Two Student Artists talk about their art and the Virtual Wesleyan Artist Market 2021

In this episode of Peachtree Corners Life, Rico Figliolini is joined by two young and inspiring student artists, Kate Adent and Dane Scott. Kate and Dane are two of many young artists that are involved in the upcoming Virtual Wesleyan Artist’s Market. Dane and Kate share their artistic journey, inspirations, and experience with the upcoming artist’s market.

Resources:
Kate’s Social Media: @KatePrints
Dane’s Social Media: @Dane_Scott19

Virtual Artist’s Market www.ArtistMarket.WesleyanSchool.org

Timestamp/Where to find it in the podcast:
[00:00:30​] – Intro
[00:01:45​] – About Dane
[00:04:47​] – About Kate
[00:07:25​] – Kate’s Art
[00:10:54​] – Dane’s Art
[00:15:37​] – How the Virtual Market Works
[00:17:05​] – Online Versus In-Person
[00:19:05​] – What’s Next for Young Artists
[00:22:47​] – Experiences with the Artist’s Market
[00:24:39​] – Closing

“It’s a super fun atmosphere. If there are any students from Wesleyan listening to this right now, I would encourage you to do it. At first I was kind of scared to do it… But it’s super fun and it’s fun to meet people, talk to people and just get appreciation for your work. I would encourage anybody to do it.”

Kate Adent

Podcast Trascrip

Rico: [00:00:30] Hi, this is Rico Figliolini, host of Peachtree Corners Life. And this is the show
that talks about everything about Peachtree Corners. We have special guests tonight from the
Wesleyan Artist’s Market. I’ll introduce them shortly. But in the meantime first, let me introduce
our sponsor for this show along with the family of podcasts that I do, and that’s Hargray Fiber.
They’re a Southeast regional company that provides internet connectivity to a variety of
businesses, whether you’re small or enterprise size. And they provide the tools to keep you
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keep you working and doing the right thing out there on the net. So check them out,
HargrayFiber.com or Hargray.com if you’d like. And thank you guys for supporting us. So we
have two special guests. One of them is a four year veteran of the Artist’s Market and the other
one’s a newbie, if you will, first year on the market. Both talented students of the Artist’s Market.
And this is what tonight’s show is about. So we’re going to be interviewing them. Let me bring
them on. And we have Kate Adent and Dane Scott. Hi guys. Thanks for showing up. I
appreciate you being with me.
Dane: [00:01:44] Thank you for having us.
Rico: [00:01:45] Sure. So you know, Kate has the work that she does is calligraphy and
photography, and we’ll get into that. And Dane Scott. Do I have the names right? Yes. Dane
Scott. Yes, cool. This is what happens during these shows. So Dane is an artist that does a
variety of things along with sticker art graphics. So what I want to do is I want to talk to and bring
them on individually for a minute to talk a little bit about who they are and what they do. So let’s
do, let’s have Dane Scott on first, and you tell us a little bit about yourself Dane.
Dane: [00:02:19] Thank you very much for having me tonight. My name is Dane Scott. I’m in
ninth grade, almost 16 years old, and I will be participating in this year’s Wesleyan Artist’s
market.
Rico: [00:02:34] So tell us also a little bit about, you know, what do you do at school, what your
activities a little bit are like. How’s Wesleyan as far as an environment like that?
Dane: [00:02:43] Wesleyan is a great and fantastic environment. I love all my friends there. We
have really deep spiritual connections and I honestly enjoy every moment there. I participate in
a couple of afterschool activities. I actually participated in marching band in the summer and fall.
And then I now participate in mock trial.
Rico: [00:03:08] Cool. That’s great. So, and tell us, just give us an idea of the type of work you
do artistically.
Dane: [00:03:15] Artistically, I love using programs such as Illustrator and sometimes a little bit
of Photoshop to just express my art. I used to use Tactile art, such as Posca Paint Pens, which
are acrylic paint pens. And I used to draw on basically everything. I would draw on my drum
heads. I would draw on phone cases. I would draw on mint tins even, for Altoids. And Iexpressed my art that way, but some other ways to express my art and I find it easier to create
art and to make new products and images using illustrator.
