In case you were wondering what that is... : http://www.axiotron.com/index.php?id=modbook

I got this last Thursday. Its basically a Mac Book modified to be a tablet pc. Needless to say Im loving my new toy. Now to work on improving my digitalartistic skills. :o)

I must say I really had a great time at Furry Fiesta. The best part its a local con for me. I definitely plan to attend next year. I had the pleasure of meeting  jaggers and  marymouse I had a great time.

We got to go to this restaurant in Addison that is called "The Magic Time Machine" It was definitely a dinning "experience" The place is an old school house converted restaurant. Each table are is themed we say in a pirate decorated section and our waiter was "The Joker" from the Dark night Movie. If you are in Texas and have never been to this restaurant I highly recommend going.

http://magictimemachine.com/

they didn't have a salad bar they had a salad "Car" how cool is that (here is a picture of it)
http://www.addisontexas.net/where_t.....me_machine.asp

I think next time Jaggers should get his magic trick. :P

Any how I also had fun chatting with Dook, Kyle, Dusk and Charger.

My friend  farallon and  quickxyk also came in from out of town it was nice seeing both of them again.

The Texas Furry Fiesta staff did an awesome job with planning this con. Thanks for an awesome con guys!

I'm really looking forward to next year and for those of you who thought about going you should consider this con next year!

Here is some information in case you were wondering.


* Where will I be most of the con.
You can find me in the Dealers Den. Chained to my table.
or wandering the halls after hours.

* Who will I be hanging with at the con?
Not sure yet. I will be rooming with  mitchdlg, and
 quickxyk but they have their own schedule.

* Do I Bite? No. ...or do i??

* Will I be taking commissions?
Yep, stop by in the dealers den. I'll be doing both badge
and full character comissions. Color, ink or pencil.

* Do I have prints or books? Yes.

* Am I nice? Yep yep yep!

* How old am I? Well I'm a grey Muzzle I just turned 39.

* Will I do art trades? Yes but only if I have time. The
dealers den keeps me rather busy. :(

* Can I do free sketches? yes I Id be happy to do a free
doodle or you but once again only if I have time.

*Things I do not like at cons.
Not many things really.

*Things I love about cons.
Meeting new friends and meeting FA friends. Please come
by and say hello.

Just wanted to say thanks to those of you who remembered and were kind enough to say so. I appreciate it.

... yep thats right I'm a grey muzzle, tho I bet that's probably a surprise for those of you who have ever met me because I don't look my age. Most people think I'm between 28-31. I suppose thats a good thing. :\

For those of you who have asked yes I will be attending FC this year. As usual I will be in the Dealers Den and here are some off the thigns I will have available:

* BOOKS *
$3 - Comic Book #1 Orville "Dreams of FLight"
$3 - Comic Book #2 Orville "Laugh Clown, Laugh"
$3 - Comic Book #3 Orville "Raiders of the Lost Trunk"

* COMMISSIONS *
$25 - Prisma Color Marker Character commissions
$10 - Pencil Sketches
$15 - Inked Drawings
$25 - Con Badges

* Artist Sketch Book *
$10 - The Art of Orville & Critter County
$15 - The Art of Orville & Critter County (Limited eddition)
*The Limited edition book also Includes a free sketch*

* Prints *
$7 each or 2 for $12

I'm looking forward to seeing you all this year at FC. I owe thanks to my friends here on FA. Your support and encouragement mean so much to me. Thank you for all that. *group hugs*

Well another year has past. It seems like only yesterday it was 2008 (you know what I mean) 2008 just went by in a flash. If there is one thing we can not stop is the march of time. For me in 2009 i find myself living in a new state and tho I am working for the same company I really enjoy my new job. (not to mention the better pay)

I can honestly say things are better for me here in TX tho I often find myself spending most of my time with my dog Charlie. I really don't know anyone here and while I do have a room mate it mostly feels as if I live by myself. Either way I think the change of scenery has done me some good and I suppose I would miss the "friends" I had in CA but I often wonder if the friends I had there were mostly my own illusion. I've been in TX 4 months now and I honestly don't think any of them have noticed I'm gone. Go figure..

