The Bodies of Work Podcast

Conversations with artists about how becoming a parent transforms their life and work. From loss to creative reinvention, their stories reveal the complex and unique transformation career artists go through in parenthood. Hosted by Jess Wainer, RISD alumni, glass artist and lighting designer, turned solo parent and late-night storyteller.

In conversation with George Sawyer 06/30/2025

In conversation with George Sawyer George Sawyer is the lead fine woodworker and creator of Windsor Chairs at Sawyer Made, a family business started by his father in rural Vermont. George describes the evolution of his business and how both the studio and their natural surroundings enrich their children’s lives. George explores how long commutes to school and out of town work commitments are challenging at times but overall manageable realities of life for he and his wife who run their business together. /episode/index/show/ed29fe42-57f3-4b0b-8b5a-7b27f6b9b8db/id/37215370

In conversation with Mark Slee 06/30/2025

In conversation with Mark Slee Mark Slee is a polymath with a successful career in software engineering, music, and sculpture. Now based in the UK, Mark describes juggling his many interests and talents with the constraints and joys of parenting. In this candid conversation, we look at the time and energetic demands of both creative and academic work, and how they relate to life as a parent of young children. /episode/index/show/ed29fe42-57f3-4b0b-8b5a-7b27f6b9b8db/id/37215355

In conversation with Chris Keating 03/21/2025

In conversation with Chris Keating Chris Keating is a free spirited, devoted father to a 10 year old daughter. He paints an honest picture of the messiness and beauty of parenthood and describes how his shifting priorities ostensibly lead to him ending his career as a performing artist/musician in the band, Yeasayer. He currently lives in Los Angeles, CA where he spends his time parenting, composing film scores and producing music. Helping his daughter realize her own creative visions brings him joy and fulfills him creatively. /episode/index/show/ed29fe42-57f3-4b0b-8b5a-7b27f6b9b8db/id/35801115

In Conversation with Jim Drain 03/21/2025

In Conversation with Jim Drain Jim Drain is a widely collected American Artist who has received numerous prestigious awards and has exhibited extensively across the United States and abroad. In this conversation, he describes the arc of his career from showing in Chelsea galleries and museums, to teaching as a professor at the Rhode Island School of Design to his current life as an educator, parent and artist with a more private studio practice. His story illuminates the leveling effect of parenthood through presenting somewhat universal practical and emotional shifts that professional artists go through in their transition into parenthood. /episode/index/show/ed29fe42-57f3-4b0b-8b5a-7b27f6b9b8db/id/35801010

In Conversation with Bohyun Yoon 02/13/2025

In Conversation with Bohyun Yoon Bohyun Yoon is an imaginative, playful and brilliant glass artist based in Richmond, VA. His thought provoking work with glass employs its essential qualities to explore the human body and experience with a sense delight and wonder. Bohyun is an associate professor of glass in the Craft/Material Studies department at Virginia Commonwealth University. Bo shares intimate details about the struggles of parenthood as well as the enriching quality of taking on many roles: father, husband, artist, and professor. Family is a theme that infuses his current work. /episode/index/show/ed29fe42-57f3-4b0b-8b5a-7b27f6b9b8db/id/35264725

In conversation with Noah Breuer 02/07/2025

In conversation with Noah Breuer Noah Breuer is a Professor of Print Media for University at Buffalo SUNY. His formal training in printmaking has served as the foundation of his current sculptural work that utilizes glass and textiles to explore the Jewish diaspora through his personal family history. Noah talks about maximizing his time and efforts as an exhibiting fine artist while navigating the logistical and financial constraints of parenthood. He shares intriguing ideas about how his fatherhood journey and personal identity may inform upcoming works. /episode/index/show/ed29fe42-57f3-4b0b-8b5a-7b27f6b9b8db/id/35187505

In conversation with Ivan Lee Mora 02/07/2025

In conversation with Ivan Lee Mora Ivan Lee Mora is a self-taught, independent artist based out of Los Angeles, CA. His concept-driven work leads to an ever-evolving process and use of materials including glass, clay, wood, and metal. The passion and heart Ivan puts into his work is apparent in his attitude about parenthood. The newest parent in the series, Ivan’s son was just a few months old when we recorded this candid chat. /episode/index/show/ed29fe42-57f3-4b0b-8b5a-7b27f6b9b8db/id/35187345

