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Susan Aberth, the Edith C. Blum Professor of Art History at Bard College, joins me on this month's FolkArtwork and Friends podcast to discuss spiritual artwork, tarot cards, ghosts, women surrealists, and the exhibit she recently curated at Andrew Edlin Gallery in New York City titled “Conduits of the Unseen: Women Artists Imagine Other Worlds”, open now until October 31st. We talk about the incredible artwork of Paulina Peavy, who would create artwork with the help of an extraterrestrial named Lacamo, the differences between the reception of the artwork of Hilma af Klint and the spiritual artists that followed her, as well as the creative hub and retreat for artists in Mexico following World War II. If you have the chance, go see Susan’s show, “Conduits of the Unseen: Women Artists Imagine Other Worlds.” Follow @folkartwork on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more Subscribe to the "This Week in Outsider Art" Newsletter on Substack Visit folkartwork.art to shop self-taught art by emerging contemporary artists Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction and podcast updates(00:02:36) - Introducing Susan Aberth and the show preview(00:04:06) - Welcoming Susan Aberth, tarot cards discussion(00:07:52) - Hilma af Klint and the origins of abstraction(00:10:19) - Spirit mediums and early abstract artists(00:11:55) - Hilma af Klint's secret collective and anonymity(00:14:52) - Paulina Peavey and her extraterrestrial contact(00:16:40) - Masks, costumes, and spiritual reception(00:19:09) - UFOs, archives of the impossible, and belief(00:20:48) - Ghosts, mediums, and the afterlife(00:23:55) - Why surrealists flocked to Mexico(00:25:07) - Leonora Carrington and occult circles in Mexico City(00:26:43) - Gertrude Abercrombie and women surrealists(00:29:00) - Renaissance of interest in women surrealists(00:33:29) - Art history teaching philosophy(00:35:48) - Museums, benches, and viewer experience(00:37:17) - Conduits of the Unseen exhibit origins(00:39:18) - First outsider art fair memories(00:40:54) - Discovering outsider art and visual culture(00:46:36) - Closing thanks and farewell

Earlier this summer I spoke with some of the most joyful and creative artists around -- Dean Millien joined me from New York City in his aluminum filled studio to talk about losing his toys as a kid and creating new toys out of aluminium, the recent success and joy he has recieved from his sculptures, as well as the artist talks and demonstrations he does inspiring people of all ages and abilitiles. Then, Lee Kennedy of VaultArt Studio, a progressive art studio in Pittsburgh, joined me to talk about his interests and loves, and why he puts them into his artworks. Plus, we discuss his favorite music, his photographic memory, and "Let's Go Pens!" Follow @folkartwork on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more Subscribe to the "This Week in Outsider Art" Newsletter on Substack Visit folkartwork.art to shop self-taught art by emerging contemporary artists Chapters (00:00:00) - Folk Artwork and Friends: Summer Exhibition(00:02:09) - Two Great Artists Talk To Each Other(00:04:43) - Giant cats in the studio(00:07:16) - Cats and Rats at MoMA(00:09:33) - The Tin Man(00:15:43) - An artist's story(00:19:45) - Dean Clay's(00:23:16) - Free aluminum foil for sculpting(00:25:43) - Dean Polanski on(00:29:20) - Adam and Steph Make Art(00:30:42) - Willie Nelson In A Monster Trucker(00:33:47) - Andy Warhol at the Andy Warhol Museum(00:38:28) - George Lucas' Paintings Are Inspired by Favorite Things(00:42:22) - Fall Art Studio: Montrell's(00:44:28) - Popular Mechanics Artist Lee's Painting(00:45:32) - Folk Art and Friends: Jason Brown

