Not Real Art

If Teddy Margas could give the world one message, it would be to embrace the power of creativity. He is a shining example of creative talent and dedication, and we are very lucky to have an amazing conversation to share with all of our listeners today! Actor, writer, comedian, performer; however you want to describe him, Teddy has his fingers in many pies and continues to grow and branch out, embracing new challenges and forms in order to stay inspired. In our chat, we talk about Teddy's upbringing and family, the moments in his childhood that left a mark on him, bringing the power of personal trauma into performance, and why connecting with an audience can be so powerful. We also touch on some of Teddy's amazing character work, which you find on his social media channels, and the lessons he learned about how to approach auditions. For Teddy, being creative doesn't have to mean dropping everything to make it in Hollywood, he just believes that allowing space for the magic of play and creativity can bring so m

In these tough times we have all been living through, hope can seem a little elusive. Many of us want to work for change and make a positive impact, but it is not always clear where we should put our energy and money. Two young women from LA are providing us with a great example of what is possible, and we are joined by Zoey Hudis and Lucy Lipofsky of Art for Peace today, as well as their proud mothers! Art for Peace is an initiative and event founded in order to support the crisis in Ukraine right now, and Zoey and Lucy have managed to connect with an amazing roster of artists, who have donated work that will be sold for the cause. This inspiring project can show us all how we can work within our scope, in ways that suit our skills and interests, for a better world. The Art for Peace event was held on the weekend of April 15 through the 18th, and we cannot wait to see what these young art activists do next!Key Points From This Episode:An introduction to the mission at Art for Peace!The process of creating th

Some people are extraordinarily unique and change the game completely. We here at NOT REAL ART are pleased to present last year’s episode on Juxtapoz Magazine founder and lowbrow art enthusiast Greg Escalante. Escalante was a bona fide maverick and trailblazer, carving out a space where so many of us could feel at home.For this episode, originally aired April 9, 2021, some 30 artists and friends gathered to record personal audio messages in honor of Escalante’s birthday on April 17. To celebrate the episode’s one-year anniversary, we’re baking a cake, lighting the candles, and remembering Escalante’s impact for one more turn around the sun. Juxtapoz, the publication Escalante co-founded with cartoonist Robert Williams, is still a leading work in the alternative and underground art space. Escalante's legacy is about far more than the magazine—it’s about the community he built and the lives he touched. During the show, you’ll hear tributes from many of the artists who were impacted by Greg, including Robert Wil

Today on Not Real Art, we are joined by the one and only Jimmy Smith from Amusement Park Entertainment (APE), an advertising legend who has been in the game since 1985. He got his start working on the Nike ‘Just Do It’ campaign and his career has included stints at Wieden & Kennedy, where he created ‘Book of Dimes’, an ad starring LeBron James and Bernie Mac for Nike; BBDO, where he served as Executive Creative Director for Motorola; and TBWA/Chiat/Day L.A., where he was Group Creative Director for Gatorade. In 2012, Fast Company named Jimmy one of the Top 100 Most Creative People and, in today’s episode, he shares with us the power of ideas and why it’s so important for creatives, especially creatives of color, to treat their ideas as precious resources. We also discuss the difference between making an ad and creating a piece of culture that lives on long after the campaign is over and Jimmy shares the incredible story of how he convinced Luke Aikens to jump out of a plane without a parachute for Stride

Blending themes of morbid corporeality with a colorful, loony aesthetic descended from comics and cartoons, today’s guest has developed a unique style that has a profound effect on viewers, whether on the street or in the gallery. In Nychos’ world, Spongebob has a skeleton, people live inside rabbits, and there is always something wicked beneath the surface! Nychos is an Austrian illustrator, artist, and the Founder of Rabbit Eye Movement, an operating collective that serves as an exhibition space, shop, and international movement. He is known for his characteristic dissection, cross-section, x-ray, and translucent styles, often portraying animals and characters drawn from pop culture. We had the opportunity to sit down with Nychos to discuss his new show, The Awakening, which you can view at Mirus Gallery in Los Angeles until May 2022. The exhibition is dedicated to this intense creative phase in Nychos’ life and, as you’ll discover in today’s episode, it presents a body of work that speaks to

