How to support your favorite artist, up front and honest (with how to do it for free)

You walk down the street without a care in the world. It's a good day. The sun is shining and birds are singing. You hear music coming from just around the corner and there he is. His hat is overturned on the pavement and his fingers work that guitar like he was born holding it. He plays to entertain the masses and will take anything you care to drop. Some drop change, others drop dollars. He even gets the occasional ham and cheese sandwich from the deli next door. He's a busker, singing and strumming for a dollar.

Ah but those days aren't so common now are they? Well, sure, there are still buskers and street performers in plenty of places. Some pay them and some mock them, but they still exist. I'm kind of like them. I apply my talent (what I have left) to your entertainment, I just do it online. And you get something you can print out right at home or order at your leisure through a website like Amazon. You see, there are new ways to be that busker guy with things like paypal and patreon. And why not?

Alas, I still get asked how a person can help out their favorite artist and these don't seem to be a common knowledge as they should be. The idea is this when it comes to today's starving artists like that fellow with the guitar: if you enjoy it... support it. There are several ways you can even better than on that street corner.

DO IT FOR FREE:

Every so often someone says to me: "Just imagine when you go viral!"  I want to say if everyone who said that, shared my work, I probably would. And that's the key, sharing is caring. No place allows for it better than right here on the internet. You have Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, etc and if you would share that work you enjoyed today, you would help take that one more step toward making it go viral. You increase visibility of the artist and get more people to stop and take a look. And if you want to do something only slightly more awesome...

COMMENT. Yeah, don't just lurk silently. Say something. Posting a comment also increases visibility and more than just sharing does (although both is freaking phenomenal). And it takes seconds to do either one! But let's say you want to be a big freaking help without spending money you don't have (hey I understand).

You want to contribute some serious golden effort? Grab the link to your artist's work page and post some of his work on your twitter or pinterest or instagram with that link attached. On pinterest, that's absolutely GOLD.

Okay, so now we talk about your options to support an artist for costs. Well, you can do it just like with the busker on the street if there is paypal involved. For example,

thewildeman2@yahoo.com

is my paypal email. Feel free to drop a dollar in my "hat" anytime. It helps me cover small costs and keep providing some content for free for everyone.

Love it enough to do more? PATREON. If your artist has one you can subscribe for as little as a dollar a month and score some niceties in thanks. You can cancel at anytime with no questions asked. That link is to my personal patreon of course. Or maybe you need something you can space out even more... well

Does your artist have an ETSY page? Books on AMAZON? Buy their products, and post REVIEWS.  Reviews are a big help that few people come back to post.

See. All sorts of ways to support an artist of nearly any kind. The more you support, the more that artist grows and expands their content. Through you, someone could be the next JK Rowling or Marvel Comics of the age. Wouldn't that be awesome?

Yes, all those links are for my works as I've been asked many times how to do all this. That's why I'm posting it all together right here for quick and easy reference. If you love it, support it. Just like you support any other favorite business in your town. Now you know.

UPDATE FCCP: Bethesda says NO to a coloring book..sort of.

I am writing today's post in response to multiple requests that I compile actual coloring books for the Fallout Community Coloring Project. As I answered before, I could only do what would be a commercially sold book with support and agreement from Bethesda. I wouldn't serve to go through all that work to make a book and put it up on Amazon if I wound up head to head with Bethesda's legal department.

So I wrote to them. I explained how the project is 100% community supported and how much interest it is gathering. I gave them every positive point I could think of and they responded pretty quickly. They listed it as an "incident" with an identification number and said the following:

Greetings!

Thank you for contacting Bethesda Customer Support. 

Bethesda Softworks appreciates our fans and generally does not discourage posting of non-commercial fan created tributes.  Any use of our intellectual property for commercial purposes, however, including The Elder Scrolls® or Skyrim® names, logos, branding elements, artwork, etc., is strictly forbidden without a written license agreement.  We regret that we are unable to grant licenses for the commercialization of fan fiction.