I'm back at school! And there's no better way to kick that off than catching up with one of my favorite former students, Dismas Hill. We chatted about school during a pandemic, growing pains in high school and becoming more mature, prison art, as well as some of our favorite action films of all time, like "Hobo With a Shotgun". Be sure to come see FolkArtwork Collective in real life at Mainframe Studios on Friday, September 4th for "First Friday" from 5pm-7pm. Follow @folkartwork on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more Subscribe to the "This Week in Outsider Art" Newsletter on Substack Visit folkartwork.art to shop self-taught art by emerging contemporary artists Chapters (00:00:02) - Back to School(00:02:00) - Folk Artwork in Friends(00:03:16) - Folk Artwork & Friends: Dismas Hill(00:04:55) - How I Learned To Love My Students(00:07:21) - A lot of my art was made in prison(00:09:42) - "The Punch" in Art class(00:13:38) - Grow Up: One Thing I'll Never Forget(00:15:43) - Teaching Recruitment(00:19:29) - Tubi Film Review(00:21:20) - Brawl on Cell Block 99(00:25:33) - Steve Harris on Heist Movies(00:27:56) - Nicholas Cage on His Face Off(00:31:41) - Is The Goonies PG-13?(00:33:46) - A Chat With My Former Students(00:37:41) - Folk Artwork & Friends: A Year in the Life

Iranian self-taught artist Affsoongar joins in conversation from Tehran, Iran, to talk about outsider art inspiring her to make art after dropping out of architectural school, growing up in Iran, not seeing strong female heroes, making art during war, and the bittersweet emotions of having artwork at the Outsider Art Fair but not being able to enjoy it due to living in a digital blackout. Support Affsoongar by following her on Instagram @affs00ngar, buying digital prints of her work, and spreading her story far and wide.  Follow @folkartwork on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more Subscribe to the "This Week in Outsider Art" Newsletter on Substack Visit folkartwork.art to shop self-taught art by emerging contemporary artists

In the twelfth episode of the FolkArtwork and Friends podcast, I talk to my good friend and art environment extraordinaire, "Narrow" Larry Harris. I can't remember the first time I met Larry, but I've been going to his website, narrowlarry.com, for years as he has been documenting, scouring maps and encyclopedias, and more to find any and every art environment possible in the United States. We talk about how his work as an architect influenced his love for these self-taught environments, including his visits to The Orange Show and Watts Towers, which led him to build a replica of the towers, now housed in the collection of the Kohler Museum.  Visit www.narrowlarry.com to find an art environment near you. Follow @folkartwork on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more Subscribe to the "This Week in Outsider Art" Newsletter on Substack Visit folkartwork.art to shop self-taught art by emerging contemporary artists Chapters (00:00:00) - Folk Artwork: Season One(00:00:34) - Art Environment Summer(00:03:13) - Larry Harris in the Flesh(00:03:44) - Interviewing Joe Farb Hernandez(00:09:22) - Interview with Narrow Larry Harris(00:11:41) - Eco-living and the environmental movement(00:17:50) - Seymour Rosen on The Garden of Eden and Spaces(00:23:43) - Watts Towers: My First Trip to the Towers(00:25:07) - The Architecture of Blue Ruin(00:27:52) - The Story of the Watch Towers(00:31:27) - Talking the pyramids(00:32:55) - How to Build a Scale Model of the Watts Towers(00:37:54) - Frank Lloyd Wright on Dr. Charles Smith's Art Tours(00:44:11) - The Art Environments(00:47:47) - The Making of Rodeo(00:50:30) - How Many Art Environments Have You Visited?(00:52:39) - Exploring the Art Environments(00:56:32) - A Few Words on the Orange Show(00:58:16) - Narrow Larry(01:00:41) - Bookmark promo

