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He's never once tested a lighting fixture before shipping it. It always works out. John Beck is the founder of John Beck Steel, a one-man design and fabrication studio in Edwardsville, Illinois, making custom steel lighting, furniture, and the Drama Feeder — a powder-coated steel pet bowl that people mistake for furniture and ask about at dinner parties. His lights hang in the executive dining room at Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park, the Lexus Dugout Lounge at Oracle Park in San Francisco, the Fairmont Tremblant in Quebec, Starbucks locations across the country, and at Ed's Deli right across the street from the Eker's Barber Shop where this episode was recorded. John started welding at 18 at a gas bottle fill plant, taught himself everything by messing around in the demo room, and eventually saw a bed frame in a Room & Board catalog he couldn't afford — so he made one. That's been his operating principle ever since. In this episode, Kerry Smith, Steve Hartman, Dave Thomas, and Juan Cruz sit down with John to talk about how he got his start, the typographic paintings with the technique nobody is getting out of him, how he named and designed the Cleveland Heath logo, why he shoots certain light fixtures with a 12-gauge Benelli pump shotgun on Chouteau Island (and the shoulder bruising involved), what it feels like when your light unexpectedly turns a wall into a spaceship projection, and where the Drama Feeder is headed next. — The Gogh-Getters | For artists and art buyers who want to go further. New episodes on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music, and YouTube. John Beck / John Beck Steel Edwardsville-based steel fabricator and lighting designer. Founded John Beck Steel (2008) and John Beck Paper and Steel in Edwardsville. Over 20 years of handcrafted steel lighting and furniture. Clients include Facebook (Menlo Park HQ executive dining), Oracle Park/San Francisco Giants (Lexus Dugout Lounge), Fairmont Tremblant, Starbucks, Under Armour, and restaurants and residences across the US. Named and designed the original Cleveland Heath logo. Showed typographic paintings with the Gogh-Getters at Sacred Grounds Cafe. Work available through Lumens, Lightology, and 2Modern.  johnbecksteel.com  Instagram: @johnbecksteel  Facebook: facebook.com/shopjohnbecksteel The Drama Feeder A powder-coated steel pet feeder designed and handmade by John Beck, originally released in 2013. Named after Drama, John's boxer who passed in 2015. Designed to look like furniture — not a dog bowl. Made to order, ships in 2–4 weeks. Limited first-run colorways available, with automotive, Mexico-inspired, and Memphis-movement collections in development. dramadogfeeder.com  (also: dramafeder.com) Available through: johnbecksteel.com The Gogh-Getters are Gogh-Getters: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Kerry Smith: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Artist Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Steve Hartman: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Artist Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Juan Cruz: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Dave Thomas: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Produced by Creativille Journal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Recorded at Eaker's Family Barber Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Edwardsville, Illinois Gallery Location: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sacred Grounds Cafe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in Edwardsville, IL. ©2026 Creativille Journal and The Gogh-Getters. All rights reserved. The Gogh-Getters Podcast is an original production of Creativille Journal & The Gogh-Getters. Any music used in this episode is either original, licensed, or used with permission — licensing details available upon request. Artwork, songs, albums, and other creative works discussed or referenced in this episode remain the intellectual property of their respective creators and rights holders. All opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests only.

You might have seen his work before you knew his name — hard-edged, pop-influenced bird paintings that are funny on the surface and quietly sophisticated underneath. David Yates has been at it for over 40 years, shown in nearly 100 exhibitions, and he's still adding to the flock. David is a lifelong Edwardsville resident who studied at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville under legendary drawing instructor Dennis Ringering — a relationship that has stretched across five decades and turned from mentor and student into something closer to peers. He paints exclusively in eight colors, draws directly from birdwatching in the field, and has developed a distinct visual language that pulls from pop art, cubism, and surrealism without fully committing to any ofthem. In this episode, recorded at Eaker's Barber Shop ahead of The Owl and the Loon — a joint show with Dennis Ringering opening June 19th at Sacred Grounds Cafe in Edwardsville — David talks with Kerry Smith, Steve Hartman, Dave Thomas, and Juan Cruz about his fifteen-year college plan, the single Dennis Ringering question that still runs through his head every time he sits down to draw, and what the scrambled bird paintings are actually about (spoiler: incomplete birdwatching observations and the information you never get to collect in two seconds).  He also introduces Norton & Ruford — his post-pandemic comic strip now approaching 1,500 installments — and shares the kindergarten story that probably set the whole career in motion. David Yates Art: David Yates Art Comic: Norton & Rufus Dennis Ringering: Dennis Ringering Art The Gogh-Getters are Gogh-Getters: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Kerry Smith: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Artist Website⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Steve Hartman: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Artist Website⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Juan Cruz: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Dave Thomas: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Produced by Creativille Journal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Recorded at Eaker's Family Barber Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Edwardsville, Illinois Gallery Location: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Sacred Grounds Cafe⁠⁠⁠⁠ in Edwardsville, IL. ©2026 Creativille Journal and The Gogh-Getters. All rights reserved. The Gogh-Getters Podcast is an original production of Creativille Journal & The Gogh-Getters. Any music used in this episode is either original, licensed, or used with permission — licensing details available upon request. Artwork, songs, albums, and other creative works discussed or referenced in this episode remain the intellectual property of their respective creators and rights holders. All opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests only.