 

We also cannot accept unsolicited manuscripts or other material.  Please do not send us any submissions.

 

Please be advised that any commercial use or exploitation of our intellectual property rights is not permitted.  Bethesda Softworks will strictly enforce its rights.

 

 I hope this information helps! Thank you for your interest in Bethesda Softworks.

Kind Regards,
Bethesda Softworks

So, as I understand this, so long as I keep doing the project more or less as I'm doing it, which is not for profit, I can keep on drawing the coloring pages for the community. If I try to put out an actually coloring book... that will be responded to in a negative fashion. 

Let me be clear, I want to keep drawing your pictures. This project has been a source of great positivity for me and I love that I'm doing something so many are enjoying. So I am going to continue giving you guys and my coloring book page this source for something positive and different.  This of what I do, shall remain as free. Should anyone wish to support me as an artist, there are several ways to accomplish that and you need only ask. I have a patreon and other books as well.  You can share me in all sorts of ways. All things that help out wonderfully. 

In further news, this Saturday's release of new images will be my biggest one yet. Thank you all for being part of this project and it shall go on!

The Fallout Community Coloring Project (FCCP)

Do you play Fallout 76? Are you a Fallout shutterbug? Then boy do I have news for you!

As many of you know I am a published coloring book artist with 6 books under my belt and available on Amazon under DJ Wilde. Yes, I'm also a published author of heroic fantasy tales and novels and I'm something of an amateur game designer (also with games available online).

I have started a currently unofficial unauthorized project with no expectation of profit unless Bethesda wants to talk to me (wink wink). But that's something I'm not expecting really. We'll see what happens.

Right now I just want to give the Fallout community something new, positive, and fun. I'm giving what I can do best in the way of these amazing coloring pages with the help in contributions by you my fellow Fallout player. What is that contribution? In game photos. Yep. That's it and over 40 of you have already responded on Fallout groups to pitch in. It's amazing so far and I can only see it getting wilder from here.

What do you get? You get image credit posted right on the picture with either your gamertag or your first initial and last name (your choice but if you don't give me your gamertag, I will go with the latter).  And of course you get your very own copy of your art as well as full access to all of the images I do on this. In this post I will give you a direct line to send me your images. That would by my email Galaxyzento@gmail.com so there you go!

Every Saturday on my pages I will post updates of new completed images. Contributors get first view of how I used their photos before release days.

I can't promise to use everything you send, but you have the best chances the clearer and brighter your images are. Why? Because I have one complication, Multiple sclerosis and it is a fight for me with vision focus and my hands. It's why I have become strictly and digital artist. But just know that while you help with this project, you help me to slap MS in the face. So thank you for that.

This project will continue so long as I have things to draw, so keep em coming. In between these I will of course be doing my planned works for more coloring pages and coloring books.

Thanks to everyone who has already contributed their amazing photos!

What you need for Halloween!

It's not too late to grab yourself some goodies for Halloween coloring fun. I'm putting all those links right here in this blog post for the ease of it.

As many of you know I recently took a trip to the hospital and I'm in the middle of trying to make it so I can join my dear wife up in Wisconsin (from Louisiana). I'm still fighting my MS every day with diligence and striving to move forward. What you see me do is how I keep fighting.

Several of you have asked how you can help me and I've answered. I said share my work. It's the number one way to give me the internet exposure I need. So if you aren't up to making a purchase, you can still share me and it's very much appreciated. For those who want to help me out in other ways, they can visit my PATREON or I will list one more way at the end of this post.

My ETSY is the home of the 5 for a dollar coloring page bundles. Download, print all the copies you want or need, and get to coloring. There are bundles for all sorts of interests with more to come. I'm constantly working on a new set of ideas. And there are several that work great for Halloween with bats, spiders, and skulls.

