FolkArtwork and Friends

Adam Oestreich
  • 5.0 (12)
  • Visual Arts
  • Updated Monthly

FolkArtwork and Friends is the brainchild of Adam Oestreich, who started an Instagram account years ago and is now curating self-taught art exhibits across the country. This podcast is a deep dive into some of my favorite folk, outsider, visionary, and self-taught artists, and a conversation with some of my friends in the field about how they got their start, which artists inspire them, and which roadside attractions their children went to kicking and screaming but actually loved.

  1. Jul 17

    12: "Narrow" Larry Harris + Art Environments

    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

    12: "Narrow" Larry Harris + Art Environments

  2. Jul 10

    11: Ricky Boscarino of Luna Parc

    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

    11: Ricky Boscarino of Luna Parc

  3. Jul 3

    10: Jo Farb Hernández + Art Environments

    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

    10: Jo Farb Hernández + Art Environments

  4. Jun 26

    09: Bill Miller + "Self-Made" Exhibit (Pt. 2)

    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

    09: Bill Miller + "Self-Made" Exhibit (Pt. 2)

  5. Jun 18

    09: Valérie Rousseau + American Folk Art Museum (Pt. 1)

    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

    09: Valérie Rousseau + American Folk Art Museum (Pt. 1)

  6. May 1

    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 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

    08: Ryan Ward + Ralph Fasanella

  7. Mar 6

    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 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

    07: Pam Puck + CC

  8. Feb 6

    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" 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

    06: Barry Colpitts + Maud Lewis
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About

FolkArtwork and Friends is the brainchild of Adam Oestreich, who started an Instagram account years ago and is now curating self-taught art exhibits across the country. This podcast is a deep dive into some of my favorite folk, outsider, visionary, and self-taught artists, and a conversation with some of my friends in the field about how they got their start, which artists inspire them, and which roadside attractions their children went to kicking and screaming but actually loved.

Information

  • Creator
    Adam Oestreich
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Oh Gregorys LLC © 2025
  • Show Website
    FolkArtwork and Friends