Rico: [00:03:56] And you were telling me a little bit before the show that one of your inspirations
came from Vexx. Tell us who that is and what inspired you.
Dane: [00:04:05] Yes, sir. Vexx as far as I understand is a Swedish artist who he does a lot of
fun, really fun cartoon work, tons of colors. And a lot of people are inspired by him. I follow him
on my social media platform. And I originally got inspired about a year ago to this date. I got
inspired by him and I wanted to you know, give a twist of my creativity to his art. So I started
drawing and practicing doodling and drawing like he did. I watched tons of his videos about how
to doodle and creative thinking process. And I managed to express my creativity that way.
Rico: [00:04:47] We’re going to be showing some of his artwork a little later in this podcast. So if
you’re listening to this, please check out our video. But let me also bring on now, Kate Adent into
the show too. Hey Kate. Thanks for waiting in the wings.
Kate: [00:05:02] Yes, thank you for having me.
Rico: [00:05:04] Sure. So tell us also a little bit about yourself to the same way that Dane was
able to talk about his experience and what he does. Tell us, I know you do softball also. So tell
us a bit about your experience.
Kate: [00:05:16] Yeah, so I’m a sophomore at Wesleyan. Like you said, I’ve done the market for
a few years now. I play softball and I used to play lacrosse, but that’s over. Oh, but yes, so like
Dane was saying I use a lot of Photoshop and Illustrator Indesign for my art. And when I do my
calligraphy, I’ve started using an iPad. So I use Procreate, which has really just made it easier
for me to get custom work out faster. So that has been super helpful for me. And I’ve also, Oh,
sorry. Were you going to say something? I’ve also been into photography a lot recently, so I use
Lightroom to edit those photos.
Rico: [00:05:53] So, right. So as far as inspiration, I mean, I know that Dane had Vexx inspire
him. Where do you find your inspiration to do some of the artwork or calligraphy that you do
even?
Kate: [00:06:05] Honestly, it’s just like influencers that I follow on Instagram. A lot of different
calligraphy accounts. That’s how I found out about Procreate. And I have a lot of friends at my
church that do stuff like I do. So I’ve been able to learn from them a lot.
Rico: [00:06:18] Interesting what you said before about doing, it sounds like commission work is
what you do also. So, and you even, so when someone, what’s a typical commission work that
someone would want from Kate Adent?Kate: [00:06:32] Well, I’ve done work for like weddings, I’ve addressed wedding invitations. A lot
of special events like signs. And my brother got married recently, so I was actually able to
design and produce all of his, like all of the paper needs. Like signage, menus, invitations,
everything for that. So just stuff like that.
Rico: [00:06:55] And when you do, so people actually, you’ve actually set up a website of your
own. Not only can you, can anyone here find your work at Wesleyan Artist Markets soon to be
opened virtual artist’s market, but they can also come to your website, right? And what’s that
website address?
Kate: [00:07:15] KatePrints.com.
Rico: [00:07:17] Cool. So, and if they wanted to buy specific custom commission work, they can
do that through that site with you?
Kate: [00:07:24] Yes, sir.
Rico: [00:07:25] Excellent. So let’s do a little bit of show and tell here and we’ll start. We’ll start
with you Kate first. So I’m going to bring on some pieces that you’ve done. So bear with me a
second. So some of the work that you sent me. So tell us, so obviously calligraphy is part of the
market, right? Is being sold at the market, I guess?
Kate: [00:07:48] Yes, sir.
Rico: [00:07:49] Excellent. So you want to tell me a little bit about this one?
Kate: [00:07:54] Yes. So this was just a piece of commission work I did for a friend just for her to
give as a gift. Just a Bible verse for one of her friends.
Rico: [00:08:03] Okay. And you have another one there let’s do this one.
Kate: [00:08:06] Yeah, so I think there was a couple of those just examples.
