Not Real Art

The contemporary art establishment isn’t exactly known for its accessibility. In fact, the industry is far more notorious as a toxic purveyor of snobbery and pretentiousness than anything else. This exclusionary mindset discourages artists, art lovers, and buyers alike from ever venturing into the art world to discover their favorite works or develop their creative passions. 

On today’s podcast episode, NOT REAL ART digital strategist Juergen Berkessel hops into the interviewer’s seat for the first time to chat with our regular host and founder, Scott “Sourdough” Power. Scott discusses his vision for NOT REAL ART, explaining how the organization serves artists and art lovers by rejecting the elitism that defines much of the traditional art world. “We want to democratize the arts,” he says early in the interview. “We believe art is for the people and should be accessible to all the people. And so we wanted to speak to those people, and hopefully, let them know that we're for them.” 

With a passion for supporting emerging and upcoming artists, Scott designed NOT REAL ART to empower, educate, and inspire professional artists of all stripes. In his interview he shares some of the programming that lets NOT REAL ART support a wide range of talented artists year after year, including the annual grant, a growing network of podcasts, and the smARTtalks educational series. He also lets us in on the lightbulb moment behind the organization’s name: “When ‘NOT REAL ART’ hit me, it sort of hit me, as many good names do, right in the gut. I just knew that it was the right one, it resonated. I had a visceral reaction.”

You’ll also hear Scott’s thoughts on what art means to him, and why it’s the artists themselves who truly motivate him to do the work. After all, without the artists, there would be no art. Tune into this week’s podcast to hear all about NOT REAL ART from the founder himself. 

In Today’s Podcast Episode

Scott Power and Juergen Berkessel discuss…

• The story behind how NOT REAL ART got its name
• Why it was important for the organization’s name to resonate with artists
• The organization’s goal to democratize art and create a welcoming space for artists and art lovers
• How the organization expresses appreciation for artists through support and advocacy
• The annual NOT REAL ART grant for artists, how it’s grown, and how it’s changing
• The growing network of podcasts under the NOT REAL ART organization
• The NOT REAL ART School and what it has to teach artists about the business of art
• Why The NOT REAL ART School is such a great resource for artists
• Information on the smARTtalks education series and how you can take part
• Scott’s three wishes for the future of NOT REAL ART

For more information, please visit http://notrealart.com/scott-sourdough-power-interview

Welcome back to part two of our very special series on the Nepal Street Art Project, a collaborative endeavor between Nepali artists and Crewest Studio co-founder Man One. If you missed part one, head to last week’s episode to catch up on the project’s impact on historic Nepali cities Janakpur and Kathmandu.

In today’s episode, NOT REAL ART founder and host Scott “Sourdough” Power sits down with three key players of the Nepal Street Art Project to discuss how government exchange programs can benefit the arts. He’s joined by Project Curator Kailash K. Shrestha of Nepali art collective Artudio, Project Coordinator Sarah Knight of the US Embassy in Nepal, and street artist extraordinaire Man One, who was invited by the US Embassy to serve as an ambassador of American contemporary art.

Organized by Kathmandu-based art collective Artudio in collaboration with the US Embassy in Nepal, the Nepal Street Art Project showcases and celebrates socially excluded communities in the region with curatorial projects in Janakpur and Kathmandu. Combining research, cross-cultural exchange, and public workshops, the project’s main objective is to establish critical public discourse on key issues surrounding equity and diversity.

“It’s about inclusion,” says Project Curator Kailash K. Shrestha. “Sharing ideas, being on one platform, and talking about it, having [deeper conversations] about our art practices; that’s the pure form of inclusion and equity.” The three stakeholders chat with Scott about the impact of government-funded exchange programs like the Nepal Street Art Project, highlighting the benefits to artists, organizations, and taxpayers. “What’s the value [of art and cultural exchange programs] to an American taxpayer” asks Project Coordinator Sarah Knight. “World peace. But really, the exchange between people and communicating different policy areas in a way that reaches more people than some of our traditional programs would.”

Tune in to part two of our Nepal series to learn more about the cultural significance of graffiti and the unifying power of public art.