With so much stress, anger, and frustration in the world, today’s guest tries to create meaningful artworks that he hopes will bring a smile to his viewers’ faces. Please join us in welcoming Daryl Slaton, an animator and an illustrator from Asheville, North Carolina. By utilizing technology like augmented reality (AR) and NFTs, Daryl hopes to spread joy and positivity through his animated characters by reaching as many viewers as he can. In today’s episode, he shares how he uses AR to animate his characters and tell short stories that sometimes speak to larger issues such as global warming but always evoke a sense of playfulness and gentle humor. We touch on some of Daryl’s earliest artistic influences and his trajectory in the art world before diving into his creative process and the immersive, interactive space he is hoping to build with Artsville in the River Arts District, plus so much more! To find out more about how Daryl is embracing new technology to spread positivity with his Tails of Whimsy, make s

If you’re a creative entrepreneur or an artist, chances are that you probably don’t enjoy doing your taxes. Well, today’s guest is here to help! Hannah Cole is an artist, speaker, and tax professional empowering thousands of fellow creatives with clear financial education and tax preparation. As the Founder of Sunlight Tax, she specializes in working with artists and their businesses and, although she has worked at a few ‘buttoned-up’ tax firms in New York City, she loves bringing her skills to the aid of the creative world. In this episode, Hannah debunks the myth that artists are no good with numbers and shares some practical advice to help us impart our own ‘freaky flavor’ into our businesses while also taking money-making seriously. You’ll also gain some insight into her journey from punk-rock-loving anticapitalist to creative tax specialist and what she learned about the art world and her own practice along the way, plus so much more! By delivering engaging tax education that is art-w

Today’s episode is an incredibly poignant and powerful one, as we are joined by Olga Severina, an artist, curator, and graphic designer who was born and raised in the Ukraine. She grew up in a thriving creative community in Kharkov and moved to Los Angeles with her family in 2010, but she still has friends and relatives who are currently hiding in basements in Ukraine, hoping that they won’t be killed by advancing Russian Armed Forces. As you’ll learn from this episode, Olga is the founder and curator of PosterTerritory, a project that launches socially conscious poster exhibits. As artists, it’s sometimes difficult to know what to do in the face of injustice, which is why Olga started the PosterTerritory initiative, which provides artists with a platform to spread awareness. PosterTerritory was built on the belief that art and creativity have the power to save the world, and this concept forms the main theme of our conversation today. We discuss how posters are the ideal art form for social change and Olga s

In a world of turmoil, art matters more than ever. At least, that’s what today’s guest believes. As the Founder of Matter Studio Gallery, ceramic artist and master carpenter Karla Funderburk realized her longstanding vision for an exhibition space where artists from Southern California can share their work and their voices. As much an art gallery as a vital community hub that celebrates inclusiveness through artistic expression, Matter Studio Gallery fills an essential need in the ever-evolving city of Los Angeles. Joining us today, Karla shares the story behind the name of the gallery and how she hopes to make a difference, one visitor at a time. We discuss the sometimes unseen impact of art, finding a balance between making art and making a living, and the power that art has to shine a light on injustice and connect people rather than divide them. You’ll also learn about the Memorial Crane Project, a nonprofit organization that Karla created to commemorate the victims of COVID-19, a

Making a career as an artist is still a difficult pursuit and this says a lot about the world we live in. As the Founder and Chief Creative Enabler of Art Jamz, Michael Clements is trying to address this. He joins us today to tell us about his mission to make the world a more creative place. Michael talks about how, after years of creative experimentation, he decided to start Art Jamz, a business that helps artists find stable jobs while connecting people to their inner artists through art classes and ‘ArtBoxes’. But before we get to this part of his story, we discover everything that led up to it. We hear about Michael’s childhood growing up with no idea that art was more than a hobby. He talks about his different creative pursuits in writing, poetry, and drawing while he studied toward a master's degree that would help him get a ‘real job’. We learn of the leap of faith he took after a stint in Japan where he decided only to pick up work if it was creative. After a successful career in acting and publishing

