Help me build The Creative Shrine: A mobile sanctuary for street portraits & radical connection.

Im Jack (@CREAMYLINES). I draw strangers on the streets of Bristol for free. This is not to sell art- but just to spread the joy of authentic creative expression. Now I need your help to build a powerful portable set up so I can transition to doing this full time and inspire many more people to make art.

This started 2 summers ago using a wooden easel and a handmade painted sign. Whilst all of those interactions have been lovely ive learnt a lot through countless nourishing conversations, I have started to realised most people believe they ‘can’t draw’

I've sat with hundreds of strangers and again and again they say the same thing:

"I wish I could draw"

"I don’t have a creative bone in my body"

"I’ve not picked up a pencil since I was 7" etc, etc..

We live in a world that trains creativity out of people from an early age. We are told that the arts are for “talented people" we believe stories about our limitations and forget the joy of simply making something. There a healing power to authentic creative expression without judgement. The world would be a more colourful beautiful place if everyone felt empowered and inspired to build a daily relationship with creativity for its own sake. Imagine all the art we are missing out on.

THE VISION:

Imagine rushing through the busy city streets, your feeling stressed, your on your phone. Then you see it. A hand painted beautiful structure, bright colours and a calm stranger in paint covered overalls sitting at an easel. a sign that reads **Sit with me. 10 minutes. A free portrait. Your story. **

That stranger is me. the structure is what I call the CREATIVE SHRINE.

It’s part portrait studio, part theatre, part sanctuary for 10 minutes there are no transactions, no pressure, we talk, I listen and I draw you. fast, colourfully, and expressive. You walk away with a unique artwork and a quiet realisation. ‘Maybe I could make something myself.’

How it works:

we sit. We breathe. We talk about whatever is in your heart.

I draw you organically speedily expressive and alive. you keep the original and then you leave feeling inspired. I gently remind you that no one else can make what you can make. that’s it, no fee, no hassle just a gift from me to you.

here’s the catch: to be able to give this gift freely I need to stop worrying about rent.

The ASK

right now I work multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet, which means doing these portraits I might show up tired, distracted or subtlety worried. I want to show up fully present. In service to you.

Im asking for a total goal of £4000 to fund my first 3 months as a full time creative inspiration station shrine worker. This is my ‘Runway’ and it covers:

-building the shrine: a portable, weatherproof magical set up that feels like an oasis in the busy city (hand painted wood, seating, wheels, storage)

- powerful materials, high quality archival paper, professional grade artist tools, soft pastels, charcoal, fixative and pens that don’t fade.

-my living costs: rent food bills, so when I sit across from you, my nervous system is calm: my only job is to listen and create.

£2000 for the shrine setup and high quality art materials.

£1200 rent and bills.

£800 food.

shouldn’t you pay your own bills?

in a traditional job yes, but this isn’t a traditional job I’m offering a completely free gift-based service to the public-no charge no pressure no sale at the end that means my income does not come from the people I serve. It comes from the people who believe the service should exist and I’m not asking for sympathy, I’m asking for investment in a public service. Imagine crowdfunding a free community library, except instead of books. I’m lending presence, portraits and permission to be creative. My rent and food are simply the fuel keeps the ‘library’ open. If it still feels uncomfortable to you. I completely understand, donate nothing and simply come and find me for a free portrait instead that’s still a win.

The Ripple Effect:

This is not just about portraits.

Every person who sits with me will be invited to my community workshops-meditative, process driven art session designed to help you build a daily creative practice. The street set up is the doorway. The workshops are where you stay.

So your donation doesn’t just buy me time. It buys a stressed single mothers first drawing in 20 years. Or a busy students much needed 10 minute break in a tough day of revision. Or a retirees belated realisation that they CAN call themselves an artist. Your donation is directly helping to inspire people that EVERYONE IS AN ARTIST. Our entire life can be our masterpiece to create.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

I want to live in a world where Art isn’t a commodity-it’s a service to the human heart.

Donate any amount: £5 buys me a lunch £50 buys paper for hundreds of portraits £500 buys my attention for weeks or £2000 could get me the snazziest work trike from a professional work bike building company.

Share this link: Copy this url and tell a friend why art is important to you.

Become a guardian;

On patreon donate as little as £3 per month and receive exclusive documentation of the project. Behind the scenes content, prints/postcards from the street and access Monthly art giveaways.

My final promise to you is that I won’t ever charge anyone for a portrait. If you do choose to support the project Your donation goes to the next person receiving theirs for free.

Let’s bring more colour, more openness, and more connection to the streets. Help me create these little moments of magic.

Support The Creative Shrine today.