In Today’s Episode

Scott “Sourdough” Power and Man One discuss…

• The inspiration behind the Nepal Street Art Project
• The US Embassy’s partnership with Kathmandu-based contemporary art collective Artudio
• How (and why) Artudio encourages artists to practice art in public spaces
• Curator Kailash K. Shrestha’s inclusive selection process for the project artists
• How the project’s key themes of diversity, social inclusion, and equity evolved
• Why “the universal language of art” is so much more than just a phrase
• The value of creative exchange programs to American taxpayers
• Why the process behind a project like this is more important than “success”
• Why artists have to “create their own fate” and adopt an entrepreneurial attitude
• The lasting impact the Nepal Street Art Project created on its participants

For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/nepal-street-art-project-part-two

Late in 2022 street artist extraordinaire Man One traveled to Nepal to participate in a cultural exchange program designed to celebrate the voices of Nepali minorities. Over a two week period, the California-based muralist—who also serves as co-founder of NOT REAL ART parent company, Crewest Studio—collaborated with Nepali artists on a unique public mural project promoting diversity, inclusion, and equality. 

In today’s podcast episode, NOT REAL ART founder and host Scott “Sourdough” Power discusses the Nepal Street Art Project through a series of man-on-the-street interviews. Scott chats with those intimately involved in the project, including Man One and Project Coordinator Sarah Knight, who calls the venture “a people-to-people exchange through the arts that is particularly [focused] on the topic of social inclusion and diversity.”

Combining research, cross-cultural exchange, and public workshops, the project’s main objective is to establish critical public discourse on key issues surrounding inclusion and equity. Powered by the creative potential of street art to inspire social change, the project showcases and celebrates socially excluded communities in the region with curatorial projects in Janakpur and Kathmandu. The final outcome is “The Wall of Unity,” collaborative mural designed by Nepali artists from diverse ethnic, geographic, and creative backgrounds. Organized by Kathmandu-based contemporary art collective Artudio in collaboration with the US Embassy in Nepal, the project featured the incredible talents of Khem Bahadur Palpali, Kiran Maharjan, Sudeep Balla, Manisha Shah, and Man One.

“There’s not a lot of data that we can show to say, ‘Look how successful this program was,’ says Project Coordinator Sarah Knight, who serves as the cultural affairs officer for the US Embassy in Nepal. “But when you’re here, when you’re seeing people interact and change their minds about [street art] and start important dialogues, you see the value happen. No matter how the art turns out, I’d say that it has been a very successful program.” 

Tune in today’s episode to hear more about the power of street art in the fight for social change. 

In Today’s Episode

Scott “Sourdough” Power discusses…

• Project Coordinator Sarah Knight’s crucial contribution to the exchange program
• Why the US Embassy and Artudio chose to work in Janakpur and Kathmandu for this project
• How Man One worked with a local Nepali school to teach the students about graffiti 
• Modern Mithila painting, a traditional style of art practiced in India and Nepal
• How Nepali artists honor tradition while making space for contemporary expression
• The significance of the location where the “Wall of Unity” appears, near Nepal’s Parliament
• The one word that summarizes the message of this mural: “ekata” (unity)
• The varied ways this project challenges conventional ideas about art in Nepal

For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/nepal-street-art-project-part-one

Organization and management are important skills in a professional artist’s toolkit. In fact, organization is such an important part of being a successful artist that today’s guest has built an entire career around it. 

On today’s podcast episode, NOT REAL ART founder and host Scott “Sourdough” Power sits down with Artwork Archive co-founder Justin Anthony to discuss the platform’s mission to give artists, collectors, and organizations a better way to manage their art. Now over a decade strong, Artwork Archive provides a cloud database and inventory system for thousands of creative people and organizations in over 130 countries. “The three original tiers [of Artwork Archive were] get organized, manage your business, and share your art with the world, so those are the three things we have continued to double down on,” Justin tells us. 

A small company based in Denver, Artwork Archive works closely with their core client base to develop a system intuitive enough for emerging artists and powerful enough for complex organizations managing global collections. Justin gives us the scoop on Artwork Archive’s origin story, discusses their commitment to education, and shares his view on professional success: “If your ultimate goal is to put these wonderful [artworks] out in the world, I do think having some business savvy facilitates not just your creative process but your ability to grow.”

Scott and Justin also reflect on some paths artists can take to diversify and monetize their practice, and why mainstream or commercial work should be destigmatized. Whether you’re a lean, mean organization like NOT REAL ART or an emerging artist desperately searching for a way to manage your growing body of work, our interview with Justin Anthony is sure to spark your imagination. Tune in to today’s episode to learn more about how Artwork Archive is arming artists with the tools they need to succeed.

On Today’s Podcast Episode

Justin Anthony and Scott Power discuss…

• Artwork Archive’s origin story and mission 
• How Justin and his business partner manage Artwork Archive’s explosive growth
• Some of the “unsexy” things that are critical for driving an artist’s success
• Why a basic understanding of business is critical for contemporary artists
• How “selling out” can drive your practice forward without diminishing your body of work
• The benefits of creating smaller, limited-edition prints of your original work
• How artists, collectors, and organizations can manage their work with Artwork Archive’s robust inventory system
• Why artists should never underestimate the power of their personal story
• The recent obsession with digital art and NFTs: friend or FOMO?

For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/artwork-archive

By most measures, time is priceless. But as mere mortals, we still need to take practical matters into consideration when it comes to selling our time, managing expectations, and paying bills.

On today’s podcast, NOT REAL ART founder and host Scott “Sourdough” Power is back to weigh in on the value of time in an artist’s life. “From a spiritual perspective, time is priceless and it’s precious and we need to honor it and guard it,” he says. “It’s sacred. We shouldn’t waste it. This notion of the preciousness and the sacredness of time has guided my life in many ways.”

Scott opens up about his own experiences with the complicated concept of time, explaining how living in the wilderness changed his perception of temporality. He also shares a hilarious anecdote about a certain time management seminar that should make listeners empathize while they howl with laughter. Ultimately, Scott sees time as a precious resource that deserves priority in our lives. “We need to be way more thoughtful and considerate and disciplined and rigorous about how we use our time and the choices we make and who we give our time to,” he says. 

A measured consideration of time will look different from person to person, especially those with creative careers. Scott encourages artists to think of their time as an investment that will yield health, wealth, and happiness with small, incremental steps. “We talk about return on investment,” he ponders. “What about return on time? What are we doing to get time back? How do we make choices, how do we invest our limited resources of [time, treasure, and talent] to actually get time back to perhaps make more art or be with our families or be with our friends or go for a walk on the beach?” 

Tune in today’s podcast to hear how you can get the best possible “return on time” from any project, activity, or investment.

Key Points From This Episode:

For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/the-value-of-time

Have you ever felt compelled to put your artistic calling on hold when there are bills to pay and mouths to feed? Sometimes life’s day-to-day responsibilities keep us from realizing our true creative potential. That was the case for Sherita Herring, an artist, philanthropist, and single mother who pushed her artistic dreams to the back burner in order to raise her two sons.

Today, host and NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power sits down with Sherita and her son Crushow Herring, aka ShowzArt, to discuss the duo’s powerful creative collaboration. A former guest on the NOT REAL ART podcast, Crushow is an artist, activist, and community organizer who works to uplift LA’s unsheltered population. “Art took me off the streets,” he shares with us. “I felt like it could take [my mom] out of what she was in. I’m honored and there is just so much joy and pleasure to do [this] for her.” 

In today’s episode, you’ll learn more about Sherita’s inaugural solo exhibition, Beverly Hills to Barnyard, which features more than 30 original artworks from the artist. Curated by the mother and son team, the event takes place at the Brewery Artist Lofts in downtown LA, with all proceeds going to Sherita’s non-profit organization, the Philanthropy Alliance Foundation. Working in collaboration with each other, Sherita and Crushow are dedicated to the growth and prosperity of those struggling in their community. 

Her advice for artists at the beginning of their creative journey? “Follow your inner gut,” she advises. “Continue to do what you love and all of it will lead you to the path that is best for you. That’s how I ended up here.” Tune in to today’s compelling episode with Sherita and Crushow Herring to find out how instinct can lead you to a more creative place.

On Today’s Podcast Episode

Sherita and Crushow Herring discuss…

• Their excitement over Sherita’s inaugural solo exhibition, Beverly Hills to Barnyard
• The correlation between Sherita’s work as a business coach and her work as an artist
• Why doing what you love is like having “shock absorbers” for life’s bumpy road
• Their belief that our journey always leads us to what truly feeds our soul
• The different ways that each and every one of us is an artist at heart
• How government-funded programs can improve education, health, and community
• The importance of creating your own narrative in life
• How the two view Sherita’s role as both an artist and mother
• The uplifting message they hope viewers will take from their work

For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/sherita-herring

Every year NOT REAL ART chooses six artists who push the boundaries of what’s possible in the art world. Those artists are awarded our annual grant for open-ended use. Established in 2019, the grant is designed to empower contemporary artists through financial backing and creative support. In today’s podcast episode, our host and founder Scott “Sourdough” Power sits down with 2022 NOT REAL ART grant winner Buena Johnson to discuss the artist’s philosophy on art and positivity. 

Based in Los Angeles, Buena is a multidisciplinary artist and educator who counts Oprah Winfrey, Halle Berry, and Queen Latifah among her collectors. Her work has been showcased in the Smithsonian, The Getty Collection, and MOCA Los Angeles. Known for her sensitive portraiture and imaginative compositions, Buena promotes Black visibility in the arts using a combination of historical and spiritual imagery. “There wasn’t anyone that looked like me that was put in a positive light in art history,” Buena tells NOT REAL ART. “When I decided to do my own work, I had made a vow to myself that I would [put] Black and brown figures and people in my work because we weren’t put in any positive light at all.”

In our chat with Buena, she shares her journey from commercial artist in Chicago to thriving fine artist in LA. She also offers insight into her creative practice by discussing the subjects and themes she’s drawn to: Black American history, Black music, and spirituality. “My aim is to promote advancement, to promote hope, to propel [wellbeing],” says Buena, who is an active member of her community and advocates for positive change as an artist and instructor. By visually retelling our past, Buena not only serves as a storyteller, she brings hope and acts as a catalyst for constructive change. “My work is timely,” she says. “If it’s a visual retelling of our past, hopefully, it can correct what is happening in our future.” 

On Today’s Podcast

Buena Johnson discusses…

• How she felt about being named a NOT REAL ART grant winner
• Why she believes her artistic ability is an innate gift from God
• The all-consuming role art has played in her life since she was a child
• Her journey from commercial artist in Chicago to full-time fine artist in LA
• How she chooses her subject matter, which prominently features women and people of color
• Why giving back to her community is one of her greatest accomplishments
• How she promotes positivity through her work as an art teacher
• Her upcoming body of work, which aims to empower and uplift women

For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/buena-johnson

Happy New Year, creative brothers and sisters! To help you ease out of holiday mode, we have a very special guest joining us for the first episode of the NOT REAL ART podcast in 2023. 

Today, host and founder Scott “Sourdough” Power sits down with Renaissance man Zack Norman. Zack is a true creative legend, working not only as an actor, director, producer, writer, and comedian but also as a musician, painter, art collector, and real estate developer. As a painter, he is known as Zack Zuker and began his art career in New York City in 1976. He has guest-starred in wildly popular series like The A-Team, Baywatch, and The Nanny, and has also been featured in several TV movies. As Howard Zuker, he has produced, presented, or financed more than forty movies, including Hearts and Minds, which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 1975. 

You’ll also gain some insight into Zack’s fascinating life story, from his television debut at just 12 years old to the creation of his first painting at 36. As a teenager, Zack worked in nightclubs and developed a longstanding appreciation for comedy, citing Lenny Bruce as an inspiration. In college, he would pursue a career in acting, absorbing everything there was to know about the movie industry in the late ’60s. When Zack’s focus shifted to fine art in the ’70, he crossed paths with Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, and Keith Haring, three artists who would wind up in Zack's impressive art collection. 

Zack also shares how art brings him enduring joy, helping him understand his emotions with greater depth. “This is the beginning,” he says. “I want to keep growing because, as a kid, I never looked at a piece of art, never saw it or thought about it, and now it’s an integral part of my life.” Tune into today’s episode for a joyful conversation with Zack Norman.

In Today’s Episode

Zack Norman discusses…

• How he discovered his passion for art at the age of 36
• Why Lenny Bruce inspired him to be a comedian and actor
• What he learned about working in the film industry as an actor
• The story behind his many name changes over the years
• His proudest moment as a producer and film financier: Oscar-winner, Hearts and Minds
• When crossed paths with and collected works from Basquiat and Warhol
• How to build an art collection that will bring you joy
• What makes art great, and the new dimension it’s added to his life
• Why he encourages everyone to make art an integral part of their lives

For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/zack-norman

Love design in all its forms? Then you’ll want to join us for today’s episode, which features an in-depth look at DesignerCon (DCON), an annual art and design convention in Anaheim, California. 

Combining collectible toys and designer goods with underground art, this year’s convention included over 700 vendors, custom art shows, and live demonstrations galore. At booth 1221, NOT REAL ART’s parent organization, Crewest Studio, took part in the festivities, joined by longtime friends Man One, Anne Martin of Sugar Press Art, and Javie Lopez and OneSaints from Graffiti the City.

In this week’s episode, you’ll hear from a few of the incredible artists, creative professionals, and art lovers who attended DCON 2022. NOT REAL ART founder and host Scott “Sourdough” Power conducts a series of man-on-the-street interviews with a whole host of art world luminaries. From illustrator and Rugrats co-executive producer Dave Pressler to Adventures in Design founder Mark Brickey, you’ll hear insight and commentary straight from the mouths of DCON participants. Other interviews include artist and creative director Nina Palomba, Zully from ZooDoo Dolls, digital artist and toy creator Alex Solis, and surrealist painter Mary Jhun.

“[At DCON], you get to interface with the artists, you get to talk to them, you get to actually meet people,” says Dave Presssler I look forward to not only meeting fans and collectors, but I get to see all my industry friends too that I don’t get to see all year.” 

For a little taste of design magic, make sure to tune into today’s episode on DCON 2022. 

In Today’s Podcast Episode

• Mark Brickey shares his perspective on the “transformative year” at DCON 2022
• Zully from ZooDoo Dolls offers some insight into her cute, creepy creations
• A look at the whimsical work Nina Palomba created in collaboration with Pretty in Plastic
• Why Dave Pressler believes that artists have to continually reinvent themselves and their ideas
• How artmaking helps Mary Jhun connect with people and understand life better
• A peek at the classic 1930 Model A Ford that Man One painted for DCON 2022
• Why DCON 2022 feels like a homecoming to Juan Muniz (aka Ninobuni), who created an illustrated book this year
• How Alex Solis combines physical toys with blockchain at DCON 2022
• Why having your artwork tattooed on someone’s body is the ultimate compliment

For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/designercon-2022

No matter where you turn these days, you’re likely to encounter some form of discourse about the impact of Web3, NFTs, and blockchain technology. Of course, art and tech comprise exciting new frontiers for making and selling art, but what do artists need to know about these new media? Do they represent a real and fundamental shift in the art market, or are they simply new tools for artists and art lovers to enjoy?

By now, you’ve probably heard us mention smARTtalks, a series of intimate learning sessions covering relevant topics for artists and creatives working in the 21st century. On November 12, 2022, Crewest Studio—NOT REAL ART’s parent company—produced its second smARTalks event, held at Helms Bakery District in Culver City. In today’s podcast episode, we look back at our fascinating conversation on NFTs, “Has Digital Art Finally Earned Respect? How Web3, NFTs, AR, VR, AI, and The Metaverse Are Impacting The Art World.”

Featuring the creative minds and expertise of Ronnie Pirovino, Daniel Nomad, and Rad Laser Falcon, this discussion explores how artists can get into the NFT space, ways they can create additional engagement with collectors and the creative community, and some of the benefits these emerging digital tools have to offer artists, collectors, and art lovers alike. By educating yourself about new technologies and platforms, you’ll be better positioned for future opportunities. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on the future of digital art.

In Today’s Podcast Episode: 

• Tips for integrating the contemporary art world into the NFT space
• Distinguishing between cryptocurrency, NFTs, and digital art
• How NFTs help artists and collectors track the provenance of an artwork
• Reflecting on the prevalence of crypto wallets among the general population
• How your digital wallet can form an extension of your identity
• How Web3 facilitates communication, while Web2 only aids broadcasting
• A look at why Web3 is a great space for collaborative, community-minded artists
• How artists can connect with collectors and customize their profit from secondary sales
• Responding to questions about minting, leveraging the blockchain, displaying digital art, and more from the audience

For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/nfts