Not Real Art

In today’s episode, we feature one of our six 2021 NRA grant-winners, Nadyia Duff! Nadyia is a Jamaican-American artist who hails from Miami Beach, Florida. Nadyia's portraiture work, like her personality, exudes passion, energy, love, joy, and style. In our conversation with Nadyia, we talk to her about her portraiture style depicting detailed subjects against simplified, cartoonish backgrounds and how it evolved. She gets into the bright colors she uses and the way they connect to her Jamaican heritage. Nadyia has also had her fair share of struggles and we hear about health scares she had as a child and how they influenced her course of studies. On top of being a brilliant artist, Nadyia is also an art educator, and we speak to her about the current state of art education and what she is witnessing while hanging out with the younger generations in a creative context. Wrapping up, Nadyia speaks to the experience of being an artist, sharing the things that she truly values about the process and the lessons she has learned that she would share with her younger self. Here’s to a world filled with more of Nadyia's incredible portraits!

Key Points From This Episode:

• The focus of Nadyia’s podcast; creatively lamenting inventions like time and money.
• Slowing time down through meditation and how Nadyia meditates with tinnitus.
• Nadyia’s creative routine and how she balances art-making with being an art teacher.
• The subjects of Nadyia’s paintings and where she finds the models that she draws.
• How Nadyia got into painting and how her style has evolved into its current form.
• Nadyia’s path of education which began with medicine but transitioned into art education.
• How Nadyia’s Jamaican heritage plays into the art she makes through the colors she uses.
• The current state of art education; state support and conversations in the classroom.
• What makes Nadyia excited about the younger generations she is teaching.
• The issue of there being no pacing guides that regulate the teaching of art in stages.
• Obsessions with realism and how the artist in kids is being squeezed out of them.
• Advice from Nadyia about how to be an artist and what to value about the process.
• Why Nadyia is not a fan of commissions and prefers to make art for its own sake.
• The process of choosing NRA grant-winners and what is in store for Nadyia.
• Where to find Nadyia online and see more of her beautiful work.

For more information, visit: https://notrealart.com/nadyia-duff

In today’s episode of the Not Real Art Podcast, we discuss higher education in the creative arts, specifically when it comes to Sourdough’s alma mater, Columbia College Chicago, where he graduated in 1994 with a double major in graphic design and arts management. Joining us is Sarah Schroeder, Director of Alumni Relations for Columbia College here on the West Coast. We discuss our shared love for Columbia College and how the institution can benefit anyone who is serious about a career in the creative arts, whether they are looking to pursue work in visual art, graphic design, fashion design, performance art, dance, theatre, comedy, digital design, gaming, AR, VR, creative writing, storytelling, filmmaking, production, or radio; you name it! If you are a creative or aspiring to be one, Columbia College Chicago is a great place to learn and master your craft. Just ask any one of the internationally acclaimed people who have attended classes at Columbia College, including countless Emmy Award winners and nominees, SNL cast member, Aidy Bryant, and hip hop legends, Kanye West and Common, not to mention the accomplished professionals behind the scenes in production, editing, and design. We have no doubt you will learn, grow, and be inspired by today’s show, so make sure not to miss it!

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to Sarah, her qualification from Columbia College, and her career trajectory.
• How she ended up becoming the Director of Alumni Relations for Columbia College.
• What Sarah finds so meaningful and rewarding about her role; seeing how alumni grow.
• What Columbia imparts to graduates as they embark on careers in creative industries.
• The value of being taught by working professionals in the field.
• Why it is important to prepare students for real world challenges in the creative arts.
• Sarah weighs in on whether or not an MFA is worth the money, given the rising costs of tertiary education in the creative arts.
• The valuable networking opportunities that Columbia offers its students and alumni.
• Who, in Sarah’s opinion, are the most famous people to have attended Columbia College.
• Why you should choose Columbia over other colleges; the expansive creative curriculum. 
• Some of the other benefits of choosing Columbia, including the city of Chicago itself.
• How the programming has evolved at Columbia since Sourdough graduated in the 90s.
• How Columbia has embraced technology and digital, including video games.
• The benefits of “jumping right into your major” and starting to create right away.
• Learn about some of the resources that Columbia offers its students, such as the student-led urban arts festival, Manifest.
• With Manifest going virtual thanks to COVID-19, visitors can enjoy it in their own time.
• Find out how Columbia adapted and managed to pivot quickly during COVID.
• Sarah reflects on how the creative output of students will be influenced by the pandemic.
• Sarah and Sourdough discuss the role that artists play in creating the culture of the future.
• Being a creative versus an artist; why the term ‘creative’ is more inclusive.
• The importance of training students to solve problems in creative ways, not just the technical aspects of being an artist in the traditional sense.
• Sourdough emphasizes the importance of nurturing and encouraging creativity.
• Sarah shares what she is working on, including a new alumni orientation for the classes of 2020 and 2021.

For more information, visit: https://notrealart.com/columbia-college-chicago

Today on the show we have the one and only Roy Miles, a true Swiss Army Knife of an artist with a seemingly never-ending set of skills. For those in the back who have not heard of Roy, he is a puppeteer, musician, filmmaker, designer, and the list goes on. Roy, AKA the Ghetto Gepetto, is the creator of the Biddies toys as well as the YouTube channel Hoodfoot, a central hub where his multitude of talents come together in one place through the medium of film. Roy joins us on the show today to shoot the breeze with Sourdough, touching on work, family, the pandemic, cryptocurrency, and everything in between. We hear about the attitude of constant learning Roy applies to his work and how he is constantly trying to expand the items in his toolkit. He talks about his filmmaking process, sketching out his method for assembling ideas into multimedia sketches combining stop motion, cartoons, performance, music, and more. Roy shares his ideas about NFTs, the plight of the artist, and what it means to be a good father, husband, and all-around human. We also get into the different artists he has worked with and how he likes to involve a crew of trusted friends in the many projects he works on. Tune in and join in with us as Roy blesses us with his intelligence and creativity.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Roy’s recent health scares and how he is changing his lifestyle as a result.
• What life as a dad is like for Roy and how he spent Father’s Day.
• Projects going down in Roy’s studio and his approach to building his YouTube channel.
• The constant learning Roy is always applying and how it has expanded his toolkit.
• Roy's approach to making content for social media shorts.
• The magic that happened in Ray Harryhausen’s garage and how he has influenced Roy.
• The nuts and bolts of making stop motions out of a garage and how much is possible.
• Roy’s thoughts on NFTs and the ethics around this apparent revolution.
• The double-edged sword of being an independent artist; jobs offering little pay.
• Lessons learned about the importance of family through the pandemic.
• How COVID thwarted Roy’s plans and the new creative process he developed as he pivoted.
• The collaborative approach Roy uses and how he likes to draw on his contemporaries’ skills.
• Roy’s love for and involvement in music and how it factors into the work he does.
• Discussing a possible Hoodfoot podcast and a few NRA shows hosted by Roy.
• The story of how Roy married his high school sweetheart and the contours of their relationship.
• A bunch of stories about Roy and Sourdough’s experiences in liquor stores.
• Roy’s method of jotting ideas down and how software aids the creative process.
• Being helpful and why Roy’s life philosophy revolves around being nice.

For more information, visit: https://notrealart.com/roy-miles

Today’s show is all about why art is important. If you’re listening to this podcast, you probably believe, as we do, that art, creativity, and artists are essential to making this world a better and more interesting place. Because art is subjective, why art is important differs according to personal opinion. That is why today’s episode includes the voices of 18 different artists, who each share their thoughts on why we need art in our lives. Who are these 18 artists, you ask? Well, many of you know that we have an artist’s grant in partnership with Art Share L.A., the Not Real Art Grant. We have awarded $2,000 to six artists annually for the last three years and, in 2021, we saw a 485 percent increase in applications. That means 827 artists applied! This episode is dedicated to 18 of those applicants, who left audio messages about why they believe art matters. Tune in to hear their perspectives.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Noa from Toronto believes that art is important because life would be boring otherwise.
• Sienna Castro from New Orleans believes art is akin to a vital need like food; it sustains us.
• Find out why Ana Rendich believes art helps us see the unlimited power of the human mind.
• Liesel believes that it’s impossible to differentiate life from art, because art is life is art.
• After seeing an amazing art installation, Alex Butler shares why she believes we need artists to make life less shitty.
• Why Fossa Luisuno from LA believes the quest to create is driven by higher consciousness.

• Amy McCormick is fed by art in the same way she is fed by nature; she can’t live without it.

• XXX, a printmaker from Salem, Oregon, uses art to reach out and touch the minds of others.

• Courtney Lamb from LA sees art as a reminder that we are currently experiencing life.
• Jay Soreseen from South Florida explains how the things that make us human are easier to understand because of art.
• Debõrah Hughes from Atlanta views art as her therapy, her outlet, and her legacy.
• Kim Kine from LA believes art is a language that can communicate with all people.

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

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Not Real Art Grant — https://notrealart.com/grant/

Man One — http://www.manone.com/

Man One on Twitter — https://twitter.com/ManOneArt 

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

Not Real Art Conference — https://www.notrealartconference.com/ 

Not Real Art on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/notrealartworld/

Today's episode is especially exciting because we are announcing our 2021 grant winners. We are so grateful to every artist that entered, and the quality of work we saw truly blew us away. Of course, we would have wanted to give money to all of you, but the sad reality is that it is just not possible. We shed light on what the selection process looked like this year, and we also give you insights into who some of our esteemed judges were. Before announcing the finalists and the winners, we thought it only fair to pay our respects to winners of years past. Tune in to hear it all!

For more information: https://notrealart.com/2021-notrealart-grant

Key Points From This Episode:

• There was so much interest in the NRA Grant this year.
• How the NRA Grant differs from most other art grants.
• Insights into this year’s rigorous selection process and the different rounds.
• There was such a wide range of talent that entered this year.
• Hear about who some of the judges for the grant were.
• The ten finalists and the six final grant winners.
• Shout out to the previous grant winners for paving the way.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Not Real Art on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/notrealartworld/

NRA Grant — https://notrealart.com/grant/

Not Real Art — https://notrealart.com/

Not Real Art School — https://school.notrealart.com/

Erin Yoshi — https://www.erinyoshi.com/

Man One — http://www.manone.com/

Man One on Twitter — https://twitter.com/ManOneArt

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

Today's episode is especially exciting because we are announcing our 2021 grant winners. We are so grateful to every artist that entered, and the quality of work we saw truly blew us away. Of course, we would have wanted to give money to all of you, but the sad reality is that it is just not possible. We shed light on what the selection process looked like this year, and we also give you insights into who some of our esteemed judges were. Before announcing the finalists and the winners, we thought it only fair to pay our respects to winners of years past. Tune in to hear it all!

Key Points From This Episode:

• There was so much interest in the NRA Grant this year.
• How the NRA Grant differs from most other art grants.
• Insights into this year’s rigorous selection process and the different rounds.
• There was such a wide range of talent that entered this year.
• Hear about who some of the judges for the grant were.
• The ten finalists and the six final grant winners.
• Shout out to the previous grant winners for paving the way.

For more information and photos, visit here: https://notrealart.com/nra-2021-grant-winners

Standing out in the crowded L. A graffiti scene is no easy feat, but it is something today's guest, Vyal One, has managed to do. He is a muralist from East L.A with over 25 years of experience creating aerosol murals and is one of the graffiti movement's most skilled aerosol painters. His work has taken him across the globe, and his portfolio includes a range of corporate commissions. In this episode, we hear about Vyal's creative journey and how he became a muralist. He pays respect to his early influences and shares when he was introduced to graffiti as an art form. Not interested in mainstream art, he finally saw a place for himself, where he could be who he wanted creatively. We also hear about some of his favorite memories from being abroad, including his time in Barcelona and Berlin. Our conversation also touches on where Vyal gets his inspiration from, the importance of staying connected to the youth as an experienced muralist, and the many unspoken rules and conventions in the world of graffiti. Tune in to hear it all from one of L.A's finest.

