In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "World of Art" Podcast, artist and art historian Victoria Chick explores the vibrant art scene of Silver City, New Mexico, spotlighting the life and legacy of renowned artist Lois Duffy.

A key figure in establishing Silver City as a nationally recognized art destination, Duffy’s career spans from studying at Pratt Institute to exhibiting across the country and creating large-scale, imaginative works that blend realism with surrealist humor. Known for her innovative “cube paintings,” Duffy transforms two-dimensional painting into dynamic, multi-dimensional experiences that engage viewers from every angle.

The conversation also highlights the evolution of Silver City’s art community, local events and festivals, and the exciting development of the Southwest Regional Museum of Art & Art Center, a project designed to elevate the region’s cultural impact and support artists for generations to come.

🔗 Read Victoria’s article on Substack: https://bigblendarts.substack.com/p/spotlight-on-artist-lois-duffy

🌐 MORE TO EXPLORE - Lois Duffy: https://www.loisduffy.com/ - Southwest Regional Museum of Art & Art Center: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org/ - Visit Silver City: https://visitsilvercity.org/ - Artist Victoria Chick: https://victoriachick.com/ - World of Art Podcast: https://worldofart-victoriachick.podbean.com/

🎧 This episode also appears on Big Blend Radio’s "Toast to The Arts, "Big Daily Blend," and "Women Making History" podcast channels. Discover more: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "World of Art" Podcast, contemporary figurative artist and art historian Victoria Chick wraps up her three-part “Evolution of Art Materials” series with a fascinating glimpse into the history of pencils and drawing tools.

From early silver wire to the discovery of graphite, this engaging conversation explores how natural resources have shaped artistic innovation for centuries. Victoria explains why pencils were once considered a military material, how erasers evolved, and what artists should know about lightfastness in colored pencils. The discussion also highlights the enduring connection between nature, chemistry, and creative expression, along with the role of art materials in restoration, education, and community engagement.

Victoria Chick is the visionary behind the Southwest Regional Museum of Art & Art Center in Silver City, New Mexico, and is known for making art history accessible and engaging for artists and enthusiasts alike.

🔗 Read Victoria’s companion article: https://bigblendarts.substack.com/p/evolution-of-art-materials MORE TO EXPLORE * Victoria’s Portfolio: https://victoriachick.com/ * World of Art Podcast: https://worldofart-victoriachick.podbean.com/ * Southwest Regional Museum of Art & Art Center: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org/

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "World of Art Podcast," artist and art historian Victoria Chick continues the Evolution of Art Materials series with a colorful deep dive into paint.

The conversation explores the historical evolution of paint, from ancient mineral pigments and plant-based dyes to modern synthetic options. Victoria explains how early binding agents such as egg yolk and milk were used, the role of glazes in oil painting to enhance depth and luminosity, and how limitations in materials often sparked creative breakthroughs.

The episode also examines the relationship between art, science, and technology, comparing traditional painting techniques with digital art creation and emphasizing why understanding art materials is essential in education and creative practice.

Listen to last month's episode (Bristles & Brushes) and read Victoria’s article on the Toast to The Arts Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/bigblendarts/p/evolution-of-art-materials

MORE TO EXPLORE * Victoria’s Portfolio: https://victoriachick.com/ * World of Art Podcast: https://worldofart-victoriachick.podbean.com/ * Southwest Regional Museum of Art & Art Center: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org/

As part of National Creativity Month, this episode also appears on Big Blend Radio’s "Toast to The Arts" and "Big Daily Blend" podcast channels. Discover more: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork