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Rorschfox artwork on Fox News?
12 years ago
Yep, it's true: my artwork got featured on the Fox News show, "Red Eye w/Greg Gutfeld", on September 14th!
It all started with an e-mail from one of the show's producers on the previous day, where they asked me if they could use some of my artwork on their programme. At first, I thought it was a prank; but as I checked up on it, I found out that it wasn't a spam mail, but an actual legitimate request!!
As someone who knows copyright law (thanks to a friend), I asserted my moral rights as an artist, ensuring they couldn't alter the artwork in any way. They agreed, and picked three of my pieces to show: Warrior Panda, Joy and Aiden.
(Moral rights are very important for artists here in the UK. They're vital for anyone who wants to protect their work, and I'd strongly advise any artist who values their work to assert said rights at all times, and never even consider waiving them!!)
I'll admit, I was stunned by this turn of events, and I was astonished to see my artwork appear on the show. (I saw it for the first time over the weekend.) But it was fun to see, and I'd certainly consider doing something like that again!
And for those who missed it, you can see the full episode here:-
http://video.foxnews.com/v/26765793.....red-eye-91413/
(My art appears in the final section, about a minute from the end of the show.)
Thanks for reading!
It all started with an e-mail from one of the show's producers on the previous day, where they asked me if they could use some of my artwork on their programme. At first, I thought it was a prank; but as I checked up on it, I found out that it wasn't a spam mail, but an actual legitimate request!!
As someone who knows copyright law (thanks to a friend), I asserted my moral rights as an artist, ensuring they couldn't alter the artwork in any way. They agreed, and picked three of my pieces to show: Warrior Panda, Joy and Aiden.
(Moral rights are very important for artists here in the UK. They're vital for anyone who wants to protect their work, and I'd strongly advise any artist who values their work to assert said rights at all times, and never even consider waiving them!!)
I'll admit, I was stunned by this turn of events, and I was astonished to see my artwork appear on the show. (I saw it for the first time over the weekend.) But it was fun to see, and I'd certainly consider doing something like that again!
And for those who missed it, you can see the full episode here:-
http://video.foxnews.com/v/26765793.....red-eye-91413/
(My art appears in the final section, about a minute from the end of the show.)
Thanks for reading!
I had to admit, it was a total surprise; and considering how they found me, it was an absolute fluke. But I'm certainly not complaining!!
As for the three "sexy" animals, I'd take any of the first two (the panda and snow leopardess) any day.
And the panda and the snow leopardess are definitely two of the cuter characters I've drawn! Although I'm a little surprised they didn't spot the fact the snowie is only wearing half a bikini there!
I really enjoy drawing furry artwork, I must admit. Actually, I'm probably loving it more now than I've ever done before - and that was before the fun with the TV show! My sketching has become more fluent, and my inking and colour has improved a lot, too! (At least, I think it has!)
At the moment, I'm seriously considering not taking on any true commissions beyond the one I'm opening next year (which will largely be for charity). However, I will be opening for YCH and ACEO commissions next year, which won't be as expensive, and will mean a quicker turnaround for the commissioner.
But I understand what you mean about not trusting online security! Although I should mention here that I can and do accept money orders...
Good to see you've got plans sorted out as far as commissions and stuff. I don't suppose there any chance in asking for a request, huh?
*shuffles feet-paws*
Thankfully, I've been sent a video of that last section by someone on InkBunny, so I've been able to watch it properly myself for the first time now. (I'd send it you, but I think I may need to use dropbox - it's *way* bigger than will fit on an e-mail! (If you'd like it, please just let me know!)
Getting that e-mail was a shock. My first thought was on the lines of: "Yeah, right. Got to be a prank here!" But then I started researching the show, and I began to realise that it was, quite possibly, a real e-mail. Then I found they'd also sent a message to my DA account, and that was the clincher.
