NEWS FROM PATRICK! Going forward - an update!
Added 2019-03-09 22:15:30 +0000 UTCGood morning, Guys…
I want to update you on some important decisions I’ve made regarding my Patreon Campaign.
I’ve been running my Campaign for nearly two years, now. In that time I’ve been working like a madman to create the sexiest art and comics I possibly can for you guys, and I’ve greatly enjoyed it.
In comparison to most other campaigns out there, I’m very proud to say that I’ve consistently delivered plentifully and regularly, and that I’ve engaged with you, my amazing Patrons and supporters, more than the average artist.
That was my goal! I wanted this to be OUR little playground. A place where we could all enjoy erotic male art and comics and share our love of that together. A place where I could draw my characters for people who appreciate and love them, in some instances, almost as much as me! LOL!
But over the period of those two years, something happened. What began as “Patreon working for me” slowly became “Me working for Patreon”.
Let me explain.
On average -- I kid you not when I say -- I spend a good 10 to 14 hours a day, literally 7 days a week, working on Patreon and Class Comics, with the large majority of that time being spent on Patreon. Class Comics is supposed to be my full-time job, but the truth is I’ve neglected it while running my Patreon Campaign.
Part of my problem is that I’m OCD and Patreon has started to literally consume my life. Every time I turn around, it’s the end of another month and I have to make sure all the rewards are prepped and the following month’s worth of art is already underway, that all the comments and private messages are answered etc...
Putting that aside for a moment, it also turns out that I’m actually destroying my body doing this. My Doctor has warned me that, at my age, I shouldn’t be having hip, joint and back problems to the degree I currently have them. He attributes this to the countless hours of sitting at my drawing table and computer desk.
On top of that… I literally have NO LIFE outside of my work! LOL! As you know, at the start of this month, I had a family event to attend. I realized that taking time off -- ANY time off, for any reason -- causes me great anxiety and stress, because I already feel as if I don’t have enough time in my days to do all I have to do. I literally cannot relax because my brain is ALWAYS here.
Look, I’m not the sort of guy that likes to admit I have any limits. I like to think I can keep the energy level at maximum non-stop and that this sort of thing doesn’t affect me. Unfortunately, I’m beginning to realize it IS affecting me... quite a lot.
I’m in constant physical pain and I’m feeling more and more burnt out. Don’t get me wrong - I still LOVE drawing for you. I doubt that will EVER change… but I need to make some adjustments to the way I do things before I end up falling apart, physically and emotionally.
I’ve decided to take April off.
I will PAUSE all payments, the way I did in December. That way no one will be charged for the month I’m away. I hope you’ll stay with me, but I understand if you don’t… although I FULLY INTEND to return in May.
I plan to take April to re-evaluate the “commission” tiers where requests are made. I really believe that I can make this Patreon Campaign work for me again -- to make it fun and creative without draining all my energy the way it currently is.
I plan to come up with a way that I can do this AND no longer neglect Class Comics, because after all, CLASS is my baby. Yes, the work I do here often ends up contributing to Class projects, but my involvement with Class isn’t just art-based. I also manage numerous other artists, write scripts and projects for others, do all the graphic design work which includes comic prep and layout, lettering, etc… and then there’s the day to day. All of that needs to be properly tended to.
My hubby and business partner Fraser has been so great these past two years, he’s really supported and encouraged me in creating this Patreon Campaign, but he can’t run Class alone. We’re just two dudes and it’s time I started pulling my own weight again.
So, yeah… April will be a time to reflect and restructure, while this March will go on as planned. Forgive me if I don’t post on a daily basis anymore. I have to start pulling back a touch. But I still have a ton of great art and comics planned and I’m gonna do my very best to get them all out to ya, this month.
And then, come May, I’ll have figured out the changes I’ll be making. You know me -- I believe in fairness and I won’t leave anyone hanging. All outstanding and pending requests will be honored. Whatever changes I make, I fully plan to ensure that they are implemented smoothly, fairly, and so that I can start breathing again… if at least just a little. Yeah… a little would help… a lot! LOL!
Okay, Guys… thanks for reading. And thanks for your continued support and encouragement… it’s always meant so much to me and I greatly appreciate you all. I’ll figure this out, don’t worry... and I will keep you posted.
Much love and thanks to you all.
Patrick XOXOX
TL;DR
1 - I’m burnt out.
2 - Taking April off and pausing all payments. Resuming in May.
3 - Will be making changes to “commission” tiers where requests are made.
4 - All currents slots will be honored.
Comments
I was always wondering how you managed to do all those illustrations, comments AND run your company at the same time. For me, it`s definitely easy to understand why you need a break now and then! Take all the time you need, that at least gives me more time to miss you and your art <3 And we could both need some time to train our torso muscles and get our back straight again from all that sitting X( I wish you all the best, and much health for the future <3<3<3
Arkid43
2019-03-15 00:21:55 +0000 UTCPatrick, thank you so much for sharing this with us! Please take care of yourself first and foremost. Nothing is worth destroying your body for! Your health is what most important. We all love and support you. We may come here for the boys but we stay because of you. You are the heart and soul of class comics, without you Class Comics wouldn't be as special as it is. Please take all the time you need to recover and we will be here waiting for you when you return <3
Michael
2019-03-11 21:38:25 +0000 UTCOh la la I for sure knew you were working A LOT but I didn't think so many hours 7 days a week... also the fact you dont allow yourself spare time. Man I was there at some point of my life and this is so wrong, working full time for a company (not mine as you), not counting hours, plus my art when I could. The good news is now you've had a wake-up call and we, your friends, your fans, are supporting you in any decision you gotta take to feel better. The key in the situation is your health and well-being. Listen more to your body, exhaustion, go outside wall, run to help your brain and creativity cool down. A little sports can make so much good to a body and soul, trust me. I wish you a full recovery as soon as possible, enjoy some time with Fraser too, it's important too. Take a lot of care of yourself from now on, for you and all the numerous people who love and care about you. Plein de bisous et de câlins des tropiques pour te donner la force et l'assurance de retrouver une belle et grande forme, mon ami ! 😙😚😘
CLX
2019-03-11 03:17:27 +0000 UTCTake care yourself Health is more important
Isiah Singleton
2019-03-11 00:16:20 +0000 UTCPlease take care of yourself!! I love your drawings and will be here when you get back to it!!
NativeRunner
2019-03-10 23:38:05 +0000 UTClistening to your body is always a good reference, because it usually has good advice. A break is also good to get fresh new ideas, allowing your brain to breathe is never a waste of time!
LukaM
2019-03-10 19:35:25 +0000 UTCTake all the time you need Patrick. Your health comes first! We will still be here when you're rested up and feeling better.
Evan Winters
2019-03-10 19:18:19 +0000 UTCWe'll support you no matter what! You are more than your work, so take care of you. A happier Patrick will shine through your work, even if it is less frequent work!
David
2019-03-10 14:48:45 +0000 UTCPatrick! We love you so much! Please know that we, as loyal fans, want you to be happy and healthy! Take care of yourself! Hugs to you and Fraser!
Clay Fine
2019-03-10 14:12:39 +0000 UTCLike life, creativity cannot be forced. No one who cares would begrudge you wellbeing. SVADHARMA suggests ones own joy. And the man who enjoys his work never works a day in his life. To paraphrase O. W., "I put my talent into work. I reserve my genius for life."
Porn Guru
2019-03-10 11:47:42 +0000 UTCTake care of you first!
Preston Frazier
2019-03-10 11:15:03 +0000 UTCTake good care of yourself and take all time you need (it isn´t easy to recognize this!) We can wait, whether it takes a longer timeout or not!
Kai Chaos
2019-03-10 11:10:11 +0000 UTCWow Patrick...I had no idea how this was affecting you. By all means, take as much time as you need. Your dedication is truly impressive. We understand completely and we’ll wait.
Michael Mendez
2019-03-10 09:27:08 +0000 UTCSo happy you’re taking time for yourself!
David U
2019-03-10 05:43:41 +0000 UTCI completely understand and to be honest I am amazed you managed to put out all this stuff at all with how much you give us. You've been pushing yourself too hard as is. Taking into account the quality of your work I wouldn't be mad even if you didn't pause the payment. Take as much time off as you need and handle your life. We'll be here for you!
Tinh Pham
2019-03-10 01:18:59 +0000 UTCDude. Mental and physical health are paramount. Once again our loose them, it’s very hard to get them back. Thank you for entertaining me. I hope you regain control of the process and learn to make it all work. Chill my friend
Tim Harris
2019-03-10 01:01:15 +0000 UTCThank you. For the update Patrick!!! What makes you so amazing is your dedication to your art, your professionalism and your fans. But as many others have stated you only have 1 life to live and never get to the “I wish I would have...” phase of life! You’re young, you have a husband and a whole world to see. Take more than April off. Take a sabbatical. Find new inspiration. A new goal, Maybe even a whole new career will evolve. We, well at least I, will always support and send love to you. Do what is best for you and your family. We’ll always be here. And let me know when you come to Seattle!!
Chad Luckner
2019-03-10 00:14:55 +0000 UTCI think the really important question you need to answer is: Do I work to live; or do I love to work?
Andrew Brown
2019-03-09 23:26:59 +0000 UTCI guessed you must work really hard judging by the quantity and quality of your work. But 10 - 14 hours a day is WAY TOO MUCH. You have done the right thing to heed your doctor’s advice. There are hundreds of examples of artists, writers and other creative types who have pushed themselves literally beyond breaking point.
Andrew Brown
2019-03-09 23:26:01 +0000 UTCGet some rest. I used to be OCD about writing, giving myself weekly goals and a strict schedule. I would write from 9 AM to noon, take a lunch/swimming or running break, write from 2 PM to 5 PM, take a dinner break, write 7 PM to 10 PM. The goal would be a chapter a week and the goal would be to get enough done by Friday or Saturday to take a day or two off. I kept that up for a while but eventually discovered that I couldn't do it any longer. If you don't give yourself time to rest and recover, we all lose -- including you. The joy of creation disappears and craft takes over. It takes a long time for other people to notice this happening but you notice it quickly. If you don't get it under control, you get to hate your work and to hate working. I discovered that inspiration comes while relaxing and playing. I'm doing less, enjoying it more, and (I think) exciting other people more with my work. Soap box off.
Kenneth Sherrill
2019-03-09 23:01:38 +0000 UTCPatrick, my dear Patrick. You need to do what you need to do to safeguard the entirety of you and your health: mental, physical, emotional. That will always be more important than Patreon or any of this. We love your art. We love you. But we also love when you're happy and healthy. You know you always have my support. ALWAYS. I know all too well what it’s like to be burnt out like this, and it leads nowhere fun. Take as much time off as you need. Don’t forget: you boys might be able to take a tremendous amount of punishment, but you’re a flesh-and-blood human being. You have needs beyond this platform. Much love to you and to Fraser. If you need anything AT ALL, you know you can always reach out.
Johnny Gayzmonic
2019-03-09 22:37:06 +0000 UTCEnjoy your well-earned rest; see what kind of trouble you can get into...
Jon Goerner
2019-03-09 22:32:42 +0000 UTCTake care of yourself. Health is the more important!
alyosh
2019-03-09 22:31:46 +0000 UTCWe understand Patrick. You have to take care of yourself first and foremost! You come 1st we come maybe 12th-13th in your priority! I hope you get well soon, and enjoy your time off Patreon. xoxo 😘
Valentin Erkers
2019-03-09 22:23:45 +0000 UTCAlso get your hubby to give you a good stuffing XD
Loki
2019-03-09 22:23:35 +0000 UTCWe Love you Patrick! We appreciate all you do for us! That said, your well being is tantamount so balance is the key. Be well, handle all your business at your own healthy pace. Thank you 🙏 but don’t stop shaving the boys!!
Thomas Polk
2019-03-09 22:23:29 +0000 UTCIt's great that you are taking time off. I'd rather you be gone and happy than you suffer to serve us. I may be just a patron but I've been following your work for quite some time. I'm very happy to see you grow and evolve with your techniques. Even if you quite everything the next day, I'll sill support you. Take as much time as you want. :)
Loki
2019-03-09 22:22:42 +0000 UTCOmg.... Please if you need a break do it Patrick for the sake of your mental and physical’s health! I don’t want anything bad happen to you if you keep pushing yourself, I mean. I really understand the words “you are working for Patreon”. I really get it 😞 Hope youre getting better! Always delighted to see your hot artworks, I’ll always support you no matter what, just keep do your best cuz what will I do if you leave this industry 😭 Have a good day!
Gandi K.
2019-03-09 22:22:40 +0000 UTC