Rico: [00:08:10] Right. So there’s another one there that you did that was also commission work
I’m assuming.
Kate: [00:08:17] Yes, sir.
Rico: [00:08:18] Right. And actually you even have almost like a font library.
Kate: [00:08:25] Yes. So all of that was handwritten. Like I said, I do that in Procreate. So that’s
actually a print that I have for sale on my website.Rico: [00:08:32] And you’re also putting, so if someone wanted to buy, let’s say a pen. Let me
get this one up. I’ll show you. Like that one. That’s one of yours too, I think right?
Kate: [00:08:43] Yes.
Rico: [00:08:44] So tell us a little bit about that and what you’re, what you’re doing with this.
Kate: [00:08:48] Yes. So like about this time, last year I started my website and for the most
part, it was just like paper prints and stuff like that. So I wanted to add something else. And so,
like I said, a person I follow on Instagram had started to make these flags. So I designed like the
writing on my computer and then I print them out on my silhouette machine and he pressed
them and they’re yes. And they’re all hand-sewn.
Rico: [00:09:18] So you have a silhouette machine? That’s cool.
Kate: [00:09:21] Yes.
Rico: [00:09:23] So you’re a maker in Peachtree Corners.
Kate: [00:09:26] I am. Yes, sir.
Rico: [00:09:28] And so the flower on that decorative portion of it, does that also come with the
banner or is that just part of the photography?
Kate: [00:09:35] That was just part of the picture.
Rico: [00:09:37] Okay. But anyone can commission these types of banners with you, I’m
assuming?
Kate: [00:09:41] Yes, sir. I’ve made a bunch of customs for people, for different events, and for
gifts.
Rico: [00:09:46] Okay, cool. And of course we were talking before about photography as well.
And you’ve done some photography work it seems also. Are you is that also again, I mean, is
that commissionable too? If you do photography?
Kate: [00:10:04] Yes, it is. I’ve been doing some senior pictures recently. That’s that. Yes, sir.
That’s one of my friends from school. And then I’ve also been asked by the varsity baseball
coach at Wesleyan to be the team photographer this year. So that’s been super fun getting to do
other stuff and to learn other things.
Rico: [00:10:25] Well, it’s good to see the work that you’re doing. And you know, you’re young.
Although this is your fourth year, has it changed from what you did the first year to what you’re
doing in the fourth year?Kate: [00:10:36] Yes sir. So the first year I actually did the market with a friend and we did
monograms. This was in sixth grade. So with my silhouette, like cutting machine, I made
monograms and stickers for, and I sold those. But now I’m just doing more calligraphy type work
Rico: [00:10:54] Alright. Now let’s bring on Dane. Dane? I want to be able to show some of your
artwork also. And maybe you can give us a little explanation of some of the artwork that I’m
going to be putting up here.
Dane: [00:11:07] Awesome.
Rico: [00:11:09] So give us some background on some of these pieces.
Dane: [00:11:14] So this is my, actually, this is my most recent piece that I’ve done. And I always
start my process by outlining everything. So I take a black marker and Adobe illustrator and I do
all the lining for it. And then the next step, I create like the facial expression. So I create the
lining of the character and that little orange guy, right there will be totally blank. And I will come
up with what I want the scene to be. So say I wanted him to be sad. You know, I might’ve added
a frowny face and the eyebrow to be lowered and the cloud might be gray and crying or
something like that. But in this case I needed it to be a happy picture. Like most of my works. So
I proceeded in that way and it turned out as this.
Rico: [00:12:09] Cool. Now, not a happy guy.
Dane: [00:12:11] No, I have two of those styles. I actually have one with me right here. I have
another one that I did in the similar style is that it’s a storm cloud with big, angry, eyebrows and
a lightning coming out of it. But anyway, in that cactus picture, in that cactus picture I was kind
of, I wanted some inspiration. So I told my family to, you know, think of a random object and my
sister shouted out cactus. So I was like, Oh, that’d be fun. So I drew that one afternoon after I
did my homework. And it turned out like that.
Rico: [00:12:52] And the strawberry that I’m bringing on, now.
Dane: [00:12:55] The strawberry. So originally before I started doing stickers, a big thing of mine
was doing sliced up fruit. Like not, like I drew sliced up fruit and I thought it would be really cool
to translate some of my original works into stickers. So I think I have maybe five fruits in my little
sticker stockpile right here.
Rico: [00:13:19] So you said you earlier, I think while we were up, this was pretty sure you said
you used Sticker Mule to be able to do this?
Dane: [00:13:27] Yes, sir. I send it over to the people at Sticker Mule and they are really quick to
respond. Most of my stickers, I can get ordered within the first, you know, eight hours. They
approve it. They go through and do all your edits for you. It’s fantastic.Rico: [00:13:44] Wow. And how long, what’s like your normal order of stickers when you do
that?
Dane: [00:13:49] I usually purchase the stickers 10 at a time for about $9. So it’s a really good
price. You can look all over the web and other websites. You know, they’ll have it a little bit
higher or a little bit lower, but these are really good quality. They’re waterproof, heat resistant.
They’re 3M which means they’re like super sticky and they’re, you know, what a kayak sticker
is? A kayak sticker so basically, you know, it, you can kayak in it. So it’s super durable. It’s really
heavy grade and it doesn’t scratch easily or wear easily. And I’ve actually had some on the back
of my phone case right now for about six months. And they do not fall off or scratch or wear
anything. They are super durable and high quality.
Rico: [00:14:40] You know, it’s funny because one of the companies I do work with, it’s a media
company and they’ve been sending out stickers that they’ve made. I don’t know where they’re
getting them from, but apparently laptop stickers is the big thing, right? What about this one?
Dane: [00:14:54] This is a pizza. This was actually the third design I ever made. I think the
strawberry was the first. No, the strawberry was the second. This was the third design because I
just like pizza and I thought that was a really fun, colorful design.
Rico: [00:15:09] And this is the last one right, in the series?
Dane: [00:15:12] Yes, sir. So this was originally when I hit 100 followers on Instagram. I actually
put this flaming pickle in the piece and my dad’s like, Oh, that’s a cool character. You should
include that on the stickers on like, yeah, I should. So I drew him in Adobe illustrator, sent him
off to sticker mule, and I got him about seven days later, so.
Rico: [00:15:37] So I’m going to bring us all three on at this point. And just want to be able to go
a little further and just talk a little bit more about the Wesleyan Artist’s Market. So, you know,
how is that working as far as you being able to put your art on and you know, what’s the
process? So if someone wants to buy your work, how would that work out? Who wants to go
first?
Kate: [00:16:00] I can go. So as far as I understand, or as I know it’s a website that’s going to go
live day of market and anybody is just able to go on and shop through the different sites of
different vendors that are all students. And then there’s going to be another section of like the
professional artists that would normally be in market. And you’re just able to shop through there.
Rico: [00:16:24] So now, if anyone has questions about your artwork or if they’d want
commission work? Because, you know, they like the sticker that you do, or they like the
calligraphy that you’re doing, or the banners would they be able to reach you through that artist’s
market as well? I imagine.Dane: [00:16:41] As far as I understand, we, the student artists are not allowed to have our
personal phone numbers. We are allowed to have our social media accounts however, and not
a parent email. I think they will allow people to leave their comments and then forward those
emails to us, where we may respond. Just to add a little bit more security to the student
operation of it.
Rico: [00:17:05] Sure, sure. And then, you know, doing a virtual market is lot different right, than
in-person. So obviously Dane doesn’t know the in-person side of it, but Kate would. So how was
the, you know, the interesting part? Were you at the show also showing your work when like last
year? Not last year, year before.
Kate: [00:17:25] Yes. So, it’s super fun in person. You get to be there for like three days and you
have a booth that you set up with all your work. And since we’re students we have to go to
school during the day. So a parent would like man the booth and like make sales for you, but
then right after school ends, you get to come for like the rest of, I think it’s a Friday. And then all
day Saturday, the market’s open. So you just get to talk to people and it’s super fun.
