Rob Lee

Writer, curator, and editor-in-chief of UP Magazine, T.K. Mills returns to the podcast.Mills shares how living in New York City shapes his writing, curatorial practice, and editorial leadership at UP Magazine. UP Magazine is the urban art publication he founded and leads. Mills discusses how UP Magazine gives a platform to street artists and storytellers covers graffiti culture while documents the creativity found throughout city neighborhoods.Mills talks about building community and the impact of current events and city life on the artists he works with and features in the magazine. He reflects on balancing running an independent publication and fostering collaboration.For Mills, art and journalism work together to strengthen connections across the creative world. Topics Covered:How New York City’s energy and culture shape Mills’s projects and UP MagazineThe influence of street art and graffiti on his editorial visionHighlighting diverse voices and documenting city storiesBuilding creative community through the magazine and curatorial workThe challenges and rewards of running an independent publicationBalancing growth, authenticity, and collaborationUsing art and storytelling to inspire dialogue and connectionDiscover Mills’s work with UP Magazine at upmag.com or follow @t.k.m85 on Instagram.

Artist and Arts in Health Specialist Zoë Lintzeris joins the podcast.  Lintzeris shares how life in Baltimore and beyond informs her visual art practice. Lintzeris' work explores themes of love, loss, and resistance within both urban and rural settings. Lintzeris discusses how current events shape her work, and how art helps her process personal and collective emotions. She talks about using photography and painting as tools to examine the human experience and foster community.Lintzeris explores the realities of being an artist now. Lintzeris shares navigating competition, maintaining authentic expression, and building local support. For Lintzeris, art blends self-discovery with advocacy. Lintzeris uses creative work to spark meaningful conversations about life’s challenges.Topics Covered:How the environment and current events influence Lintzeris’ artThe role of love, loss, and resistance in her creative themesUsing art and photography to process emotion and document the human conditionBuilding community and connection through honest storytellingThe challenges and rewards of being an artist in a competitive worldThe importance of local support, resilience, and self-advocacyHow art can foster conversation, reflection, and belongingReady to see Lintzeris’s creative world? Visit www.zoelintzeris.com or follow @zlintz on Instagram to view her work and stay connected.

Aspiring podcaster and artist M’Balou Camara interviews me for a special Maryland Art Summit 2025 recording.M’Balou is a former student, current colleague, and emerging podcaster preparing to launch “The Heart Reflex,” highlighting voices of the African diaspora in the arts.Our conversation—recorded live at Prince George’s Community College—explores our journey from a classroom connection at UMBC to ongoing collaboration, mutual mentorship, and co-leadership in the creative community.I share insights from my nearly 20 years as a podcaster and host of “The Truth in This Art,” focusing on the value of storytelling, reciprocity, and building a living archive for Baltimore’s creative voices.We discuss how authentic conversations, trust, and relational support are central to my approach as a host and educator. I break down strategies for fostering access, avoiding gatekeeping, and sustaining creative independence amid funding challenges.Audience questions spark a discussion on practical advice for new podcasters, evolving media formats, and lessons learned from both successes and setbacks.We close with a rapid-fire “reflex round,” reflecting on curiosity, inspiration, and the role of freedom in creative work.Topics Covered:Evolving from instructor-student roles to creative peer collaborationBuilding and sustaining community-rooted podcast archivesThe ethics and art of listening, trust, and relationship-buildingNavigating independence, institutional pressure, and artistic integrityMutual mentorship and non-hierarchical support in the artsPractical strategies for launching and growing a podcastAdapting to changes in media and the podcasting landscapeCentering and uplifting underrepresented stories and artistsReflections on curiosity, inspiration, and freedom through art📍Discover more at thetruthinthisart.com or follow me on Instagram. Stay tuned for M’Balou Camara’s upcoming podcast “The Heart Reflex”. 📸 credit @teencudi

