In this intimate artist feature and Art & Cocktails podcast episode, Lauren E. Peters shares her journey with self-portraiture, identity, costuming, and creative longevity. From returning to painting after a hiatus to balancing art with a career in the arts, Lauren offers powerful insights into building a meaningful, sustainable practice.

In this intimate interview, French-Vietnamese artist Sophie-Yen Bretez discusses how her transracial adoption, cultural identity, and personal experiences have influenced her bold, poetic paintings. Bretez delves into her transition from management to full-time artist, her use of "reverse voyeurism" to challenge societal views on the female body, and how themes of trauma, resilience, and recovery are woven into her work. Discover how Bretez's visual storytelling and the power of poetry come together to inspire hope and empowerment for women everywhere.