anyhow, my new years resolution for 2009 is to start my life over here in this new state and new Job. 38 years of my past I hope to forget and leave behind in CA. One thing 38 years of life experience has taught me (and Im sad to say) is that most people are truly selfish and cruel. i see it every day of my life in the people around me. its caused me to view life through cynical eyes and I refuse to be a victim of other peoples selfishness any more. I think it's time I focused on my own well being in 2009 and I started looking after #1 for a change. (just like everyone else has been doing all along) I've realized that living by the golden rule has gotten me nothing but heartache and misery. This stops in 2009.


For those of you who have been good friends in the past I am very greatful for *hug*. I will reserve my kindness and gratitude for you because you have earned it. You have gotten me though some rough times. I wish to continue being your friend.

As for everyone else that seems to take my friendship for granted.. (and I'm sure you know who you are) don't expect me to be as "considerate" as I have been in the past I will in turn treat you with the same consideration you have shown me.

I really hope that in 2009 I can finally "find myself" and put aside all the damage that has been done over 38 year. This is no way for me to live. Thanks again to all of you who have been there for me in the past. I have never forgotten your kindness and I welcome your kindness and support and in turn you will have mine. Thank you! Here's to better days in 2009.

I appologize for those of you who have noticed that I'm not really into the "Christmas Spirit". Perhaps I should explain. It's nothing personal its just that Christmas has never been "happy times" for me. Let me explain, and I hope you will forgive me if I do not share the same sentiments of Christmas..

Ever since I was very little Christmas (as well Thanksgiving) never held much meaning to me. Unlike many kids I didn't grow up with any "fond" memories of Christmas. In fact I tended to want to block out any holiday memories surrounding those holidays. There were no happy family times or presents under the tree growing up in fact there was never any Christmas trees or decorations. Just parents fighting over money and arguing about how Christmas was just a waste of money and time. There were never any fancy dinners, after all no one was in the mood to cook or eat dinner after all the fighting and most of the time we'd end up going to bed starving that night.

None of our uncles or aunts or grandparents ever bothered to visit for the holidays because mom or dad fought over who's family should be allowed to visit or should visit and then they decided if they where not going to visit their side of the family then the other side was not welcome.. so no one came and every one just stayed away. This was the same for any holiday.

So, Christmas always (and still does) reminds me of how shallow, cruel and selfish people can be. Christmas only serves to remind me of what I lack and what I can never have. It's an odd point of view I know but I think one can only draw from their own experiences. I know this is not the case for everyone but for me it is.

This year i am spending my Christmas (as I did Thanksgiving) several states away from my family who frankly doesn't give a damn where I am, in fact they have no idea where I am and despite having my phone # and emails never once tried to find out where I went.

I write all this to say this. One thing I have realized is that the true meaning of Christmas lies in the sum of our experiences. Not in a day nor in the people around you. I hope that your Christmas means something to you.

Sorry for the late update but I finally got time to sit down and write down my thoughts.

This was my first trip to MFF and i must say I had a great time. I went along with my friend  quickxyk I got to meet some new friends and some friends I already knew. There were lots of new faces too. One thing I did notice was all the fur suiters they had. Man I think they had more than FC. When it was time for the fur suit parade they just kept coming! Anyhow it was very awesome.

among the new faces I was happy to make new friends with  soba  magrcon  squipwuff just to name a few. I also got to make friends with Brokken T-Wolf (he was the guy in the Balto fur suit) *hug*

seen here:
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1747886/

While I didn't get much time to talk to as many people as I wanted to I did have a good time. I also got to experience some authentic Chicago deed dish pizza. Among my old friends I got to see  goldenrod and  kipper. It was nice seeing both of them again expecially  kipper. It was also nice to see  north I had not seen him since FC. :)

Anyhow, over all the con went very well for me I am looking forward to attending next year. So what's next for this snowdog? Further Confusion is next and then after that in Feb I will be attending Furry Fiesta here in my home state TX. I plan to have art show pieces at that con.

For now that is all. I will look forward to seeing you at FC. Until then TTFN!

Well Nov. 20th is coming and so is MFF. I am really looking forward to MFF this year since it will be my first time to MFF. I've never really been to Chicago but I've always wanted to go.

This years theme "North to Alaska" seems to be right up my alley so I guess that's another reason to be excited. I've mostly attended west coast cons like FC, Califur and Comic Con but being more centrally located now I believe that this will open things up for me to attend more east coast cons as well. I've been anxious to meet some of the people on the east coast so I guess this is my chance. Please stop by and say Hi if you will be attending MFF, I will be in the dealers den. See ya at MFF!

Ok I finally got some internet access so I think I should post why I've been so silent. I am currently living in a hotel. I moved Aug 8th and the house I was staying at had no internet and then on 9/15/08 I had to move out. I am just waiting to close on a my new house. As soon as we get settled in there I should be up and back on line. those of you who have been wondering now you know. I plan to have internet access maybe by mid October. If I don't reply right away you now know now. Hope to talk to all again soon. Until then take care.

Ill see you TX furs at Furry Fiesta and I still plan to be at FC tho MFF might get canceled due to too many things going on right now in my life. Still not 100% sure yet but I will post soon about my MFF status. I really want to go because this con is right up my ally hehe.

Well it looks like I finally took the big step in buying a house here in Texas.

in addition to buying a new Lincoln LS car (for only 11K) I also found another good deal. This house is 2050 sq feet.3 bed 2 full bath 2 car garage home. it also has 3 huge living rooms. Yesterday the seller accepted our offer of 93k. which is well under the actual value of the homel. We are able hoping to close by the end of the month. the best part of all this is out monthy mortgage payment is going to be about $850 per month which is way less than the tiny house we were renting in CA for $1500.

Oh also my job is going to cover all my closing costs (about $3000) and the seller is also going to pay about $3000 of my closing costs (which I don't have to pay so its going towards my down payment) so when all is said and done Ill be paying about 90K for the house in total.

Ok I've been in the Dallas Fort / Worth area for about 3 weeks now and I was curious if there are any furries or furry artists in this area. If so let me know if you wanna chat or hang out in having a hard time locating any local furries in this area I know they must be in the area since there is a furry con here (Furry Fiesta, which Ill be at by the way)

So if there are any furries in the Dallas / Fort Worth area that wanna hang out or meet up please send me a message. Thanks :o)


- Balto

Since FA has been down I have not been able to get this news out (unless you are linked to my Live journal then you already know) so let me let all of you know now.

Mid July I made a decision to leave San Diego CA and move to Irving TX. This decision has not been an easy one for me but it was one I needed to make as a career move. My Job recently promoted me to a Subject Matter Expert for Foreclosure and I am going to be the office Trainer for the Fort Worth office they are opening in TX. I had debated taking the job for a while because there were a lot of things I thought id be leaving behind. However recent turn of events and recent conclusions have lead to my ultimate decision that it would be best for me to move on and start my life over.

A lot of the "Friends" I thought I had were mostly an illusion on my part. Upon announcing I may be uprooting my life and moving out of the state, no one really seemed to care, but I suppose that only made my decision even easier. Not only that, I have also recently broken ties with my immediate family for personal reasons I don't wish to go into here, but those of you who know my family situation know why I have the issues I do with relationships. (and I'm sorry if that has cause some of you to choose not to be friends with me)

Any how as I stated in my Live Journal. I leave my home of 32 years (yeah Im a grey muzzle) with many regrets of the mistakes I've made. I'm sorry if i sometimes seem to be withdrawn or unsocial but those of you who know me knows its not because I'm antisocial or anything like that, its just that as a kid I've been through so much abuse with my family that it sorta messed me up. (Hence why i've broken ties with my family) This move removed me from the reach of my family who I have told I never wish to see them again. I've concluded early on I have no need for a family since they cause me more grief than joy.

