Got safely from Pittsburgh to San Antonio, caught up on some sleep, having a great time with my family, already. SO, let's touch base with all you lovely people.

Had a great time at AC. It was super awesome to see some familiar faces. It was a year ago, but it felt like weeks ago. I was on some cold medicine/pain killer cocktails -- so if I didn't SEEM as enthusiastic, I DO apologize. Again, great seeing you guys! And can't forget how great it was to meet new people. Not only that, but the word of mouth that happened this year. I had multiple people come to my table on Sunday, who were referred by someone I met earlier in the weekend. Gave me the feels, fer sure!

To my recollection, everyone who bought a sketch, left the con with their pic. And they were all fun to do. I will be posting them onto my page shortly. For everyone who purchased an Illustration, I will be getting to those soon. As I hopefully told everyone at the con, I am presently on a two-week vacation here in San Antonio, to visit with my family, who I haven't seen in over a year, what with living in Germany. Everyone, at the con, seemed very understanding, and I love you all for that. Thank you to those who have already sent me reference Notes. If you haven't yet, send them at your leisure. Either way, I'll touch base with you soon. Also, the raffle, was a fun addition to my Anthrocon sale. For all those who are waiting in anticipation of Sunday's result,  Sang was the winner. Congrats! And also, at your leisure, let me know which of the prizes you'd like.

I was happy with my choices in the kind of commissions I was open for at the con. It did indeed allow me to be more social during the off-con hours. Special shout-out to  renamon1983 and  minarabbit for joining us for some Pizza and Cannibal the Musical. It was a fun night. Of course, I already miss my roomies/neighbors  Midnightdraven ,  zombie_ben and  exturkconner . Countin' the days til next year! Oh, and let's not forget to make that reservation at Meat and Potatoes early! hah.

Aaaaanyway, Con was a success! Super excited to get to the commissions I've got added to my queue. Rest assured, customers both returning and new, that when my vacation is over, I will be gettin' my tail in gear and getting you that sweet sweet eye candy you crave from my gallery!

Hope the con treated you all well!

JUST in case you didn't know... I'm going to AC, next week. SO CLOSE, amirite? Anyway, this little diddy is floating around:

*****

~Where are you staying?
Doubletree

~What day are you getting there?
Tuesday (After a +9 hour flight from Germanyland)

~How long are you going?
From Tuesday, til Monday morning.

~How are you traveling?
Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Literally.

~Who will you be rooming with?
I will be ROOMING with my brother,  Carandaenor. However, I will be crewin' up with  Midnightdraven ,  zombie_ben and  exturkconner

~Who will you hang out with during the convention?
The people mentioned above. I will also look forward to finally getting some facetime with longtime friends/colleagues  Dragonnis and  Rizyu. Oh, and assuming he survives the trip, hah,  Hartless .Not to mention, lookin' forward to seein' some familiar faces from last year, and meetin' a whole bunch of new ones.

~How is the best way to find you?
AT the con, I'll be in the Artist Alley pretty much the whole time. I've got a banner and everything. I've not seen it yet, but I hear it looks pretty good. Outside of the con, drop me a note on FA, or FB/twitter at Misterferv

~If I see you, how should I get your attention?
Shout out "FERV!" I answer to that more than any of my other names. Plus, it's fun to say outloud. Try it out.

~Are there any panels/events you might be attending?
No. Well, for panels. no. "Events?" I don't know. I'm open to suggestions. But again, I'll be spending most of my time, during con hours, in the AA. After con? I'd love to grab a beer, and/or hit up this AMAZING Thai place we found last year. Srsli. It's amazing.

~Are you arranging any photoshoots?
I reckon this pertains to fursuiting? I do not do this. So I will not.

~Will you be going to parties?
I'll not refuse an invite. I AM lookin' to be more social this con, and less workhorse.

~What suits will you be bringing?
I'm aaaactually considering dressing up in something dressy, for the whole '20s theme. That IS the theme, right?

~Are you mated/in a relationship?
I'm married

~Can I hug you?
Last year, people asked for permission, which was very polite and appreciated. I AM, as it turns out, a hugger. So, y'know, ask, I guess.

