“As an artist, I am interested in observing the transmutation process of unconscious material moving into conscious awareness. I work in painting, photography, writing, performance and video. My paintings utilize inner visions and depth psychology to form works layered with symbolism and metaphor. In photography, I employ an experimental process on film that focuses on Jungian Intuitive and Feeling typology. By blurring, altering or disrupting the straight forward information in a photograph, the image moves from analysis to an abstraction - allowing the viewer’s point of focus to relax, moving closer to the body and the Self. This subtle shift of perception is why I describe my photographs as Portals of Feeling.”

Nouel Riel is a Los Angeles based Artist. Following many years performing as a competitive gymnast she earned a full athletic scholarship to The University of Minnesota. There she studied Apparel Design, continuing that focus at The Art Institute of Portland. Since receiving her BFA from Santa Fe University of Art and Design in 2014, she has shown in solo and group exhibitions in Santa Fe, NM, Los Angeles, New York, and London. Topics Discussed In This Episode:

Yoshino and Nouel reconnect after not seeing each other for over four years (00:06:30)
Nouel reads The Layers by Stanley Kunitz, and the conversation explores the poem’s meaning and personal resonance for her (00:08:23)
How Yoshino and Nouel met (00:13:05)
Archetypes and Jungian psychology (00:18:56)
Nouel talks about her background in competitive gymnastics (00:24:24)
Finding art as a tool for self-discovery and healing (00:38:52)
Giving a voice for our dark energy and integrating with our shadow-self (00:48:38)
Embracing different types of intelligences and trying to not take things personally (00:56:23)
Exploring loneliness and how it could relate to the missing connection with the Devine feminine and masculine (01:08:20)
Nostalgia, popular culture, and the perception of self (01:25:21)
The importance of representation in mass media and Yoshino’s personal experiences dealing with racism (01:32:12)

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