In the eleventh episode of the FolkArtwork and Friends podcast, I am extremely thrilled to be joined by the one and only Ricky Boscarino of Luna Parc. I met Ricky a few months ago, and was blown away by his generosity to share the story of his one-of-a-kind art environment, and walk me through it for a video tour (check out YouTube!) on a bright and beautiful New Jersey day.  Plus, we talk about the moment he knew this home would be his forever home, his days at NYU film school, traveling across the world, the importance of keeping his home a museum for people to visit forever and ever, and he shows me his final resting place where he plans to be buried... after he turns 106. Follow Ricky on Instagram at @rickyoflunaparc and donate to the project or book a tour at www.lunaparc.com! Follow @folkartwork on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more Subscribe to the "This Week in Outsider Art" Newsletter on Substack Visit folkartwork.art to shop self-taught art by emerging contemporary artists Chapters (00:00:00) - A Little Resting Spot(00:00:14) - Art Environment Summer 2018(00:01:38) - Interviewing Ricky Boscarino of Luna Park(00:03:13) - Interviewing a construction worker at Luna Park(00:04:11) - An artist fixes a porta-john(00:06:34) - Adam Levine on Meeting The Outsider Art Fair(00:08:56) - How I Got Kicked Out of Art School(00:14:07) - This 37-Year-Old Cabin Has Been Removed from Its Woods(00:16:35) - The kitchen of a restored house(00:18:43) - A tour of Howard Finster's house(00:21:25) - Salvador Dali's Last Burial(00:23:07) - Will You Live to 106?(00:24:52) - Living in an Art Studio(00:29:31) - Ricky from Luna Park on His Art and His Home(00:34:32) - Work in the Nature Lab(00:39:36) - African musicians on a tour(00:40:30) - Taste the inside of my studio(00:43:11) - A 20-Year Project With a Private Bathroom(00:46:31) - The Secret Life of Your Bathroom(00:50:22) - If You Don't Buy a Piece of Luna Park, How to(00:53:16) - A Once in a Lifetime Art Environ Home Museum(00:58:51) - Folk Art and Friends

Purchase Jo's book "Architectural Fantasies: Artist-Built Environments" from Tra Publishing here: www.trapublishing.com/products/architectural-fantasies Use promo code: AF15 for 15% off! -- In the tenth episode of the FolkArtwork and Friends podcast, I kick off art-environment summer with the one and only, Jo Farb Hernández, Director Emerita of SPACES (Saving and Preserving Arts and Cultural Environments) and Professor Emerita at San José State University. Joining me from her home in Spain, we talk about all the incredible work she has done in that country to find and document almost one hundred art environments through the years. Plus, we talk about her first art environment visited, the work she's done with Salvation Mountain, and the importance of Watts Towers, stories of visiting the artists who make these one-of-a-kind environments, as well as the weirdest thing she can remember seeing at an art environment, and what we can do to continue to document and advocate for these spaces. Check out spacesarchives.org or narrowlarry.com to find an art environment near you! Follow @folkartwork on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more Subscribe to the "This Week in Outsider Art" Newsletter on Substack Visit folkartwork.art to shop self-taught art by emerging contemporary artists Chapters (00:00:00) - Art Environments: Architectural Fantasies(00:05:46) - Bob Dylan on Living in Texas(00:08:02) - The Director Emerita of Spaces(00:08:35) - Samuel Hall: Art Environments in Spain(00:15:09) - Singular Spaces: Exploring the Exhibition(00:15:34) - The Surprising Realities of Spain(00:20:48) - Your work to save historic sites(00:24:49) - In the Elevator With Folk Art(00:28:11) - Art Environments: Religious Art(00:32:55) - Salvation Mountain: A Religious Art Experience(00:34:12) - Seymour Rosen's Life in Spaces(00:41:26) - Are There Any Art Environments in the United States?(00:46:02) - The Wildest Things You Can Think Of(00:46:59) - The Art of Meeting Artists(00:49:03) - Keep an Art Environment in the Community(00:54:40) - Summer Art Environments(00:57:40) - Folk Art and Friends

In the second part of the ninth episode of FolkArtwork and Friends, I am pleased to be joined by self-taught artist Bill Miller, whose linoleum works of art are on display in the latest exhibit at the American Folk Art Museum, "Self-Made: A Century of Inventing Artists." Bill joins me to talk about his search for a very large studio, due to his very large piles of linoleum, which he uses in his artworks. We talked about his upbringing in Pittsburgh’s Industrial Arts Co-op, making art out of recycled materials, showing his work at the Outsider Art Fair, and the story behind creating two album covers for the late Frank Zappa. Then, we dine out on some of our favorite music to listen to while making art, I brag about being named the teacher with the best music at my school, and why Paul McCartney keeps texting us.  Plus, Bill Miller wants your linoleum! Bill's artwork is made entirely of linoleum, and he has a giant warehouse to store it. So if you have some you want to donate, he'll take it off your hands! Go to www.billmillerart.com or www.billmillerwantsyourlinoleum.com and get in touch with Bill so he can take your linoleum off your hands and use it in a piece of art. Or follow Bill on Instagram at @billmillerart. Learn more about "Self-Made: A Century of Inventing Artists" at www.folkartmuseum.org and follow the American Folk Art Museum on Instagram at @afamuseum. If you're in New York City, visit the American Folk Art Museum open Wednesday–Sunday: 11:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. -- admission is always free. Follow @folkartwork on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more Subscribe to the "This Week in Outsider Art" Newsletter on Substack Visit folkartwork.art to shop self-taught art by emerging contemporary artists Chapters (00:00:00) - Looking for old linoleum(00:00:28) - Folk Artwork & Friends: Self-Made(00:01:35) - Bill Miller on the Lorraine(00:04:48) - Bill Miller's search for a studio(00:08:24) - Using linoleum in the studio(00:10:56) - Pittsburgh Artist On Linoleum(00:15:49) - Linoleum: Made in the Dark(00:20:02) - Bill Maher in the Folk Art Museum Exhibit(00:22:23) - "Self-Portrait"(00:24:59) - Teaching High School Art with Linoleum(00:29:05) - In the Elevator With the Outsiders(00:30:03) - Frank Zappa Portrait(00:33:49) - Frank Zappa on Stop-Motion(00:36:54) - Freak Out(00:39:32) - Jimmy Kimmel on Going to Concerts(00:41:48) - Let's Get Bill Miller His Linoleum(00:44:10) - Bill Miller

In the ninth episode of FolkArtwork and Friends, I am honored to be joined by Valérie Rousseau, the Curatorial Chair and Senior Curator of 20th-Century & Contemporary Art at the American Folk Art Museum. Valérie joins me to talk about what led her to a career in curating self-taught artwork, which included growing up with two grandfathers who were both renowned in Canada, one for their work as an ethnobotanist and the other a wood carver. We talk about how the organization and the classification of art and nature as a kid led to curating, the works of art she remembers as a kid that will always stay with her, and then a discussion about the latest exhibit she co-curated with Suzie Oppenheimer at the American Folk Art Museum, "Self-Made: A Century of Inventing Artists," on view now until September 13th. Plus, I didn't jinx the Knicks! Learn more about "Self-Made: A Century of Inventing Artists" at www.folkartmuseum.org and follow the American Folk Art Museum on Instagram at @afamuseum. If you're in New York City, visit the American Folk Art Museum open Wednesday–Sunday: 11:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. -- admission is always free. Follow @folkartwork on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more Subscribe to the "This Week in Outsider Art" Newsletter on Substack Visit folkartwork.art to shop self-taught art by emerging contemporary artists

In the eighth episode of FolkArtwork and Friends, I am pleased to catch up with my good friend Ryan Ward of The Ruffed Grouse Gallery. Ever since I was first mistaken for Ryan at the Outsider Art Fair in 2024, we hit it off, and he's been a great mentor and friend as he helps me navigate this world of outsider art. I talk to Ryan about his relationship with art growing up as a kid in rural Pennsylvania, spending tons of time outside, discovering artwork by Purvis Young and Jimmy Lee Sudduth that catapulted him into the world of self-taught and outsider art, as well as purchasing his first work while in grad school. Plus, we talk about our time at the Outsider Art Fair, the artist Little Walt Dog, discovering a piece of art created by Jerry Saltz, and the future of the outsider art world. Then, in celebration of May Day, a look at the life of self-taught artist Ralph Fasanella, whose large, detailed works depicted urban working life and critiqued post-World War II America. Follow Ryan Ward and The Ruffed Grouse Gallery on Instagram at @ruffed_grouse_gallery, and check out their latest gallery in Narrowsburg, New York, titled "Out Of Hand And Foot: Tanner Simon | Charles Farless" on display until June 14th. Follow @folkartwork on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more Subscribe to the "This Week in Outsider Art" Newsletter on Substack Visit folkartwork.art to shop self-taught art by emerging contemporary artists If you are in the Des Moines area, come to the Mainframe Studios "First Friday" event on May 1st from 5pm-8pm to see me hanging out with Ashley Mary in our studio and showcasing some of the artwork from the Outsider Art Fair, including works by Kay Le Seelleur Ara, Reneesa Mccoy, Jackie Bradshaw, Pam Puck, and more! Chapters (00:00:00) - Folk Artwork & Friends: April 2nd(00:03:07) - Interviewing Ryan Ward(00:07:35) - "We're Like Long Lost Friends"(00:07:43) - Adam and Ruffed Groose at the Outsider Art Fair(00:11:13) - Exploring the Outsider Art of Pennsylvania(00:20:30) - Philip Maslow on Art and the World(00:26:21) - Outsiders at the Art Fair(00:27:00) - Inside the Outside Art Fair(00:31:28) - Meet Walt Dog(00:34:05) - Surprising Jerry Salts at the Outsider Art(00:39:45) - The Outsider Folk Art Fair(00:41:01) - Outer Art Fair: Future of the Art World(00:46:40) - The World's Greatest Places to See(00:48:52) - DESERT ART FAIR(00:53:24) - Thanks for Reading!(00:53:44) - Famous New Yorker Ralph Fasanella(00:59:12) - Interview(01:01:37) - Folk Art and Friends

In the seventh episode of FolkArtwork and Friends, I had a delightful conversation with self-taught artist Pam Puck. I've known Pam for a few years now and have always been blown away by their sculptures, but I've never really had a chance to get to know them personally. I talk to Pam about getting her start with ceramics in a kids' pottery class, teaching English in Italy, growing up watching 'Rosemary's Baby', and being, well, as she put it, "a creepy kid". Plus, I learn about how her talented artist husband's work inspires them, living in a cave for a period of time, as well as the excitement of showcasing artwork at this year's Outsider Art Fair.  Then, with the recent bombings taking place in Iran, an excerpt from "Empty Chairs", an exhibit by Fiuz Gallery and Outsider Inn Gallery featuring one-of-a-kind artworks by Iranian self-taught artist Alireza Asbahi Sisi, also known as CC.  Follow Pam Puck on Instagram at @msglitterguts and look for her work in the FolkArtwork Collective booth at the 2026 Outsider Art Fair. Follow @folkartwork on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more Subscribe to the "This Week in Outsider Art" Newsletter on Substack Visit folkartwork.art to shop self-taught art by emerging contemporary artists See you in a few weeks in New York City for the Outsider Art Fair AND if you are in the Des Moines area, come to the Mainframe Studios "First Friday" event on March 6th from 5pm-8pm to see me hanging out with Ashley Mary in our studio and selling artwork for self-taught artist James Ash.  Chapters (00:00:01) - Farm Folk Artwork & Friends Podcast(00:03:47) - Pam Puck on Living in Italy(00:08:52) - Postcards for the Exhibition(00:11:04) - How to travel to the Cleveland Art Fair(00:14:00) - Sarah's work at Art Fair(00:17:31) - Naked Sculptures by Alessandra(00:22:15) - Teaching and the humor of your work(00:28:17) - Drawing Without a Plan(00:30:39) - What was your relationship like with art then? Like growing up(00:35:34) - Billy House on The Horror Film(00:38:20) - What's It Like Living With An Artful Husband(00:41:16) - Living in a cave(00:45:30) - Sarah Silverman on Meeting Her(00:48:34) - Iranian Artist Cece's(00:53:05) - Folk Artists and Friends

