Arrival:
Thursday


Means of transportation:
Beep Beep


Sharing a room with:
Fambly


Hanging out with:
Anyone who comes to my table!


Gender:
You'll be able to make an accurate guess when you see me.


Relationship Status:
If you have to ask, you don't need to know!


How tall are you?
Average


Are you an Artist?
*draws catloafs*


Do you have a sketchbook?
Yup


Can you draw in my sketchbook?
If you give me cash money dollars (or if I know you)


Are you a Fursuiter?
yup!


Which Fursuits will you bring?
Probably only Birdfox Bri


Attending parties?
Nope, unless it's an art party


Do you drink?
Not in public, and only very moderately.


Do you smoke?
No


Are you attending any panels?
If I have time! X_X


Stage or public performance?
Public!


How do I identify myself to you?
Your name please, how else??


Rules of engagement (physical contact)?
Why do you want to touch a stranger


How can I find you?
Table F20 in the dealer's den!


Can I talk to you?
please do!


Can I give you stuff?
Give me dollars, I give you art :P


Can I hug or snuggle with you?
Snuggles reserved for husband, hugs if you ask nicely!


Can I come to dinner with you?
Uh, only if I invite you.


Can I invite you to dinner?
Sure, if I'm not busy with commissions.


Can I hang out with you?
Sure!


Can I take your picture?
yep, and link me to it afterwards!


How do I know if you're not looking to socialize (angry, busy or upset)?
Nose in sketchbook, bags under eyes=prooooobably not a good time!


Personality Type?
I'm a chameleon! If you're energetic, I probably will be too! If you're having a pity party, I won't be much fun.


What's your goal for the con this year?
Turn a small profit at my dealer table :)

Between the kitten, two jobs, and freelance art I've been a mess... on top of all that, my brother "decides" to get APPENDICITIS! I just got out of the hospital after staying with him and helping my mom cover some of his jobs (thank goodness I live and work near the hospital), he's home and recovering but I am going over to his house a few times this week to help with his recovery.

The GOOD NEWS is that I'm being (voluntarily) bumped off regular nights at my cleaning job- I will only be in to cover people and to train new folks for the job. So that means I only have my afternoon job at the coffee shop. It divides the day up nicely; I will be able to partition out mornings specifically for art, and evenings for housekeeping and time with my husband. I will be able to resume work on commissions later this week.

Speaking of husband, Monday the 22nd is our two year anniversary! We have dealt with waaaay more crap than any newly-married couple should, but we are committed for life and are using the setbacks to grow our relationship instead of hinder it. Of course we aren't doing anything for our anniversary because we both work ourselves to the bone, but oh well, can't be helped.

My goal for the year is to be a fully-established freelance illustrator and it's slow goin', but always growin'! Just gotta stop saying "yes" to everything and focus on what will propel me in the direction I want to go.

Here's to a toasty-warm summer! Hopefully I will see some of you fuzz-butts at Anthrocon!

-Bri

My husband and I were going home from a friend's house, they have a loooong gravel driveway and wooded lot, when a ~5 week old kitten ran across our path! He was extremely thin and had crusties on his face so, both of us being softies, we took him home to clean and fatten him up (if he were a fat happy kitty with a visible mama I would have left him there).

He's home with us, we are keeping him away from Sugar since 1) Sugar hates other cats and 2) we don't want potential bugs or sickness spreading to Sugar. Though he is old enough for wet food I am bottle-feeding him kitten formula to make sure he stays hydrated. I gave him a scrubbin' with Dawn dish soap to kill fleas and get rid of dirt (rinsed him off really good afterwards); he'll need another few baths to get a "Satisfactory" rating though.

Here's the kicker: he REFUSES to NOT be touching me and will climb onto my shoulders/back/lap whenever he can (he cries if he's not sitting/laying/climbing on me). And he only sleeps when he's in my lap. He only stops purring when he's asleep, which makes me think he's extremely anxious- I don't blame him! He thinks I'm his mommy... I feel under-qualified!!

If anyone wants a super snuggly kitten, I'm going to be searching for a home for him as soon as he gains more weight. Please let me know if you/someone you know wants to take him in. He's a white cat with black/gray splotches.

We're still thinking of names, but I've always wanted a cat named Schadenfreude (he might be too much of a sweetie for an evil name like that). Chessie is another consideration.

So... I have a sleeping kitten in my lap and I'm scared I won't be able to give him the attention he needs... is this what having a kid feels like? O_O

@BriMercedes | deviantART | Weasyl

Currently accepting orders for:
[Pokemon Card Badges] | [Loaf Badges/Buttons]

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(Keep in mind I've been working 30-40 hours including art for the past two years so I am not physically adjusted to 60 hours. This isn't a "poor me" story because I know people work MUCH more than I do out of necessity and I'm not looking for sympathy)

So you might know that I took another part-time job at the beginning of May. That plus my evening janitorial job makes over 40 hours, and if you add my art jobs to that, I am pulling a solid 60-hour work week. That doesn't include my sleepless nights at Fur the 'More, which was pretty incredible!

I got sick around the third week of May due to me not taking good care of my body (not eating, drinking, or sleeping well). Intense headaches and nausea, had to leave the coffee shop early and call out of cleaning that night. The same thing happened again a few days after we got back from Fur the 'More. I've lost at least 6 pounds in the past week. My hormones have gone haywire (in case you didn't know: rapid weight loss, dehydration, physical stress, etc. are all contributors to making your menstrual cycle go "WTF"). I'm also driving my poor husband insane because the housework isn't getting done. haha

I took the second job not anticipating I'd have this much business after the convention was over but I am getting enough business to actually replace the income I'd lose by dropping my evening job- IF I continue to put a lot of work into my art business. I never would have guessed that I'd be a professional furry artist, but it's actually been getting clearer and clearer that this is what I need to do with my life right now. And when I'm not getting many commissions? I can work on my children's books and comics. Heeeeee!

So I slept for most of Saturday afternoon and kicked back with my sketchbook on Sunday and am feeling rejuvenated (thank goodness art is an energizer to me). I knocked out 1/4 of my art jobs this weekend and will have the energy to get a larger chunk of them done this week, so I'm not closing for new jobs because of this. And as always, if you're concerned about your order, please send me a message or an email!

So the message of this journal is MAKE TIME TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! Serve your body so it can serve YOU!

I'm now open for loaf badges, Pokemon card badges, and art buttons for Anthrocon pickup!

Pokemon Card Badge Order Form: https://www.brimercedesart.com/pokemon-card-badges

Loaf Badge & Button Order Form: www.brimercedesart.com/commission-order-form

I am Table F20 in the Anthrocon Dealer's Den this year. Email me or comment/note with any questions! (Picture examples coming soon!)

Fur the 'More was amazing. I didn't sleep much and I also didn't get to socialize much because I was too busy drawing the biggest mountain of furry art I have ever done in one weekend ever. I met so many new people and got so many commissions and connections and just had a great time (even though I didn't eat/drink/sleep... seriously, I lost six pounds over the weekend). I am strongly considering quitting one of my part-time jobs to do more art because I came home to way more commission requests than I could ever finish in a week. You guys are amazing. It's my dream to do art full time and it's finally starting to look like it might happen.

And now a special announcement... I am a CONFIRMED dealer for Fur the 'More 2016!!

Speaking of dealin', I will be in the Dealer's Den at Anthrocon in just about a month! Pre-orders for loaf/Pokemon card badges, buttons, and 4x6 cards will be open soon. Very soon. Maybe even this week. Just gotta do some minor housekeeping and I should be all ready to take more work.

I want to do more conventions. Can you recommend some good ones to me (preferably on the east coast)? Pweese?

Weekend Commission Price List:

2.5x3.5 (ACEO Size)
- Pencil sketch: $5
- Inked Sketch: $10
- Colored Sketch: $15

4x6 (Postcard Size), option to mat for an additional $2
- Pencil sketch: $5
- Inked Sketch: $15
- Colored Sketch: $20

1.25" Buttons: $8

Chubby Loaf Badges: $25

IF YOU COMMISSION ME: Please pick up your art from my table at or after the pickup time I give you. I will not be able to meet anyone outside the dealer's room to drop off commissions. If you're unable to pick up your art, it may be picked up at Anthrocon or mailed to you for $5.

Premade Merchandise Prices:

Pokemon Card Buttons: $3 (or 2 for $5)
Picture Books: $15
3x4" Sketchbooks: $4
4x6" Sketchbooks: $7
4x6" Prints: $8 (mat option for $2 extra)
Art Bookmarks: $10
Fan Art ACEOs: $15


RAFFLE!

I will be raffling off a giant promo Pokemon card! To enter, stop by my table and show me that you're following me on Twitter, FA, or Weasyl. You'll get an extra entry if you buy something (limit two entries total per person). I'll ask you to write down your nickname and social media accounts. Winner will be drawn from a hat on Sunday at noon and announced both at my table and on social media; winner MUST pick up their prize before 4:00 Sunday as that's when the dealer's room will close. I will not ship it to the winner, it's your responsibility to stop by between noon and 4pm to see if you've won!

Email a reference to brimercedesart at gmail.com (or note, or comment) and I will make a 4x6 traditional art badge of your character, chubby adorable cat-loaf style. Pay and pick up at Fur the 'More or Anthrocon (I will be dealing at both cons). Ransom is $25, yarrrr. If you don't pick it up, tough cookies, it will stay in my portfolio as an example until you do! (Please don't volunteer if you don't plan on paying and picking it up. I don't need 20 permanent examples!)

Less than 2 weeks until Fur the 'More!!!

I got a new job as a barista at a very local coffee shop and I love it!! It means I'm working twice as much (I'm keeping my evening job) so I'm mentally and physically exhausted every day but as much as I want to do art full time, art doesn't provide the consistent income that I need right now. I'll eventually drop hours at my cleaning job and that's when I'll pick up more commission work.

Commissions will be closed until June. I'll be focusing on preparing for Fur the 'More at the end of this month and getting my current queue knocked out. I WILL keep doing commissions and cons. I just need to learn to stop saying "yes" to every project opportunity that comes my way. Even if it's art related.

Speaking of cons... I have a table at Fur the 'More! I'll be taking badge/sketch/button commissions and advertising my Pokemon card badges. This will be my first con so I'll be testing out what works and what doesn't. There will be more hype as the con nears :)

Related: would anyone be up for a weekly or monthly meet or art jam at the coffee shop? It's in northeast MD/slightly west of Newark DE.

I don't like labeling or identifying myself as anything, but an educated onlooker would probably pin me as some flavor of asexual. I was going to write a story of my life but that would be boring, so all I have to say to my ace-spectrum friends and fiends is this:



Don't let other people or society tell you what to do or how to act.

Don't apologize for the way you are.

Don't feel like you need to defend yourself.

Don't let your sexual orientation define yourself as a person.

Don't pigeon-hole yourself; pursue help as needed BUT...

...Don't EVER view yourself as broken. You are hand-crafted for a purpose and you are loved.

http://twitter.com/BriMercedes

I'm most active there and it's a great way to get in touch with me. I post a lot of doodles and art and announcements and dumb bird jokes.

FurThe'More is in one month, I am so giddy for my first con!! Reminder that pre-orders are open for badges, buttons, and sketches. Order one here: http://brimercedesart.com/furthemore-pre-orders (I am working on a more permanent/effective order solution, but for the meantime, please use that form or email me)

My husband and I have been waking up with itchy bites every morning and spent today searching for the culprit... I've determined that it is NOT bedbugs since I've torn the bedroom apart and there are zero signs of them (the mattress is also new and the house is clean). My mom once had a similar problem and she was able to abolish whatever was biting (she never found out what it was) with regular vacuuming and daily washing of clothes and bedding. It's a PITA, but it's gotta be done. It'll just force me to prioritize cleanliness for a few months; something my husband has been trying to get me to do anyway. Hehe!

I've also been offered a job at the coffee shop I frequent. Sounds like the business is growing and needs help, and the manager asked ME if I'd like to work there and she was very eager for a yes. If I take that job it'll be 3-4 hours a day on top of my current part time job that gives the same amount of hours. Now I've been trying to push my art business as much as possible, but this might be a nice transition from my evening job to something that doesn't tie my nights up AND is slightly more applicable to my career. I don't know why but cleaning the health department every night by myself has been making me really antsy for change because I know I can do something better with my life even if scrubbing poop off walls pays well. Of course my ultimate goal is to be a full time artist in some form or another and the furry fandom has really given me hope that it's possible. The harder I work at commissions, buttons, etc., the more return I see and it's been an amazing journey so far. Like someone actually appreciates what I do and would be willing to pay me for it. I love you guys. I could do this forever.

So anyway, all this is going to force me to prioritize my time, which is a very very good thing. My queue is going to be finished this week and no bitey bug or coffee shop is gonna stop me from doing that!

See you at FurThe'More!!

Q: How are you getting there?
Driving! Beep beep!

Q: Who do I address you as?
Bri or Birdfox if you want!

Q: How old are you?
24

Q: Where are you staying?
Convention hotel

Q: When will you be arriving and leaving?
Arriving Thursday afternoon, leaving Sunday evening.

Q: Who will you be hanging with?
My husband, brother, and whoever wants to spend time with us!

Q: Who will you be rooming with?
My husband and my brother.

Q: Where will you be most of the time during the day/s?
Marketplace, at my table!

Q: What/where will you be eating?
My husband's a foodie so we'll be checking out the good places to eat. Otherwise I'm packing lunch!

Q: Will you be having a room party?
Nope. Room is for sleeping.

Q: Will you be drinking and/or getting drunk?
It would be difficult to finish my con commissions if I did, so absolutely not!

Q: What is your gender?
Girl

Q: How tall are you?
Average

Q: If I approach you, will you chat with me?
Sure! (especially if you want to get something from my table :P)

Q: If I see you, how should I get your attention?
Uh... just talk to me! XD

Q: How many furry conventions have you attended?
Only one prior to FurThe'More! (AC '14)

Q: Do you own a fursuit?
A few! Birdfox Bri, Fluffernutter, Blaziken, and Keaton (who is getting a facelift)

Q: Can I hug or snuggle with you?
Non-weird hugs are welcome! Snuggles are reserved for husbando.

Q: How can I find you?
I will be in the Marketplace all weekend. Tweet me if you're having trouble finding me: BriMercedes
I have bright red hair, wear a brown hat, and usually wear green and brown clothes. I will be suiting as Birdfox Bri!

Q: Can I buy you drinks?
If you bring me coffee I MIGHT doodle you something if I'm not busy. :P

Q: Can I take your picture?
Yes! Please link me if you do!

Q: Do you do free art, trades, commissions, badges?
I will be doing badge, sketch, and button commissions at my table.

Q: Do you have a table in the Artist Alley / Dealer's Den or a panel in the Art Show? If so, what are you selling?
Yup! My Marketplace/Dealer's Room table name is "Bri Mercedes Art"!

Q: Do you plan to volunteer?
Not this year.

Q: What's your goal for the con this year?
Break even and meet lots of wonderful new friends!

Q: Anything else I need to know?
If you want to pre-order any art for pick-up at my table, see this journal: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6679779/

I am taking THREE orders for Pokemon card badges and an indefinite number of regular button, badge, and sketch commissions for pickup at my FurThe'More dealer table. IF YOU ARE ORDERING A POKEMON CARD BADGE FOR FURTHE'MORE: Check the "FurThe'More Pickup" shipping option.

PRICE LIST
Custom buttons: $8
Inked sketch: $10
Colored sketch: $20
4" fullbody badge: $30
Pokemon card badges: $38

ORDER FORMS
Fullbody badges, sketches, and custom buttons: http://brimercedesart.com/furthemore-pre-orders
Pokemon Card Badges: http://brimercedesart.com/pokemon-card-badges

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(Incomplete) list of at-con merchandise:
15 copies of my picture book, Bird Boy (autographed; get 'em while you can!)
a TON of Pokemon card buttons (extremely limited numbers of each card design, get 'em while you can too!)
Various original art buttons
Handmade sketchbooks (use them to doodle in or collect sketches from artists around the con!)
Postcards of my "Cerulean Warblers" illustration

I will also be taking commissions for traditional art badges, buttons, inked and colored sketches at-con.

--

I will be having a raffle at my table for a GIANT Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres promo card! Stop by my table for details!

See you at FurThe'More!

