My path

 I thought I'd write a little bit about myself, so if you're not interested, you can skip this post :) 

When I started sculpting 15-20 years ago, I had a dream that I would make a living from my own imagination. For a long time this seemed completely unrealistic. I first went to pottery school because that was the only way I could get close to clay. But I always wanted to sculpt, so when I came home from school - where we only made plates and cups - I started sculpting all sorts of creatures and monsters :) 

Then, after school, I managed to get my own workshop with the help of a friend. I didn't know it at the time, but 8 years of suffering had begun. :O Nowadays the nerd culture is booming, it's totally natural to play Dungeons and Dragons, wargames, be a fan of Lord of the Rings movies, books, etc., but that wasn't the case back then. (At least here in my country) I couldn't really make a living with fantasy themed ceramics.  I remember once I took my creations - monster masks, elves, goblins - to a fair and there were visitors who took their children away from my stand in disgust :) So it was a difficult time and it was a bitter feeling that what you are passionate about is also poisoning your life. 

Then I started 3D sculpting. At that time 3D printing was still a novelty, it was hard to find a job. Most miniature manufacturers were still working with traditional sculptors. A lot of them didn't even know about this technology, I had customers who needed me to explain to them what to do with 3D files :) 

But then things started to take off and I got more and more work. But it took many years before I dared to start my Patreon. 

It's not easy to come up with new themes month after month. But I am very happy that I started because I can finally feel that I am fulfilling the dream I had at the beginning. 

I still have commissions now, mostly board game projects, but it's Patreon and making my own models that I really enjoy. 

And that's where I really want to say that it wouldn't be possible without you, my dear supporters! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

( This is not an advertisement, most of the pieces are no longer available but if you are curious about my old ceramic pieces, you can see some here: https://claydemon.blogspot.com )