Tenet

Hosted by Wes Brown and Todd Pierson

Business Marketing Arts

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Episodes

210

Latest episode

May 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

A podcast focusing on the Visual Arts and the Business of Art.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

May 14, 20263 hr 2 min

Ep. 205 Jes Moran – Abstract Painter using machine-sewn textile processes

This week, Wes and Todd talk with Colorado Springs Artist, Jes Moran. Jes discusses her engagement with art as a child, growing up in Wisconsin, altering clothes & studying apparel design, her compulsion to make, loving process, having an intentional art practice the past five years, creative ideas, some of the other creative pursuits that she explored before doing the work she does now, being self-taught, learning to trust herself, her process, being fearless, quilts, sewing, what art does for her, letting go, her older work, titles, negative space, abstract art, experimentation & exploration, finding her voice, writing, space, memories, family, vulnerability, self-doubt, routine, sacrifices, potato chips, color, her new work, her show at Auric in June, being seen & valued, the support of her family, the Colorado Springs art community, and her idea of perfect happiness.Join us for a wonderful conversation with Jes Moran!Check out Jes Moran’s exquisite work at www.jesmoran.comFollow Jes Moran on social media:Instagram - www.instagram.com/jesdmoran/ - @jesdmoranJes’ exhibition “Seam Shift: painting through construction” will be on display at Auric Gallery through the month of June. Opening reception June 5th. For more information go to www.auricgallery.comSend us Fan MailFollow us on Instagram:@tenetpodcast - www.instagram.com/tenetpodcast/@wesbrn - www.instagram.com/wesbrn/@toddpiersonphotography - www.instagram.com/toddpiersonphotography/ Follow us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/TenetPodcast/Email us at todd@toddpierson.com If you enjoyed this episode or any of our previous episodes, please consider taking a moment and leaving us a review on your favorite podcast platform.Thanks for listening!

April 16, 20261 hr 47 min

Ep. 204 Gary Taxali – Canadian Contemporary Fine Artist & Illustrator

This week, Wes and Todd sit down with Canadian Contemporary Fine Artist and Illustrator, Gary Taxali. Gary discusses how his style doesn’t differ between his personal and commercial work, business sense, work/life balance, his early career and moving to New York City, being exposed to the fine art world in New York, La Luz de Jesus Gallery, transition from illustration to the fine art world, his early engagement in art, drawing at an early age in school, the support of his family, the importance of doodling and mark making, teaching at OCAD and how it informs his work, creativity and problem solving, voice and personal style, philosophy of his creativity, trusting yourself and the process, confidence, play being the essence of creativity, having the support of music, Mississippi Delta Blues, feeding his soul, the Russian Avant Garde, connecting to people through art, his style and how it has evolved, the Fleischer Brother, Mad magazine, how he found inspiration from Depression era America, his political art, the Library of Congress acquiring some of his work, not self-editing, tattoos, charity, using old textbook pages to create on, process over work, being a working Artist, classical Indian music, spontaneity, rolling the dice of your creativity, embracing the flaws, working with musicians creating album covers and concert posters, Aimee Mann, his name Taxali, being commissioned by the Royal Canadian Mint to design six quarters, his children’s book “This is Silly”, upcoming exhibitions, pricing art, and his parting thoughts on creativity and it’s importance.Join us for a riveting and thoughtful conversation with Gary Taxali!Check out Gary’s website – www.garytaxali.comFollow Gary Taxali on social media:Instagram - www.instagram.com/taxali/ - @taxaliFacebook – www.facebook.com/GaryTaxaliArtSend us Fan MailFollow us on Instagram:@tenetpodcast - www.instagram.com/tenetpodcast/@wesbrn - www.instagram.com/wesbrn/@toddpiersonphotography - www.instagram.com/toddpiersonphotography/ Follow us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/TenetPodcast/Email us at todd@toddpierson.com If you enjoyed this episode or any of our previous episodes, please consider taking a moment and leaving us a review on your favorite podcast platform.Thanks for listening!

