After realizing that it's nearly impossible to show conservative political art in galleries, I set about to market myself independently. It would be unfair to say no one has been willing to show my work, just very few. One of the best shows I have had was at The Apache Cafe in Atlanta, just before the 2008 election. I showed most of my early political paintings and some sculpture at that show and enjoyed discussing the work with the audience who were predominantly liberal. At the same time, I participated in an underground show as the token conservative artist just a few blocks away. Other than that, I get very few opportunities that do not require me to donate all or a large portion of the sale of my art to the venue.

We could debate all day why this is the case, but there's really no point. As a libertarian, I don't believe anyone owes me anything and it's a waste of my time to fight a system that is currently set against the work I create. So, I put together a web page (with the help of my husband) and started social networking like a madwoman. Somewhere along the way, Christopher Cook of Modern Conservative and Western Free Press got in touch with me and we started working together. Three years and many hours of hard work later, Liberatchik has evolved into a group of conservative fine artists with a gallery to display their work and a blog for their writing or press about their art. (Those interested in submitting work for consideration should contact frances@machinepolitick.com for more information on the jury process and submission guidelines. Liberatchik is not a social network, it is the face of a fine art movement - work is juried and articles are reviewed by an editor before posting for continuity and professionalism.)

Though our reach is currently limited to what two people can accomplish working around full time jobs and family responsibilities, we are building an impressive group of artists and faithful followers. One of our artists, William Harris, organized an art show for our work at a Tea Party event in Michigan. In 2011, Christopher and I went to CPAC where I distributed a booklet I made with work representing our group at the time. Incidentally, that is where I connected with BDMM, although I didn't have the opportunity to speak to Lisa Mei in person. I am grateful to her for getting in touch with me and cultivating our current relationship, because my feelings about conservative culture were much worse when I left. Of course, the problem is not with what she or I are trying to accomplish, but with the general mindset conservatives have about the arts. Fortunately, we have had a few opportunities to work together since then and help promote each other's work.

I am looking forward to a long relationship and hopefully working together in person some day. Until then, please tune in for Friday's Off the Hook show for my interview.

Frances Byrd is the National Director of Liberatchik.com. She is also a conservative political artist and blogger. Her art can be viewed at MachinePolitick.com.