Michael Moore was one of the first artists to hit the NOT REAL ART airwaves, and he’s just as unpredictable now as he was then. A mainstay of the Chicagoland art scene, Michael is best known for his madcap “Frankenstein” machines: kinetic assemblages built from scrap steel, blinking warning lights, and whatever vintage oddities he can scavenge, all pieced together in his garage.

These days, the self-taught tinkerer and lifelong musician has a new twist in his story: He’s a finalist for the People’s Artist competition, a wild card contest backed by Johnny Depp, Artforum, and the nonprofit Art of Elysium. The prize? Twenty-five grand, a spread in Artforum, and a moment in the LA spotlight at Elysium Salon, all decided by public vote. If you’re reading this, you can tip the scales by voting for Michael here.

On this episode, Michael and host Scott “Sourdough” Power talk about the evolving world of people-powered art, the highs and lows of chasing votes, and why Michael still can’t quite believe his “cremation station”—one of his signature contraptions in the running—might just be his ticket to the big time.

Baltimore’s harbor is calm, but resident artist Joan Cox is gathering momentum. Since her last appearance with NOT REAL ART, she’s been named a finalist for the Baker Artist Award, recognized among London’s Top 100 International Artists, and seen her intimate portraits circulate through exhibitions and publications. A past NOT REAL ART grant winner (2022), Joan is known for capturing the “energy field” of love between women. Now, her work takes center stage in NOT REAL ART’s Modern Love exhibition, running online at notrealart.com this spring.

In conversation with host Scott “Sourdough” Power, Joan reflects on the work of recording contemporary queer intimacy. She describes her process, from asking strangers to sit for her, to searching for the subtle charge that passes between couples, all while managing the demands of a full-time career and raising a middle-schooler.

Her canvases are lush and unscripted, dense with narrative detail—bedroom Buddhas, floral wallpaper in the corner of a bar. Beneath the surface, each painting offers an act of correction, adding a page to art history where overlooked couples are seen, valued, and, at last, collected.

Where to Connect & Experience

See Joan Cox’s latest work in Modern Love.

Follow Joan on Instagram for in-progress shots and behind-the-scenes studio news.

Learn more about the NOT REAL ART Grant.

Episode Credits

Host: Scott ‘Sourdough’ Power

Guest: Joan Cox, Baltimore-based painter focused on queer intimacy, identity, and representation; NOT REAL ART grant winner.

Production: Crewest Studio, Los Angeles

Theme Music: Ricky Peugeot & Desi DeLauro of Parlor Social

Subscribe to NOT REAL ART for future episodes, follow us on Instagram, and join the conversation.

Los Angeles doesn’t do subtle, and neither does Carmen Zella. For over two decades, she’s been yanking art out of the gallery and into the city, mixing it with technology and letting it spill onto LA’s streets.

Carmen leads NOW Art, an agency that fuses art, architecture, technology, and community—sometimes all at once. She also co-founded NXT Art Foundation, the nonprofit arm of NOW Art, with a mission to shake up public spaces and reimagine how we experience the city together. The goal: break art out of the museum and let it breathe in LA’s neighborhoods.

She’s collaborated with artists like Refik Anadol and Nancy Baker Cahill, launched citywide experiments like Luminex and Attune, and found ways to connect artists, neighbors, and city officials who might never have crossed paths. If you’ve ever paused on a sidewalk in LA, caught off guard by a burst of color or light, chances are Carmen had a hand in it.

In our conversation, Carmen talks about what’s shifting in LA’s art scene, what makes public art both a thrill and a grind, and why cities need to stop micromanaging artists.

Houston might be known for its outsized personality, but every two years, during FotoFest, the city becomes a swirling epicenter of photographic art from around the globe. This year, to mark 40 years of pushing the boundaries of photography, FotoFest’s 2026 biennial, Global Visions, is bringing together a dizzying array of artists from over 58 countries. But what does it take to wrangle over 450 artists and hundreds of works into a two-month citywide celebration?

Enter Chris Wicker, the unflappable exhibitions manager at FotoFest, and, as it turns out, an obsessive media-sampler, self-diagnosed denim junkie, and master of absurdist art. In this episode, Chris unpacks the coordination behind “Houston’s global photo party” and how his own art practice peels back the layers of Southern culture, NASCAR rituals, and the unstoppable flood of American consumerism.

