Fundraiser to Rebuild Art Studio

Hello, my name is Jesse and I am raising funds to rebuild my art studio!

Asking for support

My father helped raise my brother and I through his career as a machinist, running his own business through a full machine shop in our basement. He couldn't afford to start the entire shop on his own. My grandmother sadly passed away, and the inheritance allowed him to start his shop. His shop enabled him to have a family. Your contribution will help me start my shop. This will be my career for the rest of my life.

Help vs Hand-Out

I am seeking this goal now because I am doing well and have momentum, not because I'm stuck and have some fantasy that getting my studio back would be the magic solution.

I've filled up the sketch pads that I do have, to kind of prove to myself that I'm consistently making art.

I currently owe $88,000 in student loans from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Although that debt stings and hangs over me, it was still the best decision I've ever made. I became dramatically improved as an artist, won 1st place awards, became a professional artist by my junior year, and learned overall how to work in the arts.

Financially speaking I'm as upside-down as a sleeping bat due to student loans, but this Gofundme actually builds on all the training and experience that the loan afforded me.

Specifics

My plan was to be able to afford to rebuild my art studio on my own, but...

Painful reality

I realized it wouldn't work. The idea was: I work tireless 50 hour weeks for around 3-6 months to save and buy what I need. I could say, "I did this all on my own through hard work." After I itemized everything I needed, I was hit with the painful reality that this plan wouldn't even come close to working. In theory it sounds honorable...in reality, it'd just be another dream deferred.

WHY $10,000

The Gofundme concept is: a single mother's car dies. She asks for the $750 she needs for the upcoming rent, not the $2500 needed to fix the car. She's too shy to ask for the full amount needed, but her problem will still persist after the donation.

I refer back to my dad's shop, and what having a full shop did for him.

Why 10K?

(process)

I was trained in the rennasaince model of learning/mastering/loving all mediums equally. I am not singularly a "pastel artist" or "Plein air painter." I was always this way, and was trained this way in art school. So, lots of supplies needed. I really have just three main areas of focus, but they each require a certain amount of equipment.

As a portrait artist, I have to be ready to do art in any medium requested.

(cost cont.)

I did two test runs spending 10K using Craigslist, Ebay, Facebook Marketplace, art stores, etc. I would buy pretty much all used electronics. I did my best to find the best deals while keeping in mind to avoid the "buy nice or buy twice" pitfall.

(Permanency of the one-time support)

All of this equipment will be insured (renters insurance covers all property damage/theft even if property is not at home) and will last for years. It is mobile enough to travel with me when I move.

The cost of this is 10K. The value of all this is so far beyond that, and not just financial. But financially speaking, I could reasonably end up multiplying the original investment amount in the long-term. That's the overall plan.

I've been selected to apply for and nearly awarded singular portrait commissions that were $38K (NASA Ames center) to $50K (City of Berkeley public arts) for one painting. I was the runner up out of 39 on that last one.

You gotta do all that before you paint? Yes, Bonnie, I do

Good question, hypothetical Bonnie person...

This is the process before I can lay a single stroke:

I need high resolution references and chiaroscuro lighting* so I have to do a photoshoot (DLSR mirrorless camera + multiple lenses, tripods, lighting, etc). If its gallery work and not a portrait, I have to find, hire and dress models for my figurative paintings. Then, it's back to the studio with the photos for lots of Photoshop prep work.

Build and wrap a 10ft tall canvas, then gesso it in open air. Do an entire "study" for the final painting, which is a full drawing of the finished painting, just smaller and simpler.

Wide format printing and punch paper, projection of image onto canvas. Get the underdrawing done, and then.... you can begin to paint.

*heavy contrast of light and shadow on face/figure...intense shadow that you won't find in headshots, wedding photography, employee/school photos, etc

This Ain't Kansas no more Dorothy

(Dorothy is not a made-up person...by me, at least....I digress...)

As a child I would wake up, grab the nearest color pencils and simply draw on a piece of paper. This ain't that.

There is a surprising amount of technical, almost non-art things you have to learn, and have equipment for. (Photoshop, web design, learning Google's page-rank algorithm, professional photography, matting and framing, Northern light, the science of chemicals; varnishes, linseeds, turpentine spirits that will melt your mustache off. Masking fluid, hot press/cold press, understanding acidity, oxygen, sunlight, paper)

Gofundme

I spent a lot of time on this. The process itself became helpful in crystalizing my plans, so I took extra time because each day that passed brought a little more clarity, a few more good ideas.

I also had increased financial responsibilities, and I wanted to take care of those before I posted this, as this is only for art supplies, not to cover my personal expenses. I will cover my personal expenses with my current income and money made from the art equipment purchased.

I have included the itemized list, as well as samples of postings for used electronics and art supplies that I could but today. I spent a few months compiling all of this, researching best deals, understanding what I really need, seeing what's current in the field now, drawing and mapping the actual layout of my potential studio, etc.

Giving back

After 13 years of doing social work, I saw that once I "retired" life doesn't work well for me if I'm not being of service of some kind. My ultimate goal as an artist is not self-centered in nature; I have a responsibility to use my talent. Teaching art, to advanced as well as beginners, is a huge passion. I saw how Bob Ross inspired a whole generation of kids to fight the fear to paint. Every girlfriend I've ever had loved this man as a kid. His very last show was my birthday May 17th; I believe with my improv/comedy and art teaching background, I can impact people in a similar way.

The Gate, and the Way

The gate is a finite thing, a once thing...you're either behind it or past it. The way, the path that the gate opens to, is an infinite and ongoing journey...there are no more gates to pass through

I'm getting all deep here, probs too deep lol, but the translation is: I'm working really hard but I'm facing a very tall gate right now that I can't seem to open on my own, and I need help opening it.

Once opened, once I'm on the other side with a full studio, I may have to replace a camera or a canvas, but never all at once, like what I'm facing now. And if I had to, my career would ideally be such that I could afford it.

I deeply, deeply appreciate you taking the time to read and consider all of this. I am enthusiastic about life and art right now, and were any of this to happen, it would only add a mountain of gratitude to the existing pile for something this amazing to happen.



With love and passion,

Jesse Graham