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!

• (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.

• (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!

• (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