In conversation with Jeremy Mayer 02/07/2025

In conversation with Jeremy Mayer Jeremy Mayer is an extraordinary sculptor whose primary medium is typewriter parts. He meticulously sorts and assembles these parts using purely mechanical joints to make human figures, animals, mandalas and more. He shares about his deep love of fatherhood, and the creative mentorship his daughter received being in the studio with him over the years. Jeremy presents a special 20-year portrait of parenting and art making in parallel. He is based in Sebastopol, CA. /episode/index/show/ed29fe42-57f3-4b0b-8b5a-7b27f6b9b8db/id/35187300

In conversation with Olivia Chen 07/05/2024

In conversation with Olivia Chen Olivia Chen is an illustrator, painter and art educator in the Bay Area. She shares her long path back to her own art making practice as she raises her two children. In this conversation we examine how studios function as symbolic and literal foundations for one’s art-making practice. Olivia started and runs Liv & Chiu art studio, a youth art education organization in El Cerrito, CA. /episode/index/show/ed29fe42-57f3-4b0b-8b5a-7b27f6b9b8db/id/32007597

In conversation with Aoi Yamaguchi 07/05/2024

In conversation with Aoi Yamaguchi Aoi Yamaguchi is a Japanese calligrapher living in Los Angeles, CA. Her life long pursuit of mastery in her art form coupled with her unique creative voice make her a dynamic powerhouse. Her unfaltering passion for her work leads her to maintain an active studio practice in tandem with the demands of full time parenting. /episode/index/show/ed29fe42-57f3-4b0b-8b5a-7b27f6b9b8db/id/32010397

In conversation with Shana Siegel 07/05/2024

In conversation with Shana Siegel Shana Siegel is a scenic artist for film, TV and theater in New York City, and an illustrator. She shares how the physicality of her work, paired with the logistics of her field created a unique experience for her as a parent artist. In this conversation she dives into the creative strategies she’s employed to make it all work. /episode/index/show/ed29fe42-57f3-4b0b-8b5a-7b27f6b9b8db/id/32009812

In conversation with Kitty Clark 07/05/2024

In conversation with Kitty Clark Kitty Clark is a documentary photographer based out of the UK. She explores intimate and vulnerable aspects of motherhood through her lens. In this candid conversation she opens up about her own experience from pregnancy into parenthood. Her words, and the images she creates, embody a similar quality of humility and heartfelt storytelling. /episode/index/show/ed29fe42-57f3-4b0b-8b5a-7b27f6b9b8db/id/32010302

In conversation with Kelly Rathbone Rebo 12/14/2023

In conversation with Kelly Rathbone Rebo Kelly Rathbone Rebo is an extraordinarily talented ceramic sculptor and painter. As a mother of three, she shares her fascinating life story that weaves together different chapters of her art career with phases of parenthood. An adaptive global traveler, she presents a view of being an artist parent that includes travel, adventure and dynamic creative pursuits. /episode/index/show/ed29fe42-57f3-4b0b-8b5a-7b27f6b9b8db/id/29075758

In conversation with Liz Maher 12/14/2023

In conversation with Liz Maher Liz Maher is a painter, sculptor and improvisational quilter. In addition to being an accomplished artist she works as an Art Therapist. In this conversation we dive into the challenges of time management, work family balance, and the struggle to find enough time and emotional space to dive deeply into creative work. Always inspiring, Liz shares about finding new creative outlets through parenting. /episode/index/show/ed29fe42-57f3-4b0b-8b5a-7b27f6b9b8db/id/29075693

In conversation with Meryl Pataky 12/14/2023

In conversation with Meryl Pataky Meryl Pataky is a renowned mixed media sculptor who focuses on neon and is based in the Bay Area. In this conversation we discuss how becoming a parent has infused the subject matter, process and materials she uses. Meryl’s work encapsulates the complexity of motherhood through exploring themes of time, labor, and physical transformation. /episode/index/show/ed29fe42-57f3-4b0b-8b5a-7b27f6b9b8db/id/29073818

In conversation with Yu Kondo Reigen 12/14/2023

In conversation with Yu Kondo Reigen Yu Kondo Reigen is a contemporary dancer, Gyrotonic Instructor, and pre and post natal educator. All of her work is focused on the body; how it moves, how it feels, how it functions. In parenthood, her work has been focused on bringing vital information about pregnancy and birth to the Japanese public. /episode/index/show/ed29fe42-57f3-4b0b-8b5a-7b27f6b9b8db/id/29072483

The Bodies of Work Podcast

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