The Artidex is an artist-centered multimedia archive and creative network documenting contemporary artists through signed Polaroid portraiture, photography, documentary film, and conversation. Each participating artist becomes a numbered ENTRY within a growing physical archive that preserves not only their work, but the person, story, and moment behind it.

The Artidex Podcast extends that archive through long-form conversations, giving artists space to share their lives, creative journeys, and perspectives in their own voices. Through The Artidex Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, this work expands beyond documentation into direct artist support through grants, sponsorships, creative opportunities, and community investment.

For ENTRY #018, Gina sits down with makeup artist Leah Carmichael, whose work has helped shape the beauty and music industries for more than two decades. A former Global Makeup Artist for Kat Von D Beauty, Leah has worked across international beauty events, music videos, touring, and artist grooming, with credits connected to Beyoncé, Deftones, AFI, and Ceremony.

Having first connected online before traveling and working together in 2016, Gina and Leah reflect on their shared history, Leah’s lifelong commitment to makeup artistry, and the experiences that shaped her unmistakable creative identity. Their conversation explores technical mastery, individuality, beauty culture, authenticity, and what it means to build an enduring career without compromising who you are.

If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about creativity, independent artists, and the stories behind the work, subscribe and follow along as The Artidex documents, connects, and supports artists, one ENTRY at a time.

Follow The Artidex on Instagram: @theartidex • @ginafrey
Follow Leah Carmichael on Instagram: @iamleah

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ARTIDEX PODCAST — EPISODE 003 | ARTISTS 6-10

In Episode 003, Noah and I look back on Entries #006–010 of The Artidex.

We talk about each artist individually: how I met them, what first stood out to me, and why I believed in them long before many other people did. We reflect on the work they’re creating today, the careers they’ve built, and the qualities that make them exceptional beyond their talent.

As always, the conversation naturally wanders.

We end up talking about the difference between a career and an identity, why I’m no longer afraid of being “cringe” if it means creating something I believe in or acting authentically and how working in emergency medicine completely changed my perspective on fear, ambition, and what actually matters. Watching people experience the best and worst days of their lives has made one thing incredibly clear to me: life is finite. If there’s something meaningful you want to build, there is no perfect time. You just have to begin.

The Artidex exists to preserve artists at a moment in time. We are honoring not just what they’ve made, but who they were while making it. Every portrait is an entry into a growing physical archive, and every conversation reminds me why I started this project in the first place.

Thanks for following along as this archive continues to grow.

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The Artidex is a multimedia archive dedicated to documenting artists and creative individuals through signed Polaroid portraiture, long-form conversations, and short films. At its center is a growing physical binder archive, where every featured artist becomes a numbered ENTRY preserved like a rare collectible card. Inspired by the idea of collecting artists like rare Pokémon cards, each entry exists to preserve not only an artist's work, but the humanity behind it, creating a tangible record of creative lives as they unfold over time.

What began as a photography project has evolved into an expanding creative network built around discovery, collaboration, and cultural preservation. Today, that mission continues through The Artidex Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting artists through grants, sponsorships, and other initiatives that help sustain creative work while preserving contemporary artistic culture for future generations.

For ENTRY 009, Gina sits down with artist, designer, and doll maker Joshua David McKenney, creator of Pidgin Doll and a longtime friend and collaborator. Together, they reflect on Joshua's artistic journey, the creation and evolution of Pidgin Doll, the formative years of their friendship, and the winding creative paths that have shaped their lives as artists. The conversation explores creativity, identity, artistic reinvention, and what it means to build a lasting body of work over time.

If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about creativity, independent artists, and the stories behind the work, subscribe and follow along as The Artidex continues collecting, preserving, and supporting artists, one ENTRY at a time.

Follow The Artidex
Instagram: @theartidex • @ginafrey

Follow Joshua David McKenney
Instagram: @joshuadavidmckenney
Pidgin Doll: @pidgindoll

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