Patreon - Reviving an age-old relationship

Let me start by telling you that the "starving Artist" cliche is outdated. 

The idea of the "starving artist" was very popular back in Romanticism (18-19th century - thank you, Wikipedia). This would have been back in the days when young adults chose one profession - and one only. Choosing an art career may have meant being forced to live rather simply, since there were no jobs available at a local supermarket to supplement the income.

But while it can be hard (and truthfully - for most of us it IS) to make a living with art, in today's world there are many ways to make ends meet, should one be struggling financially because of (s)low art sales. I will also add that in my humble opinion it is irresponsible to suddenly quit ones day job and rely on art as a sole income, unless one is a prodigy already bathed in commissions and support from childhood on. It does take time to establish art sales - often it takes years before there is a regular income to rely on and to live from. 

But circumstances can change, unexpectedly sometimes.
I know of one artist, who was never able to work a regular job at all due to illness, but managed to make a name for herself and is now supporting herself through her art. 

There may be other reasons why someone suddenly looses a regular income - redundancy, disability, having to choose between income and family. 

I admire these artists, who do not give up accepting their circumstances, but work hard and long to build up an art career. In these cases, art can be the way out of unemployment. And to help and support those who persevere - artists who create and need to make an income with it, but also full-time workers who sacrifice their free time to create because they love it - another concept from back in the old days has recently been revived: the system of Patrons. 

The concept of Patronage has been a red thread through the history of art since the ancient world. From the Roman Empire all the way through medieval times, Renaissance, up to today this artist - supporter relationship has existed, but now it has become unfamiliar to many. 

Patronage is a system of direct support, which benefits both parties. 

To revive this age-old idea, which really is a win-win, in 2013 Patreon was created. A platform where Patrons (supporters) can financially support artists by pledging a monthly amount, and in turn receive exclusive and special rewards - often the best part of the artist's work. Because the artist appreciates their support.

I have been watching Patreon grow over the last years and seen many examples of it doing exactly what it is intended to do: It enables artists to create by taking the financial aspect out of the equation, or at least minimising it. 

For the last 9 years, I have always, always put my education and then day job first - ensuring that I could provide for myself and my family, while creating art only in my free time and at night. But circumstances can change. I have less than two months left to work at my regular job.
Then I will be at home for many months or longer to take care of my baby. I will have time to draw and paint! But I will be losing the largest part of my income. 

So for the past 10 months I have been filling my Patreon page with content: Reference pictures, projects, stationery, drawings, colouring pages - many things, which I have not made available anywhere else. Every two weeks at least I add another file. All these come with the full set of rights - my Patrons can access and download all of these and use them however they like. 10 months of my work, and more being added all the time!

Patreon operates in a tier system. You can pledge as little as $1 per month, but as much as you would like. Apart from access to my uploads there are other rewards! You may receive a postcard from me or I may thank you on my social media pages, and who knows what else - I like to surprise! And you can let me know what you would like to see.

So I am inviting you to join me there. Let's create together. The coming months will be exciting!

www.patreon.com/nadinbirke

Nadin