Art in the Raw: A Podcast About Queer Artists cover art

Art in the Raw: A Podcast About Queer Artists

Art in the Raw: A Podcast About Queer Artists

By: David Smith Salon Naturale
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About this listen

 Art in the Raw is a podcast exploring the bold and unfiltered world of queer art. Hosted by David Smith of Salon Naturale, each episode features intimate conversations with LGBTQ+ artists who push boundaries in nude art, photography, painting, and multimedia. Discover the inspirations, struggles, and creative processes behind their work - raw, vulnerable, and unapologetically queer. New episodes every other Sunday.David Smith, Salon Naturale Art
Episodes
  • E17: The Art of Sobriety: A Journey of Self-Discovery

    E17: The Art of Sobriety: A Journey of Self-Discovery
    Oct 26 2025
    Summary Artist Charlie Cole joins David Smith and Gabe Vasquez for a candid exploration of how sobriety, queer identity, and spirituality shape creative expression. From childhood art experiments to the erotic themes of his current work, Cole shares how his journey is marked by vulnerability, humor, and a refusal to hide any part of himself. Along the way, the conversation delves into the power of community, the alchemy of erotic and spiritual energy, and why shedding old skins—whether through paint or recovery—can lead to honest, transformative art. You can listen to Part 1 of our interview with Charlie over on Gabe's Podcast: Art, Sobriety, and the Fool's Journey: Charlie's Path to Healing Through Creativity Keywords queer art, sobriety, recovery, erotic art, creativity, spirituality, LGBTQ+ artists, vulnerability, Dallas art scene, artistic process Takeaways Art as Subconscious Expression: Cole sees art as a channel for subconscious truths, allowing things to emerge that even he doesn’t fully understand until after creation.Sobriety as Creative Catalyst: Getting sober didn’t just clear space for art—it allowed Cole’s creative voice to grow in bold, authentic directions, free from shame or self-censorship.Eroticism as Spiritual: Cole’s current work is unapologetically erotic, reflecting his belief that sexual energy and spiritual energy are deeply connected, not separate realms.From Chaos to Clarity: Pre-sobriety art was sporadic and hard to trace; post-recovery, Cole’s art shows a clear, evolving narrative, mirroring his emotional and spiritual growth.Vulnerability Through Visibility: Making erotic art—especially pieces that might make even his mom blush—requires a willingness to be seen, judged, and ultimately proud.Creative Cycles and Pink Clouds: Like the “pink cloud” phase in recovery, Cole’s artistic journey ebbs and flows, with bursts of inspiration followed by quieter periods of reflection.Community and Isolation: While Cole’s art is deeply personal, he reflects on the tension between creative solitude and the desire for deeper artistic community.From Abstraction to Intimacy: Cole’s next artistic phase might move beyond raw eroticism to explore intimacy, connection, and emotional depth—finding new ways to tell queer stories.The Fool’s Journey Through Recovery: His unpublished book merges tarot symbolism with sobriety narratives, offering a personal map for integrating spiritual and creative growth.Art as Manifestation: Cole believes that what we paint can shape our reality—sometimes literally, as people or situations that appear in his life eerily resemble figures from his canvases. Chapters & Timestamps 00:02 – Introductions & Setting the Stage00:39 – Gabe’s Podcast Mission: Sobriety and the LGBTQ+ Community03:15 – Charlie’s Creative Roots: From Childhood Sketches to Performance Art05:28 – Art Before and After Sobriety: Finding a Linear Progression09:18 – Spirituality in Art: From Marie Laveau to Out-of-Body Experiences12:08 – Queer Identity & Art: Eroticism, Vulnerability, and Liberation14:15 – Gabe on Creativity in Recovery: From Journaling to Crochet17:13 – Charlie’s Creative Process Today: Erotic Art, Collaboration, and Growth24:10 – Advice for Creatives: Embracing Imperfection, Vulnerability, and Subconscious Flow33:07 – Creative Community: The Search for Connection Beyond the Canvas35:18 – Art as Shedding Skin: Phases, Bursts, and the Evolution of Voice41:02 – The Fool’s Journey Through Recovery: Charlie’s Unpublished Book and Spiritual Integration46:52 – Looking Ahead: Next Projects, New Directions, and Taking Up Space54:55 – Rapid-Fire Questions: Oils, Cocktail Twins, and the Art of the Daddy Voice01:03:28 – Closing Thoughts: The Magic of Growth, Community, and Queer Creativity Featured Artist & Guest Links Charlie Cole is a Dallas-based artist whose work spans spiritual symbolism, queer eroticism, and the interplay of recovery and creativity. His unpublished book, The Fool’s Journey Through Recovery, explores tarot as a metaphor for sobriety and personal evolution. Facebook Page: Art by ColeInstagram: @charlesedwardcoleBook: The Fool’s Journey Through Recovery – buy on Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gabe Vasquez hosts his own podcast for Out & About AF: Alcohol-free coaching, community, and travel for LGBTQIA+ folks and allies. You can find more information about Gabe and Out and About AF below. Linktree: Out & About AFApple Podcast: Out & About AFFacebook Support Group: Out & About AF Resources & Connect Subscribe to our Substack for essays and bonus contentFollow us on Instagram and BlueskyListen and subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and anywhere podcasts are found Stay Connected with Salon Naturale! 
Ready to dive deeper into the world of queer art, creativity, and community? Visit our website at salonnaturale.art to subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on: New Podcast Episodes: ...
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • E16: Building Inclusive Art Communities: Artitude’s Vision and Impact

    E16: Building Inclusive Art Communities: Artitude’s Vision and Impact
    Oct 12 2025
    Summary Jerome Larez shares his artistic journey and the founding story of Artitude, an organization dedicated to uplifting LGBTQ+ and marginalized artists in Dallas and beyond. We explore themes of representation, community-building, and the power of reclaiming words through art. Jerome also discusses the challenges and opportunities facing queer artists today and the future of Artitude’s programming and outreach. Keywords Jerome LarezArtitudeQueer artistsLGBTQ+ artsDallas art communityMariconXIntersectional artArt and activismBlack and Latinx artistsInclusive art spaces Takeaways Jerome’s artistic roots began in music but transitioned to photography and mixed media, especially black-and-white photography, which became a therapeutic way to explore his queer identity.Artitude was born from conversations among marginalized artists about representation gaps in Dallas' queer and art communities, aiming to create inclusive, cross-cultural platforms.The organization's flagship program, MariconX, reclaims a historically pejorative term to empower Latinx queer artists and embraces inclusivity by adding an "X" to the name.Artitude intentionally fosters multicultural programming, exemplified by projects that blend traditions like Día de los Muertos with diverse artistic perspectives, including Black artists.Jerome balances multiple civic and cultural roles to influence broader access, equity, and representation for marginalized artists in Dallas.Recent funding from the Ford Foundation has allowed Artitude to hire staff, expand programs, and offer scholarships, increasing their capacity and community impact.The organization confronts challenges such as exclusion from events like the Texas State Fair when requiring LGBTQ+ recognition, and continues advocacy for visibility and support.Artitude fosters community and solidarity through art, creating safe spaces where artists can be vulnerable and authentic, inspiring mentorship and connection across identity intersections.Jerome emphasizes the importance of dialogue, strategic alliances, and creating tables where marginalized voices can be heard rather than forcing entry.Looking ahead, Artitude seeks to deepen cross-cultural collaboration and expand its influence regionally, including exhibitions at NYU and continued outreach in Texas cities such as San Antonio. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction and Artistic Journey of Jerome Larez04:50 – Founding of Artitude: The Starbucks Meeting and Early Conversations07:30 – Defining Multicultural Programming and Cross-Cultural Artistic Expression10:10 – Jerome’s Civic Roles and Integration with Artitude’s Mission14:30 – Artitude’s Unique Community and Representation Focus18:00 – Challenges in Dallas’ LGBTQ+ Arts Landscape and Funding Issues21:40 – Reclaiming “MariconX”: Name, Controversy, and Inclusivity26:00 – The Evolving Themes of MariconX and Adaptation Across Cities28:00 – Solidarity Through Artistic Collaboration and Safe Spaces31:30 – Impact of Ford Foundation Grant on Artitude’s Growth and Programming35:00 – Navigating Controversies: Texas State Fair and Advocacy38:20 – Managing Artitude Across Distance with Co-Director Rafik40:00 – Future Aspirations: El Pueblo Unido Exhibit and Regional Expansion43:00 – Mentorship and Advice for Emerging Queer Artists of Color44:40 – Hope for the Future: Artists’ Persistence and Voices46:50 – Quickfire Lightning Round: Personal Artistic Insights Guest Info Jerome Larez Artitude Official WebsiteArtitude Instagram Resources and Links Art in the Raw Substack NewsletterArt in the Raw on InstagramListen on Apple PodcastsListen on Spotify Stay Connected with Salon Naturale! 
Ready to dive deeper into the world of queer art, creativity, and community? Visit our website at salonnaturale.art to subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on: New Podcast Episodes: Insights, interviews, and discussions that inspire.Drink & Draw Events: Join us monthly for fun nights of creativity and connection at The Dallas EagleNude Art Socials: Explore the beauty of the human form through art.
 Subscribe Now and become part of our vibrant community!
 Follow us on: Bluesky @salonnaturale.art Instagram @salonnaturale YouTube @salonnaturale Hosted on Podbean
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    45 mins
  • E15: Breaking Chains of Shame: Religion, Creativity, and Community with Artist Joey Brock

