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Let's talk about furries
8 years ago
General
Frens
I made this post on my tumblr today but I thought it would be relevant here in an interesting way. Some people may have noticed I've been feeling really down and uninspired about art for quite a while now. And I apologize in advance for the art angst. OTL
I realized I kind of stopped/slowed down drawing furry/anthro art about two or three-ish years ago because it kinda became a big joke and I actually started to feel embarrassed/ashamed of it, especially because all of the new art friends I made were above me, in my eyes, and also had this crazy ignorance about furry art in general. I never identified as “a furry” myself and always just drew the art because it was fun to do. People started calling me a furry in jest, which was funny for a while but as is the natural progression of my sensitive self, it began to really bother me and wonder if people really saw things so black and white like that, and it also made me wonder if I was being put into a box. To me, it was always just art, I liked to draw cute characters. I didn’t think it was such a huge deal. Now I’ve kind of figured out that it mostly had to do with the fact that I’d spent a lot of time growing up on the internet. While I was finishing high school and going into college, I came into contact with a bunch of well-adjusted, “normal” people, so I was really shaken by how different things were in that respect. People’s views seemed more shallow.
I’m bringing this up because I believe that’s a huge part of why I’ve been hating my art and just not having fun with it for a while, because I kinda gave up drawing a thing I really enjoy drawing. Because it became a joke and a meme, just like everything fucking is these days. I’m just as comfortable drawing humans and monster people and such, but I shut out this one subject matter for so long just because I felt judged or afraid of being judged. And I know some will see this post and still go, “haha, that was a funny post you made, you’re such a memer,” but whatever, this is really how I feel and if my feelings are funny to you then I actually ask that you unfollow me. I do realize I’m bringing plenty of this upon myself, because I overthink and assume the worst, so it’s probably not as big a deal as it feels to me. I’ve just forgotten how the anthro/furry art community played a big part in my inspiration and growth in art when I was young, is a big reason I began digital art, and has introduced me into so many great artists, whether or not they even draw the furry subject matter. Those here on FA who have been watching me for some time definitely have seen that process happen.
AND yeah, I’m very aware of the gross and toxic parts of the furry community, and yeah it’s fun to joke about sometimes, but it gets really old. Especially to someone like me who’s hypersensitive about my art and internalizes shit like there’s no tomorrow. Again, I don’t consider myself a furry, idk what makes someone a furry really and I honestly have never known. I always considered it subjective. So if YOU consider me a furry, that’s fine, I really don’t care either way. Just let me do my thing. I just want to draw stuff. I apologize again for the rant; I really am just an angsty and emotional individual and I appreciate my friends and followers putting up with it all the time. (´;A;｀)
I realized I kind of stopped/slowed down drawing furry/anthro art about two or three-ish years ago because it kinda became a big joke and I actually started to feel embarrassed/ashamed of it, especially because all of the new art friends I made were above me, in my eyes, and also had this crazy ignorance about furry art in general. I never identified as “a furry” myself and always just drew the art because it was fun to do. People started calling me a furry in jest, which was funny for a while but as is the natural progression of my sensitive self, it began to really bother me and wonder if people really saw things so black and white like that, and it also made me wonder if I was being put into a box. To me, it was always just art, I liked to draw cute characters. I didn’t think it was such a huge deal. Now I’ve kind of figured out that it mostly had to do with the fact that I’d spent a lot of time growing up on the internet. While I was finishing high school and going into college, I came into contact with a bunch of well-adjusted, “normal” people, so I was really shaken by how different things were in that respect. People’s views seemed more shallow.
I’m bringing this up because I believe that’s a huge part of why I’ve been hating my art and just not having fun with it for a while, because I kinda gave up drawing a thing I really enjoy drawing. Because it became a joke and a meme, just like everything fucking is these days. I’m just as comfortable drawing humans and monster people and such, but I shut out this one subject matter for so long just because I felt judged or afraid of being judged. And I know some will see this post and still go, “haha, that was a funny post you made, you’re such a memer,” but whatever, this is really how I feel and if my feelings are funny to you then I actually ask that you unfollow me. I do realize I’m bringing plenty of this upon myself, because I overthink and assume the worst, so it’s probably not as big a deal as it feels to me. I’ve just forgotten how the anthro/furry art community played a big part in my inspiration and growth in art when I was young, is a big reason I began digital art, and has introduced me into so many great artists, whether or not they even draw the furry subject matter. Those here on FA who have been watching me for some time definitely have seen that process happen.
AND yeah, I’m very aware of the gross and toxic parts of the furry community, and yeah it’s fun to joke about sometimes, but it gets really old. Especially to someone like me who’s hypersensitive about my art and internalizes shit like there’s no tomorrow. Again, I don’t consider myself a furry, idk what makes someone a furry really and I honestly have never known. I always considered it subjective. So if YOU consider me a furry, that’s fine, I really don’t care either way. Just let me do my thing. I just want to draw stuff. I apologize again for the rant; I really am just an angsty and emotional individual and I appreciate my friends and followers putting up with it all the time. (´;A;｀)
No problem at all!
Eventually I came to the conclusion it's just not worth worrying about. Do what you're inspired to do and people will come who share your interests.
There's no way to avoid hateful or ignorant people, it's just life. The internet exacerbates this with anonymity, unfortunately. It doesn't seem to happen much in person, huh?
I think it's natural to feel insecure when you get real push back on something as personal as art. It can be a good thing, though. It can make you reaffirm whats important to you and give you a clearer outlook on your choices.
I don't consider myself a furry either, I just like furry art. Now I don't try to hide my interests in sexuality and furry art anymore. I've come to the conclusion everything has a negative image attached to it these days so people either have to accept me or just move on. I won't change for anyone just because they think they can pressure me to.
Weirdly enough, I've encountered most of the shittiness in person, after going to college and meeting other "internet people" who seemed like they'd get me at first but they ended up just being cliquey and obsessed with memes in the end. I've had most of my best experiences online, and a few lucky ones offline, which include the people who are still my friends to this day. I guess it totally depends on where you end up; I totally agree with the anonymity thing though.