Artists on Art

I'm so glad I was introduced to Jesse Lee's work because I became an instant fan after reading one of her novels (My Life as a Silent movie). She is a fiction writer, poet, memoirist, translator and visual artist (not to mention a retired professor) and has published over twenty books. We had a truly wonderful talk about the trajectory of her creative life and how it's never too late to learn new things. I wish I was closer to Madison, Wisconsin so that I could view the exhibition of her visual art that will be opening not long after this is published. Pretty impressive for someone who started learning to draw during the pandemic lockdowns! Do yourself a favor and look up her work. You can find her on Instagram and if you are local to PEI - The Bookmark in Charlottetown can order her books.Producer, editor and host: Drea MacdonaldPodcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramTip me on Ko-fi to help support this podcast!

Mickey Acorn is an actor, comedian, songwriter, musician, writer, teacher . . . the list goes on. Since we acted together at UPEI in the late 90's, I've been admiring his work from far away (he's been living in Japan for 18 years). I don't think I've laughed this much in any other episode. We talked about his method of "wri-cording" (writing music while recording it), what lessons you learn on stage and what it means to be an artist. You can find Mickey online on Tiktok, YouTube, and probably many other places.Producer, editor and host: Drea MacdonaldPodcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramTip me on Ko-fi to help support this podcast!

I just love Daniel Baylis' poetry collections and so when he began releasing music over the last year, I was overjoyed. His music is like his poetry - insightful, raw, beautiful and very true. I'm delighted that he agreed to join me on the podcast. We talked about the benefits of traveling as artists (and as humans in general), how he loves the challenge of adding music to his poetry, and how taking risks can be an important part of art-making. If you want to buy his books, visit here. If you want to listen to his music, it's streaming all over. You can view the lyric videos he's made on YouTube. His general website is here.Producer, editor and host: Drea MacdonaldPodcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramTip me on Ko-fi to help support this podcast!Email: [email protected]

The art that Renee has been making over the past several years is compelling, engaging and tells a story. There's a reason for that! We talked about how she's inspired to paint these days, how she made the move to making art full-time (and how much healthier she is because of it), her oracle deck and readings, and so, so much more. You can find out more about Renee, and see/buy her work, on her website.Producer, editor and host: Drea MacdonaldPodcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam GallantPodcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramTip me on Ko-fi to help support this podcast!

What fun to interview a fellow MRHS alumni, Megan Aho - a singer-songwriter, author and children's entertainer using the stage name Molly Whuppie. We talked about so many things, including where her stage name came from, how the concept of "play" goes hand in hand with allowing space for inspiration, her love of the folk music style, and why Prince Edward Island is such a great place for artists to live. You can find her music on streaming sites and on Bandcamp, and she posts regularly on Instagram and other social media sites. Look for her at festivals this summer in Summerside and Rollo Bay, PEI.Producer, editor and host: Drea MacdonaldPodcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramTip me on Ko-fi to help support this podcast!

If you regularly see live music in PEI, you've likely seen James on the stage. He's a killer guitarist and one of my favorite songwriters. I finally got him out to the house to record a chat about how he got started playing guitar and writing songs, what he loves about performing and being a recording engineer, and how him and music are so intertwined it would be impossible to break them apart. You'll find him teaching music during the days and on various stages at night, and you can hear his guitar playing on my latest album, "Lucky". *My apologies for the few seconds of static at the end of the episode. Producer, editor and host: Drea MacdonaldPodcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help me feed my cats

Julie Bull is poet/writer, mentor, performer and community-builder based in PEI. We got into why they left behind an academic career to focus on creating full-time and have built a practice and a career out of making art and helping others to do the same. There are some great tips in here for getting started, moving past creative blocks, and how bravery can keep you going. You can find their books locally at The Gallery Cafe and The Bookmark in Charlottetown, and at the Black and White Cafe & Bistro in St. Peter's Bay. You can also buy their books on their website and find out about workshops and mentoring opportunities there as well. Producer, editor and host: Drea MacdonaldPodcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help me feed my cats

I met Rozalind years ago when both of us were younger and totally fine with touring on a nothing budget and sleeping on floors. It was great to reconnect because I’ve been noticing all of the super cool ways she’s using her talents and helping people recognize theirs. We talked about how being a kid with asthma led to a life-long affair with playing the flute, why she finds the people of Newfoundland so grounding and empathetic, and her new film and music project (Push & Pull) that shows off the raw beauty of Twillingate. You can find her info and music on her website, and follow her on Instagram for project updates. Producer, editor and host: Drea MacdonaldPodcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help me feed my cats

