Creative Pursuits is a podcast for artists, makers, and entrepreneurs carving their own path. Each episode dives into honest conversations with fellow creatives about turning passion into a profession — from the breakthroughs to the setbacks. Explore what marketing strategies work (and which ones don’t) in an ever-changing landscape with no rulebook.
Making a Living as an Artist: 50 Years of Lessons | Jorg Dubin
What does it really take to make a living as an artist—and keep creating for 50 years?
I sit down with Laguna Beach artist Jorg Dubin for an honest conversation about building a life in art. From ceramics and painting to custom furniture and large-scale public sculpture, Jorg shares how learning different skills helped him keep working through the highs and lows of a creative career.
We talk about the hidden costs of public art commissions, finding your own voice, handling rejection, and the realities of selling through galleries versus working directly with collectors. We also discuss protecting Laguna Beach’s working studios and passing practical skills on to the next generation.
If you make things—or have ever wondered what goes into the art you see—there’s a lot here to take back to your own creative practice.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Meet Jorg Dubin
00:41 Why different skills sustain an art career
03:14 Why artists need a place to work
08:45 The hidden costs of public art
14:05 Making work for the experience
17:33 Jorg’s beginnings in ceramics
20:52 Furniture, patinas, and a creative business
24:24 Learning from other makers
27:46 Finding your voice and allowing failure
32:23 Rejection and redefining success
35:42 The business of getting your art seen
40:42 Galleries, commissions, and studio visits
43:28 How public art projects happen
45:48 Protecting studios for future artists
54:34 How art builds community
55:29 The work behind the finished piece
Explore Jorg’s work: https://www.jorgdubin.com/
CONNECT WITH CASEY PARLETTE
Sculpture: https://caseyparlette.com/
Shop: https://shop.caseyparlette.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caseyparlettesculpture/
Inquiries: info@caseyparlette.com
Follow Creative Pursuits with Casey Parlette for more conversations with artists, makers, and people building creative lives.
25 Sept 2026
Keeping Artists Here: Laguna Beach’s Future | Mayor Mark Orgill
What does it take to keep working artists in Laguna Beach? For me, that question starts with having a place to make the work.
Mayor Mark Orgill returns to Creative Pursuits to talk about the land trust effort that helped preserve the studio where I work, along with spaces for other local artists and craftspeople. We get into how the property purchases came together, the financing behind them, and why protecting a creative community means protecting the places where things are actually made.
We also talk about the value of handmade work in a digital world, the pressures of tourism, and Mark’s approach to stewardship through culture, heritage, and the environment. It’s a conversation about keeping Laguna’s creative identity alive—and what that takes in practice.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome back, Mark Orgill
01:09 How the land trust came together
05:13 Why artists need real workspaces
07:30 Handmade work in a digital world
09:21 Artist studios or storage units?
12:50 The land trust’s progress
14:16 The value of a creative community
16:30 Why take on public service?
19:57 Stewardship and the Coastal Commission
24:41 Listening to the community
30:33 Tourism and Laguna’s identity
34:16 Misinformation and transparency
38:40 What Mark is proudest of
41:49 Community history and common ground
47:43 Closing thoughts
Explore my sculpture: https://caseyparlette.com/
Shop my art: https://shop.caseyparlette.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caseyparlettesculpture/
Commissions and inquiries: info@caseyparlette.com
Follow Creative Pursuits with Casey Parlette for more conversations about art, craft, and building a creative life.
27 Mar 2026
Laguna Beach Ceramic Artist Kyle Caris: Craft, Process & Inspiration | Creative Pursuits Ep. 15
Kyle Caris is a ceramic artist out of Laguna Beach. His work is a beautiful combination of form and function and is influenced by his childhood growing up around the ocean. In this conversation we discuss his artistic journey and methods.
Shop My Art: https://shop.caseyparlette.com/
Instagram: @caseyparlettesculpture
For commissions or inquiries contact: info@caseyparlette.com
6 Feb 2026
Sculpture Across Materials and Styles | Gerard Basil Stripling Creative Pursuits Ep. 14
Gerard Basil Stripling is a sculptor working in wide variety of materials and styles. We had a fascinating conversation about his art and process.Shop My Art: https://shop.caseyparlette.com/Instagram: @caseyparlettesculptureFor commissions or inquiries contact: info@caseyparlette.com
23 Jan 2026
Preserving Artist Workspaces in Laguna Beach | Mayor Mark Orgill Creative Pursuits Ep. 13
Laguna Beach Mayor Mark Orgill joins me for a candid discussion on the city’s efforts to preserve artist workspaces.
Shop My Art: https://caseyparlette.com/
Instagram: @caseyparlettesculpture
For commissions or inquiries contact: info@caseyparlette.com
12 Dec 2025
Photography, Art, and the Creative Life with Tom Lamb | Creative Pursuits Ep. 12
In this episode I talk with photographer Tom Lamb. His images, both from the air and the ground, capture a unique view of landscapes that are often the intersection between the natural world and man’s mark on the land.
Visit Lamb Studio: https://www.lambstudio.com/
Shop My Art: https://caseyparlette.com/
Instagram: @caseyparlettesculpture
For commissions or inquiries contact: info@caseyparlette.com
I sit down with the Parlette sculpture work team Nasim and Jake to give people some frontline insight into past and present projects at my studio.