~Can I talk to you?
Absolutely. I loved chatting with you all last year. It's 90% of why I'm returning. Don't be shy!

~Can I give you stuff?
Uhhh... I reckon? I will NEVER turn down a beer.

~Are you doing art at this convention?
Yup. I'll be in the AA all con. I reckon there's this "zoo" there. You all know what I'm talking about already, I'd wager. I might see about hittin' that up fer trades or what have you. We'll see. But yeah, AA for sure.

~Where will you be most of the time during the day/s?
Artist Alley.

~Can I come with you for food/fun/etc?
Yes. I insist that EVERYONE tries that Thai place I mentioned earlier. It is LEGIT.

~Can I take your picture?
Don't be a creeper about it. Hah. But yeah, I'm not camera shy.

~What's your goal(s) for the con this year?
Meet even MORE people. Have fun, work less/drink more.

~How can I contact you?
Misterferv on FB and Twitter. Here on FA. Shout out "FERV" somewhere in the Artist Alley. I will hear your call!

*****

Hey guys! Hope the week is treating you all well, so far.

Here's my mindset going into Anthrocon:
So, last year was a huge learning experience as a first-time-artist-alley goer at a con. And ultimately, I'm still looking for some different PoV's for this year. However, first let me lay some stuff out there. First and foremost, I want to produce as much art as possible for as many people as possible at the con. Period. I'm traveling from Germany to the US. Flight + Hotel = Will not be making a "profit" on this trip. And that's not what I'm looking to do. I have a good life, and while I WOULD like art to be a sustainable, money-making career, it is, for me, not, presently. Which is okay. I found I loved going to the con, making some face time, and meetin' all you lovely people. So, in summation: MAKING the art > Making money FROM the art (That said, EVERYONE there said I was undercharging. So while I'll still be offering discounted prices, I'll have to keep that in mind)...

Here's what I'm leaning toward offering primarily, this year at AC:
I'm thinking I'm going to offer, almost exclusively, Sketch Commissions. They're fun to do, and something I can produce there on the spot. I want to give people as much take-home art as possible. And sure, Illustration Quality Commissions are optimal for my level of detail, and polish. But, they take time, and are at their best when I'm home, with my actual drawing table and other tools of my trade, at hand* . And, it was legit heatbreaking, to send people away empty handed who commissioned me for a full-illustration and I just hadn't the time to complete it over the span of the weekend. To be honest, as my friends I roomed with, last year, can attest, I was in the room every night drawin' drawin' drawin', And I don't want to do that, this year. I actually want to grab a beer with a few of you guys. I want to do more of that social element the cons are for. Don't get me wrong, during con hours, you'll find me in the alley, workin' like a dog (Still come over and say hi to me, please. I don't bite). But in the evening hours, I want to put the pencil down, and replace it with a cold one. Back on point -- Sketches. They're still VERY fun to do. All that creativity is still poured out onto every page. I don't BELIEVE a single customer went away dissatisfied with their piece. And again, it allows me to give the customer something they can physically take home with them, from the con.

Also:
Sketch Book Commissions. Do you guys know what I'm talking about? I didn't even know this was a thing, before last year. So, people have these Sketchbooks, right? And on every page, they've commissioned a different artist to draw something. I think that is just SO cool. I had a chance to do a couple of these last year, and I loved it. I'll really be looking at doing that again. HOPING to, anyway, heh heh.

But what about Full-Illustration Commissions?
I'm not going to say no, let's be clear. I'm thinking I'll still offer some sort of sale on fully illustrated quality commissions. Probably even some sort of, 'Hey, buy a sketch commission, put in an order for a fully illustrated piece, at this Exclusive Con Price!' So long as I can make it clear beforehand that the only take-home pieces I can offer are the sketches, I'll feel like less of a heartbreaker (yours AND mine).

So, please, what do you guys think? I really wanna' know -- opinions, questions, concerns?


*However, those illustrated commissions people got while I was away from home... I don't know how I did it. I summoned some kind of artist magic, because they still came out great. I just learned that my comfort level on them was not as strong as when I'm at my drawing table

I'm sure the meme will go around eventually, but I just got in my e-mail, that I got a spot in the ol' AC Artist Alley. I'll be there all three days. Had such a great time meeting so many cool people last year. Really looking for another great experience!

