How it works (Patreon)

 At my previous job we would periodically have to have refresher meetings to remind the staff about certain core principles and policies of the company. Sometimes this was because we'd have new staff members who were not familiar with them, but often it was simply because it was too easy to get complacent and forget about them. This was true whether you were management or were a long-time sale associate.   

  Over the last week it feels like a similar thing might have happened with some of my supporters, watchers, followers, clients, and fans. So I am taking this time write this public posting so I don't have to repeatedly say it, and so everyone gets the same message with no accidental variations on my part from having to say it over and over. 

  
  If I post a piece of art and I do not explicitly say that the piece is a commission. Development art for a commission. A Patreon reward for one of my patrons. Or a piece being slated for some event like a donation, then it is most likely available for purchase. 

  
  If you are interested in that piece and wish to purchase it immediately then contact me immediately and privately via note, message, or email. Don't just blurt it out in the comment section. I have several reasons for this: 

  1. I want a time stamp on your request in case I get multiple inquires which sometimes happens. The first inquiry gets the first opportunity buy it. If they decline to purchase it then the next person gets a chance. 

  
  2.  I consider such discussions to fall in the realm of client/artist privilege and should be private matters. 

  3. I may miss your comment. Yes I try to review every comment, but sometimes that's just not possible for me.

 
  The next topic revolves around postings to the SmudgeMarks & EngelWerks ESHOP. If I publicly post that a specific piece will be going on sale on a certain day at a certain time, that's when it will go on sale. My posting of an upcoming new ESHOP content is not your cue to suddenly contact me saying you now want to buy the piece. If you were interested in it you should've contacted me when I originally posted the image.

 
  Finally if I comment that at some point in the future I plan produce a piece of art with a specific theme, character, genre, or material and you state that you'd be interested in purchasing it when I do create said piece it is up to you contact me when I do create it. I will most likely not remind your original comment for several reasons. 

  1. In the course of a day I may get dozens of emails, notes, messages, and comments on all the social media platforms I'm on. Your offhand comment about wanting to buy a future piece of art will verily likely be forgotten by me. 

  2. If you don't contact me I'm probably not going to solicit you about purchasing it. I have several reasons why: 

  
  A. You may have had an unexpected expense or hardship come into your life and so you no longer in a position to purchase it.  

 
  B. The piece may have ended up not being what you were imagining and your are not interested in buying it. 

  C. I don't want to come off as if I am trying to squeeze my fans for every penny they have. I have met too many artists who have viewed their clients, fans, supporters, etc. as being nothing but cash cows they can, and should, milk for everything they can. I consider that to be a toxic relationship and will not engage it. 

  
  D. Finally I do my business with adults. My work is my business. It is my livelihood, and I consider myself very lucky to be able to make a living working with a group of supporters like you. But to be blunt part of being an adult is being responsible for yourself. I'm not going to remind you to get up for work. Brush your teeth, or sit up straight. That also means I'm not normally going to remind you that 4 months ago you had expressed interest in purchasing a piece from me when I created it. That's your call.

 
  I am not writing this because I am upset with anyone. I'm just doing this to nib this issue in the bud before it does develops into something that could lead to bad blood. Thank you for your time.

   
 Baron