*growf*

Happy Friday all! Well, just when I though I was capping my week off on a somewhat graceful note, it looks like I may have to book a couple more days off to help my mother pack up her stuff and move. Blah. Moving is awful. Packing is worse. :P Upside; at least she lives a 3 hour drive away now instead of a 19 hour drive. XD

So, I have not too much to say other than apologies for lack of feedback of late - during time off I've actually tried to not use the computer more than I have to. So, let's get underway:


Open For Commissoins

 Catwolf: She is also doing a YCH offer, details here: https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6981014/. She is (as per the recent July 31st highlight on her) DEFINITELY a paw-centric artist who enjoys drawing paws, so have a look and please consider it. :)

 Tsaiwolf: (info - https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6982148/) Not specifically paw-centric, but a very good drawer of nice paws! A few slots now open (details are about 2/3 down in the journal).

 SweetPupperoo: (info - http://www.furaffinity.net/view/17458521/) Another frequent drawer-of-nice-paws is opening (next week) for commissions; info in the link above, and reservation info.

 Quillu: (info - https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6980602/) Opening for Commissions on Sunday. Interesting twist here; rather than first-come, first-serve, she will be picking the ideas she likes best. So... perhaps com up with something really interesting and you might land a slot. :)

 BlitheDragon: (info - https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6980294/) Blithe is opening for September/Octorber commissions. All price and ToS info is linked in the journal above. Again, not a paw-centric artist, but a pretty good drawer-of-paws. :)

========================
LEGEND:
nsfw = Nudity and/or adult situation
nsfw-ish = Impending adult situation, suggestive nudity
sfw-ish = mostly safe, but implied pending adult stuff, or anatomically correct bumps. :P
sfw = hopefully won't damage anyone's brains if they see it on your screen
m = male
f = female
f-h = mostly female hermaphrodite
m-h = mostly male hermaphrodite
h = hermaphrodite (50/50 for m/f)
tm = transgender/inter-sexed, identifies as male
tf = transgender/inter-sexed, identifies as female
macro = super-sized characters involved
micro = tiny sized characters involved
ref = character reference sheet
charr! = is a Guild Wars 2 charr character... I'm biased here - they're sexy and get their own rating. :P
po = Paws Only; IE, the image is just footpaws/feet
TCO! = Tame Comments Only (don't post suggestive or sexual comments on artists page; they don't want/like it)
Pawsexual = Person who derives 51% or more of their sexual drive from Feet/Paws
rl-human = Real life human foot picture
art-human = digital or traditional art, human foot picture
========================

Most Pawesome Picture
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/17446438/

Artist: ArcticLion - https://www.furaffinity.net/user/arcticlion/

Characters:
Neuro - https://www.furaffinity.net/user/neuro
Mestiso - https://www.furaffinity.net/user/mestiso

Why: Because this is just PURE footpaw-love. ^_^ It's a very beautifully detailed picture, but the heart of it is of course their footpaws. You get the impression that they got home, kicked off their shoes/sandals and the first thing they wanted to do was enjoy the others' feet. Neuro's socks look like they were quickly tugged off and tossed aside while Mestiso's are handily open-toed so Neuro can get right to enjoying them! I like the little details here too - like the two plushies of them in the background (dawww) and things like the chips and game-controllers on the table, implying that they're about to spent a good long time just having fun together. Very awesome image, and very much the heart of what it is to just love footpaws and enjoy being with someone else who does as well. :)


Gakuseigitsune:
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/17333800/ (sfw-ish, m)

GAH, I have forgotten to post this one TWICE now. This was contributed by DrakeParadox! So not all that common that snakes get to have footpaws at all, so not surprising that those who do kinda really enjoy them. :3 I would too. Great looking sole and toes on him.


DragonsInTheAttic:
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/17439927/ (sfw, m/f)

Very cute picture of Kuiko the gator watching something with Ssthisto the dragon (who has an awesome way of eating popcorn). Cool look at Kuiko's big blue-padded soles.


Sparky_the_Chu:
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/17440970/ (nsfw-ish, m, micro)

Sparky's munching away, not paying a lot of attention to the micros around him. I dunno about you guys (okay... I have a pretty good idea...) but I'd love to be one of the little guys getting to tend those nice soles of his. :3


Charon2:
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/17442123/ (sfw, f, macro)

Another teaser picture for an up-coming animation from Charon2. That is the giant footpaw of Nariko, his macro bunny.


HomogenousRule:
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/17446180/ (nsfw, m/m)

A runner up image for Most-Pawesome for sure - the always sexy Loki and Muddy enjoying each other, with Loki very happily lost in Muddy's bit, soft sole pads.


RainArtsInk:
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/17451339/ (nsfw, f)

A lovely pose of Austin which happens to show off her soles very nicely. Love that thick hair and braid!


SpazzyHusky:
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/17451418/ (nsfw, m)

WhiteFoxy94's character (which is pretty cool looking, I must say) in a pose that beautifully shows off his footpaws, and... most else.


Muzz:
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/17451895/ (nsfw, m)

FurcaylenFox's character easing himself onto a rather large toy (ow), but it does offer a nice view of his soles. :3


SukebePanda:
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/17455074/ (nsfw, f)

A really interesting pose for TheCalMeHavoc's character, in which the right footpaw is in a really cool toe-spread pose.


AggroBadger:
https://www.weasyl.com/submission/1.....eam-commission (sfw, m)

One very awesome view of this guys big, soft sole pads and toes while he is pretty busily absorbed into playing his game! Definitely one of the most paw-centric pics from Aggro of late. ^_^


ZP92:
http://www.deviantart.com/art/Sandy.....tomp-554734723 (sfw, f)

Eeeee! This big beautiful lady is looking for some micro's to introduce to her extremely sexy sole. I would SO volunteer. Great high quality resolution picture too.


Yaiofairy:
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/17456063/ (nsfw, m/m)

Loki and Muddy again! Yet another very tough choice for Most Pawesome here; in fact, I thought "maaaaybe I should let someone other than Loki and Muddy have this for a change." XD Still, very awesome picture where these two handsome guys are just very much enjoying sharing their sexy paws - this time with a little help from some tasty icing. Mmm.


KurraDragon:
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/17456923/ (sfw, m, po, TCO!)

These very handsome and wrinkly soles are a really cool traditional drawing by Kurra, AND... they are for sale! This is a great big canvas piece which he's offering to sell and ship - details are in the description. LOVE the wrinkles in the midsole! You can just imagine how amazing they would feel. :) Anyway, cool picture - and it could be yours!


Tag (aka Staggard):
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/17459691/ (nsfw, m/f)

DarkStallion and SunTattooWolf having a bit of bondage fun. Oh my oh my... that pose offers us one graciously wonderful look at the wolfess's big, gorgeous sole pads! Nestled together like that, they look like they're just resting there, in waiting, perhaps to be part of a tease later. What's also cool is to imagine DarkStallion's point of view; she's tucked up a little along his leg, showing her breasts and snout teasingly, but hiding what we can all see. Very nice tease.


EC-Major:
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/17460439/ (nsfw, f, ref.)

A gloriously detailed reference sheet for the camel character Indra. And yes..... Camel feet! Admittedly, rather different from the usual sort of footpaw you'd see on this list, but certainly worth showing if you imagine how soft and unique those soles would be. Also... as a writer and someone who LOVES character details and background... I LOVE THIS CHARACTER! EC's details, backstory and information is SO interesting. I like too that this is an older women, because you don't really see a lot of older characters out there (apart from ancient ones like dragons). Such a cool idea. ^_^


Tsaiwolf:
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/17462132/ (nsfw, m/m)

Nelly giving Kulza a ride, and we get a rather nice view of Kulza's happy paws while he gets cream-filled. :P


Wolf-Nymph:
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/17462857/ (sfw, t-f)

Twisted Hound and her glowing amorphous familiar. A very lively pose which offers up quite a view of her soles which are very beautifully detailed.



Artist Highlight: Doran Eirok!