April 2, 20262 hr 13 min

Ep. 203 Brian Tryon – Photographer, Owner of Shutter & Strum

This week, Wes and Todd talk with Photographer, Brian Tryon, owner of Shutter & Strum and Disruptor Gallery Art Center. Brian discusses growing up in Colorado Springs, working in education, being a student advocate for at risk students, addiction & alcoholism, his passion for photography, being an outlier, the catalyst for him to get clean & sober, the Springs DIY esthetic, skateboarding, what art does for him, being a certified addiction counselor, process, analog photography, sitting with your work, titles, street & documentary photography, mindfulness, having a living archive at the Pikes Peak Library District, teaching at Community Prep & starting the Garfield Gallery, Shutter & Strum, Disruptor Gallery, the mission of Shutter & Strum, things he’s proud of that he’s been able to facilitate through Shutter & Strum, support from the community, Shutter & Strum being a community art center focusing on at risk youth, workshops, Disruptor Gallery’s exhibitions, their darkroom, South Sight student art show, the skills that they teach kids, his vision for the future for Shutter & Strum, and community service. Join us for an inspirational conversation with Brian Tryon! Check out the Shutter & Strum website – www.shutterandstrum.org Follow Shutter & Strum on social media:Instagram - www.instagram.com/shutter_and_strum/ - @shutter_and_strumFacebook – www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550347179391 Follow Brian on social media:Instagram - www.instagram.com/briantryon/ - @briantryonSend us Fan MailFollow us on Instagram:@tenetpodcast - www.instagram.com/tenetpodcast/@wesbrn - www.instagram.com/wesbrn/@toddpiersonphotography - www.instagram.com/toddpiersonphotography/ Follow us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/TenetPodcast/Email us at todd@toddpierson.com If you enjoyed this episode or any of our previous episodes, please consider taking a moment and leaving us a review on your favorite podcast platform.Thanks for listening!

March 26, 20263 hr 8 min

Ep. 202 Joey Kerlin – Ceramics, Collage, Printmaking, Multidisciplinary

This week, Wes and Todd reconnect with their friend, multidisciplinary artist, Joey Kerlin. Joey discusses beauty, ceramics, the catalyst to getting back into teaching, critical thinking, teaching philosophy, writing & reading, art weirdos, the book “Art & Fear,” imposter syndrome, literacy, Catholic churches, transubstantiation, beholding, Marina Abramoić, how teaching informs his art practice, arts & education, bean pots, boredom, vulnerability & relationships, art & loneliness, titles, the “OFF-PRINSTE” exhibition, borders, birds & women, chairs, divergent vs. convergent thinking, the “Black Ink” fundraiser, this year’s “Hearsay” exhibition and the piece he’s submitting, and the challenges & virtues of being an Artist.Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Joey Kerlin!Follow Joey Kerlin on social media:Instagram - www.instagram.com/radiusstudios/ - @radiusstudios See Joey’s work in person at these exhibitions; OFF-PRINSTE – March 3rd – April 26thThe People’s Building9995 E. Colfax AvenueAurora, CO 80010Secondary Reception: April 3rd, 5pm - 8pm Black Ink – a fundraiser for Mo’ Print – Month of Printmaking Colorado@moprintcoloradoSaturday, April 4th, 6pm – 11pmHigh Dive Denver7 S. BroadwayDenver, CO 80223All prints - $10 Hear/Say – Groundbreaking Art Exhibition Exploring the Effects of High-Concentration Cannabis May 29th - May31st, 2026Center for Creativity200 Matthews StreetFort Collins, CO 80524Opening reception – May 29th, 6pm – 8pm June 5th – June 26th, 2026Cottonwood Center for the Arts427 E. Colorado AvenueColorado Springs, CO 80903Opening reception – June 5th, 6pm – 8pmSend us Fan MailFollow us on Instagram:@tenetpodcast - www.instagram.com/tenetpodcast/@wesbrn - www.instagram.com/wesbrn/@toddpiersonphotography - www.instagram.com/toddpiersonphotography/ Follow us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/TenetPodcast/Email us at todd@toddpierson.com If you enjoyed this episode or any of our previous episodes, please consider taking a moment and leaving us a review on your favorite podcast platform.Thanks for listening!

March 12, 20262 hr 17 min

Ep. 201 Annie Geimer & David Moke – Denver Theatre District, Understudy, Night Lights Denver

This week, Wes and Todd talk with Annie Geimer & David Moke. Annie & David discuss their experience in the music industry before joining the Denver Theatre district, how that experience informs what they do now as curators & producers of art events, their strengths in their working relationship, Bob Sagat & John Stamos, “Weird Al” Yankovic, the Denver Theatre District’s history & it’s mission, programming, Artcade, stipends, the District being innovators, Understudy, exhibitions, being experimental, the expansion of the Denver Theatre District, Night Lights Denver, Night Lights history & logistics, costs involved, Night Lights locations, curation, paying Artists, submissions, the Jann Haworth mural, “Catalysts”, and what the future holds for the Denver Theatre District.Check out the Denver Theatre District’s website at www.denvertheatredistrict.com to find out more about Understudy, Night Lights Denver and all the cool things that the Denver Theatre District facilitates.Follow the Denver Theatre District, Understudy & Night Lights Denver on social media:Denver Theatre District - Instagram - www.instagram.com/denvertheatredistrict/ - @denvertheatredistrictUnderstudy – Instagram - www.instagram.com/understudy_denver/ - @understudy_denverNight Lights Denver – Instagram – www.instagram.com/night_lights_denver/ - @night_lights_denverSend us Fan MailFollow us on Instagram:@tenetpodcast - www.instagram.com/tenetpodcast/@wesbrn - www.instagram.com/wesbrn/@toddpiersonphotography - www.instagram.com/toddpiersonphotography/ Follow us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/TenetPodcast/Email us at todd@toddpierson.com If you enjoyed this episode or any of our previous episodes, please consider taking a moment and leaving us a review on your favorite podcast platform.Thanks for listening!

March 5, 20262 hr 14 min

Ep. 200 Bailey Russel – Photographer, Alternative Photographic Processes

This week, Wes and Todd talk with Photographer, Bailey Russel. Bailey talks about teaching photography at the University of Wyoming, his art related experience before teaching, wet plate collodion, getting his M.A. from NYU in conjunction with the International Center of Photography, Vera Lutter, what made him want to become a photographer, Emmet Gowin, camera obscuras & the process, the Sesquicentennial Colorado River Exploring Expedition, his trailer camera, chemigrams, cyanotypes & his series on energy production, and his solo exhibition, “Western Extraction”, at Bitfactory Gallery.Join us for an informative and fascinating conversation with Bailey Russel!Check out Bailey’s work at his website https://baileyrussel.wordpress.comFollow Bailey on social media:Instagram - www.instagram.com/bailey_russel/ - @bailey_russel Check out Bailey’s solo exhibition, “Western Extraction”, at Bitfactory Gallery through March 14th, 2026For more information go to www.bitfactory.netSend us Fan MailFollow us on Instagram:@tenetpodcast - www.instagram.com/tenetpodcast/@wesbrn - www.instagram.com/wesbrn/@toddpiersonphotography - www.instagram.com/toddpiersonphotography/ Follow us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/TenetPodcast/Email us at todd@toddpierson.com If you enjoyed this episode or any of our previous episodes, please consider taking a moment and leaving us a review on your favorite podcast platform.Thanks for listening!

February 26, 20262 hr 32 min

Ep. 199 Rick Dallago – Painter, Photographer, Filmmaker

This week, Wes and Todd talk with Rick Dallago. Rick discusses being a self-described snarky “Norman Rockwell,” social media & narcissism, cell phones, being present, selfies, not overthinking things, intuition, when the magic happens, narrative, the catalyst for him to move to Colorado, his life in film, being industrious & making opportunity, being a Producer, how the film industry has changed, how being a Producer equates to solving problems as a visual artist, teaching art, being known as the Obama guy, the Denver Art Society, creativity & ideas, connecting to the art community, being pro-active in you art life, advice to young artists, art databases, “Banana Split,” art appropriation, his evolution as an artist, rejection & self-doubt, feeding the soul, retirement, having purpose, art classes & workshops, the Avalon Art Fest, saying “Yes,” and the show he’s put together at the A.R. Mitchell Museum in Trinidad. Join us for a fantastic conversation with Rick Dallago!Check out Rick’s work at his website www.rickdallago.comFollow Rick on social media:Instagram - www.instagram.com/rickdallago/ - @rickdallagoFacebook - www.facebook.com/rickdallagoartistCheck out the exhibition, “So On & So Forth, A Celebration of the Idiosyncratic”, at the A.R. Mitchell Museum, March 5th – April 30th, 2026. Send us Fan MailFollow us on Instagram:@tenetpodcast - www.instagram.com/tenetpodcast/@wesbrn - www.instagram.com/wesbrn/@toddpiersonphotography - www.instagram.com/toddpiersonphotography/ Follow us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/TenetPodcast/Email us at todd@toddpierson.com If you enjoyed this episode or any of our previous episodes, please consider taking a moment and leaving us a review on your favorite podcast platform.Thanks for listening!

December 18, 20252 hr 49 min

Ep. 198 Lauren Tresp – Founder, Publisher, Editor-in-Chief of Southwest Contemporary Magazine

This week, Wes and Todd talk with Lauren Tresp, Founder, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Southwest Contemporary Magazine. Lauren discusses her background and education, moving to Santa Fe, working in galleries, spirituality and religion, artificial intelligence, art criticism and writing, critical thinking, The Magazine and the genesis of Southwest Contemporary, challenges and costs of running a magazine, membership and it’s perks, workshops, readership, Southwest Contemporary’s mission, staff, the Southwest region that the magazine covers, the importance of journalism, the accomplishments of Southwest Contemporary that she’s most proud of, and the vision of Southwest Contemporary’s future.Join us for a magnificent conversation with Lauren Tresp!Read articles, become a member, and find out about exhibitions and events in the Southwest region at the Southwest Contemporary website –www.southwestcontemporary.com Follow Southwest Contemporary on social media:Instagram - www.instagram.com/swcontemporary/ - @swcontemporaryFacebook - www.facebook.com/swcontemporarySend us Fan MailFollow us on Instagram:@tenetpodcast - www.instagram.com/tenetpodcast/@wesbrn - www.instagram.com/wesbrn/@toddpiersonphotography - www.instagram.com/toddpiersonphotography/ Follow us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/TenetPodcast/Email us at todd@toddpierson.com If you enjoyed this episode or any of our previous episodes, please consider taking a moment and leaving us a review on your favorite podcast platform.Thanks for listening!

December 4, 20251 hr 44 min

Ep. 197 Hayley Schneider – Gallerist, SeeSaw Art Gallery

This week, Wes and Todd sit down with Hayley Schneider, owner of SeeSaw Art Gallery. Hayley discusses her background and early love of art, South Dakota, the catalyst for the opening or SeeSaw, the work that it takes to run a gallery, Englewood, the name SeeSaw for the gallery, SeeSaw’s mission, Second Saturdays, exhibitions SeeSaw has presented, kind of work SeeSaw shows, how she finds Artists, her business model, current Artists she represents, what she looks for in new Artists, the challenges she’s faced as a new gallery, SeeSaw Projects, pricing, art being for everyone, what art does for her, advice for collectors, studio visits, curation, selling art, elements of what she likes & dislikes about running a gallery, mentors, her vision for SeeSaw, SeeSaw’s current exhibition “In Plain Sight: a celebration of Black cowboys, Artist talks, what people don’t understand about running a gallery, lessons learned from running a gallery, advice to someone that wants to open a gallery, advice to Artists of how to approach galleries, networking, promotion, working with collectors, selling art online, Artist/Gallery relationships and upcoming exhibitions.Check out the SeeSaw Art Gallery website – www.seesawgallery.comFollow SeeSaw on social media:Instagram - www.instagram.com/seesaw.artgallery/ - @seesaw.artgalleryFacebook - www.facebook.com/SeeSawArtGallerySend us Fan MailFollow us on Instagram:@tenetpodcast - www.instagram.com/tenetpodcast/@wesbrn - www.instagram.com/wesbrn/@toddpiersonphotography - www.instagram.com/toddpiersonphotography/ Follow us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/TenetPodcast/Email us at todd@toddpierson.com If you enjoyed this episode or any of our previous episodes, please consider taking a moment and leaving us a review on your favorite podcast platform.Thanks for listening!

November 20, 20251 hr 6 min

Ep. 196 Pete Souza – American Photojournalist, Former Chief Official White House Photographer for President Barack Obama

This week, Wes and Todd sit down with former Chief Official White House Photographer for President Barack Obama, Pete Souza. Pete discusses his childhood, how he got his start in photography, his early experience as a photojournalist shooting for small newspapers, what working at those small newspapers taught him, how the opportunity to work as an official White House photographer came about, the difference in access between photographing President Reagan and President Obama, his thought behind capturing important historical moments of the presidency, the contrast between the Obama presidency and the current presidency, his books, the documentary “The Way I See It,” and his take on what we can do to facilitate change in the United States. Join us for a captivating conversation with Pete Souza.Check out Pete’s photography and his books at his website – www.petesouza.comFollow Pete on social media:Instagram - www.instagram.com/petesouza/ @petesouzaSend us Fan MailFollow us on Instagram:@tenetpodcast - www.instagram.com/tenetpodcast/@wesbrn - www.instagram.com/wesbrn/@toddpiersonphotography - www.instagram.com/toddpiersonphotography/ Follow us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/TenetPodcast/Email us at todd@toddpierson.com If you enjoyed this episode or any of our previous episodes, please consider taking a moment and leaving us a review on your favorite podcast platform.Thanks for listening!