The Pulse Podcast

When it's time for toasts, it's typical to pour yourself a glass of champagne or to grab a shot from the bar. However, not everyone chooses to have alcohol on their big day or opts to have kid-friendly alternatives. Alternatives like Bubbly Belle.

Carlos and Jenni Llorens (pronounced J-orens) are the proud dynamic duo behind the business. Join as we primarily discuss just how to keep your guests entertained during the cocktail hour. We also dive into a little bit of fun you won't want to miss out on after you arrive to the party.

Hint: Ever heard of South Dakota's Got Talent?

Join me in my discussion with Karrie as we discuss...

1. What a mobile bar is and how it works.
2. Kegged cocktails and other specialty drinks!
3. Perks of having backyard games at your event.
4. The dream of a not just a bar, but a mobile venue.

Join me in my discussion with Brita as we talk about...

Join me in my discussion with Shalayne as we discuss...

1. Our mutual move to Spearfish and the Hills for Black Hills State University;
2. Shalayne's discovery and passion for art;
3. Our connections to the Jacobs family in Deadwood;
4. The impressionism style of art and painting;
5. The demand increase for live painting;
6. The ability to travel for weddings as artists and the dream of it becoming a reality;

...and of course the definition of art and advice to others.

Before the big day arrives, bridal beauty prep starts weeks ahead of time. Corey Wright is the new proud owner and face behind Sunny Skincare and Beauty located on the south side of Rapid City.

Bringing a non-traditional, live wedding entertainment to guests, Alyssa Tanner is the beauty and brains behind Caricatures by Alyssa based out of Rapid City, South Dakota. 

Weddings include so many details, including florals. Kayly Pikula takes her work seriously, but always remembers to have fun. As a wedding florist in the Black Hills, she specializes in bohemian, modern, and classic designs. It isn't just about the bouquet you walk down with either. Kayly has worked on large installation pieces as well.

Born and raised in the Hills, Cory Tolley is making a name and business as Mountain Man Metal Art in Belle Fourche. What started off as custom trailers has expanded into home decor, signage, and more. The business is run by himself and his wife, Darcy. Check out his story and craft in this new episode.

Homeowner at 17. Author at 19. Madison grew up in Belle Fourche and has a great start in life. Check out our conversation to hear her journey to now and get a little inside information on her book, Project Badass, that will be released this fall!

SHOUTOUTS:

From Iowa originally, Clayton spent a lot of time in the Hills with family growing up and now calls it home. Clayton has had a lifetime of music and plays multiple instruments.

After he moved to the Hills he joined up with the Brandon Jones Band, continues to sing and write his own music fulltime, and founded Westward Talent Co (an artist management agency by artists, for artists). 

In the episode Clayton shares a few pieces of advice throughout and talks about how he came to his passion. Fun facts: He is a self-acclaimed desert soul musician and he loves classical music!

SHOUTOUTS:

From a family full of scientists and mathematicians, Jonathan graduated from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology with a degree in chemical and biological engineering. Working in that field for several years, he found himself very unhappy. He took what he calls a premature retirement and found himself again. Starting over, he began working for a local painting company and something "just clicked." 

Learn more about his story in this episode and listen for his advice toward the end of the episode!

SHOUTOUTS:

Taking her by surprise, Madison fell in love with baking and her beautiful edible art after months of practicing for a friend's baby shower. When she's not in the kitchen, you can find her out on the family ranch or hanging with her three kiddos. 

In the episode we discuss juggling a business and your personal life, the importance of community over competition, the beauty of art and expression, and more. 

Dick Termes is a local legend born and raised in Spearfish, South Dakota. Education is a large part of what got him to where he is today, and we talk largely about his path to today. A big proponent of education, Dick encourages artists to continue pursuing higher education in art and to be a continued student while practicing their medium. We also talked about his unique discovery and process behind the six-point perspective.

This is a special episode. A little over a year ago, Dick and I had a similar conversation when I wrote an article for the Black Hills Visitor magazine. You can find that article a little here.

I loved getting the chance to speak with him today and see how much has even changed and evolved in his artwork over the period of time. It's incredible how much he is still doing in the art world. I love that he is making his work digital and working on a virtual program for folks around the nation and globe to experience from their living room! After our conversation, you can stick around to hear a reading of the article and a little snippet of my experience in Dick's virtual reality program. 

Born in Bozeman, Lumi was raised in the Northern Hills and claims this is home. She grew up in an art family; "it's been a part of me," she says. Lumi is going to be a graduate of BHSU in studio arts in less than a week (GRADUATION IS MAY 8!). Known recently for her collage work, Lumi is a multidisciplinary artist who dangles in sculpture, painting, fashion, and more. 

In the episode we talk about her future goals and wishes to get involved with troubled youth, the big picture question of "what art is," and she shares about her mental health and how that impacts her work. 

NOTE: As of right now, the new scheduled date for the event at the Spearfish Skate Park is May 12. Unfortunately, someone has already vandalized the artist's work, so stay tuned to any announcements she may have about the event by following her social media. 

Moving to the United States a few years ago, Troy is from Botswana, Africa. Another student at Black Hills State University, he is a junior pursuing a BFA in Graphic Design and has fallen in love with West River South Dakota. 

