Small Gestures Can Make Significant Differences

I have a dear friend who is, and has been for ages,  a huge supporter of me, my artwork, and my career as an artist. However, she was hesitating to support me on Patreon, possibly you are too, and let's be direct here: because of the money. However, this particular friend (she'll know it's her when she reads this part), is particularly self-aware and often takes the time to notice what's stopping her moving forward in her life and living the best and greatest possibility and vision of her own life.  Perhaps this is you too?

She'll take the time to notice what limiting beliefs are behind her not taking action. She'll investigate if it's a pattern and if this same pattern  is what is possibly also stopping her in other areas of her life. (Chances are very high)

She is exceptional. She  actually emailed me today and admitted that she wanted to show her support but was concerned that she could only do the $3 support tier at this time. I admire her honesty and vulnerability. I admire her getting uncomfortable and being willing to share this openly. I admire her going beyond all of the fear and finding a solution that worked for her, so she could show her support for me, and ultimately for the artist within herself.

(I will be direct with you on this last point: when you show support to someone in a particular area - for example a painter such as myself - you shine a light on your own creativity and the artist within you because this gesture says  YES! 'art matters', 'artists matter' and so internally you also receive the benefit of knowing  that YES! your own creativity matter. The subconscious mind does not know the difference between me and yourself.*)

My friend had the belief that $3 was not enough. Nonsense! I just want you to know, all of you, if you are considering supporting me at $3/month I am so so so grateful and happy for this gesture of kindness. THANK YOU.

I also need to express that this journey of mine has shifted and this brings up fear and lots of uncomfortable feelings for me also. I too have had to look at what beliefs and past habits have prevented me from moving forward to living my grandest version of this life of mine. I have had to take a good look at my willingness to receive. I have had to take a good look wthin myself and see what past habits and beliefs have prevented me from truly being and feeling supported. I am out of my comfort zone with this too.

I have been until now,  sharing my insights, inspirations, in-process paintings, behind the scenes studio happenings, in depth mixed media & abstract painting technical knowledge, and recent learnings all to you online free via my various social media accounts for over 15 years now.

I have now made a clear decision to streamline the tremendous value I offer on so many levels, and make it available to those of you who are willing to show up  and offer their support for me  - even at the smallest tier of $3 - which shows me appreciation, respect, and compensation for the value I offer. This is by no means a comfortable walk in the park for me to be asking you, my friend, for support. However, let me be clear. I am asking for your support, here, now.

I was originally trained early on to give it all away. I think many artists are.

Artists are instructed and guided to give away their art (it's often got the fancy word of 'charitable donation'), amoung many other aspects of themselves; share their techniques and so on - all in the name of marketing, finding success, being noticed and 'making it'. This is not working. I know this personally and from many talks I've given to groups, where artists have spoken up, raised their hands, and shared story after story of barely being able to pay rent, or buy supplies, or buy food, meanwhile being asked to give their art away for free, or pay for the shipping to the gallery, or to receive even less then 50% of the price of their artwork, or wait another month to receive their percentage of the sale, or to never receive their due compensation for the sale of their work ever (read The Art Cure by Bridget Mayer) .... It disgusts me that our community and society have tolerated treating us artists, such valuable and beautiful and essential members of our society, this way. For me, it ends here.

Artists cannot thrive by simply giving it all away. Most of us need extra help if we have not yet reached Pabloe Picasso's celebrity or are not yet receiving Jackson Pollock's pricing for our artworks.  If we don't create reliable income sources for ourselves in a way that nurtures us and feed us and give us time to create, we may be forced to give up and stop all together. We need to find new ways to make art while we  pay rent, and eat, and heat our homes and studios. This is where  Patreon comes in and is one of those new ways that believe:

We want to help every creator in the world achieve sustainable income. - Patreon Mission Statement

Even if a thousand people, just like yourself, decided to forgo their Starbucks coffee and sponsor and artist, for even a small a sum as $3, they would be making a huge significant difference in that artists life. Please don't underestimate the significant difference your even tiny regular contribution could make.

Nothing is too small and it is the meaning behind it that truly counts. THANK YOU for supporting this artist, from the bottom of her heart, from my heart. THANK YOU for honoring me and the value I bring. THANK YOU for respecting what I do. THANK YOU for being on my team.

My intention is that this money comes back to you ten-fold and that in your belonging to this exclusive community with me on Patron, that it  inspires you creatively beyond your wildest dreams!

Sincerely, Deb Chaney

*Need more on this concept? Please read Happy Pocket Full of Money by David Cameron Gikandi