A few years ago my dear friend Matt Lewis once mused during lunch about “What you could accomplish if someone just wrote you a check”. I fantasized for a moment, and quickly snickered. Like that would ever happen.
Fast forward to now, when I’ve just had one of the most interesting conversations of my life. It seems as though I have my first bona fide art patron. As in, a person who wishes to arrange a reasonably significant monthly recurring sponsorship toward my ability to make my work, without a required result.
When I told him about my Patreon page, he said he had seen it, but he just wanted to give me the money, without making me “dance like a monkey” for it. 😀
I reiterated that patreon is the way I truly want to go right now. Joining the site is about more than the money, though that of course is the main draw – it’s also about encouraging me to keep producing and to gain self confidence in workshopping more of my ideas.
Patreon for me is also about the possibility of finally having found an online place where both commerce and the human relationship around art are balanced in a way that works for and excites me. I really feel that I am making a positive step by doing this.
We figured out the amount through Patreon that worked out to what he wanted to give me monthly assuming I reach my self-set goals of creating four completed works a month, and he signed up immediately.
In addition to this being my third and most generous patron since joining (I haven’t even finished one thing, yet, though admittedly I am behind right now), it marks the first time I have been supported in this manner for my potential in the arts, rather than a specific project or action regarding them.
Though settled on something a little bit different in the end, this is literally a life dream of mine coming true – Someone out there offering, wanting, willing, and able, to pay me money simply to be who I am. I am a bit stunned and inexplicably grateful. And also in shock.
Thank you, Bob Darlington, for believing in me. At this moment, it means the world, and a significant milestone in my life.
It’s true, resource in art is a game changer. I am pleased to say that Matt’s hypothetical future seems like maybe it doesn’t have to be hypothetical forever, today.
Thank you, from the bottom of my black little frankenheart, to everyone who has pledged to my Patreon campaign thus far; Todd, Eric and Bob. Let’s make some good fuckin’ art, eh?