Not Real Art

Twelve years in, Toni Sikes shows no signs of slowing down. As founder and CEO of CODAworx—the leading platform for the public art industry—she has shepherded the ecosystem from ‘90s print directories to a global digital network representing over $13 billion in projects. For Independence Day 2026, CODAworx teamed with NOT REAL ART and nonprofit Arterial to launch 250: A Celebration of Public Art i...

Baltimore’s harbor is calm, but resident artist Joan Cox is gathering momentum. Since her last appearance with NOT REAL ART, she’s been named a finalist for the Baker Artist Award, recognized among London’s Top 100 International Artists, and seen her intimate portraits circulate through exhibitions and publications. A past NOT REAL ART grant winner (2022), Joan is known for capturing the “energy f...

Michael Moore was one of the first artists to hit the NOT REAL ART airwaves, and he’s just as unpredictable now as he was then. A mainstay of the Chicagoland art scene, Michael is best known for his madcap “Frankenstein” machines: kinetic assemblages built from scrap steel, blinking warning lights, and whatever vintage oddities he can scavenge, all pieced together in his garage. These days, the se...

Los Angeles doesn’t do subtle, and neither does Carmen Zella. For over two decades, she’s been yanking art out of the gallery and into the city, mixing it with technology and letting it spill onto LA’s streets. Carmen leads NOW Art, an agency that fuses art, architecture, technology, and community—sometimes all at once. She also co-founded NXT Art Foundation, the nonprofit arm of NOW Art, with a m...

Houston might be known for its outsized personality, but every two years, during FotoFest, the city becomes a swirling epicenter of photographic art from around the globe. This year, to mark 40 years of pushing the boundaries of photography, FotoFest’s 2026 biennial, Global Visions , is bringing together a dizzying array of artists from over 58 countries. But what does it take to wrangle over 450...

What happens when you stare fear in the face and choose to laugh? Filmmaker Zinzi Gugu Johnson joins host Scott “Sourdough” Power to discuss “Fears,” her new short film that turns American anxieties into darkly humorous cinema. Don’t miss this surprisingly funny episode on embracing your fears as fuel.

On today's episode, we're diving into a wild and totally unexpected topic: the intersection of art and adult entertainment, sparked by a hilarious story about our own "Not Real Art" sticker showing up in a porno scene. Yep, you heard that right! We will explore the quirky synchronicity of how our little brand made its way into a billion-dollar industry and forces the question: is pornography not r...

Artist and podcaster Tyler Ramsey joins us today to dive into the vibrant world of creativity and the power of choice in happiness. In this episode, we explore how Tyler transitioned from a chaotic career in Hollywood to a fulfilling life as a visual artist, emphasizing that being happy is a conscious choice we all can make, even when life throws its curveballs. We chat about his unique artistic p...

Buckle up, folks, because today's episode of Not Real Art is a real eye-opener! Our beloved host Sourdough is back, and he’s dishing out some spicy takes on why the art market appears to be hitting a rough patch. With a blend of playful humor and serious analysis, he dives into the current state of galleries closing their doors and sales figures that are making everyone a bit jittery. What’s the d...

Dim the lights, grab a cozy blanket and a mug of cider (or a pumpkin spice latte, if you prefer), and settle in for three tales of terror from our Art World Horror Stories series. First on the chopping block is Mellyssa Diggs, a brand identity designer whose passion for social justice quickly spiraled into a nightmare of cyberbullying and social media censorship. Next, we turn to Asheville-ba...

On May 3, hundreds of arts organizations across the US opened their inboxes to an abrupt notice: their NEA grant applications had either been denied or rescinded. Among them, Art21, the New York nonprofit that produces the beloved public television series Art in the Twenty-First Century , lost an $85,000 grant to support the production of seasons 12 and 13. In today’s episode, host Scott "Sourdoug...

Throughout history, figures like Jane Goodall, Benjamin Franklin, and Leonardo da Vinci have stood out as polymaths—individuals driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and expertise across a multitude of fields. This week, we welcome Hans Fjellestad, a member of their esteemed ranks. A true Renaissance man, Hans's talents span music, film, and education. In our conversation, Hans walks us thr...

In this week’s episode, we take you behind the scenes of our recent adventure filming the pilot for Arthouse in Scott’s hometown of Chicago. From navigating the bustling urban landscape to dealing with unexpected equipment malfunctions, our journey was anything but straightforward. We even faced a COVID scare that threatened to disrupt our plans, but through teamwork and determination, we emerged...

What is Digitalism—and why is it making waves in the art world? As award-winning filmmaker and curator Rebekah Tolley writes in her recent essay “The Rise of Digitalism: A New Movement in Art,” Digitalism explores the intersection of art, culture, and technology in the digital era. Today, Rebekah joins us to unpack the emergence of Digitalism as both a cultural movement and a groundbreaking exhibi...

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Davies, a creative strategist and the visionary behind the groundbreaking platform, AskChris. AI. Designed specifically for artists and creatives, this innovative tool acts as a personal coach, providing thoughtful advice and support around the clock. Chris shares insights from his journey in the art world, detailing how his extensive experience shaped the d...

Step right up and prepare to peek behind the painted smiles, as today’s guest, professional clown Guilford Adams, reveals there's more to the profession than a big red nose. As the co-director of the feature-length documentary American Clown , Guilford joins us to discuss the film, which explores the plight of clowns in a country that increasingly views them with apprehension and disdain.  Gu...

Pack an extra warm sweater because we’re headed to the Arctic Circle with David Scott, a multifaceted artist, writer, and close friend of our host, Scott “Sourdough” Power. In today’s episode, the two pals reminisce about their daring year spent living off-grid in a simple cabin near Churchill, Manitoba. This remarkable experience is detailed in David’s new book, Paradise Creek: A True Story of Ad...

In this week’s episode, host Scott “Sourdough” Power takes us on a personal journey into the world of brand loyalty through the lens of an unexpected favorite: The Ironman Triathlon Series. While many brands offer lifestyles, the Ironman brand epitomizes dedication and grit, offering experiences that are truly earned.  Straying from the typical conversation around tech gadgets or luxury items...

In today’s episode, Scott “Sourdough” Power discusses his decision not to attend Burning Man this year—an annual pilgrimage that has long been a cornerstone of his creative life. Known for its jaw-dropping installations and rebellious artistic spirit, the festival holds a special place in Scott's heart, particularly for the cherished memories made at Camp Corny, “the friendliest fucking camp in th...

In this week’s episode, host Scott "Sourdough" Power describes his recent 20th wedding anniversary celebration at the breathtaking Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur. Nestled among nature's grandeur, this luxe getaway highlights the seamless blend of architecture and the environment, thanks to the visionary work of designer Mickey Muennig. Scott paints a vivid picture of the stunning landscapes that envelo...

Today, host Scott “Sourdough” Power addresses a dilemma that many artists face: When is an artwork truly finished? This week’s episode encourages creators to rethink their perceptions of completion and offers three essential steps every artist should take to elevate their work. First and foremost, Scott emphasizes the critical importance of copyrighting artwork. Protecting your work is paramount i...

Are you ready to transform the energy in your home? It might be simpler than you'd think. In our latest episode, we sit down with Dan Ubick, widely celebrated as DJ Constantine "Connie" Price. He explores the ways in which music shapes our environments and enriches our living spaces via the innovative Arthouse project. This unscripted television series follows everyday individuals as they interact...

It’s no secret; there is an epidemic of loneliness in the United States. In recent years, about one in two Americans reported experiencing loneliness. Today, we welcome David Bosnak, the CEO of Attune Media Labs, an organization that combats loneliness and anxiety with empathetic AI companions that enhance human connections through state-of-the-art technology.  David began his career as an el...

Theresa Hubbard, the powerhouse CEO of Fractured Atlas, joins NOT REAL ART this week for a lively chat about collaborating on the Arthouse project, an unscripted TV show that aims to connect real people with real artists to buy original art without breaking the bank. During our conversation, Theresa emphasizes the importance of fiscal sponsorship for artists and creative projects like Arthouse , i...

Art has an extraordinary ability to connect people, and director Laura Patterson is on a mission to make it accessible to everyone through her groundbreaking new project, Arthouse . This unscripted TV show allows real people to meet real artists and acquire art without breaking the bank, sidestepping the intimidation often associated with traditional galleries. With over 25 years of experience dir...