Tenet

Hosted by Wes Brown and Todd Pierson

Business Marketing Arts

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Episodes

213

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

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

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 27, 20261 hr 37 min

Ep. 208 Cynthia Ramu – Pueblo Levee Mural Project

This week, Wes and Todd talk with Cynthia Ramu, the Fairy Godmother of the Pueblo Levee Mural Project. Cynthia discusses the history of the Pueblo Levee, the first time she painted on the levee, taking over as the coordinator, her exhibit “Concrete Creativity”, grants, Floyd Tunson, the project living digitally through History Colorado, the world record, how many murals on the levee, the old levee compared with the new one, stories about the levee, the murals that she has painted, her collaboration on a mural for the Ukrainian people, process to apply and paint on the levee, themes for the murals, the painting season, women leading the charge on the new levee, the future of her participation in the Pueblo Levee Mural Project, and the art scene in Pueblo. Join us as we catch up with Cynthia Ramu and the Pueblo Levee Mural Project. Check out the website Pueblo Levee Murals – www.puebloleveemurals.com For more info on how to participate and paint a mural on the levee, go to www.pueblolevee.org Follow the Pueblo Levee Mural Project on social media: Facebook – www.facebook.com/PuebloLeveeMuralProject Send us Fan Mail Follow 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!

August 13, 20262 hr 37 min

Ep. 207 Madi Brunetti – Multimedia, Oil Paint, Embroidery, Insects

This week, Wes and Todd talk with Multimedia Artist, Madi Brunetti. Madi discusses Instagram handles, Black Sabbath, Death Metal, having the support of her parents, the mediums she works in, taxidermy, pinning bugs, cicadas, tattoos, therapy, moths, being neurodivergent, change, self-portraits, overcoming her eating disorder, mental health, marathons, masking, coping mechanisms, autism, embroidery, some of her pieces, getting her degree in studio art from Fort Lewis College, her residency at Art Gym, Bell Projects, road kill, death, pricing, hand embellishment, art as therapy, selling work, living your life, Bitfactory’s “US” exhibition, and what the future holds for her. Join us for an illuminating conversation with Madi Brunetti! Check out Madi’s work at www.madibrunetti.com Follow Madi on social media: Instagram - www.instagram.com/fairy.bootz/ - @fairy.bootz Send us Fan Mail Follow 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!

July 9, 20263 hr 4 min

Ep. 206 Chloé Duplessis – Mixed Media Artist telling Ancestral & Historical Stories

This week, Wes and Todd talk with Chloé Duplessis! Chloé discusses her family, her education, growing up in Shreveport, Louisiana, living in New Orleans, moving back home, running for the school board, her involvement in politics, getting her diagnosis of Stargardt disease, moving to Denver, starting her art business, telling lesser known stories of history, working in different mediums, honoring her ancestors and our shared history, travel, being part of a supportive art community, creating the first accessible “I Voted” sticker for the City of Denver, the Colorado Black Equity Study, Cathay Williams, the history behind & the evolution of her exhibition “12 Tablecloths, burlap being her “soul fabric,” her exhibition “Origin Story” at Understudy, her piece “Reclaiming Liberty,” and her advice to Artists to “Serve from where you are.” Join us for a fantastic and inspirational conversation with Chloé Duplessis! Check out Chloe’s work at www.chloeduplessis.com Follow Chloé on social media: Instagram - www.instagram.com/duplessis.art/ - @duplessis.art Chloé’s exhibition “Origin Story” will be on display at Understudy through July 19th - https://www.denvertheatredistrict.com/understudy Hear Chloé talk about the exhibition “Origin Story” on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dNjq1pv9P0 Chloe’s exhibition “Shared History” opens July 28th at the Center for Colorado Women’s History - http://www.historycolorado.org/center-colorado-womens-history Check out Chloé’s other shows happening later this year at www.chloeduplessis.com/events Send us Fan Mail Follow 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!

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.com Follow Jes Moran on social media: Instagram - www.instagram.com/jesdmoran/ - @jesdmoran Jes’ 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.com Send us Fan Mail Follow 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.com Follow Gary Taxali on social media: Instagram - www.instagram.com/taxali/ - @taxali Facebook – www.facebook.com/GaryTaxaliArt Send us Fan Mail Follow 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_strum Facebook – www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550347179391 Follow Brian on social media: Instagram - www.instagram.com/briantryon/ - @briantryon Send us Fan Mail Follow 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 26th The People’s Building 9995 E. Colfax Avenue Aurora, CO 80010 Secondary Reception: April 3rd, 5pm - 8pm Black Ink – a fundraiser for Mo’ Print – Month of Printmaking Colorado @moprintcolorado Saturday, April 4th, 6pm – 11pm High Dive Denver 7 S. Broadway Denver, CO 80223 All prints - $10 Hear/Say – Groundbreaking Art Exhibition Exploring the Effects of High-Concentration Cannabis May 29th - May31st, 2026 Center for Creativity 200 Matthews Street Fort Collins, CO 80524 Opening reception – May 29th, 6pm – 8pm June 5th – June 26th, 2026 Cottonwood Center for the Arts 427 E. Colorado Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80903 Opening reception – June 5th, 6pm – 8pm Send us Fan Mail Follow 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/ - @denvertheatredistrict Understudy – Instagram - www.instagram.com/understudy_denver/ - @understudy_denver Night Lights Denver – Instagram – www.instagram.com/night_lights_denver/ - @night_lights_denver Send us Fan Mail Follow 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.com Follow 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, 2026 For more information go to www.bitfactory.net Send us Fan Mail Follow 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.com Follow Rick on social media: Instagram - www.instagram.com/rickdallago/ - @rickdallago Facebook - www.facebook.com/rickdallagoartist Check 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 Mail Follow 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!