In an online respect, "Ferv" is the name I answer to the most. I also answer to "Fox, DF, Foxy..." and probably something else too, that I'm forgetting, more than my actual name. I say this briefly, to explain that title...

Also, it is worth noting that I'm writing this under the influence of painkillers and cold medicine, which will be addressed, here in...

SO, where IS that Ferv guy? and new art? For those of you who have started following my social media outings, in the most bare-bones way, I've shown that, when I'm able, I'm drawing. I have not disappeared to parts unknown, never to be heard from again. However, sketches are done, concepts are created, and yet, been a while since new art, right? Well let me tell ya', it's just been one thing after another. Because, I don't usually like to complain and make excuses, I will just cover the past couple weeks. JUST these past couple weeks...

Whilst working outside in our garden, in true man fashion, I was on a ladder with my hatchet, chopping away some over-grown ivy vines, in prep for spring gardening. Well wouldn't you know it, I fell off the ladder, and caught my fall with my wrist and back. Luckily, my back was relatively okay, as my wrist took the brunt of the impact. Some-crazy-how, though, I didn't break my arm. Totally should have, but... didn't. I did, on the other hand(no pun intended), probably break my wrist. I say "probably," because I'm that special sort of man who doesn't want to go to the ER. To my credit, of my 10 years past in the medical field, much of that was ER work. So, if it's one ting I do know how to do, myself, is splint my own arm. Been icing it here and there, heating it other times, and actually, as I type this, have working use of both hands. However, being that special kind of man --and when I say special, I hope it's implied, I mean dumb-- I still feel the need to move furniture and other heavy, bulky types of $#!%, thus hurting my wrist for hours to follow. I will also point out, I am left handed, and it is my RIGHT wrist that is injured. But, I have discovered, that I use my right wrist for various balancing acts and paper holdings and such while drawing with the left. I have discovered this all the more when tweaking the wrist just right produces an electrifying jolt of pain up my arm. So, to bring it on home, on that front, the wife is out of town on business, and this morning, was the delivery of our new diningroom table and livingroom coffee table. Which means, alone, I got to make room for the new ones, by moving the old ones.

Not enough for you, though? Well last weekend, I caught a cold. How fun is that? And just like coffee puts me to sleep, and I wake up with a headache, non-sleepy-time cold medicine makes me tired AF. Really damned if you do, damned if you don't scenario. I've found that the right balance of ibuprofen and painkillers keeps me, y'know, in any state not resembling bundled up in bed, but many an artistic mistake happens for me, while under the influence. I guess right up there with coffee and cold meds, while drugs have been responsible for some of the most beautiful art in the history of mankind, for me... nothin'.

For as long as I can sit upright though, I am still trying to get some art done. And for everyone, I presently owe commissions to, your patience is amazing. I trust that I have always made the wait worth it, and tryyyy to pride myself, under more favorable conditions, on getting the work done reasonably fast. I just want to put it out there, that because their hasn't been something new from me in a wee bit, is not for lack of trying. If I'm able, I AM drawing. Of that, you can be sure. Like I said, I don't like to complain/vent/make excuses publicly, but for you, my valued customers and friends, you deserve to know.

IF, you all were interested, I have touched up, for digital viewing, a few of my traditional media pieces I would be happy to upload for you all to enjoy. After all, if you haven't seen it, it's new to you, right!?

Short-hand for yesterday's journal, with additional social medias...

Twitter ( @ MisterFerv ) - I was told this is were all my furred brothers and sisters are. So, let's do this.

Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/mrferv/ ) - In inside look at my drawing table and process. Expect exclusive sketches and a peek at some never before scene content at how I do, what I do.

Pinterest ( https://de.pinterest.com/MisterFerv/ ) - Most notably, the creme de la creme of some of my favorite pieces over the years, spanning back over a decade. It's your on stop gallery destination for my art. Also, as with everyone else who pinterests (reluctantly), see some of my other time consuming pin

tumblr ( http://misterferv.tumblr.com/ ) - Full disclosure.... I'm not exactly sure what I'm gonna do with my tumblr yet, specifically. BUUUUT... I have one. So there y'go.

