Wazzzzzup? I'm back again, rambling for a bit about my artwork and some other things in my life. Well, not really, just about artwork, otherwise, I would never finish.
Sooooo, last time I wrote about taggers, tubes and how they have helped my artwork throughout the years. If you don't know what taggers and/or tubes are, check my latest blog post, by clicking here. I decided to write some sort of a second part to that post, in order to shed some light on how my tubes are being distributed now, by my patrons through Patreon. Before I go any further, I want to reaffirm something I've been saying for years: my artwork is still free to use. Anybody can use it, tube it, tag it, etc., without having to pay a penny. Having said that, I'll go ahead and explain why my newest tubes are on Patreon, and also why you should become a patron too. :) By the way, I'm assuming that by now, you know what Patreon is, and how I benefit from it. If you don't know what it is, please don't hesitate to contact me to ask questions, or visit my Patreon profile by clicking here. OK, let's talk about those tubes. Am I a "free to use" artist? Yes, I've always been and I'll always be. That means that taggers are free to use my artwork in their tags, simple as that. Now, most free artists give permissions but don't provide tubes. Their work can be tubed by the jpegs found online (usually from their websites), and then used in tags. I myself, went a bit further years ago, and created a folder on my website, where I uploaded a bunch of tubes that I did of my artwork (that old folder can still be found at popeyewong.com/tubes). For years and years, I updated that folder whenever I had a new tube of a new image. However, over a year ago, I decided that any new tubes would be uploaded only to my Patreon profile, as a little reward to my patrons (among other things). This reward had in mind my patrons who are also taggers. I decided they would be the first ones to receive my tubes, and I would only share these tubes with them directly. They, in turn, would be free to share them with anybody, and I mean, anybody: a tagger, a non-tagger, a group, a website, etc. I've always allowed this, and that hasn't changed. (Note: the sharing of the tubes is completely optional, no patron is obliged to do so). So, there is no charge to use my tubes. The tricky part is that only my patrons (whose contribution starts at $1) receive this tubes directly from me. If you are not a patron, you can get the tubes from a patron that shares them, or from another person who got them already (from a patron, or another person, and so on). Or, you can tube the images yourself, if you'd rather do that, since I've always given permissions for that as well. All my images are online, without watermarks, in order to make that easier. After reading all this, you might ask yourself: "Why do I need to become a patron then? I mean, all the material is free and available". The answer is simple: to support my work. Every single contribution, every single pledge, every single penny helps me as an artist. I would be lying if I said that I've never been tempted to charge for my tubes... hey, we're always trying to make an extra buck. However, a long time ago, when I made my decision to keep my tubes free, I wanted to give taggers a choice, especially to those that didn't have enough money to buy their own. And after so many years, I am more convinced than ever that I chose the right route. I wanted to write this post to highlight the why I do what I do, to give people a better idea of where I'm standing. My artwork will always be free to taggers, but again, any contribution is always appreciated and more than cherished. You can ask any taggers that happens to be my patrons: my gratitude towards them is more than evident. The fact that people will share their hard earned money to support my artwork truly blows my mind... especially when they don't need to do so. Being that said, I do understand that not everybody is in the position to support my work financially, but if you are, please consider becoming my patron, you'll be helping me directly; plus, you'll have first dibs on my tubes :) And if you can't afford to support my art that way, please support it by sharing this blog, sharing my website, sharing my online store, sharing my social media, spreading the word to anybody who might be interested in becoming my patron or buying anything from me (or anything that you think might help me). I do believe in word of mouth, especially to promote a small artist like myself. By the way, my links are: Official website: www.popeyewong.com Online store: store.popeyewong.com Patreon: patreon.com/popeyewongart Facebook page: @popeyewongart Facebook profile: @popswongart Twitter: @popeyewongart Instagram: @popeyewongart Pinterest: pinterest.com/popeyewong So, get out there and promote my artwork like there is no tomorrow! :) Now, in all seriousness, thank you for your support through all these years, any kind of support. You know who you are and what you have done for my work. You are part of what made me who I am... if that's not a good thing, it's too late now! :) Thanks again and see you next time! ~Pops.
10 Comments
I Love yah Pops
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3/8/2017 10:53:43 am
Hi Dawn!
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Dawn Ours
3/8/2017 02:26:28 pm
TY for your kindness and I know something has got to give in the long run no bad day's last's forever nothing get's fixed over night and the slow steady slog is way better than standing still ...You understand Grass Roots initiative and I'm old enough to remember when that was just how it was done period ...digital is great but I bet you still like to get your hands dirty when you paint and draw because it's satisfying to the senses and the soul...so I don't care How long it takes I will not give up ... I would like to say I didn't mean for you to feel like I expected a click on the link over there ...I am however unashamed to ask you to share the info if you think I might be on to a good idea LOL money is just money and I'd like to recycle materials for the build(s) as much as possible ...so come ooooon Spring LOL I think it will be a win If my link is seen read and give's someone out there an idea and the drive to re think the problem enough to do it different...that would be cool...at least I think / hope so ..link should be working I'll check on it ... Be Good To Yourself Pops We all Love you out here !!! 3/10/2017 10:47:51 am
Thank you again Dawn. You are completely right, if you are constant, something has to give in, it always does.
Maria Teresa Feliciano
3/8/2017 01:16:56 pm
Hi pops, I am your Patron and also I am a tagger. I am a little shy when it comes to share the tags I create, lol. I love your art, so I am your fan. Thank you so much for your generosity in providing those amazing images and tubes. I am in the process of getting a blog, where I can post my tags. Will let you know soon.
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3/10/2017 10:49:57 am
Hey there Maria Teresa! Don't be shy, share those tags! :) No need to thank me at all, I'm really glad to be able to share my art. I am the one thanking you, for supporting my work, especially on Patreon. I look forward to see your work posted at your blog, so let me know when that's done. Keep up the great work, Maria Teresa and thanks again!
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Angela Schera
3/11/2017 02:43:41 pm
Thank for the older link finally working. Got some awesome older tubes thank you Pop's. Also how do you like the credits to be done? Please email me and let me know. Thanks again for the beautiful tubes!!!!! Ms. Angela Schera
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3/13/2017 11:23:05 am
Glad to read that the link is working for you, Angela, thank you for the heads up. I'll send you an email right now. :)
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8/6/2017 07:37:42 pm
Pops,
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8/8/2017 12:04:48 am
Thank you so much for you comment, Donna! It is honestly surreal to read comment like yours, up to this day. I remember being part of the tagging community... even though I never learned to tag. My work improved so much due to the feedback and support from taggers. Of course, those were different times, when MSN groups ruled the vast majority and my work was extremely different to what it is now. But, what it is mesmerizing to watch, is how the support that I gave back then is being given back to me, even though I wasn't expecting anything in return. I am honored to read that my work helped you when you couldn't afford to pay for tubes yet. That reinforces the idea in me, that I took the right decision when I chose not to charge for my tubes. Note: I'm not saying artists shouldn't charge for tubes, or anything of the sort; all I'm saying is that the route I took was the right one for my artwork.
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Popeye WongPin-up artist by day… and also by night. Well, mostly by night, because night time is my favorite time to paint. Archives
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