Here we go again.  If you read the previous post where I mentioned a site called Patreon I was totally hopeful this site could help me gain some support both financially and professionally, open up my world to new people interested in owning some of my work ......... well, it turns out not so much.  It turns out you're pretty much on your own, its up to you to bring in the patrons by basically soliciting your friends and then hope that blossoms into attracting new patrons. There was also one suggestion from a member of the site that the members 'patronize' each other to look as though there is interest in their projects to get the ball rolling so to speak.....say what?  Well, since posting my attempt to get support on my facebook page I've gotten zero support, other than 3 friends 'sharing' the post and that just added to the  humiliation of learning even more people had no interest in my work, or helping.... ouch.  Call me silly but I wasn't asking for hand outs, I thought $5 for a giclee print was more than reasonable.  So now do I get caught up in questioning my work, my friends?  No......I'm not going there, well......maybe for a second ;-)
While I was beginning to gather an email list together of previous buyers of my work for a mass mailing it dawned on me........why would I direct all these people to a website (Patreon) that doesn't help promote my efforts and takes 5% of any money that comes in?  Shoot, when I went to the site and looked under the category I had listed myself under I wasn't even showing up in the listings?  So I will send people instead to my restructured ACEO website to be able to purchase a giclee print for the same amount I was asking for in 'patronage' on the other site.  They will be able to choose a print and click a Paypal button right there, and I'm also adding a page that will link to my current ebay auctions.
Just call me bruised but resilient :-) And check out the new look of the ACEO website.

Its been a while since I've posted, so what have I been up too? Not much unfortunately. Ebay sales are slow and the house cleaning work is starting to get to me so I've been down in the dumps a bit. I'm still painting but with less enthusiasm :-(  Here's something I tried just for fun.  Its on ebay right now.  I'll be painting more in the next few days.

Anyway I found an interesting website a couple days ago Patreon.com that helped lift my spirits or at least raised my hope.  Its a site for creative people where they can solicit patronage.  You fill out a profile, talk about your goals, post your work and ask people to pledge money every month to help you achieve your goals.  The patrons can subscribe to ongoing monthly payments but also stop donating anytime they want.  Pledges can be as low as $1 a month or as high as you/they like, and you give/offer rewards or gifts for each level of donation. You post your work on the site so patrons can follow your progress and interact with you. Its patterned after all the other crowd funding sites but the twist is to have the pledges support you month to month rather than support one particular project or cause.  So I jumped in and filled out a profile and launched my page today.  I just wish I could become a full time artist and stop cleaning, and lack of money has always been an obstacle to getting further in my career.  I'd love to take classes or study with an established artist, buy my brushes somewhere other than Walmart, get good photos and prints of my work.....my macbook will no longer update it's so old, my camera is 10+ yrs old and lets not forget my 23 yr old car!  Sigh........anyway, I figure I've nothing to lose......ha, obviously and hope is a good thing :-)  Fingers crossed!
Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone, hope you're having a wonderful time :-)