Dane: [00:17:52] So could I comment on that real quick?
Rico: [00:17:54] Yeah, sure.
Dane: [00:17:55] Well, my sister did the artist’s market last year. I showed up almost every day.
It was super fun to come after school, do my homework. The atmosphere is great. And there’s
so many talented artists there as well. So it’s really, really fun to show up and I’m sad we have to
do it virtually this year.
Rico: [00:18:11] Yeah. I mean, did you get a chance to walk around and see all the artists and
what they do? Yeah, that must’ve been fun too. Did you get a chance to even speak to some of
the artists? Cause I’d imagine, you know, artists to artists, you might have comments or
questions.
Dane: [00:18:25] Oh, sorry. Go ahead. You go ahead.
Kate: [00:18:29] I got to meet a couple of like the professional artists. They’re like on the main
floor of the gym during the market. And there’s a couple of them that I’ve gotten to meet and I’m
still really in contact with. And they’ve been a pretty big inspiration, honestly, for me too.
Rico: [00:18:45] Dane. You were going to comment as well?
Dane: [00:18:47] Yes sir. My dad actually bought a wonderful piece of the American flag and I’m
pretty sure he’s still in contact with the artist. They’ve got so many talented artists. Every one of
them is so kind and it’s really fun to talk to them about their process and how they do what they
do.Rico: [00:19:05] What do you, you know, I mean, obviously you’re in ninth grade, young artists.
What do you want to do? I mean, where do you want to start your path in life? What do you
think is your thing?
Dane: [00:19:18] That is a good question, sir. I am not fully confident in my path in life. I don’t
know if I’ll, I kind of doubt that I’ll go into a full artist career. I do like doing art as a hobby though.
I have many hobbies. I do some prop design. I do some videoing, you know. I do a little bit of
instruments and stuff. So I don’t know if I’ll pursue it professionally, but that’s a very good
question.
Rico: [00:19:47] Well you have obviously a creative vent and you, all the things that you
mentioned are in the creative realm. So maybe that road is kind of broad, but maybe that’s the
path that you might be good at. Sure.
Kate: [00:20:04] I really would love to be a graphic designer. I think that would be so much fun.
That’s been a dream of mine for a long time. I don’t know whether that would be like freelance or
if I would work with a company. But really anything would be awesome. But I’d also love to have
photography as like a part of my business or a part of my job. So that would be super cool. Like
sports photography I think is so much fun.
Rico: [00:20:25] Oh yeah, I would think. Especially if you love sports, it sounded like you started
with lacrosse and then you went to softball. So that’s definitely sports photography. Like food
photography and portrait photography are very different from each other and it does take a
talent to do those things. And you’ve really got to love it to be able to capture I think the right
moments. And have a camera that can shoot a hundred shots before you get that one, one
really good sports shot. Right? So what so now that you know, pretty much where, you know,
what do you think you’d want to do next? As far as artwork goes, Kate? I know, you know,
calligraphy, photography, what would be next years? I know we haven’t even started this year’s
yet, but what do you think would be your next project?
Kate: [00:21:16] Probably really the same stuff. I really enjoy what I’m doing and I don’t really
think I would make any other changes. If anything, I would add other pieces or other elements.
But I think I’m going to stick with calligraphy and photography.
Rico: [00:21:30] Cool. Dane what about you?
Dane: [00:21:33] I may add sort of a mixed bag if you will. I’ve been working on my computer.
I’m working on some prints right now, combining some of my characters into a scene.
Unfortunately, I can’t sell the props I actually make because that’s not legal because I don’t own
the rights to them. But I think I’ll continue with the stickers, prints, and maybe a couple of my
photos. I also like to do photography in both video games and in real life.
