The Latest on the Blog
Embracing Play, Shattering Art Rules, and Finding Creative Joy with Brandi Hofer
What if the biggest creative block you face isn't a lack of talent, but the invisible rules you were taught to follow? In this episode, Ekaterina Popova sits down with multidisciplinary artist, muralist, and educator Brandi Hofer for a raw and energizing conversation about breaking free from academic perfectionism. Brandi pulls back the curtain on why she stopped hiding her use of projectors, how she balances a massive creative output with raising three children, and why giving yourself permission to play is the ultimate career fuel.
A Conversation with Federico Massa a.k.a. Iena Cruz: Muralist, Visionary, and Environmental Storyteller
Federico Massa, widely known as Iena Cruz, transforms city walls into vivid narratives of climate justice and conservation. In this interview, the internationally acclaimed muralist shares how his roots in set design and graffiti inform his powerful visual language, how animals serve as symbols in his work, and what it means to send his art into space. Dive into his creative process and learn how he blends bold aesthetics with environmental activism.
Bojana Ilic (BOJITT) on Storytelling Through Abstraction, Empowerment, and Sending Art to the Moon
An inspiring interview with Bojana Ilic, also known as BOJITT, a Serbian-born, U.S.-based artist and designer whose expressive abstract paintings have reached international acclaim—literally to the Moon via The Lunar Codex. She shares how emotion and storytelling shape her creative process, the influence of her move to the U.S., and how she’s merging tradition with modern expression to empower women through art.
Infusing Art into Business, Fitness, and Leadership with Heart – A Conversation with Antonio DeAscanis of BlkOps Fitness
In this episode of Art & Cocktails, Antonio DeAscanis, founder of BlkOps Fitness, shares his inspiring journey of blending fitness, art, and entrepreneurship. Discover how Antonio’s unique vision transformed a traditional gym into a creative, community-centered space where art and fitness thrive together. From leading with heart to embracing his own artistic flair, Antonio offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs and artists looking to break the mold and build something extraordinary.

