Arterial Radio

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 episode to discuss her two-decades-long career in the arts. A tireless source of positive energy, Mary creates colorful work—murals, sculptures, digital art, mixed media—that reflects her can-do attitude and sunny disposition. 

Prior to working as a fine artist, Mary built a decade-long career in NYC as a fashion accessories designer, even creating an award-winning namesake handbag collection. While the time she spent as a designer offered Mary invaluable insight into commercial art, she feels more at home with her current role in fine art. “I don’t think I would have felt as fulfilled doing handbags as I am now,” she tells Scott. “After all those years and experiences, I’m at a point where I can find that balance [between commercial and conceptual art].”

Mary also shares her experience as an artist-in-residence at the W Hotel in Westwood, LA, where she recently launched Unlock Your Dreams, a characteristically colorful installation that blends inspirational fantasy with elements of playful nostalgia. The installation celebrates the power of inclusivity, optimism, and individuality, encouraging viewers to follow their own path, in their own way. “I wanted the theme to be ‘unlock your dreams,’” says Mary, “because I wanted to [show] that dreams can come true by creating these doors and opportunities for yourself.”

Tune into our conversation with Mary Lai, who sheds light on the importance of community, collaboration, and failing your way to success.

Key Points From This Episode:

• How the opportunity to be an artist-in-residence at the W came about.
• Why artists need to learn to “wear multiple hats.”
• Finding a balance between commercial and conceptual art.
• Dispelling the misconceptions that many artists have about overnight success.
• Insight into Unlock Your Dreams, the theme for the body of work Mary created for the W.
• Why Mary believes it’s important to lift other artists up and showcase their work.
• A behind-the-scenes look at the process of creating work for this artist-in-residence program.
• The inspiration for Mary’s Dream Portal sculpture, which employs augmented reality.
• Benefits of collaborating with other artists to bring your vision to life.
• What it means to be an artist-in-residence (and whether it included a stay in the penthouse!).
• How Mary’s graphic design experience influences her artmaking practice.
• Artists as magicians and the emotion and soul it brings to their work.
• Why having journalist Lisa Ling at the opening night was so special for Mary.
• Art as an essential service that reflects the culture of the time it was created.
• A look at Mary’s high school experience and when she knew she was going to be an artist.
• What’s next for Mary, where you can see her work, her definition of success, and more!

For more information, please visit http://notrealart.com/mary-lai

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, raised in South Central Los Angeles, and based in Inglewood, Micheal says that he began his career at the Watts Towers Arts Center in Los Angeles, influenced by the Watts Rebellion, the Black Art Movement of the 1960s, and the 1992 Los Angeles Uprising. His socially-informed practice speaks to historical, cultural, and personal narratives and incorporates a diverse range of materials, combining painting, collage, photography, and assemblage to explore the African diaspora experience in the Americas. Michael is also what you would call an “artivist” (or an art activist), devoting much of his time to art education, lectures, and community organizing. In today’s episode, Michael shares how travel helped shape his perspective, why he believes that he was called to be an artist, and why labels like “Black art” are important. We also discuss how his former arts organization, The Collective, carried the torch for Black artists, and why Michael believes that artists and educators can be a voice for those who have had their own voices suppressed. Tune in for all this and more!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Memories from Michael’s childhood and how his upbringing inspired his love for travel.
• Some of the first journeys he made as an artist, including a life-changing trip to Haiti.
• The “three Americas:” Indigenous people, immigrants, and those brought over as property.
• How traveling shifted Michael’s perspective on what it means to be an African born in America.
• Spiritual Nature, Michael’s exhibition about the African diaspora experience in the Americas.
• Why he chooses to create work about community, family, sociopolitical issues, and history.
• Unpacking Michael’s belief that artists and educators are the voice of the people.
• The story of how he realized that he was called to be an artist.
• How Michael gained his knowledge of business and entrepreneurship.
• The influence that Charles White had on Michael’s decision to study at Otis.
• How The Collective carried the torch for Black artists who are no longer with us.
• Michael’s take on the significance of labels like “Black art.”
• An experience in Barcelona that made Michael recognize art as a common language. 
• A look at the Future of Dreams project that he created with a collaborator in Columbia.
• The importance of traveling “without entitlement.”
• Ways that Michael believes artists can minimize the problems of the world.

For more information, please visit http://notrealart.com/michael-massenburg

“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 founder Scott “Sourdough” Power sits down with Shawn to discuss the artist’s winding journey from business to industrial design to fine art. With an MBA under his belt, Shawn approaches his fine art career with an entrepreneur’s mindset, explaining that he sees himself as the CEO of his own small venture. “I always look at the artist as an entrepreneur,” he tells Scott. “You’re basically a small business where [you’re] in charge of marketing, [you’re] in charge of social outreach, [you’re] in charge of inventory, [you’re] in charge of general finances. Oh, by the way, [you’re] also creating the stuff.”

Realizing that many creatives lack basic business skills, Shawn created Ballsy, a podcast that investigates the habits and growth hacks of profitable artists. As the host, Shawn interviews financially successful artists to find out how they “got the balls” to sell their work and make art their career. “I look at every artist as a small business,” he says. “Whether that means [they’re in the] Gagosian or whether that means they’re on Etsy, every artist is a small business.” 

Tuning in, you’ll learn more about Shawn’s thought-provoking work and his nonlinear path into the art world. Shawn and Scott talk about the inherent value of constraints, the difference between a job, a career, and a calling, and how artists can get out of their own way by “falling forward.” Find out how you can grow the balls to sell your work by hitting the play button on our episode with Shawn Kolodny below. 

In Today’s Podcast Episode

Shawn Kolodny discusses…

• How he became known for his “balls”
• The essential role of the sphere in his installation work
• A technical overview of his creative process and materials
• The evolving iterations of his art practice over the years
• His unique journey into the arts and how he learned to “problem-solve with purpose”
• Tips for structuring your workflow and scheduling your responsibilities
• The power of reinventing yourself while still making money from what you’re known for
• Why branding and audience are inherent parts of an artist’s business
• The myth of “overnight success” and promoting the value of the hard slog

For more information, please visit http://notrealart.com/shawn-kolodny

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 figurative painter and NOT REAL ART grant winner Joan Cox to discuss the power of representation and visibility in the arts. Working large-scale, Joan creates richly detailed visual narratives that portray queer relationships as complex, beautiful, and necessary. “I look to [artists of color] who are doing beautiful things with figurative work to be inspired by them and do the same with queer work,” she tells Scott. “Trying to put that painting out there, that image, that narrative, that [lesbians] are just the same as every other couple.”

Historically speaking, Joan tells us, images of lesbian couples have either been repressed or justified as erotic material for the male gaze. “You walk into a museum and you see thousands of years of history of Western art where—if you see two or three women together—they’re just to be viewed by men,” she says “They’re dancing naked in a circle [or] they’re sitting naked on a lawn or they’re pretending to be some [mythical creatures], rather than their authentic selves.” Inspired by the couples in her community, Joan shifts our perspective by demystifying queer relationships—including her own. In her paintings she often appears alongside her partner of 21 years as they reenact mundane yet intimate moments from their lives. By celebrating the female gaze, Joan’s work opens up dialogue through a complex investigation of cultural norms, sexual identities, and body politics.

Tune into this week’s episode to hear all about Joan’s journey into the world of queer art. You’ll hear why she believes nuanced representation of the human experience can create understanding and help facilitate difficult conversations. We also touch on the importance of creative expression, why culture is like a constantly moving river, and what it means to be either a switch blade or Swiss Army knife. Make sure you don’t miss our compelling conversation with NOT REAL ART grant winner Joan Cox.

In Today’s Podcast Episode

Joan Cox discusses…

• When she began to call herself an artist and when she came out as queer
• A look at how creative talent runs in Joan’s family
• How she selects her subjects, some of whom are total strangers
• Being awarded the 2022 NOT REAL ART grant
• What 2023 holds for her as a fine artist and a commercial graphic designer
• Why she believes there’s no handbook for making a living as an artist
• How her practice has changed since COVID and becoming a mother
• Why there’s nothing wrong with putting your artwork on a mousepad!
• What art school taught her about always being an artist, no matter what she’s doing

For more information, please visit http://notrealart.com/joan-cox

Dive into the captivating world of music with Mario Caldato Jr., renowned music producer and engineer, as he shares his inspiring journey and valuable insights into the music industry. Discover how he grew up exploring different musical genres, what influenced his unique musical style, and his phenomenal experiences working with top names in the industry. Don't miss the opportunity to learn from his exclusive stories, tips, and the exciting projects he's currently working on. Unlock the door to a treasure trove of resources and connections by visiting the show notes for this episode. Explore the links to Mario's work, learn more about the legendary artists he's worked with, and stay updated on his latest endeavors.

