The Art Box

The Art Box - Episode 273 - Meet Nevada Art Council's Brad McMullen

Thanks to a generous grant from the Nevada Arts Council, Linda and Steve are broadcasting from the Elko Convention Center at the 40th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. A heartfelt thank you to the Western Folklife Center for their incredible hospitality and dedication to preserving the spirit of cowboy poetry and Western storytelling!
In this episode, we welcome Brad McMullen, Folklife Specialist for the Nevada Arts Council. With deep ties to the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Brad shares his wealth of knowledge and personal experiences from this iconic event. Join us for an engaging conversation as we explore Brad’s journey, the rich history of the gathering, and the enduring impact of Western folklore and storytelling.
Learn more about Nevada Arts Council: https://www.nvartscouncil.org/
 
 
 

The Art Box - Episode 272 - Welcome to the 40th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

Thanks to a generous grant from the Nevada Arts Council, your favorite art hosts, Linda and Steve, are heading back to Elko, Nevada, for the 40th Annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering! Broadcasting from the Elko Convention Center, this kickoff episode sets the stage for an unforgettable celebration of creativity, storytelling, and Western artistry. Join us as we dive into the heart of the event, sharing our excitement and plans to bring you conversations with some of the most talented voices in cowboy poetry and beyond. Enjoy the first of sixteen special episodes from Elko!

The Art Box - Episode 288 - Best in Show Feb 2025 - Red Barn #2

This month at the Mesquite Fine Arts Center, the themed exhibition "A Touch of Red" showcased vibrant and captivating works of art. Taking home Best in Show was "Red Barn #2," a stunning piece by artist Katherine Rountree. In this episode, Katherine joins host Floyd Johnson to share the story behind her award-winning artwork, her creative process, and what inspires her. Tune in for an engaging conversation that brings art to life!

The Art Box - Episode 271 - Brushstrokes of Light: A Conversation with Daniel Marshall

Welcome to The Art Box! In this episode, we’re diving into the world of watercolor with award-winning artist Daniel Marshall. Known for his masterful use of light, atmosphere, and expressive brushwork, Daniel has built a reputation for capturing the beauty of landscapes, urban scenes, and nature with striking depth and emotion.
Join us as we explore his artistic journey, creative process, and the unique challenges of working with watercolor. Whether you're an artist, an art enthusiast, or just curious about the magic of this fluid and unpredictable medium, this conversation is sure to inspire!
You can find Daniels website at: https://danmarshallart.com/
He is also on Instagram @danmarshallart 

The Art Box - Episode 270 - "Synesthesia a Catalyst for Everything I Do" - Meet Christine Cassano

Earlier this year, Linda and Steve found themselves at Core Contemporary, chatting with Nancy Good when she casually mentioned synesthesia—a concept that, at the time, went right over our heads. Later, guest Monica Martinez brought it up again, and Laura Hales from Scottsdale Arts took it a step further, sharing her plans to curate an entire exhibition on the subject. That’s when Monica came to the rescue, suggesting her friend Christine Cassano from New Mexico, someone who could truly illuminate the topic. A few emails and texts later, Christine graciously agreed to join us from her Santa Fe studio.
What followed was an absolutely mesmerizing conversation with this extraordinarily talented and unique creative mind. Christine's insights into synesthesia and how it intertwines with artistic expression left us in awe.
As you tune in to this fascinating discussion, you’ll quickly understand why we were over the moon to have her on the podcast. So, grab your headphones, pour yourself a glass of wine, and get ready to dive into a world of neurological creativity you may have never explored before. This is one episode you won’t want to miss!
Christine's web site: https://christinecassano.com/
A favorite quote of Christine's: The famous Louise Bourgeois quote about motivation is: "It is not so much where my motivation comes from but rather how it manages to survive."

