JKNewLife

New thing, so now you can pester me easier (assuming I allow you to haha). No servers for now just text chat.

As many can imagine I didn't actually post the uncensored version of that drawing nor do I plan to. Yes it's a real...drawing...yes it's very...explicit... But that's beyond the point here.

The frustration I put in the description is very real (and was believable enough a few people freaked out and sent me emergency messages). It's practically a sampling of my internal struggle as I watch DA fall apart because of the idiotic people running this site. Sites like Fur Affinity and Twitter are more NSFW geared (especially FA) and people who post generally clean stuff like I do seemingly can't get off the ground. It's so freaking frustrating and worrying thinking that when DA dies (unless they get new management) I'll have nowhere to go and will just fade into obscurity. I'll always have my comic at least.

So in short no I'm not shifting to posting pr0n, the crowds that material draws are often highly uncomfortable and disturbing. I've seen people go down that rabbit hole and end up becoming unrecognizable and I really don't want to be known as that kind of person.

I'm just so scared of losing all you guys, especially the ones who follow me exclusively on DA (the crowd seems better here than FA), the one's who regularly interact y'all mean the world to me. I really just hope DA changes their act and starts focusing on actual artists again someday soon.

Annoying sidenote: My Twitter and FA accounts have seen their biggest follower jumps EVER... My sh*tpost coconut cream pie image has brought in 30 new followers between the two accounts... IDK if I should be happy or disturbed... (also many look like bots so idk).

This is about those "Artist Trying to Make Money" Sites (Patreon, Kofi etc.) if you're not a user of one of these kinds of sites and don't know the specifics of them then this journal isn't for you (sorry, looking for experienced advice here).

If you want some context check this poll and the comments on it https://www.deviantart.com/jknewlife/poll/Thoughts-on-a-JKNewLife-Patreon-see-my-featured-comment-below-8372957

So I have finally been giving this some serious thought and I have started doing some research and it's looking muddier than ever for me. My original preconceived notions seemed to be a bit off from reality.

See what I'm looking for is mostly a "Tip Jar" type site that would also allow me to open up the door for commissions (in due time when I'm ready) and it's really looking like Patreon ISNT going to be the ideal site for that and Ko-Fi might be.

Based on what I've been reading Patreon's main business model is the 'Monthly Subscription for Exclusive or Early Content' and more or less DEMANDS I have monthly content posted there and given how this is a hobby that's really not going to work for me. KoFi on the other hand from what I've been reading seems to be far more flexible, post whenever you want as irregular as you want but may not bring as much in... but that's not really an issue with me since I honestly don't care what I make from this. I've been doing this for 7 years now and have made precisely $0 after all but I know some people would like to have a commission path (and I've been kinda wanting to tackle some of that since I think my art style *might* be getting half acceptable for paid work).

I'm also not just limiting myself to Patreon or Kofi on prospects, I know there's a couple other sites that more or less do the same thing out there too.

So anyways in the end I guess I'm just wondering what's the thoughts from people who've gone through all of this themselves either as a user or a creator. I'm not planning to launch anything until some point in early 2024 regardless. And no I'm not suddenly going to turn into one of those people who says "be sure to head over to my such&such website and give me money" those people annoy me VERY much and usually results in me unsubbing from them. Whenever I do launch something there will probably just be an announcement image and a new link at the bottom of each post along with the usual links and that's it.

Now first things first; I don't hate electric cars, they have a place in this world and probably someday they will be the main means of transportation for most people. Heck I'd even be open to driving one for my daily to work and back even though I'm an avid car nut who lives by the philosophy "manual transmission or its not a real car".

The problem is (and the main part of this rant) is how they're marketed. They're marketed as if they will save the world as they create ZERO Emissions which that's far from the truth. Firstly there's the emissions from manufacture, making those lithium batteries doesn't come without consequences to the ecosystem (I'm not saying making gas is better either). But the biggest problem is that... electric cars still have a tailpipe... it's just not on the car.

An overwhelming majority of the electricity in the USA still comes from either Coal or Natural Gas. In my state roughly 70% of our power is derived from Coal which is a filthy nasty fuel source which carries loads of nasty chemicals, ash, smoke and toxins that's honestly worse than gasoline (*mostly conjecture I don't have statistics).

But these 'eco-mentalists' as I call them, think because there's no tailpipe on their car therefor their car is 'clean' but they're deluding themselves. Every time I hear politicians touting electric cars as some sort of magical save the world pill and every car should be electric I can't help but cringe (especially when they're talking of banning gasoline vehicles). In order for these things to be effective we really need to overhaul our electrical grid but what's a good solution? I don't know, even the "clean" energy sources like wind or solar come with a massive number of drawbacks, last I read the emissions to create a solar panel isn't made up in the energy difference for something like 10 years and by then there's a good chance the panel has failed and needed replacing. (*citation needed)

I would love to know the total lifetime emissions produced by a 200,000mi lifetime of a small compact gasoline car compared to a 200,000mi (assuming it makes it that far) electric car powered by coal/natural gas. I think that could be some really interesting information and might be illuminating.

Ugh, either way take this rant how you want, I'm just sick of people deluding themselves and trying to force others to bend to their mentality because they can't directly see the effects of their activities. As far as renewable energy goes I'm a big proponent of hydroelectric, I know it doesn't work in all locations but if you've got a good water source and a whole bunch of concrete (rock basically) you can generate gobs of power without doing much harm (yes I know there's issues with fish getting chopped up). There's a hydroelectric dam not far from where I am (though I don't get my power from it) and it's created a massive lake that's a big tourist hotspot. So that's something to think about.

FAQs and Statements updated 3/14/22

Q: Do I need to ask permission to draw any of your characters?

A: Nah (unless it makes you feel better).

Q: I made a fanart but you haven’t favorited it or said anything about it.

A: Chances are I don’t know about it, I’ll always favorite fanart and I will usually post some sort of a comment.

Q: Are commissions open? If so how do I get a commission?

A: I don’t do commissions.

Q: Why not?

A: Because I don’t want to deal with the hassle and this is just a hobby I do in my small amount of spare time.

Q: So if commissions aren’t available how could I get you to draw something for me?

A: Sweet talk me. If I like the idea I might go through with it.

Q: How about Art Trades?

A: Sometimes I do these and it often depends on who you are (and your art quality).

Q: I have an idea for a drawing involving your cast but I don’t know where to post it.

A: Put it in the comments somewhere or send me a Note/PM.

Q: Is there anywhere I could donate? (Patreon Kofi etc.)

A: Not currently (no plans at this point)

Q: How much money have you made from all of your hard work.

A: $0

Q: Your comic New Life starts off awfully similar to Two Kinds, why is that?

A: Ehhh In Short: Let’s just say I probably should’ve made another rewrite to the comic before releasing it. Younger me didn’t have much of a clue on how to write stories and used a significant amount of inspiration to get a start.

Q: Why don’t you draw private parts on your characters?

A: Because they make me uncomfortable plus I like to think the fur keeps things covered.

Q: What about humans or thin furred characters, will we ever see them 'showing off'

A: Highly unlikely, like I mentioned it makes me feel uncomfortable.

Q: Do you post NSFW art anywhere (i.e. porn)?

A: No.

Q: Have you ever drawn something too questionable to post?

A: Mmmmmaybe. Quite Possibly... Yeah.

Q: I want to draw something NSFW involving your cast.

A: I rather you didn't.

Q: What program do you use to draw?

A: Gimp 2.8.20

Q: What device do you draw with?

A: Wacom Cintiq Pro 13 and my old trusty desktop PC from 2010.

Q: Can I be your friend?

A: Possibly

Q: What happened to Baxter (the white cat with yellow hair who pestered Hazel) and what happened to the pages he was involved with?

A: A broken friendship and creative differences with his creator caused me to lose the rights to him.

Q: I have a question that wasn’t answered.

A: Post it below.

Q: Hey I found some of your art on another site besides Deviant Art, Fur Affinity or Weasyl. Is that you?

A: No, that’s someone reposting my art without my permission…which is annoying.

Copyright & Reposting Policy

-Please don't repost art to other websites without my permission even if you credit me. (Just ask, I don't bite)

-DO NOT repost my art anywhere WITHOUT crediting me.

-DO NOT alter my works, remove the copyright signature or otherwise mess with them.

-- If I find my works reposted (altered or not) without any sort of credit and/or the copyright info removed I will pursue a DMCA copyright takedown (this can get your DA account suspended).

* While I don't charge money for my works they're like my "children" and I don't like having them stolen.

** If I drew something for you (i.e. Fanart/Giftart) then you can repost it all you want but ONLY if you're the intended recipient.

I think that's fair enough?