Episode Credits

Host: Scott 'Sourdough' Power

Guest: Chris Wicker

Production: Crewest Studio, Los Angeles

Theme Music: Ricky Pajot & Desi DeLauro of Parlor Social

Subscribe to NOT REAL ART for more creativity, culture, and chaos. Leave us a review, share the show, and remember: Make it weird, y’all!

What happens when you stare fear in the face and choose to laugh? Filmmaker Zinzi Gugu Johnson joins host Scott “Sourdough” Power to discuss “Fears,” her new short film that turns American anxieties into darkly humorous cinema. Don’t miss this surprisingly funny episode on embracing your fears as fuel.

Artist and podcaster Tyler Ramsey joins us today to dive into the vibrant world of creativity and the power of choice in happiness. In this episode, we explore how Tyler transitioned from a chaotic career in Hollywood to a fulfilling life as a visual artist, emphasizing that being happy is a conscious choice we all can make, even when life throws its curveballs. We chat about his unique artistic process, from finger painting to using multimedia elements like wood and neon, and how his experiences in recovery have shaped his art and outlook on life. Expect a fun and insightful conversation filled with humor, anecdotes, and a whole lot of heart as we navigate the intersection of art, authenticity, and personal growth.

Links referenced in this episode:

• notrealart.com
• painfullessons.com
• adoptogether.org

On today's episode, we're diving into a wild and totally unexpected topic: the intersection of art and adult entertainment, sparked by a hilarious story about our own "Not Real Art" sticker showing up in a porno scene. Yep, you heard that right! We will explore the quirky synchronicity of how our little brand made its way into a billion-dollar industry and forces the question: is pornography not real art? So grab your favorite beverage, kick back, and let's talk porno!

Buckle up, folks, because today's episode of Not Real Art is a real eye-opener! Our beloved host Sourdough is back, and he’s dishing out some spicy takes on why the art market appears to be hitting a rough patch. With a blend of playful humor and serious analysis, he dives into the current state of galleries closing their doors and sales figures that are making everyone a bit jittery. What’s the deal? Sourdough proposes that we’re witnessing a fundamental shift as the baton is passed from the boomer generation to the millennials. This isn’t just a passing trend; it’s a cultural shift that’s reshaping the very fabric of the art world.

As he navigates through the conversation, Sourdough highlights that millennials are not just inheriting a market built on the boomer’s dreams; they’re actively rejecting it in favor of their own creative expressions. They’re proving that you don’t need to drop stacks of cash on a piece of art to appreciate it or to have a meaningful connection with it. This generation is all about supporting local artists and finding joy in affordable pieces that resonate with their personal tastes. It’s a refreshing perspective that challenges the traditional notions of art as an elitist pursuit reserved for the wealthy.

Sourdough doesn’t shy away from calling out the stagnation in the art market—he points out that the same old models are no longer serving the majority of artists or buyers. With a lack of innovation and a failure to engage younger audiences, the art world risks becoming obsolete. He urges a reevaluation of how we connect artists with buyers, especially at the entry level, where most people are still dipping their toes into the world of art. With humor and heart, this episode invites listeners to rethink their relationship with art and to embrace a future that is more inclusive, innovative, and vibrant. So grab your headphones and get ready to rethink everything you knew about the art market!

Takeaways:

• The Not Real Art podcast is all about celebrating creative culture and fresh ideas, aimed at inspiring listeners to appreciate art beyond the traditional boundaries.
• We're tackling the big question of why the art market is crashing, diving into how economic cycles and political uncertainty are reshaping the landscape.
• Millennials are shaking things up by rejecting the expensive art market of their boomer predecessors, opting for art that resonates with them personally rather than just what’s deemed valuable.
• The podcast highlights a seismic demographic shift as millennials and younger generations become the new driving force in the art world, leaving behind the old models.
• In a world where boomers are aging out, the art market faces a fundamental transformation because millennials and Gen Z aren’t buying into the old ways of doing things.
• We discuss the lack of innovation in the art market over the past decades, emphasizing the importance of attracting new buyers and fresh ideas to keep the industry alive.

Links referenced in this episode:

• notrelart.com
• arterial.org

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Arterial
• Crewest Studio
• Not Real Art
• Parlor Social
• Captivate