The Patrons

"Escape Velocity" by Bryce Holt (2 panels) - Today felt different when they saw each other. This wasn’t a day for coffee and newspapers. His heart was beating like a drum. The adrenaline screamed through her veins. The magic was here, vibrating between them, even though no one else in the park could feel a thing. Together, they took a deep breath, their hearts pounding in unison. With a burst of energy, they launched themselves through the air, their bodies defying gravity. There was no turning back, and those who witnessed the spectacle would never trust the laws of nature again. Follow for more art! #escapevelocity #kcartist #artist #contemporaryart #acrylicpainting #love #adventure #magic

"Adaptation" by Bryce Holt - "I didn't see it coming," she said flatly, her voice a whisper on the ocean breeze. "It hurts so much. I don't know how I'll survive." The sea turtle, ancient and wise, regarded her with a serene gaze. "You were born for this moment," he rumbled. "This is not the setting sun, but the dawn of a new chapter." "But everything felt so solid," she protested, her voice trembling. "Now the ground beneath my feet is shifting, and I'm lost at sea." "And so you shall be," the turtle replied, his voice a soothing balm. "But you will not drown. You will swim, and you will thrive. Like me, you will find comfort on the land and in the depths. Remember, the ocean's vastness dwarfs the land. There is adventure to be had and a world to be explored." See all my paintings at ThePatrons.com #adaptation #change #struggle #iwillsurvive #turtle #seaturtle #contemporaryart #kcartist

"Waiting for the Phone to Ring" by Bryce Holt - What a business trip. It had only been three days, but his life had completely changed. Is changing. Will change. All he was waiting for was the call. If what he had been told was true, and he was choosing to believe that it was, this would be the start of everything. He would never see home again, but it would be worth it. "Ring, baby," he murmured. "Ring." Like this story? Check out all of the stories behind my paintings at ThePatrons.com #telephone #phonebooth #weird #stories #storytelling #businessman #contemporaryart #artist #kcartist

"The Bride" by Bryce Holt - She’d awoken to her dog tearing into her veil, so she’d asked that flowers be placed in her hair. One of her bridesmaids had been dumped the previous night and had the gall to tell her this wedding was ‘too soon.’ Fine. She didn’t need four bridesmaids anyway. The best man had already been in a shouting match with her father in the men’s restroom, and she was pretty sure her groom was drunk at three in the afternoon. But nothing would stop this wedding. She had endured twelve years of her mother asking why she wasn’t married, why she couldn’t find a guy, and providing unrequested and inappropriate advice. So when she’d met this man, who was good enough for government work, she’d made the decision that he was not going to get away. She felt the earth tremble beneath her feet, and she was pretty sure she smelled something burning. She narrowed her eyes. If God thought His signs would dissuade her, He had another thing coming. Hell or highwater, she would be married today! Find all of my work at ThePatrons.com #bride #wedding #weddingfail #contemporaryart #artist #kcartist

"1964" by Bryce Holt - Look how far we’ve come. Just 45 years ago, women couldn’t even vote. Now we have a magic pill that allows me to choose when and if I want to have children. Last year, President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act so I will receive the same pay as men for doing the same job. And today President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act. Employers can no longer discriminate against me just because I’m a woman. I bet in the next ten years racism and misogyny will disappear completely. I’m so glad that I’m finally treated like a human in my own country. And no one will ever take away or disregard these rights again. Check out all of my art at ThePatrons.com #womensrights #womenempowerment #equality #equalrights #wecandobetter

"Thelma's Kitchen" by Bryce Holt - This painting is a tribute to the legacy of Thelma's Kitchen, a beacon of hope nestled at the intersection of 31st and Troost in Kansas City, MO. Here, no one goes hungry. The restaurant operates on a pay-it-forward model, ensuring that every soul, regardless of their means, can enjoy a delicious and nourishing meal. At the heart of this piece is a woman who represents the founder, Thelma Altschul, and the countless individuals who have served as chefs and workers within its walls. She looks up at an unseen light from above. Her angelic wings, painted in impressionistic strokes, seem to hover just beyond the spectrum of visible light, a testament to the ethereal nature of selflessness and giving. She holds a cornucopia overflowing with fresh fruits and vegetables, a symbol of abundance and nourishment. This piece honors the generosity and compassion at the heart of Thelma's Kitchen, a place where people from all walks of life come together to share a meal and a sense of belonging. We are blessed by community organizations and the individuals who dedicate their time and talents to serving others. They are a testament to the enduring power of human kindness. Half of the proceeds from this piece go to benefit Thelma's Kitchen. Check out the rest of my food-centric series of paintings at ThePatrons.com #thelmaskitchen #payitforward #foodforall #food #feedthehungry #contemporaryart

"Diet" by Bryce Holt - This artwork is an indictment of societal beauty standards and the unrealistic pressures women face. A woman, clothed in measuring tape, stands as a poignant symbol of the obsession with conformity. The numbers, fluctuating and irregular, mirror the ever-shifting goalposts of societal beauty ideals. She is already thin, bordering on gaunt, underscoring the absurdity of these standards. Despite her physical appearance, she remains trapped in the cycle of self-doubt and body dysmorphia. This painting is a stark reminder of the mental anguish these unrealistic expectations can inflict. It's time to break free. A healthy lifestyle is important, but we must challenge the societal narrative that equates attractiveness with a specific number on the scale. Let's remind ourselves and others that true beauty lies in our strength, resilience, and unique individuality. It's time to embrace our bodies, flaws and all, and reject the tyranny of the measuring tape. Check out my new food-centric series called "Culinary Art" at ThePatrons.com #diet #food #culinaryart #dieting #weightloss #eatingdisorder

"Bubble" by Bryce Holt I’m a balloon, I’m your bubble I’m your safety, I’m your trouble I’m a sexual encounter I’m the girl behind the counter I’m alone in your apartment I’m the lingerie department I’m the quickly thrown off clothing I’m the hips that you are holding I’m the bubble, baby *No rights reserved on these lyrics. We would LOVE it if someone would put this in a song and tag us on it. See all of my work at ThePatrons.com #bubble #balloon #hips #hipsdontlie #thick #sexy

"Up the Down Staircase" by Bryce Holt - The room hummed with a cacophony of chatter, the clinking of crystal glasses, and the soft strains of a string quartet. The butler announced, “Mrs. Josephine Bruce” and the atmosphere changed. Heads turned, eyes appraised, and hushed whispers circulated like a current through the room. The Washington D.C. socialite descended the staircase dressed to the nines in an opulent pink gown, well accustomed to this response. Her husband had been born a slave and now he served as the only Black senator. And her? Well, a Black socialite drawn to organizations seeking to lift up Afro-American men and women alike was an affront to their entire establishment. The Civil War had done little to change social hierarchy. She had heard the critiques. “Not good enough for the whites and too good for her own race.” Neither money nor political power could force any to accept her. A young Black servant approached Mrs. Bruce, her voice barely a whisper. "They don't understand, ma'am. You're too good for them." Mrs. Bruce, her composure unwavering, smiled gently. "Perhaps, my dear," she replied, her voice carrying a note of both amusement and sadness. "Perhaps that's exactly the problem." See all of my paintings at ThePatrons.com #josephinebeallwillsonbruce #josephinebruce #upthedownstaircase #blackwomen #socialite #equality

"Prima Ballerina" by Bryce Holt - I will never see a show like that again. An absolute theatre of insanity. The ballerinas were painted statues from around the globe, each imbued with lithe vitality. Some perfect with others cracked and damaged. It would have been a lovely, boring night at the ballet, but for her. She vaulted onto the stage, shocking all with her size and intensity. A giant of a woman, all violence and grace. She moved quickly, forcing the conductor to increase the pace of the music. Everyone sat up and took notice as our hearts tried to match the beat. The chaos was palpable as her marbleized chorus struggled to keep up. Perfect and broken, they leapt, but she leapt higher. They spun, but she was faster. She was just slightly ahead of everyone else in the cast. We were on the edge of our seats. It was as if someone had bound her for years and finally she was free. She danced, bathed in ferocity. Her lines were impeccable. Her motion was dizzying, and our breath all caught as she twisted inhumanly. As she landed her last and the music screeched to a halt, she screamed in victory and the entire auditorium burst into applause, cackles, and hoots. So uncivilized of us, but how else were we to react? She ran from the stage, and only then did I begin to wonder if she was even supposed to be a part of our show at all. See this and my other paintings from my "Short Stories" series at ThePatrons.com #ballerina #primaballerina #ballet #dance #dancing #beauty #contemporaryart