I knew my art had featured on the show from a few responses here on FA (check out Aiden in my gallery). But it was only when I saw the footage for myself that I began to see what they'd done. I didn't expect my artwork to take the whole screen! Plus they didn't censor or alter it at all (not bad, considering they had a bottomless snow leopard fem and a nude snowie male), which was a real bonus!
And thank you! Trust me, happy foxy is still bouncing now!
I'm not sure if they mentioned my copyright - although it did feature in huge letters on the screen. They mentioned "artist rendering", which I think has more to do with the fact they were images of animals that technically do not exist - whereas the rest of those on the show most certainly do. At least, that's what I understood them to mean. I could be wrong there...
(And can I just say: if you hadn't mentioned it, I would never have guessed that you're not a native English speaker!)
And thank you, the community helps me practise my English.
But it was a total fluke. They wanted some furry art for their show, and they googled "furry art". But if you do that, the first site that appears is the VCL - not FA. (Kinda strange, considering that FA is so much larger.) I happen to be one of the few artists to still use the site, and my work was on the front page - hence how they spotted me. I think they then googled "Rorschfox", found me on DA, and picked another couple of pictures from there.
And as great as it was, it's also a good indicator why I'm glad I know UK copyright law properly these days. By asserting my moral rights, I prevented them from censoring or altering my work. (Those are rights that I'm never going to waive again - they're far too important to give up for anything, especially since once you've waived them for any reason, you effectively cannot reassert them again.) Considering my artwork was used in what I knew to by a satirical show, I thought this was vital.
It was definitely fun to see, though!
If somebody had said to me at the start of September that some of my artwork would be featured on a mainstream show, I'd have just laughed. I mean, seriously - this sort of thing doesn't usually happen!
But it was definitely fun that it did!
We had a very bad storm that spawned two tornadoes one day and after all the mess calmed down, we were approched by National Geo magazine, and the weather channel to publish 2 pics and some video. They asked about what would it cost them to use the material. We agreed on zero as long as were credited with the footage.
I still have the book and the footage was on the weather channel, and several local tv stations too. IT was weird seeing people go, "Was that you filming that tornado that day, etc...?" I am like yes. They always say were we crazy?! I said no because it was what we did for the weather service and the community. I still hope to chase soon, depending on my health.
AS for you, I would not bet a dime if I knew it would not cash in being in the lime light. I bet you even grew a few inches when you saw it on the soap box err telle. lol
I am very glad for you Fox Truely glad. ((hugs))
But it's always great to get recognised for something you've done. The financial aspects aren't always important - it's the fact that everyone gets to know that it's something you did, and it puts it out to the widest audience possible.
I didn't ask for any money for them to use my artwork, of course. I don't work that way. (It's also why I don't charge huge amounts for my original work - even though I'm probably good enough to warrant it these days.) The fact is, I was happy for them to display my work, on the condition they didn't alter it. They agreed to that, and the result is something we've been able to see now.
I won't deny it: a part of me did consider the fact that I've just had my artwork advertised on a major TV station. Whether or not anything comes of that remains to be seen. But I was just happy to see my work shown on TV - and that was something I never expected to happen.
I've been able to show the footage to a few works colleagues now, too - and they're as amazed at what they've seen as I was!
And thank you! (Hugs back!)
The whole thing was a massive surprise, though. But one I'll definitely remember!
They found my artwork via the old VCL site; and on there, my e-mail address shows on my user page. So they contacted me that way.
And I remember you from way back on a much older account! Glad to have found you again, will need to catch up on all that you have done since then once I can manage the time! Your art is very original in it's style, was indeed a worthy pick for airing =^.^=!
I've had a couple of accounts over the years - mainly on the VCL (from 2004-2007) and my old
And thank you! I'm really enjoying my drawing at the moment, and I'm in what is easily the most productive form of my life. Although I suspect my poor Copic markers are regretting that fact!
And whenever you've got the time, please feel free to drop me a PM here on FA!
It was something that was totally unexpected, but a real bonus nonetheless!
