PATRONAGE
Ways to Support the Work
The work I create moves through many forms.
Sometimes it’s a tattoo, or a thought that becomes a piece of writing. Sometimes it’s art, a conversation, a podcast episode, a class, an exhibition, or an idea that takes years to fully emerge. I create words, art, and experiences that explore identity, transformation, love, grief, freedom, and the wild journey of becoming ourselves.
Patronage helps create the space for that work to exist.
It supports the time, research, travel, materials, experimentation, and creative freedom required to build a meaningful body of work over a lifetime.
If something I’ve shared has stayed with you, this is a place to help support the work and keep the stories flowing.
PATRONAGE CAN TAKE MANY FORMS
For some, it may be a small monthly contribution that helps sustain the day-to-day work of creating.
For others, it may be support directed toward a larger project, exhibition, residency, educational offering, travel opportunity, or body of work.
Examples of patronage may include:
Ongoing monthly or annual financial support
Contributions toward exhibitions, publications, podcasts, or creative projects
Support for research, travel, and artist residencies
Sponsorship of educational offerings or community projects
Funding for studio improvements, equipment, or materials
Hosting opportunities during travel, guest residencies, or creative research trips
Access to creative spaces, studios, land, or retreat environments that support the work
Long-term housing, live/work, caretaking, or residency opportunities aligned with the artist's creative practice
Professional expertise, introductions, mentorship, or resources that help further the work
In-kind support aligned with a specific project or need
Patronage has historically taken many forms, and I welcome conversations with individuals, organizations, and institutions who feel called to support the continued evolution of this work.
If you are interested in discussing a larger patronage relationship, project sponsorship, residency opportunity, housing arrangement, creative collaboration, or other form of support, I invite you to reach out directly.
IRIS
Writer, artist, and handpoke tattooer living on the California coast.
My work lives at the intersection of story, symbolism, creativity, and human transformation. Through essays, art, tattoos, and honest conversations, I explore the things that make us feel most alive: love, longing, freedom, grief, beauty, and the courage to become who we are.
What Your Patronage Supports
Patronage directly supports the continued development of:
Wild Iris Tattoo
Somatic Tattoo™
Writing and essays
Fine art and illustration
Cyanotypes and printmaking
Night Letters Podcast
Educational offerings
Artist residencies and travel
Exhibitions and community projects
Future creative work not yet imagined
At its core, patronage supports an independent creative practice.
The Vision
I believe meaningful work requires space.
Space to think.
Space to experiment.
Space to fail.
Space to create something that may not have an immediate commercial outcome.
Patronage allows me to pursue projects because they matter, not simply because they are profitable. It allows for more experimentation and creativity in the projects that I pursue.
It helps preserve creative freedom while allowing the work to continue evolving.
BECOME A PATRON
Support at whatever level feels meaningful. Whether it's the equivalent of a cup of coffee each month or a larger annual contribution, every patron helps make the work possible.
From time to time patrons may receive:
Studio updates
Behind-the-scenes process notes
Early access to projects
Patron-only writings
Invitations to selected events
First notice of special offerings
Occasional gifts and surprises
Benefits may evolve as the work evolves.
Patron Benefits
Patronage is first and foremost an act of support.
Founding Patrons
The Founding Patron Circle recognizes those who help establish this program during its first year.
Founding Patrons play a meaningful role in supporting the next chapter of this work.
Recognition is always optional and may be public or anonymous.
In addition to financial support, I welcome conversations regarding project sponsorship, artist residencies, live/work opportunities, long-term housing arrangements, studio space, retreat properties, travel support, creative partnerships, and other forms of patronage aligned with the continued development of the work. If you feel called to support a specific project or explore a larger patronage relationship, please reach out directly.
Larger Patronage Opportunities
Many of my projects are informed by place, landscape, culture, and lived experience.
Patrons occasionally support this work through artist residencies, lodging, travel assistance, studio access, introductions, or project-specific funding that allows for deeper research and creative development.
If you own a property, operate a creative space, host artist residencies, or are interested in supporting a future project, I welcome the opportunity to connect.
Residency & Travel Support
Patronage supports the work, not ownership of the work.
Patrons understand and agree that patronage does not provide:
Ownership rights
Intellectual property rights
Creative control
Editorial authority
Decision-making power
Guaranteed access to the artist
Guaranteed commissions
Guaranteed tattoo appointments
Business influence
Patronage is support, not governance.
Patron Agreement
ARTIST AUTONOMY
Patrons acknowledge that Iris Brooke retains full autonomy regarding:
Creative direction
Business decisions
Personal relationships
Romantic relationships
Friendships
Family decisions
Parenting decisions
Residence and relocation
Travel
Spiritual beliefs
Political beliefs
Personal boundaries
Public communications
Patronage does not create authority over the artist's personal or business life.
Patronage does not create a personal, social, emotional, romantic, or sexual relationship. Any personal relationship that may develop exists independently of patronage and is neither promised nor implied by financial support.
Relationship Disclaimer
Cancellation
Patrons may cancel their support at any time.
The artist reserves the right to end a patronage relationship at any time if a patron violates boundaries, becomes abusive, attempts coercion, or uses financial support to exert influence or control.
Milan Guest Trip
Bone Mothers Exhibition
Night Letters Podcast
Somatic Tattoo™ Development
Long-form Writing Project
European Research & Travel
Mother Tongue Project
Current Projects
Patronage is an act of trust.
It says:
I believe this work matters.
I want it to continue existing in the world.