Rico: [00:22:04] Yeah. Actually I did notice that on your Instagram, you do video game
photography?Dane: [00:22:09] Yes, sir. I mainly focus on a game called Forza Horizon 4. I love cars racing. I
have, you know, in the basement I’ve kind of set up a little steering wheel thing with the pedals
and all that. I love racing. So I just take the opportunities to capture those cool moments when
you know, you’re swinging around the curve at a hundred miles an hour in your car, and you can
just capture that moment. So it’s really fun to do that.
Rico: [00:22:36] You’d almost want to do that in a VR setting.
Dane: [00:22:40] Yes, sir. My cousin actually put me in his VR thing and it’s a little bit nauseous
going that fast.
Rico: [00:22:47] The Oculus quest for my son. And I had to set up an area for him so then he
wouldn’t bump into the walls. Cause when you’re moving around in that you have no idea where
you are. And I had actually set up a tactile area for him so that if he steps off it, he knows he’s
going into a wall or something. So, yeah. And that can be a little, I tried it on and it just. I’d like to
be in there for a little longer, but he took it back. He was like Dad, no it’s mine. Cool. So we, do
you guys want to, Kate, do you want to share anything else about your experience with your
artist’s market that you know, maybe you’d like to share with people?
Kate: [00:23:22] Gosh, I don’t know. Just that it’s a super fun atmosphere. And like, if there is
any students from Wesleyan listening to this right now, or when it comes out, I guess. That I
would encourage you to do it. Cause at first I was kind of scared to do it because I only saw like
high schoolers doing it and I did it in middle school. But it’s super fun and it’s fun to meet people,
talk to people and just like get appreciation for your work. I would encourage anybody to do it.
Rico: [00:23:47] That’s cool. And I especially appreciate being a business person. The fact that
you set up a website to sell your own stuff as an entrepreneur, that’s a great thing to do and a
great experience I think.
Kate: [00:24:01] Yes, it was super fun too.
Rico: [00:24:04] Right. And still more to come I’m sure.
Kate: [00:24:07] Yes. I’ve learned a lot from that for sure.
Rico: [00:24:10] Dane what about you?
Dane: [00:24:11] Actually on the point of the website, one aspect of this artist market that I’ve
enjoyed. We as artists actually get to set up our own little web page that we can kind of show
what we’re about. We get a description, you know, we get to have our banner or colors
everywhere to show, you know what we’re about as an artist. And I think that’s another aspect
that they previously didn’t have in the artist market. And that adds to it in a way.Rico: [00:24:39] After speaking to Gina Solomon and some of the other women that guide the
Wesleyan artist market, I think this is definitely, even though they were forced to do a virtual
artist’s market because of the pandemic. This is something that they realize they do want to
keep. And it does expand that exposure for the artists. Not only, you know, student artists, but
certainly the professional artists. So it’s a great place for people that cannot come to the artist
market to be able to see what’s going on. So that’s kinda neat that way. So we’ve been talking to
Kate Adent and Dane Scott, students at the artist’s market, Wesleyan artist market that opens
April 20?
Dane: [00:25:19] April 22nd through 29th. It’s a week of shopping. Early shopping is available
for those who sponsor the event and it is www.ArtistsMarket.WesleyanSchool.org.
Rico: [00:25:34] You’d be a great cohost. Good job, thanks for helping out. We’ve been talking
to some great artists here and I think that whatever they do in the future, it will be exciting for
them. So, and listen, if you want to follow them, actually, where can they, Kate, where can they
follow you on?
Kate: [00:25:51] I have an Instagram and a Facebook and both of them are just @KatePrints.
Rico: [00:25:56] Okay. And Dane?
Dane: [00:25:58] Yes. If you want to see more of my work, I’d be happy to show you. It’s
@Dane_Scott19.
Rico: [00:26:08] Excellent. Alright, I appreciate your time. Appreciate you being with me. Hope
everyone enjoyed this and looking at the artwork of these kids. But definitely check out the
Wesleyan Artist’s Market in the student section, because there are other students as well there
too. And the professional artists that have been curated and juried for this. So check that out. It’ll
be a good show. Thank you for being with us.
Dane: [00:26:31] Thank you very much