Episode 58: Drew Grasso

Today’s guest is Drew Grasso, an artist and printmaker based out of Oakland, CA. We discussed 222 Press, the new publishing project he recently founded and Sun Night Editions, the former print publishing house he once ran with Yoni Asega. We also talked about what motivated him to pursue his passion to be a printmaker and the amount of hard work that goes into operating your own printing press. 

Be sure to follow 222 Press on Instagram to see their latest updates and projects.

  • Drew Gasso & Yoni Asega at Sun Night Editions (Credit: Lenworth McIntosh)
  • Mai Ta for Sun Night Editions “Set The Moon On Fire Because She Wouldn’t Wake Up” 12″ X 16 3/8″ 2021
  • Penelope Anstruther sat 222 Press
  • Lauren D’Amato signing works for 222 Press
  • Tyler Cross for 222 Press “Flower War” Print Size: 3 1/4” x 4 3/8” Sheet Size: 7 1/4” x 8 1/2” 2024

Episode 57: Meryl Pataky

The newest episode of the podcast features, Meryl Pataky, a multi-disciplined artist known for her amazing neon pieces. Based here in the Bay Area, I visited Meryl in her studio to discuss her early beginnings as a mixed media artist, her neon practice and  She Bends, an organization she founded to create a more equitable future for neon. Finally, we also talked about the new exhibition curated by She Bends at the Contemporary Jewish Museum (CJM) in San Francisco titled First Light: Rituals of Glass and Neon Art. The exhibition features neon work by various artists including Meryl, that “explores mastery in craft as a devotional pursuit, presenting breathtaking artworks that connect both artists and viewers to spirituality, wonder, and universal questions of human existence.” The show is up at the CJM through April 28, 2024. Visit the museum website for more details. For more info about Meryl and her work be sure to visit her website at merylpataky.com  or follow her on Instagram at @merylpataky. Learn more about She Bends at shebends.com. 

Meryl Pataky (Image by Anna-Alexia Basile)
Meryl Pataky (Image by Kirby Gladstein)
Meryl Pataky (Image by Kirby Gladstein)
Meryl Pataky “Pass Me The Hammer” 2017
“Pass Me The Hammer” 2017 (detail)
“Pass Me The Hammer” 2017 (detail)
Meryl Pataky “I’m Just As Tired As You” 2019
Ru’ach 2023

Episode 56: Esteban Raheem Abdul Raheem Samayoa

This week’s guest on the (art)Scene Podcast is Oakland-based artist Esteban Raheem Abdul Raheem Samayoa whose art practice focuses on charcoal, airbrush painting, and most recently mixed media painting and installation. For our conversation I had the pleasure of visiting Esteban in his studio in Oakland to discuss his early beginnings in Sacramento and the community he surrounds himself with that ultimately inspires much of his work. We also discussed his new solo exhibition titled Ain’t No Dogs in Heaven currently up at Pt. 2 Gallery through September 9, 2023. Follow Esteban and his latest projects at https://www.wulffvnky.com/ or follow him on instagram @wulffvnky

Gallery view from “Ain’t No Dogs in Heaven” a solo exhibition by Esteban Raheem Abdul Raheem Samayoa at Part 2, Oakland, CA. On view from August 5 through September 9, 2023 (Photo by Shaun Roberts)
Esteban Raheem Abdul Raheem Samayoa (Photo by Gabe Searles)
”All in the Family” Acrylic on canvas 72 x 84 inches 2023 (Photo by Shaun Roberts)
“Tios” Oil, oil pastel on canvas 22 x 28 inches 2023 (Photo by Shaun Roberts)
“Salat #1” Plaster 12 x 12 x 4 inches 2023 (Photo by Shaun Roberts)

Episode 55: Isaac Vazquez Avila

After a long hiatus the (art)Scene Podcast is back with a  brand new guest: Isaac Vazquez Avila, a painter & sculptor based in San Francisco. I stopped by his studio in Bernal Heights to discuss what drew him to the Bay Area, his art practice and his recent projects including the exhibition that wrapped up at pt. 2 Gallery in Oakland and teaching. Follow Isaac and his latest projects at https://www.isaacvazquezavila.com/ or follow him on instagram @aliencitizen

Image Credit: Adan Pol Vazquez
Isaac Vazquez Avila ”Sun Stoned” Gouache, flash paint on artist made wood panel 72 x 48 inches 2023
Isaac Vazquez Avila ”Turbo bit flor bug” Gouache and acrylic on wood panel 10 x 8 inches 2023
Force of Healthy Growth

Episode 51: Joonbug

After a brief hiatus, I am back with a brand new episode featuring Oakland based artist and graphic designer, Lenworth Macintosh who is also goes by Joonbug. On today’s episode you’ll hear us discuss his background in creating his own clothing brand, his graphic design work and his eventual foray into the fine art world. We also discussed his recent solo show at Pt. 2 Gallery and the mural he created along the side of the Fox Theater in Oakland. 

Learn more about Joonbug and his work by visiting his website at www.bugs87.com or follow him on Instagram @thebugs87

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Joonbug (Lenworth Macintosh)

Episode 47: Christo Oropeza #2

This week Christo is back on the podcast to talk about his new role at SFMOMA & Incline Gallery’s 9th anniversary show at anälog gallery. We also just check in with each other and see how we are dealing with the COVID-19 self quarantine. 

Follow SFMOMA on Instagram @sfmoma to see what they are up to during the shutdown with #museumfromhome.

Visit inclinegallerysf.com to learn more about the gallery’s 9th anniversary show at anälog gallery.

Christo front of his mural titled “whatever the work may be” 2019 with his Parents Cenobio and Rosario Oropeza
Artist dropping off artwork at the 9th year anniversary. (From left to right : Alán Miknis, Gina Contreras, and Gallery director at anälog gallery, Don Ross)

Episode 45: Jamil Hellu

Today’s guest is Jamil Hellu, visual artist based in the Bay Area whose work deals with issues of identity relating to race, queer sexuality, and gender. We discuss his path to becoming an artist and how his art practice has grown over the years. 

Jamil’s solo show titled Together is on exhibit at SF Camerawork through March 14th. For more info visit: https://sfcamerawork.org/exhibitions. To learn more about Jamil and his work visit his website at https://jamilhellu.net.

Music by Obed Padilla (https://soundcloud.com/obedpadilla).

Jamil Hellu
Jamil Hellu
“100 Years of Solitude,” 2014 In response to the anti-LGBTQ law passed in Russia in 2013, and Moscow’s ruling to block permissions to organize pride parades for the next 100 years.
“Rider,” 2016
“By wearing my grandmother’s rebozo on my head, I celebrate not only my ancestral maternal tradition but my own feminine expression of the mother goddess within,” affirms Lorenzo Lambertino, a Mexican of Lebanese heritage. Hues Project, 2018.
“Jamil Hellu: Together” at SF Camerawork, 2020. (Image credit: Senny Mau)
“Jamil Hellu: Together” at SF Camerawork, 2020. (Image credit: Senny Mau)

Episode 35: Christo Oropeza

My first guest of 2019 is Christo Oropeza, owner and co-founder of Incline Gallery in San Francisco. A native San Franciscan, Christo discusses his early beginnings as an artist and his current role as a curator, gallery owner and community arts programmer.

The current show at Incline Gallery titled The Unmonumental opened January 25th but there will be an opening reception on February 1, 2019 from 6-9pm. For more details visit inclinegallerysf.com. You can also follow the gallery on Instagram.

  • Christo Oropeza
  • At Incline Gallery: Josue Rojas, Christo, John Zarobell