Part II of Free Art Frees Art at the SUNY Oswego Campus—March 6, 2026
Part II of my trip last Friday to the local university to give away my paintings and books. Click on the photo for exclusive Blurt.media video!
In order for Free Art Frees Art to be a success, it must contribute to the sustenance of the artist. That is our hope anyway. On this week’s Black Ivory podcast, @jompiy and I talked about the differences in our approach to peddling product for free. Edgeworth (Jompiy) makes much of his free art for the purpose of an Advertism “exchange”—whether it’s an immediate video interview or url and QR circle back to his website or online stores to build interest and sell some work. He has other pieces that do not make the free art rounds. Me too. And I don’t want to make art specific to the street because I’m not sure that’s my objective at the present time. So I load up a box or two of day work, what I have on hand, never marked for “give away” and set up my station in the university hall. Getting a video is well worth the trade for a day painting. There should be something in it for both of us. Money isn’t the only driver of exchange. I get an honest take on their perception of art, and a sharing of their personality. Tom Cruise would expect thousands of dollars for two minutes of his time. And it would probably be a lie to boot.
The only problem with my set up, here, in rural parts of New York State, is finding a way to invest these interviews into something bigger than a Youtube (social media) video. I plan to add their content into a movie about the Free Art movement. Still tweaking the process, my process, while I believe Edgeworth has obtained a flow that works for him.
Stay tuned:)
Fantastic work, those students got some masterpieces.
Thanks. They seemed to appreciate it.
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I totally agree
How many paintings do you create daily, since you mention a day's work?
Does the free art movement grow? It's good to hear you also sell some pieces.
@jompiy gives away his art in Camden, and has been doing so for about two years. His videos made me think quite a bit about the concept. I visited him last April and tagged along. What a high! There are limitations, but it’s a great way to use art for communication and reciprocation. Take out the middleman, and when you can, take out the money changing hands and find other ways for people to support the artist. As far as I know, the “movement” is just Edgeworth (Jompiy), and me as staunch advocate and sometimes practitioner:) Oh, and it looks like @offgridlife might take a stab at it. Great!
I make one, two, or three paintings a day, six days a week on average. Big, big paintings, 2-4 days, unless they’re collaborations with my wife Rose, who takes her sweet time, because she’s off making bread and honey.
Yes, selling would be nice. Consignment selling is bogus unless the consignee can guarantee an acceptable market base, which is rare if we’re not playing with millionaires. Notice the word “con” in “consignee”? :)
🍀❤️
@wakeupkitty
Thank you!
You need a lot of materials to keep painting so much. I can hardly imagine that there aren’t more people giving their art away. I know there are also many who, after a short period of selling, now keep everything for themselves and sometimes give a few pieces away to family and friends, though that doesn’t always go down well. The only difference between you and @jompiy is that they aren’t actively promoting themselves. It would be great if those connections could be made.
“Con” says it all...
I have received factory rejected tubes of paint (many varieties) from Golden Acrylics (Williamsburg oil paints) in a program the company sponsors to promote charity and non-profit organizations. Several of my projects/ exhibitions over the past decade have been fundraisers for schools, art centers and local art scholarships. I applied to the paint company for free paints that do not pass the factory inspection. For instance, too runny when sold on the shelf as more viscous. Golden always come through, in spades. Literally thousands of dollars worth of paint, both acrylic and oil. Of course I don’t use all of it on the projects:) I also write modest local grants as an individual artist, and and include supply cost. Finally, when I sell work, I set aside profit for paints, brushes and canvas. Unfortunately, I cannot support a life from painting, but at least I can “afford” a life of painting supplies:)
I have never known a “professional” artist (who’s not facing imminent death) to give away his or her work. All of it. No exceptions. Even @jompiy isn’t doing that!
Nor am I! After several attempts, I am still not able to cull the books on my shelf , even the ones I will never read again.
And then there is always this unspoken fear (until now):
“I'm a-tryin' to feed my soul with thought
Gonna sleep off the rest of the day
Sometimes no one wants what you got
Sometimes you can't give it away.”
—Bob Dylan from “Workingman’s Blues #2”
The painting group in the village I join also received from the Rembrandt factory years ago though and mainly soft pastel crayons no one likes except me.
The fear isn't unreasonable, unfortunately it's also the reason why many give up on creating and art isn't much in the picture as it should.
If you ask me whatever is handmade (manmade) will soon be the only thing what's left of human thoughts.
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@wakeupkitty
Yes to that, and why I keep doing what I do:) Gotta leave the future Winston Smiths (Orwell’s book 1984) some forbidden fruit to pluck.
And thank you!
Yes… this Free Art Movement is growing quickly now.
@ronthroop @jompiy @wakeupkitty
I am also going to do this from Canada …. From my kayak on the Rideau River
Just waiting for the snow and ice to melt.
Free Art from Canada
Watercolours from the Kayak :
I think you’ll really enjoy a day out, handing out art. Make people join Blurt or Steemit. @jompiy is dedicating a day for Blurt in Camden. I just don’t understand why all artists aren’t using these platforms. Zuckerburg just makes everybody sad.
I believe many artists don't care about their sites or accounts or simply find this scaring. 🤔
Super, I go share it with my painting group. I know many don't care about selling (I am one of them I give it away or keep it myself).
@aellly how about your painting group? Can you give art away for free to those interested or are you already doing this?
Hi, kitty. Have a good Sunday. I have been drawing for others, and if anyone is willing to collect or keep it as a memento. I will give it away for free. I have never received any fees. Because I am learning to draw, I have never taken it as a career or for profit. It used to be like this. It will be the same in the future. It won't change.
Because someone wants my painting is a kind of spiritual support to me. These supports give me more motivation to draw.
If you want to send it to a place too far away, the postage fee should be paid by the recipient. Otherwise, my payment pressure will be too great. Because I have to pay household expenses every month. It is also a considerable expense. Therefore, the postage fee should be paid by the other party.
Wonderful!
Thanks
Paying for the postage fee is the least someone can do. Like you I also give it away or keep it myself.
Thanks for taking the time to answer and brightenany their lives with your art.
🍀❤️
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@wakeupkitty
感谢你的支持
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@wakeupkitty