In the episode Troy mentions looking forward to fostering his career and future in the Spearfish area. Listen as he shares more on his journey to the here and now. We dive into some of his internship work and collaborations for big names, advice for young artists, and what art is as a whole. 

Troy brings in a unique perspective on art, and after the episode we continued to have a conversation I only wish we had been recording still. It's our plan to meet again in a year after he graduates to follow up with his goals and accomplishments as well as to pick his brain further on the topic of art. 

Originally from the Sioux falls area, Keegan Baatz is a junior at Black Hills State University studying photography, focusing on color and fashion.

This young professional has already exhibited out of the country and has a really great start to his career. Keegan is still discerning what his long-term goals are, so I can't wait to connect with him again in a few years after he has solidified a plan to talk about how much has changed and his journey to the final decision.

In the episode we talk about some of my favorite works he's produced as well as what he believes the big picture is when it comes to art.

From the bustling city of Rapid, Erin Bender grew up in a home that was very art-oriented. Today, she's pursuing her goals and education at BHSU with a photography major and graphic design minor. 

In this episode we talk about collage and photography in addition to branding and individual style. Erin loves neutral colors and it shows in each of her pieces. Her style and aesthetic is a part of what sets her apart. Erin also just began her journey into the graphic design world. 

Born and raised in Spearfish, Destyn has always had a passion for filmmaking and music. Growing up he went from camera to camera and decided that filmmaking was what he wanted to pursue for a career. 

Co-owner of 605 Media & Entertainment, you may have seen him around doing commercial work or wedding films, but under his own brand and naming he is able to use his creative expression in music videos. 

We talk about past and current projects and the drive behind finding and following opportunities. 

Hey all!

I am so excited with how many people the podcast has been reaching. As I continue to grow my audience, I am working toward a new goal: releasing episodes weekly!

In this special episode, I share that announcement and do a little reintroduction as to what the podcast is about and who I am.

Something I forgot to mention in the episode is that there will be a few weeks with no new artist content when little James makes his appearance in the world. Instead, I will be sharing quotes from the artists I've talked with. You've seen how they define art, but I will be highlighting their advice as well! 

Links I mentioned: 

From just outside of the Black Hills, Lemmon, SD, Paige Clark has recently been exploring digital illustrations and her love of faith and studio arts. Pursuing a double major in graphic design and studio art from Black Hills State University, we talk a little about everything from how she got her start professionally to building her passion and faith at the same time and the influence that has had in her artwork.  

From the Bahamas, Sophia "Pip" Clarke is calling the Hills home for now as she pursues her degrees in Art and English education from Black Hills State University. "Her work contains consistent threads and connections to her home, ranging from folklore, social issues, and flora and fauna," she wrote on her website. 

In this episode we dive into her inspirations, talk about childhood experiments and different medium choices, and more. We also "fan-girled" over former guest @hopechristofferson (check out her episode, number two!) and other local artists. It's amazing how other artists can inspire us to be better artists ourselves and inspire us to explore our passions. 

Music didn't seem like it was always going to be in his future, but Brandon Jones has become a popular with locals and is taking his band to new levels every year. This episode takes us back to his introduction to music as a child to how music became part of his proposal to his wife. 

Black Hills native and member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe, Tracy Harrison is a self-taught dreamcatcher maker in Keystone, SD. Listen as she shares her journey to discovering the passion and the history of the dreamcatcher itself. Bonus! Stay 'til the end to hear more about the difference between a Mandela and a Dreamcatcher. Sure glad I found out after about 10 years!!

As you know, before the podcast started, I covered some artists with written features. Among those included a feature from just a few short months ago on Nebraska native Katie Jones. Coming to the Hills to pursue her education at Black Hills State University, Katie sits down with me and updates us on how much has changed since we last spoke. One of the key points she makes is advising on the importance of getting your artwork out there. 

So far we've heard from digital and studio artists, authors, and artists with a wide imagination for the world of the unknown. Lucas Olson brings something new to the table. Music! Not your typical midwestern country artist, Olson prefers blues and jazz. Listen to his journey to now and advice to others in the latest episode.

Not originally from the Black Hills, Parker Schlenker comes from East River and is fine tuning his skills at Black Hills State University while making the area home. Capable of multiple studio and digital art mediums, Parker enjoys focusing on pen and ink. He brings the magic and math of unknown worlds to his audience by creating new languages and experimenting with not only his studio arts but linguistic and writing skills as well. Listen to the episode to learn more about him!

As a studio artist from Rapid City, Hope Christofferson's art is full of mythological beauty and passion. Listen to the artist directly as she shares her story on developing a passion for her work and discovering the need to pursue it full-time. Hope also explains her thoughts on the value of the "between" rather than the end product and shares advice for other artists.   

Therese Wilhelmi is a multidisciplinary artist from Rapid City. Currently a senior at Black Hills State University, listen as she shares about former projects and her artistic process, offers some advice, and gives a sneak peak into what to look for from her senior project.

This teaser episode gives a little insight and background into what this podcast, and what I am all about. 

Links mentioned: