Ciao everybody! đ Here we are again.
I have many things to say this month and I hope you will enjoy the reading.
Being an artist who has chosen to make herself known through her original music and painting alone is not easy. I don't want this newsletter to be a sombre reflection of things not going the right way in my life at the moment. However, I do want it to be authentic, something that social media cannot always provide. I chose this newsletter as a tool to freely express whatever I feel, and today, this is my stream of consciousness (youâre welcome đ)
Being an artist means putting yourself out there and seeking continuous approval from others. As soon as someone says, "You are good" or "You are worthy," we suddenly feel like we have a purpose in our lives, and we start to build and grow the garden of our self-esteem. But that garden has no escape; there are no gates to exit when we want because we are not the subjects of our lives but the objects. We exist only to the fact that we need approval from others. Lately, I've found myself pondering this concept and trying to find an answer. On social media, I see others seemingly doing better than meâmore beautiful, better dressed, more successful, and working towards their dreams every day. Sometimes, I feel like I'm not doing enough to reach what I want. Life is a battlefield, and sometimes, I'm just tired of fighting. I also discussed some of these thoughts and what living with synesthesia means on a podcast episode with the delightful Ana. If you'd like to listen, click here.
I wish someone would tell me, 'Hey, take off the armour, no worries, I've got you. Here, we have a decent contract for you. Be an artist, write, paint, and we'll take care of the rest.' But in the real world, this is not true. However, I've changed my mindset! After a month of health issuesâdue to psychosomatic processes where I tend to somatize all my thoughtsâI decided to react. I have new rules, as Dua Lipa would say: every morning, I send out at least one application for a festival, gig, or exhibition, expecting more rejections than approvals. Then, I take care of myselfâI work out, walk, hike, or swim, listening to my body without forcing myself into anything I don't want to do. I eat healthy, listen to lots of music, and read a lot too. I want to better my English and enrich my vocabulary to be a better songwriter. I want to learn new thingsâat least one thing a month. This month, I'm learning Portuguese, sewing, and improving my drawing and sketching skills.
Inspired by a conversation with a lovely couple who are now very dear to my heartâJoan and ChrisâI understood the power of connection and sharing, even deeper than before. We met randomly during a jam session, and they started asking me about my life, career, and artistic path. They followed me on Instagram, but what's more, they âactuallyâ followed me, taking an interest in my artistic journey and the truth behind social media. It's rare to have followers asking for clarification about your social media posts in real life. Usually, followers are distant people somewhere in the world, looking at you from a distance. But Joan and Chris are real, and this gave me new insights about the responsibility we have for what we post on social media.
I understood that as human beings, we need to be connected, inspired by each other, and interconnected through our experiences, opinions, thoughts, and life paths. You can never know what's waiting for you. Life can start again at any age, in any shape, with anyone or by ourselves. There is no limit to what we can do. And on this matter, one night, after pizza, Joan shared something about her father. She told me he said to her, 'You can be everything you want to be.' Don't you think that this message, said by a man to a woman âa daughter, is incredibly empowering? What does it say to us? Maybe it says that not everybody believes you have to be a certain way to be loved, that maybe a woman doesn't have to be something specific or approved to be chosen, to be loved. This can apply to anyone, but I found it so sweet, and so great to know that a man can say this to a girl, a woman, a daughter, a mother. Maybe we would live in a different world if everyone were like Joan's father. Maybe being something you want to be, like being an artist, wouldnât be so difficult?
Then, they asked me a direct question, 'What can we do to help you?' This is a question many people have asked me in my life. I went home with that question in my mind. Reflecting on it, I understood what an artist like me needsâappreciation, shared contacts, and money to invest in creation and materials. How to achieve that? I spent days figuring out a way to make it right. I started this newsletter a few months ago and I researched other artists venturing here. The rock star Patti Smith, lately perhaps more famous for her memoirs than her music, has similarly launched a newsletter on Substack, where subscribers can pay $7 per month or $70 per year for 'The Reader is My Notebook,' a series of dispatches and jottings like her memories of meeting the novelist Haruki Murakami, with a YouTube video of one of her songs at the end. Regarding this matter, I would like to remind you that you have options to support me here on Substack too:
If you hit this button you will be able to choose among these options:
But letâs come back to what we were saying. The venture capital investor Li Jin argued that the creator economy needs a middle-class in the Harvard Business Review, describing the ideal of making money on a social-media platform as a kind of new American Dream. These platforms often replicate the overall economy in their rampant inequality, however: a very small number of creators earn most of the revenue. Jin lists various strategies for expanding the possibilities of a middle class, like creating passive income streams in the form of content sales; capitalizing on super-fans with expensive products like NFTs; and offering investment for creators.
