Not Real Art

Discover the captivating journey of Sy Smith, a versatile artist renowned for her songwriting, session singing, and acting creds, with a resume featuring backup vocals for legends like Whitney Houston and Sheila E. In this episode, Sy shares her experiences growing up in a culturally-rich environment, exploring different musical styles, and her valuable insights on the ever-evolving realm of performing rights and the significance of adaptability for artists. Don't miss out on learning from Sy's fascinating career, along with invaluable resources and links. Check out the show notes at https://www.theconduitmusicpodcast.com/sy-smith/ now!

Discover the inspiring story of Chris Manak, aka Peanut Butter Wolf, Founder of Stones Throw Records, as he shares his musical journey, the life-changing connection with rapper Charizma, and the steps to creating one of the most respected independent record labels today. Explore the art of balancing creative passion and business prowess, find out how streaming helped save the label, and get valuable tips from Chris's top record label and producer picks. Opportunities are knocking and it's time for you to unlock it all. Don't miss out on the links mentioned in this episode, which can help guide you on your path to musical success.

Visit the show notes now at: https://www.theconduitmusicpodcast.com/peanut-butter-wolf/

Discover the inspiring journey of DJ Nu-Mark, from his humble beginnings as a DJ in house parties to creating music for film and TV, and how his unique combination of rhythms, humor, and dedication led to Jurassic 5's success. Delve into the music-making process and valuable lessons Nu-Mark brings from his drumming and school band experiences into his turntable performances. Visit the show notes to access essential links and resources about his Zodiac Tracks series, collaboration with industry greats, and his favorite producers through the ages.

Don't miss out on this wealth of knowledge and behind-the-scenes insights by checking out the show notes now:  https://www.theconduitmusicpodcast.com/dj-nu-mark/

Welcome to The Conduit, a podcast that brings together motivated artists to share their experiences and pull back the curtain for a firsthand look at life in the arts.

Discover the value of learning from industry legends, breaking the rules, and maintaining good relationships in the music business from West Coast rapper, Bootie Brown. In this episode of The Conduit, Bootie shares his background, influential role models, and experiences working with renowned artists like Gorillaz and J Dilla. Don't miss out on the inspiring insights and valuable takeaways from Bootie Brown's dynamic journey in the music industry. Visit the show notes for links and resources mentioned in today's conversation at https://www.theconduitmusicpodcast.com/bootie-brown/.

Discover the inspiring journey of father-son duo, Jack "Wildchild" Brown and Miles Brown, as they open up about their musical and acting careers, family dynamics, and lessons learned from their unique experiences. From Miles' early passion for funk to Jack's upcoming album release, this candid conversation offers a glimpse of the intertwined path of these talented individuals. Don't miss out on important discussions about the greatest rappers of all time and much more! Head over to the show notes for a comprehensive list of links and resources related to this episode: https://www.theconduitmusicpodcast.com/jack-wild-child-brown/

Discover the inspiring journeys and valuable insights from Fitz and the Tantrums' Joe Karnes and Jeremy Ruzumna in this fascinating episode of The Conduit Music Podcast. Learn about the importance of defining your own style, the challenges and rewards of being in a band, and how to find balance in the ever-changing music industry. Don't miss out on their expert advice on navigating record deals, maintaining professionalism, and their experiences working with renowned artists such as Macy Gray and Alanis Morissette. Visit https://www.theconduitmusicpodcast.com/fitz-and-the-tantrums/ for the complete show notes, links, and more resources discussed in this episode!

Today, we welcome another one of our six 2021 NOT REAL ART Grant for Artists winners, the one and only Carmen Mardónez, hailing from Chile. Carmen is a fiber artist living in Los Angeles, California, whose work explores an imagery of rebellion and freedom through natural landscapes saturated with lights and colors. She employs a characteristically wild freestyle embroidery method combined with other traditional knitting techniques to create sculptural works using materials ranging from canvas to discarded objects and surfaces, such as lemon bags, old t-shirts, and more recently, castoff bed sheets and pillows. In this episode, you’ll learn about the work that Carmen has done with incarcerated women in Chile and how she was impacted by those experiences. She also shares what she loves about her home country, what it was like growing up in an ‘artsy’ family in Santiago, and her decision to be a stay-at-home mom while also pursuing a career as a professional artist. We also touch on Carmen’s approach to self-care, why she has chosen to reject her Catholic roots, and what her plans are for the future. Tune in today to learn more about 2021 NOT REAL ART Grant winner, Carmen Mardónez!

Key Points From This Episode: 

•   Learn about the social justice work Carmen has done with incarcerated women in Chile.

•   How this work changed Carmen’s perspective on the political and socioeconomic conditions in her home country.