Key Points From This Episode:c

• Hear about Vyal's earliest art-making memories and the influence his brother had on him. 
• How Vyal made the decision to pursue art as a career and become a muralist. 
• What Vyal means when he says that graffiti saved his life. 
• The story of how Vyal and Man One first met and the subsequent friendship that followed. 
• What Vyal learned from Man One about the business of being an artist. 
• How Erin and Vyal became friends, despite him thinking people in the Bay Area didn't like him. 
• Some of Vyal's favorite memories from getting to travel all around the world. 
• Reflecting on the incredible Sunday gatherings in Barcelona. 
• Where Vyal draws inspiration for his different characters from. 
• Vyal's approach to teaching and the freedom he believes in giving his students to explore. 
• The story behind the eyes that Vyal has always had in his work. 
• Why it is so important for Vyal to stay connected to young people and teach them about graffiti. 
• There are so many incidents of artist's murals getting hit in L.A. 
• Graffiti has so many unspoken rules that have to be passed on by more experienced artists. 
• Where Vyal sees his practice going as time goes on.

For more information and photos, visit here: https://notrealart.com/vyal-one

Art has always been about stretching people’s imaginations and creating spaces for expansive thinking. For Freedoms is an art-led civic organization that creates art and sparks conversations around what expanded civic participation looks like. Michelle Woo is the Director of For Freedoms and is also a creative producer and artist based in L.A. Her diverse range of work includes cultural strategy, creation, project management, and management of national campaigns. In today’s episode, Michelle sheds light on her artistic journey and how she got to where she is in her career. We talk about the skills that artists need, beyond their talents, to succeed creatively. Michelle then shares the impetus for founding For Freedoms and how it has grown from its humble origins. In an increasingly divisive and polarized political landscape, artists must give nuance to conversations to broaden perspectives and allow spaces for bridges to be built rather than burnt. We hear about some of the incredible projects For Freedoms has run, and Erin and Michelle also discuss the AAPI campaign they are working on as we wrap up the show. Tune in to hear it all!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Hear about some of Michelle’s earliest art-making memories.
• How Michelle got into the art world and her decision to go to Pratt after high school.
• Michelle’s parent’s feelings around her pursuing art as a career and how these have shifted over time.
• Details about Michelle’s first job in the art world and what it taught her.
• Insights into some of the first events Michelle ran and the spirit of these gatherings.
• You have to know the rules first in order to know how to break them.
• Artists are small business owners, but art schools do not equip students with those skills.
• For Freedoms’ founding story, the impetus for starting the organization, and how Michelle met her team.
• The diverse range of projects that For Freedoms currently runs.
• Why it works for For Freedoms to have such a broad range of work.
• How Erin knows when a piece that she has created is finished.
• Where For Freedoms’ innovative programming strategy comes from.
• The impetus for the For Freedoms conference and why it happened when it did.
• Tips from Michelle on how to build connections and strengthen partnerships.
• An example of a project For Freedoms ran with a clear call to action.
• Some of the important facets of fundraising that are often overlooked.
• There is a balance between staying true to your creative process and securing resources.
• Details about the AAPI Solidarity Billboard Campaign that Erin and Michelle are working on.
• Why billboards are such a unique, inclusive medium to display art on. 
• Where you can follow For Freedoms and Michelle online.

