Episode 175 - Kent Ambler (Blackberry Farm Brewery)

Going way back with this one. Kent Ambler was a planned guest for Season 6 so we are very excited that we were able to connect with him from his home in Greenville, SC to close the circle and celebrate his unique story and passion.

We came to learn of him and his work through a few one-off labels he created for Blackberry Farm Brewery and have been following his adventures and creativity for the last couple of years. His story is one of hard work and finding his calling to his craft of wood carving in class and falling in love with it and being really good at it from the start.

We talk about how he got his work into galleries, the internet before it was useful, and where his everything will kill you series originated. It is a celebration of a career and passion that is inspiring and beautiful to hear. I also learned that woodcutting and this labor of love is the secret to capitalism and getting rich.

As we enter the holiday weekend please take a moment to recognize all of those people in your life that you are thankful for and let them know. Every one of you that has liked a post sent a message or listened to the podcast has made me a better human and grateful for this community. The idea of this project was born around this time four years ago and here we are with some amazing guests, friends, and events that have allowed us to celebrate hard work, creativity, and being true to your self. THANK YOU ALL.

Episode 174 - BEEB (Smittox Brewing Co.)

This week’s featured artist is BEEB. We came to learn of his work through the labels he has created for up and coming DTW Brewery, Smittox Brewing Co.

The initial goal was for BEEB to be featured on Season 11 but things worked out great for us to connect now and hear what he has been up to during that time. A creative in all aspects of his life and family. Music, art, design, beer, life and even fonts are a part of the conversation.

A man who continues to evolve and challenge himself while building on his previous experiences and collaboration. Guerilla Publishing Company is a great example of that, a consortium that brings together and supports artists with a mix hip hop funk and soul. It’s a joy to see the passion and appreciation for his hustle as well as those in his universe and who have impacted his journey.

Check out this episode and make sure to support Beeb and the Guerrilla Publishing Company. That website is a thing of beauty too.

Episode 173 - Julia Green (Equilibrium Brewery)

We are proud to announce this week is the multi-talented creative Julia Green. We came to learn of Julia and her work through the labels she has done for Equilibrium.

Now life happens and there have been a handful of guests that we have had slated for previous seasons and for whatever reason we are unable to get the interview locked down. These artists are on a list and I try and reestablish connections whenever possible, so when these come together it brings me extra joy.

This episode is a great adventure and insight into hard work, realizing what you want and the importance of community. Julia’s story is honest, funny and makes you think. It resonated with me and was very natural and relaxed. Conversations like this reinforce what we have built together here as the #16ozCanvas community and give me all the feels during a time of such distancing and disconnect from everyone.

Excited to celebrate Julia, her music, art and much more with Episode 173.

Episode 172 - Neale Playing (Stigbergets Bryggeri)

This week’s featured artist is Neale Playing. We came to learn of his work through his good friend and previous guest Darryl  De Necker of Beerbliotek. Neal is responsible for the labels and branding for Stigbergets Bryggeri in Gothenburg, Sweden. 

Episodes like this are great opportunities to connect with creative and passionate individuals around the world. These episodes are special to me because of the reach of the project. When we look at the globe it is joyful to think that we have friends and hosts to show us their home and country all through this podcast.

His story is one of adventure, passion and growth. Through love and inquiry he now calls Sweden his home. We talk about him speaking the language, how he ended up working for the brewery and how his style and process has evolved over the years sprinkled in with a little in the right place at the right time.

Nature and birds are a common theme in his work and one of the things that drew me to his pieces not to mention the simple yet versatile circle logo, which is part of our discussion. Take this opportunity to learn about a new brewery and artist from another part of the world and appreciate the joy of the human spirit and discovery.

Episode 171 - Jeremy Backer (Ex Novo Brewing Co.)

This week’s featured artist is the talented Jeremy Backer. We came to learn of JB through the work that he has done for Ex Novo Brewing Co. and his unique textile like patterns that are vivid, creative and seamlessly unique. 

His love of music to snowboarding scratched an itch that had but he never thought that anyone made the things that he loved and was part of his story. He explored his options working different gigs in breweries and cooking and ended up going back to school and diving head first into design and beer. 

When you look at his site and his clients, he brings together all of his loves and brings their business and brands to life. How he ended up working with Ex Novo is a great story of seeing a good thing despite initially trading beer for design work and almost six years later he is still with them.

A great feel good story and appreciation for life, design and beer. I’ve been a fan of his work for some time and am excited to share this with everyone. Be safe. Wear a mask.

Episode 170 - Kevin Dyer (Weathered Souls Brewing Co.)

This week’s featured artists is Kevin Dyer. We came to learn of Kevin for the work he has done for Black is Beautiful and Weathered Souls Brewing Co in San Antonio, Texas.⁣ ⁣

Black is Beautiful is a collaborative effort to raise awareness for the injustice people of color face daily and raise funds for police brutality reform and legal defenses for those who have been wronged. The labels and design were created by Kevin in collaboration with Marcus J. Baskerville of Weathered Souls Brewing and the beer has been produced by over 1000 breweries in the US which is amazing.⁣ ⁣

Learn Kevin’s story, his connection to the Yankees and his love of painting. In posting about his painting the goal is to get him back doing it so we will see what comes of it. An easy-going laid back designer whose story of teaming up with Weathered Souls is awesome. Now almost 80+ labels later he is busier than ever which is just awesome to see. ⁣ ⁣ We celebrate diversity and inclusion especially in craft beer. We believe that Black is Beautiful has helped to start the conversation for a lot of people by using beer to tell a story and bring people together to share it. ⁣