•   Why she feels grateful that she had the opportunity to have these eye-opening experiences.

•   What Carmen loves about Chile, including how it is changing for the better.

•   Hear about her upbringing in the urban center of Santiago with her eight siblings.

•   Find out why Carmen says that she comes from a very ‘artsy’ family.

•   How becoming a mother fueled Carmen’s rebellion against conservative laws regarding women’s reproductive health.

•   Her decision to be a stay-at-home mom while also pursuing a career as a professional artist.

•   The importance of prioritizing your mental health as an artist and a mother.

•   Carmen describes her practice, particularly how she seeks to address textile waste.

•   The tactility that comes with beginning to work in a more sculptural manner.

•   Carmen reflects on being a prolific artist, describing her embroidery technique in more detail.

•   Her approach to self-care; keep working, have lots of plants, and spend time on the beach.

•   Find out why Carmen has chosen to reject her Catholic roots.

•   Learn about the recent group show that Carmen was included in at Art Share L.A.

•   Carmen shares some of her plans for the future and how they have been affected by COVID.

For more info, visit: https://notrealart.com/carmen-mardonez

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Carmen Mardónez — https://www.carmenmardonez.com/

Carmen Mardónez on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/desbordado/

Carmen Mardónez on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/Carmenmardonezart

Defiance of Juncture — https://artsharela.org/event/defiance-of-juncture/

NOT REAL ART Grant for Artists — https://notrealart.com/grant/

NOT REAL ART — https://www.notrealart.com/

Scott “Sourdough” Power — https://www.notarealartist.com/

MWER6MfoMWccLE1gUUug

When we hear the term, “it runs in the family,” it usually means some negative behavior trait, a genetic disease, or a vice but, in the Pelayo family, the main trait that runs through this family is artistic talent. If you’ve ever heard the idiom, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” today’s guests are the perfect case study for that! We are blessed today to welcome father and son, Antonio and Isaac Pelayo to the show. Antonio has witnessed Isaac growing into a successful and dynamic artist that is following in his father’s footsteps, and that is part of the story that they share in today’s episode. Antonio is an established artist, illustrator, and event producer who focuses on the Latino community of Southern California. He is also one of the last true inkers at the Walt Disney Animation Studios Ink and Paint Department. Acquiring over 100k followers on social media in the last few years, Isaac is a rising star illuminating his own path as a fine artist, creative musician, fashion visionary, and well sought after tattoo artist. In today’s conversation, Antonio and Isaac talk about their artistic legacy and how Isaac’s father inspired him as an artist by exposing him to art from an early age. We also touch on the power of social media for self-promotion, the economics of art, and how younger artists can benefit from hearing the success stories of artists who have paved the way, as well as the value of being both artist and art dealer, taking agency and advocating for yourself as an artist, and the power of learning to say ‘no’. Tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• 
  
• What it’s like for Antonio to see his son earning notoriety as an artist at such a young age.
• 
  
• 
  
• Isaac shares how his father inspired him as an artist by exposing him to art from an early age.
• 
  
• 
  
• Why Isaac says that getting an early start fueled his hunger to become an artist.
• 
  
• 
  
• How Antonio set an example for Isaac rather than putting pressure on him.
• 
  
• 
  
• Find out how Antonio first got exposed to art and developed a love for drawing as a child.
• 
  
• 
  
• During his time at Walt Disney Animation Studios, Antonio shares how he discovered fine art and started building his portfolio.
• 
  
• 
  
• How social media has made it easier than ever for artists to promote their work.
• 
  
• 
  
• Some of the lessons Isaac’s dad taught him about the economics of art and making money.
• 
  
• 
  
• The pride Antonio feels about Isaac being a property owner at 24-years-old.
• 
  
• 
  
• How younger artists can benefit from hearing Antonio and Isaac’s success stories.
• 
  
• 
  
• While being conscious of your finances is hard, Isaac believes being an artist is harder.
• 
  
• 
  
• Why artists need to learn about the value of prioritizing their finances.
• 
  
• 
  
• What Rich Dad Poor Dad taught Isaac about mindset and working for himself.
• 
  
• 
  
• Isaac shares his primary source of revenue and how he is both artist and his own art dealer.
• 
  
• 
  
• What Antonio taught Isaac about not giving away his work for free; how it devalues the work.
• 
  
• 
  
• The importance of taking agency and advocating for yourself as an artist.
• 
  
• 
  
• Isaac highlights the power of learning to say ‘no’; respect your energy.
• 
  
• 
  
• How Isaac tries to steer away from desperation and losing sight of his own value.
• 
  
• 
  
• Work as a form of meditation, as well as the power of taking care of your body.
• 
  
