Not Real Art

Today, after a week’s hiatus, our founder and podcast host Scott “Sourdough” Power is back from Black Rock with a special treat. 

That’s right, today’s episode is all about Burning Man: the landscape, the people, the stories, and of course, the art. Scott hops on the mic to talk about his annual trek into the desert and this year’s party on the Playa. You’ll hear about the incredible interactive installations that populated the landscape of northwestern Nevada for a week in late summer. 

You’ll also learn more about the artists and musicians who contributed their remarkable creativity and talent to Camp Corny, the unicorn-themed camp that Scott calls his home in Black Rock City. Burning Man, at its core, is a performance art piece on a grand scale, one that Scott believes is a must-see for any creative professional. We hope today’s episode leaves you feeling inspired to use the power of art for escape, fantasy, and imagination.

Join us for this week’s episode as Scott decompresses from the madness and the magic that was Burning Man 2022!

Key Points From This Episode:

• What it was like to be back in Black Rock City after a three-year hiatus.
• A brief look at the history of Burning Man and its founder, artist Larry Harvey.
• The awe-inspiring scale of the Burn and its focus on radical self-expression.
• Using the power of art to escape the insanity that is the ‘default world’.
• Insight into Sourdough’s experience as part of Camp Corny.
• The extreme weather and environmental conditions you can expect in Black Rock City.
• How the Burning Man enterprise has positively impacted local economies.
• Criticism of Burning Man’s impact on the environment and indigenous communities.
• More about Camp Corny and their gift to the Playa: a spirit animal adoption center.
• How Camp Corny prioritizes music and dancing.
• Some of the musicians, DJs, and artists who share their creativity with Camp Corny.
• Why Sourdough’s highlights from this year’s Burn include the many kids that attended.
• How artist attribution could be improved on the Playa.
• Some of Sourdough’s favorite installations, including Paradisium, BLACK! Asé, and more.
• An understanding of the interactive nature of the artwork at Burning Man.
• Some of the incredible art cars, like Robot Heart and Mayan Warrior.
• A few weird, wonderful, and sometimes shocking stories from Burning Man 2022!
• Experience burn night from Sourdough’s perspective.
• The evolution of technology at Burning Man, from LED lighting to drone photography.
• Recounting the 10-hour drive it took just to get off Gate Road!
• The process of decompressing from Burning Man.

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

Today, we look at one of the art-world’s most fundamental questions: why is art important?

It’s not such an easy question to answer, which is why we’re mixing things up this week with a very special episode. In today’s podcast episode, you’ll hear from artists, experts, and art lovers who sound off on why art matters to them. 

Podcast host Scott “Sourdough” Power shares his perspective on the importance of art in his life. We also hear from Dana Alberson, Kendra Schellenberg, Rebecca Youssef, Leslie Arlette Boyce, and Douglas Dale.

From bringing joy and facilitating expression to creating new perspectives and reflecting on contemporary life, there are so many reasons art plays an important role in all of our lives. Tune in to today’s episode to hear just a few. Then call the NOT REAL ART hotline at 833-668-7325 to share your perspective on the importance of art.

Key Points From This Episode:

• An update on what you can look forward to, including smARTtalks and the Not Real Art Grant
• A look at some of the answers we received to the fundamental question: why is art important?
• Why we want to hear from everybody, from experts and academics to artists and art lovers!
• Sourdough speaks candidly about why art is important to him.
• Hear from these artists: Dana Alberson, Kendra Schellenberg, Rebecca Youssef, Leslie Arlette Boyce, and Douglas Dale.
• Call the Not Real Art Hotline on 833-668-7325 and share why art is important to you!

For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/why-art-is-important

Storytelling—whether visual, verbal, or written—is an essential part of the artist’s toolkit. Stories forge connections, evoke emotions, and help people understand different ideas and perspectives. 

In this week’s podcast episode, NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power introduces a new member to the crew: Editor-in-Chief Morgan Laurens. With a background in printmaking, pop culture, and classic literature, Morgan is an arts writer from the Midwest who specializes in grant writing and narrative-based storytelling for mission-driven artists and arts organizations. 

“Being able to help people tell their stories, with visuals and with words, has been really gratifying for me,” she tells Scott. “We get so many positive messages from the artists that we work with.” 

In today’s episode, Morgan shares her vision for NOT REAL ART’s editorial, how big-picture narratives set the publication apart, and why purposeful storytelling is so important in today’s digital landscape. You’ll also gain some insight into Morgan’s journey from art school graduate to writer/editor, and learn about her enduring fascination with the Midwest arts scene. 

Lastly, Morgan offers her opinion on overblown, baffling “artspeak,” explaining how it severs the emotional connection artists need to establish with their audience. “If you’re trying to improve your writing, you should forget everything that you learned in school!” she says, adding that academic writing alienates the reader and teaches artists to distance themselves from their work. 

Learn more about Morgan’s mission to banish artspeak for good, help artists tell stories that stick, and foster emotional connections that resonate with art lovers and artists alike.

In Today’s Episode

Morgan Laurens discusses…

• NOT REAL ART’s  mission to make art and artists more accessible through storytelling
• Her exciting and innovative vision for the blog over the next few years
• Why NOT REAL ART publishes human interest stories rather than formal art criticism 
• The importance of creating thoughtful stories in a world already drowning in content
• What she finds most gratifying about her work as editor in chief, and what she believes sets the editorial apart
• The prevalence of pompous artspeak in the art world, and what you can do about it
• Why you should forget everything you learned in school if you want to be a better writer
• Some tactics for cutting stuffy academia and art-world snobbery from your writing
• Why and how she became an writer, even after graduating with a fine arts degree
• A few of her favorite things about the Midwestern arts scene

For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/morgan-laurens

Have you ever been asked to “work for exposure?” We’re betting the answer is a resounding (and irritated) “yes!”

If this sounds like you, we’ve got a real treat on deck today. NOT REAL ART founder and publisher Scott “Sourdough” Power hosts this timely podcast episode on “exposure bucks,” or unpaid creative labor, as it’s known to everyone who’s dipped their toes in the freebies pool. Many creatives are regularly asked to work for experience, exposure, or prestige, a practice that’s become endemic in today’s art market, adding to a culture of exploitation. Today, we take a look at an age-old dilemma for artists: is it ever worthwhile to create free work in exchange for “exposure”? When should you work for free? How should artists think about exchanging freebies?

This week’s episode is part of a new “audiotorial” series that furthers NOT REAL ART’s mission to celebrate, elevate, and empower artists by addressing contemporary art-world issues affecting today’s creative market. Today’s episode dives into the ups and downs of unpaid labor in the contemporary art market.

Ultimately, Scott argues freebies have a place—but they have to be on the artists’ terms. “Artists have to advocate for themselves,” he says. "It [requires] us to stand up for ourselves, say no, and realize that when we say ‘yes’ to free work, we devalue art and the role of artists in the world.” Tune in today for a fresh perspective on exposure bucks, free labor, and freebies. 

In Today’s Episode: 

Scott “Sourdough” Power discusses…

• How brands and organizations exploit artists by asking them to work for “exposure”
• Why you shouldn’t always say “no” to these offers
• Approaching freebies on your own terms, in ways that benefit your career
• Redirecting clients to your portfolio rather than offering free work
• Looking at freebies like free samples—stickers are a great example
• How to turn a charity request into a paid sale
• Why saying “yes” to unpaid work should be the exception, not the rule

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

Networking. For many in the creative industry, it’s a dirty word. Most of us dread the prospect of hovering around a fountain of thawed shrimp cocktail, waiting for the right moment to ambush a key contact. The wine will give you a headache, and the people you need to meet simply aren’t there. 

Yet networking is a fairly essential skill for creatives in today’s market, one we think deserves a second look. Since 2019, Crewest Studio’s mission has been to empower the creative community through education, appreciation, and funding. With the help of our readers, we’ve expanded our platform into a supportive network of arts programming, including a robust online publication, an entire network of podcasts, and our annual NOT REAL ART artist grant. 

Today we introduce something entirely new to Crewest Studio, marking an evolution in our efforts to support the creative workforce. SmARTalks, an educational event series produced by Crewest Studio, aims to empower and inspire creative professionals in all stages of their careers. Presented in conjunction with Helms Design Center in LA’s historic Helms Bakery District, the in-person events provide a warm environment for artists to practice rubbing elbows after months of lockdown. 

“It’s going to be an intimate affair where you’re going to be inspired and learn a lot,” NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power says on today’s podcast. “You’re going to be able to meet these experts, meet other artists, meet other people. You’re going to learn, share, and grow. This is what [NOT REAL ART is] about!” 

Tune in to today’s podcast for more details on how to attend these can’t-miss events, which run September through December, 2022. 

In Today’s Episode:

Scott “Sourdough” Power discusses…

• His motivation for creating the smARTtalks series
• Crewest Studio’s new friendship with the Helms Bakery District in Culver City, California, where each event takes place
• The program for each smARTtalk, which runs the gamut from toy-making to art in the age of political unrest 
• How you can snatch a limited ticket to attend Crewest Studio’s smARTalks 2022!

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

When Heidi Luerra decided to enter the world of fashion, she quickly found the cards were stacked against her. Disappointed by the lack of support in the creative community, Heidi planned and produced her first fashion, music, and visual arts show with help from her most talented friends.

Nearly 20 years into her career, Heidi is still a force to be reckoned with. During recession-era down time, she built and bootstrapped RAW: natural born artists, a platform that provides independent artists with tools, resources, education, and exposure. Since being founded in 2009, RAW has become one of the world's largest independent arts organizations. Now a multi-million dollar global enterprise, RAW illustrates Heidi’s mission to elevate the underdog and create a space for art of all kinds to shine. 

In today’s episode, Heidi joins NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power to offer some insight into the multidisciplinary approach RAW embraces, and how she was forced to adjust her business model during COVID. 

Heidi also discusses her latest project, PLATFORM by RAW Artists, a licensing program that empowers creative entrepreneurs to own and operate event showcases. Whether through RAW, PLATFORM, or her boutique consultancy, Hatch, Heidi is always focused on creating opportunities for creative entrepreneurs and supporting them as they grow their businesses. She also has some practical, no-nonsense advice to share with entrepreneurial artists, so reach for a pen and paper, pull up a comfy chair, and tune into our chat with Heidi Luerra.

In Today’s Episode

Heidi Luerra shares… 

• Why she redefines art as anything that evokes emotion
• How building creative businesses allows her to fuel and nurture the artist inside
• How RAW decentralizes event showcases with their PLATFORM licensing program
• Details about her boutique consultancy for creative entrepreneurs, Hatch Planning & Strategy
• A peek into her personal life as a new mother 
• Her take on creativity, and why it means heading down the road untraveled
• Why she believes we’re all born with an immense amount of creativity

For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/heidi-luerra

Galleries play a fundamental role in the art world, encouraging the success of an artist or the growth of a high-quality art collection. 

However, today’s guest believes there’s often too much emphasis on what gallerists do for artists, and not the other way around. In this week’s episode, legendary gallerist Merry Karnowsky of LA’s KP Projects joins us to talk about her highly influential career in street art and the lowbrow art movement. Merry’s work over the years has helped legitimize the careers of world-renowned artists like Shepard Fairey, Camille Rose Garcia, Todd Schorr, and Jeff Soto, to name just a few.

This year Merry celebrates her 25th anniversary at KP Projects, having opened the gallery in 1997. Today’s episode is all about celebrating Merry’s contributions to the art world as we learn more about her journey as a gallerist, a curator, and perhaps most importantly, an art lover. Merry shares her motivations for starting a gallery, and how she seeks to represent the work she loves with the reverence it deserves. We also discuss the importance of creating diverse business models in the art world, how the gallery system has evolved since the ‘90s, and what you can expect from KP Projects’ upcoming 25th anniversary exhibition. 

Ultimately, Merry believes the artists she represents inspired her to create an impactful legacy in the arts—one we hope persists for another groundbreaking 25 years. 