Wil Thomas III rides a 1947 Harley he named 'So What' — after the Miles Davis song — because when he built it, bucking trends and going his own direction, nobody much cared. That name says everything about how Wil moves through the world: with complete conviction, full creative independence, and a quietly earned authority that tends to make people pay attention eventually.   In Episode 8, the Gogh-Getters welcome one of the most fascinating creative figures in their orbit. Born in St. Louis, raised by a single mother who exposed him to everything — acting,athletics, music, art, and the world beyond North County — Wil has lived many chapters: Marine Corps veteran, Nike executive, competitive adventure racer, motorcycle builder, filmmaker, Harley-Davidson collaborator, and producer of music videos for Lana Del Rey, Arctic Monkeys, and Major Lazer. He now lives intentionally in Alton, Illinois, in an 1881 home filled with objects that carry stories, with a motorcycle in the living room and a 1947 knucklehead in the garage that Jason Momoa has been trying to buy.  He talks about building bikes the way painters approach a canvas, co-producing Sugar & Spade (screened in Morocco,Iceland, and France), filming The Passenger on Oregon salt flats during a pandemic while his kicker sheared off on day one, the DL Warfield 'Dope Show' he helped curate for hip-hop's 50th anniversary, touching a Basquiat in Antwerp, Frida Kahlo's chronic pain, and why staying true to your process — even when you fly to Africa with $100 to your name — is the only way great art gets made. Wil Thomas ⁠Instagram⁠:@wordisjustaword The Gogh-Getters are Gogh-Getters: ⁠⁠⁠Shop⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Kerry Smith: ⁠⁠⁠Artist Website⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Steve Hartman: ⁠⁠⁠Artist Website⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Juan Cruz: ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Dave Thomas: ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Produced by Creativille Journal: ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Recorded atEaker's Family Barber Shop: ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Edwardsville, Illinois Gallery Location: ⁠⁠⁠Sacred Grounds Cafe⁠⁠⁠ inEdwardsville. ©2026 Creativille Journal and The Gogh-Getters. All rights reserved. The Gogh-Getters Podcast is an original production of Creativille Journal & The Gogh-Getters. Any music used in this episode is either original, licensed, or used with permission — licensing details available upon request. Artwork, songs, albums, and other creative works discussed or referenced in this episode remain the intellectual property of their respective creators and rights holders. All opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests only.

What happens when a painter decides the canvas isn't enough? For Melissa (Missy) McDonough Borden, it leads to wire that mimics brushwork in midair, spinning vellum cylinders that paint the walls with colored light, and an installation show that fills an entire gallery with work made in just three months.   Missy is a painter, installation artist, educator, and Edwardsville institution. She holds a BFA from the University of Illinois and an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she built her graduate portfolio while living in a geodesic domein the Arizona desert — and graduated with Ed Harris, fresh from playing Jackson Pollock, as her commencement speaker. She has taught at Lewis and Clark College, Blackburn College, SIUE, and the Art Institute of Chicago, served as executive director of the Edwardsville Arts Center, and helped found the Edwardsville Art Fair.   In this episode, The Gogh-Getters dig into Missy's story: her architect father's influence on how she sees space, the three-month sprint to fill the William and Florence Schmidt Art Center with a full-scale installation show, the Olafur Eliasson show in LA that sparked her spinning light-cylinder pieces, her long mentorship with renowned artist and educator Buzz Spector, and the Women Artists Connect network that helps her stay in community with artists across the country.She also talks about jazz as the only studio soundtrack that makes sense to her, the difference between a painting that hangs and a piece that makes you move around it, and a dream hang that includes the Drawing Center in New York and — why not — the Pompidou in Paris. Melissa McDonough-Borden Website: www.melissamcdonough-art.com Instagram: @missymacbee The Gogh-Getters are Gogh-Getters: ⁠⁠Shop⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Kerry Smith: ⁠⁠Artist Website⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Steve Hartman: ⁠⁠Artist Website⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Juan Cruz: ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Dave Thomas: ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Produced by Creativille Journal: ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Recorded at Eaker's Family Barber Shop: ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Edwardsville, Illinois Gallery Location: ⁠⁠Sacred Grounds Cafe⁠⁠ in Edwardsville. ©2026 Creativille Journal and The Gogh-Getters. All rights reserved. The Gogh-Getters Podcast is an original production of Creativille Journal & The Gogh-Getters. Any music used in this episode is either original, licensed, or used with permission — licensing details available upon request. Artwork, songs, albums, and other creative works discussed or referenced in this episode remain the intellectual property of their respective creators and rights holders. All opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests only.

