Christopher (Chris) Volpe

As you probably already know, I'm an artist, writer, and teacher interested in sharing the processes and fruits of creativity and self-knowledge with as wide an audience as possible. 

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.