Nikkie Gallant does many creative and artistic things, and we only touched on a few of them in this episode. She's one of my favorite people to sing with, and we've added vocal tracks to each other's recordings (as well as a bunch of our friend's albums). She has also been dealing with long-COVID, and it was impressive to hear how she was able to keep the creative juices flowing while dealing with a debilitating illness. You can find out more about her music and pottery on her website. Producer, editor and host: Drea MacdonaldPodcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help me feed my cats

I met Matt Epp years ago as he toured through PEI playing shows and I was glad to share the stage with him several times. We've always had great talks about music and life and art and I'm really glad I could get him on the show. He is a singer-songwriter, father, carpenter/handyman and a bit of a nomad. We talked about God and songwriting and Emmylou Harris and touring in Europe and so many other things. Matt will be on tour in Germany when this episode airs, so please check out his website for tour dates if you are in that area. Producer, editor and host: Drea MacdonaldPodcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help me feed my cats

Welcome to Season 3! Coincidentally, this episode is #33. Interesting. I’m so happy that I was able to get Catherine MacLellan out to the house for a very nice and long-overdue chat. We talked about growing up with a famous songwriter as a dad, practices for good mental health, and some of our very early, 1980’s musical influences. She’ll be releasing a new record in the future and has some shows coming up on PEI and abroad in 2026. You can find out where she will be by visiting her website. Producer, editor and host: Drea MacdonaldPodcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help me feed my cats

I had a lot of fun talking to Jeff Eagar. He is a film and TV producer in PEI, and began his film career with his brothers because they wanted to make money to keep traveling the world. He had some great stories of epic travels that he turned into TV series, and we had a nice talk about what makes something art. You can see what he's been up to recently on his website, and see what him and his brothers created together here.Bonus: Jeff gave permission to share whole episodes from his "Which Way To . . ." series:Which Way To Kushtia, BangladeshWhich Way To Kettlewell, EnglandWhich Way To Luxur, EgyptProducer, editor and host: Drea MacdonaldPodcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help me feed my cats

Songwriter/musician Mark Bragg is very grateful to live in a place like St. John's, Newfoundland. I've been a big fan of his music since I saw him hanging from the rafters at Myron's in Charlottetown while his band ripped it up 20 years ago. We had some good laughs and great talks over Zoom (with just a few technical glitches) about how he got started performing (by "showing up to a party with a guitar and playing songs") and how he approaches songwriting. We also talked about how he's been leaning on the music community that he's been an integral part of after very serious health setbacks. You can listen and buy his music on Bandcamp and find him on Instagram.Producer, editor and host: Drea MacdonaldPodcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam GallantPodcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

JD Hughes is a drummer based in Charlottetown, PEI, and we've played in a few bands together over the years. He has great stories from living and playing music for most of his adult life in New York City, and it was great to find out how he got started playing the drums, the importance of music in his life, and how he wouldn't want to do anything else. Podcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

I got to know Jordan years ago when I joined his band for a time and I knew that I'd want to talk to him on this show. He's another multi-genre artist that seems to have done everything - illustration, paintings, murals, songwriting, long-form writing, pastry arts, tattooing . . . and we didn't even talk about his acting or carpentry skills. We did have some nice talks about how he got started in music, how he "tricked himself into journaling", parenting while making art, and how his songwriting has changed over the years. You can listen to Jordan's music on streaming sites (new music on the way!) and read his writing on his Substack.Podcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

Sara Roach Lewis and I have been moving in similar circles for a while - she's a music lover that I've seen at my shows and we've worked together in the non-profit sector. While she doesn't wear the "artist" hat full-time, she is a published writer as well as a former journalist and photographer (not to mention a business owner, facilitator, consultant and coach). We talked about how art and creativity show up in her work, the universe, and why it's important to support the things (like art) that help you be the person you want to be. You can find out more about Sara on her website.*The name of the author we couldn't remember - it was Sue Monk Kidd.Podcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

It was great to catch up with English songwriter and musician Tim Crabtree, AKA Paper Beat Scissors, virtually from his Berlin studio. He lived in Canada for a number of years and we played some shows together when he came through Charlottetown here and there. We talked about his musical experience as a kid, exploring Canada, the craft of songwriting, and how a song can change depending on what instrument you play it on. You can get caught up on what he's up to on his website.Podcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam GallantPodcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

I met Jerry Leger years ago when he began touring through PEI regularly, and have been a fan of his songwriting since then. He's just released another record - "Waves of Desire" - that may be my favorite since 2014's "Early Riser". I caught up to him as he was about to fly back to Europe for a string of shows in October and we had a great talk about the recording of the new album, the toll that touring can take, and keeping a band together for 20 years. You can listen and order the new album (or any of the 28 titles available) on his Bandcamp site: Podcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

When I first heard Sonja's new single, "Goodbye to Mercury", I was an instant fan. And when I saw the music video and read the story behind the lyrics, I was intrigued! It was lovely to have a chat with her (all the way from The Hague, NL) in the lead-up to releasing a new record in 2026. We talked about family, the benefits to learning different types of art, and how our work can help us make sense of the universe. Find out more about Sonja on her website. Podcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

Let's start off season two with a heavy-hitter in the Charlottetown music scene - Adam Gallant. He recorded and produced my first full-band record. He recorded and co-produced my third record. He's probably worked with most of the musicians and songwriters on Prince Edward Island and he can't even remember how many award nominations he's received. We didn't get around to talking about his sound design work for film and tv, there was so much else.Adam and I had a very fun chat about his life as a musician/engineer/producer, his methods in the recording studio, and his favorite part of the job (hanging with cool people). Find out more about his work on his website.Podcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

I'm back! While Season 2 will officially kick off on December 25th, here is a little preview of this season. You'll hear some clips from interviews with new guests and the debut of the pod's new theme song.Big thanks to Adam Gallant at The Hill Sound Studio for fitting me in quickly and turning my home demos into something very cool, not to mention playing several instruments (drums are not my forte), making a great cup of coffee AND recording an interview for the podcast.Podcast theme song - "If you let it" by Drea Macdonald produced by Adam Gallant Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

It's the Season 1 finale and I thought I'd use the occasion to have someone interview ME about art. I happen to have a great, old friend who was a reporter (and then held multiple different jobs in the newspaper industry) and is also an artist (musician, writer, and the man can draw) - Sean Kelly. We talked about how I got started playing music, why I started this podcast, and what I've learned from doing it, among other things.Thanks for listening to Season 1! I'm so grateful for all of the artists who have helped out, been interviewed, and provided feedback and high fives.Theme song - "Art" by Tanya Davis Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

When I was in the planning stages of this podcast, I knew I wanted to talk to Janet MacLellan. I wanted to know how a person could spend a whole (long) life making art a priority alongside having a husband, kids and a nursing career. I've always admired her work and was happy to talk about this, her favorite painters, and so much more.Theme song - "Art" by Tanya Davis Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

It was great to talk to my old buddy and bandmate, Dennis Ellsworth, recently. He's an award-winning songwriter and musician, producer, dad and more. We had a great talk about the art of play, how his writing goes in cycles, his favorite kinds of shows to play, and making art for ourselves first. You can find out more about his work and upcoming shows on his website.Theme song - "Art" by Tanya Davis Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

I was really glad to talk with Nathan Wiley about the role that art plays in his life. He produced my third album (alongside superstar producer Adam Gallant) and my latest one (2015's "Lucky"), and continues to produce albums out of his studio in Summerside, PEI. He's released a bunch of solo records too and puts on one of the best live shows around. I was surprised to learn that his parents didn't want to buy him his first guitar as a kid, thinking it would just be a phase. Thank goodness it wasn't! You can find out more about Nathan on his website. Theme song - "Art" by Tanya Davis Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

I know Ashley from when we were both young (we're still pretty young), watching bands at bars. Little did I know that she's been writing and drawing and generally letting her creative side fly free for years. Lately, she's been writing and sharing her poetry, and she released her first book, "But the heart has its seasons" this year. We had a great chat about the benefits of sharing and performing art, how great it is to have a champion, and how creativity is human nature. You can buy her book in Charlottetown at The Bookmark, The Gallery Coffee House & Bistro, Glass Roots Gallery, and directly from the artist.Theme song - "Art" by Tanya Davis Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

I met Donnalee Downe a few decades ago when she opened a gallery space attached to her home in Charlottetown, and the Peake Street Collective was born. I attended many of the opening parties over the years, and even submitted one of my early paintings for one of them. I knew I wanted to talk to Donnalee about making art because she's always had a unique style and is such a champion and a mentor for other artists.She refers to an interview/article by a musician and neither of us could think of who it was. It was Brian Eno - "Composers as Gardeners":Theme song - "Art" by Tanya Davis Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

Richard Haines is an old friend and a multi-disciplinary artist. He is a photographer, visual artist, theatre actor/director, and he teaches art and drama to high school students. We talked about how he got his start in both drawing and painting, how he was much more enamored with photography when it was about developing film in dark rooms, what he's learned about himself through the characters he's played . . . and much more. Art is magic.Theme song - "Art" by Tanya Davis Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

I've long admired Jane Ledwell's poetry and was so glad that she was able to pop out to St. Peter's Bay for a chat. Our wide-ranging conversation covered the importance of collaboration in finishing projects, how artists are needed more and more in a world that pressures us to conform, and why PEI is a popular place for creative people to settle. You can find her books at The Bookmark in Charlottetown, PEI (and order from their website).Theme song - "Art" by Tanya Davis Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

Another "from away" artist, Shannon Linton spoke to me from her home in Ontario for this episode. We had a great little chat about why she chose not to pursue a career in opera and instead writes folk songs on her farm, advocates and performs in and for her community. She also writes regularly on Substack and you can find her music on Bandcamp.Theme song - "Art" by Tanya Davis Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

I've loved Dan Currie's guitar playing and songwriting for a very long time, and we've played (and recorded) in a number of bands together. It was so great to sit down and talk about how all artists have the innate need to create, when he made the choice to finish what he starts in life, and how he still thinks about playing guitar all day, every day. You can find Dan's music on streaming platforms like Apple Music, and keep an eye out for his (as yet unnamed) new band.Theme song - "Art" by Tanya Davis Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

So glad to have Tanya Davis on the show! Tanya is a writer, poet, songwriter, musician and PEI's currant Poet Laureate. When I was dreaming up this podcast, I attempted to write a new song to use as a theme, but nothing was working. Eventually I had the feeling that the perfect theme song for this project had already been written, and soon after I remembered Tanya's wonderful song "Art". Graciously, she allowed me to use the tune for this season. Our chat covered a lot of ground, including religion, money, and how art can be an important tool in learning about oneself. Please check out Tanya's website to check out her past work or to find out about her current performances.Theme song - "Art" by Tanya Davis Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

Tess Martin is a filmmaker, animator, teacher and visual artist based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. We spoke about a few of her recent short films, the creative process, how your childhood can affect the art you make as an adult, and the challenges (and perks) of being an independent artist. You can find more about her work on her website. Theme song - "Art" by Tanya Davis Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

Despite knowing each other for years and even playing in a band together, there was much I didn't know about Nudie, who arrived on the PEI music scene 20+ years ago and fairly quickly formed one of the East Coast's most beloved (although no longer active) honky-tonk bands, Nudie & The Turks. Nudie came out to the East end of the Island to chat about his musical journey, why he stayed in PEI, and how he sort of "fell into" songwriting. You can find his music on all of the streaming services, and follow him on Facebook and Instagram for show updates.Theme song - "Art" by Tanya Davis Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

Millefiore Clarkes is an award-winning filmmaker based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. We had a fun chat about the film industry, the themes that run through most of her work, how she tends to stick with her "tried and true" methods. You can find out more about her work (and watch some of her films) on her production company website.Theme song - "Art" by Tanya Davis Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

I first met Luke Leunes several decades ago when he was working in graphic design, selling beautiful paintings of birds and playing music. Since then, he's had many different jobs in various artistic fields, and we had a great chat about making art while making a living.Theme song - "Art" by Tanya Davis Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

Monica Lacey is another multi-genre artist based in Charlottetown, PEI. It's hard to count the number of different ways she makes art, and she has worked very hard to build up PEI's art community. We talked about her photography and visual art, how she finds the time to work, and how she stays grounded in a chaotic world. You can find out more about her on her website or on Instagram.Theme song - "Art" by Tanya Davis Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

John and I discuss his no-nonsense approach to the craft of writing poetry, his escape from PEI at a young age and what it takes to get good at anything. His poetry spans a range of subjects from the human condition to nature (the moon, the crows) to the confluence of physics and art. He has released three collections of poetry (you can buy one of them here) and uploads new poems regularly on his blog.Theme song - "Art" by Tanya Davis Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

Katie McGarry (married name Currie) is one of my favorite humans. She grew up in Iona, PEI (not Belfast, as I say in the interview) and lives there with her family. She is a holistic wellness practitioner and an award-winning singer/songwriter. We've shared many stages together and I was so happy to have her come out to the Bay for a chat about creativity, the music industry and Wayne's World. You can listen to her music on streaming services like Apple Music .Theme song - "Art" by Tanya Davis Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

Sacrificing stability to live a simple life, free to allow creativity to flow. Lenny Gallant has found a niche in Atlantic Canada's original art scene by using reclaimed and found materials (mostly discarded organs) to create unique custom furniture, wall hangings and more, which he sells online and from his shop in Fortune Bridge, PEI. Lenny is a multi-genre artist, and we talked about his music, some big life changes that pushed him in different directions, and how hard it is to find the "free time" to be a creator in today's world. You can see his work on his website, on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.Theme song - "Art" by Tanya Davis Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

Meet Mathias Kom, the man behind the band The Burning Hell. They are based in Eastern Prince Edward Island but you may have seen them in Newfoundland, Germany, Peterborough or Australia. Mathias and I go way back and it was so great to have a chat about creativity, making money making art, and how a song you didn't think was that great can make a huge impact on audiences. At the time of this podcast date The Burning Hell are on tour in Europe, you can find their tour dates on their website. Theme song - "Art" by Tanya Davis Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

A little sneak peak at the upcoming season.Theme song - "Art" by Tanya Davis Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free

Meet your host, Drea Macdonald, and find out what this podcast is all about!Theme song - "Art" by Tanya Davis Podcast logo/artwork by BirdmouseFollow the Podcast on InstagramDonate to help keep this podcast running and ad-free