What do the Catholic Church, the Medici family, Gertrude Stein, and Peggy
Guggenheim have in common? They were all patrons of artists for many years, and,
because of them, we’ve heard of Michelangelo, DaVinci, Pablo Picasso, and Jackson
Pollock among others. Yes, patrons do at times purchase art from the artists they
champion, but the most important function of patrons is consistent financial and
sometimes emotional and everything-else support for artists. Before Jackson
Pollock became JACKSON POLLOCK, he received a monthly stipend from Peggy
Guggenheim that covered everything from materials to doctor bills to groceries. Peggy
also helped Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner buy their house in Springs, Long Island
to, bluntly, get Pollock out of Greenwich Village and the bars and the distractions that
interfered with his art. The house in Springs is where Jackson Pollock would be the
most prolific in his career. Patrons believe in artists, they believe in artists’ potential, and
they believe in artists’ work.
Why Be a Patron for Me?
I’m not asking you to buy me a house; I already have one. This venture is new for me,
and while I’m NOT claiming or promising to be the next Picasso or anyone else, I can
guarantee that your support for me will go to improving my art and seeking out
opportunities for others to see my work. In this stage, your support of $15/month will go
towards items like supplies, website maintenance, and more efforts to get me and my
art OUT THERE. Maintaining memberships in institutions that inspire me, like the Art
Institute in Chicago or the Detroit Institute of Arts, might also be a possibility with patron
funds.
You will get in return for your $10/month support an original hand-painted 3” x 3”
canvas panel magnet, access to a patron-only blog that will cover a wide variety of
topics that might include who inspired me to try to paint in the first place, a great art
book, what I’m currently working on, etc., and most importantly, my gratitude and
assurance that your money will not go to waste.
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!
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