They Googled "furry art". Now, I'd have expected FA to be listed as the top site there; but for some reason, the old VCL site does. I still use the site as something of a mirror, although I upload most of my work here on FA. But since the VCL isn't used as much as it was in the past, fewer artists use it these days.
On the day they checked, most of the work was unsuitable for use (they weren't going to use any really adult stuff!); mine just happened to be what they were looking for. So they see my fursona name, and I reckon they Googled that, 'cause they found their way to my DA site. They picked some work, e-mailed me with the request, and the rest is history!
But however you look at it, it was a massive fluke that they found me at all. Although I'm certainly not complaining about it!
I'm actually just on the verge of publishing two artbooks featuring my work. The Furry Art of Rorschfox: White Collection and Black Collection. The first is general audience, the second mature audience, and they each feature a large selection of my work from 2003 to present day.
I don't do calendars at the moment, but apart from those books and a few novels, I do sell a lot of different items at furcons - prints, fridge magnets, keyrings, CDs, mousemats, resin buttons, bookmarks. But I'll certainly consider doing calendars in the future - especially now I'm working on my art more consistently!
That's cool that your publishing 2 art books of your work. I'm surprised it will have 10yrs of artwork in both books. Is that how long you've been drawing or what?
That's good to hear. After w/e con your at do u have any left overs that you sell at discount prices? do u do commissions on Keyrings or not cuz I'm just inquisitive.
(But one of only two pandas I've ever drawn that they could have shown on the program!!)
I've been drawing furry art since 2000, although I do tend to forget everything I drew before 2003 (since it really wasn't all that good). The idea for the two books is to feature the non-commissioned highlights of my work from that time. Each book features 91 pictures in all, so I think they represent a good mixture of my art; and by separating them into general and mature audience books, it means that folks who prefer one or the other can get the one they want.
After conventions, I do tend to sell my unsold originals at lower prices. And I am looking at accepting commissions on keyrings in the future.
I found my first 2002 piece a few weeks ago, and that one wasn't all that much better. But the signs were already there that I was getting closer. Some of my 2003 pieces were still somewhat dubious in their standards, but others were a lot better.
Although there is a huge difference in the standards between my 2003 stuff and what I'm doing now!
To be honest, I only found out about the furry fandom at the end on 1999 - and even that was by fluke. But it was a postage stamp-sized picture of a Terrie Smith illustration that really got me involved!
But I'd had my own furry characters since 1989/1990. I'd been writing about a group of "covert agents" (for want of a better term) since 1984, and I made the decision to make them animals at around that time. I've tweaked the animal species a bit (leopard M, fox F, mink M, wolf M, wolverine M and raccoon F), but they'll be appearing in their own story early next year.
Some folks have issues with mature artwork for some strange reason. Personally, I've got no issue with it - I'd rather see it as the artist intended. (I'm vehemently opposed to censorship because of this, as well as on legal grounds.) But I thought that if I split the art books into two separate collections, I could get the books to appeal to both audiences.
What I might do with the keyrings is do an art card and keyring bundle - so the commissioner gets a 3"x4" art card original, and a print in the keyring. Drawing something small enough to fit into the keyring itself won't be easy - even at the size I can draw and write at. But I'll definitely be doing them.
Oh how so? I bet they were better in '03
oh really like what?
how can you find the fandom by a fluke? did u save that postage stamp size picture?
Interesting you have your fur characters for quite some time longer then you found the fandom. I'd like to see that whenever you post that next year. The Pound Puppies got me interested in the fur fandom and I was born '84.
that's a good way so folks can have an idea on what they look like in a clean way or in a "DIRTY/NAUGHTY" way. Are you deciding to make copies of these and sell them like that or just use as samples to choose from like Michele Light did with some of her badges that she made and or have large (normal size) print.
Not bad I would like to see these if and when you get that up and running. If you did normal keyring sizes then it would require you to scan it and re-size it to fit.
By 2003, I'd gotten a lot of those issues sorted. But I was still inconsistent. If you put one of my 2003 pieces next to one of my more modern ones, you can see a significant improvement!
I didn't have internet access until late 2000 - so I'd never even heard of the furry fandom. But in late 1999, I discovered an RPG book in a local store - Ironclaw. That's when I first learned about the wider range of furry art!
In early 2000, I also discovered an advert for a anime and furry mail-order company in an anime magazine. After requesting a copy of their catalogue, I spotted a picture by Terrie Smith - "Shadarii by the waterfall", from Paul Kidd's novel "A Whisper of Wings". That was the postage stamp-sized picture that made me order the book - and things got more involved from there. (And yes, I do still have that catalogue!)
Although they were created in 1984, those characters of mine weren't animal-based until 1989 - a decision made to offer them a way of co-existing with humans. (Basically, they're aliens: but I'm not going to explain all the details here!) But truthfully, I've loved animals for years. I've written stories since 1982, too - and most of my stories have featured animals. With what I've got planned, it looks like it's going to stay that way for some time to come, too!
My artbooks will be available for sale in a few weeks' time. I'll put a post up here on FA when they are available. My intention is to sell them through FurBuy, as well as at conventions (of which I'll be doing two next year - ConFuzzled and EuroFurence). As for the books themselves: they'll be paperback books, with 6"x9" covers, and 91 full-page pictures each. I may make single hardback copies of each available too, although these would be sold with all proceeds going to charity.
The plan is to have the art card/keyring commissions open at the beginning of next year. Although I'll also give the option to have the art cards laminated, and I've got two different sizes of keyrings to fit the pictures in to.
I bet I would, but still practice would make perfection eventually over time, also as you get older so does your art skills get more improved, so some day you will become a professional artist expressing your creative art to folks all around the world.
Irconclaw! Now how come that sounds so familiar to me?....... Well anyway a RPG book by Ironclaw got you into drawing furry artwork as well as showing you different ranges of style in that RPG book well folks find about the fur fandom in many different ways. (ie: someone introduced them to it, a tv show inspired them, artwork in a book of some sort inspired them, They loved the suits, They loved how other folks were able to bring a suit creation to life, they had a strong connection towards certain animal(s) ever since they were a lil tike, etc.)
Very interesting how an anime magazine with a postage stamp inside of that book has inspired you to become a furry.
So back in '84 those characters went from Alien based to animal based. At least you are doing something animal based on what you love doing that will make you happy until you decide of taking a break from the fandom or sticking with it till the bitter end of your life whichever you decide on.
Have you ever thought about putting a copy of these books also on CD as well and selling it off that way or do u prefer the old traditional book back cover way? Well I do hope you have a good time @ Eurofurence and Confuzzled. Make sure you say hi to BBF (Spikey), Cheetah.DE, Tani Da Real with her husband Nighfawx, Kwisa (if he's over there @ Eurofurence) for me.
That would be cool and if you have any samples to show before folks bought so they know what kind you have at what price you can offer them up.
I'm kinda sorry I feel like I'm interviewing you and asking you a lot of questions, and I also feel like I'm taking a good bit of time away from you.
Personally, I just started late, and I wasn't trained as an artist in the first place. But I have learned a whole lot over the years!
I knew about anthropomorphic animals before I got my paws on Ironclaw - the TV shows "The Raccoons" and "Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds" did influence me early on. But I wasn't aware of the furry fandom until Ironclaw came along; and it was the original cover, featuring furry versions of the characters from Slayers, that caught my attention in the first place.
Although my original characters were alien, they originally looked more human. But that aspect was totally removed when I decided to make them animal-based - and I'm now very glad I did that!
And I'm enjoying my artwork and writing far too much to turn my back on the fandom!
I prefer to sell my books in traditional format, although some of my novels are available on Kindle. But I do sell CDs of my artwork, so I do have things available digitally!
