Not Real Art

If you start an art publication from scratch with virtually no capital, prepare to get creative with your time and resources. Today’s guest, Victor Gonzalez, founded GRØSS Magazine fresh out of college with a gleam in his eye and few assets to his name. Fast forward seven years, and the once wobbly publication has blossomed into Grøss Creative Studio, a thriving media company also known as the GCS...

Remote , Badir McCleary’s video series on public art, opens with an ambitious statement from the L.A.-based filmmaker: “ In a world full of vibrant creativity and captivating stories, there are secrets waiting to be uncovered. From towering sculptures to interactive murals, each stroke and structure is a testament to the boundless imagination of artists who dared to dream big.” Created in partners...

As you read this sentence, Black Rock City is preparing to welcome Burners home for another year of jaw-dropping art and all-night dancing in the desert. That’s right, Burning Man 2023 is upon us! To celebrate, we’ve invited one of the most talented artists on the playa to chat about his annual contribution to the festivities—an artist so gifted that he, like Cher, only needs one name: Alice , mir...

We are back with more Comedy 420 from the hilarious Terrence DeLane, a stand-up comedian for the past eight years, who has recently expanded his repertoire by incorporating acting into his resume. We start the show debating sourdough best practices, and Scott explains what makes San Francisco sourdough bread different before diving into Terrence’s set at The Comedy Chateau. Get ready for a side-sp...

Known for its emphasis on figuration, surrealism, and pop culture, the New Contemporary Art movement has roots in the irreverent, high-energy counterculture of the ‘90s. Largely self-supported and community-driven, the movement has slowly taken shape beyond gallery walls, incorporating “lowbrow,” accessible, and socially-activated work by artists that tend to fall outside the mainstream.  On...

Our individual and collective histories are composed of fragments—bits of information we piece together in different ways. According to former professional athlete, multidisciplinary artist, and NOT REAL ART 2022 grant winner  Kiley Ames , these fragments can be rearranged and reinterpreted to create personalized perceptions of reality. Using small, distinct brushstrokes to illustrate her phi...

Did you know that the US government spends just $5 per person per year on the arts? Or that over 50 countries have a Department or Ministry of Culture, but the US doesn’t?  In fact, the US has less government support for the arts per person than any other developed nation. These uncomfortable truths surface in The Art of Making It (2021), a fascinating documentary that follows a diverse group...

It’s been said one man’s trash is another’s treasure. Today’s podcast guest, emerging artist Tex Hammond , transforms discarded items like wood, glass, Styrofoam, and cardboard into stunning works of art.  “I want to learn how to [make my own canvas and paper] and repurpose things like that because it’s less wasteful and there is no downside to it,” says the LA-based artist, who uses unconven...

What’s the best way to spark meaningful social transformation? Today’s guest, Dr. Ashfaq Ishaq , believes he has an answer: “If you are looking at social justice or equity or the environment, [creativity and empathy are important for all of these things],” he says. “Through the arts, we can cultivate creativity and grow mutual empathy.”  On today’s podcast episode, host and NOT REAL ART found...

Some artists are rebels at heart. Today’s guest, Jo-Ann Morgan, found her inner iconoclast as professor emeritus of African American studies and art history at Western Illinois University. Jo-Ann is also a professional fiber artist and one among six winners of NOT REAL ART’s 2022 artist grant. Established in 2019, the grant is awarded annually to six working artists who push the boundaries of what...

Some people are problem-solvers by nature. With 15 years of experience in the tech industry and a background in art business, today’s guest, Badir McCleary , knows how to fix nearly any problem the art world throws at him. On today’s podcast, host Scott “Sourdough” Power sits down with Badir—a longtime friend of NOT REAL ART—to discuss how the entrepreneur’s problem-solving skills helped him forge...

Pablo Picasso once said, “Everything you can imagine is real.” While the imagination is a powerful—and necessary—tool for artists, today’s guest believes success takes more than simply having a dream; it requires a solid game plan to become a reality. “The key to manifesting a dream is by daily actions,” says Los Angeles designer Mary Lai , who joins host Scott “Sourdough” Power on today’s podcast...

