jdarnell
patreon
Upcoming changes from June
🕑 Added 2024-05-21 10:57:56 +0000 UTCHi guys
I’ve been reevaluating things after getting into a constant burnout loop. I noticed most of the artists I support on Patreon make maybe one or two posts a month and have many more patrons and more income. I think I set up a structure for myself that takes more than it gives in a way, I never seem to have time to do the art I really want to do and have tried to function more like an art machine than a person. I keep getting overwhelmed and ill from having these self imposed obligations on top of the amount of extra commission work I always have to take on x)
From next month I plan to approach Patreon differently, and I’m aware it’s a risky approach that may put some people off, but I need to prioritise my mental health and enable my creativity to flourish.
The current tiers will still exist but as categories rather than monthly guaranteed content. I want to focus on following my creative passions and interests, drawing what I want to and working more slowly on better quality pieces that I can be proud of. I know not everyone is happy to support an artist on Patreon without certain structures on what content is posted when, but to those who remain and wish to support me as an artist, as long as it’s easily affordable for you, whether I post one or ten things, male or female subjects, experimental sketches, I’ll be so incredibly grateful. I’ve been so afraid to do what I want to or miss quotas in case people leave, but I’ve stifled my creativity and growth and joy of drawing.
I want to focus more on whatever subject I’m trying to practice or experiment with at the given time, whether erotic content, world building, esotericism, costume studies etc.
As I think some patrons will certainly leave or reduce their support, I am also putting any full new works/ sketches/ etc on Patreon, and will continue to repost old work on the public socials. There’s already enough of my work out there for free to repost for a lifetime so I’m trying not to feel bad about it, I will only publicly post small cropped previews to the actual work here on Patreon.
Under this more fluid creative approach I expect some months there will be more stuff here and less at the blue Patreon, or vice versa. (Especially the latter as I pursue more erotic skills). It’s just going to be a reality from letting myself being a human artists trying to live what they do again.
I hope it’s not too drawn out and convoluted an explanation, in my mind it’s simple but it’s harder to articulate the changes I’m making.
My plan regarding any outstanding commissions is to have everything finished by the end of June.
Thanks so much to everyone who has given any support so far, and a huge grateful hug to anyone who sticks around. My biggest hope is that the result of this change is that my art will improve greatly.
Comments
Justin Morales
Totally understand.
Luke McHale
Fair
Haley Pfeilsticker
I support whatever you see fit to pursue your passion!
Jonathan Hau-Yoon
That sounds really smart. It sounds as if the previous structure was unsustainable, so I'm glad you're making this change. For me personally, I don't feel like I have any expectations on what art you do or how much you do. The work you've already put out into the world is really beautiful, and I'm pretty much just happy to send some money each month to support the mind and hands that have made art that I've found inspiring and beautiful as a thank you for what you've already done. I don't know if I'm missing this somewhere, but I'd be interested to hear more about who you are as an artist. I definitely wouldn't want you to say anything you're not comfortable with, but I sometimes wonder what sorts of things have influenced the direction of your art, what sort of experiences have flavoured your style and subject matter, your relationship with your art and physical/mental health, dealing with burnout, or social media, or disability, or art exercises, etc. -- things that allow me a little peak into your studio and the mind and experiences that result in the things you make. I would be happy to read a bit about this especially if it's less exhausting to do. Also, I'm unfamiliar with why there are two accounts -- is it so that folks who don't want to see erotic art don't have to? (Because you seem to post erotic art on both regardless, so that confuses me.) I'm just having some difficulty knowing which account, or both, to support going forward. It sounds as if the Blue account is more in line with your current passions/intentions? (No need to reply if you're overwhelmed. Sending you long, deep breaths and gentle warmth.)
