jess Owens-Young! Who is Jess Owens-Young: Maryland-based collage and mixed media artist and professor who creates work informed by her experiences as a Black woman, mother, and former athlete, using vintage magazines (Ebony, Jet, Essence) to explore the joy and melancholy of Black life in the United States. In our conversation, Owens-Young talks about her transition from semi-pro soccer player to artist in 2018 and her two favorite series: Oak Bluffs Golf Club (exploring Black leisure and the hidden history of golf) and Hoop Dreams Never Die. As she puts it, "I use sports and our everyday experiences as storytelling vehicles to share our stories about joy, hopes and dreams." She recalls creating in her laundry room studio—"If I am waiting for a load of laundry to finish, like it has five more minutes, I might take out some paint and make papers"—preparing materials in 20-minute sessions so she's ready when inspiration strikes. We get into how motherhood has made her practice more focused, how teaching public health feeds her art, why her initials spelling JOY matter now, working with vintage magazines as time capsules, and why she invites viewers to interpret their own stories within her work. For updates, follow @truthofstrength on Instagram and Threads, and visit jessowensyoung.com. Photo courtesy of subject The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob Lee Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production: Photos: Rob LeeSupport the podcast Fundraisinghttps://www.fracturedatlas.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialhttps://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enhttps://www.thetruthinthisart.com/Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Chandler Chavez. Who is Chandler Chavez: A Los Angeles–based filmmaker, editor, story analyst, and writer originally from Arizona, drawn to complicated characters and stories that test our empathy—especially when they’re filtered through the strange mechanics of online attention. In our conversation, Chandler unpacks his feature debut: a dark-comedy “screenlife” film told entirely through a computer desktop, set inside the “hellscape” of live streaming—where the real-time chat isn’t set dressing, it actively drives the story forward. He talks about arriving at the format out of pure practicality (making something possible with very little money), then spending years refining the cut to make the digital world feel specific and true—not “movie internet,” but the kind of online authenticity you recognize immediately. We also get into the long road from early festival submissions with unfinished materials to a stronger re-approach—new poster, press kit, and a tighter final version—leading to the project’s selection for the 2026 Maryland Film Festival. Catch Chandler Chavez’s feature debut at the Maryland Film Festival, April 8–12, screening at the SNF Parkway Theatre and venues across Baltimore. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob Lee Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production: Photos: Rob LeeSupport the podcast Fundraisinghttps://www.fracturedatlas.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialhttps://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enhttps://www.thetruthinthisart.com/Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Kenny Riches! Who is Kenny Riches: A Miami and Salt Lake City-based filmmaker born in Toyota City, Japan, whose award-winning features explore loneliness, identity, and human connection through intimate, character-driven narratives. With a BFA in Painting and Drawing and a filmography that includes The Strongest Man (Sundance premiere, 2015) and A Name Without A Place (2019), Kenny has received support from Sundance Institute, Knight Foundation, and PBS—and is co-founder of The Davey Foundation, a grant-giving organization for filmmakers. In our conversation, Kenny traces his journey from wanting to make films in the early 2000s when 16mm was still too expensive for a broke college student, to making skateboard videos with camcorders that evolved into short films alongside childhood friend and actor Patrick Fugit. He breaks down how Mouse—his fourth feature screening at Maryland Film Festival April 8–12 at the SNF Parkway Theatre and venues across Baltimore—emerged from pandemic isolation as a meditation on loneliness in the pre-social media early 2000s and a thriller about a lonesome first-generation person in ultra-white, ultra-religious Utah who gets tangled up in pen pal scams and petty theft. Kenny shares the bizarre real-life origin behind the film's scam storyline: a mysterious filmmaker friend he talked to for years without ever seeing his face, whose very existence his girlfriend suspected was an elaborate con—paranoia that bled straight into Mouse. He talks about directing his Japanese mother after convincing her a week before production (his pitch: we'll save money), the difference between Miami's endless weirdness through fresh eyes versus Utah's invisibility after a lifetime there, why he believes 90% of directing is casting, and running relaxed sets where everyone's cracking jokes instead of stressing out. We also dig into why pre-production and script feedback from actual filmmakers—not just your friends—will save your life, the collaborative magic of bringing all your people together to make something, and his advice to forget arbitrary deadlines because nobody cares if you made your first feature at 25. Don't miss Kenny Riches' Mouse regional premiere at Maryland Film Festival—a thriller that's funny, a little thrilling, and quietly cuts to the bone about what it means to look for connection when the world keeps you lonesome. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob Lee Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production: Photos: Rob LeeSupport the podcast Fundraisinghttps://www.fracturedatlas.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialhttps://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enhttps://www.thetruthinthisart.com/Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guests are Ben Baker-Lee and Rasaan Hammond! Who are Ben and Rasaan: Ben Baker-Lee and Rasaan Hammond are Baltimore-born filmmakers and co-directors of A Life in Art through the eye of Dr. Leslie King Hammond. Ben, founder of TrueView Film, has been documenting life through a lens since high school, drawn to film's power to capture truthful emotion and lived experience. Rasaan, who grew up immersed in the art world as the son of Dr. Leslie King Hammond (former dean at MICA), gravitated toward audio-visual storytelling early on, working in production, weddings, music videos, and now documentary film. Ben and Rasaan talk about their early influences—from 2001: A Space Odyssey at the Senator Theater to sci-fi classics like Star Wars and E.T.—and how their filmmaking journeys began with video cameras in hand. We dive into the origins of their documentary: what started as a casual request from Leslie to film one of her students evolved into a years-long portrait of a cultural architect and "way maker" for artists of color. They share stories of Dr. Hammond's warmth, humor, and fierce conviction, the challenges of shaping a lifetime of material into a cohesive narrative, and the intimate family perspective Rasaan brings as her son. The conversation also touches on the film's observational approach, the significance of Joyce J. Scott's relationship with Leslie, and what they hope audiences take away from the film. For updates and screening information, follow @Leslie_King_Hammond on Instagram, visit ALifeInArt.net, and catch the film at the Maryland Film Festival in Baltimore, April 2026, where Joyce J. Scott will present the opening night screening. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob Lee Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production: Photos: Rob LeeSupport the podcast Fundraisinghttps://www.fracturedatlas.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialhttps://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enhttps://www.thetruthinthisart.com/Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, returning guest Esteban Whiteside is back! Who is Esteban Whiteside: A Durham, North Carolina-based artist, Esteban Whiteside creates bold social commentary through what he calls "concrete oppressionism"—work that confronts American cultural absurdities with childlike aesthetics, parody, and irreverent humor. Working across canvas, wood, and sculpture, his art is both therapy and truth-telling, making heavy subjects digestible through wit and visual directness inspired by artists like Jacob Lawrence. Esteban talks about his creative evolution since our last conversation, including his new clock series exploring history and revolutions, and how he balances tackling heavy subject matter with abstract work that lets him breathe. We dive into why he uses humor to shame oppression, the colors that make him happy (brilliant blue, yellow, and emerald green), and how his art reflects his personality—chill in person, but uncompromising when it comes to speaking truth. He shares stories about drawing daily lunchbox notes for his daughter that sparked the clock series, unconventional painting techniques (like writing text upside down or left-handed), and why Jacob Lawrence's Migration Series opened the door for him to become an artist. He reflects on the importance of making art accessible at every price point and staying true to his voice no matter what may come with that. For updates, follow @estebanwhiteside on Instagram and visit estebanwhiteside.com. Revisit Esteban's first interview on The Truth In This Art here. Image courtesy of Esteban Whiteside The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob Lee Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production: Photos: Rob LeeSupport the podcast Fundraisinghttps://www.fracturedatlas.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialhttps://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enhttps://www.thetruthinthisart.com/Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Veronica Jackson! Who is Veronica Jackson: A Washington, D.C.-bred and Virginia-based visual artist whose foundation is rooted in architecture and museum exhibit design. She critically examines the lives of Black women through innovative visual art, exploring themes of invisibility, hypervisibility, and devaluation—bringing powerful narratives to life using familiar objects, archival texts, and data. In our conversation, Veronica traces her late-in-life arrival to visual art—graduating from grad school in 2016 with plans to teach, then attending a Santa Fe residency where "art just started pouring out of me." She breaks down her seminal piece That's Pop's Money, a data portrait memorializing her grandmother's devalued domestic labor through 813 hand-cranked time cards printed in blue ink on black paper—chronicling 72 years of marriage, nine children, and invisible work. Veronica explains how she pulls from established archives like the Library of Congress, Sojourner Truth's carte de visite statement "I Sell the Shadow to Support the Substance," Jefferson's farm book (which listed enslaved workers alongside cattle), and poets like Lucille Clifton ("every day something has tried to kill me and has failed") to tell stories rooted in truth. She discusses her Blacksist series spotlighting 13 understudied Black women from the 1850s, including Anna Julia Cooper—the only woman quoted in every U.S. passport—and reflects on how visual culture shapes perceptions, why Black land ownership matters, and what it means for Black women to mark, claim, and take up space. Don't miss Veronica Jackson's work—her archive-driven, text-based pieces make the invisible visible and challenge how we see history, labor, and value. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob Lee Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production: Photos: Rob LeeSupport the podcast Fundraisinghttps://www.fracturedatlas.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialhttps://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enhttps://www.thetruthinthisart.com/Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In The Art, the returning guest is Lanise Howard! Who is Lanise Howard: A Los Angeles-based multidisciplinary artist, Lanise Howard creates work centered around a reimagining of different histories, especially within the black experience. She pulls from the past and from the future, which she often sees in her dreams. Working across paintings, drawings, sculpture, and soon textiles, Howard is a world-builder whose portraiture depicts Black bodies and paints often untold stories. Lanise talks about the three bodies of work she's currently developing: her main project, a sci-fi world based in the future but with a story that started in the 1970s; a more personal body of work featuring herself traversing different landscapes; and an ancestral series honoring different ancestors from the past. We dive into her world-building practice, how she merges the "future past" or "past future" to create parallel universes and new dimensions, and her approach of asking which medium best conveys each story she wants to tell. She reflects on recent museum shows—particularly at the California African American Museum in partnership with Art and Practice—where she witnessed diverse audiences getting emotional while viewing her work. Lanise shares details about her Miami solo show, where she experimented with cultural elements like feathers and architectural details. She opens up about becoming more unapologetic in her work, navigating the art world as a Black woman who has to demand respect, and why her work is always uplifting—even when melancholic—to give people hope. For updates, follow @lanise_howard_studio on Instagram and Twitter, and visit lanisehowardart.com. This is Lanise's second appearance on The Truth In This Art—it's been a little over two years since her first episode. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob Lee Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production: Photos: Rob LeeSupport the podcast Fundraisinghttps://www.fracturedatlas.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialhttps://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enhttps://www.thetruthinthisart.com/Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In The Art, the guest is Ruut! Who is Ruut: A Finnish-born, Maryland-based singer, songwriter, composer, and writer, Ruut is a multidisciplinary artist and creative leader known for her evocative music and dedication to uplifting women artists. She’s the founder of the Making Her Mark Foundation, a young nonprofit born from personal loss that connects, mentors, and amplifies women artists in Baltimore and beyond. Ruut talks about discovering music as a child at the piano, moving to the United States as a teen, and the moment creativity became her calling. We dive into how Making Her Mark grew out of honoring a mentor’s legacy, the early challenges and surprising community response to a “baby” organization, and stories of mentorship—like helping a hesitant student find her voice and confidence through creative projects. Ruut also shares practical details about her music journey: a new record partnership with ECR Meridian, forthcoming shows, and where she’ll be sharing new work this year. She reflects on creative routines (5:30 a.m. writing sessions with her dog as an alarm), the emotional work of returning to past recordings like the Steinway sessions, and what the phrase “art saves us” means to her now—how art can honor memory, foster resilience, and create spaces of belonging. For updates, follow @ruutartist, visit https://www.ruutartist.com, and if you’re a woman artist seeking connection and mentorship, check out makinghermark.org. Image courtesy of Steven Parke The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob Lee Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production: Photos: Rob LeeSupport the podcast Fundraisinghttps://www.fracturedatlas.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialhttps://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enhttps://www.thetruthinthisart.com/Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In The Art, the guest is Barbara Perez Marquez! Who is Barbara Perez Marquez: Baltimore-based, Dominican Republic–born writer and creator working in comics and prose, focused on middle grade and young adult readers. Barbara Perez Marquez talks about her path into writing and why she centers younger readers and her own lived experience. She shares insights from The Cardboard Kingdom and previews upcoming projects: The Library of Memories, The Curious Society: A Game of Code, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, and To Dance the Moon and Star. We also dig into collaboration, mentorship, and community—how creative peers shape the work and sustain the process. Her aim throughout: representation, strong storytelling, and a sense of belonging for young readers. For updates, visit www.mustachebabs.com Photo by Jason Gitlin. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob Lee Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production: Photos: Rob LeeSupport the podcast Fundraisinghttps://www.fracturedatlas.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialhttps://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enhttps://www.thetruthinthisart.com/Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