In the sixth episode of FolkArtwork and Friends, I am absolutely honored to talk with Nova Scotia's own Barry Colpitts, folk artist and wood carver, who creates some of the most magnificent works of art in North America. Thanks to Audrey Sanford of Black Sheep Gallery for setting this up, I get to sit down with Barry and hear about his beginnings, including his lack of relationship to art when he was younger, his start in wood carving while working as a prison guard, some of his "racy" mermaid carvings when he was in his twenties, plus he brings his one of a kind Prayer Helmet Whirligig to show off.  Plus, you can't really talk about folk art from Nova Scotia without talking about one particular artist, so please enjoy a little deep dive into the life and work of the one and only Maud Lewis.  Follow Black Sheep Gallery on Instagram at @blacksheepfolkart and check out their gallery at https://www.blacksheepart.com/ Follow @folkartwork on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more Subscribe to the "This Week in Outsider Art" Newsletter on Substack Visit folkartwork.art to shop self-taught art by emerging contemporary artists AND if you are in the Des Moines area, come to the Mainframe Studios "First Friday" event on February 6th from 5pm-8pm to see me hanging out with Ashley Mary in her beautiful studio and selling artwork for self-taught artist James Ash. PLUS, Noel Hatfield's exhibit "Unsung Heroes" at Wake Up Iowa Coffee opening Saturday, February 7th! Chapters (00:00:00) - This is a prayer helmet(00:00:17) - Folk Artwork & Friends: Exciting News!(00:04:19) - Folk Artist Barry Kolpitz in Nova Scotia(00:06:36) - Hello, How Are You?(00:08:16) - The Colpitz Home: A visit to the art(00:12:17) - Cutting With a Horse's Hoof(00:13:22) - Carving From the Paintbrush(00:18:52) - Fool Art: Celebrating the South(00:21:40) - Wood Carving For Almost 40 Years(00:24:56) - Whirly Gigs(00:30:30) - Halifax craftsman makes seagull chairs(00:31:59) - Artists Get a King's Medal(00:33:17) - George Waterhouse on Drawing(00:37:58) - Barry and Betty Ann at TED(00:39:49) - Maude Lewis(00:48:13) - Unsung Heroes

In the fifth episode of FolkArtwork and Friends, self-taught artist Esteban Whiteside joins on a beautiful sunny morning to talk about how growing up, he was turned off from artwork because he could never draw realistically. After his dreams of playing professional basketball were dashed (I can relate), it was the free time he had while bartending and working as a security guard in one of his favorite museum collections that convinced him he could make art. After years of hustling and finding his calling, years later, he's still making some of the most poignant and powerful artwork in the contemporary art world.  Plus, a look into the life and work of self-taught artist Steve Ashby, an artist who was brought to my attention thanks to Esteban, who didn't start carving wood and making art well into his 60's. Follow Esteban on Instagram at @esteban.whiteside and shop his artwork at estebanwhiteside.com or on FolkArtwork at www.folkartwork.art/shop/esteban-whiteside Follow @folkartwork on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more Subscribe to the "This Week in Outsider Art" Newsletter on Substack Visit folkartwork.art to shop self-taught art by emerging contemporary artists AND if you are in the Des Moines area, come to the Mainframe Studios "First Friday" event on January 2nd from 5pm-8pm to see me hanging out with Ashley Mary in her beautiful studio and selling artwork for my friends self-taught artist Reneesha Mccoy and Canadian folk artist Jackie Bradshaw. Chapters (00:00:07) - Folk Artwork & Friends(00:01:24) - Folk Art(00:02:40) - Interviewing Black Artist Esteban Whiteside(00:04:44) - A Little Compliment For Your Work(00:05:19) - Adam Levine on His Art When He Was Growing Up(00:08:50) - Did You Start Drawing Before College?(00:12:45) - The Des Moines Art Center Guard's Job(00:14:16) - Drawing While Drinking Alcohol(00:17:15) - Louis Mangion on Becoming an(00:24:24) - Steve Ashby and Elijah Pierce on Drawing(00:27:04) - How Having Kids Affects Your Work(00:30:31) - "2026": Plans to travel to North Carolina(00:32:22) - Esteban Whiteside at the Art Fair(00:35:38) - Steve Ashby

