Ep 21: Expressive Figuration w/ Keisha Prioleau Martin & Emilia Olsen

Painters, Keisha Prioleau Martin and Emilia Olsen joined me this week to talk about their work. Both painter's painters, they work primarily with the figure and use vibrant luscious color to add to the content of their work. Listen in to hear about why the "bather" is still a rich subject to paint (especially by women or female-identifying artists), why the city's character and quirks can inspire endless imagery and also what advice they would each give their younger selves. See more of their work: Keisha: https://keishaprioleaumartin.cargo.site/ and on IG at @keishaprioleaumartin Emilia: https://www.emiliawolsen.com/ and on IG at @emiliaolsen.biz  Upcoming shows: Keisha: Solo ceramic show "Small Gestures" at ArtShack 1131 Bedford Ave (Bed-Stuy) Brooklyn, NY thru May 19, 2022 / Solo painting show at Olympia 41 Orchard St. NYC opens May 26, 2022 / Look for Keisha during Upstate Weekend too in Fall 2022 Emilia: Two-person show at Kates-Ferri Projects 561 Grand Street, NYC (w/ C.J. Chueca) Texts recommended by my guests: "Joy is a Human Madness" by Zadie Smith, "The Book of Delights: Essays" by Ross Gay, "The Trauma of Everyday Life" by Mark Epstein, "The Last Thing" by Ada Limón, "How to Be a Good Girl" by Jamie Hood (Fun fact: Emilia's work is on the cover and the book is seen on the nightstand in a scene from the Sex and the City reboot "And Just Like That"), Frank O'Hara, "The Whale" by Philip Hoare BrushTalk™: Keisha loves a round, a synthetic sable and a Hashimoto large flat. Emilia loves a filbert and also "mural" brushes. Shout out to radiant red and the quinacridone violets! Please check out the Pep Talks Instagram at @peptalksforartists to see images of the works mentioned on this episode in a special story highlight. Thanks so much to my guests and also thank you for listening! Licensed music is by Soundstripe