Not Real Art

A longtime friend and creative collaborator with NOT REAL ART, today’s guest has a name that matches her unique style. As you’ll discover in this episode, Katie Love writes, performs, and creates from the heart. Based in Los Angeles, Katie is a comedian, writing coach, producer, and the author of three books. Her latest title, Two Tickets To Paradise: From Cult to Comedy, was recently published by NOT REAL ART parent company Crewest Studio to critical acclaim. 

Katie’s personal memoir tells the humorous and heartbreaking story of an earnest, bible-toting kid intent on saving the world, and follows Katie’s metamorphosis into a boisterous comedian intent on saving herself through the healing power of humor. 

In today’s episode, Katie offers us an overview of the story she tells in Two Tickets To Paradise and explains how it knits together the comedy and tragedy of her life. “Comedy-tragedy is what I know and what I’ve had to live through, but it’s also the thing that healed me,” she tells host Scott “Sourdough” Power. “Without a sense of humor—even if I didn’t do comedy as an outlet—I don’t know where I would be.”

You’ll find out why Katie believes we are the gods of our own stories, what she means when she refers to herself as a “cunt tank,” and why she has dedicated this book to all the truth-seekers and misfits out there. Listeners everywhere are bound to find inspiration in Katie’s remarkable story, which ultimately ends in joy and laughter despite the darkness. Buy the book here, and don’t miss our heartfelt and hilarious conversation with the one and only Katie Love.

In Today’s Episode:

Katie Love discusses…

• The personal story she tells in her memoir, Two Tickets To Paradise
• Her writing process and the themes she explores throughout the book
• Why she describes the book as “80 percent funny and 20 percent not funny at all!”
• The hilarious irony of choosing to leave her religion at a resort called Paradise Island
• Religion versus spirituality and the devastating impact that religion can have
• Why reading the tragic parts of her story was more difficult than writing them
• How she used writing to help her understand her own experiences
• The immense healing power of humor

For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/katie-love

Here’s something you may not know: artists and creative entrepreneurs form part of a nearly 2 billion dollar segment of the global economy. For those who want to negotiate their place in this complex financial ecosystem, understanding an artist’s true economic value is absolutely critical.

In today’s podcast episode, brought to you by your ever-faithful host and founder, Scott “Sourdough” Power, you’ll learn to appreciate (and evaluate) the unique value you have to offer the world. “When you know what you’re worth, you have more leverage,” Scott says. “You’re more empowered to hold firm and negotiate better deals for yourself.” Join us as we take a look at a global study on the economic and social contribution of Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) to the world economy and discuss some of its key takeaways.

While quantifying the value of creativity might be an exercise in subjectivity, there are a number of objective tools and techniques you can use to help determine what your time is worth. Tune in to this week’s special episode with Scott to find out more.

In Today's Episode:

Scott "Sourdough" Power discusses...

• The importance of knowing your worth in the global art economy
• Why quantifying the value of art, creativity, and design has always been a challenge
• Why you should feel empowered to stand up for your worth
• Key takeaways from the 2015 "global map of cultural and creative industries’"study.
• How knowing your worth can help you negotiate better deals for yourself

For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/creative-economy

Whether we realize it or not, most of us have experienced some level of trauma over the past few years as we learned to navigate the fallout of COVID-19. As a result, we are changed people (and artists)—but what have we learned? How do we begin to process the impact of the pandemic? And where do we go from here? 

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 September 24, 2022, Crewest Studio—NOT REAL ART’s parent company—produced its first smARTalks event, held at Helms Bakery District in Culver City. In today’s podcast episode, we look back on an especially important discussion held during the inaugural event: “Who Are We Now? A Discussion About COVID, Trauma + Creativity. How Did The Pandemic Hurt or Help Us and Our Creativity?”

Moderated by your intrepid host, Scott “Sourdough” Power, alongside trauma experts Dr. Kim Cookson and Eric Weiss, this discussion centers on wellness in arts. “Whether we’re walking around traumatized—some people are, some people are not—but everyone is working under a new level of stress,” says Dr. Cookson. “They’re having to negotiate a new reality.” 

Tune into today’s episode to catch some much-need discourse on the intersection of trauma and creativity, and how you can use art-making as a form of self-care. 

In Today’s Episode:

Dr. Kim Cookson and Eric Weiss discuss…

• The inherent trauma that comes with navigating COVID-19
• How artists were affected by lockdowns and isolation
• How trauma can influence and impact creativity
• Art as therapy: how artists can use their creativity for self-care
• Budget-friendly ways to regulate and manage trauma
• Helpful therapeutic methods such as somatic therapy
• How to promote activities that bring you joy
• Tips for finding your “escape hatch” and focusing on the positive
• The silver linings in and around post-traumatic growth

For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/trauma-creativity

Creativity is rarely a “lightbulb moment.” In fact it usually arrives through a winding and non-linear process that involves self-understanding, improvisation, and a whole lot of uncertainty. 

That’s the belief of today’s guest, Lorne Buchman, president emeritus of the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California. ArtCenter is known as a world-class leader in art and design education, with some even referring to it as the Harvard of art, design, and creativity. When Lorne took office in 2009, he quickly challenged students, faculty, staff, alumni, and trustees to redefine what a great art and design college should look like in the 21st century. 

As the host of Art Center’s podcast Change Lab, Lorne interviews leading artists and designers to explore the ideas behind their work and discover how the creative process can act as a catalyst for change. In today’s podcast episode, NOT REAL ART founder and host Scott “Sourdough” Power sits down with Lorne to discuss his recently published book, Make to Know: From Spaces of Uncertainty to Creative Discovery, which illuminates the long, winding creative process of today’s top artists, innovators, entrepreneurs, and designers. 

Join us for today’s episode with Lorne Buchman as we unpack what it means to be a maker, what defines creativity, and how the creative process allows us to understand the world around us in new, exciting ways.

On Today’s Episode 

Lorne Buchman discusses…

• How he unpacks the four characteristics of “making”: uncertainty, material engagement, problem-solving, and improvisation
• Why we tend to celebrate some forms of creative improvisation over others
• Expanding the narrow definition of what it means to make
• The profound significance of democratizing creativity
• The immense value of observation and collective engagement
• What the world would look like if “design thinking” were taught in K-12 education
• How the creative process opens up whole new ways of understanding
• His tips for wrestling with failure and entering into uncertainty 
• How sharing personal stories can help instill courage in young creatives
• Why the act of making is just as important as the end product

For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/lorne-buchman

While there are a number of e-commerce platforms available to artists, there are very few—if any—that seek to integrate art and community and enable engagement between artists, buyers, art lovers, and critics too. Today, we’re joined by Michael Facchinello, who is the founder and CEO of Altamira, a unique community-oriented marketplace for artists. 

Prior to Altamira, Michael spent eight years at Clique Studios, a top national design firm headquartered in Chicago. There, he started as a UX designer before transitioning into launching and managing new offices—but he felt compelled to create something meaningful that combined his tech expertise with his love of art. Altamira was born, offering artists the opportunity to gain recognition, sell their work, and become part of a thriving creative community. It allows art fans, commentators, and collectors to discover new artists, bringing them all together in an accessible space, all without the gatekeeping and snobbery often associated with the traditional art ecosystem. 

In today’s episode, Michael shares his mission to democratize art and help artists make a better living by promoting their work and connecting them with buyers. We also discuss the importance of facilitating interaction, “growing the pie,” and appealing to a broad audience. To find out how Altamira is integrating art, community, and commerce, tune in to our fascinating conversation with its founder, Michael Facchinello.

In Today’s Episode:

Michael Facchinello discusses…

• Why he decided to name his platform “Altamira”
• Altamira’s focus on facilitating community first, then commerce
• The challenges of competing on crowded digital art platforms
• The benefits of designing for both ends of the spectrum, from art experts to total novices
• Why anyone who is interested in art should be able to participate in the conversation
• The need for more business models that empower artists to promote their work
• How traditional gallery spaces don’t “grow the pie” for artists
• Why galleries are still an important part of the art ecosystem
• The importance of democratizing art, from an individual to a societal level

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

Art has the power to make people think twice, change their perspectives, and heighten their consciousness around important issues. For Puerto Rican artist NiNo Alicea, the destruction caused by climate change is the most pressing issue of our time. In today’s podcast episode, NiNo chats with host Scott “Sourdough” Power about his mission to raise climate awareness through art.

“A lot of my art has become a vessel to create more climate change awareness,” says NiNo, who was deeply affected by Hurricane Maria, the near-Category 5 storm that roared across his home island of Puerto Rico in 2017. During this episode, NiNo explains how the natural disaster moved him to focus on art with a message about climate change.

Crafted from pizza pans and recycled metal, NiNo’s solar-powered installation for this year’s Burning Man (2022) was created in honor of Atabey, the Caribbean goddess of fresh water and fertility. In this week’s episode, you’ll hear about the challenges NiNo faced bringing this spectacular creation to life. “I’m the first Puerto Rican that has ever brought art to the Playa,” he tells NOT REAL ART. “I’m trying to inspire others; I don’t want to be the only one.”

Tune into our chat with the one and only NiNo, who shares his hopes and dreams for our future on planet Earth. 

In Today’s Episode

Nino Alicea discusses…

• The environmental and humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico
• How Hurricane Maria inspired him to change to focus of his work
• The experience of creating “Atabey’s Treasure,” his 2022 Burning Man installation
• How he designed the 18-foot sculpture from recycled materials
• His future plans for “Atabey’s Treasure”
• How he became the lead production designer for Ricky Martin
• His upcoming tour with Ricky Martin and what the future holds for the coming year

For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/nino-alicea

Halloween is right around the corner, which means we’re back with our infamous Art World Horror Stories series. We’re not talking about ghosts, ghouls, and goblins though—in today’s podcast episode, you’ll hear some truly terrifying tales from artists who brave the ugly side of the art world.

You’ll hear about malicious gallery owners, neglectful shipping companies, and one graffiti artist’s very stinky encounter on the streets of San Francisco. “It could happen to anybody,” muses host Scott “Sourdough” Power. “That’s what art world horror stories are about. That’s why we want to share them, because it could happen to you.”

Presented by NOT REAL ART’s parent company, Crewest Studio, Art World Horror Stories is a podcast about bad things that happen to good artists. In today’s crossover episode, we delve into the spine-chilling stories usually reserved for the spookiest podcast in Crewest’s network.

While we’d rather gobble down treats than suffer through tricks, these stories offer insight into some of the baddies you’ll encounter in the art world. So dim the lights and settle in with a mug of cider or a few fun-size Snickers—we’ve got a few stories to tell. 

Got an art world horror story of your own? Call the NOT REAL ART hotline at 833-668-7325 and tell us about it!

In Today’s Episode

Scott “Sourdough” Power discusses…

• Halloween traditions, updates, and new artists to check out
• The red flags textile artist Jeanne F Jalandoni wants to warn other artists about
• Why Los Angeles-based Linda Vallejo laughed when we asked for her art world horror stories
• Street artist Amanda Lynn’s gross-out encounter with poop while painting walls in San Francisco
• The perils of exhibiting your work outdoors, as detailed by collage artist Alexandra Chiou
• Neon artist Dani Bonnet’s experience with being scammed, and the financial pitfalls that followed
• How you can learn from these scary moments and prevent them from happening to you

For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/art-world-horror-stories-2022

Victor "Marka27" Quiñonez is a phenomenal street artist working at the intersection of graffiti, contemporary art, and design. Blending elements of pop culture with Mexican and Indigenous aesthetics—a style he calls “Neo-Indigenous”—Marka27 creates vinyl toys, large-scale murals, and private commissions for major brands. His award-winning creative agency, Street Theory, activates communities and global brands through experiential marketing, bringing the vibrancy of art and street culture into all aspects of life and work. 

On today’s podcast episode, host Scott “Sourdough” Power chats with Marka27 about the power of controlling his creative narrative. “Imagine if the media pushed narratives that were uplifting, that were inspiring, that showed our people thriving,” the artist muses. “It would make somebody in a bad situation see themselves [differently].”

Scott and Marka27 also discuss the importance of family and faith, the tenuous balance between personal creative expression and paid work, and the artist’s dedication to the mentorship and support of formerly incarcerated creatives. Marka27 emphasizes his commitment to creating work that preserves culture and highlights the value of collaboration, advocacy, and upliftment, all of which form an intrinsic part of his practice. We also discuss the sometimes unsettling experience of belonging to more than one culture and how Marka27 authentically bridges these two worlds with his incredible work. 

