Free Artist Residency for Progressive Social Change

I spoke to quite a few people about the Free Artist Residency on the Mecca Normal 35th anniversary micro tour. Having just recently asked a philanthropist for funding ($250,000 USD), I felt bolstered by the overall sense that people we know believe there is money around for this project, and that it is both worthy and logical. I will continue exploring funding from foundations and individuals interested in art that contributes to progressive social change.

Part of my plan is to involve technologists to broaden the reach of work created at the residency. This isn’t just a house in the woods (with the beach within walking distance) where a handful of artists kick back for a week or two. With a technologist on site (for some number of months a year or possibly living on the island) work at all stages can be connected with art museums, conferences, classrooms etc.

With the Art World in tatters and capitalism on its last legs, I’m keen to engage in non-traditional dissemination of art and ideas that intend to create progressive social change.

Getting way ahead of myself, but I’d like to announce that Katherine Paul of Black Belt Eagle Scout is the first artist invited to the Free Artist Residency for Progressive Social Change.

I have $4000 USD earmarked for a recording studio, so I’ll be getting on that as soon as I secure the facility.

Katherine Paul of Black Belt Eagle Scout

Location: an island off the west coast of Canada

Potential (with funding)

BC variables

Not as desirable, but affordable without funding. Not on the ideal island. Not on an island at all. Artist residency could be in an RV on the property.

Somewhere in Vancouver this is happening!

Somewhere in LA this is happening!

$100 USD Paintings Currently Available

Music by Mecca Normal with a CKUT interview at the end

The Jealous Curator

Much appreciated mention from the Jealous Curator on FaceBook yesterday after I posted about my ‘math problem’

Very annoying math problem. I have 300+ $100 USD paintings in stock, ready to ship = $30,000 USD. I am short almost exactly this amount to purchase property OUTRIGHT on an INCREDIBLE island for the Free Artist Residency for Progressive Social Change. Going through a bank will cost me around $7000 USD INTEREST.

Any thoughts on where to sell 300 excellent, low cost paintings as inventory for an art gallery? Investment? Major fan with a very large house or long Christmas list?

$100 USD paintings (11 x 14″) currently available

Where things are at: I’ve spoken to real estate agent, read the available documentation, spoken to the planning department about land use, including being able to open an art gallery without a business license (one sign 19 x 19″). I’m working with a couple of credit unions to assess mortgage pre-approval potential.

 

Interview

“When we make things, we find our associates and allies. We find our communities, and everything that comes along with that, including the power to resist and reasons for actual joy.” – Jean Smith interview with Jes Reyes

I’ll be opening the Free Artist Residency for Progressive Social Change in 2020. I had hoped to buy a place outright, but now I’m considering a mortgage situation because the location I want to be in is more expensive than simply buying the crappiest house in the province outright. There is very good reason to be on one of the gulf islands off the west coast of Canada. Basically, it will be for artists in any discipline who are working on projects that intend to change the world. I need space for the writer’s cabin. Soundproofed rehearsal studio. Painting studio. Accommodations, etc. I’m getting very close now! I’ll be the owner and it will be legally bequeathed to an activist art group yet to be named.

When I realized I was making more money than I needed, I decided to bring my Facebook audience into the process, making them aware that first, the paintings are both very good and very cheap, and, at this point, only available from me. They want to see the residency program realized. Many of them will want to come and stay there.

All sales above my $1000 USD monthly expenses go towards buying property and opening the facility.

Book: example of dry brush technique

Seems like quite a while ago that I mentioned a book in the works – to be published in the UK – that will use one of my paintings as an example of dry brush technique. Now they’re giving me an opportunity to see the bio they came up with, so I took the opportunity to make some changes.

“Singer #4” (11 x 14′ acrylic on canvas panel, 2017)
SOLD

Hi R____,

Sorry for the delay getting back to you. I’m looking for property to open the Free Artist Residency for Progressive Social Change where all types of artists can come and stay for free while working on projects that intend to change the world. So I need space for the writer’s cabin, a soundproofed rehearsal studio, painting studio, accommodation etc. I’m getting very close now!

Here’s the text with a few changes.

“Jean Smith is a Vancouver-based painter, writer and singer regarded as an inspiration to the 1990s social movement known as Riot Grrrl. Her contemporary portraits, based on photographs, are about complex emotions related to feminism and anti-capitalism. She sells the 11 x 14″ series for $100 USD on Facebook, making her work accessible to other artists, musicians and writers she’s met along the way. Sales above her monthly expenses go towards opening the Free Artist Residency for Progressive Social Change off the west coast of Canada.”

Video: $100 USD paintings currently available

Midway through every month I put together a video of all the $100 USD paintings (11 x 14″) available. Music by Mecca Normal with part of a CKUT interview near the end.

CKUT interview

I made a video for the segment of the CKUT interview (late April) about my paintings using many of my favorites along with some art show set up and Mecca Normal footage… and some details about online dating, narcissism etc.. let’s face it: I like to talk!!

Video: $100 USD paintings currently available

Midway through every month I put together a video of all the $100 USD paintings (11 x 14″) available. Music by Mecca Normal with part of a CKUT interview near the end.