1
patron
$9
per monthThis platform helps artists connect to patrons who believe in them enough to help them make their art.
By supporting me through this site you make it possible for me to make the art I believe in most.
Having patrons also allows me to pursue projects that are super important to me but that I probably wouldn’t be able to do otherwise (projects such as the book on creativity I’m collecting notes for, and an artist's book that's already finished but languishing for lack of time and a scanner).
I thought hard before doing this.
Here’s where I’m at with it. I’ve hung back from crowd-sourcing sites like Kickstarter because I don’t work like a musician, say, who needs a pile of money up front to fund a costly recording project. The overhead for what I do is considerable, but it’s spread out over months and years, and the work gets made, piece by piece, the same way - over time. Gallery sales and teaching are my mainstay, but I’m thinking about the “long game.” For me that is probably always going to be about having multiple revenue sources (sales, private and group lessons, workshops, writing, editing, speaking gigs, and the occasional grant or award), including sources that are ongoing, like this one, that provide sustained support over the long haul for all I do all the time.
In the past, artists were always supported by patrons, only patrons had to be rich. Now it’s possible to spread the cost of patronage so that it's affordable (like $1 or $5 a month affordable). As patrons, you guys get intimate, backstage, VIP access to my process, my ideas about art and creativity, my work and what goes into it, and the business of art - what it takes to support oneself as an artist.
Patrons come here to learn, interact, and be inspired. We can interact via the patrons-only feed, Q&As, exclusive process documentation, possible live events, creative challenges, sneak previews, monthly drawings for original paintings and works on paper, behind-the-scenes peeks and special offers. You can always change your patronage tier or stop becoming a patron whenever you want.
I want to promote art as a way for individuals to experience being in a different way and, in these fractured, tumultuous times, to think more deeply about who we are and our position in the world. I intend to do this not just by selling paintings/promoting myself but also by raising awareness of the value of expression through writing and workshops specifically designed to engage those searching for a path to create work deeply of the mind and spirit while very much grounded in reality.
The Patreon model has us offer "rewards" to entice you to donate, but if we're going to be honest, you've read this far because you understand what I'm working toward, and you think the mad dedication and many hours I put in, not just to painting but to the business end that allows me to keep doing it, are worth it. You "get it." You see what I'm trying to do and you're willing to take an active part in making it happen - and that's awesome.
So THANK YOU.
Tiers
Tip jar!
Supporting Patron
You've unlocked access to patron-only content, which I'll be posting a couple times per month, such as:
- new finished work
- paintings in progress
- writing excerpts
- poems
- discounts
- invitations
- ruminations
- special offers
- news
- tips
- and provocations.
In addition, you'll now have access to the following:
● Monthly chance to win an original work on paper
● Access to live-stream painting events (when we get that far)
● Discounted access to online course in creativity (when created)
● Copy of book, Redeeming Darkness, Making Art in a Difficutl Time (when published)
Premiere Patron
In addition to patron-only access to the kind of content and everything listed above, you’ll receive the following:
● One-of-a-kind "Thank You" hand-crafted postcard
● Monthly chance to win an original OIL PAINTING
● Free enrollment in online course in creativity, when launched
● Signed copy of the book, Redeeming Darkness, when completed
True Believer Patron
In addition to access to the patron-only content and everything listed above, you’ll receive the following:
- An original work on paper created just for you in addition to what you win through the monthly drawings, sent to your home through the U.S. mail
- Two signed copies of the book, Redeeming Darkness, when completed, one for you and one to give as a gift
- Your name listed on the "Acknowledgments" page of Redeeming Darkness
Financial Backer Patron
Watch your mail for a gift from me - you'll be receiving a painting in addition to what you win through the monthly drawings.
All-In Patron
Angel Investor Patron
Goals
I'll also commit to sharing a new excerpt each month from my book-in-progress, working title Redeeming Darkness, Making Art in a Difficult Time.
This platform helps artists connect to patrons who believe in them enough to help them make their art.
By supporting me through this site you make it possible for me to make the art I believe in most.
Having patrons also allows me to pursue projects that are super important to me but that I probably wouldn’t be able to do otherwise (projects such as the book on creativity I’m collecting notes for, and an artist's book that's already finished but languishing for lack of time and a scanner).
I thought hard before doing this.
Here’s where I’m at with it. I’ve hung back from crowd-sourcing sites like Kickstarter because I don’t work like a musician, say, who needs a pile of money up front to fund a costly recording project. The overhead for what I do is considerable, but it’s spread out over months and years, and the work gets made, piece by piece, the same way - over time. Gallery sales and teaching are my mainstay, but I’m thinking about the “long game.” For me that is probably always going to be about having multiple revenue sources (sales, private and group lessons, workshops, writing, editing, speaking gigs, and the occasional grant or award), including sources that are ongoing, like this one, that provide sustained support over the long haul for all I do all the time.
In the past, artists were always supported by patrons, only patrons had to be rich. Now it’s possible to spread the cost of patronage so that it's affordable (like $1 or $5 a month affordable). As patrons, you guys get intimate, backstage, VIP access to my process, my ideas about art and creativity, my work and what goes into it, and the business of art - what it takes to support oneself as an artist.
Patrons come here to learn, interact, and be inspired. We can interact via the patrons-only feed, Q&As, exclusive process documentation, possible live events, creative challenges, sneak previews, monthly drawings for original paintings and works on paper, behind-the-scenes peeks and special offers. You can always change your patronage tier or stop becoming a patron whenever you want.
I want to promote art as a way for individuals to experience being in a different way and, in these fractured, tumultuous times, to think more deeply about who we are and our position in the world. I intend to do this not just by selling paintings/promoting myself but also by raising awareness of the value of expression through writing and workshops specifically designed to engage those searching for a path to create work deeply of the mind and spirit while very much grounded in reality.
The Patreon model has us offer "rewards" to entice you to donate, but if we're going to be honest, you've read this far because you understand what I'm working toward, and you think the mad dedication and many hours I put in, not just to painting but to the business end that allows me to keep doing it, are worth it. You "get it." You see what I'm trying to do and you're willing to take an active part in making it happen - and that's awesome.
So THANK YOU.
Recent posts by Christopher (Chris) Volpe
Tiers
Tip jar!
Supporting Patron
You've unlocked access to patron-only content, which I'll be posting a couple times per month, such as:
- new finished work
- paintings in progress
- writing excerpts
- poems
- discounts
- invitations
- ruminations
- special offers
- news
- tips
- and provocations.
In addition, you'll now have access to the following:
● Monthly chance to win an original work on paper
● Access to live-stream painting events (when we get that far)
● Discounted access to online course in creativity (when created)
● Copy of book, Redeeming Darkness, Making Art in a Difficutl Time (when published)
Premiere Patron
In addition to patron-only access to the kind of content and everything listed above, you’ll receive the following:
● One-of-a-kind "Thank You" hand-crafted postcard
● Monthly chance to win an original OIL PAINTING
● Free enrollment in online course in creativity, when launched
● Signed copy of the book, Redeeming Darkness, when completed
True Believer Patron
In addition to access to the patron-only content and everything listed above, you’ll receive the following:
- An original work on paper created just for you in addition to what you win through the monthly drawings, sent to your home through the U.S. mail
- Two signed copies of the book, Redeeming Darkness, when completed, one for you and one to give as a gift
- Your name listed on the "Acknowledgments" page of Redeeming Darkness
Financial Backer Patron
Watch your mail for a gift from me - you'll be receiving a painting in addition to what you win through the monthly drawings.