Artist, poet, and climate justice advocate Neha Misra joins The Truth In This Art podcast. Misra shares how growing up in India, studying physics, and her cultural roots shape her creative work. Misra's art blends visual art, poetry, and climate justice activism. Misra discusses how reclaiming creativity helped her navigate periods of loss and anxiety. Misra shares her belief in art as an essential force for healing, resilience, and connection. She talks about finding inspiration in nature and using art bring people together and inspire hope. Misra shares her experience sharing vulnerable work and why creativity matters for everyone. Topics Covered:How Indian heritage, physics, and environmental activism converge in Misra’s artThe role of creativity and imagination in healing from loss and building communityUsing poetry, painting, and storytelling as tools for advocacy and connectionArt as medicine—for the self and society—in confronting climate and social crisesThe power of circles, collective stories, and shared vulnerabilityReclaiming and redefining creativity against systems of extraction and oppressionThe ongoing journey toward hope, resilience, and a more connected worldReady to experience Neha Misra’s creative world? Visit www.nehamisrastudio.com or follow @nehamisrastudio on Instagram.

Artist Kiara-Maribel Rivera joins the podcast. In this conversation, Rivera reflects on how her family’s migration and history shaped her identity and her creative work. She shares how her mother’s careful habit of saving photos, report cards, and awards helped her feel connected to her roots. Rivera discusses using art to examine memory, family archives, and the fragments of stories lost along the way. Rivera talks about the challenges of adapting to new places and navigating art school. Rivera describes learning how to preserve and honor the past while creating something new. Rivera opens up about the care needed when working with personal and family records, and how art becomes a way to explore belonging and heritage.Topics Covered:The influence of family migration and history on Rivera’s artGrowing up surrounded by photos, documents, and personal archivesUsing art to explore memory, loss, and connectionThe challenges and opportunities of art school as a first-generation studentBalancing privacy, care, and community when working with personal historiesHonoring heritage and identity through creative practiceCurious to discover more? Follow Kiara’s creative work and journey online.

Artist and curator Carter Wynne joins the podcast. In this episode, Wynne shares how growing up in Washington, DC, and coming from a line of organizers shaped her commitment to social justice and art. Wynne talks about being a self-taught painter, exploring themes of inequality, and resistance. Wynne reflects on the process of using art to process deep emotions and to challenge who gets to shape stories—both in her own life and in the wider world. Wynne also talks about being a fourth-generation Washingtonian and why standing up for others is central to her art.Wynne talks about sharing her story, handling others’ opinions, and establishing authentic connections.Topics Covered:How family and DC roots inspire Carter’s art and activismUsing self-taught painting to explore social justice and personal historyTurning emotions and lived experience into creative fuelThe importance of narrative and resisting outside pressure to change your storyBalancing roles as artist, organizer, advocate, and curatorReflections on sisterhood, identity, and the value of curiosityReady to connect with Wynne's world? Visit www.carterwynne.com or follow @freckled_blue on Instagram to see her art and stay up to date.

Artist Tiger Chengliang Cai joins the The Truth in This Art. In this episode, Cai shares his journey from China to New York and how his background shapes his creative work. Cai talks about teaching himself art as a child, struggling against expectations, and making his own path in the art world. He loves using riddles and metaphors in his art, with a special focus on the immigrant experience. Cai explains why he doesn’t want to “spoon-feed” meaning to his audience, preferring people to find their own truth in his work. He describes the challenges of making art in a new country and bridging the gap between cultures. Cai reflects on staying true to his ideas, experimenting, and using curiosity as his guide.Topics Covered:Teaching himself art as a child in ChinaOvercoming expectations to pursue artNavigating the differences between audiences in China and the U.S.Using riddles and metaphors, especially about immigrationStaying true to personal beliefs in creative workThe importance of curiosity and experimentationBridging cultures through artWant to see more of Tiger’s creative journey? Visit his Instagram @tigerpht or his website to check out his latest projects.