If you’re a regular listener of the Not Real Art Podcast, you’ll likely agree that art has the ability to educate, entertain, provoke thought, and illicit a wide range of emotions. Today’s guest believes that, as long as you can make a viewer feel something, you’re on the right path! Joining us is Michael Massenburg, an African American teaching artist and community organizer. Born in San Diego, r...

One essential trait that differentiates us from animals is creativity—you could say it’s what makes us human. Today’s podcast guest believes creativity not only cultivates connection, better health, and critical thinking but can also “help humanity save itself.”  In today’s episode, host and NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power introduces 2022 NOT REAL ART grant winner Ellamaria Foley...

Is the term “artist” simply assigned to those who paint, draw, or cook? Or is there more to being an artist than owning a great easel or a luxe set of oil paints?  “Guess what? You don’t have to go to art school to be an artist,” says NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power in this month’s auditorial episode, which poses the question: “What does it really mean to be an artist?” along wit...

“Anybody can be a collector of beautiful things,” says Michael Hawley , who heads the Getty Museum Photographs Council (GMPC), a donors’ group that helps the museum acquire work from underrepresented artists. The world of art collection and custodianship is historically elitist, so it’s no wonder many people find the idea of simply entering a gallery intimidating. An established collector himself,...

Was the iconic Roy Lichtenstein a great artist, a thief, or both? This is the question posed by Whaam! Blam! Roy Lichtenstein and the Art of Appropriation , a documentary film directed and produced by today’s podcast guest, James L Hussey . “When I set out to make [the film], I viewed it as a very straightforward, intellectual, technical film about appropriation,” says James, who released the film...

“My art has become my way to play,” says photographer Y Hope Osborn , who “never had any art education” but grew up with a camera in her hand.  In today’s podcast episode, the 2022 NOT REAL ART grant winner sits down with our host, Scott “Sourdough” Power , to talk about the healing power of art, writing, and play. “As a child, I was so stifled by abuse that I didn’t know how to play,” Hope s...

It’s no revelation that success is the sum of preparation and opportunity, yet it’s always inspiring to witness the philosophy in action. On today’s podcast episode, San Diego-based painter Ezra Brown joins host and NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power to chat about the power of perseverance in an oversaturated industry.  “I’m a late bloomer,” says Ezra, who dropped his day job during...

For 48 years, the quick-witted comedians, writers, and actors of Saturday Night Live ( SNL ) have inspired both belly laughs and giddy tears. Whether broadcasting John Belushi’s cartwheels, Will Ferrell’s cowbell routine, or Tina Fey’s biting commentary on Weekend Update, the long-running show has guided multiple generations through cultural changes with humor and professionalism.  In today’s...

This year at NOT REAL ART, we’re introducing a brand new exhibition series designed to inspire you with the artwork and artists we love. For this week’s special podcast episode, host Scott “Sourdough” Power sits down with NOT REAL ART Editor-in-Chief Morgan Laurens , who sheds some light on our 2023 First Friday Exhibitions program.  Opening on the first Friday of every month, the series expl...

Food and the environment are inextricably linked—everything we eat has a footprint. Since the 1950s, industrialized food production and modern-day overconsumption have contributed to climate change, environmental degradation, and economic depression. Still, many innovators are working to find sustainable ways to feed the world's population.  Food as a means to create positive change has long...

While not all artists feel like entrepreneurs, many creatives would jump at the chance to earn a paycheck from their passion. Despite the benefits of a bigger payday, few artists invest in a basic business skill set. While budding entrepreneurs have a seemingly endless array of tools and resources at their fingertips, very few support systems are designed for the specific challenges that artists f...

“When you take weird risks and opportunities, weird shit presents itself,” says Shawn Kolodny , whose large-scale installations are strange in all the right ways. Using polished steel as his primary medium, the Miami artist is known for his “balls,” reflective sculptures that exist somewhere between the realms of art, science, and magic.  On this week’s podcast episode, host and NOT REAL ART...

If you’re an avid listener of the NOT REAL ART podcast, you already know art has the ability to connect people across cultures and express ideas that words can’t. Art, in all its forms, has immense power to shape our beliefs. Authentic representation can break down social barriers, open minds, and even become a source of inspiration. On today’s episode, host Scott “Sourdough” Power sits down with...