In this insightful interview, artist Jelena Hay shares her creative journey, the emotional depth behind her layered drawings, and how she balances her art practice with her life as a mother in New York City. Discover how residencies, personal experiences, and bold experimentation have shaped her unique style.

Here’s what we discuss:
1. Jalena’s artistic evolution from portraiture to abstraction
2. The influence of personal experiences and heritage on her work
3. The role of residencies in artistic growth
4. Balancing motherhood, full-time work, and art practice

About Jalena
Jalena’s practice is all about taking control of the chaos. Her work layers Pen, Ink, Gouache, Pastel and Colored Pencil to create intricate compositions that don’t just ask for your attention—they demand it. These compositions evoke a tension between abstraction and emotion, where every mark becomes part of a larger exploration of themes such as impermanence, resilience, and interconnectedness. Jalena Hay was born and raised in Southern California before moving to New York City to study Drawing and Printmaking at Pratt Institute. Her passion for printmaking took her to Amsterdam, where she dove deep into lithography, pushing the boundaries of line, texture and form.

Website: jalenahay.com
IG: @jalena.hay

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In this episode, Victoria interviews visual artist Vivian Cavalieri, who discusses her impactful work focusing on women's rights and social justice, particularly in relation to her exhibition at the Military Women's Memorial. Vivian shares her inspirations, the importance of storytelling through art, and how her background as an attorney influences her artistic practice. The conversation delves into the significance of women's contributions during World War II and the ongoing relevance of these stories today.

Here’s what we discuss:

1. Exploring Women’s Rights through art
2. The impact of research on artistic practice
3. The evolution of assemblage as a medium
4. Connecting the past and the present with the roles in women in history

About Vivian-

Vivian Cavalieri is a visual artist with a studio on Chincoteague Island, Virginia. Her three-dimensional miniature scenes prompt conversations on a range of global issues including immigration, climate change, and social justice. Cavalieri’s first solo exhibition took place in January-February 2025. Her second solo show runs from November 2025-May 2026 at the Military Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. Her work has appeared in numerous group exhibitions in the US and abroad. Six of her assemblages were included in WOVEN 2023, curated by Ciara Hambly of the Hambly & Hambly Gallery in Northern Ireland. Following six weeks at the Sasse Museum in Los Angeles, the exhibit travelled to France where filmmaker Lara Laigneau produced a documentary on it. In 2024, she received the Boynes Monthly Artist Award for December and was short-listed for the John Richardson French Residency Award. In 2025, she was shortlisted for the 2025 Women United Art Prize and longlisted for the 2025 Visual Art Open.

Website: viviancavalieri.com

IG: @vc_artworks_

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In this episode, Victoria shares insights from a recent guest lecture on working with galleries, offering a clear and empowering perspective on how artists can navigate gallery relationships today. She discusses the importance of building a cohesive body of work, developing professional materials, cultivating relationships, and maintaining independence while pursuing representation. Rather than waiting to be chosen, artists are encouraged to focus on alignment, consistency, and long-term momentum, remembering that strong careers attract the right gallery partnerships.

To book a 1:1 Strategy Session with Victoria (limited availability) visit:
https://www.visionaryartcollective.com/services/p/11-strategy-session-with-victoria-j-fry-45-min

To learn more about Victoria's 1:1 Mentorship Program, visit:
visionaryartcollective.com/mentorship

To access Victoria's signature Artist Statement & Bio workshop:
visionaryartcollective.com/artist-statement-bio-workshop

To enroll in The Visionary Community, visit:
visionaryartcollective.com/visionary-community-enroll

Victoria J. Fry is a New York City–based painter, educator, curator, and founder of Visionary Art Collective, New Visionary Magazine, and Warnes Contemporary. She has supported thousands of artists through exhibitions, publications, and mentorship.

Instagram: @visionaryartcollective + @newvisionarymag
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