Today’s special guest is an artist who has painted in the catacombs beneath Paris, on the patio of a restaurant during a monsoon in Mumbai, on a rooftop in Madrid, and on the streets of Tokyo. Please join us in welcoming Max Neutra, who is probably best known for his ongoing bunny street art project. Conceived as whimsical characters at a live painting event in Barcelona, his bunnies have since evolved into a study of space and motion, a meditation on achieving balance, and a pursuit of the perfect curve. In this episode, we not only talk about the cool things that Max has done, we also dive into the amazing multidisciplinary work he is doing with the geniuses at Meow Wolf, where he has been a resident artist for over four years. During the course of our conversation, Max shares his continuous pursuit of a creative livelihood and the aha moment that made him realize that he needed to make being an artist his full-time job. We also touch on the importance of having faith in your vision, the role that storytell

Today’s guest on the Not Real Art Podcast is Rick Saez, an author, speaker, and adventurer, as well as an incredible photographer whose work largely focuses on the natural world and his travels. He has led expeditions and photo trips across the world to places like Alaska, Nepal, and Mexico, and has taken his camera to 25 countries on six different continents. On his podcast, The Outdoor Biz Podcast, Rick collaborates with leaders from global organizations like JanSport, Dometic, and Fishpond to provide over 4,000 monthly listeners with fun, entertaining stories related to career development, adventure, and the great outdoors. In this episode, Rick shares his love for his own backyard in the Eastern Sierra and describes how he is profoundly moved and inspired by nature and the outdoors. We also touch on topics ranging from personal photography versus commercial photography and the strong community of creators in Inyo County to our shared passion for podcasting, the outdoor theme that weaves itself throughout

Today’s guest has been creating hand-painted, fluorescent artwork for 3D immersive installations for more than a decade, and she is as active in promoting art as she is at creating it! Debi Cable’s 3D blacklight experiences have been featured at music and art festivals around America, including the Lancaster Museum, Beverly Hills Art Show, Burning Man, Lightning in a Bottle, and Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas, as well as countless others. Debi also co-founded the Arts Squared public art gallery in Pershing Square, was the LA Regional Art Director for Burning Man, and acted as Vice President of the LA League of Artists. In today’s episode, Debi shares a glimpse into her journey as an artist and how her visually spectacular work developed. We find out how she came to represent other artists in DTLA through the LA Arts Council, what Burning Man taught her about creating immersive art installations at scale, and the spectrum of colors and wavelengths you can see in her work that you can’t see elsewhere. You’ll

When you work as a commercial artist in a high-stakes game like animation, you know the importance of tracking your hours and managing your business rigorously. Today’s guest has also realized the value of bringing those skills to her personal craft, because knowing exactly how many hours she has spent on one of her incredible handmade pieces not only helps her determine what to charge for them, but also save time on making them and even motivate her to make more. By day, Bonnie Robinson Stewart is a Production Manager at Titmouse Animation Studios in Hollywood. By night, she is an artist that makes meticulously hand-sewn plush toys of everything from koi fish to Godzilla under the moniker, Huggable Koi. In today’s episode, Bonnie shares her process-oriented approach with us and gives us a glimpse into her creative process from ideation to finished product. You’ll also find out more about her work, the traditional carp-shaped windsocks from Japan that inspired her to make her plush koi fish, and some of the a

In today’s episode of the Not Real Art Podcast, return guest Louise Glickman shares the story behind her organization Sand Hill Artists Collective (SHAC), and it’s recent collaboration with Crewest Studio on a new podcast called Artsville, which celebrates American contemporary arts and crafts from Asheville, North Carolina, and beyond. Louise Glickman is a mostly self-taught artist who began her creative adventures by studying fashion design and retail marketing. Her love for her community in Asheville reflects her worldview and has compelled her to not only examine but embrace people and cultures, to bring them together through art, culture, and activism. In this episode, we find out how Sandhill Artists Collective (SHAC) supports artists from the greater Western North Carolina region, not just the city of Asheville, and the important role that storytelling and culture plays in arts communities. You’ll also learn about some of their recent exhibitions and exciting developments, including the brand new Arts