In Today’s Podcast Episode

Merry Karnowsky discusses…

• How she founded KP Projects, and what her motivations were at the time
• How she facilitated greater recognition for now-famous artists like Shepard Fairey
• Her relationship with pop surrealist Todd Schorr, who was one of her first exhibited artists
• Why she believes lowbrow art is sometimes overshadowed by the “scene” around it
• The unconventional trajectory of many lowbrow artists, and the hierarchies that often exclude them from blue chip representation
• Why she believes KP Projects wouldn’t have worked anywhere but LA
• How her artists have inspired her to create an impactful legacy for the arts community
• What she hopes the artists she’s worked with over the years will say about her
• What you can expect from KP Projects’ upcoming 25th anniversary exhibition

For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/merry-karnowsky

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

Camille Rose Garcia was born into a creative family. 

The daughter of an activist filmmaker and a muralist, Camille began her artistic journey as a young apprentice to her mother, painting walls throughout the suburbs of Orange County. During this formative time Camille also visited Disneyland and attended punk shows with other disenchanted youth. Drawing from an eclectic range of influences, including authors Philip K. Dick and William S. Burroughs, vintage cartoons, outsider art, and politically aware bands like The Clash and the Dead Kennedys, Camille makes engaging, vividly colored work that blends nostalgic pop culture references with a satirical slant on modern society. Her psychedelic, eye-popping paintings, detailed drawings, toys, and books strive for both visual pleasure and incisive social criticism. 

In today’s episode, Camille sits down with NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power to share insight into the creative legacy she inherited from her parents. Believing she was destined to create and manifest her own reality, Camille reflects on the ways this thinking shows up in her work and life. She also discusses reconciling the opposing forces of capitalism and creativity as she works to build a practice that is accessible, thought-provoking, and impactful. Finally, we explore Camille’s deep compassion for the natural world and her fascination with the planets that exist beyond our own. 

Make sure to tune in for this poignant discussion about art, the universe, and everything in between with beloved pop surrealist Camille Rose Garcia.

In Today’s Podcast Episode

Camille Rose Garcia discusses…

• How she honors her parents’ creative legacy
• The essence of her brand and the message she imparts through her work
• Why she takes the act of creating so seriously 
• The challenges of keeping pace with innovations in the art world
• How she makes her artwork more accessible to the public through her online store
• The fundamental importance of showing compassion towards animals, land, and people
• The very specific “sonic requirements” she considers part of her art-making process
• Illustrating and writing The Cabinet of Dr. Deekay, a dystopian fairy tale published by Sympathetic Press
• Her most “far out” theories about life on planet Earth, and beyond

For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/camille-rose-garcia

Everyone is talking about NFTs—but what do they really mean for artists and art collectors? 

Today, you’ll hear from Ronnie Pirovino, a widely recognized collector, curator, and appraiser who hails from Denver, Colorado. After his art collection grew to prominence, Ronnie left his successful career in digital advertising to focus on his passion for art. Today, his pursuits encompass a variety of entrepreneurial projects, including NFTs, which he believes are positioned to restructure the creative economy. 

He has partnered with Christie’s on Trespassing, an ongoing series of auction sales that trace graffiti’s influence on contemporary art, and he acts as chief curator at LGND.art, an innovative platform built by artists, for artists, at the intersection of art and technology. He is also well-known as the world’s largest collector of KAWS artworks. 

As you’ll discover in today’s episode, Ronnie helps artists and organizations understand and navigate the emerging world of NFTs and Web3. He’s a passionate advocate for making the NFT space accessible to everyone, not just the crypto natives. Tune in as NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power and Ronnie dive into ownership, security, and the growing responsibility that artists have to actively engage with their audiences. You’ll also learn how to meet the challenges of the new creative economy with vigor, embracing the many possibilities it presents.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Why Ronnie believes the NFT space is for everyone, not just the crypto natives
• How intimidating terminology and a cult aesthetic can act as gatekeeping devices
• Defining Web3: how it’s different from Web2, and what possibilities it opens up for creatives 
• How NFTs have brought young people to the previously elitist practice of art collecting
• Why the most successful NFT artists didn’t rush in, but used the medium to its fullest potential
• Why Ronnie suggests participating in the NFT community via channels like Discord
• Ronnie’s advice for artists entering the world of NFTs: be patient and view it as an extension of your existing practice
• Why Ronnie encourages galleries to revise their business models as artists gain more control over their own careers in the NFT space

For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/ronnie-pirovino