Not Real Art

Museums are a fundamental part of the creative landscape and society as a whole. Not only do they display great examples of creativity, but they also act as portals for us to enter worlds we may never see otherwise. Our guest today, Lacey Flint, is the archivist and curator of research collections at The Explorers Club, and she is passionate about making the artifacts at the space as accessible as possible. In this episode, we learn about the interesting path Lacey took to work in curation. Being naturally drawn to history and education, she worked as a teacher. Through that, she realized that it was important to make history more tangible for it to be a meaningful learning experience.

She threw herself into the deep end and pursued a Masters degree in England and worked in various roles before the Explorers Club. We also learn more about the fascinating history of the club and the mission it was founded on. It is easy to think that with technology now, we have seen all there is to see. This could not be further from the truth. There are so many corners of the Earth we have not yet been, and part of Lacey’s role is to create a dialogue with the community about exploration. Museums are not static places. Instead, they have to evolve and adapt to their audiences and be places of engagement. While this is a challenge, especially when balancing member’s interests, it is something that excites Lacey most about her job. We also discuss the role of art and photography in expeditions and the incredible obstacles artists had to overcome to capture what they saw, how Lacey navigates displaying all the artifacts, and the importance of telling the other side of historical narratives. Lacey’s passion is contagious, and we took so much away from our conversation. Be sure to tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Learn about Lacey’s background and how she ended up becoming an archivist and curator
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• Find out the educational requirements necessary to work as a curator and Lacey’s studies.
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• Lacey’s favorite area of study during her Master’s degree.
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• Why it is important to rethink the role that museums play in society.
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• The history of the Explorers Club and the people Lacey interacts with and works with.
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• Some of the Old Guard, New Guard tensions Lacey faces at her job, such as taxidermy.
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• What the Map Room in the Explorers Club is and the story behind it.
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• There is so much of the world that’s still left to explore, so cartography is not dead!
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• The art that’s exhibited at the Explorers Club and being an artist on an expedition.
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• The evolution of photography and the role it has played in exploration throughout history.
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• Find out more about storage at the Explorers Club and creative ways to display artifacts.
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• Why Lacey is passionate about accessibility and what she’s doing to advance it in her work.
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• How often Lacey finds bugs in the archived books.

For more information and photos, visit here: https://notrealart.com/explorers-club-lacey-flint

With the world in its current state, it’s hard to remain positive. But to survive, we have to continue to find the beauty however we can and be inspired by the good. Our guest today, Dan Ubick, is not only an extraordinarily talented musician, but he is also a shining light in these dark times. As a producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, Dan grew up with music. His father was a jazz bassist, and his mom listened to the Beatles and classical music while designing jewelry. Dan’s sister introduced him to hip hop, and the rest is history. With an impressive discography, Dan has worked with everyone from De La Soul to Big Daddy Kane to Method Man. In this episode, we talk about Dan’s incredible musical journey.

As someone who values friendships and connections, they have always opened up great opportunities for him. We also do a deep dive into the world of hip hop, and Dan and host Sourdough share their experiences of discovering the genre and the impact that it had on them. Listening to hip hop was a formative experience for both of them. They learned about new worlds and issues they'd not been exposed to before. They also discuss how the foundation of hip hop is being diluted, which they attribute to the kind of capitalist society we live in. It has become about growing wealth at whatever cost, rather than remaining true to a message. Dan and Sourdough extend this discussion by touching on politics and the harsh capitalist message being spread today. The world is growing increasingly unkind to many, while a select few benefit disproportionately. Along with this, we also talk about the importance of acknowledging those who came before you, why creating with integrity is more important than being famous, and the many activities that Dan is up to. We loved having Dan on the show, and we already can’t wait to have him back. Be sure to tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• How Man One and Sourdough are holding up during coronavirus.
• Find out what Dan’s typical week looks like as a multi-talented musician.
• Dan’s upbringing and his early formative musical influences from his dad and sister.
• The power of connection: How Dan got his musical start through friendships.
• Where Dan draws his inspiration from and why he gravitates to the music he does.
• How the music industry has changed and the difficulties musicians face making a living.
• Learn how often Dan looks for records and some of the DJ gigs he plays around LA.
• What Sourdough and Dan listen to on Apple Music and what they’re most excited about.
• Insights into Sourdough’s musical journey and how he discovered hip hop.
• Some of Dan’s earliest hip hop influences and how it opened up his musical world.
• The tension between influence and inspiration and outright stealing.
• Early hip hop’s influence on culture has been unprecedented.
• Why Dan feels like the message and purpose of hip hop is continually being diluted.
• It's so important to learn from those who came before you and understand history.
• Dan’s vision for 2020 and how he always remains as positive as he is.
• What Dan and Sourdough feel about Trump and the message that he’s propagating.
• The engine of capitalism is corrupting society at large as well as art.
• Even if you’re not feeling inspired, create anyway and something will still come of it.
• Why Dan likes to collaborate with others when creating music.

Are you living your best quarantine life, learning new skills, reading books, and binge-watching Netflix? If like Sourdough you are a parent of young kids, you know this is not happening, particularly if you are making any effort to home school them. Regardless of your circumstances, these times are stressful for everybody, and that’s why getting licensed psychotherapist Bret Hofstein on the podcast couldn’t have come at a better time. In this episode, he talks to the Hollywood art community in particular—actors, writers, directors, painters—about managing the common problems that this population comes up against, the most prominent of which the frustration of having to play the game. Idealistic as they are, most have a hard time dealing with the tough competition out there, often finding it difficult to do what needs to be done to give themselves the best shot while also nursing unrealistic expectations about their abilities and their work. Add to that a host of uncontrollable factors such as the idiosyncratic tastes of casting directors and sheer bad luck, and you sit with a ton of people who need help in the area of mental health. But not everyone can afford therapy, so Bret shares practical tips as well as sound philosophical advice that will help anyone who struggles with depression, anxiety, and uncertainty when it comes to their artistic careers and general wellbeing. Sourdough and Bret also discuss issues such as identity and purpose, self-medicating with weed and other substances, getting the most out of your therapy sessions, parenthood, and they weigh up the pros and cons of giving everyone a trophy and what that means for today’s workplace culture.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Thoughts on living your best quarantine life and getting fired from homeschooling your kids.
• Hear about Bret’s childhood that acted as a catalyst for his becoming a psychotherapist. 
• Are we living in the most stressful time in history? And how artists are currently dealing with it.
• Get an idea of what therapists in the competitive Los Angeles area are charging right now.
• The most common frustration that artists experience: having to compete and play the game.
• How getting your art seen, read, or heard is the most challenging part of being an artist.
• Find out how Bret’s experience in the art world set him up to help his clients in unique ways.
• The relationship between discovering your purpose and becoming settled in your identity.
• Practical advice for taking care of your mental health, even if you can’t afford therapy.
• The irony of human beings being more disconnected than ever in the age of social media.
• Why it is so difficult for us to take responsibility for the part we play in difficult situations.
• Taking control of what you can and accepting the things that you can’t.
• Strategies for protecting yourself from the stress of working with challenging clients.
• Why it is perfectly normal for human beings to have “crutches” to help us navigate life.
• Bret’s thoughts on using marijuana to self-medicate: healthy versus problematic behavior.
• Guidelines for getting the most out of your therapy sessions: dress code, timing, and more.
• Core drivers of stress: having unrealistic expectations about your work and happiness.
• The importance of reminding yourself about the reason you do something and for who.
• Finding the balance between loving the process and suffering through the difficult parts.
• Chasing money versus pursuing a meaningful career and where luck fits into it all.
• Should everybody get a trophy? And other thoughts on rewarding performance. 
• Having realistic expectations for your craft and understanding the amount of effort it takes.
• Why people who are passionate and love their work are more susceptible to exploitation.

For more information, photos and links, visit our website: https://notrealart.com/how-to-manage-stress-with-therapist-bret-hoftstein

Today we’re joined by a multitalented artist, Linc Thelen, who not only paints beautiful works of art but also designs and builds contemporary high-end homes for which he has been critically acclaimed. Sourdough caught up with Linc at the 2019 Art Basel to talk about his impression of the show, exhibiting his work, and the art that has captured his attention. Having a formal education in both art and architecture, Linc is in a unique position to bring his clients something from both worlds, an aspect that has gained him a large public following. He shares how his journey as an artist has taught him to see differently, how he was unexpectedly influenced by minimalism and his hope of creating art that brings positive energy to people’s homes.

When you look at his paintings and house designs, there is a recognizable narrative running through all of them, and this he ascribes to being intentional and consistent in the atmosphere he wants his work to exude. Despite these noticeable traits, he does believe in experimenting with different things and seeing how the audience responds to new approaches. For him, that is part of the artist’s journey and the constant quest to find out which innovations resonate with people. On a more practical note, Linc talks about time management, selling on social media, contracts and agreements with galleries, and why there is no getting away from hard work if you want to be a successful artist.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Thoughts on Art Basel 2019, the different venues, and the smaller satellite shows.
• Showing at different galleries globally, his sales, and developing a unique technique. 
• Linc’s formal education in both art and architecture, and being influenced by minimalism. 
• Learning to see the world differently and how it ties into his motivation for creating art.
• Applying the principles of positive energy and minimalism also to his architectural designs.
• Being hired as an architect with an art background to bring his unique aesthetic.
• Remaining consistent in the through-line and narrative in his work.
• The importance of having a relationship with his clients.
• Balancing all facets of life by learning to use time efficiently and finding an effective workflow.
• Receiving awards and widespread publicity for renovating a church into a home.
• How his artistic career has benefited from his ability to be pragmatic and rational.
• The elusive art world, the constant search for answers, and understanding what people want.   
• Partnerships with galleries, the value they bring, and how they fit into his future growth.
• How contracts and agreements work in the context of selling through his own studio.
• Thoughts on consignment sales and carrying risk from the galleries’ perspective.
• Selling work on social media, posting intervals, and the type of content on his feed.
• The study on circles, experimenting with new ideas and testing people’s responses.
• Managing stress by having checklists of tasks that address the source of the stress.   
• Using time efficiently while realizing that there is no substitute for hard work and dedication.
• The pivotal point when the economy crashed and he went broke as a single parent.
• Ideas around how the art world can go about attracting new art buyers.

For more information, see photos or read the whole interview, visit our website:

https://notrealart.com/linc-thelen-shares-his-artistic-journey

Today’s episode is the audio of a video shoot that Sourdough and Man One recently did at Art Share L.A. Despite knowing each other for 17 years, there are still new stories that come out every time the pair sit down to talk. Man One shares more about his Hollywood encounters, from being cast in stereotypical graffiti artist roles to having his work featured in some major motion pictures, he’s been through it all. He also discusses how rife artist exploitation is and both he and Sourdough share their stories of how people have tried to undercut them throughout the years. It can be so easy when you’re starting out to want to do work for free, but artists should stand their ground both for themselves and for the artistic community at large.

By giving your time and work away for free, you devalue yourself and other artists by extension. Stand up for yourself, be firm, and trust in your work. As artists who have seen it all, Man One and Sourdough’s advice is certainly worth tuning in for. Join us today!

For more info and links from this episode, just go here: https://notrealart.com/the-one-where-burt-reynolds-hires-a-graffiti-artist

Key Points From This Episode:

• The story behind Man One’s art feature in The Rookie and other Hollywood appearances.
• How Man One got his break in the film industry and some of his false starts.
• Learn how Man One was cast in a Burt Reynolds’ film and why the character had to change.
• Hollywood has not made enough effort to understand graffiti culture.
• Man One nearly painted a portrait of Burt Reynolds and his grandson.
• The downside of Hollywood and how they treat artists.
• Have integrity and do not sell yourself short!
• The nature of social media leads people to believe art is free.
• Never lose your power to walk away.
• See your art from a brand’s point of view and figure out the price from there.
• Don’t dwell on gigs you haven’t secured. It's a numbers game, so keep going.
• Charge a nominal spec fee. Don't do anything for free.

They talk about finding your voice as an artist, dealing with the business side of the work, and the importance of figuring out what you expect your art to do for you. Some do it for pleasure, some for their own sanity, and yet others want to make a living from their art – it’s all about being clear about what this looks like for you. With the 2019 Not Real Art Exhibition in view, our guests discuss their process of choosing which pieces to show, the story and intent within their selection, and how diversity and culture are reflected in their work. 

To read the whole story, get more info and links, go to: https://notrealart.com/not-real-art-talks-to-artists-marguerite-kalhor-monica-leal-cueva-juliana-bustillo-and-jessie-noguchi

We’re grateful to welcome Eben Elridge onto the show today. Not only is he a talented guy with a great heart, but he is also a recipient of last year’s Not Real Art grant, where we gave $1,000 to 12 artists. In our fascinating chat, which is the audio version of a video we recently recorded, Eben shares some of his incredible journey with us. We talk about how receiving the grant has impacted him and why he has chosen to put himself first. Eben does not believe in being a starving artist. Rather, he feels that artists should take care of themselves first to be in the best health possible.

We also learn more about muses and the different relationships you can have with them. For some people, the connection can be so intense that it takes them a while to recalibrate, while for others, readjusting is easier. Eben talks about why he thinks so many people are afraid to create, the importance of belonging to different communities, and why the creative journey rather than the product is the gift. We could not be prouder to have given such a great artist the NRA 2019 grant and we know exciting things are on the horizon for him.

For this and much more visit: https://notrealart.com/not-real-art-talks-to-artist-eben-eldridge-2019-art-grant-recipient

In this episode, we celebrate the culture of creativity by bringing something new to the show. A couple of months ago, we did a video production project at Art Share L.A. in which we interviewed our grant winners in talk-show format. Today, in this podcast, we’re releasing the audio of the first production shoot which included Cheyenne Sauter, the executive director of Art Share L.A., who joined Sourdough in conversation with four of our twelve grant winners.

Tuning in to this episode, you will hear from artists Rachel O’Donnell, Beth Abaravich, Edmund Arevalo, and Thony Loui who discuss their experience of applying for and winning the grant, where they go to learn about available grants, and fighting the paralyzing fear that often prevents artists from putting themselves out there. They also talk about the challenges they face as full-time small business owners, dealing with the financial and administrative tasks, connecting with the art community, and making time to be inspired by the work of others. Each of our guests also discusses their artistic journey, the development of their style, and the social-political messages they wish to send into the world. For more information about artists, links and resources from this episode, please visit https://notrealart.com/not-real-art-celebrates-2019-artist-grant-winners-rachel-odonnell-beth-abaravich-edmund-arevalo-thony-loui/

Key Points From This Episode:

• Background info on the NRA video production project filmed at the Art Share L.A.
• Cheyenne on launching the grant and their longstanding commitment to supporting artists.
• The number and type of grants our four guests typically apply for annually.
• How they experienced the application process and finding out that they had won.
• The crippling fear and tendency to overthink that prevent many artists from applying. 
• Where they go to find grants, including the California Arts Council.
• The joy of being able to spend the grant money in whichever way they choose.
• The challenge of monetizing art, getting paid, and learning the business side of things.
• Juggling the various responsibilities involved in operating a full-time small business.
• Thony on his involvement in the community in Haiti and his work with Conan O’Brien. 
• Beth on choosing between Bob Mackie and Rampage after graduating from Otis College.
• Transitioning from fashion to art, getting her MFA, and how she combines the two fields.
• Common pain points for artists: from copyright dilemmas to writing about your own art.
• An explanation of Rachel’s figurative work deconstructing the feminine.
• How Edmund’s work reflects the “push and pull” of his Filipino-American culture. 
• An explanation about the absence of people in Thony’s work. 

We are elated by the number of five-star reviews we’ve been getting on iTunes – all we needed to get us psyched up for the new year and ready to bring you some more awesome content. We’ve got an episode full of banter, which includes Sourdough and Man One sharing their expectations and goals for the year. They’re looking forward to the annual Not Real Art conference, traveling, and the kinds of chaos the new year will bring.

But they advise listeners to assume a position of cautious optimism rather than buying into the blind optimism we often see from the talking heads on TV, and they share how gaining a bird’s eye view on situations helps to mitigate anxiety. The two play a game where Sourdough has to guess what piece of fitness equipment Man One bought for the studio, and after a few incorrect guesses, Sourdough finally gets it. This is, they believe, the first step to getting back into shape, or at least to get Man One down from morbidly obese to obese. These are some of our 2020 goals – tune in to hear more!

For more information about artists, links and resources from this episode, please visit https://notrealart.com/not-real-art-fights-morbid-obesity-more-good-news

Key Points From This Episode:

• Our gratitude for the many positive reviews we’ve been getting on iTunes.
• Talking “art”, bantering, and why we like recording the podcast in the evening.
• Expectations for 2020: a jam-packed year, frequent traveling, and lots of chaos in the mix.
• The “cult” of optimism we often observe in the talking heads and media.
• Assuming a position of cautious optimism rather than being blindly optimistic.
• The advantage of getting a bird’s eye view on a situation that might otherwise cause anxiety.
• Finding peace in the knowledge that we are part of nature and only here for a minute.
• How you begin to think differently about the world once you become a parent.
• Man One on giving up his passion to spend more time with and coach his kids in sports.
• Why it was so hard to stop playing soccer and recommitting to becoming more active.
• Sourdough’s swings at guessing what fitness-related object Man One got for the studio.
• How long a “morbidly obese” individual can expect to last during an elliptical workout. 
• Man One got a yoga mat, and after the fourth guess, Sourdough got it!
• When you’re in a tough spot, ask yourself: What would Sourdough and Man One do?
• Advice for those starting on the yoga mat – build your endurance for laying down. 
• Launching the 2020 Not Real Art Conference and a reminder about our grant.
• The list of conference speakers you can look forward to and a new idea for an event.

DesignerCon is one of the undisputed highlights of the art calendar, and the event is growing from strength to strength. Not Real Art Gallery and Man One were both repping in booths at the trade show. Mark Brickey, a dear friend of ours and host of Adventures in Design Podcast, was there on our behalf to interview some of the biggest and brightest stars of the art world. He interviews our very own Man One, who, as we know is one of the realest OGs out there. He has been making art for more than 20 years, and his commitment to the craft has not waned in the slightest. He shares what has given him the motivation and why he loves DCon so much. Mark also talks with other artists including Never Made, who shares some of his personal story, Dan Janssen, who talks about the industry shift from anonymous designers to being design-famous, and Aaron Draplin, who spits the truth as usual. For so many artists, when they started out, a platform like DCon didn’t even exist. Now it’s here, giving a voice to so many, and we couldn’t be prouder to be a part of it. Be sure to tune in today! For more information about artists, links and resources from this episode, please visit https://notrealart.com/designercon-mark-brickey-from-adventures-in-design/.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Learn what’s behind Man One’s incredible glow.
• DesignerCon: What went down, highlights, and main takeaways from the event.
• How people received the Not Real Art Gallery at DCon.
• What kept Man One going, keeping the creative juices flowing and t-shirts vs walls.
• Find out how Man One felt when he painted his first legal wall.
• What drives Never Made to make art and what it’s like working for Shepard Fairey.
• Where Never Made got his unbelievable work ethic from and his family’s influence on him.
• How Dan Janssen feels being a role model, what DCon means, and driving a branded RV.
• What motivated Dan to finally come down to DCon and the benefits of going to tradeshows.
• Why Jared Schorr creates his own work, questions he’s asked and how he deals with being a fanboy.
• How Rocom toys use Kickstarter, the importance of meeting audiences, and his experience of DCon.
• The importance of DCon for DKNG Studios and how their work fits into the fine art space.
• DKNG products that catch people’s eye, who buys the goods and what sets them apart.
• Learn more about Alex Pardee’s decision to turn his merch booth into an art gallery.
• How DCon stands out to Alex and how he uses Kickstarter to engage with fans.
• Learn about Dre's studio, his relationship with Never Made, and LA’s role in their work.
• How DCon is different than other shows for Dre.
• Jason Edmiston: First show, the importance of city-specific first eyes and Joker eye sales.
• Find out how many eyes Jason Edmiston has painted in total.
• Draplin’s take on achieving true creative freedom and what being at DCon means to him.