It's 2025 here in Arizona, and already I've seen some pessimism surrounding the new year. Well, I'm not having any of that. 2025 is going to be a good year because I say it will!

So here's wishing you all the best! I'm off to bed.

- Chris

Merry Christmas everyone.

Hopefully, you're not worried about the lack of art on my side. If you are, then it's because I've been busy finally writing this darn RAZE thing that's been developing for the last three years or so. Art will return soon enough, maybe even before the year ends. Either way, I will see you again in the new year.

Happy Holidays!

- Chris

I don't pretend to know everything, but I do have some wisdom worth sharing. As I write RAZE, I am reminded of and offered many tips from friends, so I thought I'd offer some tips of my own. The big one I can offer? Fluff - don't do it.

I've seen this in movies most often, even the great classics. It doesn't matter if it's well choreographed or shot, etc. Does it add anything to the story? No? Then it's fluff; get rid of it. "Broadway Melody" from Singin' In The Rain? Every time I see that sequence, it's fifteen minutes that doesn't need to exist. The first half of the original Gone in Sixty Seconds? Inconsequential. Most notorious? "Pink Elephants on Parade" from Dumbo. I remember as a kid scratching my head watching that sequence, asking myself, "What happened to the other elephants? I'd rather see more of them than this!"

So yeah, if it doesn't tie into the overall story, don't waste the viewers'/readers' time with it! Time is precious; don't waste it with fluff.

That's my two cents for the day.

- Chris

This is all my opinion and based on observations, of course, but I feel like talking about it.

There was, or maybe still is, a site called www.lionking.org which hosted all sorts of stuff based on The Lion King. It was quite the hub for fan art and fan fiction. I browsed it many times and found much good quality works.

However, thinking back, there was a common...theme? And that was death.

Yeah, a lot of Lion King art and fiction were obsessed with darkness, grimness, and death. I know the movie itself did not shy away from such topics, but come on! This was still a Disney movie for pity's sake!

Tons of anime do this too. As one review of Godannar eloquently said, it's that jarring uneven mix of broad comedy and abject tragedy that plagues many an anime. I've seen it too many times. One minute we're having a blast; the next, I wanna hang myself!

And I see this way too often in furry comics. Beautiful art, realized characters, but...death abounds. Why this obsession with grimness, furry artists?

Now I'm not saying make cutesy happy sunshine and lollipop art ALL the time. My point if there needs to be a balance. Switching from one extreme tone to another is uncomfortable to say the least. Please find the tone you want to set and keep the needle wavering in that general area.

Kratos telling knock-knock jokes and Sonic dealing with the death of Tails don't work for, hopefully, obvious reasons.

By the way, happy December!

- Chris

You do realize there is a reason some OC's are "forgotten", right? If not, I'll spell it out for you: THEY SUCKED!

I'm not gonna waste any more time on these OC's by giving them their own gallery folders, especially when they only appeared two or four times. Ridley? Lina? Rockoon? Let them fade away into obscurity.

And what about Inflatermouse, I hear you ask?

I humbly reply, "...GET OUT."

- Chris

What are your opinions on badgers? I've always thought them to be nasty critters, which is rich coming from a guy who thinks skunks are cute. But what say you?

And to those of you who are going to say "WE DON'T NEED NO STINKIN' BADGERS!", yes, I saw UHF too.

-Chris

What's better? Tight buns or jelly buns?

I think you know what I'm talking about.

- Chris

I love drawing me some macro art as you should all well know by now. Unfortunately, I find it difficult to draw large skyscrapers without invoking the spirit/memories of 9/11. It's like no matter what I do, someone is going to make references to the Twin Towers. I do my best NOT to provoke; like, I'm not gonna draw Daryl hip-checking what is clearly meant to be the World Trade Center for example. However, I can't go forever without stepping on someone's toes, can I?

Any thoughts on this matter?

- Chris

Hopefully you are familiar with cover art of the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album. If not, where have you been? It's only the most parodied album cover of all time, that and "Abbey Road", another Beatles album.

But I digress.

I want to do my own Chris and Company spin on that art, and I would like suggestions or even volunteers for the massive collage of faces in the background.

This is all in the brain still at this point, but I would very much like this to happen and have my friends be a part of it.

Thank you for your time.

- Chris

Rest in Peace, James Earl Jones. You've earned it, sir.

Bummer. =/

-Chris

I want to thank everyone who came forward and contributed. I might reopen Emergency Commissions after my queue has been cleared.

Again, thank you to you all. You guys rule.

- Chris

Long story short: Due to some excessive spending during August, my savings account took a major hit. As such, I'm opening up for some emergency commissions. Drop me a line if interested. Prices will start around $100 per picture, but we can negotiate. Please open your hearts (and wallets) for a skunk in need. Thank you.

-Chris

August started a little rocky for me. I'll be fine, I'm sure; don't worry. But I hope your month will go well.

Side note, I have almost amassed 400,000 views. I just find that interesting. Thank you to everyone who visited and more importantly kept visiting.

- Chris

I believe in Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Heavy Women!

Happy Fourth, everyone! Stay safe.

- Chris

Oops. Forgot to wish you all a happy July yesterday.

Happy July! Hope your month goes well.

- Chris

So, I've sold my soul to the Devil and made a Twitter (or X) account.

Follow me @x.com/ChrisJohns75686

Or not.

Up to you.

- Chris

Happy June.

Happy Pride Month.

Happy Kaijune.

Whatever floats your boat, have a happy month!

- Chris

This has nothing to do with Mel Brooks or Spaceballs.

I'm just wishing you a happy month of May.

- Chris

Okay, that number may not be entirely accurate with all the folks who've been blocked, banned, or deleted, but still, three thousand people on Fur Affinity consider me worth keeping an eye on! So, thank you to you all; let's keep this party rolling!

-Chris

I don't care how good your art style is. If the only alerts I ever get from you are YCH or Adopt Auction reminders, I am not going to continue watching you.

That's just me. I don't expect all of you to agree. In fact, feel free to disagree!

Have a good day.

- Chris

Zero Sugar soda will NEVER taste like the real thing. Sorry. We can tell the difference.

- Chris

I may alienate a few viewers saying this, but answer me this question:

"Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin

What's the big deal?

It's a good song, yeah, but why the huge buzz surrounding it? It's not like "Freebird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, if that makes sense. So why is this song always heralded as the apex of guitar masterpieces?

I open the floodgates to discussion. Have at it!

- Chris

Happy New Year, everyone!

We survived another year. Hopefully we can do the same with this one too.

- Chris

*Blows dust off Journal*

Heyo, folks. 'Tis December, and I have nothing special to report.

Hope your month goes well, and Happy Holidays and stuff!

- Chris

Thank you to all of you who sent me birthday wishes! They mean a lot to me.

In less than spectacular news, the Rangers won the World Series. Bummer. This was the closest Arizona's been to being champs since 2001! Oh well. Better luck next year, right?

- Chris