• 
  
• Isaac tells his father what he loves about his art: the extraordinary level of detail.
• 
  
• 
  
• Antonio shares something he loves about Isaac’s art: the work that comes from the heart.
• 
  
• 
  
• Isaac emphasizes the incredible relationship he has had with both his parents.
• 
  

For more info, visit: https://notrealart.com/antonio-isaac-pelayo/

Today’s guest on the Not Real Art Podcast is John Chang, one of our six 2021 Not Real Art Grant winners. John is a Chinese-American multidisciplinary artist from Shanghai who considers himself a spiritual escapist. His work is rich and deep, layering language and image to construct and reconstruct meaning, memory, and intention. In this episode, John shares his process of searching for new meanings in a new world, one where it has become increasingly important for artists to embrace digital mediums and utilize the power of art to facilitate empathy. In the wake of COVID-19 and waves of racially motivated violence against Black and Asian people of color in the US, John emphasizes the importance of communication and creating work that is open to interpretation, as well as how he reconstructs memory and meaning through collage using found materials such as newspapers. He also speaks candidly about the challenges he has faced since emigrating to the US, from cultural and physical homelessness to xenophobia, and he shares the core message he hopes viewers take away from his work: his story and how it relates to their own. To learn more about John Chang, how he makes and unmakes meaning, experience, and history, and his attempts to communicate the newfound perceptions he gains through his creative process, tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to John Chang and his practice, including his commercial career.
• Why John believes that it is important for artists to embrace digital tools like Photoshop.
• Why formally trained or “traditional” artists are sometimes resistant to digital mediums.
• The learning curve that comes with embracing digital tools and committing to the craft.
• How much time John spends creating work on his computer versus in his studio.
• Find out how his practice has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Hear about the work John created to address racially motivated violence in the US.
• John emphasizes the power of art for communication, expression, and understanding.
• The value of allowing viewers to create their own interpretations of your work.
• John shares his process of constructing and reconstructing meaning through collage.
• Learn about John’s background, how he discovered art as a child, and the difficulty he encountered when he emigrated to the US.
• What he means when he describes himself as “culturally homeless” or a “spiritual escapist.”
• How learning and memorizing Chinese characters has informed his work.
• John shares his experience of returning to China as a contemporary artist and the recent explosion of contemporary art galleries there.
• Sourdough and John discuss the current political situation in Hong Kong.
• Hear how John’s creative output has been impacted by the pandemic.
• His experience of xenophobia in the US, both during and after Trump’s time in office.
• One core message John hopes viewers take from his current body of work: his story.
• Learn more about his artistic process and how his artworks reveal themselves to him.
• How technology both positively and negatively impacts human connection.

For more information, visit: https://notrealart.com/john-chang

Today’s guest is the amazing Natalia Villanueva Linares, one of our 2021 NRA grant winners! Natalia hails from Peru and France and is now residing in Chicago. She is an installation and performance artist specializing in space understanding. Our conversation begins with Natalia describing a decade long-project she has been working on involving revamping a church in Illinois and making it a cultural center hosting community artworks and an international residency program. From there we hear more about Natalia’s work and what her concerns with space understanding mean, where she talks about how she tries to connect people, spaces, culture, and history through her multimedia artworks. We also hear about another of Natalia’s powerful and sublime works today, a traveling participatory performance piece called Soulutions, where she collaboratively creates healing potions with audiences around the world. In this conversation, we also get into Natalia’s self-care practices involving her love of colorful foods, the different energies her parents bring into her process, and her thoughts on the inclusivity and transparency of the NRA family. Be sure to catch this one!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Natalia’s gratitude for winning the NRA grant and her experiences applying for past grants.
• The community art project Natalia curated centering around a church she bought in Chicago.
• Challenges of funding and sustaining the project leading to the church exchanging hands.
• Nadia talks about how her work deals with ‘space understanding’; connecting people and space.
• Perspectives on the unseen aspects of artworks being what makes them powerful.
• The meaning of the relationship between effort and simplicity in a work’s effect on people for Natalia.
• Natalia’s perspectives on mass production in art and the role of art more generally.
• Making potions to heal ‘the uncurable’: Natalia weighs in on her Soulutions project.
• Natalia’s extremely productive nature and how the pandemic has shifted her into a more focused mode.
• Natalia’s methods for taking care of herself and love for eating colorful, nutritious food.
• The early experiences Nadia had of her artistic voice and when she found it fully later in life.
• How Natalia’s parents met and the role each of them plays in her creative process.
• Sourdough’s experiences in Peru while he was traveling as a 25-year-old.
• Natalia’s experiences in the NRA selection process and Sourdough’s intentions for the project.

For more information, visit: https://notrealart.com/natalia-villanueva-linares