I'll be sure to have a good time at ConFuzzled and EuroFurence, too! And I do know both Cheetah and TaniDaReal, and I'll be speaking to both BBF and Nightfawx at the conventions, too!
And don't worry about asking me a lot of questions. I'm a quick typist (~100 words a minute at times), so it doesn't take as much time as you may think!
Well that's good to hear, at least you taught yourself on how to draw furry art cuz I bet if you took any courses they won't teach you any of that except the poses/figures from clay sculpted statues, or poses out of a book in an art studio or they give you a canvas and you have to draw/paint that of which you see in front of you or turn what you see into how you feel and convey that into a piece of art.
So Ironclaw made the cartoon show: The Raccoons! cuz I miss seeing that show and I've only seen bits of it when Lisa Lougheed sings: "Run With Us" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLVe1NkQA78 How did u know about anthropomorphic animals b4 you got your paws on Ironclaw stuff?
I bet once you made the switch from Alien/human based form into anthro animal based form you felt much better on how they looked.
Well that's good to hear that you enjoy doing artwork or stories whatever makes you happy and also how you can express your creativity to others and possible make you well known for it.
Well that's good to hear about all that. I'm just curious is any of your stories close to good as
that's good maybe you can strike up some business with them for future references.
R u sure? cuz at times I feel like I'm putting you on the spot and I don't wanna step on any paws or cross any boundaries.
It was The Raccoons more than anything that made me interested in anthropomorphic animals. The strong characters and the music are what drew me to it. Yes, Lisa Lougheed's version of Run With Us was a big part of that; but I also like the original version (1985-1986), performed by Steve Lunt. And I'm lucky enough to have the first two seasons of the show on DVD.
(Sadly, it's extremely unlikely the show will ever return. Not only does Kevin Gillis - the show's creator - work on other things, but they'd also have to find new voice actors for several parts. Marvin Goldhar, Len Carlson and Michael Magee are all gone now - and the parts they played were key.)
The decision to make those characters animals was one I was glad to have made. It means I've now developed a whole planet around the characters, and I've used this in the novels I'm writing on them. The first in the series - Rebellion - will be going to press next year.
I don't know how my work compares to Kyell Gold's stories - I haven't read any of his to compare them. But I believe that RedSilver (which you can find on my userpage here on FA) is the best story I've written so far. I've uploaded a few chapters from the story, so you might like to check them out and see what you think!
And don't worry. You're definitely not stepping on any paws here!
I have never heard of Steve Lunt's version of Run With Us! Do u ever just visualize or picture a raccoon in your mind and you feel like you are a raccoon under human flesh?
Gawd I wish it would cuz some of the newer generation is mission out on animal based cartoons that we saw while we were growing up that would of inspired us to join the fur fandom. Well I might know of one actor that could do 1 of the raccoons, I could possible do another and possible you on the 3rd.
I hope that novel sells big so you could possible make a killing off of it. Now is this going to be in a 2-3 part series or what?
Well he has 1 possible 3 for Download on Amazon.com onto a Kindle, Nook, I-pad, I-pod with the Kindle App. I'll have to scope it out when I'm not so tired which will be in like 2-3 days from now.
and here I thought I was stepping on some paws.
Sadly, it has had its reporters and guests state that we furries openly practice bestiality and satanism, and we are threat to society, and they do that almost every year (these attacks on the furry fandom).
I'm not even gonna view what they said on there by watching Youtube, because I've been horrified so many times over that I've given up on anything good ever coming from that news station. Though, if you tell me good news, it will be the first time a furry or the furry fandom hasn't been attacked in recorded history by Fox News.
The section of the show it appeared on was discussing cute and ugly animals. My art appeared at the end, and was introduced as "sexy". But there was no untoward treatment to my work - either in its description, or its presentation. (Possibly because the show's producers discovered I know copyright law, and my rights as an artist - so they may have been cautious about it.) But they definitely didn't attack me, or the furry fandom!