Autistic Artist Loses Home & Car

Who Are You, Greg?

Hi everyone. My name is Greg Skol. I am a professional artist, living in Santa Fe , NM with my dog Ranger. I have been a working artist for about 30 years. I am also on the Autism Spectrum. In spite of that, I have thrived as an artist for most this time. In the last several years, I have struggled to regain my career after various setbacks and struggles. Some personal, some related to an art market that took a very long time to recover from the last economic downturn. After working for years to make a "comeback"  things are finally starting to lookup recently. I have recently gained back galleries that will show my work again. And have been producing the best work of my career........ but............
Me in the studio

(I am not one to ask for help. I suppose I am “old school” in that regard. After over 2 years of trying.... saving has been all but impossible. I have found that people can be wonderful when the chips are down. And so, here I am....... one who needs your help....... )

Backstory About This Campaign

A little over 2 years ago, while struggling to get back on my feet, I lost my car to repossession. The choice at the time was to pay rent or pay the car payment. I had fallen behind on the payments and wasn’t able to stop from losing it. It was almost paid off, but rent, food etc... were prioritized.... there was no choice.

I originally created this campaign to ask for help in a very basic aspect of life..... help in getting a vehicle. As anyone who lives outside of major metropolitan areas knows, doing basic things...  work, conducting business etc... is almost impossible without a vehicle.

Ranger, the capable studio assistant


And Then The “But”.......

As I was composing this campaign, i got a visit from my landlord. Apparently, they want me to leave so that a family member can use the live-in studio I have been renting. As I said above.... I have been struggling to save any money for a car for over two years. I wanted to do it on my own. And now... this. And so, after these two plus years, I must also move to another place. Needless to say, there is no savings for getting that either. I trusted them in that we had a verbal agreement that I would be able to stay here. I was told there was no reason to sign a new lease.... and so I trusted them. Asperger’s people tend to take things at face value. I have paid every month without a lease.... out of trust that the original agreement would just “continue” as they said it would. That turns out to be false. And, so here I am.......... 

What I Have Been Doing

For the past two plus years I have been trying to save money to purchase a modest vehicle. I wanted to do it on my own. My plan (as I always plan).... was to earn whatever I need. Two years is a long time to depend on rides from loved ones. Two years is a long time to not be able to get many basic life things done without asking for help and imposing on others. And as of today (02/02/2020).... I have the added task of finding a new place to live.

A work from my "Paper Towns" series

The Help I Am Asking For & What It Will Go For

The Vehicle: From my research there seem to be older, reliable vehicles in the 4 to 6K range.
Moving: The rental market seems a bit tight these days. I am currently paying 1k / month -There must be others in that price range....so I’m asking for 1st, last, deposit (as typical).

****NOTE: After Searching Available Places (Prices)..... It is more likely that a new place will run about $1200.00 to $1500.00 That's just about average here.

With these costs I am asking for a total of $8500.00
This amount seems to be the minimum to get this all done. I am actively pursuing sales of artwork to raise funds as well (see below)

And Some Other Way To Help Out

I have many paintings on my website for sale. They are reasonably priced at $350.00 generally. That is just a way that I can offer something myself.....  my website is : GregSkol.Com 
I would love to show you what it is I've been doing!

And Finally.... Words of Thanks & Gratitude

I don't know if I can adequately express my gratitude to the people who answer the call of one in need. Perhaps I am "old school" when it comes to asking for help. I avoid it as a general rule. And as difficult as this simple sentence is, I write here: I need your help.
I have worked hard to resurrect my career over these last few years. I have made do without a vehicle during that time.... preferring to help myself. That and having my small live/work space taken from me is just too much to handle alone.

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." –Thornton Wilder

People helping people seems like one of our greatest treasures..... and I thank you, in advance, for that treasure.
Sincerely,
Greg Skol