Yet all of these methods ignore the flawed basic premise of creatordom: that all creativity should be monetizable and monetized. The creator economy leaves little room for the kinds of projects and practices that donât fit its preexisting digital structuresâanything that doesnât come out on a daily or weekly basis; creators who arenât personally charismatic or willing to be parasocial targets; or material that is too challenging or specific to net the immediate embrace of an enthusiastic audience. That is what the art-world system of dealers, galleries, and curators was designed to supplyâartists are insulated and able to work alone in their studios because other people are working to contextualize, promote, and sell their work, however challenging it might be. The kind of art that takes decades to understand or become popular is not fit for the creator economy.
Artists are not inherently creators, at least in the context of the new digital economy: The art market is too abstract, obscure, and too difficult to provide the real rewards of intimacy and connection that creators promise. Certain artists might support themselves as creators if their work and personality are fit for the job, but most are likely to find it just as onerous and exhausting as the gallery system âhere I am!
So I decided to open my own Patreon.
Patreon is using the old idea of patronage which can be traced back to the ancient world, and the times of Mozart, Shakespeare, Da Vinci, and other notable artists known to all mankind. The concept behind what Patreon is all about is simple: fans or patrons can donate money regularly to fund artists, musicians, educators, writers, illustrators, crafters, and all other kinds of creators. Itâs similar to Kickstarter, but in this platform, patrons are not limited to giving donations to support a project. Most often, patrons (fans) support the artists through monthly pledges for as low as ÂŁ1 so that artists can just focus on creating valuable content and not mind about the other necessities. With Patreon, anyone can support an artist or a creator regardless of oneâs motivation or interest. What I mean is that even if you are not really into the arts, but you believe in the artistâs talents and potentialâby all means, you can donate anywhere between ÂŁ1 to several hundred pounds. It can also be a perfect avenue for people who want to give back to the community. Patreon is not only a membership business or a crowdfunding site.
It is also an altruistic platform where anyone is given the noble chance of not just giving but also of making a differenceâto someone elseâs lives and the community as a whole. The creatorâs patrons are there not just to support them financially but also to give feedback that can lead to a healthy and constant artistic discourse. Also, as an artist, you can gather strength from the fact that there are people out there who are not just following you but are also engaging with you and investing in your talent. As such, during tough times, it can be easier to bounce back and just keep moving forward. Motivates artists to be more productive. Itâs reasonable to say that creators and artists on YouTube and other free platforms continue to create content not just for the sake of sharing valuable information and insights but also for money. Hence, itâs pretty much more expected on a crowdfunding platform like Patreon to have highly motivated creators.
They are more than aware that they should continue to produce valuable content in exchange for the monetary support that they receive from their patrons. And by consistently creating helpful, informative, entertaining, and engaging content, they can ensure their patronsâ continued support. Last but not least, I think being an artist on Patreon gives a sense of fulfilment. If we come to think of it, all these benefits lead to a common end goalâfulfilment. As an artist, you know how fulfilling it is to finish an artwork, and you can relate to the sense of gratefulness from contributing something to the community. More so, itâs fulfilling to make a living and to support your creative process by doing what you love.
I have a few questions for you, reading this now, DM me on Insta or send me an email when you have time:
Would you consider supporting me on Patreon?
What aspects of my work resonate with you the most?
How do you believe your support could help me further develop my craft?
Reasons for Supporting:
What aspects of my content inspire or entertain you?
How has my work impacted you personally?
Do you see value in the exclusive content or rewards I offer on Patreon?
Reasons for Not Supporting:
If you choose not to support me on Patreon, what factors influence your decision?
Are there certain barriers or concerns that prevent you from becoming a patron?
What could I do to address any hesitations you may have?
Content Preferences:
What type of content do you enjoy the most from me?
Are there any specific topics or themes you would like me to explore in my work?
How can I tailor my content to better meet your interests and preferences?
Connecting on a Personal Level:
How can I make you feel more involved in my creative process?
Are there any behind-the-scenes insights or experiences you would like me to share?
What aspects of my life or journey would you like to learn more about?
Expressing Gratitude:
I appreciate your support and feedback more than words can express. What more can I do to show my gratitude?
Is there a particular way you would like to be acknowledged or recognized for your support?
Thank you for reading this. Iâll see you soon in real life, on social media, on Patreon, or wherever you want. Letâs connect!
B.