Making Problems to Solve

Leah Aripotch - Metal Sculpting Monsters

Leah Aripotch is a metal scultptor focusing on organic monstrous forms inspired by nature. We discuss the connections between observing nature, curiosity, and the creative process. We follow her journey from being a kid out in nature, to painting, jewelry making and metal sculpture. Check out Leah’s work on Instagram and her web site

Derek Weston - Sculpter and Fabricator

The podcast is back with Derek Weston, a sculptor and fabricator from Philadelphia. We go over his journey from curious creative kid to college where he tried industrial design, but ultimately discovered sculpture. Learning to make things with tools lead him on the path to working as a fabricator and taking a break to explore and learn and meet other creative folks around the US, finally leading to starting his own shop where he does his best to work with clients that provide an interesting problem to solve! Along the way we discuss the value of art school, and cultivating your creative community. Learn more about Derek on Instagram and his web site.

REPLAY Graz Makes - Still Making Fun

John Graziano, Graz, is a good friend still, if you haven’t heard this one in a while, here is a repeat presentation of my chat way back from Episode 3 back in 2022. This time I talked with John Graziano, aka GrazMakes on your usual platforms, about curiosity and a constant desire to modify things to understand how they work and to take things apart to bend them to your will. Along the way we discussed the important discovery that, yes, you can make creativity a career and the joy of sharing what you’ve learned a way to show even more folks what making is all about. Check him out at @grazmakes on Instagram and YouTube. Find Graz at https://www.instagram.com/grazmakes/

Maya Buffett-Davis: Books are Machines

Maya Buffett Davis is a sculptor currently pursuing an MFA in Ceramics at Colorado University Boulder. For the next couple of days you can view her show “Books are Machines” at the Bemis Public Library in Littleton, CO until February 14, 2026. Books Are Machines was made possible thanks to the support of the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. We chat about the ideas behind the show including the relationship between the viewer and an interactive sculpture and inspiring attention. Learn more about Maya’s work on Instagram and her web site mayabuffettdavis.xyz

Sarah - Soul Bound Leather

This week I talk to Sarah from Soul Bound Leather about how she discovered leatherwork, got connected with the knife making community, giving stories to her work, and where her work is taking her next. Check out Sarah’s work on Instagram and soulboundleather.com