Family - welcome to my Patreon page: A place where a modern day artist like me can tap into an age-old process: hard working artists and generous patrons conspiring to change the world.

Leonardo Da Vinci had patrons, the city of Athens was full of them, and now - me.

Click here to learn more: https://lukalesson.lpages.co/patreon/

WHY THO?

Over the past 8 years I’ve learnt that STABILITY EQUALS CREATIVITY. I thrive off having a regular space and solid foundations - the more habitual my day-to-day life is, the more creative and crazy my art can be.

WHY NOW?

1. COVID-19 and my livelihood. For the last 15 years I have funded my career by performing and giving workshops in schools, but with the recent COVID-19 situation, I have had 90% of my work cancelled. I don't get the feeling things are going to change for the better in a serious way for at least a few more years. So it is time to shift my focus.

2. I want to raise a family, and stay an artist. A few years ago I married a beautiful human named Isa! She’s an artist as well - we want to have children, and be creative parents - that's important to us. It’s important for me to be a present, and not absent, father. I want to be able to earn a living without flying away every second weekend.

3. I’m a hard working human. Anyone who has been following my work over the years knows that I’m not scared of hard work. I believe that the stability this Patreon process will bring me - will increase my output and everyone will be satisfied. Win/win.

4. Personal Health. Over the past 10 years I have suffered from chronic headaches. It literally drives me mad some days. This support network through Patreon will help me get even closer to solving this issue and moving closer towards real health.

SO - CREATIVELY, WHAT WILL I DO WITH ALL THIS NEW TIME ON MY HANDS?

MY THREE YEAR PLAN

1. ONLINE POETRY-IN-EDUCATION RESOURCE

Over the past 6 months I have been able to build an online poetry-in-education resource. The first group of poets are currently in the final weeks of completing the course and will be able to have access to all resources for 1 year.

The next stage is to rework some aspects of the course to suit secondary education centres and begin marketing the full resource to schools.

Outcome: Online Poetry Learning Resource for Education Centres Worldwide

2. AGAPI AND OTHER KINDS OF LOVE

Creatively, 2021 is completely focussed on “Agapi & Other Kinds of Love”. The project is a solo theatre piece, poetry book & album discussing the 7 different types of love in Ancient Greece. It started as a joint commission from La Boite Theatre in Brisbane and Bleach* Festival on the Gold Coast a few years ago. We have a premiere tentatively booked for Brisbane in September 2021, this show will hopefully be streamed and open for

Outcome: Agapi Book / Album / Live Show

3. ODYSSEUS

I have taken on the ‘epic’ task of making a reinterpretation of Homer’s ‘The Odyssey’ in Hip-hop and Spoken Word - all performed with a live choir and orchestra. Sounds insane, but it’s been a labour of love I’ve chipped away at since 2016, and it is actually happening:

Let’s just say, it’s huge and precious and deserves to be done properly with no cutting of corners or false starts.

COVID has gotten in the way of all of this, but we hope to get the ship back sailing in the ocean in 2022.

I could talk about this project all day, it is my life, but you can read more here: www.odysseus.live

Outcome: Odysseus Book / Album / Live Show

4. ONGOING WRITERS PROGRAM: THE RHODES POETRY RETREAT

Over the past 3 years I have poured my heart and soul into this poetry retreat. Set in my grandfather’s village of Monolithos on the island of Rhodes, Greece, the retreat was stopped from completing it's 4th year by COVID cancellations and travel restrictions.

The Rhodes Poetry Retreat is a deep creative escape, a chance for me to apply the last 15 years of workshop facilitation experience and give writers the opportunity to recharge, reignite their process, soak in the beauty and the strength of my ancestral homelands.

All going as planned, the next retreat will be held in April 2022.

www.RhodesPoetryRetreat.com

Outcome: A Yearly Poetry Retreat in Greece.

FAQ

“OK, COUNT ME IN - WHAT DO I DO NOW?”

Click on one of the tiered options you’d like to commit to and go from there... you’ve already done the hardest part: signing up to Patreon - it’s actually smooth sailing from here to be honest. You can also choose your own price, by picking a low tier, say $6, and then changing the amount to $7 or $8 etc. Up to you!

Soon after you sign up you'll receive a link to a bunch of free stuff and anything else you've been promised in your particular tier.

“HOW MUCH OF MY MONEY DO YOU WANT, BRO...?“

Times are tough, you can donate any amount you like - literally a dollar makes a difference. A hundred people donating $6 each covers my rent for a week. This is NOT to be laughed at - it’s actually serious help and I thank you.

Also - you can cancel anytime you want, no questions asked. I understand that times are tough, and that there are plenty of other great people and organisations worth donating too as well. Do your thing.