How Patreon Redefines
Patreon allows you to directly support artists like me.
I get asked all the time: What is Patreon?
Patreon is a crowd-funding platform that allows creatives to receive value for their work from Patrons - fans, friends, family members, students, and their community - who pledge a monthly or yearly contribution. I, as a creator, offer my heart’s desires in return for your support. It’s a revolutionary way to stabilize an income source for the things I’m already creating, want to create, or have big dreams to create but don’t yet have the support to.
Making a living as an artist is … an unpaved way.
The thing about being a creative is that we’re always reinventing ways to do things. And this means there’s no linear or direct path, no guidebook, no manual to making a living as an artist.
Photo by Alize Jireh Yaccino
I attended art school at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago - where we had no grades (only pass/fail), didn’t really have to have a major, and were encouraged to be self-starting, to think critically, to research while innovating, and to problem solve pretty much all the time. We had classes on “Living as a Working Artist” which taught us some things, but mainly that we had to be resilient AF while carving out our own path in the world.
While believing in ourselves, our art, and our value the entire time.
(that one took a LONG time to sink in, believe me.)
Gaea, what do you want to be when you grow up?
“A Dancer”
I trained as a dancer my whole childhood. Since hitting the stage at the ripe age of 3, it was all I wanted to do. I wanted to get into a ballet or a dance company, performing other people’s choreographies in a concert dance company. I auditioned for SO MANY professional dance training programs… and a few companies. I was offered an apprenticeship, but was asked to lose 15lbs, I wouldn’t get paid, and I’d need to live in Columbus. I knew it wasn’t for me.
After deliberation, I chose art school. (It was a good decision in the long run, thanks Dad.) But then in art school, I stopped dancing after hospitalization from a nasty sprained ankle accompanied by a nasty allergic reaction to anti-inflammatories.
I felt like I had lost a part of my soul.
And gained a different part of me: the activist, the resilient one, the artist.
Photo by Melissa Robin
Over the next decade, one thing led to another, and BAM! I find myself finally fusing my art, dance, costuming, philosophy, healing, and spirituality. It was still a hustle for every gig, customer, class, tip, payment, veil, and tour. Let me tell you, this is exhausting. And wholly unreliable and unsustainable, in the longer scheme of it all.
In 2019, I decided to *finally* take the leap of faith to believe in myself on a whole new level and start my Patreon.
What is Patreon?
Patreon is a crowd-funding platform that allows creatives to receive value for their work from Patrons - fans, friends, family members, students, and their community - who pledge a monthly or yearly contribution. I, as a creator, offer my heart’s desire in return for support. It’s a revolutionary way to stabilize an income source for the things I’m already creating, want to create, or have big dreams to create but don’t yet have enough support to do.
And let me tell you, Patreon was my lifeline during this pandemic. I received no unemployment; it was literally the *only* thing I had going.
So, I decided to nourish it.
Photo by Alize Jireh Yaccino
I began teaching online, 4x a week. I started documenting my process, publishing drafts of writing from my pending Oracle Deck called “the Atlas of Abundance” with Meg Feigal and Amanda Davis, recording audio meditations, debuting monthly nude/costumed photosets, and providing exclusive access to online works-in-progress, as well as finished works I wanted to make but didn’t have anywhere to ‘go’ under lockdown.
I am able to offer the inspiration I feel in my life on a deeper level to a wider audience (which includes my family, friends, and students).
And perhaps the most valuable thing - as Amanda Davis reminds me - is that I’ve transformed my sense of self-worth. I value myself and my art contributions at a much higher rate than *ever* before.
I know that what I have to offer is valuable, which allows me to ask for exchange from others for it. What I receive in this exchange is that I’m now able to exchange with other artists with killer skills who I desire to work with. I can invest in my art making with new tools and education, and adventures and experiences that illuminate new levels of my creative process.
My patrons have helped take me to new levels of art making, ones I never dreamed of before.
I’m not in a space of lack. The abundance means I don’t have to “hustle” for gigs to be able to afford supplies, costuming materials, studio rent, internet service, a videographer, a new computer for video editing, or gas money to go shoot on location.
Pretty cool, right?
So, my plans for the future are ever evolving. Right now, as of May 2021, I’m debating the best way to integrate in-person with this online presence and school I’ve created. I’m refilming my Silk Veil Level 1 & 2 videos, recording and publishing more meditations, and providing early access to tickets and in-person events that are popping up for my Patrons only.
And, I’m planning an epic 170 Polaroid extravaganza with the Photographer Michael Egon Scheile -- and each Patron of mine (at or above the $11 monthly level) will receive a photo from the series!
YOU CAN JOIN IN THIS EPIC BANDWAGON.
Anyone can.
I have a ❖ special offer ❖ for YOU!
Become a Patron at the $11 tier (or higher) by May 18, 2021, and receive:
an extra “Elemental” 7-class virtual pack
a single one-of-a-kind polaroid from my newest 170 photograph series with Michael Egon Sheile!
my monthly classes & content at the level you choose
I can’t wait to show you what I’ve been up to.
I have immense gratitude for your support & valuation of my art.
We’re truly sculpting a new paradigm.
Thank you!
what's patreon?!
