Starting to prep for taxes, and I’m starting with Patreon​. It’s the most straight forward, numbers wise.

It’s nice having to take it into consideration this year. I’ve had an active Creator profile since May 2013, but it wasn’t until 2015 – when I stopped posting as much on social media and switched to sharing exclusively with my supporters – that it started to gain traction. (Granted, I’m no Amanda Palmer with $30,000 per thing she makes, but my $124 a month makes a HUGE difference in my being able to keep making art!)

It’s a very good feeling to have your work and time appreciated. Even if it’s a dollar a month, it makes a difference. One little dollar at a time adds up, but it makes a difference in how creating art feels, too. While supplies cost money, knowing your work is appreciated is less about the amount. (Though, yes, there are thank yous for my higher supporting patrons.) It’s more, for me at least, about someone saying “Hey, my time has value, and I’m willing to trade some of what my time was valued at for having access to what you spend your time doing; your time has value to me too!”

That’s really what it boils down to, someone saying my time and work has value. Especially with how easily art is to obtain and view right now, with no strings attached. It’s as if every artist out there is posting their work, begging you to look and share. You can walk into most galleries for free now, and some will even FEED you to do so, no buying required! Everyone knows a bunch of aspiring artists hoping to get their big break on social media, hoping some famous person catches their viral share and they are catapulted into the Famous Artist spotlight, complete with gold plated dishes and mansions. (I’ll let you know if this ever happens to me. We’re still indefinitely renting in a rural area, so uh, yeah, you’ll definitely hear about it if things change.)

So… yeah. With the above being the atmosphere for art and artists? Knowing that there are people out there who will throw a bit of what they earned with their time my way so I can keep creating means a hell of a lot, and I’d really like to find more ways to use Patreon in 2016. More writing is probably the way that is going to go, though first dibs on new pieces and first peek at new pieces goes to supporters still. Their glee at seeing new work first makes my entire week, every single time. That’s probably the most addictive part of using Patreon as a platform right there. 😀

Speaking of 2016… more art. For ME. I need to make more art. My practice is good for my sanity, even if sharing it openly sometimes still drives me crazy. (I know a few other artists who are considering doing the same, so I’m in good company. Also, as far as being driven crazy, as Steve would say: It’s a short trip. No biggie.)

What’s on tap for you in the next month, creatively? What are you proud of from the past year?