Want something more substantial? Well don't forget that I released two new coloring books and you can grab yours from my Amazon AUTHOR'S PAGE. Get your copy of Zombie Town and Kitten Monsters for some crazy spooky laughs. You're going to have fun just looking through them. When you're done laughing, get to coloring!

Finally, for those who just want to help without monthly subbing or making a purchase, you can send a donation to my Paypal at thewildeman2@yahoo.com (yes someone asked, that's the only reason you get it posted because I beg for nothing. I would rather sell you stuff)

And if you love what you purchase from me, please return and leave a review. Reviews drive exposure and sales. You'll be helping me out that much more.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Great Big Announcement! Two New Coloring Books!

With the holidays right around the corner, this announcement couldn't come at a better time. Fans of artwork and coloring books alike will love these because I'm not releasing one but TWO new coloring books!

The first to come by (hopefully) the end of the month will be the Wilde World of Reptiles and Amphibians. It will boast over 40 lifelike images of amazing creatures to color. Alligators, crocodiles, frogs, toads, lizards and snakes of several types will grace the pages. A glossary in the back will tell you what animal you are coloring just in case you aren't sure. I drew all images from photo models for the best details. It will be a fantastic animal experience! If you've been following my work recently, you have already seen quite a few examples. There are pictures in this book however that will not be available anywhere else.

The second book is this years major project. It's a life parody with gory humor called Zombie Town USA!  The premise is what it would or could look like if zombies carried one with society. It will be loaded with over 30  images filled with hidden jokes and zombie easter eggs! Current votes from my test viewers put it at nothing less than hilarious! But there is one more very special point. There is a group called Southern Geekfest and they are some awesome geek people. Their noble leader, Rafe White invented his own zombie persona called Reanimated Rafe.

Well, as a special nod to Southern Geekfest, Reanimated Rafe will be in the book! Rafe knows what he looks like but isn't allowed to share that just yet! But he can now tell you that his zombie persona will be in this book!  I aim to have  it out by the last week of September or first week of October!

You only get to see this information right here and the books will be available through Amazon! Stay tuned for more incredible updates!

GZ needs YOU!

I've been a one man band on my brand for far too long. GZ needs people. It needs people of all kinds.  It needs readers, sharers, and people to spread the word that this is something to see. It needs more than a fanbase however. It needs a creative team willing to take it to the best it can be.  A creative team that can be counted on for artwork and graphic design. People interested in designing board games, card games, apps, book covers and graphic novels. People who want to be part of something.

No one likes the risks of failure and it can take a lot to believe in a project this size.  It can be daunting to know that, for a while, no one gets paid (myself included) until things make sales. Yet, anything that has become worth anything today started in a garage just like that. Now we can work online. There is so much that can be done.

Working with me won't be hard, but you do have to get to know the universe you are diving into. Read the books (I will provide) at the very least and tour the artwork.

I know what I have created has great potential. I know it can carry on for a long time after I am gone. If it can only get the support it needs. As I continue to fight MS (Multiple Sclerosis), I am losing my ability to do my artwork anymore but it was never about my drawing ability in the first place. I have never been what I would call a stellar artist. I've had far too many other creators tell me I'm not good enough (not that I listen to them).

I've written 5 books an developed a board game series so far. If you are looking for a potential project to belong to and are willing to share the risks with me, then talk to me. Let's see if we can work together and if your style fits what GZ needs.

Short Fiction: It's a Blitz! (Part 1)

Metallic clanking echoed up and down the street. It took its half of the road out of the middle. New York City traffic stumbled to halt as the big machine rolled into place. The treads bit into the asphalt tearing chunks loose and leaving a trail. Worried exclamations of people sounded all around, and horns blared. Small shops lined either side with patrons filling the sidewalks. Everyone stopped to regard the tank-like vehicle and its smooth shiny surfaces. It had no hatch, or visible weaponry and it didn’t move for several minutes as people gathered.

The police arrived and an officer started knocking on the metal hull.

               “All right, come on out.”

A whirring sound responded to him and panels opened on either side of the vehicle to reveal speakers. From the front and back even larger speakers rotated out from the hull. The speakers started to blast the opening to the song ‘Ballroom Blitz’ as more panels opened on the head of the tank. Large gun barrels protruded from five sides of the upper portion. People were already running at this point. As the song reached “All right fellas, let’s goooo” the guns began firing and the top of the tank rotating. The volume of the music could easily be heard over the blasting of the cannons.

Store fronts exploded into confetti sized debris. Most cars were below the line of fire, but trucks were cut in half. Light poles fell over like fresh mowed grass. People ran, screamed, or threw themselves to the pavement. The guns fired well above their heads, but debris still threatened to kill many.

When you can move at twice the speed of light, sound means nothing. There isn’t any. Electrode could see the paths of heavy caliber bullets lined up in the air. He could see people on the verge of being trampled as they fell under the panicked crowd. He had a choice to make. He could grab bullets or grab people. At his speed, he could collect all the bullets currently airborne and remove them. If he did, he would have to compensate for the speed of the bullets or risk blowing his own hands apart in the process. Where ever he moved them, they would still have their own velocity and direction to deal with. He could cancel that velocity for some, but not all. So, people it was. He had been told to remove the people anyway. After all, he didn’t come alone.

Electrode, with care for his own velocity against human bodies, removed everyone from close proximity to the death machine. He took them to the lower level of a nearby parking garage. There were enough large buildings between the machine and the garage that it wouldn’t be hit at all. While this task seemed to be done instantly, for Electrode it was a painstaking process of care and control. He could never forgive himself if he splattered someone’s mother all over a wall.

As the firing and music continued, Electrode’s partner watched the sidewalks clear of people so he could do his part. He floated in the form of simple air, unaffected by the enhanced bullets flying through him. They called Sandstorm the most powerful elemental in the world. Even with such a title, this would not be so easy. Buildings in close quarters and a sewer system with active gas mains provided complications. He couldn’t just command the street to uproot on the machine without collateral damage and greater threats. As it were, the bullets were about to cleave through close buildings and into the ones beyond.

A loud CRACK sound told Sandstorm that Electrode was in the fight. As the nuclear electric man, Electrode had more than just speed. He struck the vehicle with a powerful strobe of nuclear lightning.

 

               “That didn’t get through the hull! It’s insulated too well!” Electrode shouted.

               “I have an idea.” Sandstorm made his voice boom through the air.

               “Well do it quick. This song and destruction combo is getting annoying.”

               Sandstorm could manifest himself as any combination or elements or weather. He even made himself a giant at times of various combinations. He flew over the top of the tank machine and manifested himself as a giant humanoid of pure iron ore. He landed on the top swivel and grappled the cannons. The barrels twisted under him and a loud screeching noise sounded. Metal within the turning apparatus ground together and snapped as the sides blew out. The music slurred and stopped.

Still in his giant form, Sandstorm gripped the top of the tank and tore it off to see who was driving. He dropped the junked lid in disgust and turned back to a normal sized human being.

               “Fry the inside of that please.” Sandstorm said.

               “Who’s in it?”

               “No one. It’s a robot and I don’t want any surprises.”

               Electrode jumped up on it and melted everything within in a bright flash of power.

               “Who made this? The Raven?” Electrode asked about one of their worst enemies.

               “I don’t know. Raven usually tries to kill us, not everyone else. This isn’t like him.”

               “Professor Zombie?”

               “Again, why? Zombie wants to turn everyone into his hench-people. This doesn’t work for him either.”

               “Terrorism?”

               “That’s a possibility. There’s definitely a psychological approach to this with that song. Whoever did this, wanted to create a presence for themselves.”

               “Showmaster.” Electrode nodded. “This would definitely be like him, but who would be paying him?”

               “That’s the million-dollar question.”

(Yep, that's where this one ends, folks! Who is behind this bizarre attack? Be sure to follow for new stories, articles, and updates.)