The Gogh-Getters have their first guests, and they did not set the bar low, instead they gave you a treasure trove of items to write down. Alex Johnmeyer is a 17-year painting veteran, St. Louis Magazine's Best Fine Artist of 2021, a queer and transgender artist and advocate, and the co-founder of the St. Louis VisualArtists Network — a Facebook group and monthly meeting now connecting 7,000 artists across the St. Louis region. His solo show at the Angad Arts Hotel explored his journey as a transgender man through oil paintings including thenow-iconic "Let Me Spell That Out for You" painting. He has six paintings permanently installed at SLU Hospital, is a resident artist at Green Door Art Gallery and Artisans in the Loop, and is preparing to be the sole juror of an LGBTQ exhibition at the Foundry of St. Charles in 2028. Kimberlyn Renee is a self-taught surrealist pop artist who went from her first gallery show in 2023 to 29 exhibits, 13 art fairs, 12 galleries, and 7 awards in 2025 alone. She paints fluorescent candy, cereals, and music icons directly on vintage vinyl records,using UV-reactive and glow-in-the-dark paints, and even travels to art fairs with a blacked-out phone-booth booth so people can experience her glowing work. They met because of a Lucky Charms painting. They're showing together with The Gogh-Getters at Sacred Grounds Cafe in Edwardsville from April 10 through June 14. And in this episode, recorded live at Eaker's Family Barber Shop, they talk about frosting bags and texture paint, black lights and fluorescent color, the business of being an artist, and why the St. Louis art community goes so much further when people like Alex refuse to stop sharing what they know. Follow them on Instagram Alex Johnmeyer: @superkeenalex Kimberlyn Renee: @kreneeart The Gogh-Getters are Gogh-Getters: ⁠Shop⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ Kerry Smith: ⁠Artist Website⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ Steve Hartman: ⁠Artist Website⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ Juan Cruz: ⁠Instagram⁠ Dave Thomas: ⁠Instagram⁠ Produced by Creativille Journal: ⁠Website⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ Recorded at Eaker's Family Barber Shop: ⁠Website⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ Edwardsville, Illinois ©2026 Creativille Journal and The Gogh-Getters. All rights reserved. The Gogh-Getters Podcast is an original production of Creativille Journal & The Gogh-Getters. Any music used in this episode is either original, licensed, or used with permission — licensing details available upon request. Artwork, songs, albums, and other creative works discussed or referenced in this episode remain the intellectual property of their respective creators and rights holders. All opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests only.

Episode 5 features Steve Hartman. We chat about his entry into the arts, his design career and his favorite museum, Crystal Bridges in Bentonville, Arkansas. Steve is interviewed by his fellow Gogh-Getters, Kerry Smith, Juan Cruz and Dave Thomas. Steve Hartman is an Creative Director and Artist. You can see his work online: Design Portfolio: https://www.behance.net/Creativille Fine Art Portfolio: https://stevehartmanart.com The Gogh-Getters are Gogh-Getters: Shop, Instagram Kerry Smith: Artist Website, Instagram Steve Hartman: Artist Website, Instagram Juan Cruz: Instagram Dave Thomas: Instagram Produced by Creativille Journal: Website, Instagram Recorded at Eaker's Family Barber Shop: Website, Instagram Edwardsville, Illinois ©2026 Creativille Journal and The Gogh-Getters. All rights reserved. The Gogh-Getters Podcast is an original production of Creativille Journal & The Gogh-Getters. Any music used in this episode is either original, licensed, or used with permission — licensing details available upon request. Artwork, songs, albums, and other creative works discussed or referenced in this episode remain the intellectual property of their respective creators and rights holders. All opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests only.