In the fourth episode of FolkArtwork and Friends, a longtime friend and champion of self-taught, disabled, and overlooked artists from around the world joins me -- Jennifer Gilbert of Jennlifer Lauren Gallery in Manchester. Jennifer shares her background and her work as a curator and advocate for inclusive art, from studying graphic design to discovering outsider art through her work with artists with schizophrenia, as well as curating her recent exhibit "Look Everywhere" with the artists whose work made up the brilliant show. All that, and more, including her outsider art collection series, what galleries and museums can do to be more inclusive, and meeting the one and only Shinichi Sawada. Plus, a look into the life and work of Japanese ceramicist Shinichi Sawada, who spent almost two decades baking bread in his mornings and creating out-of-this-world clay creatures in the afternoon -- all on the side of a mountain, firing his creations in a traditional wood fire oven, and becoming an internationally renowned artist.  Follow Jennifer on Instagram at @j_lgallery and check out her collector series interviews and learn more about her work here: http://jenniferlaurengallery.com/ Follow @folkartwork on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more Subscribe to the "This Week in Outsider Art" Newsletter on Substack Visit folkartwork.art to shop self-taught art by emerging contemporary artists AND if you are in the Des Moines area, come to the Mainframe Studios "First Friday" event on December 5th from 5pm-8pm to see me hanging out with Ashley Mary in her beautiful studio and selling artwork for my friends self-taught artist Reneesha Mccoy and Canadian folk artist Jackie Bradshaw. Chapters (00:00:00) - Meet Naina Kalu(00:03:58) - Jennifer Gilbert on Outsider Art(00:05:35) - Shinichi Sawada at the Outsider Art Fair(00:06:54) - How to Talk to an Artist With a Disability(00:11:16) - Working on a Graphic Design degree(00:15:20) - Philip Glass on His Second Home(00:16:06) - Curating Look Here: 30 Progressive Art Studios Across America(00:24:55) - The Unlocking the Outsider Art Fair(00:31:37) - The Art of Being Able to See(00:35:41) - Interview(00:40:44) - The Secret Life of Art Collectors(00:45:08) - A Conversation With Shinichi Sawada(00:45:59) - Shinichi Sawada's Discerning Work(00:50:56) - Soada's work as an autistic artist(00:56:51) - The Japanese ceramicist's(01:01:52) - Meet Naina Kalu, the Turner Prize(01:04:58) - Shinichi Sawada's Sculptural Creatures(01:13:43) - Folk Art and Friends

In the third episode of FolkArtwork and Friends, instead of telling you about one of my favorite artists, I am joined by one of my favorite contemporary self-taught artists Montrel Beverly. This summer, Montrel was generous enough to create a few pieces of art for the show I curated at SAGE Studio & Gallery, and he continues to push the boundaries of what seems possible with art made from pipe cleaners. We talk about the first pipe-cleaner sculpture he ever made, a pipe-cleaner prank he pulled in high school, and his plans for a pipe-cleaner world record. Plus, you can see his work this January 2026 in Los Angeles at Megan Mulrooney Gallery. Follow Montrel on Instagram at @mrclowney_  Follow @folkartwork on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more Subscribe to the "This Week in Outsider Art" Newsletter on Substack Visit folkartwork.art to shop self-taught art by emerging contemporary artists.