FolkArtwork and Friends

08: Ryan Ward + Ralph Fasanella

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 [https://www.ruffedgrousegallery.com/] on Instagram at @ruffed_grouse_gallery, [https://www.instagram.com/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 [http://www.instagram.com/folkartwork] on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more Subscribe to the "This Week in Outsider Art" [https://folkartwork.substack.com/] Newsletter on Substack Visit folkartwork.art [http://www.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!

07: Pam Puck + CC

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 [http://www.instagram.com/msglitterguts] and look for her work in the FolkArtwork Collective booth at the 2026 Outsider Art Fair. [https://folkartwork.art/2026/02/28/the-folkartwork-collective-returns-to-the-outsider-art-fair/] Follow @folkartwork [http://www.instagram.com/folkartwork] on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more Subscribe to the "This Week in Outsider Art" [https://folkartwork.substack.com/] Newsletter on Substack Visit folkartwork.art [http://www.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.

06: Barry Colpitts + Maud Lewis

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" [https://folkartwork.substack.com/] Newsletter on Substack Visit folkartwork.art [http://www.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!

05: Esteban Whiteside + Steve Ashby

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 [https://www.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" [https://folkartwork.substack.com/] Newsletter on Substack Visit folkartwork.art [http://www.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.

04: Jennifer Gilbert + Shinichi Sawada

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" [https://folkartwork.substack.com/] Newsletter on Substack Visit folkartwork.art [http://www.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.