Episode 4 features the one and only Juan Cruz. Tatted to the hilt, loves a damn-fine museum, and maybe our hardest working Gogh-Getter. Juan talks tats, museums, drawing clubs and the St. Louis gallery scene. Juan is interviewed by his fellow Gogh-Getters, Kerry Smith and Dave Thomas. The Gogh-Getters are Gogh-Getters: ⁠Shop⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ Kerry Smith: ⁠Artist Website⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ Steve Hartman: ⁠Artist Website⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ Juan Cruz: ⁠Instagram⁠ Dave Thomas: ⁠Instagram⁠ Produced by Creativille Journal: ⁠Website⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ Recorded at Eaker's Family Barber Shop: ⁠Website⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ Edwardsville, Illinois ©2026 Creativille Journal and The Gogh-Getters. All rights reserved. The Gogh-Getters Podcast is an original production of Creativille Journal & The Gogh-Getters. Any music used in this episode is either original, licensed, or used with permission — licensing details available upon request. Artwork, songs, albums, and other creative works discussed or referenced in this episode remain the intellectual property of their respective creators and rights holders. All opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests only.

On this episode, we meet another founding Gogh-Getter, Dave Thomas. Now retired, Dave lead a creative life as a sign designer, motorcycle racer and artist. Dave is interviewed by his fellow Gogh-Getters, Kerry Smith, Steve Hartman and Juan Cruz. The Gogh-Getters are Gogh-Getters: ⁠Shop⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ Kerry Smith: ⁠Artist Website⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ Steve Hartman: ⁠Artist Website⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ Juan Cruz: ⁠Instagram⁠ Dave Thomas: ⁠Instagram⁠ Produced by Creativille Journal: ⁠Website⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ Recorded at Eaker's Family Barber Shop: ⁠Website⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ Edwardsville, Illinois ©2026 Creativille Journal and The Gogh-Getters. All rights reserved. The Gogh-Getters Podcast is an original production of Creativille Journal & The Gogh-Getters. Any music used in this episode is either original, licensed, or used with permission — licensing details available upon request. Artwork, songs, albums, and other creative works discussed or referenced in this episode remain the intellectual property of their respective creators and rights holders. All opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests only.

Episode 2 is an opportunity to meet Kerry Smith, our founding Gogh-Getter. Kerry is an Artist, Designer and Gogh-Getter who lives in Edwardsville and works above Eaker's Family Barbershop on Main Street. Dave Thomas joins us for this episode with Juan Cruz and Steve Hartman. We talk about recent art openings we recently experienced, along with some other shit. Learn more about Kerry Smith and see his art here. The Gogh-Getters are Gogh-Getters: ⁠Shop⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ Kerry Smith: ⁠Artist Website⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ Steve Hartman: ⁠Artist Website⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ Juan Cruz: ⁠Instagram⁠ Dave Thomas: ⁠Instagram⁠ Produced by Creativille Journal: ⁠Website⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ Recorded at Eaker's Family Barber Shop: ⁠Website⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ Edwardsville, Illinois ©2026 Creativille Journal and The Gogh-Getters. All rights reserved. The Gogh-Getters Podcast is an original production of Creativille Journal & The Gogh-Getters. Any music used in this episode is either original, licensed, or used with permission — licensing details available upon request. Artwork, songs, albums, and other creative works discussed or referenced in this episode remain the intellectual property of their respective creators and rights holders. All opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests only.

Welcome to the pilot episode of The Gogh-Getters podcast. We are all over the board in our first attempt. We learn a little about our history, our current exhibit with John DenHouter and Lon Brauer, and future exhibits. Kerry reminisces about his first figure drawing class. Steve remembers his 10th Anniversary Letterpress show at the Edwardsville Arts Center and Juan fondly remembers his drawing instructors Dennis Ringering. And, shout out to our only listener, Kevin. Thank you to Eaker's Family Barber Shop for hosting us. To see our current exhibition up at our gallery host, Sacred Grounds Cafe, check out our online store. The Gogh-Getters are Gogh-Getters: ⁠Shop⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ Kerry Smith: ⁠Artist Website⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ Steve Hartman: ⁠Artist Website⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ Juan Cruz: ⁠Instagram⁠ Dave Thomas: ⁠Instagram⁠ Produced by Creativille Journal: ⁠Website⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ Recorded at Eaker's Family Barber Shop: ⁠Website⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ Edwardsville, Illinois ©2026 Creativille Journal and The Gogh-Getters. All rights reserved. The Gogh-Getters Podcast is an original production of Creativille Journal & The Gogh-Getters. Any music used in this episode is either original, licensed, or used with permission — licensing details available upon request. Artwork, songs, albums, and other creative works discussed or referenced in this episode remain the intellectual property of their respective creators and rights holders. All opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests only.