    E15: Breaking Chains of Shame: Religion, Creativity, and Community with Artist Joey Brock
    Sep 28 2025
    Summary Joey Brock, a queer mixed-media artist with a background in corporate America and fashion merchandising, shares his poignant journey embracing self-love and identity through his evocative portrait work. From confronting religious shame to celebrating queer bodies as sacred, Joey blends photography, stitching, and mylar overlays to create layered, powerful narratives that uplift marginalized voices and challenge societal norms. Keywords Joey BrockQueer ArtMixed MediaReligious ShamePortrait PhotographyMylar ArtSelf-LoveAmerican South Queer ArtistsTextile ArtLGBTQ+ Community Takeaways Joey’s experience in corporate America honed skills like focus, time management, and networking that positively influence his career as an independent artist.Growing up in a Primitive Baptist family in Texas shaped his early relationship with religious shame and queer identity but also inspired his critique of religious hypocrisy toward the LGBTQ+ community.The "Heavenly Bodies" project reclaims queer bodies as divine, using hyper-stylized photos combined with fabric overlays to evoke spirituality and beauty.Joey’s use of materials such as mylar and hand stitching creates multi-layered architectural artworks that explore visibility, presence, and vulnerability.His shift from abstraction to portraiture, inspired by artists like Robert Mapplethorpe, allowed him to confront body image and identity in raw, honest ways.Joey’s broader social practice projects include interviews and portraits addressing discrimination across race, sexuality, socioeconomic status, and body types, highlighting shared human pain and resilience.He consciously balances commercial and conceptual work, maintaining a recognizable style while addressing critical social issues.Joey emphasizes the importance of self-love for queer artists, encouraging individuals to release toxic relationships, including family, and prioritize chosen family.His artistic legacy aspires to uplift communities, be innovative, and challenge viewers to reconsider love, identity, and acceptance.The lightning round reveals Joey's humor, humility, and personal taste, from disliking loud mufflers to admiring Buddhist chants and the value of “quiet the noise” as a personal and artistic mantra. Chapters 00:00 – Introductions and background in corporate and art worlds02:20 – Religious upbringing and its influence on identity and art05:10 – Genesis of portraiture and self-portrait work07:30 – “Heavenly Bodies” project and reclaiming queer divinity15:40 – Fashion merchandising roots and textile techniques18:00 – The technical and mixed media aspects of Joey’s work23:30 – Blending personal, political, and social themes in art27:00 – Handling discrimination and backlash as a queer artist30:10 – Portrait subjects and community celebration32:20 – Definitions of success and artistic legacy36:10 – Advice for young queer artists on self-love and acceptance39:10 – Quick fire: personal favorites and artistic inspirations44:00 – Closing thoughts and future connections Guest Website and Socials Joey Brock Official WebsiteInstagram @joeybrockartFacebook: Joey Brock ArtBlueSky @joeybrockart.bsky.social Art in the Raw — Show Links Support on PatreonNewsletter on SubstackTwitter @artintherawpodInstagram @artintherawpodcastListen on Apple PodcastsListen on Spotify Stay Connected with Salon Naturale! 
Ready to dive deeper into the world of queer art, creativity, and community? Visit our website at salonnaturale.art to subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on: New Podcast Episodes: Insights, interviews, and discussions that inspire.Drink & Draw Events: Join us monthly for fun nights of creativity and connection at The Dallas EagleNude Art Socials: Explore the beauty of the human form through art.
 Subscribe Now and become part of our vibrant community!
 Follow us on: Bluesky @salonnaturale.art Instagram @salonnaturale YouTube @salonnaturale Hosted on Podbean
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    49 mins
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