Displate ( https://displate.com/misterferv/galleries ) - I'm actually suuuuper excited about this gallery. It's a place that puts prints on sheets of steel. Can you get more metal? SO, if you wanted some prints of my work in a cool and unique way, check it out.

Have you ever thought to yourself, 'What's that DF dude up to RIGHT at this moment!?' ...Well apparently that's a things, with this whole digital phenom booming known as "Social Media." And as any responsible artist out there, I'm dipping my toes into the water to get some various exposure, as well as putting myself out there in a more "get-to-know-you" fashion. I suppose, it took me this long to branch out, because I like all of these different social media hubs to mean something. For me, that is. Y'know, serving a purpose. Initially, I had DA and Fa accounts feature relatively different genres of art. Of course DA being what it is, I've shifted gears to primarily post here. Then of course, the Book of Faces. That is for my friends and family, who are almost literally half a world away, to be sure, that yes, I am still alive (Especially with "Europe, under siege," amirite!?).

~*****~

Point being, I've begun branching out into the Pinterest, Tumblr and Instagram (to name a few) realms of Social Media.

For now, I have these intended purposes to them, as follows.

Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/mrferv/ ) - In inside look at my drawing table and process. Expect exclusive sketches and a peek at some never before scene content at how I do, what I do.

Pinterest ( https://de.pinterest.com/MisterFerv/ ) - Most notably, the creme de la creme of some of my favorite pieces over the years, spanning back over a decade. It's your on stop gallery destination for my art. Also, as with everyone else who pinterests (reluctantly), see some of my other time consuming pin

tumblr ( http://misterferv.tumblr.com/ ) - Full disclosure.... I'm not exactly sure what I'm gonna do with my tumblr yet, specifically. BUUUUT... I have one. So there y'go.

Displate ( https://displate.com/misterferv/galleries ) - I'm actually suuuuper excited about this gallery. It's a place that puts prints on sheets of steel. Can you get more metal? SO, if you wanted some prints of my work in a cool and unique way, check it out.


~*****~


ALL of these galleries and such are fresh and new, and big-time under construction. But that's part of the fun to get in on the ground floor, right?

Anyway, if you've got some room in your social mediaing for lil' ol' me, check it out. Also, if there's somewhere you feel I'm missing out from, please let me know.

So enough of you seemed pretty keen on seeing a few of my sketches. So, that AND I rearranged my Tower/Scanner setup to FINALLY something I'm happy with. I figured I'd give the new setup a test-drive, and give you friendos a taste of what you want. Expect over the next hour or so, I'll be dumping some select sketches: from concepts, to fanart, to flat-out silliness. Just a window into this fella's creative process.

Enjoy, because yoooou asked for it!

So, there are a few of you who know that my art table is stacked with sketches and projects of total randomness, stray ideas, and guilty fanart. I'm just curious to know from a broader audience, how much you like to see artist sketches and scraps? Brutal honesty on the subject is welcome.

New Years Eeeeve...? (It's a song)

Anyway, just curious; What's everyone doin' for New Years Eve? How was everyone's year? What's everyone's New Years Resolution?

Congrats to you guys who won yer bids to get on BoneDaddy's sleigh for my YCH event. If I don't note you first, please drop me a note with which character you want in the slot, as well as outfit preferences (if any, I s'pose).

24 hours from now, my Holiday YCH will end. It's not too late to get your bid in. Also, something to consider, being the season of gift giving -- feel free to bid on behalf of a friend's character. Just throwin' it out there.

Anyway, bids and further info can be found here:
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/18390793/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/18390793/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/18390793/

Hello hello, friendos! It's December 1st already, and I'm gettin' my tail back in gear! Kickin' the month off by opening my YCH Auction for the Holiday season. I'm calling it, The Bonedaddy Who Stole Christmas - http://www.furaffinity.net/view/183.....#cid:103053097

All details are in the linked submission, as well the slots for bidding! Happy Bidding! And if you're one of those friendos that already has their funds tied up in gifts for family and loved ones, don't worry. Signal boosts are free! And WELL appreciated!