These past few weeks i've been though some extremely stressful times of hurt and loss in my life and what helped me make my decision to move easier was when all this happened I suddenly realized when I needed a shoulder to cry on, there was none for me. I guess every one has their own problems so I shouldn't be surprised. For me, I finally came to the realization that CA held nothing for me anymore except heartache and bad memories, and I had no reason to return,since I really didn't have a home, family or friend to come back to. I suppose I really have no one to blame but myself. I just fooled my self into thinking that people care. its been my experience that unless some one has something to gain by being a friend they ultimately don't care. Harsh, I know but it seems to be true.

Having said that I know I have probably confused some of you by how I respond to things. I just have an extremely difficult time expressing my self for that I have many regrets for the friends that could have been. I suppose I don't blame people for not caring weather I stay or go, but for those of you that know me you know I care very much for my friends, and some of you will never know how much your friendship has meant to me, tho I may not hold any special place in your heart , you were always close to mine. I'm sorry that I have not been able to express my friendship as clearly to you as you have to me. I only hope that where ever I end up I don't repeat the same mistakes i've made here. I say good bye to the ones I knew in CA and I wish you all the best. With that I say good bye to all the "friends" I knew in CA and good bye to my past. May the future for me hold more joy in TX that it did in CA and with a heavy heart I say good bye.


- Balto

PS: If any of you live in the Irving / Fort Worth / Dallas TX Area let me know. Ill also be at the "Furry Fiesta" con in the Dallas TX area in Feb. Yeah I also know its Hot there.. god TX is no place for a snow dog like me ... *faints*

OK Califur 2008 is a go!! I look forward to seeing you all there.

Here is what I will be offering at my table. I have books and I will also be taking commissions and con badge requests. I fill up fast so please let me know as soon possible. I do try to accommodate everyone but time is sometimes against me. Here is my list of items I will have at my table:

* BOOKS *
$3 - Comic Book #1 Orville "Dreams of FLight"
$3 - Comic Book #2 Orville "Laugh Clown, Laugh"
$3 - Comic Book #3 Orville "Raiders of the Lost Trunk"
$3 - Comic Strip Book "The Hodges Pond Chronicles (limited amount)
$14 - Web special all 3 comic books and the comic strip book - Plus a FREE Pencil Sketch

* COMMISSIONS *
$25 - Prisma Color Marker

$10 - Pencil Sketches
$15 - Inked Drawings

$20 - Con Badges

* Artist Sketch Book *
$10 - The Art of Orville & Critter County
$15 - The Art of Orville & Critter County (Limited eddition) Includes a free sketch


I appreciate all the support all of you have given me and I look forward to helping make your con a more enjoyable experience. See ya at Califur!

PS: I will also be checking my FA site during Caifur so if we need to get a message to me just send me an FA note and I will get it.

OK here is where I am with Commissions:

1.  Spark Inked commission 2 characters. Commission Completed. Package will be mailed after Califur.

2:  SilverWolfEntertainment Digital Badge. Completed. Image e-mailed.

3:  bnbuehler Commission Completed. Package being send after Califur.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me via e-mail or FA private messages. Mypersonal e-mail is: balt0[at]aol.com

I am currently open for commission. if you are interested please let me know. I will also be at Califur between May 16th - 18th and I will also be available for commission there too.

Well it looks like I will be at Califur this year as well. I will be in the Dealer room as well as have art in the Art show. Hope to see you all there, please stop by and say hello.

Oh also for those of you in the east coast that were wondering if Id ever be heading that way for a con. Good news I have plans to attend MFF this year in November. This will be my first time in an East Coast con and Im looking forward to meeting some of you who live out that way.

Anyone else planning to attend Califur or MFF?

You know I'm really getting sick of all the stupid in the furry fandom. I honesty don't know if I want to continue doing this anymore. It seems like every time I think I have furries figured out I end up having to deal with more stupid. I really wish some of these people would just grow up and I wish there were more "professional" people in the fandom. I do appreciate those out there (you know who you are) but sadly there just seems to be to few to counter the stupid in the fandom.

No matter how hard I try to avoid the stupid I end up getting side swiped by stupid. Also I'm tired of people butting their nose in my business with their "stupid", and its usually about stuff I could care less about. I wish people would please keep their stupid to themselves and quit spreading it around.