No artist wants to end up having a horror story of an experience with a gallery, so it is important that certain measures are taken to avoid this possibility. Today on the show we are back with another art world horror story, this time with New York-based stencil artist and muralist, Logan Hicks. Logan joins us to share not just one but two nightmares he recently endured. He also dishes out some sage advice about what artists can do to ensure that they don’t go through something similar. First, we hear about how Salt Bae breached a contract he had with Logan and ended up using the artist’s work for the marketing surrounding several of his restaurants. Next up, Logan talks about how the Station 16 gallery destroyed $35 000 worth of his paintings and is now refusing to compensate him. We hear about how Logan is fighting back against the Montreal-based gallery by using a combination of a lawsuit and a social media campaign, both of which are still underway. The main point Logan makes on today’s show is that if y

Welcome to the final installment of our interview series with the 2021 NRA grant winners! Albert Willis, AKA ‘Cleophus’, has actually been on the show before, but now he is a grant winner, so he is back again to share more about his creative process, thoughts on the art world, and approach to being a professional artist. Albert makes what he calls “shadow art”; beautifully intricate and complex pieces where 3D word sculptures become canvases overlaid with hyperrealistic portraiture. We talk about the dichotomy between high and so-called low art and why Albert sees himself as more of an artisan than a fine artist in the snobbish sense of the word. Albert speaks about his love of mathematics and geometry and shares the thought process behind the works he makes today. We get into the business of art and hear about how Albert’s background as a graphic designer and illustrator informs the way he charges for his work. Our conversation also touches on how cryptocurrency is forging a new art industry that could shift

We are back again with the Not Real Art podcast and today’s show is a special one because Sourdough and ManOne finally got the chance to sit back and shoot the breeze together. The two OGs are back with another installment of Gringo and the Man! Have you guessed who the Gringo is yet? The vibe is always electric when these two get together and today’s show is no different. You’ll hear our hosts talk about everything from UFO sightings to the evils of Neoliberalism and everything in between. We kick the show off with some definitions (because you know we are all about the formalities here). ManOne lets us know exactly what a Gringo is and Sourdough tells us why he is happy to don the term with pride. We talk about why Humboldt University should have a blunt as a mascot, how badass Navy SEALS are, and what to expect from The Matrix Resurrections. ManOne also shares a bunch of hilarious travel stories involving nude beaches in Dubrovnik and bouncers putting drunken macho men to sleep in London. So for all t

Today, guest host Erin Yoshi speaks with South African multidisciplinary artist, Faith XLVII. Faith’s journey into art began on the streets of South Africa in 1997 as a young graffiti writer. In 2006, she began on a nomadic journey that led her to create work in 42 countries. Her evolution from street artist to multidisciplinary artist has created a fluid yet solid bridge into the contemporary art world, and her explorative approach has led her to develop a broad range of artwork, ranging from immersive new media installations and hand-sewn wall tapestries to sculptural bronze works investigating hierarchies of power, as well as paintings and various explorations into printmaking. The thread of Faith's practice can be traced from abandoned structures and landmark 20-story buildings to museums, galleries, and intimate site-specific installations. In this episode, she reflects on the freedom that not going to art school afforded her and how she has gone on to create art unbound by formality. We also touch on th

In today’s episode of the Not Real Art Podcast, guest host Erin Yoshi is joined by Robert Liu-Trujillo, a fine artist, illustrator, muralist, children’s book creator, and lifelong Bay Area resident. Born in Oakland California, Rob is the child of student activists who watched lots of science fiction and took him to demonstrations. Always drawing, Rob grew up to be an artist, falling in love with graffiti, fine art, illustration, murals, and children’s books at a young age. Rob now illustrates and writes bilingual children’s books to share stories of diversity of joy, like Furqan’s First Flat Top, where readers meet Furqan Moreno, a 10-year-old Black Latino boy who always had “real curly hair” and decides it is time for a new haircut. Through storytelling, Rob scratches the surface of many untold stories, and he is also the Founder of Come Bien Books and a Cofounder of The Trust Your Struggle Collective. In this conversation, he offers some insight into the evolution of his artistic practice and shar