How can art help us reconnect with someone?

In this podcast episode, Lisa and Lauren chat with Cali Gilbert, the founder of Tower 15 Productions (https://www.tower15productions.com/), about using art as a way to reconnect with someone. From sparking shared memories to creating new ones, art has a unique way of bridging distances — both physical and emotional — and opening doors to deeper understanding.

Transcript

Lisa: 0:02

Welcome to the Take an Art Break podcast. Today, we're really excited. We're with a friend and an artist, Cali Gilbert. Cali, introduce yourself to our audience.

Cali: 0:12

Hi, everyone. Thank you, first of all, for having me. Thrilled to be here. Kelly Gilbert, I consider myself an artist, and I'm an author, photographer, filmmaker, and painter. And I just, I'm a creative. I love creating. I'm the founder of Tower 15 Productions. which is a nonprofit, but we have two missions, basically. We produce social impact documentary films that raise awareness and help inspire positive change in the world. And we also support women through entrepreneurship, mentoring, and training. So I'm very passionate about sharing art, but also giving back to our community as well.

Lauren: 0:52

Yeah, thank you for that introduction. It's nice to have you here. We wanted to talk today about the question, how can art help us reconnect with someone or something? And I feel like that's a really a question that you could definitely answer considering your life and work and what you're actually currently doing.

Cali: 1:16

Yeah, absolutely. I guess it started back in... 2023, the end of 23, when my mom passed away. And I moved my dad, who is also an artist, from the East Coast in with me here in California. And at the time, he had put his art basically on hold to raise a family and experience life. And so he needed an outlet for not only the grief of losing his wife of 53 years, but also this huge, huge transition of moving to a new state, new house, new everything, right? And so I said, well, why don't we resurrect your art? And so when we found a house, we found a house in San Diego. The first thing I did was I bought him an art table. and I sat it by the window overlooking the ocean, and that became his space. And it was wonderful because he was able to tap into this hidden gem that he had all along, but had become dormant, right? And so it was really wonderful to see him become alive again through his art.

Lisa: 2:32

That's beautiful.

Cali: 2:32

And that's basically where it began. And we have a little... Little Kitty Kelly has decidedo o c

Speaker 00: 2:39

and join

Speaker 01: 2:41

us. Hey, Kitty. The muse is in the house.

Speaker 00: 2:44

She's like, hi. Right here, little girl. So,

Speaker 01: 2:48

um... It was a huge transition, moving, the loss of a wife, your mom. How do you feel like art or creativity connected you and your dad? I see your dad looking at the ocean and creating and kind of, because art is process, right? How did it connect you two and heal you both?

Speaker 00: 3:08

Yeah, it was so great because once I did that, I was like, we need to create something that we can do together. And so we created a new brand called the Mermaid and the Veteran because my dad's a 20-year military veteran. And we just started joining local art communities. We joined the Oceanside Carlsbad Art League. We started doing these first Friday art walks. And really getting involved in the community, which was, and he loved it, right? Because it's all new, right? And so it was new friends and new people and new experiences that he was able to have. And we did it together. So it was really nice. It was like, we're this package deal that went everywhere together. And it was so much fun. We loved it.

Speaker 03: 3:55

Yeah, it's funny. Do you think you were more likely to do it because... you were doing it together. I mean, like Lisa and

Speaker 02: 4:03

I talk

Speaker 03: 4:04

a lot, like we've done a lot more together because we've been side by side. And it's almost like you have that person with you reminding you like, number one, you can do this. And number two, like it's like, I'm right with, I'm right there with you. Exactly.

Speaker 00: 4:21

Exactly. Yeah. And everywhere we went, the great thing about San Diego, it's very military heavy. And so it was incredible. everybody just welcomed him with open arms. Right. And I think that really helped because it was, he was able to share something that he was truly passionate about to a community that was very welcoming. And so it was like this win-win on, in every aspect of starting over and, and, We moved out of our San Diego place recently and I looked back and I said, well, you know, that was the perfect spot to land for him because it was exactly what he needed. He needed that community. He needed to be able to get back to something that he loved and to grow and to find that that's something that that became a routine. Right. Because he needed that structure.

Speaker 02: 5:13

And

Speaker 00: 5:13

so that was huge for him. And I think being able to do it together, we got to explore so many things together, we created a new motto for us. And it was every day is an adventure. And where's life going to take us right today. And by doing so it was it truly was an adventure. We met new people, we had new experiences. And we got to do something that we love and enjoy it at the same time. So that was really great.

Speaker 01: 5:40

Did you, through this whole process, it's been like a year plus, right?

Speaker 00: 5:45

Yeah.

Speaker 01: 5:46

Have you seen your dad get younger, may it be, through

Speaker 00: 5:51

the process of art? I've had so many people comment how much younger he looks from, because we documented everything, right? It was literally like from the time we were at the airport about to cross the country to every single step of the journey we documented everything. And even the first few months, my friends were saying, oh my gosh, he's changed so much. He looks so much younger, right? And that's been amazing. And what I've seen recently, which is very exciting, is that he's attempting new aspects of his drawing. He does pen and ink drawings. And he's taking one aspect of something, say a butterfly, And that'll be the centerpiece. And then he just allows his imagination to create the rest of it. And so that's and he just gets so excited when he does that, because it's like he's like, who knew? And so, yeah, that's been really exciting because it's like he's he's evolving as an off as an artist. Right. He's going to be 85 in November, but he's still growing as an artist, which is wonderful to see.