Back by Bodacious Demand. Let's Watch It Again is back! Rob Lee and Isaiah Winters revisit the 1991 childhood classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze for its 35th anniversary. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991) drops the turtles back into a messy, fun, 90s adventure: reconnecting with April and Splinter, fighting Tokka and Rahzar, and chasing the mysterious ooze that created them. It’s loud, goofy, full of practical effects, puppetry, and pure kid‑movie energy. In this episode, Rob and Isaiah mix straight-up nostalgia with clear-eyed takes. No fluff — just the moments we loved, the parts that aged weirdly, and why this movie still matters to us. Topics include: Wanna listen to Rob make another funny? Check out the review of the original 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles review — give it a listen and relive the nostalgia. Cowabunga. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob Lee Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production: Photos: Rob LeeSupport the podcast Fundraisinghttps://www.fracturedatlas.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialhttps://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enhttps://www.thetruthinthisart.com/Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In The Art, the guest is Juan Morales! Who is Juan Morales: Maryland native, writer and director whose films explore immigration, racism, and community; currently developing the feature Abhaile about a small town overtaken by a white supremacist group. Juan talks about his path from nearly attending medical school to filmmaking, why he wrote Abhaile from the perspective of a Latina protagonist, and the challenges of telling a large story with a small cast. We also dig into research, collaboration, mentorship, and how community shapes and sustains creative work. His aim throughout: to tell timely stories that provoke conversation about belonging, identity, and justice. For updates, follow https://www.instagram.com/j.mor_95/ The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob Lee Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production: Photos: Rob LeeSupport the podcast Fundraisinghttps://www.fracturedatlas.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialhttps://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enhttps://www.thetruthinthisart.com/Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Jamilla Okubo! Who is Jamilla Okubo: A Washington, D.C.-based multidisciplinary artist whose work spans painting, collage, illustration, and print design. Her work centers the Black silhouette, using pattern, ornament, and saturated color to explore identity, self-possession, and cultural memory—drawing from African textile traditions, fashion, and Black feminist thought. In our conversation, Jamilla traces her journey from Duke Ellington School of the Arts to Parsons, where she initially planned to focus on painting but discovered her multidisciplinary approach after making a dress from magazine paper. She breaks down how she developed her signature use of the Black silhouette—blacking out white models in fashion magazines with Sharpie, then tracing and painting them in bold colors to represent Black people in a positive light. Jamilla talks through the tension between her illustration work and fine art practice, explaining how client deadlines can feel like "being a machine" while her studio work requires patience and time to let ideas fully develop. She shares her creative breakthrough ritual: boxing at the gym followed by steam room sessions where she works through mental blockages. We also dig into community, the importance of trusting your gut ("if it's not a hell yes, it's a hell no"), and what it means to be in this for the long haul—creating meaningful work instead of chasing fleeting fame. Don't miss Jamilla Okubo's work—her bold, layered silhouettes tell stories of identity, heritage, and belonging you won't want to overlook. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob Lee Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production: Photos: Rob LeeSupport the podcast Fundraisinghttps://www.fracturedatlas.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialhttps://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enhttps://www.thetruthinthisart.com/Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Currie Lee! Who is Currie Lee: Filmmaker and artist with a photography background, focused on visual stories about complicated relationships. In our conversation, Currie talks through her short film The Haze—a psychological horror about a toxic relationship. She connects the project to personal moments that pulled her back into making art and digs into choices that shaped the film’s edit and camera language. As she puts it, “you’re upset and unhappy because you’re not the one making the art.” She recalls a Q&A after a screening where she realized she was speaking before she’d decided to—steadying herself by looking to friends in the front row. We get into collaboration and making adjustments when feedback or funding reshapes a plan, and how staying connected keeps the work moving. Be sure to follow Currie Lee to keep up with her films and future projects. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob Lee Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production: Photos: Rob LeeSupport the podcast Fundraisinghttps://www.fracturedatlas.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialhttps://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enhttps://www.thetruthinthisart.com/Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Nicole Clark! Who is Nicole Clark: Chicago-born, Baltimore-based artist and writer. Nicole works across paint, prose, and collage, often pulling from personal paper trails to build layered, funny, and pointed reflections on women’s lives. In our conversation, Nicole talks about moving from “Chicago proper” to Baltimore, why she leans on blinders to avoid comparison, and how running her own race keeps the work honest. She walks through mixing mediums—abstract and figurative painting with text and collage—and how revisiting old artifacts lets her thread humor, memory, and critique into a single piece. We also get into the art-and-business overlap: accidental entrepreneurship becoming intentional, and finding voice and community in Baltimore’s scene. Explore Nicole’s work and writing at https://tilqueendomcome.com/ and on Instagram at @til_queendom_come. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob Lee Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production: Photos: Rob LeeSupport the podcast Fundraisinghttps://www.fracturedatlas.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialhttps://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enhttps://www.thetruthinthisart.com/Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, artist Santos Shelton returns! Who is Santos Shelton: Bay Area–based artist and storyteller. Santos blends science fiction and fantasy with vibrant color and dynamic texture, using his work to explore vulnerability, healing, and lived experience through a lens shaped by being biracial—Black and Mexican. In our conversation, Santos talks about using art to translate personal and societal trauma into visual stories, and how making the work can be a way to express what’s hard to say out loud. He reflects on a deeply personal solo show shaped by difficult experiences at home and how those experiences can linger, influencing identity and self-perception. We also discuss his upcoming mini solo show at Gallery Ergo in Seattle, where he’s focusing on death and grief after years of family loss—and how cultural context shapes the way he approaches that theme. Catch Santos’s previous episode here. Follow Santos on Instagram at @santosart and follow the gallery at @gallery.ergo for updates on the March 13 opening. As a first, I have an extended version of this conversation if you want to check it out: The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob Lee Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production: Photos: Rob LeeSupport the podcast Fundraisinghttps://www.fracturedatlas.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialhttps://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enhttps://www.thetruthinthisart.com/Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is returning filmmaker Tristian “TrisRex” Johnson! Who is TrisRex: A filmmaker, monster maker, and practical FX artist whose work blends sci-fi and horror with hand-built creatures and DIY craft. In our conversation, TrisRex digs into his latest project, Aliens Resurgence (for the Hive). He talks through post-production—“doing a bid”—and how the edit sets pacing and tension. He breaks down working with real people alongside fabricated characters, including Big Pookie—“the biggest diva”—and what it takes to design, move, and shoot large-scale practical monsters. We get into planning for complex scenes, scrapping or reshooting choices, and staying disciplined so the story holds together while he pushes into unconventional territory. Don't miss Aliens Resurgence (for the Hive) —it’s a wild ride you won't want to overlook. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob Lee Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production: Photos: Rob LeeSupport the podcast Fundraisinghttps://www.fracturedatlas.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialhttps://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enhttps://www.thetruthinthisart.com/Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Jonene Lee! Who is Jonene Lee: Philadelphia-based curator and owner of No Name Gallery, with roots in photography, dance, and deep ties across the city’s music and arts community. In our conversation, Jonene lays out how photography—documenting friends, parties, and performances—shaped her curatorial eye. She talks about organizing Philly DJ Day, uniting around 300 Philadelphia DJs for a single group photograph inspired by Gordon Parks. We get into her dance background and how that sense of rhythm and flow shows up in how she builds exhibitions and events. She also breaks down opening No Name Gallery in Chestnut Hill—learning business on the fly, tapping community support, and expanding the gallery’s role beyond a white-wall space to include urban, street, pop, abstract, and contemporary work, plus artist-made home furnishings. At the center is connection: photos that turn into relationships, music that anchors the scene, and a gallery that serves both artists and neighborhood. Be sure to check out No Name Gallery and explore the fantastic artists who are shaping the Philadelphia art scene. Visit NoNameGalleryPhilly.com for all the latest updates! The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). Host: Rob Lee Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production: Photos: Rob LeeSupport the podcast Fundraisinghttps://www.fracturedatlas.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialhttps://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enhttps://www.thetruthinthisart.com/Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★