“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)
Sah D'Simone is a dynamic spiritual leader and global humanitarian who has made profound contributions to mental health, spirituality, and social welfare. As the founder of the Somatic Dance Institute and creator of the Somatic Activated Healing (SAH) Method, he has empowered millions to heal from trauma and foster spiritual growth. Sah's work extends across multiple fields, from his role as a spiritual teacher to his achievements as an internationally acclaimed filmmaker, published author, and host of the podcast Solving the Riddle of Being Human.
Blending Buddhist practices, contemplative psychotherapy, kinesthetic learning, and clinical spiritual care training from Cedars-Sinai Hospital, Sah’s trauma-informed approach has earned worldwide acclaim. His holistic perspective informs his humanitarian efforts, which have garnered recognition like the City of Los Angeles CARE Award. A prominent figure in media, Sah has been featured in major publications and has spoken at esteemed institutions such as Columbia University and the United Nations. Through his innovative healing methods, bestselling books, and transformative retreats, Sah continues to bridge the gap between spirituality, mental health, and social consciousness, impacting lives globally.
Topics Discussed In This Episode:
- Sah’s early life in Brazil (00:04:00)
- Immigrating to the U.S. at 16 and the cultural transition (00:06:57)
- Grief, loss, and the impact of losing his mother (00:12:16)
- The Camino de Santiago (00:20:03)
- Traveling, becoming nomadic, and understanding personal values (00:36:36)
- Trusting ourselves and listening to intuition (00:42:12)
- Training in martial arts to overcome inner demons (00:43:23)
- Co-founding Bullett Magazine and working in fashion (00:53:22)
- His newest book, Spiritually We (01:06:28)
- Advice for seeking connection and dealing with loneliness (01:14:37)
artistdecoded.com
sahdsimone.com
instagram.com/sahdsimone
tiktok.com/@sahdsimone
When I was a child, I was repulsed by my father’s smoking addiction. I can still smell the acrid scent of his clothes, laden with a residual stench that never quite went away. He used to carry an old handkerchief in his front shirt pocket. Even at a young age, I thought it was odd when he would blow his nose into it and then stuff it back. I found it even more disgusting when he would spit on it and then subsequently wipe my face with the same putrid handkerchief. I felt a sense of betrayal enter my body whenever he would do this. Maybe he thought of me as some sort of sick puppy, like how a dog licks the fur of it’s young as an act of compassion. Perhaps his dad did the same thing to him too? I guess I’ll never know.
Around the age of six or seven, I asked my father if he would quit smoking. He replied, “I will quit when you turn nine.”
Can you guess what happened when my ninth birthday came around?
This cycle of broken promises continued for the next few years until he and my mother divorced when I was 14. That same year he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
When I was 16, I visited him at my grandmother's house. I opened the front door and locked eyes with him. He was ecstatic to tell me a story about where he had recently traveled. I was confused because he wasn't allowed to go anywhere unsupervised by this point.
“Son... I have to take you to this place! We... we were traveling in a helicopter to this beautiful remote island. There were all types of dinosaurs there. From brontosaurus to pterodactyl... I even saw a T-Rex!!!”
It was such an absurd thing to say; it took me a while to process what he was telling me.
“Dad... are you talking about Jurassic Park??”
“You've been there already!” he replied with a sense of disappointment on his face.
After this instance, I rarely visited him. My mother had custody over me, so I watched him from afar as he slowly began to deteriorate. It was a confusing emotional time for me back then. Looking back now, I know I distanced myself as a defense mechanism. I was ashamed of what my father was going through. While other fathers seemed to be present in their children’s lives, mine was dwindling away, becoming a fragment of his former self. I didn't understand what he was going through then. How could I have?
I remember a few family members telling me I would regret not visiting him more before he passed away. But to be honest, I don't regret distancing myself. After his death, I learned about my father's checkered past. I'm still processing the things I found out about him—how he was a gambler, a womanizer, and a failed businessman. He lived his life in ways I disagree with. In many ways, I have tried to be the exact opposite of him.
The photos you see here were taken for several reasons. First, I find the graphics on these cigarette packages to be disturbing, hilarious, and problematic at the same time. The disclaimers are, for lack of a better term, utter bullshit. The cigarette companies don't care about the health of the people who purchase them. But I guess that's a symptom of living in a society that values predatory capitalism. Finally, these photos are for you, Dad. May you rest in peace. I'll see you in the next life so we can reconcile our differences. Hopefully.
_
Yoshino is a multi-hyphenate artist and the host of Artist Decoded.
Yoshino’s essay “Cancer Sticks” can be read at Yoshino’s Diary on Substack.
Yoshino’s Links:
yoshinostudios.com
yoshino.substack.com
instagram.com/yoshinostudios
twitter.com/yoshinostudios