A: I often donate to nonprofit charity auctions, which are really not helpful to me professionally (work gets sold for ridiculously low prices, art gets damaged, and I can’t get tax forms back easily), but I really care about the causes of these organizations, so I thought there must be a better way to give it away, that still values my work.

"Santa Maria de Fiore" by Jennifer Chenoweth; 18” x 30” x 4”; oil and charcoal on steel hemispheres; $1,100; The nonprofit of your choice will receive 40%: $440

Q: Are the majority of the non profits based in Austin?

A: The site right now is entirely set in Austin, so all nonprofits are local. But art buyers can choose any nonprofit, local or national. The first person who bought art off the site chose the The Craft Emergency Relief Fund + Artists’ Emergency Resources out of Vermont. The next phase of the site will expand to other communities as well.

"Sarah" by Felice House; 50” x 38” x 3”; oil on canvas; $6,000; The nonprofit of your choice will receive 40%: $2,400

Q: As owner of Fisterra Studios, what perspective has that given you on the Austin art scene? Do you see upcoming changes in the Austin art scene?

A: Through my experience with shows and the East Austin Studio Tour, what I’ve realized is that the way people buy art here is much more personal. Not only do they want to buy art they are in love with, but they want a buying experience that feels good. They want to know where their money is going, and the art world can be very confusing about money transactions. People love buying from artists directly during EAST, and they do love buying art that supports a cause. So I wanted to let those kind of buyers know what art is available to buy.

As for the local art scene, it is fueled by creativity and innovation, not commercial trade or power. I like that our most successful artists right now are Okay Mountain, who work collaboratively, like a band of musicians.  I love that our bigger art institutions and art nonprofits are starting to talk mergers and collaborations. We are an incredibly democratic town, and most of us that sniff out prestige or arrogance get turned off. We like equal access and self-made chutzpah.  I am excited about the work the Austin Creative Alliance, Art Alliance Austin, Big Medium, Arthouse, and AMOA are doing to change the conversation about what they do and how they can serve this town.

"Wave" by Annie Simpson; 45.4”x57.5”; oil on canvas; $3,200; The nonprofit of your choice will receive 40%: $1,280

Q: Besides Austin, are there any other places you are looking to expand?

The next stop is Santa Fe, where I will be working with David Solomon, artist and curator at Bang Gallery, to take Generous Art to that community. Then David will help me find the right artists/curators to work with in other cities.  I’m excited that Generous Art has the possibility of creating jobs for artists in other places, and making a social impact with art.

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"Bokeh II" by Renee Nunez; framed size 20 5/8” x 16 3/8”; watercolor on paper;$375; The nonprofit of your choice will receive 40%: $150

What a great concept! We can’t wait to see what Chenoweth has in store next for Austin’s art scene and for Generous Art’s upcoming event: