When Alejandra Calderon narrowly escaped failing her ceramics class as a fine arts major at Sacramento State, she never imagined that seven years later she would co-own a ceramics business. At the time, she found the discipline to be frustratingly difficult compared to her primary passion, painting.

Comstock’s caught up with Feathered Leopard owner Jenn Hall to discuss carving out a living as a nomadic artist, and the pros and cons of selling art online.

Alexander Suelto has always been inspired by street art. As a teenager coming of age in Stockton in the ‘90s, he admired the local graffiti artists whose art brought the city to life. Back then, street art was widely stigmatized.

On March 17 at SXSW festival, Sacramento-based musician Christian Gates, known by his stage name The Philharmonik, spit the freestyle of his life in front of hip-hop icon Sway Calloway.

The Sacramento artist who has embraced her nickname as the “Godmother of Contemporary Art” likes to roll around town on her skateboard.

Compromise brought contemporary artist Lin Fei Fei from China to Sacramento two and a half years ago. She and her husband “met halfway” while trying to decide on where to settle and call home, figuring that California split the distance between her husband’s hometown of Detroit and hers of Da Lian, China.

Zahra Ammar is one of five moderators of Contemporary Quilling, a growing global network of serious papercrafters, created as a reaction to the traditional Quilling Guild, which upholds strict guidelines based on the craft’s historic origins. Comstock’s recently spoke with Ammar about leading a papercraft rebellion, and what drives this Capital Region artist.

Comstock’s goes behind the screens of @FreeArtFridaySacramento to discuss the importance of accessibility in art and what the duo hopes to achieve with the project.

Comstock’s caught up with Benwar Shepard to discuss what’s in store for 2018 as he embarks on his Creative Economy parade project, works on a new studio album with the Element Brass Band, and fathers a brand new baby. 

I’ve heard him introduce himself as Woodrowe. I’ve heard him introduce himself as Radio. The first time I met him, he didn’t introduce himself at all. He just sat down next to me and started rapping. Then he started beatboxing (mouth percussion, for those who may not be familiar). He was clearly a talented artist, but the layers of his story began to unfold in our following conversation.