In the studio. Photograph by Franco Vogt.

Whether you’ve been with me for years or found me today, welcome to my new Substack, Fat Over Lean! I’m excited to invite you deeper into my art practice and studio.

Before I go any further, let me explain why I used the name Fat Over Lean. It’s an oil painting rule. Every layer needs a little more oil than the one beneath it, or the painting cracks as it ages. If you get it right, it will last for centuries. I’ve always thought that’s true of more than paint. What’s built on BS stands up for a while, and then it cracks. The truth just holds.

For a long time I sent out a newsletter whenever I had a finished painting and shared its story. Thank you to all of you who went out of your way to tell me how much you enjoyed them! As most artists do, I posted the links to my newsletter on my socials, showed work in progress photos and videos, and very little came from it. It was frustrating, and I spent way too much time on all of it. So I decided to combine all of my efforts and share it in one place. Substack is where I want to build a community of independent artists and art collectors who believe that being yourself is the only way to be. No BS. Think about it. You’re an original, so why not just be yourself and say what you feel without fear?

Fat Over Lean is not only about my art practice, but it’s also where I will now let you all the way into the studio. It’s a safe place away from all the art world chatter and fake beauty.

Here’s what it’s going to look like. Every Wednesday, one real story and photos from the studio, and occasionally out of the studio if there is some big news to celebrate. Once a month, I paint live on a Wednesday at 7pm ET, in front of anyone who wants to watch. All of it is free, and always will be.

If you want to come further in, there’s a paid tier where you can see how I work and whatever else is going on in the studio. I’ll have a second live session per month just for you, some months a Q&A, some months I just paint. Videos in the vault from old paintings, all live recordings, new demos for works in progress, and honest critiques of my own paintings. You’ll have first dibs on the loose studies I paint during the live demos. Private studio meet-and-greets online. And print drops twice a year! It’s $10 a month. There’s also a founding tier, for anyone who wants to go all in as a patron. The details are on my About page.

Think of it this way. Although you’re coming into the studio, it’s less about what’s behind my door and more about keeping it open. Members are the reason I get to keep doing this. Thank you!

One last thing before I go. Hit reply below and tell me why you’re here, what made you subscribe, what you’d like to see more of, or just say hello. I read every one and will personally reply.

Next week, I’ll tell you my origin story and how my professional art career began with a painting of an oyster and a JPEG.

If you know someone who’d like my new Substack, I’d appreciate you forwarding it to them. And if you’re new here, subscribe below so the next post lands in your inbox.

Subscribe now

Come on in. I’m really glad you’re coming into the studio.

Cheers, Nadine

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