• Your journey into the creative world of music starts here: https://www.theconduitmusicpodcast.com/mario-caldato-jr-ep12/

Discover the inspiring journey of musical royalty, Adrian Quesada, as he shares his insights on collaboration, songwriting, and the power of love and appreciation in the music industry. Learn about the role that artists like Prince and Wu-Tang Clan’s GZA had on his career, and the importance of staying true to one's roots. Uncover the stories behind his Grammy-winning Latin-funk band Grupo Fantasma, the globally acclaimed duo Black Pumas, and his latest soulful project, Boleros Psicodélicos. Dive into this treasure trove of exclusive information by visiting the show notes for valuable resources and links.

• Don't miss out on this unique opportunity – find them all at: https://www.theconduitmusicpodcast.com/adrian-quesada-ep-10/

Discover the inspiring journey of Ozomatli founding members Wil-Dog Abers and Raul Pacheco, as they share their valuable insights into using music as a platform for change, their eye-opening experiences as cultural ambassadors on a government-sponsored international tour, and lessons learned from working alongside industry legends like Carlos Santana. Learn how they navigated the business side of music by treating their label, manager, and lawyer as business partners, and how using the pandemic gave them the opportunity to grow further as musicians.

• Don't miss the chance to explore this amazing episode and get your hands on all the essential resources and links mentioned in the conversation. Visit the show notes now at: https://www.theconduitmusicpodcast.com/ozomatli-with-wil-dog-abers-and-raul-pacheco-ep-09/

Discover the inspiring story of Andrew Sandoval, a Grammy Award nominated reissuer, compiler, and engineer, as he shares his journey of turning a deep love for music into a sustainable career on The Conduit Music Podcast. Learn valuable insights like the importance of self-motivation, flexibility, and versatility in the music industry, separating the art from the artist, and more.

• Don't miss out on this captivating conversation – visit the show notes for episode-related links and resources at https://www.theconduitmusicpodcast.com/andrew-sandoval-3/ and immerse yourself in Andrew's incredible musical world.

Ever wanted to start an art collection of your own, but didn’t know where to start? Turns out it’s not as scary as you’d think.

Today, we introduce a very special “audiotorial” series from NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power. This week’s episode, on the ins and outs of art collecting, is the first in a series that aims to celebrate, elevate, and empower artists and art lovers by addressing topical issues and events in the art world. 

Blue chip art galleries often make art-buying seem exclusive and mysterious—but it doesn’t need to be that way. In this episode, Scott shares his personal reasons for buying art, and how you can follow suit. Learn why starting your own collection isn’t as intimidating as it seems and how buying original art can tip the scales in favor of the artists—not the billion-dollar home decor industry or the galleries that seek to keep the art market opaque.

Whether you’re a newbie to art buying or want to expand a small collection, this is one episode you don't want to miss. Join us for the first in a series of episodes that tackle contemporary art-world issues. 

In Today’s Episode 

Scott “Sourdough” discusses…

• Why lots of people feel intimidated when it comes to buying art
• Understanding that most original contemporary artworks out there are affordable
• Why it’s important for artists to nurture the mass market and grow demand for original, affordable art
• How existing business models in the art world fail to serve the majority of artists
• The importance of buying art that you love; it shouldn’t just serve as an investment
• Why he loves buying art, starting with how it makes him feel
• The value of owning something unique that supports small business owners
• The conversation-starting qualities of original art that mass-produced decor lacks

For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/why-i-love-buying-art

Discover the groundbreaking musical journey of DJ Z-Trip, and learn how his love for blending genres and boundary-pushing approach has led him to work with an incredible range of artists, compose scores for video games and films, and earn the title of America's Best DJ. Explore his insights on staying true to oneself, the importance of building the right team, and the value of risk-taking. Ready to dive deeper into DJ Z-Trip's world and uncover his unique perspective on success, work ethic, and navigating your musical career?

Find essential links and resources mentioned in this episode by visiting the show notes at: https://www.theconduitmusicpodcast.com/z-trip/