2024: A BustArtist Year in Review (Patreon)

From day one — and especially on day one — 2024 has not been good to me and my wife. It all started on that day and continued throughout the year in various misfortunes — more car repairs, medical bills, medical issues, and other personal stuff I won’t mention here. Add to that, dropping sales (see this Jan'24 post ») has plagued me.

I am happy to say that many in the community rallied around me after that Sept’24 post. Many fans gave their $upport by adding funds to their patreon pledge; upgrading their membership tiers; forgoing using the monthly coupon codes (since those are funds I won’t receive); requesting repeat paid Commissions; forgoing Commission discounts; and purchasing my “Art of BustArtist” book (started at about 42 copies, and now down to only 7 left). This all helped me cushion the next couple of months as I continue to revive the BAU’s popularity (BAU = BustArtist Universe). Paid commissions have been a big help to supplement my income.

I have also been talking with other content creators and getting feedback, suggestions, moral support, and even technical support (setting up certain accounts for a wider distribution, such as my new Subscriptions on DeviantArt (which, if you are a member here, there is no reason to be a member there)). HUUUGE shoutout to Ready Art (see his Patreon page under my Recommendations tab).

There WILL be changes coming to my Patreon page in the future. I am not sure when, exactly. These changes will focus on new patreon rewards such as animated sequences, and a possible monthly comic page. The comic would be drawn in more of an anime style (meaning lines, flat colors, limited shading and not drawing style), so that I can produce it faster without it being a burden. I am still conceptualizing it, so it may be a while, but I have had an idea buzzing around in my brain for about a year now.

These changes will require me to drop some of the monthly art. There is only so many hours in a week I can work on this without burning out (or suffering tight, painful wrists, elbows, etc.). Animation will probably require 2 pieces to be dropped; and the comic an addition piece. If both of these are done, that means instead of 7 pieces of new art, it will be 4 new pieces plus the other new items. How that will be done will be figured out when I come to it (such as how many will be new ideas and voted on, and how many will be by my pick). Of course, that’s my projection. The actual changes will need to be figured out.

If these changes result in more members here on Patreon, higher tiers, and increased pledges, I may even add more — either more animation per month or more art. That remains to be seen.

Of course, all actions have reactions. Should I add more rewards, my grOw production will probably slow. I have to balance this new workload — time vs. income vs. fatigue. It depends on the sales of new grOw issues, which have dropped dramatically in the last year, including the newest issue. I am currently working 52-60 hours each week on the BAU already.

“Coastal Swells” was one the lowest in sales numbers for the first 30-days release since 2012 😢 (since grOw/cOmic 5, issue 2) (and that’s only because I didn’t keep records earlier than that). In comparison to some of the best issues of grOw/cinema 1, “Coastal Swells” sold 61% LESS than the average top 6 issues of “The Ever-Expanding Universe,” meaning it only sold 39% the number of copies comparatively (see chart).

All that said, I am HOPING for a much more successful and lucky year ahead. I am crossing my finger and toes (not my eyes, that hurts — and I can’t draw effectively). Your continued $upport is needed to achieve these goals, and I THANK everyone who continues to back my content. Your comments on socials, sharing my posts, and talking up my work and tagging also helps get out the word.

My fans are great!  THANK YOU!!!

Sincerely,

BustArtist