Celebrate 15 Years With Me!

This post also appears on my Patreon page today.

We grow up so fast.

I first took my art online at sarahatlee.com fifteen years ago. (What's that in internet years? Like, a hundred.) Can you believe it? My art just got its learner's permit. LOOK OUT.

What have I learned in that time?

I've learned that my most important asset is: You.

Without you I'm just some schmuck in a room throwing paint around. Creators create for themselves, sure. But it takes the viewer, the afficionado, the lover of art to close the circle in this crazy business. You and me, we make this happen together. And I have something special for you.

Join the Circle

Between now and the end of July, join my circle of supporters on Patreon and get a special bonus drawing, straight from me to you. (That's in addition to the regular awesome rewards.)

Each drawing is unique, made by hand, in 15 minutes, on 15 square inches of real estate (that's 3x5" to you). There are only 15 of these available, so get your booty movin'.

Wait, what's the Patreon?

When you join me on Patreon, you subscribe to creativity. You support art, you receive art. It's that simple.

To get your bonus 15-themed drawing, you can join my Patreon at any level. But let me tell you what's great about the $15 tier.

Collectors Club

The first rule of Collectors Club is: Brag about being in the Collectors Club. You get first looks at my newest work, quarterly mail art, and archival digital prints of my paintings.

You can't get any of these items at a gallery. They are for patrons only!

PIctured here, the first print to go out to the Collectors Club. Click here to join!

To recap:

I heart you. Thank you for being a part of this ongoing journey. Here's to the next 15 years!

To claim one of only 15 bonus drawings, join my Patreon by July 31, 2016.

15 smackers gets you into the Collectors Club.

Go forth and be ye awesome. Love & kisses,

Sarah A.

Save

Save

Save

Sarah Atlee Makes Pictures is now on Patreon!

Turn Left for Tamales. Acrylic on canvas, 20 x 20 inches, 2016 by Sarah Atlee.

Hey everybody! I've opened up shop on Patreon, a crowdfunding platform where you can support all manner of creative work, including mine!

Do you love supporting the arts, but maybe don't have the budget to buy a lot of original works? Patreon is the solution for you, one I'm really excited about. I'm always working on something. You can support this ongoing creation by becoming my patron.

How does Patreon work? Read on for some FAQs.

If you're on my email list, you already know about the Launch Pack (and you got a special offer on the price).

Now I have 5 4 3 Launch Packs left for new patrons who pledge $15 or more.

Update: All the Launch Packs have launched! Big, sloppy thanks to all my new patrons.

The Launch Pack

Since I'm produce-ing (ha) a fresh series of food paintings for Cerulean Gallery, I've made you some food-inspired gifts.

If you pledge at the $15 level or higher, you get: - 3 unique hand-painted postcards - Sarah's Can We Have Spaghetti? Sauce recipe - a quilted mug mat made from Authentic Artist Paint Rags - Now You Got a Stew Goin' - Music for the kitchen - plus the regular Collectors Club rewards

This is a limited-time offer while supplies last. To receive your Launch Pack: 1. Go to Patreon.com/SarahAtlee* * I recommend desktop viewing rather than mobile. 2. Select the $15 pledge or more 3. Reap the rewards.

You may have questions. Here are some answers.

What is Patreon? Have you ever seen a crowdfunding site like Kickstarter or GoFundMe? Patreon works like these, but instead of giving a big chunk of money all at once, you pledge a monthly amount - a subscription. It's perfect for artists like me who are always creating. And of course, I send you cool stuff.

Here's a 1-minute video explaining how Patreon works.

Do I have to create an account on Patreon? You may if you wish. You can also login with your Facebook account.

What do I get for becoming a patron? Lots of good stuff. Mail art, prints, even original works. A few surprises. And you get behind-the-scenes looks that I don't share anywhere else. Pat yourself on the back!

Do patrons get a discount on your art? Selling my work at a discount would undercut the business of my fabulous galleries, Cerulean and Ro2. So no. The good news is that as a patron, you receive artistic gifts straight from me that you can't get anywhere else.

Does this mean I won't get your newsletter any more? If you're already on my email &/or snail-mail list, nothing changes. I'll continue sending out bi-monthly news about my projects and upcoming shows. By pledging on Patreon, you'll receive a separate email about once a week when I post something new there.

I don't think Patreon is for me. Are there other ways I can show my support? Of course! Oodles. You can join my email list. You can follow me on Facebook and Twitter. See something you like? Share it with a friend! And you can come see my work in person - more details about this as 2016 rolls on.

Thanks for reading, and for showing your support!

Save

Wyld Flowerz at STASH 2015.10.09

Veruca Fry. Acrylic on panel, 7 x 5 inches (11 x 8.5 inches framed) 2015 by Sarah Atlee. $225

To purchase Veruca Fry, call STASH at (405) 701 1016 or email me directly at sarahatlee@gmail.com.

Wyld Flowerz - New Abstract Paintings by Sarah Atlee

Where: STASH (website, Facebook) 412 E Main Street, Norman OK 73071 (405) 701 1016 (map link) Store hours are M-Sat 10-6 and Sun 12-4.

When: 9 October - 11 November 2015.

Opening Reception and Hair of the Dog

Join us for the opening night party during the Norman Arts Council's 2nd Friday Art Walk!

When: Friday 9 October, 6-10 pm.

We have an amazing event planned, STASH's biggest of the year. Enjoy local craft beers and live music at a party to raise funds for the Bella Foundation! There's even going to be a pumpkin patch. Click here to learn more and purchase tickets.*

*This is a ticketed event, but you do not need a ticket to see the art.

Hope to see you there!

About Veruca Fry

I often dream about things that I'll paint later. In this instance, my dream was of a quilt design - 60-degree triangles in warm yellows and violets, gently transitioning from light to dark. When I awoke the design told me it was called "vocal fry."

For the unfamiliar, vocal fry is a way of modulating your voice so it combines moaning and creaking sounds. To make the sound, groan, then lower your voice, close your throat a bit, and just let it peter out until it starts sounding like bacon in a hot pan. It's the sound you make when you Can't Even.

The dream design told me later that day that it wasn't going to be a quilt, but rather a painting. And that I should make a miniature version to try it out. She also changed her name along the way. She's quite willful.

On Presence: Texas Galleries at the 2015 Dallas Art Fair

Breakfast: Peaches, Coffee, Shogun and Peaches & Quilt by Sarah Atlee. Seen here as part of Ro2 Art's exhibition at the 2015 Dallas Art Fair.

Ugh, another art fair?

Art fairs. We've come to expect a certain amount of cynicism connected with these events. There's the jaded art press, the buyers with more money than sense, the gallerists pushing the latest shock-&-schlock, and artists like me - who feel left out of the whole insular art fair circuit.

That's one very dismal view of this business. I'd like to offer a counterpoint, based on my recent experience at the Dallas Art Fair.

The DAF has been running annually for the past seven years. The number of galleries from Texas and the surrounding region has dwindled to make way for exhibitors from around the globe, making it a truly international affair. This was my first visit to the DAF. It was also the first time I had work in an art fair.

Fair visitors discussing work in Ro2 Art's booth.

It was exciting to participate in such a global event. However, the Texas galleries represented at the 2015 DAF stood out firmly from the crowd. What was the one thing that made the difference?

Engagement.

Nobody from a Texas gallery was too cool to talk to me. Nobody from a Texas gallery looked at my shoes and decided that I wasn't about to drop six figures in their booth, so I must not be worth their time. Nobody from a Texas gallery sat staring at their iPad while I looked at the art on their walls.

Instead, the Texas gallerists were greeting visitors, offering information about the artists and their work, all with smiles on their faces. They were engaged. They know that long-term success in the art business isn't about trends, stars, or dollars - it's about relationships. And a good relationship starts with courtesy and a smile.

(This isn't to say that the Texas gallerists were the only engaged participants at the fair. But the atmosphere of presence was so noticeable in the local booths that it's worth noting.)

Ro2 Art co-owner Jordan Roth greeting visitors at the 2015 Dallas Art Fair.

Thank you, Texas.

I want to thank the following galleries for representing my new home state so beautifully: Barry Whistler Gallery, Conduit Gallery, Cris Worley Fine Arts, Galleri Urbane Marfa + Dallas, Kirk Hopper Fine Art, Ro2 Art, Sicardi Gallery, Talley Dunn Gallery, Valley House Gallery & Sculpture Garden, William Campbell Contemporary Art, and Zhulong Gallery.

For the first time, I'm very proud to be a Texas artist.

Read more about the 2015 Dallas Art Fair

Glasstire: A Loose Guide: Some Picks and Pics of the Dallas Art Fair, More Dallas Art Fair 2015

Artnews: Gone to Texas: The Art World Flocks to Dallas Art Fair for a Little Lonestar Hospitality

Interview: 10 Picks from the Dallas Art Fair 2015 (3 of the 10 are from Texas galleries.)

Blouin Art Info International: What to See (and Buy) at the Dallas Art Fair

See the whole enchilada on Artsy.

Cheers! For Real.

Wineglass. Acrylic on canvas, 12 x 12 inches by Sarah Atlee.

For Real at Ro2 Art in Dallas is coming to an end. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Jordan and Susan Roth for being my gracious hosts - you guys are awesome.

Join us Sunday, March 8th 2015 for a closing reception and artist talk. All the details are right here.

What's Next? Sign up for my email announcements and you won't miss a thing!

For Real has been reviewed by Jenny Block for The Huffington Post! Read the full review here: "A Hyperrealism That Questions Reality With James Zamora and Sarah Atlee at RO2 Art"