Last week, I sent out a newsletter with information about my Patreon account. I posted this with some trepidation because it felt murky and strange…I really didn’t expect much response and I wasn’t entirely clear how I would use the platform. To my surprise, people subscribed! Over the weekend, I found I had a small group of paid supporters and something shifted for me. I got excited! Suddenly, so many possibilities came to me and I started forming a more clear plan.
So now there are three tiers:
-The first level is just basic support. It is to help me keep doing what I do at the foundation. I will continue posting updates, though I often share more details and post on Patreon first. You don’t have to pay money, but you can pledge $4/mo if you feel so inclined.
-The second level is $10/mo, and those supporters will receive regular updates and explanations of my process. I go into a bit more detail than I do with my usual social media posts. I will also write some blog posts that include small tutorials and information. For instance, today I posted about pigments: what they are and how I use them. I also plan to do some live Q&A sessions.
-The third level is $30/mo and is really a subscription model for mosaic instruction. I am very excited to use this to build a small community of aspiring mosaic artists, and to share little mosaic lessons, project tutorials, recorded workshops, and presentations. I plan to create content around various aspects of my mosaic practice, but also the business side of art and some design theory. I expect this to develop and I’ll take your feedback into consideration.
That is what I want to provide to my supporters. And the reason I am turning to this platform is so that I can build a sustainable way to slow down with regards to commissions. I have goals to give myself more down time, and to offer mentorship to younger artists as well as facilitating more community art without financial barriers. In coming years, I want to be orchestrating mosaic projects with teams instead of slogging away on large projects by myself.
Already, I have agreed to take on an assistant, Austin H.
Austin is an art student who is going to piece together a part-time work schedule between me and John Brooks, a ceramics instructor. As we discussed possibilities, I realized that this could actually become a very holistic arrangement because ceramics and mosaic are an excellent combination, so I’m hoping John and I can brainstorm ways to bring our mediums together. But for now, I’m going to have Austin H. help me clear out the old studio, pack and ship orders, film workshops, get more organized, and I will introduce him to basic mosaic techniques. We’ll take it slowly and see how it goes.
But wait, there’s more! There’s another Austin! Austin Davis is a muralist and sign painter I met while working on the Metamorphosis mural. I was immediately impressed by his dedication to the beautification of Olympia. He has been covering graffiti and improving downtown walls for free or cheap, just to get the experience and because he cares about his city. A direct quote: “I’m creating the community I want to live in.” Last fall, I gave Austin a deposit to have him paint milkweed plant designs around the Metamorphosis mural to give it more context, and I’ll be paying him the rest this summer when he completes the job. He is hoping to continue the wall all the way down the alley, so we are hoping to find some way to support this work. I’ve met with Austin at least 4 times since September and I am really enjoying the opportunity to act the part of mentor to a younger artist. He reminds me of myself at his age, though definitely a step ahead of where I was. I’m also hoping to find a way to share my mosaic techniques with him.
So, essentially, the support I receive will help me to offer this kind of mentorship to other artists in an ongoing capacity. I have many more aspirations, but that is where I’m starting; with the Austins.
To be a part of this new experiment, visit my Patreon page. It is free to join.