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/183.....#cid:103053097
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/183.....#cid:103053097
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/183.....#cid:103053097

Happy Turkey Day tomorrow, everyone, first of all. I don't like to be a nay-sayer of the Holiday. For one, it's a big, delicious, painfully large, meal that you share with those closest to you. It's about celebrating your loved ones, and being thankful for all your blessing. If you're able to read this right now, YOU, my friend, are more fortunate than many others (I mean, as in having internets, and the luxury of getting to browse the FAs. Not like, that what I'm ACTUALLY typing here is, y'know, making your life better. Unless it does. Then, y'know... cool).

Anyway, on topic, I will be doing a large-scale YCH VERY soon. Look for to start probably next week. I'm SUPER excited about this one -- especially since I ran outta' time to do anything for Halloween, last month. SO, keep your eyes open!

It's time, friendos!

Let's all watch it together, friends.

Hello hellooooo friendos!

I'm back from my vacation, and it was nice. Recharged the ol' batteries, got some drinkin' done. Fell down a flight of stares, back first. Y'know, all the normal vacation stuff. My queue is up to date, as it can be seen on my main page. I'll be looking to clear it by the end of the month! Ideally, I'd like to have time to draw myself something for my birthday (Oct. 4th) and put up some YCH stuff in time for Halloween. I'm looking at doing maybe 2 or 3 auctions at once, depending on time.

Anyway, keepin' this short and sweet so that I can get to work on art things.

PS Lookin' forward to Sunday, am I right?

Ohai friends. Just wanted to drop a quick line. My one week vacation as many of you knew already, I'd be on, has turned into two. Yeah, week two is already almost over, and I'm putting it out there now. But what can I say... I'm on vacation!

I've been sketchin' here in there for my current commish queue, but nothing to share from it. Next week will be back to business as usual!

So, I just cleared my AC Queue, and boy are my arms tired! ...actually, my eyes hurt more than anything. But you guys saw what I was going for with the bad joke reference...

Anyway, got a small case of the feels, wrapping those up. Reminding me, as I look through my gallery as of late, of all the awesome folks and furs I met at AC last month; how excited I am already to go back; how incredibly well received my work was. In that regard, thank you again, EVERYBODY!

And now, it's back to business as usual. I still have some commissions on my plate. But if any of you were waiting til some room opened up on my drawing table to grab some art from yours truly, drop me a line!

Also, you guys may have noticed I've been starting to colour my stuff digitally. I might play around with that some more. AND, I'm getting increasing pressure to actually do some comicbook stuff. I mean original. So who knows, might actually do that. A very very small number of you know I've got a few OCs that are dying to have their story told. OH, and I'm working on another Superbeast. Look for him! ...er... maybe her. Haven't decided yet.

Just think-typing outloud. Wrappin' it up!

I am just learning this, but apparently Paypal has a limit on how much money you can receive in a calendar year. And some-crazy-how I'm approaching it. I guess my general question is, at what point does one need to consider themselves a "small business" or what have you? Is there something one has to change on Paypal to up their limit? I mean, I know there are plenty of you guys out there selling art, making like, a legit living wage with it. Feel free to note me about it or somat if you don't feel comfortable posting in my journal about it.

I'm like, pretty good at throwing my back out. I may go pro.

To all you lovely people I still owe commissions to, just know that this has limited the amount of time I can stand sitting at the ol' drawing table. It also forced me to cancel the BBQ I was gonna have this weekend. So, yknow, sad news all around.

On the BRIGHT side, my painkillers are doing their job. My Tower has finally, for no reason at all, really, decided to accept Windows 10. Like, seriously, for 48hours straight, it was all like, "Unaable to access boot device" and stuff. Then, JUST as I was going to clean install, it was like, "Oh, hey, just gonna boot up like nothing was ever wrong." And dinner tonight is gonna' be awesome. Slow cooked some pork spare ribs this weekend in my crock pot. Well, tonight I'm gonna turn it into a yellow coconut curry. Chop up some carrot and unions to cook with it. Should be really nice.

