Patreon - do the math

[ceagle]

If someone succeeds in making a living on Patreon, that is great. Truly! For those, I give accolades ^v^

However, in general, ....it is a Well that sucks away talent from public view, further isolating them from circulation... and realistically in most cases that is a loss and/or fail ... :/

AGAIN, if they are making it there, that is great *more applause* Especially if it is used as a Prime Preview sort of thing, allowing patrons advanced viewing for later release. But if it is just hidden subscription stuff, then.. well.. that makes me sad. -_-

Beeeecause...
I really love the art and artists I support (in traditional ways, such as commissions, donations, prints, etc)... but, I don't make $thousands of dollars per week. And if I were to support all the hundreds of artists I love on a subscription basis every week, it would truly be $hundreds of dollars.. and that's even if at the $1 / per rate! .. and realistically I'd want to do more (but just impossible until I win the Lottery)...

So it's really rather difficult to cross that bridge and not feel guilty that someone is getting left out, or not getting enough... and as a patron to survive financially at the same time.

Not that I haven't tried it. I did give it a shot with a few super nice artists. One barely posts anything though. And with another I found out their 'class system' discriminates, so I'd have to put in a whole lot more $$$ per month to really see any worthwhile content.

All in all the whole thing pisses me off and makes me feel sad for the artists with high-hopes that they will get rich there too :|
And again, it takes them out of circulation so their awesomeness becomes hidden.

I gotta stick with traditional. If you're a dependable, quality artist, as so many have demonstrated all these years, I'll continue to be a grateful customer ^v^ .

Comments

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

I'm always torn, patreon allows steady income streams which people do need to live but I don't like paying for things that I do not want/use.

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

*nods* ... Totally conflicted here too with what to do.... but while I wish luck to those who try it (and plan well, inclusively, not exclusively)... I just can't see how it can work for too many people... like you suggested, just not enough subscribers with enough funds for everybody to go around...