I know what you're saying... wasn't Dorey a character highlight from a few months ago? Yes! But Dorey's also an artist, and has generously subjected himself to another round of questioning for this highlight. :) There are a few folks who are both artists AND keepers of awesome characters, so double-highlights (as has already happened with VampireKitty) will pop up from time to time. :)

Where to find him:
https://www.furaffinity.net/user/doraneirok/
http://doraneirok.deviantart.com/
https://www.weasyl.com/~doraneirok
http://doran-eirok.sofurry.com/
http://www.inkbunny.net/Doran
http://www.twitter.com/Doran_Eirok
http://doran_eirok.livejournal.com/

Work Samples:
https://www.weasyl.com/submission/1.....acing-leathers (sfw, m)
https://www.weasyl.com/submission/9.....44/cuddly-paws (sfw, m/m, po)
https://www.weasyl.com/submission/1.....8/coffee-break (sfw, f)
https://www.weasyl.com/submission/2.....ok-nose-dragon (sfw, m)
https://www.weasyl.com/submission/4.....rk-doran-stomp (nsfw-ish, m)
https://www.weasyl.com/submission/4.....an-wakey-wakey (sfw, m)
https://www.weasyl.com/submission/3.....g-on-the-boots (sfw, m)
https://www.weasyl.com/submission/1.....ashion-project (sfw, m, po... lots of paws)



Some Q&A

(TC) What sort of interest in footpaws do you have (if any - and feel free to explain maybe why you like drawing them)?

(Doran) I absolutely love footpaws. I'm an avid reader of the Paw-Mails and I think one of the original subscribers, and paws are one of my very favourite things. I find them adorable, beautiful, attractive, and I really enjoy drawing them when I'm able to find the time/energy/inspiration to draw. From a quick look through my gallery it's not hard to see that paws tend to feature pretty heavily. My interest in paws spans a broad range from entirely innocent into more intimate and sexual, though I tend to keep most of my artwork toward the relatively innocent side of things. I love paws for their shapes and textures, but beyond that they have importance to me in a somewhat symbolic sense as well. Our feet/paws are the parts of us that interface with the world most directly most of the time, we feel and explore surfaces with them... and given my own rather submissive personality quirks, there's a dominance aspect for me as well. Being pinned down or otherwise controlled by somebody's paws feels like a very powerful expression of dominance, and tending to somebody's paws feels like an equally powerful expression of submission, in a way that can make for either a passionate and heady fantasy or a very intimate expression of love and devotion.

Finally, my love of paws meshes with my enjoyment of leather in the form of a great interest in boots and other forms of paw-wear. I love bare paws, but there's something I find extra compelling and dominant about paws wrapped up in a set of tall leather boots. I freely acknowledge that this may make me something of a weirdo, but it's what I've got! Paws are beautiful and sexy and dominating, booted paws even more so, and the idea of finding myself at eye level with either is a good way to make happy squirmy Dorans happen.

(TC) That's a wonderful (and very thorough) explanation! I especially like the mention of them being the thing most in contact with the world. It's an interesting point not often considered. That said, I'm curious if that means you enjoy going barefoot, or in minimalist type shoes to maximize that feeling?

(Doran) I very much do enjoy going barefoot where possible, but my own feet tend to be quite tender and I'm pretty cold sensitive, so between these two things I don't do much barefooting outdoors ever. I do however very much enjoy minimalist shoes in the form of Vibram FiveFingers, and will happily prance around in them when the weather's warm enough. As much I enjoy the powerful and sturdy feeling of a tall pair of boots in the autumn and winter, wearing VFFs or other light footwear in the warmer times makes me feel all kinds of energetic and bouncy. Plus it gives you a really neat feeling being able to sense that much more of the world you're walking over. It makes you aware of how varied the ground surfaces are and what a sensitive and dynamic bit of anatomy our feet are.

(TC) I SO love my VFFs as well. :3 What type of commentary do you like on your work? What sort of comments do you not like, or don't want (say, creepy comments or whatever)?

(Doran) I like to think I'm pretty easygoing and open-minded, so I'll appreciate any comment that expresses enjoyment of the artwork and accept it in the spirit with which it is given. Since I'm in a closed relationship I prefer not to have too much in the way of sexually charged comments or role play directed at art of my own character/identify (which admittedly is something like 90% of what I draw, selfish and vain dragon that I am). Even so, I'm happy if people like the work, really! Helpful critique is fine too as long as people are polite and friendly about it. I'm fairly casual about my artwork though; it's something I do because I enjoy it and I want to share images and ideas I like with the larger community. I don't pour as much energy as I could into constant technical improvement... though it's good to get some nudges in better directions now and then, too. :)

(TC) Do you have anything you'd like to personally say to the folks in the Paw-Post?

(Doran) YOU ARE ALL FANTASTIC. Shared love of paws and paw-related artwork among those of us who are into them is one of the ways in which I am able to feel most strongly like there's a real and vibrant community here in all this furry stuff. There's a really warm sense of solidarity to it, and I've met so many wonderful people through the love of paws. This Paw-Mail phenomenon that TC has set up feels like a really fun and special thing that's helped bring some of us together that much more. And even before the Paw-Mails began, fellow lovers of paws are by and large the people who made me feel by far the most welcome and appreciated when I've posted my artwork here. Made me feel like however strange a person I might think I am, there were others like me who appreciated my quirks and that there was a place where I could fit in.

Also, yes I'm very sorry, I really need to draw things more often!

(TC) How did you start drawing, and when/where/how did that end up leading you to the furry fandom?

(Doran) I've been drawing stick figures and triangle spaceships shooting pewpew lasers at each other since I was old enough to hold a pencil. As I got older I dabbled in pirate ships and dinosaurs and dragons, and some nature and landscapes when a road trip from Michigan to the Rocky Mountains and back with my parents provided a flood of inspiration. In the late 90's I discovered this internet thing, shortly followed by the online dragon community which did a lot of good for me, found me many true friends and helped a confused little teenager make some sense of a lot of difficult to explain feelings. From dragons I sorta stumbled into the furry community and eventually worked up the courage to start posting some of my art, especially after I was gifted a secondhand Wacom Graphire 2 tablet from a friend and started drawing digitally. Since then I've just enjoyed it more and more, found a lot of wonderful people in the community, unreasonably large masses of incredibly beautiful and passionate artwork produced every day, and a bunch of people who seem actually interested when I draw silly pictures of dragon feet. ^^ Long may this continue.

(TC) Does your interest for footpaws spill over into real life and humans? Explain.

(Doran) It does, but not nearly as strongly. I do like human feet and I appreciate them, though I'm considerably more picky about shape and cleanliness and how comfortable I feel with the person they're attached to if I'm to really have much interest. When it comes to humans I'm sometimes more interested in the footwear than the feet. It tends to be very mood- and situation-specific, but the same feelings of dominance can apply with humans as with furries and dragons, especially where an imposing pair of boots is involved. And even when I don't find myself as physically attracted to human feet, I still revere them for their importance as our first and most important tactile contact with the Earth. Feet are amazing and deserve our care and respect, and if I am finding myself interested in being close to somebody's feet it probably means I reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally like them.

(TC) What about with furries? In that fantasy context, do you have an interest in paws or is it still pretty much the same idea?

(Doran) As described more generally above in the first question, yeah. Feetpaws are very important to me for a variety of reasons, and I find myself very easily and strongly compelled by an attractive set of furry or especially dragon feetpaws. Hence drawing them all the dang time...

(TC) Word has it that you are an actual, totally-real scientist IRL. Care to elaborate?

(Doran) It is true. Through considerable work and no small degree of good fortune I earned myself a PhD studying mountain treeline ecosystems and climate change. Now I'm doing a post-doctoral research fellowship on a project studying urban ecosystems and all the benefits they provide for people, with own role being trying to map and model them on computer. While the nitty-gritty of the scientific process and academic life are occasionally incredibly frustrating to me, my enthusiasm for learning and better understanding this beautiful and amazing universe we live in always keeps me going.

(TC) So... you can honestly say "FOR SCIENCE!" when drawing things?

(Doran) I can! And I really should more often. There's some fun subject matter there (not least the iconic drawing of myself wearing a lab coat and massive rubber gloves and boots and goggles whilst cackling maniacally, which I have yet to draw for some reason) and I should really tap into my scientific background for inspiration more often. Though some of the more comedic things I've found myself forced to do in the field have inspired artwork here and there (e.g. https://www.furaffinity.net/view/2699850/ ).

THANK YOU Dorey! Some very amazing (and incredibly thorough answers). :) And yes, Dorey was getting paw-mails long before they were a public thing. He was the second individual to get them after Sarkiran first suggested I do them. :) I can definitely confirm his love for paws. XD That's all everyone - have a safe and fun weekend!

TC