In a profound conversation with Lavi Daniel, we explore how creative expression can transform pain into art. This lifelong artist shares his journey of turning life's struggles into meaningful work that resonates on a deeply human level.Host Taylor Gallegos and Lavi discuss the delicate balance between creating beauty in challenging times and addressing the harsh realities around us. They examine how art serves as both escape and mirror—reflecting our humanity while helping us process difficult truths.Whether you're creating through personal hardship or feeling the weight of global events, this conversation reminds us why we need "the poetry, the artwork, the gathered humanity" now more than ever.Instagram: @lavi.artistWebsite: lavidaniel.net::Produced by Snapjack Studios http://snapjackstudios.com/© 2025 Taylor Gallegos Art, LLC. All rights reserved.
What happens when you stop trying to formulate creativity and start trusting your instincts instead? In this episode of Making It: REAL Stories of Creative Success, host Taylor Gallegos sits down with Lynn Abate Johnson @lajbiz to talk about breaking free from rigid creative formulas. Lynn shares her journey from following prescribed systems to developing what she calls an "un-marketing" approach—where inspiration trumps structure every time.Together, they explore how authenticity beats strategy, why Lynn refuses to cage her creativity in hard frameworks, and what it really means to show up as yourself in a world obsessed with formulas. From her accidental path to becoming a two-time international bestselling author to building community without scripts, Lynn proves that the best creative work happens when you leave space for whatever wants to emerge.Whether you're tired of forcing your art into someone else's system or ready to trust your own creative instincts, this conversation brings a raw look at what it really means to make it on your own terms.Website: lynnabatejohnson.com::Produced by Snapjack Studios: http://snapjackstudios.com/Copyright 2025 Taylor Gallegos Art, LLC. All rights reserved.
What if the secret to selling art wasn’t about building funnels or following someone else’s script—but about becoming *more* of yourself?
In this episode of *Making It: REAL Stories of Creative Success*, host Taylor Gallegos sits down with artist and storyteller Ryan Stover to talk about how chasing someone else’s sales strategy nearly took the soul out of his art—and how he got it back. From cookie-cutter marketing advice to $18K coaching programs, Ryan opens up about the journey of trying to “make it” as a professional artist—and what changed when he started trusting his own excitement.
We talk about:
* Why the energy that creates art isn’t the same as the energy that sells it
* The danger of trying to sell like someone else
* Following your highest excitement—and watching the universe respond
* How to share your story *and* your art (without feeling like a sellout)
* Using AI as a tool, not a replacement, for human creativity
This episode is a real one for any artist standing at the crossroads of hustle and heart.
---📬 Subscribe to Ryan’s newsletter and view his work:https://www.ryanstoverart.com
🎧 Full episode available on:YouTube • Spotify • Apple Podcasts
---📽️ **Produced by Snapjack Studios** https://www.snapjackstudios.com
© 2025 Taylor Gallegos Art, LLC. All rights reserved.
What happens when you grow up in a world where dancing, drawing—even joy—are forbidden? In this powerful episode, muralist Andrea Solorzano opens up about her journey from a restrictive upbringing to reclaiming her voice through art. With honesty, heart, and a little fairy magic, Andrea shares how she transformed her inner darkness into color, connection, and purpose.
We explore:
How Andrea rebuilt her relationship with creativity and spirituality
Why butterflies, murals, and mystery gardens fuel her artistic mission
The burnout she didn’t see coming—and what her acupuncturist taught her about true creative balance
Her shift from survival mode to service: art as a gift, not a grind
Whether you're just starting out or deep in your creative career, Andrea’s story is a moving reminder that art can save you—and that making it doesn’t always mean hustling harder. Sometimes, it means nourishing yourself enough to fly.
Check out Andrea's work: https://www.solorzanofineartgallery.com/
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🎙️ Making It: REAL Stories of Creative SuccessProduced by Snapjack Studios → www.snapjackstudios.com© 2025 Taylor Gallegos Art, LLC. All rights reserved.
What happens when an artist trades ego for insight? In this episode of Making It: REAL Stories of Creative Success, muralist and educator Mural Joe (Joe Cornelius) opens up about more than just paint and technique—he shares the inner architecture of a creative life.
Joe and host Taylor Gallegos dive deep into color theory, emotional resilience, and the patterns that drive Joe’s wildly popular YouTube tutorials. From rollers and light theory to ego deaths and spiritual humility, this is a conversation that transcends the canvas.
👉 Topics include:
Joe’s unconventional approach to color mixing and depth
Why he teaches gradients and edges—not just effects
The emotional sensitivity behind creative mastery
How faith, self-awareness, and ego management shape his art
Why he’d rather be useful than famous
Whether you're a muralist, designer, coder, or curious soul, this episode delivers tools, truths, and an unforgettable perspective.
👀 Check out Joe's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@muraljoe
🎧 Produced by Snapjack Studios: https://www.snapjack.media/© 2025 Taylor Gallegos Art, LLC. All rights reserved.
🎨 The pod is back, baby! In this episode of *Making It: REAL Stories of Creative Success*, host Taylor Gallegos sits down with muralist Hanna Daly to talk about going viral—for the wrong reasons—and what happened next. When a client failed to pay her for a mural, Hanna shared a 10-second video of herself painting over their logo. That post exploded, bringing unexpected attention, legal threats, and ultimately… poetic justice.But that’s just one layer. Hanna also opens up about grief, creativity, and healing—from losing close family members to navigating motherhood and finding an unexpected creative outlet in screenwriting. She shares the hard-won lessons from 20 years of painting murals, building a business from scratch, and learning to say no in a world that constantly demands more.This episode is funny, real, and full of raw wisdom for creatives who want to stay grounded, grow their careers, and create from the heart—without selling their soul.👉 Topics include:
🖌️ Whether you're an aspiring artist or just trying to keep your creative spark alive, this one’s for you.---🎧 Produced by Snapjack Studios: https://www.snapjack.media/ 📍 Shot at Studio West: https://studiowest.com/© 2025 Taylor Gallegos Art, LLC. All rights reserved.
In this episode I Interview Lynx DeMuth. Lynx is a musician, a producer, a mentor, and more. They work and live in Portland, OR. In this episode we talk about the development of Lynx as an artist, music, music production, feeling at home in oneself, sobriety, and so much more.
You can connect with Lynx on Spotify at Lynx Demote, on IG @lynxdemuth, and online at lynxdemuth.com.
In this episode I Interview Bob Matatall. Bob is an Urban Planner, an avid traveler, and the long time best friend of my Step Dad Chris Belting. In this episode we talk about the joys of slow travel, art and design, surviving cancer, and so much more.
In this episode I Interview Ruben Rojas. Ruben is an Artist, an Entrepreneur, a Podcaster, a Husband, a Father, and more. He works and lives in Los Angeles, CA, out of his art studio where this interview took place. In this episode we talk about Art, Style, the business of art, the experience of making a podcast, and so much more.
In this episode I Interview Samantha Tradelius. Samantha is an entrepreneur, the founder of Sparkle Foundation, Sparklebiz, a mother, and a husband. In this episode we talk about Samantha’s transition from business to non-profit, her foundation that’s helping women and mother, the ripple effect of positive action and much more.
You can find and follow Samantha on her website at samanthatradelius.com, on her podcast InspiHER’d, and on IG @inspiherd.
In this episode I Interview Billy Arana (Along with my guest hosts Haylee, Kelsey, Cyndie, and Moe LaCroix). Billy is the owner/operator/guide of North Pacific Adventure in Mendocino County, California. In this episode we talk guiding, fishing, environmental awareness, the cooking of the freshest catch, and much more.
You can find and follow Billy on IG @north_pacific_adventure, and online at npadventure.com.
In this episode I Interview Marius Lehene. Marius is an Artist, and Art Professor at Colorado State University. He’s Romanian born, living and working in Fort Collins, Colorado. Also, he was my art professor for 5 semesters, including my study abroad trip to Tuscany, Italy. In this episode we talk about dualities and intersections of place and space, Art and Academia, Art and Society, responsibility as an artist, and so much more.
You can connect with Marius on his website at mariuslehene.net, and on Instagram @marius_lehene, and @dinghy_rig.
Huge Thank You to Silvia and Cyane from the Colorado State University Art Department for helping put the live element of this podcast recording together!
In this episode I interview Gretchen Leggitt. Gretchen is a Muralist who graduated with a BFA from Colorado State University (That’s where we met), is currently living and working out of Bellingham, WA, where she has put up the largest mural in the state of Washington. In this episode we talk about the development of one’s unique personal style, the artistic wonder of Tuscany, current art happenings in the world, and so much more.
You can connect with Gretchen on her website at gretchenleggitt.com, and on Instagram @g2legit, and also be sure to check out her latest venture: Paper Whale at paper-whale.com.
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Show Notes - Check out Coast Salish Art, Saint Sebastian by Damien Hurst, @faith47, @swoon, @connorsaysboom, and Bluebeard by Kurt Vonnegut.
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-The Art and Life podcast is an artistic exploration in itself. It is an experiment in an audio format that focuses on the art and philosophy involved with different people and their life paths. This podcast is intended to inspire listeners in their creative pursuits.
-Taylor Gallegos is an artist, originally from Colorado, currently based in California. Taylor has been making art for his whole life, he received a BFA from Colorado State University with a Study Abroad semester in Italy, and has been making and selling artwork since he graduated. For the past 5 years, he has been working mostly in the world of large scale murals and live painting for events. In the beginning of 2020, he took his artistic process into the world of podcasting and plans on continuing to do so into the future.
You can view his work on his website at taylorgallegosart.com, on LinkedIn at Taylor Gallegos, and on Instagram and Facebook @taylorgallegosart.
Music was provided by bassist Brian Wiekel (briweik) and producer Chris Thompson.
In this episode Ryan Stover (Episode 76) guest hosts the Art and Life podcast and interviews me, Taylor Gallegos. I started this concept a few years back for the Season Finale and we’re running with it. In this episode we talk about my artistic process, my tips for success, philosophy about the future, and so much more.
You can connect with Ryan on Youtube @uncomplication and on IG @thinayr and with me @taylorgallegosart or on my website at taylorgallegosart.com.
In this episode I Interview Hadley Stover. Hadley is a 7 year old (almost 8) creative human being from Fort Collins, Colorado. Hadley is the daughter of Ryan Stover from Episode 76. In this episode we talk about creativity from a kid’s perspective, Hadley’s drawings, imaginary friends, and so much more.
You can connect with Hadley on her (and Ryan’s) Podcast on Spotify called “The Haddie Daddy Show.”
In this episode I Interview Okori Puryear. Okori is a Technical Systems Designer, has a background in geographic data science, and has a degree in Environmental Systems Science from Stanford University. In this episode we talk about creativity in the dimension of data, the concept of finding creative solutions to contemporary problems, Art on the Playa, and so much more.
Okori suggests you follow, support, and engage with your local environmental groups and to support your local artist!!
In this episode I Interview Lisa Ray. Lisa is an award-winning actress, author, philanthropist and long-term art collector. Lisa has enjoyed a multifaceted career in the entertainment arts beginning in India in 1991 and spanning multiple countries and straddling film (Oscar nominated ‘Water’) television (‘Top Chef Canada’, International Emmy nominated ‘4 More Shots Please’) modeling, activism and public speaking. Lisa also starred in the award winning ‘The World Unseen’- a culturally sensitive drama that explores a same sex relationship between two Indian women under apartheid in South Africa..
In this episode we talk about her new NFT venture, art helping global communities and individuals in those communities, meditation, and so much more.
You can connect with Lisa on Instagram @lisaraniray, on LinkedIn at Lisa Ray, and also with The Upside Space on Instagram @theupsidespace.
In this episode I Interview Keesa Johnson. Keesa is a Creative Systems Designer, with a Masters in Integrated Design from the University of Michigan. In this episode we talk about creativity in designing complex social systems, the concept of a Wicked Problem, equity in the food system, and so much more.
You can connect with Keesa on LinkedIn, and on IG @equityandaccess
In this episode I Interview Joey Cofone. Joey is Founder & CEO of Baronfig, he's an award-winning designer, entrepreneur, and now author of his new book "The Laws of Creativity." His work has been featured in Fast Company, Bloomberg, New York Magazine, Bon Appetit, Quartz, Mashable, Gizmodo, and Print, among others. In this episode we talk about creativity as a concept, the creative process, the writing process, and so much more.
You can connect with Joey at JoeyCofone.com, check out his book at JoeyCofone.com/book, at baronfig.com, and on IG and Twitter @joeycofone.
In this episode I interview Megan Johannsen. Megan is an artist living and working in Los Angeles, California. Megan is also a dear friend of mine, we first met on our mutual study abroad trip in Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy, and we’ve been art buddies ever since. In this episode we talk about Megan’s work, her process, her interest in materials, her philosophy, and so much more.
You can connect with Megan on Instagram @antvanity, and on her website at MeganJohannsen.com.