The Art Box - Episode 269 - Chasing Shadow Meet Sandi Randelle

Today on The Art Box, we welcomed local Mesquite author Sandi Randelle to our STEAM Center studio for an engaging conversation about her work and creative journey. Sandi holds a BA in English from Eastern New Mexico University and an MA in English Literature from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. A native Floridian, she now calls Mesquite, NV, home as she continues crafting captivating stories.
Sandi has published three novels, including two installments of her dark fantasy vampire trilogy, Of Blood & Consequences: Of Plight and Promises and Of Dark & Bright. She’s currently hard at work on the final book, Of Men & Empires, which is slated for release next summer. In addition to her fantasy work, Sandi has ventured into science fiction with her latest novel, Chasing Shadow.
Join us as we dive into Sandi’s writing process, the inspiration behind her gripping characters and worlds, and what readers can expect from her upcoming projects. Whether you’re a fan of dark fantasy, sci-fi, or just love hearing about the craft of storytelling, this episode is not to be missed!
You can find Sandi's books and fun merch at: https://www.teepublic.com/user/sandirandelle

The Art Box - Episode 268 - Bugyardigans - Macro Photography with Sydney Carnevale-Baker

We enjoyed a delightful time chatting with Sydney Carnevale-Baker about her journey and love for the tiniest of creatures. 
Sydney Carnevale-Baker is a Las Vegas-based photographer with a knack for finding the hidden gems of nature, even when those gems are mostly bugs and sand. Armed with a camera, an unrelenting sense of adventure, and possibly a GPS to find her way out of the desert, she loves getting outdoors to uncover the wonders that most people wouldn't even notice unless they were lost and had to wait for rescue. Her photography isn’t just about capturing pretty pictures, but it’s about reminding everyone that tiny creatures and fragile ecosystems deserve a moment of fame. Through her work, Sydney hopes to inspire people to appreciate the web of life that ties us all together, though she’s mostly hoping people will stop stepping on all the ants.
View Sydney's work on her Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/bugyardigans/

The Art Box - Episode 267 - Best in Show - Casting Shadows

We’re kicking off 2025 with our first Best in Show themed podcast, and we’re thrilled to announce that our very own host, Floyd Johnson, took home the top ribbon! This exciting turn of events means Linda is stepping in as host, while Floyd joins us as the guest of honor.
In this special episode, we dive into Floyd’s stunning white-on-black drawing of Michael Jordan, the award-winning piece. He shares the inspiration behind the artwork and walks us through the intricate techniques that brought it to life. It’s an episode you won’t want to miss!
Visit the Mesquite Fine Arts Center at 15 West Mesquite Blvd, Mesquite, Nevada 89027 and their web site at https://www.mesquitefineartscenter.com/ 

The Art Box - Episode 266 - Being on the Shore is a Good Thing - Meet Carol Corbett

Happy New Year. Let's start off 2025 with a Clouds in the Sand podcast we recorded in June of 2023. We have enlisted Addie to migrate selected Clouds episodes over to the Art Box this year and this her first production edit.
This particular episode isn’t entirely about art—at least not in the traditional sense—but we firmly believe that art is everywhere creativity thrives. By that measure, our friend Carol Corbet is truly an artist. Her boundless creativity and zest for life shine through, making her story one worth hearing. Here we go.
A few weekends ago Steve was ever so fortunate to meet Carol at a Bureau of Land Management event in Basin and Range National Monument. We spent the first day in a group together focused on identifying flora throughout the Monument, what a fun time. Both of us being of the talkative type we quickly decided that Carol should be on our podcast. The sweetheart she is, she grabbed her partner Sue and drove to Mesquite on her birthday to chat with Linda, Dana and I. We believe you will enjoy this episode.
Thank you Dana Long for co-hosting this one with us.

The Art Box - Episode 262 - An Adventurous and Giving Life - Meet Chris Gorzalski

Chris stopped by the Mesquite Works STEAM Center recording studio on her way to an evening of dark sky gazing at Gold Butte National Monument. Both Chris and Steve are Volunteer Wilderness Stewards for the Bureau of Land Management in Washington County, Utah. But Chris's story doesn't end there—she is so much more.
In her professional career, Chris worked as a Neonatal Nurse, devoting her life to the care of infants and their families. Now retired, she channels her energy into her passion for public lands, spending much of her time volunteering or embarking on extraordinary canyoneering and backpacking adventures with her son, Jeremy.
Grab your headphones and get ready to join a lively conversation among friends, diving into tales of wilderness adventures, Toyota 4Runners, the possibilities of new hips, 514 climbs, carnivorous rocks, avoiding the call of the void, life as a nurse, and all the incredible experiences waiting in our surrounding public lands.