Shop My Art: https://caseyparlette.com/Instagram: @caseyparlettesculptureFor commissions or inquiries contact: info@caseyparlette.com
7 Nov 2025
Amadeo Bachar: Multi Dimensional Painter of Fish and Fishy Places | Creative Pursuits Ep. 10
Amadeo Bachar is a California-based artist whose marine science illustrations have earned him a devoted following among both art lovers and anglers. Known for his stunningly accurate fish paintings, Amadeo blends scientific precision with artistic soul, bringing the ocean’s most iconic species to life on canvas.
Studio Abachar: https://www.abachar.com/
Shop My Art: https://caseyparlette.com/Instagram: @caseyparlettesculpture
For commissions or inquiries contact: info@caseyparlette.com
David Groenjes sculptural pieces capture the movement and feel of wildlife using reclaimed metal parts. In this podcast we discuss his sculptural process and the challenges with making one of a kind sculptures. @davidgroenjesart davidgroenjesart.com
Shop My Art: shop.caseyparlette.com
Instagram: @caseyparlettesculpture
For commissions or inquiries: info@caseyparlette.com
10 Oct 2025
Scott Wing: Leucadia Blade Co | Creative Pursuits Ep. 8
Scott and Anthony Wing started Leucadia Custom Knives in their Encinitas, CA garage in 2015 as a father/son project that received such an incredible response that it bloomed into a family business. Fast forward to 2024, and Leucadia Blade Co. was born with the mission to bring premium-quality small-batch, American-made cutlery to your kitchen, boat, and beyond.Website/Shop: https://caseyparlette.com/Instagram: @caseyparlettesculptureFor commissions or inquiries: info@caseyparlette.com
26 Sept 2025
Rick Graves: Graves Media Group | Creative Pursuits Ep. 7
Rick has built a career on capturing imagery that feels one-of-a-kind. His approach is equal parts artistry and problem-solving, often building his own photographic equipment to bring a vision to life.
Website/Shop: https://caseyparlette.com/Instagram: @caseyparlettesculptureFor commissions or inquiries: info@caseyparlette.com
12 Sept 2025
Jordan Manning: Cinematographer & Videographer | Creative Pursuits Ep. 6
Jordan’s film reveals the vibrant underwater beauty of Southern California’s coastal waters. In this episode, he shares the story of his journey and offers a glimpse into some of the exciting projects he has on the horizon.
Website/Shop: https://caseyparlette.com/
Instagram: @caseyparlettesculpture
For commissions or inquiries: info@caseyparlette.com
5 Sept 2025
John Mahoney: Head of Street Tree Revival | Creative Pursuits Ep. 5
John Mahoney, head of Street Tree Revival, is on a mission to give new life to urban trees. When these trees have to be removed, his team transforms them into some of the most beautiful, high-quality wood available to woodworkers and artisans. In this episode, John shares his journey—how he built his business, the challenges he’s faced, and the inspiration behind turning trees into timeless creations.
Website/Shop: https://caseyparlette.com/
Instagram: @caseyparlettesculpture
For commissions or inquiries: info@caseyparlette.com
29 Aug 2025
Michael Obermeyer: Oil Painter & President of the California Art Club | Creative Pursuits Ep. 4
Michael Obermeyer is one of the premier plein air painters in Southern California. In this episode, we discuss his artistic journey and how he turned his passion for painting into a career.
Website/Shop: https://caseyparlette.com/
Instagram: @caseyparlettesculpture
For commissions or inquiries: info@caseyparlette.com
22 Aug 2025
Julie Riffe: RIFFE International Spearguns | Creative Pursuits Ep. 3
An incredible conversation with Julie Riffe of Riffe International, diving into the story of her unique childhood and what it was like growing up in the family business. Julie shared unforgettable stories from her spearfishing adventures and offered an inspiring look at her vision for the future of Riffe.
Website/Shop: https://caseyparlette.com/
Instagram: @caseyparlettesculpture
For commissions or inquiries: info@caseyparlette.com
15 Aug 2025
Andrew Myers: Building Art One Screw at a Time | Creative Pursuits Ep. 2
Getting to sit down with Andrew Myers offered a rare look into the story behind his work and the mind that creates it. Best known for his remarkable screw art, Andrew has mastered a wide range of mediums, each reflecting his inventive approach. In this conversation, we explore how his journey in art began, the obstacles he’s overcome, and the determination it’s taken to turn a passion into a career.
Website/Shop: https://caseyparlette.com/
Instagram: @caseyparlettesculpture
For commissions or inquiries: info@caseyparlette.com
6 Aug 2025
Michael Fowlkes: Capturing Sportfishing History | Creative Pursuits Ep. 1
Join Casey on a podcast for artists, makers, and entrepreneurs carving their own path. Each episode dives into honest conversations with fellow creatives about turning passion into a profession — from the breakthroughs to the setbacks. Explore what marketing strategies work (and which ones don’t) in an ever-changing landscape with no rulebook.
Website/Shop: https://caseyparlette.com/
Instagram: @caseyparlettesculpture
For commissions or inquiries: info@caseyparlette.com
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
10 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
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