Artists have goals too
The best way to support your favorite artist (social media content creator, youtube content creator, podcaster, painter, writer, musician, sculptor... you get the idea) is to spend money on their creations. It shows them in tangible ways that you appreciate all the time, effort and creativity that went into creating that art for your consumption. These sales have a cumulative impact online, and help them to build a name for themselves, and therefore has not only a short term impact, but also a long term impact.
The next best way is to donate directly to their causes or goals. This may only have a short term impact, but empowers them and helps provide artists with access to resources they would not otherwise be able to obtain.
I just returned home after being on the road for a month. I love traveling and I really enjoyed getting to visit with family. However my car didn't like it very much. I am probably asking too much of the car, pulling a tear drop trailer everywhere I go. It has a small sleeping compartment and a rear kitchen that makes my morning coffee attainable. Just sleeping in my car does not legroom that the trailer does, unfortunately, pulling the trailer significantly impacts, my car's gas mileage. It does not like the mountains, but I do! Also, my current setup is only big enough to travel alone and I'd like to be able to travel with other people in the future. Long term goal: Replace the car with a van or truck w/camper shell.
One of the people that got to visit with was my cousin Rich. He's a pretty interesting fella. Most folks in our family could be considered “unique” in our own ways. However, I expect that my mother wasn't too far off when she said that everyone is unique in their own way. So that's a thing, but more importantly, my cousin's special gift is that he just wants everyone to be happy and okay. SO much so, that he doesn't really know how to handle the world when people are not happy, and things are not okay. One of his 2021 accomplishments is that he has quit drinking alcohol. That's a huge thing for him and I try to be as supportive as possible! I've told him how proud of him that I am, and he's learning how to be proud of himself. The thing that has made the difference for him this go-around has been Tiktok.
I was talking with him about how many years I have been putting myself out there online, and on social media. I have been writing and painting since I was a kid, but for the last decade I have made a concerted effort to try and build an online presence, to market myself. I, like so many other artists, would love to be able to generate enough revenue on a monthly (and ultimately annual) basis, so that I can dedicate myself full time to being a creator.
Most of us would love to “quit or day job” but choose not to do so, because it would be financial suicide. Most of us have bills to pay and art supplies are not cheap. Depending on what your particular art form is they can become very expensive. When I shudder at the idea of filling my cart with several tubes of pigment, each priced anywhere from $7.99 for 2oz to upwards of $20 per tube or container- I am overwhelmed by the idea that I could easily blow a few hundred dollars replenishing my paints. And I want to get some enamel paints for doing some projects on glass... Nope. Not in the budget for me right now. And then I see these gorgeous youtube videos online where the folks have very obviously been using a camera drone to get the ariel shots. Welp, if I thought $300 at the art supply store was too much, looking up the cost of a good quality drone was almost enough to give me a heart attack. How do these people afford it?? Talking with my cousin about his Tiktok success helped me to understand. They don't do it alone. Their supporters help them along the way, so that they can improve their content in the future. Okay. I get it. But I have been trying to build a presence online for a decade now and maybe have 100 followers on Facebook.
I told my cousin, “I'm just not good at marketing myself.” He told me to get on Tiktok. He said just do videos of whatever. Whatever is interesting to me, will help people get to know me, and then if they want, maybe they will check out the books and the artwork.
I had talked with my partner about this recently before, and she had expressed concern about haters, negative comments, and potentially making myself a target for hate crimes. I shared that concern with my cousin as when talked. He encouraged me in spite of the haters. He said, “they will be out there, and they'll say some crazy shit, and try to get you engaged.” He said that they kindof freaked him out for a little while too. He advised me, “go on Tiktok. Do your thing, and when the haters comment, just ignore them. Just don't respond.” We talked for a bit about it and then I was back on the road.
While driving I thought about what he said, previous conversations I'd had with my partner, and my kids, and the pros and cons of marketing myself. Ultimately I decided to go for it.
So now I'm on Tiktok. You can look me up @abstractperspectives if you want, if you do that sort of thing. If you like a video, please share it. If you like my content, please follow me.
Short term goal: Get enough followers to be able to do live streaming videos.
For several years I have been trying to figure out a way to do live videos of my painting projects. I am not terribly nimble with small devices and have been yet unsuccessful. I am hoping that by utilizing the Tiktok platform, I can finally achieve this goal of doing painting videos! I also enjoy taking pictures and dabble in some digital art projects periodically. I have not been able to do much of that in the last couple years because my big laptop with enough room for all the software died. My partner was kind enough to give me her old laptop so that I could continue with my writing projects, but until I can afford to get a larger, better laptop, I cannot run the programs I need to really get creative with my digital art projects. I am hoping that in the mean time, doing the little Tiktok videos will curb the craving to create in this way. Long term goal: Replace my small old laptop with a larger model, with better processing, memory & software.
When I met up with my cousin a 2nd time, I had some video content up on the app. He was happy for me and we did a couple videos together. I was amazed at how quickly my followers jumped from 29 people to over 800. Apparently I need 10,000 followers to be able to do live stream videos on the application? My videos are pretty simple at this point. I seem to be having problems with the app, but I am guessing that its actually my phone that is causing me problems. My current $60 phone keeps messing up on me. Short term goal: Replace my cheap phone with a higher quality device that takes better pictures, has more short term memory for processing apps; preferably an unlocked Android so I'm not tied to a particular carrier.
When it comes to reaching my goals, I tend to chip away slowly. Sometimes I accomplish the goals, and sometimes I simply learn to accept the disappointment of never reaching a particular goal. I'm not a literally starving artist because I do eat. I am not exactly homeless, because I have a home base to come back to. I am not exactly making it, living well below the poverty level. I just keep chipping away a little at a time, and hoping that somehow or another I will get the break I need. I know I am not alone in this. There are plenty of other artists out there, who live paycheck to paycheck, wishing that one day they could “quit their day job,” but never actually getting there.
I have thought about trying to do fundraisers, to help me do promotional traveling. I have thought about crowdfunding for some of my other financial goals. Thus far I have refrained from doing these things. While I have been down on my luck enough to have to 'beg,' for lack of better terms, if given the opportunity to offer something in exchange, I will always choose the latter. However, this Tiktok thing has made me re-examine the idea of accepting donations. One of my new followers suggested that I put my CashApp or Venmo information on my Tiktok profile so that people can give me money.
When I started creating content, I was focused on simply using the platform to try and help me generate book and art sales. It truly had not occurred to me that people would value the content I create enough to want to give me money simply for that. Now, that I am gaining a better understanding of how this all works, I have decided that I would not be doing anything wrong by accepting gifts of this nature. I certainly put thought, time and creative effort into creating, so why not? If you like my art and you have decided I am an artist that you want to support, then by all means do so. I have a Venmo and a Paypal account. Both are linked directly to [email protected].
My profile on Tiktok lists me as an Artist, Author and a Part-Time Traveler. I wanted to make sure that my website was also listed on my profile, and due to the character limit, I did not have room to also list my Venmo & Paypal information. So I am providing it here. If you choose to support me with a donation, please write a note when you send it, indicating that is what it's for. If you want to support me by purchasing one or more of my books, I encourage you to do so online through Barnes & Noble booksellers. After you read it, please post a review on their website. This will help other people find out about the books. And if you want to support me by purchasing artwork, you can order prints or art merchandise online, or send me a message about which original piece you want.
No matter how you choose to support me, I am appreciative. Its people like you that give hope to artists like me. We create because we are driven passionately to do so. But its a lonely love affair without people like you. Thanks for all you do!
The best way to support your favorite artist (social media content creator, youtube content creator, podcaster, painter, writer, musician, sculptor... you get the idea) is to spend money on their creations. It shows them in tangible ways that you appreciate all the time, effort and creativity that went into creating that art for your consumption. These sales have a cumulative impact online, and help them to build a name for themselves, and therefore has not only a short term impact, but also a long term impact.
The next best way is to donate directly to their causes or goals. This may only have a short term impact, but empowers them and helps provide artists with access to resources they would not otherwise be able to obtain.
I just returned home after being on the road for a month. I love traveling and I really enjoyed getting to visit with family. However my car didn't like it very much. I am probably asking too much of the car, pulling a tear drop trailer everywhere I go. It has a small sleeping compartment and a rear kitchen that makes my morning coffee attainable. Just sleeping in my car does not legroom that the trailer does, unfortunately, pulling the trailer significantly impacts, my car's gas mileage. It does not like the mountains, but I do! Also, my current setup is only big enough to travel alone and I'd like to be able to travel with other people in the future. Long term goal: Replace the car with a van or truck w/camper shell.
One of the people that got to visit with was my cousin Rich. He's a pretty interesting fella. Most folks in our family could be considered “unique” in our own ways. However, I expect that my mother wasn't too far off when she said that everyone is unique in their own way. So that's a thing, but more importantly, my cousin's special gift is that he just wants everyone to be happy and okay. SO much so, that he doesn't really know how to handle the world when people are not happy, and things are not okay. One of his 2021 accomplishments is that he has quit drinking alcohol. That's a huge thing for him and I try to be as supportive as possible! I've told him how proud of him that I am, and he's learning how to be proud of himself. The thing that has made the difference for him this go-around has been Tiktok.
I was talking with him about how many years I have been putting myself out there online, and on social media. I have been writing and painting since I was a kid, but for the last decade I have made a concerted effort to try and build an online presence, to market myself. I, like so many other artists, would love to be able to generate enough revenue on a monthly (and ultimately annual) basis, so that I can dedicate myself full time to being a creator.
Most of us would love to “quit or day job” but choose not to do so, because it would be financial suicide. Most of us have bills to pay and art supplies are not cheap. Depending on what your particular art form is they can become very expensive. When I shudder at the idea of filling my cart with several tubes of pigment, each priced anywhere from $7.99 for 2oz to upwards of $20 per tube or container- I am overwhelmed by the idea that I could easily blow a few hundred dollars replenishing my paints. And I want to get some enamel paints for doing some projects on glass... Nope. Not in the budget for me right now. And then I see these gorgeous youtube videos online where the folks have very obviously been using a camera drone to get the ariel shots. Welp, if I thought $300 at the art supply store was too much, looking up the cost of a good quality drone was almost enough to give me a heart attack. How do these people afford it?? Talking with my cousin about his Tiktok success helped me to understand. They don't do it alone. Their supporters help them along the way, so that they can improve their content in the future. Okay. I get it. But I have been trying to build a presence online for a decade now and maybe have 100 followers on Facebook.
I told my cousin, “I'm just not good at marketing myself.” He told me to get on Tiktok. He said just do videos of whatever. Whatever is interesting to me, will help people get to know me, and then if they want, maybe they will check out the books and the artwork.
I had talked with my partner about this recently before, and she had expressed concern about haters, negative comments, and potentially making myself a target for hate crimes. I shared that concern with my cousin as when talked. He encouraged me in spite of the haters. He said, “they will be out there, and they'll say some crazy shit, and try to get you engaged.” He said that they kindof freaked him out for a little while too. He advised me, “go on Tiktok. Do your thing, and when the haters comment, just ignore them. Just don't respond.” We talked for a bit about it and then I was back on the road.
While driving I thought about what he said, previous conversations I'd had with my partner, and my kids, and the pros and cons of marketing myself. Ultimately I decided to go for it.
So now I'm on Tiktok. You can look me up @abstractperspectives if you want, if you do that sort of thing. If you like a video, please share it. If you like my content, please follow me.
Short term goal: Get enough followers to be able to do live streaming videos.
For several years I have been trying to figure out a way to do live videos of my painting projects. I am not terribly nimble with small devices and have been yet unsuccessful. I am hoping that by utilizing the Tiktok platform, I can finally achieve this goal of doing painting videos! I also enjoy taking pictures and dabble in some digital art projects periodically. I have not been able to do much of that in the last couple years because my big laptop with enough room for all the software died. My partner was kind enough to give me her old laptop so that I could continue with my writing projects, but until I can afford to get a larger, better laptop, I cannot run the programs I need to really get creative with my digital art projects. I am hoping that in the mean time, doing the little Tiktok videos will curb the craving to create in this way. Long term goal: Replace my small old laptop with a larger model, with better processing, memory & software.
When I met up with my cousin a 2nd time, I had some video content up on the app. He was happy for me and we did a couple videos together. I was amazed at how quickly my followers jumped from 29 people to over 800. Apparently I need 10,000 followers to be able to do live stream videos on the application? My videos are pretty simple at this point. I seem to be having problems with the app, but I am guessing that its actually my phone that is causing me problems. My current $60 phone keeps messing up on me. Short term goal: Replace my cheap phone with a higher quality device that takes better pictures, has more short term memory for processing apps; preferably an unlocked Android so I'm not tied to a particular carrier.
When it comes to reaching my goals, I tend to chip away slowly. Sometimes I accomplish the goals, and sometimes I simply learn to accept the disappointment of never reaching a particular goal. I'm not a literally starving artist because I do eat. I am not exactly homeless, because I have a home base to come back to. I am not exactly making it, living well below the poverty level. I just keep chipping away a little at a time, and hoping that somehow or another I will get the break I need. I know I am not alone in this. There are plenty of other artists out there, who live paycheck to paycheck, wishing that one day they could “quit their day job,” but never actually getting there.
I have thought about trying to do fundraisers, to help me do promotional traveling. I have thought about crowdfunding for some of my other financial goals. Thus far I have refrained from doing these things. While I have been down on my luck enough to have to 'beg,' for lack of better terms, if given the opportunity to offer something in exchange, I will always choose the latter. However, this Tiktok thing has made me re-examine the idea of accepting donations. One of my new followers suggested that I put my CashApp or Venmo information on my Tiktok profile so that people can give me money.
When I started creating content, I was focused on simply using the platform to try and help me generate book and art sales. It truly had not occurred to me that people would value the content I create enough to want to give me money simply for that. Now, that I am gaining a better understanding of how this all works, I have decided that I would not be doing anything wrong by accepting gifts of this nature. I certainly put thought, time and creative effort into creating, so why not? If you like my art and you have decided I am an artist that you want to support, then by all means do so. I have a Venmo and a Paypal account. Both are linked directly to [email protected].
My profile on Tiktok lists me as an Artist, Author and a Part-Time Traveler. I wanted to make sure that my website was also listed on my profile, and due to the character limit, I did not have room to also list my Venmo & Paypal information. So I am providing it here. If you choose to support me with a donation, please write a note when you send it, indicating that is what it's for. If you want to support me by purchasing one or more of my books, I encourage you to do so online through Barnes & Noble booksellers. After you read it, please post a review on their website. This will help other people find out about the books. And if you want to support me by purchasing artwork, you can order prints or art merchandise online, or send me a message about which original piece you want.
No matter how you choose to support me, I am appreciative. Its people like you that give hope to artists like me. We create because we are driven passionately to do so. But its a lonely love affair without people like you. Thanks for all you do!