Artist and philosopher Mia Ntenta joins the podcast. Ntenta is a visual artist working across painting, sculpture, and installation. Ntenta is one of several artists I interviewed from Spring/Break Art Fair 2025.Ntenta shares how her philosophy background led her to explore ideas through painting and sculpture. Ntenta explains how her visual language and symbols clarify complex philosophical ideas.Ntenta breaks down her ongoing, expansive work 'The Omegans Project'. The Omegans Project, an expansive and ongoing series begun by Ntenta in 2019. This work reveals Ntenta's dystopian world and her symbolic language for deconstructing existence.Later, Ntenta discusses how her symbols’ meanings evolve across different works.Ntenta uses art to spark curiosity and make philosophy accessible.Topics Covered:Transitioning from philosophy to visual arts as a new medium of thoughtUsing painting and sculpture to make complex ideas more approachableCreating and evolving a personal symbolic universe across artworksStrategies for communicating philosophical concepts with viewersRecent exhibitions and sharing work with the public for the first time📍 Discover more about Ntenta’s work on Instagram (@miantenta) and at her website.

Artist Rosalie Smith joins the podcast. Smith reflects on developing her unique style. Smith talks about making sculptures with old technology and everyday things. Smith shares her process behind her pieces, and how recent experiences in New York and her education have shaped her approach. Smith discusses balancing the absurd and the serious. Smith describes what it means to create and teach in today’s fast-paced and chaotic world. Smith, Fresh off her MFA at CUNY Hunter, also talks about recent and upcoming exhibitions that mark new chapters in her creative journey.Topics Covered:Blending tech debris and found materials to reimagine survival after collapseInfusing sculpture with both humor and weight to address environmental griefHow working in New York and completing an MFA have influenced Smith’s visionTeaching art while developing a personal practiceBalancing narrative, comedy, and chaos in visual workReflecting on creative growth through education and experimentation📍 See Rosalie Smith’s work at exhibitions in New York and follow for upcoming shows and projects.

Chef & owner of On the Hill Cafe and CookHouse, Chef George Dailey joins the podcast. Dailey is originally from Venezuela. He started his cooking career in Boston, then moved to Baltimore and opened On the Hill Cafe in 2005. In this conversation, Dailey shares his passion for global flavors, seasonal menus, and the art of hospitality. Dailey reflects on building two beloved Baltimore spots. Dailey shares his hands-on approach that ensures quality and consistency. Dailey reveals how he crafts inventive menus inspired by what he loves to eat and what makes the community happy. Dailey also shares how being present in every detail keeps his restaurants thriving after decades.Topics Covered: The journey of sustaining On the Hill Cafe for over 20 years and launching CookHouse Menu development: balancing classics, creativity, and customer cravings The value of local, seasonal ingredients and adapting to change Dailey’s commitment to being in the kitchen and why that matters Building community and memorable experiences through food📍 Find On the Hill Cafe and CookHouse in Baltimore’s Bolton Hill, and discover their menus online or on social media.

Chef & co-owner of The Corner Pantry (TCP), Neill Howell returns to the podcast to talk growth, creativity, and keeping standards high. Howell & TCP has expanded the cafe and deepened their commitment to local sourcing. Howell shares his philosophy behind TCP's menu and how to build community through food. Also, Howell discusses how evolving, being creative and has kept the business successful for 11+ years.Topics Covered:How Corner Pantry expanded while keeping its identity intactThe creative challenge of seasonal, local sourcingCatering as a creative and financial engineWhy restaurant work is more than food—it’s relationshipsStaying relevant through change, quality, and experimentation🎧 Listen to Neill Howell’s first episode in our archive for more on his culinary roots and vision. 📍 Corner Pantry Website: https://cornerpantrybaltimore.com

Henry Hyde—artisan and owner of Hyde Handmade Knives—returns to talk craft, community, and creating work that resonates. Hyde is an artisan known for his kitchen knives and meticulous approach to materials. In the episode, Hyde reflects on the evolution of his process, from isolating early days to searching for real connection at craft shows. Also, Hyde discusses the realities of working alone and why iteration beats perfectionism.Navigating solitude and the creative processChoosing craftsmanship over mass attentionEmbracing feedback at markets and in personLetting go of perfectionism and releasing finished workThe balance between woodworking, tinkering, and knife making🔪 Discover how Hyde's handcrafted tools reflect both his roots in Maryland and his belief that artistry is in its making. 🎧 Revisit Henry's first episode from 2022 for more context on his powerful comic-based series.

Artist and professor Kumasi J. Barnett returns to the podcast to talk art, protest, and making work that cuts through the noise.Known for subverting comic books through introspective reinterpretations, Barnett reflects his work today. Barnett shares the realities of being a Black painter, creating in the shadow of systemic erasure, and why some truths hit harder in spandex.Topic Covered:Why painting is the easy part—but being an artist is notRewriting comic canon to reflect modern injusticeTeaching art, parenting, and painting as a long gameWhy selling out isn't the flex many think it isWhat he’s planning next (spoiler: it's political)🎧 Revisit Kumasi’s first episode from 2022 for more context on his powerful comic-based series.

Multidisciplinary artist, researcher, and educator Joseph Cochran II returns to The Truth In This Art. A native New Yorker, Cochran practice spans photography, video, and archival work, with NYC baked in. Cochran examines the emotional cost of late capitalism in industrialized societies.In this conversation: Cochran discusses living and working in China, rebuilding after loss, and how his identity shapes how he moves through the world. He reflects on balancing financial survival with creative ethics. He also discusses staying connected to his communities and the emotional weight in his work.This is a candid, witty conversation about legacy, creative freedom, and staying grounded.Topics include:Learning to live without depending on art to make a living—and why that helped his practiceWhy staying connected to the streets isn’t about authenticity, but accountabilityThe power of memory in his photographs—and why he remembers every shotThoughts on working in Shanghai, Brussels, and the Balkans while staying rooted in NYCUpcoming exhibition Public Work opening July 10 in New York🎧 Want more? Check out Joseph Cochran II’s first interview in the archive—where we talk about the early days of his work and life abroad. 

Artist and provocateur Brian Andrew Whiteley joins The Truth In This Art . Whiteley is known for his politically charged work including the infamous Trump Tombstone.Whiteley reflects on his work including creepy clown performances. He shares how comics sparked his creative journey. Whiteley discusses why art that provokes discomfort can often spark the deepest conversations. Whiteley gets real about the legal and emotional fallout from controversial projects. Later, Whiteley shares what it means to stay committed to an experimental work, and Satellite Art Show's importance to artists.This is an honest, funny, and layered dialogue about creative risk, censorship, and what it takes to build something outside the system.Topics include:The story behind the Trump Tombstone—and how it led to a Secret Service investigationWhy embracing absurdity became central to his practiceBuilding Satellite Art Show as a true artist-first platformLearning to push past legal threats and backlash to stay true to his ideasWhy success isn’t about sales—it’s about freedom and community🎧 Want more? Explore the Satellite Art Show at satellite-show.com or follow Brian Andrew Whiteley on Instagram.

Interdisciplinary artist and activist Sheryl Oring returns to The Truth In This Art! Oring shares updates on I Wish to Say. "I Wish to Say" is her long-running public art project. For decades, thousands of people have dictated postcards to the U.S. president for this project. It started with just one typewriter. Now, it's a growing collection of public records. It helps fight censorship and shares stories from people rarely heard.Sheryl had a hard year after her school, University of the Arts, closed. This conversation looks at how that loss, plus listening and old papers, shaped her newest art.Topics Covered: Fighting censorship: She was the first artist on the board of the National Coalition Against Censorship.Typing on tour: She gathered messages from parks, libraries, and schools during an election year.Archiving 5,000+ typewritten postcards and the invisible labor of cultural memoryPost-UArts Philadelphia: navigating grief, disillusionment, and artistic renewal after institutional collapseFear and self-censorship among immigrants, youth, and marginalized communitiesLibraries as sanctuary: preserving democratic space as book bans and closures escalateArt as care: on fermenting, gardening, and rituals that ground a life in transitionSheryl first appeared on The Truth in This Art in 2023—listen to that conversation here.This episode was recorded during a season that looked at archives, resilience, and artists who work in public spaces.

Director of Baltimore’s new Office of Arts, Culture, and Entertainment (MOACE), Linzy Jackson III joins The Truth In This Art! Jackson started as a summer youth worker and is now a crucial link between artists and the local government in Baltimore City. Jackson talks about what it means to streamline access to public resources and his work tearing down red tape for artists . Jackson grew up in Baltimore. His early memories of AFRAM and MLK Day parades helped him learn about community engagement. Jackson shares why cities like Philadelphia and Austin are paying close attention to Baltimore. Jackson presents his the long-term vision for Baltimore’s creative infrastructure.Topics Covered:What fair authentic access to city support for artists looks likeThe cultural impact of free festivals like Artscape and AFRAMCreating a more artist-centric Baltimore through policy and planningLessons from sister cities and the value of inter-city collaborationWhy the city needs a “State of the Creative Community”🎧 Explore more conversations with Baltimore changemakers in our archive.📍 More on MOACE: baltimorecity.gov

Visual artist and educator Christopher Batten returns to reflect on evolution, resilience, and what it means to keep pushing—on canvas and in the classroom.Now in his 10th year living in Baltimore and his third year teaching at Morgan State, Christopher shares how his practice continues to evolve. We talk about the role of failure, what teaching over 1,000 students has taught him, and how martial arts, memory, and perseverance shape his work. This conversation was recorded shortly before his residency at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts and after being featured in Luminosity in Detroit.Teaching as an artistic tool and the unexpected lessons it bringsWhy HBCU teaching fulfills a lifelong dream and sense of purposeHow rejection fueled four years of growth—and what changed when a “yes” finally cameThe importance of celebrating milestones and making space for creative restorationShifting definitions of success and the value of impact over popularity🎧 Revisit Christopher’s 2021 episode to hear the early stages of this journey.

Baltimore-based artist and designer Elijah Trice returns to talk about growth, storytelling, and painting the everyday with dignity and joy.Since our last conversation in 2022, Elijah has expanded his practice beyond hyperrealistic portraiture to explore themes of childhood memory and creative freedom. We recorded this just after his first solo show, Nothing Else Matters, which followed a transformative residency at Maryland Hall. Elijah shares how his architectural training shaped his painting style, what he’s learning from teaching, and why joy is radical in a world so often defined by struggle.How building furniture sparked a deeper connection to makingUsing vivid backgrounds and saturated color to honor Black eleganceTapping into nostalgia, storytelling, and his inner childThe pros and cons of meticulous planning vs improvising in the studioWhy nothing else matters—except the subject🎧 Catch Elijah’s 2022 episode for more on his early work and evolution as an artist.

If you’ve ever danced your heart out at a sold-out basement party or streamed a late-night DJ set on your phone, you’ve felt the pulse of Kotic Couture’s world. In this episode, Baltimore Magazine’s 2023 Best Local Artist shares how she swapped rap verses for turntables, co-founded one of the city’s most inclusive monthly events, and turned a bedroom-studio experiment into the Prototype album—all while building a fiercely supportive community of fellow Black queer creatives. Embracing vulnerability: lessons learned from emceeing full-hour sets before new audiencesPrototype album deep dive: turning a fearless DIY experiment into a cohesive, locally produced projectCurating intentional spaces: co-founding VERSION—one of Baltimore’s most inclusive monthly parties—and sustaining community through venue closures ​Power of word-of-mouth: why personal referrals and community trust can outweigh big marketing budgetsPandemic pivot: adapting from in-person shows to digital drop-ins and stepping back into a scene transformed by new DJsBroadening impact: collaborations with Black Techno Matters and Liberate DC, plus surprise opportunities in fashion and gallery featuresCatch Kotic Couture's first appearance on the podcast here:  This episode was recorded during a season dedicated to creative growth, transformation, and honoring the foundations that helped build Baltimore’s culture.Photo: