Art Pays Me

The Art Pays Me Podcast is a series of informal conversations between successful creatives of diverse backgrounds with Nova Scotia based artist and designer,Vere Duane Jones. Duane asks guests about the work they're known for and how they got their start to explore the many ways possible to make a living off of art.

Koumbie, Creative Nova Scotia Emerging Artist Award Winner 01/20/2024

Koumbie, Creative Nova Scotia Emerging Artist Award Winner Welcome to a special series of interviews with the winners of the 2023 . Presented by Arts Nova Scotia and the , the Creative Nova Scotia Awards celebrate excellence in artistic achievement. Award categories are as follows: And finally, The that is given to a person who has made outstanding and significant contributions to Nova Scotia’s creative community over a sustained career – much like the incredible woman that the award is named after. The winner will also choose an emerging artist or cultural organization that they feel deserve recognition. Collectively, these awards are worth $75,000! Visit to nominate your favourite Nova Scotia based artist or be a boss and nominate yourself! This series would not be possible without the fantastic production work of and . On this episode I got to chat with Emerging Artist Award winner, (she/they) and special guest Eleanor (she/her). Koumbie talks about how their interest in dance and performance arts led to script writing, filmmaking and becoming one of the first on-set intimacy coordinators in Nova Scotia. /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/29573213

Gabrielle LeGuerrier, Head Chef, GourmetGab Events 09/27/2023

Gabrielle LeGuerrier, Head Chef, GourmetGab Events On this episode, I chat with a chef for the first time on the podcast! Michelin-trained Gabrielle LeGuerrier, Head Chef of and gives some insight into the private dining events that she hosts with her husband, European Sommelier, Gabor Bodo. /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/28163303

I'thandi Munro, Creative Nova Scotia Emerging Artist Recognition Award Recipient 09/14/2023

I'thandi Munro, Creative Nova Scotia Emerging Artist Recognition Award Recipient Welcome to a special series of Art Pays Me interviews with the winners of the . The awards are presented annually by and the . The goal is to celebrate excellence in artistic achievement – notably, the . Winners of the , the , , and awards as well as the are also honoured. Collectively, the awards are worth $75,000. Visit to nominate a Nova Scotia based artist or apply for awards and grants for yourself. On this episode I chat with 2022 Creative Nova Scotia Emerging Artist Recognition Award recipient, I’thandi Munro. I’thandi is a multi-disciplinary artist whose love of movement travels through all of her art from metalsmithing to dance. We talk about the value of sticking with the first idea you feel strongly about in the creative process, being inspired by your children and the freedom that mastering your craft through repetition offers artists. /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/28035363

Clara Dugas 08/16/2023

Clara Dugas Welcome to a special series of Art Pays Me interviews with the winners of the . The awards are presented annually by and the . The goal is to celebrate excellence in artistic achievement – notably, the . Winners of the , the , , and awards as well as the are also honoured. Collectively, the awards are worth $75,000. Visit to nominate a Nova Scotia based artist or apply for awards and grants for yourself. On this episode I chat with Award winner, Clara Dugas about being a professional storyteller. Clara tells us how she realized that her very personal stories were impactful when they helped her connect with students in her previous career as a teacher and how the passion blossomed from there. /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/27773646

Tyshan Wright, Emerging Artist Recognition Award 07/14/2023

Tyshan Wright, Emerging Artist Recognition Award Welcome to a special series of Art Pays Me interviews with the winners of the . The awards are presented annually by and the . The goal is to celebrate excellence in artistic achievement – notably, the . Winners of the , the , , and awards as well as the are also honoured. Collectively, the awards are worth $75,000. Visit to nominate a Nova Scotia based artist or apply for awards and grants for yourself. On this episode I chat with 2022 Creative Nova Scotia Emerging Artist Recognition Award recipient, Tyshan Wright. We talk about Tyson’s creative process and how Jamaica and Nova Scotia’s intertwined histories influence his work. Art Pays Me is sponsored and produced by . /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/27462393

Sarah Prosper, Indigenous Artist Recognition Award 06/15/2023

Sarah Prosper, Indigenous Artist Recognition Award Welcome to a special series of Art Pays Me interviews with the winners of the . The awards are presented annually by and the . The goal is to celebrate excellence in artistic achievement – notably, the . Winners of the , the , , and awards as well as the are also honoured. Collectively, the awards are worth $75,000. Visit to nominate a Nova Scotia based artist or apply for awards and grants for yourself. On this episode I chat with Dancer, about receiving the Award, and how she’s living a life of dance. /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/27155508

Cyndi Cain 05/12/2023

Cyndi Cain Welcome to a special series of Art Pays Me interviews with the winners of the . The awards are presented annually by and the . The goal is to celebrate excellence in artistic achievement – notably, the . Winners of the , the , , and awards as well as the are also honoured. Collectively, the awards are worth $75,000. Visit to nominate a Nova Scotia based artist or apply for awards and grants for yourself. On this episode I chat with Nova Scotian music legend, Cyndi Cain about her music, spirituality and winning the Portia White Prize. We also talked about the meaning behind her brand, ‘We Been Here’ and why she’s passionate about working with creative youth. /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/26818428

Inverness County Centre for the Arts, Creative Nova Scotia Emerging Artist Recognition Award 04/13/2023

Inverness County Centre for the Arts, Creative Nova Scotia Emerging Artist Recognition Award On this episode I chat with Ash Young, the Executive Director of the . They are the recipient of the Creative Community Impact Award for. Ash gives some insight into the centre's beginnings, their program offerings and why they are important to Inverness County and Beyond. /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/26527527

Domanique Grant 03/29/2023

Domanique Grant We talk about early days as an artist and letting go of fear to make the work we were meant to create. We also talk about the role of spirituality in her music and why I should commit to my goal of one day visiting Africa. In addition to the music, Domanique is truly an enterprising artist with a lot on the go; to start, she has landed major sync placements with L’Oreal Paris, Unilever Brands (Dove, Vaseline, Shea Moisture) and more, Led a sold-out TEDx Talk with a full performance, Featured at Uganda’s Pepsi World AIDS Day for audience of 40,000+, has headlined her own shows and opened for TIFF film premieres to Mr. Vegas, Grammy-Award Winning artists Eddy Kenzo and Wale, to being the featured performer at events including Black Diamond Ball Awards, the United Nations, and more. Domanique produced RBC's , supporting artist-entrepreneurs in imagining beyond the limitations of the current global climate, by offering exclusive access to industry leaders, mindfulness training and financial resources. Connect with Domanique: | | | | | /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/26377776

Andre Fenton 03/15/2023

Andre Fenton Welcome to a special series of Art Pays Me interviews with the winners of the . The awards are presented annually by and the . The goal is to celebrate excellence in artistic achievement – notably, the . Winners of the , the , , and awards as well as the are also honoured. Collectively, the awards are worth $75,000. Visit to nominate a Nova Scotia based artist or apply for awards and grants for yourself. On this episode I chat with 2022 Creative Nova Scotia Emerging Artist Recognition Award recipient, Andre Fenton. Andre talks about his early interest in writing, telling stories and his yearning for characters that reflected his experience and his community. Today he's creating those stories and characters himself. We talk about Andre's creative process and he lets us know what it means to him to be acknowledged for his contributions to the Nova Scotian creative scene. /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/26241093

Martins Madumere 03/02/2023

Martins Madumere is an artist who’s difficult to put in a box. His diverse interests and penchant for developing new skills has given him some valuable perspectives on life and creativity. We discussed his 30 minute a day philosophy when it comes to learning and how it’s like “putting in reps” as an athlete. We also talk about society wanting us to pick one identity when the reality is that we can be artists and athletes and more. /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/26100519

Tonya “Sam’Gwan” Paris 02/16/2023

Tonya “Sam’Gwan” Paris Welcome to a special series of Art Pays Me interviews with the winners of the . The awards are presented annually by and the . The goal is to celebrate excellence in artistic achievement – notably, the . Winners of the , the , , and awards as well as the are also honoured. Collectively, the awards are worth $75,000. Visit to nominate a Nova Scotia based artist or apply for awards and grants for yourself. On this episode I chat with 2022 Creative Nova Scotia Black Artist Recognition Award recipient Tonya "Sam'Gwan" Paris. We talk about the influence of her intersecting identities on her art and how daily life and ancestral experiences add meaning. /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/25947705

Frances Dorsey, Established Artist Recognition Award 01/18/2023

Frances Dorsey, Established Artist Recognition Award Welcome to a special series of Art Pays Me interviews with the winners of the . The awards are presented annually by and the . The goal is to celebrate excellence in artistic achievement – notably, the . Winners of the , the , , and awards as well as the are also honoured. Collectively, the awards are worth $75,000. Visit to nominate a Nova Scotia based artist or apply for awards and grants for yourself. On this episode, I speak with Creative Nova Scotia Established Artist Recognition Award Winner . You might remember Frances from our Craft Pays Me series. Frances is primarily a fibre based artist whose work is very much informed by – and in some instances in collaboration with nature. We discuss how her fascination with plant life both under and above ground impacts her practice and how it feels to be acknowledged for her work. Art Pays Me is a production of . This award series is co-produced by and . /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/25644222

STORRY, Singer-songwriter 01/09/2023

STORRY, Singer-songwriter Singer-songwriter, talks about the importance of diversifying your skills when you’re an independent artist, moving to London to further her music career and how she brings operatic sauce to songs she’s featured on. We also talk about working with UK artist, , the release of her deluxe album, CHIII The Come Up and why she brings awareness to in her art. /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/25548417

Séamus Gallagher, Emerging Artist Recognition Award 12/28/2022

Séamus Gallagher, Emerging Artist Recognition Award Welcome to a special series of Art Pays Me interviews with the winners of the . The awards are presented annually by and the . The goal is to celebrate excellence in artistic achievement – notably, the . Winners of the , the , , and awards as well as the are also honoured. Collectively, the awards are worth $75,000. Visit to nominate a Nova Scotia based artist or apply for awards and grants for yourself. On this episode, I speak with Creative Nova Scotia Emerging Artist Award Winner . We talk about some of the challenges and benefits of living and working as an artist in Nova Scotia, how they manage their multi-disciplinary creative practice and how it feels to be acknowledged for their work. Art Pays Me is a production of . This award series is co-produced by and . /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/25449879

Amai Kuda et Les Bois, Singer songwriter & Healer 12/07/2022

Amai Kuda et Les Bois, Singer songwriter & Healer On this episode, I chat with Singer songwriter & Healer, about their new album, the challenge of following multiple passions and the impact of truly living the message in your art. This podcast is a production of . /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/25256976

Jackie Torrens, Writer & Filmmaker 11/22/2022

Jackie Torrens, Writer & Filmmaker On this episode, I chat with writer, actor and director of about how she became a filmmaker. We also discuss her latest documentary film, Bernie Langille Wants To Know What Happened To Bernie Langille. The story follows Bernie, a man on a journey to better understand a tragedy that impacted his family for multiple generations. /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/25100421

Nikki Yanofsky, Singer 11/07/2022

Nikki Yanofsky, Singer On this episode of Art Pays Me, I chatted with singer about the journey back to her roots in Jazz music. Nikki shares what it was like blowing up at a young age and getting the chance to be mentored and work with legends like Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock. We also talk about Nikki’s now project, ‘’, why she recorded it on a vintage RCA 77C microphone and what causes God to walk out of the room during the creative process. /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/24928650

Glitterati Returns 10/24/2022

Glitterati Returns On this solo episode I share some exciting news and discuss why our parent company, will be more visible going forward. /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/24786843

Omar Gandhi, Architect 10/10/2022

Omar Gandhi, Architect On this episode I chat with my friend – Architect, about how we met, what it’s like receiving global accolades for your work and why he values keeping his practice small. We also talk about winning the bid to design large cultural institutions like the new building for the and why smaller projects like the Blue House are just as, if not more important. When I first started this podcast, Omar was one of the first people I wanted to speak to. He told me that he was down to do the show but I admit that I was too intimidated to lock him in for an interview. I’m excited to finally have him on! See what Omar’s up to on . /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/24643479

Waants, Artist and Producer 09/26/2022

Waants, Artist and Producer Artist and producer and I talk about his new music and what it means to be in your “flop era”. We also talk about how success as an artist is sometimes less about technical proficiency and more about how well you’re able to connect with people. /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/24486726

Bruno Capinan, Singer-songwriter 09/12/2022

Bruno Capinan, Singer-songwriter Singer-songwriter hopped on the podcast to talk about their new album and producing art that challenges racial, gender and sexual conventions. /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/24351333

hill of iamhill 08/29/2022

hill of iamhill On this episode I chat with JUNO-nominated artist, of about her creative interests, collaborating with Mike Schlosser, Web3 and her feelings about the relationship between art and technology. /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/24186009

Teagan Johnston, Singer-songwriter 08/01/2022

Teagan Johnston, Singer-songwriter In this episode I chat with singer-songwriter Teagon Johnston – except she/they are so much more than that. Teagan, like many of us is exploring creativity in multiple areas including, modelling, acting and writing. We talked about working in these different spaces, travel, changing their artist name from Little Coyote to her government name and why coyotes continue to be significant to her identity. Your can learn more about Teagan by checking out her and following her on . /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/23921163

Artist, Miya Bailey 07/01/2022

Artist, Miya Bailey Artist breaks down his art origin story, how he pursues his many creative outlets from tattooing to sculpture, and how his latest enterprise Is helping him fulfill his personal mission of elevating Black artists in Atlanta. We also talked about why women are the shit, how our egos get us in trouble as men and the conflict artists have with capitalism. /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/23598827

Ria Mae: Singer-songwriter 05/23/2022

Ria Mae: Singer-songwriter Singer-songwriter shares what happened after her first hit song, why age doesn’t matter for musicians anymore and why it’s a good thing when people don’t know who you are. We also talk about her new album, . /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/23203169

Omar Hopkinson (Oms) 05/09/2022

Omar Hopkinson (Oms) Multidisciplinary creative, discusses how his roots in Toronto’s hip hop scene led him to work on diverse projects across the visual spectrum. We talk about how to stay true to yourself even when your interests vary and why he refers to himself as a creator instead of an artist. /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/23054600

Jonathan Smith 04/25/2022

Jonathan Smith Artist, Designer and Co-Founder of , Jonathan Smith shares how this new app helps artists connect with one another, form little sub-communities, and share weird and unique work that they create and discover. /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/22907150

Stephanie Joline 04/04/2022

Stephanie Joline Filmmaker Stephanie Joline and I discuss tapping into our shame to create art, leaning into controversy and her latest film, Night Blooms. /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/22674803

Kristina Elise Søbstad 03/21/2022

Kristina Elise Søbstad Visual Artist, Kristina Elise Søbstad and I talk about leaning into what feels natural for you as an artist and balancing that with what sells. We also talk about the importance of having real life experiences to feed the work that we create. Kristina Online /episode/index/show/artpaysme/id/22520120

Art Pays Me

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