What amazes me even me more is the stupider people are the more they fit in and are accepted with open arms. However, if you try to be professional and have any kind of ethics and morals in what you do and people want nothing to do with you. I did so much better out side of furry. I think I just need to go back to the main stream. I think I have more of a change with a future there.

Out side of furry I had 3 comic books published nationally through Diamond Distributers, got my characters published in 3rd party CD Rom (Treasure Study Bible) also distributed nationally. My characters appeared on the cover of the Mile High Comic's catalog for best new Comic, and also on the cover of Christian Computing Magazine I've been the guest of Honor for the Souther California Cartoonist Society, twice (A chapter of the National Cartoonist Society). Ive also been asked to do several speaking engagements are schools and at Public Libraries, Both my comic strips (Orville and Critter County) have been published in 3 separate news papers and listed in hundreds of web sites as a web comics.

With that being said, what has Furry done for me?
Not a whole lot.. I need to rethink my focus because lately I've been feeling that I'm so done with furry.

Valentine Times Meme

Are you single or taken?
Single

Chocolate or flowers?
Flowers

Will you do anything special for Valentines Day?
Nope

Do you like anyone ?
No

Were you dating anyone last Valentines?
No

What would be your dream Valentines date?
I don't have a clue

Do you make a big deal about Valentines?
No

Have you ever had a secret admirer?
Not that I know of

Would you ever write someone a love letter?
yes

Do you believe in Cupid?
No

Do your parents give you presents on Valentines?
Parents .. what parents

Do you still send out Valentines cards?
No one to give them to

Do you like candy hearts?
yes

Is Valentines depressing?
maybe

How do you feel about PDA? (Public Display of Affection)
depends on the setting

How is your love life?
none existent

Have you ever been dumped on Valentines?
::sigh::

How many roses would you want?
None

Will you have a boyfriend/girlfriend next Valentines?
No

I tag:

 MAD_Marten
 foxer421
 bnbuehler
 Cameroo
 DrakeArlin
 Farallon

You know I thought I'd never regret being a G rated artist but I must say it's sorta frustrating drawing cute nice clean art. I'm amazed how much every one loves the clean cute art it but no one ever seems to want to see that kind of stuff at conventions or Art shows. except for a few. It's always the porn or to more human looking antho stuff that always seems to be what everyone wants. I've just never got into the too human looking antho stuff nor the porn. Call me old fashion but I prefer the traditional cartoon style. I guess thats why my influences are people like Chuck Jones and Don Bluth.

I suppose It's nice to know that there are people out there that do like the clean stuff but it seems like in furry those are few and far in between. Lately I've just been pondering if Furry is for me or not. I've done fine outside of Furry, but to be honest what drew me in was, that I noticed most of the people that did enjoyed my art were also furries but having looked behind the curtain I wonder if this is something I want to continue doing or if I am better off persuing NON Furry venues. That still has yet to be seen. For now I'm still here.

Now don't get me wrong, I have been doing much better since my first furry con and I think FA has really helped in getting my art out there,. it's just that lately its been really frustrating seeing people prefer the porn and getting passed up because Im not "furry enough", Sometimes some of the art people want really worries me, and makes me wonder what people are really after when they commission art, It's always interesting to watch peoples reaction to receiving their commission, some are truly please while others sometimes give me this look like they were expecting me to draw porn. I don't think I've made it a secret that I draw clean stuff and most people can tell that by looking at the stuff on my table at cons. I guess there must be something wrong with me.

There are other things that bother me about furry art but I suppose it would be very naive of me to think everyone saw "furry" the same way I do so, I will reserve my opinion there. To each his own no? Anyhow, I guess I'll just never get it I suppose. I do appreciate those of you who have supported me. It's encouraging to know there are some people who do like the nice side of Furry.

Just wanted to up date all those who are pending commissions fron me

1) Con Badge for  simbaX and  mehndiX is completed

2) Color commission for Sluf pencils sketch in process

3) Digital color commission (#3) for Brian Buehler penciles semi completer (just reworking the final image) inks pending and digital color pending.

Please let me know if you have any questions

Just wanted to give an update on the remaining commissions from FC.

1) Con Badge for  Simbax - Pencils done inks will be completed tomorrow. Badge is scheduled to be mailed out Friday 2/1/08

2) Con Badge for  MehndiX - Pencils done inks will be completed tomorrow. Badge is scheduled to be mailed out Friday 2/1/08

3) Color Commission Drawing for SLuF Fox: - Pending

If you are attending FC and you wish to have a con badge done by me and would like to get ahead of the line. (I fill up quick on these) If you place your order here I will have it done by FC.

Con Badges: $20
Digital Con Badges: $30 (can only take a few of these)
Paypal ID: orville2[at]aol.com

I will have your badge ready for pick up at FC. Ill be in the dealer room. This will come with a badge holder as well.


If you want a con badge but are not attending FC I can mail it to you please just provide your shipping address and add $2 for regular mail shipping. For USPS Priority mail add $6.

If you want to see samples of my work here they are:

Regular Con Badge Samples:
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/476115/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/117493/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/117635/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/110910/

Digital Con Badge Samples:
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/982687/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/992317/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/846874/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/855414/
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/475703/

Well FC 2008 is just around the corner. Im really looking forward to it as always. If anyone reading this is going to FC please stop by and say hello. This year (like last year) I will be in the Dealer room most of the time. Look for me under my business name "Acorn Productions" Just as an FYI, I usually tend to dissappear right the dealer den closes as I normally have tons of commissions to complete by the next morning. (I usually finish around 3 am so if I appear sleepy you know why lol)

Any how what is new this year is that I will have several pieces in the art show this year. I hope you will all take the time to check them out. Here are some of the pieces I will be exhibiting at the Art Show:

#1 "Dances with Wolves"
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/961765/

#2 "Mine!"
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/961812/

#3 "Classy Otter"
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/961701/

#4 "Summer of Love"
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/521396/

#5 "Drawing Board"
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/521468/

#6 "Orville #3: Raiders of the Lost Trunk" original comic book page
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/521424/

#7 "Critter County Comic Strip" original comic strip panel from my online comic Critter County.
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/521311/

#8 "Dancing in the Dark"
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/998996/

I am also working on a final image not sure exactly what it will by but I will be uploading it as soon as I am done with it.

Here is what I will be offering at my table. I have books and I will also be taking commissions and con badge requests. I fill up fast so please let me know as soon possible. I do try to accommodate everyone but time is sometimes against me. Here is my list of items I will have at my table:

* BOOKS *
$3 - Comic Book #1 Orville "Dreams of FLight"
$3 - Comic Book #2 Orville "Laugh Clown, Laugh"
$3 - Comic Book #3 Orville "Raiders of the Lost Trunk"
$3 - Comic Strip Book "The Hodges Pond Chronicles (limited amount)
$14 - Web special all 3 comic books and the comic strip book - Plus a FREE Pencil Sketch

* COMMISSIONS *
$25 - Prisma Color Marker

$10 - Pencil Sketches
$15 - Inked Drawings

$20 - Con Badges

NEW * Artist Sketch Book *
$10 - The Art of Orville & Critter County
$15 - The Art of Orville & Critter County (Limited eddition) Includes a free sketch


As you can see I have a nice line up this year. I appreciate all the support all of you have given me in the past and I look forward to helping make your con more enjoyable. Hope to see you all there and please stop by and say hello. I don't bite... or DO I?

Since everyone is posting about Christmas I think I'll toss my 2 cents worth. Personally I can't wait till this holiday passes. Christmas even Thanksgiving has never really been anything I looked forward to. I'm not sure why everyone puts so much empasis on these holidays. People trying to make up for 11 months of ignoring and abusing the people around them. Then to make it worse the focus goes on "What can I get for Christmas" I'd rather people treated others better 365 days a year and forget about Christmas and presents. Either way Merry Christmas to those that have something to look forward to. I unfortunately don't.