FurThe'More is in JUST OVER A MONTH!! Want a badge, sketch, or button for FurThe'More pickup? Details and order form are here:

*** http://brimercedesart.com/furthemore-pre-orders ***

I am limiting it to custom buttons, full-body badges, and sketches. I will be taking commissions for all three at my Marketplace table at the convention (possibly with different prices), but if you want to guarantee it done for pickup at the con, it is highly encouraged that you place an order now. The form will be live until a week before the convention. If you want more than one item, please fill out the form for each piece separately.

(I am also pleased to announce that I am out of my art rut!! Working simultaneously on current projects and con prep.)

The bid for this awesome kirin design is currently at $20. Auction ends Friday night:

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/16119334/

Trying a few new things!

First, I have an auction going on here for a red/green/gold/black kirin: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/16119334/

I am doing a new thing with adoptables: I have decided to try selling them on Gumroad.com. It lets the buyer get an instant download of the character they buy, plus a certificate personalized with their email stating their ownership. (and all this is stored on their Gumroad account so they can access it at any time). The most important part of this is that I can impose a sale limit to make sure the design only gets sold to one person. It cuts out a couple steps of the traditional adoption process. Plus the checkout process is incredibly simple (only downside is they don't take PayPal).

Anyway, I will be making a few more adoptable creatures to see if it takes off, because I really do love designing characters and it would be wonderful to have all my adoptables in one place. Check it out at the links below!

Gumroad Page: https://gumroad.com/l/BriAdopt001
FA Submission: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/16123834/

For the past month I've been stuck in a rut. I have two projects on my plate that could have been done weeks ago, and they have been preventing me from taking on new work.

What have I been doing instead? Personal art, doodles, art contests (because who can resist a good MYO species?), tinkering with stuff. I don't know. Nothing really important aside from general housework and family/work obligation. Plus I have a personal mission to make the perfect Manga Studio 5 tools. Selfishness comes in a few different forms (all of which are self destructive), and laziness/procrastination is one of them.

Today I sat down to one of my current paid projects and said "I am going to do this". And guess what? I'll have it done in an hour. One hour out of all these weeks and it could have been done. You can guess how that makes me feel!

The Deceiver is described as being out to kill, steal, and destroy... and that's exactly what has happened this month. My time has been stolen, my spirit killed, and a third of our combined income destroyed (at least for the month of March). But the Lord has promised that if we are faithful he will return those things to us... double! It's truly time for me to let go of what I want to do and give control to the one with the plans, which includes being true to my commitments to other people. That's what faith is all about. You need to go with the flow... but not YOUR flow! It often has you swimming against the current. But a lot of your general stress and anxiety gets washed away in the process.

Back to work for me, now! I didn't get this expensive new tablet just so I could use it as a personal sketchbook. I can get those for $5. Business business business numbers and all that.

New journal coming soon detailing commission openings and badges for FurTheMore pickup! Are you excited yet??

http://toyhou.se/Bri

Please add me if you want! I don't have any invite codes yet. I can't wait to fill my page with everything I've designed or acquired over the years! It looks like it will be a really neat tool to manage story projects with too. Hmm....

I've been a pretty lame person lately; wasted so much time last week and there are still a few people waiting on art from me. lame lame lame! This is part apology journal and part focus journal. i kinda don't know what I want to do with my art and at the same time want to do so many things! Comics, picture books, graphic design, commission work... no idea what to focus on. Maybe I just need to take a breather and spend some real time actually planning?

Moral of last week: Selfishness makes people implode and become super sad and lonely and unproductive. Spend time caring about other people because they will be the ones to hold you up if you ever fall down.

This is a fresh new week. Time for actually getting stuff done!!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BriMercedes
Weasyl: https://weasyl.com/~brimercedes
DA: http://brimercedes.deviantart.com
Email: brimercedesart at gmail
Website/Home Base: http://brimercedesart.com

I am not leaving FA, but am taking this opportunity to make everyone aware of my other social media accounts. Thanks!

Clip Studio Paint, the digital download branding of Manga Studio 5 (the program I currently use and recommend) is on sale for FIFTEEN DOLLARS. You seriously can't beat this considering how powerful a painting program this is. If you use a pirated copy, buy a license. Trust me, it'll be worth it.

http://www.clipstudio.net/en

Been a while since I've done one! Comment with any question!

WHERE DID YOU ALL COME FROM?!