Oh, and since I can take my Windows Surface anywhere (as in anywhere I can sit/laydown to appease my back), I've got another little colouring thingy goin' in Sai. So, keep your eyes peeled for that.

I mean, I'm looking for advice from anyone really.

Here's the long and short of it: I'm looking at what conventions I want to attend next year to hang out in the Artist Alley. Had a great time at AC. So THAT will be a for sure, in 2016, to repeat. But I'm looking to attend at least one more stateside (As I presently reside in Germany), and/or some good ones in Europe. Moreover, I'm totally down to going to furry conventions, but I'm also curious about the furry presence at Comicons? I myself, am a comicbook nerd, and love Comicons in general. There's still a part of me that entertains the idea of one day working in the industry. For now though, I'm just looking to work on art, in any way possible.

So you know, just asking any of the following:

Artists - Do you guys find that you do better at Anthrocons over Comicons? Vice versa?
Furries - Do you visit artist alleys more at Anthrocons over Comicons?
Anyone - If AC is a must, what other cons should be lumped in there, as a working artist?

Haven't done a meme in a while. And I figured on puttin' somethin' other than my previous journal venting on my page, heh.

~*****~

Stolen in BROAD DAYLIGHT from  ecmajor

"This works like tumblr ask memes, so just leave whichever number(s) you'd like me to answer."

1 if someone wanted to really understand you, what would they read, watch, and listen to?
2 have you ever found a writer who thinks just like you? if so, who?
3 list your fandoms and one character from each that you identify with.
4 do you like your name? is there another name you think would fit you better?
5 do you think of yourself as a human being or a human doing? do you identify yourself by the things you do?
6 are you religious/spiritual?
7 do you care about your ethnicity?
8 what musical artists have you most felt connected to over your lifetime?
9 are you an artist?
10 do you have a creed?
11 describe your ideal day.
12 dog person or cat person?
13 inside or outdoors?
14 are you a musician?
15 five most influential books over your lifetime.
16 if you’d grown up in a different environment, do you think you’d have turned out the same?
17 would you say your tumblr is a fair representation of the “real you”?
18 what’s your patronus?
19 which Harry Potter house would you be in? or are you a muggle?
20 would you rather be in Middle Earth, Narnia, Hogwarts, or somewhere else?
21 do you love easily?
22 list the top five things you spend the most time doing, in order.
23 how often would you want to see your family every year?
24 have you ever felt like you had a “mind-meld” with someone?
25 could you live as a hermit?
26 how would you describe your gender/sexuality?
27 do you feel like your outside appearance is a fair representation of the “real you”?
28 on a scale from 1 to 10, how hard is it for someone to get under your skin?
29 three songs that you connect with right now.
30 pick one of your favorite quotes.

My next character is gonna be like... a stick person. fer realz. I don't know why I do this to myself, one-upping all my characters.

...

Just needed to vent.

Back to work!

As oppose to all those UN official lists floating around the interwebs, right? heh

This is more for my own organization, first. THEN for those who commissioned me. THEN any of the rest of you who are busy.

These aren't necessarily in a specific order. As any of my past customers will tell you, as I've told them -- I don't rush my work just to get it done. Am I fast? yes. But if I'm sitting down to draw something and it's lookin' skewumpus, I'll step away from it for a bit. My GOAL is still to clear my queue within a few weeks. I go on Vacay at the end of next month, and I like leaving with a cleared work-load. Err... NO work-load.

Anyway:

1. Illustration for Nazurah - DONE!
2. Illustration for LessThan3 - WiP
3. Illustration for Navajo - WiP
4. Illustration for Velourium
5. Illustration for Draganta
6. Illustration for Spaceweasel
7. Illustration for Devy
8. Illustration for Zane

I'm not prepared to say I'm closed for commissions, but please observe my regular commission prices, if we haven't spoken already. And please take note of the queue as it stands.

To everyone who commissioned me at AC, thank you! All of your business is welcome back any time! To those who are waiting on art from me, please look at what I've posted recently, and no there's still plenty of awesome in the tank for your pics. And for anyone who wants to commission me, but has no monies, your continued support is still much appreciated!