For more information and photos, visit here: https://notrealart.com/michelle-woo

Many people view art as transformative in and of itself. But what about the process of making art? Can that not also be a tool for transformation? Brett Cook is a multi-disciplinary artist who uses storytelling to distill complex ideas and creative practices to transform the inner and outer worlds of being. He has taught at all academic levels and has used his pedagogical knowledge to leverage the transformational power of the relational aspect of art-making. In today’s episode, Brett shares his artistic journey, from drawing in the church at the age of two to having a legendary open studio in New York. We talk about how his community practice has transformed over the years, and we hear about how he views it now. As someone who has established himself in both the fine art and grassroots art worlds, Brett is passionate about flattening the hierarchies that stand in the way of so many artists’ success. He sheds light on the work he is doing as an administrator to bridge these divides and strengthen relationships to contribute to a more whole, healed world. As with any conversation with Brett, you will walk away full of inspiration and hope that a different future is possible. Tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Get to know Brett, his background, and his journey into the arts. 
• The decision Brett made to move to the East Coast after a life out West. 
• Details about Brett’s legendary Harlem studio, where so much happened. 
• The type of art Brett was making when he moved to New York. 
• What helped Brett understand the more progressive pedagogy he still uses today. 
• Why Brett’s space was so unique in a city like New York. 
• Hear more about Brett’s involved and evolved community process. 
• Sometimes, the process of making art is transformative. 
• The irony of having people who are disconnected from your message buying your work. 
• How Brett was able to establish himself in both the fine art and popular art worlds. 
• Insights into Brett’s self-portrait works and the impact they have had on his life. 
• Brett's realization that he had to be committed to his beliefs. 
• The internal tension artists face when they want to be commercially successful.  
• Insights into the work Brett has done around healing and why it is important to him. 
• How Brett came to work with Thich Nhat Hanh. 
• Brett’s role in the art world, now that he is working in administration. 
• The importance of aligning institutions with artists. 
• Why Brett is so committed to flattening established, embedded hierarchies. 
• Where you can find Brett online.

For more information and photos, visit here: https://notrealart.com/brett-cook

The importance of the business aspect of being an artist cannot be underestimated. This side of the trade is an art in its own right and requires some training to master. Today on the show we are joined by Anthem Salgado where he shares his expertise on all the strategies that we as artists should be using to sell ourselves and connect to our audience. Anthem is the founder of Art of Hustle where he offers expert business coaching for marketing and communications. Anthem tells the story of his journey as a multidisciplinary artist into the field of marketing and communications and how he started offering consultation and training to artists and agencies who engaged in his services. We then hear some of Anthem's top tips for artists such as getting clear on your story before your delivery, how to build trust, how to think like a business owner and not an employee, and which part of your sales funnel to focus on first. Anthem also gets into some of the essential tools he uses in his training to help artists be more strategic such as the 90-day plan and the SMART objective frameworks. So for a masterclass in marketing from today’s brilliant guest, be sure to join us on the Not Real Art podcast.

Key Points From This Episode:

• The story of how Anthem moved from multidisciplinary art to marketing and coaching.
• How Anthem approaches his coaching services and guides his students by playing the ‘outsider’.
• The range of offers Anthem provides and some common sticking points students experience.
• Anthem’s focus on helping his students find their message first, before their delivery.
• Why Anthem recorded his teachings into videos and how the courses are thematically divided.
• Other marketing tips: brand consistency and audience evangelism.
• Tips for sales: how to build trust and pitch without shooting yourself in the foot.
• Anthem’s leadership advice: personal development geared toward learning how to leverage time.
• The value of planning a way forward and then doing minor pivots as you go.
• Setting a production timeline using the ‘due date versus do date’ framework.
• What makes a good website: answering basic questions in three seconds.
• Understanding the client funnel: where to start with curating the journey of a lead
• Anthem weighs in on the 90-day plan framework for executing a business idea.
• How to take action on lessons learned in a 90-day plan using the SMART objective.
• A final tip from Anthem about the value of artists seeing themselves as micro-organizations.
• How to connect with Anthem online and learn more about his amazing services.

For more information and photos, visit here: https://notrealart.com/anthem-salgado