Speaker 03: 7:00

I love that, that that's still happening. If you can imagine a version where you guys weren't doing this and then you are, if you could give a comparison, what has it done for the two of you individually? We know what it's done for you individually, but what has it done since you're doing it together?

Speaker 00: 7:25

Well, it's allowed us to... realize that there's unlimited possibilities out there, right? There's, we both were, I mean, now we're making a movie, which is we've already made one, we're making another one. I would have never thought that would have been possible, right? And so when we made the first one, it was basically this kind of challenge from my film mastermind group to create a film, we did it last year, And it was funny because at the time it was like, I had so much on my plate that I was like, there's no way, no way, I just, I can't do this. I was working on two books and helped him write his memoirs and all of this. And then when the books were done, I was like, you know, let me go watch this Zoom call and see what it's all about. And I was like, oh, I could do that. We could do that, right? And we made the film in two weeks. I mean, it was incredible. Literally, it was just like the idea came. It was called Paint and Snap. And it was basically about how to take art and create the world that we want to live in. So, you know, like in the movie, Mary Poppins, when they jump into the painting. Right. So it was kind of like, what if we created a painting of the world that we want to live in? Right. And so we started doing that. And it was so funny. We just, you know, shot at the local park down the road and just invited some friends. And it's just like a quick 10 minute film. But it was so much fun because it was just like, OK, dad, let's do this. Let's do this. You know, and he was like, so gung ho. And so it was like, all right. cool we made a film you know and so this one he's like I don't really I don't really want to be in it but I do want to be kind of like behind the scenes you know and I was like absolutely I'm like you'll be my producer right so now we're actually working on a film which we're really excited about called Warriors Canvas and this film is about how to take art and writing and and use it as a healing modality for veterans suffering from PTSD. And so same thing. It's funny how I always say when you're in alignment with something, everything flows, right? And literally I had come up with the idea as we were packing up the San Diego place, we arrived in LA and the idea started to flow. And I reached out to some veteran organizations and literally within hours, they're like, yes, And we started production, like, the next day. I mean, it was crazy how fast it all came together. And so, yeah, so things that we would have never thought possible, we're now doing, which is really cool, because we're like, okay, well, if we can do this, then... Yeah, I love

Speaker 03: 10:17

that. I love that.

Speaker 01: 10:19

I love it too. It's like you are living the artist's life or life is art, you both. And then it's like you're what happens when you live in creative life. It's like pure potential, pure possibility, right?

Speaker 00: 10:32

Exactly. Yeah. And like one of the organizations that we reached out to was, of course, the VA here in L.A., And as I was researching them, I found out that they were actually having an art festival at the end of the month. And so I was like, oh, and they're like, and the submissions are still open. I'm like, Dad,

Speaker 02: 10:51

right? Yeah.

Speaker 00: 10:52

Right. And so I reached out to the one of the women involved. And I said, you know, I'd like to submit my dad's painting. And she's like, absolutely. Right. And so we did that and went and met her. And she was incredible. And we told her about the film. And she's like, well, you're welcome to film whatever you want when you're here. And you know, having of course the veterans permission. And she's like, but whatever you want, you know, you're open to do that. And so it was just like, just another piece of the puzzle. Right.

Speaker 03: 11:18

Yeah. And I just, I'm thinking about just this film that you're working on now in terms of like this idea of connection, right. Of like, you're connecting veterans with each other, veterans as artists to the world. And then the, the process that they're going to go through. And it's like this, this timeline of, you know, their history and they've carried it with them and they're going to be able to communicate it and process it, but also connect with it.

Speaker 02: 11:49

Exactly. Exactly.

Speaker 03: 11:52

Kind of tell their story. I mean, that's, I think that's really powerful. And I love the aspect of that. Like you're doing it with your dad and the power that that has with it. I think like what I'm kind of gleaning from this conversation is that like obviously Lisa and I are like big proponents of one individual can do anything, you know, what you do do does matter and you can have a positive impact on the world. And we promote like just even taking an art break is having a positive impact. But when you add a fellow person that almost is that, you know, is, is sort of going to be your passion on those days where you want to kind of run away or shelter yourself and is, is gonna, you know, carry, carry you through it. And then you, you kind of have that, potential that you just keep climbing and climbing. There's so much power in that.

Speaker 00: 12:47

Yeah, absolutely.

Speaker 03: 12:48

Yeah.

Speaker 01: 12:51

What I love is like, um, Just in like, you're telling a story, but elders and veterans, usually they're kind of like marginalized, right? We think of them. So what I'm feeling is it's almost like you are seeing them through their art and then you are witnessing through their art. And your dad is like a huge testimony to that, right?

Speaker 00: 13:15

Yeah. And the cool thing, though, is that, you know, every veteran has their own unique story, right? Yeah. So this is their outlet of being able to express that story in only the way that they can, right? But it relates to so many people because it's like, oh, okay, wow, I never saw it from that vantage point or I never understood it from that way, right? And so it's allowing these artists to be able to share their stories in a way that's creative that also inspires others to do the same thing because there's so many, of course, that are that are shut down right that that don't know how to express right and here's a way of doing that and that's what that's what the main goal is it's really to inspire others to be able to share their stories and find healing at the same time

Speaker 03: 14:07

yeah well i i can't wait to um see the final you know sort of uh artwork from that um yeah and uh thank you for taking the time to chat with us today lisa do

Speaker 01: 14:21

you have any other i do i want to follow up so you i know that you wrote a book about this how can you help other um i guess people that are our age and whose parents are elders kind of yeah um make them follow the creative path or inspire them and how that connects you to something larger.

Speaker 00: 14:42

So in November of last year, I helped my dad publish his first book, The Nine Lives of Joe, which is his full story of his life. And I also knew that I wanted to write a book about this new chapter that we're experiencing together. And so my book is called A Second Chance with Dad. And it's basically four adult children caregivers who are experiencing this for the first time, right? And not really sure where to go. So along with the book, we also have a caregiver guide. which really is step-by-step and then like printouts for doctor's appointments, doctor checklists and activities they can do together and just a lot of self-care, right? Because you can't do it and you can't just keep going and keep going. You're going to get overwhelmed, right? So it's really important to focus on self-care and knowing that you're helping this other individual, but you got to keep that balance, right? So it's sharing the story of our experience, but then also offering some tools, a toolkit basically for the caregiver who's now experiencing this for the first time.

Speaker 03: 15:54

Yeah, I love that. We will definitely provide a link to that. How about any like super easy way for someone to dive into it because a lot of people aren't in the position of you where they do consider themselves an artist and that their their elder is an artist as well what if it's people that are sort of searching and don't really even know where to start what what's something you would suggest

Speaker 00: 16:21

yeah so it's well the main thing is communication right so it's that communication with the parent right and it's finding out What do you like to do? What is something that, and we put this in the book too, what is something that you'd love to do when you were younger, but you set aside, right? That you would like to do again, right? And then they do it together, right? I love that, yes. And so that way it's, you're strengthening the relationship, right?

Unknown: 16:52

Yes.

Speaker 00: 16:52

by experiencing something new. I mean, some parents probably love to do things that they never even mentioned because it was like, oh, well, now I've got the responsibility of, you know, raising a family and doing, you know, and they put this dream aside. And so it's like, what is that one thing? So it's that communication of finding out things that they love. And then the same thing with the parent and the child. The parent can say, you know, what is something that you've put off that, you know, And then so same thing. And then it's just, you know, experiencing it together and finding things that they like and even new things. Right. It's like finding things that it's like, what is something out there that is like all the rage that would be kind of cool to check out? Right. Pickleball. Right. Right. Yeah. And trying to do that together. So it's just finding something that they both love and experiencing it together.

Speaker 01: 17:44

It's like dreaming and then dreaming together and then dreaming bigger, which

Speaker 00: 17:49

is really cool. Yes. Yeah. And that's basically what we're doing because we're like, okay, well, let's just, let's go here now. You know, I love that.

Speaker 01: 17:59

So Kelly, where can people find you? Tell us about what's on your horizon and what,

Speaker 00: 18:06

Yeah.

Speaker 01: 18:08

Yeah. Yeah.

Speaker 00: 18:09

Calligilbert.com is my main website and that's where you can find out all about my work as an author. All my books are there. My, um, some of the films are there. Um, tower15productions.com is the main site for the film production and the nonprofit. Um, what we're doing right now, which is super special is, um, I lived in LA before my mom passed away. And so Santa Monica and the Palisades was my community. It's where I spent most of my time. And so through Tower 15 Productions, we've created the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund. to support women who had lost businesses and homes in the fires and we're helping them rebuild and so a portion of all the work that we do goes to benefit that and then we also have a 325 campaign which is our main fundraiser where the goal is to find 325 women to donate a thousand dollars each and then that will help these women in the process of rebuilding not only their their businesses but their lives i mean they're basically starting over from scratch and So yeah, and I'm also working on a film about that. We have a film called Pally Strong, Women Rise to Rebuild Pacific Palisades, which will chronicle the stories of these women and their journeys of transformation. And so yeah, that's basically what I'm doing right now. So they're the two main websites and very easy to get a hold of.

Speaker 03: 19:41

All right. And we'll put links to those. So everyone who is interested in following up with you or wants to connect with you or learn more about you can do that. Yeah.

Speaker 00: 19:51

Yeah. Thank you.

Speaker 01: 19:52

All right. Yeah. Thank you so much. Keep on creating. Oh

Speaker 00: 19:56

yeah. I have to, I've often said creating to me is like breathing. I just, I have to do it. I

Speaker 03: 20:03

hear that. I hear that.

Speaker 00: 20:06

Bravo.