Ultimately, Marka27 refuses to let labels or titles define him. He believes artists have the power to control their own narratives, create with passion and purpose, and stay true to the causes they believe in. For more words of wisdom, as well as some actionable advice that you can implement in your own artistic practice, tune into our insightful conversation with Victor “Marka27” Quiñonez!

In Today’s Episode

Marka27 discusses… 

• How he took his practice from passion to full-time profession
• Important lessons learned from working with brands in corporate America
• How to maintain your artist’s DNA, even when working with big brands
• Why he believes process is everything; there’s no “right”’ way to create
• Building partnerships that focus on complementary strengths and a common vision
• How to positively impact struggling communities with uplifting narratives 
• The importance of celebrating the work of BIPOC artists and activists
• His involvement with Right of Return, an organization that supports formerly incarcerated artists with mentorship and funding
• The root cause of many of mankind’s problems: division

For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/marka27

World-building is the practice of bringing imagined environments to life, and it’s become a major part of artmaking today. With rapid advancements in emerging technology, artists are now able to create fully immersive artworks that transport viewers to another place. 

Enter BLINK, the nation’s largest light, art, and projection mapping experience, which returns to downtown Cincinnati this October for the first time since 2019. At the intersection of new technology and innovative art, BLINK embodies the spirit of world-building and brings artists together to create their own unique environments within the Cincinnati cityscape. 

Today, host Scott “Sourdough” Power speaks to the event’s first executive director, Justin Brookhart, to learn more about the 2022 installment of BLINK and how a large-scale immersive art experience like this not only invigorates the City of Cincinnati but provides a major economic boost to the region. 

With a background in the film and film-adjacent festival and production industry, Justin is equipped to organize an art event on this scale. In today’s episode he offers us insight into the logistics behind BLINK and some of the incredible artists participating this year. Tune into our illuminating conversation with Justin to learn more about this incredible event. 

BLINK runs October 13 - 16 in Cincinnati, OH. For specific times, locations, and prices, please visit BLINK here. 

In Today's Episode

Justin and Scott discuss...

• Why generous support for the arts in any city is important
• The amazing artworks and installations visitors can anticipate at BLINK 2022
• A few of the incredible artists participating in the event this year
• What to expect from BLINK’s first-ever drone show
• How BLINK approaches the inclusion of more thought-provoking artwork within this context
• How emerging technology intersects with innovative art to create an experience like this
• The economic impact of an event like this, and the interest it’s received from other cities
• The global appeal of large-scale immersive art experiences
• A shout out to organizations like ArtsWave that support the arts community in Cincinnati
• Tools and resources available to visitors to help them navigate BLINK

For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/justin-brookhart

As many of you know, your faithful host of the NOT REAL ART podcast, Scott “Sourdough,” Power, has just returned from the Nevada desert, where he and tens of thousands of others experienced all the weird, wild, and wonderful happenings that made Burning Man 2022. 

After an event of this scale and magnitude, it’s important to decompress. There are all sorts of decompression parties and events to help Burners relive the magic of the Burn as they readjust to the “default world.” On today’s episode, Scott speaks to a few of these intrepid explorers as they go through the decompression process. You’ll hear from Newbie, a fellow podcast pro and Burner from the HeeBeeGeeBee Healers camp, who recounts her experience at this year’s Burning Man.

Every Burner, regardless of their level of experience, encounters a whole host of peculiar emotions in the days and weeks it takes to reintegrate into the “real world.” You’re not alone! Join us as we relive the strange synchronicities, serendipitous interactions, and magical moments that make Burning Man what it is.

In Today’s Episode:

Newbie and Scott discuss…

• How many Burns Newbie has attended, and how her fifth compares to her first
• The HeeBeeGeeBees Healers camp, how Newbie found them, and their gifts to the Playa
• How the HeeBeeGeeBees camp shaped and influenced Newbie’s experience
• Why many first-time Burners are caught off-guard by the freedom Burning Man affords them
• How a specific art installation helped Newbie find closure after her father’s death
• Why many first-time Burners are caught off-guard by the freedom Burning Man affords them
• Why Newbie believes a lot of people struggled to “drop in” at this year’s Burn
• Why it can sometimes be difficult to shake off the default world at the Burn
• The strange story of how Scott “met himself” in a dust storm
• Finding the sacred in the mundane as we readjust to the default world

For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/decompressing-burning-man-newbie