Think it's about time to post an update on life.
I've been avoiding it as mulling these things around my head just leave more questions and ever lessening hope. Seeing it written down strikes a nerve and makes it feel even worse.

A series of events have been snowballing here, unpleasant ones of course.

For New Year's, I decided to go to a salon and get my hair bleached blonde, wanting to keep the length.
The woman there ended up putting "streaks" in the hair, and cut nearly half of it off. This has left me with an absolute shattered self confidence as it invokes memories of being taunted as a kid for my hair not being able to be presentable at this length.
It curls and goes wherever it chooses.
I still do not feel good, and do not wish to be seen like this.

At that stage I had not been working for about two weeks, needing the break and spending time with the mate, visitors and such. It has sent me into one of the worst lows I've ever experienced, being a victim of Bipolar Disorder.

Shortly thereafter, I was told that our house had been sold. My father went against my wishes of wanting to rent the house and they come live in the flatlet, which was to be the arrangement when we built the flatlet, and it has now been sold.
This shattered any wishes I had of raising a family here, the big den I always wanted for a studio, many many things.

About two weeks ago, finances were completely tapped out, and I had to turn to selling my car, still being too depressed to art. My father knew a guy and handled the deal to sell the car, which is fine - I wasn't particularly attached to it.
All I asked is that the sound system be removed from the car or I be reimbursed for it - obviously I intend on getting another vehicle later in time and want to retain my sound system.
Well, he sold the car, and gave the radio and speakers away with it, because they 'couldn't get it out'.
Obviously I was furious at being told this, and my father lost it.
My mate went in the house to ask him the guy's number so we can try to get the radio back and my father assaulted him.

We went and spoke with the police after, spent most of the evening away, afraid to return here. After that, dad said to take our shit and go, he doesn't want me or 'this rubbish' as he referred to the mate in his house.

We are now in a situation where morale, spirit and general enthusiasm for life is extremely low, finances are dwindling and each day seems to bring more problems.
It is now coming to the point where I have outstanding work, refunds being demanded and not having the means to reimburse, and this may get us shut down completely.

I ask you for help of any kind, if not just the gift of your patience while we work through this.
I will be working as soon as I am able to.

Thank you for your understanding, my friends.
EC

Hey there fluffs

I'd like to take a bit of time to talk to you about fursona development, and take you on the journey I've had with mine.

I'm sure most, if not all of us have the special toon we relate to, that represents us well. When you look at your fursona, you can almost feel yourself in that art. It's almost like staring into a mirror with your furry self looking back at you. That's the relationship a lot of us form with these characters.

We use the art to express ourselves, and put ourselves into various situations reflecting the real world, or a fantasy world. It's a portal into brave new world.

Well, mine is a tiger/dragon mix named EC, short for Electrocat. Later on I decided she needs a real name for the initials and also go by Eleo Chase.

Over the last few years, we've grown increasingly detached from one another, most notably due to problems developing her. The problems are not the modifications chosen, it is the community - rather, I like to believe a small fraction of it.

For a lot of people, our fursonas grow, change and age just as we do - they live and breathe as long as they are drawn and developed. The problem begins with the fear to change your toon as it might resemble somebody else's.

Our characters should and do reflect how we feel, what makes us happy at that point of time we created it, what we like or want to be like. If that form happens to take on the shape of something someone else has already done, that fraction of the community needs to take a step back and leave these things be.

Nobody wants to hear "Oh that looks just like Fluffy or Scruffy." We want to see you admire the art and character for what it is. Please stop comparing and accept us the way we are. This is how we've all found a home here at FA, the love and acceptance.

Unfortunately, it would seem the larger a following one gains, the more this tends to happen should you want to make an alteration.

You know, if I ran into another cat that looks just like me, what I'd tell em?
You have good taste buddy ;) and move along on my merry way. Perhaps we'd become friends, as our tastes in these characters could potentially reflect similar tastes in other aspects, and similar personalities that make for good friendship.

To get back to EC, due to these kind of situations and attempts to avoid them, I've been hindered in developing and updating her, to the point where we are completely alienated from one another. End up changing things I don't want to to stop the drama going around of 'oh you look just like ___'.

This has not only resulted in my alienation, but also significantly degraded the quality of work I output, and the desire to create so. Why would I want to draw someone else' toon when mine isn't what I want it to be? I can't reflect my own happiness in the artwork, how do I do so for someone else?

If anything, learn from this please, people. Our toons are about our own self expression and experiences. Our freedoms to create and play god, perhaps our escape from a harsh reality, and most importantly, our right to be whatever the hell we like. Every furry should enjoy that right, and that is what is beautiful about the fandom.

Thank you for taking the time to read.
I will be working on a new design for my character, and would appreciate if there are no problems with doing so. It is a difficult process, but hope to find EC again in a new character.

Filled, thank you

Hey fluffs,

Getting back up to speed now, making arrangements for work that's fallen behind.

Icon challenge is due to be finished in November, Tac will put the dates down before the end of this week.
Refsheets are beginning to get done again, toons are proceeding nicely.
Tac's starting to go through the notes for you, getting the website up to date.

Thinks are finally getting better.

As always, please dont send notes - use the queries page on the website. There's a link in the journal header as well as on the main userpage, or here http://www.electropawartworks.com/query/
Tac will try to get you sorted out within a day or two of submitting.

We did have a big problem with the previous PA and things did get lost and behind. If you're owed stuff, please use that query form so we can get it on the schedule ASAP. I'd like everything caught up before the year's out.

EC out!

So, trying to get things back on track, thought I'd post a little update for you guys.

There are problems at home here, I was dropped in a big hole with a lot of issues to try and resolve, during a risky time (insane icon challenge).

So, I'm suffering a bit of burnout, emotionally and as far as work goes.

Met a nice guy, maybe you guys can see him in stream sometime. Think without him I'd have lost my damn mind by now.

Figuring things out love, need a bit more time to recover from a lot of emotional trauma and personal issues surrounding it. Trying to work, but it's going to be on and off for a while.

Feeling extremely overwhelmed by things and very helpless to resolve everything which is the signature sign of burnout.

As many of us know, problem with doing art for a living is that sometimes you just don't have it in you - force it out and it just comes out wrong, sometimes not at all.

What you can do though, send a little donation to my box on the website here http://www.electropawartworks.com/donation-page/ and I'll doodle something for you when I feel up to it. Bills tend to not wait when life fucks up of course.

Those who have me on skype, I'll be around to chat while trying to figure things out but may be away, might be in stream. If appointments are missed due to problem (you tend to oversleep a lot due to the fatigue that comes with burnout) Tac will reschedule you ASAP so we can get it done.

Hopefully this blows over real soon. It may be a couple of days, it may be a few weeks... or longer God forbid, but it'll all turn out okay.

I look forward to returning to work and drawing for you, Fluffythings. Just need a little time.

Taking a couple of personal days fluffs, will be back to work on Monday.

Place needs a springclean and need time to reflect on drastic domestic changes, will see you soon.

Hey guys!

I'm here and working, but I'll be a bit slow for a couple more days since the old carpel tunnel is flaring up a bit - really pushed it last week.

I will be in-stream and working, but if I cut out early you know why.

<3

===
Edit
Thank you so much for the help fluffs, we managed to get enough and will be doing icons the weekend to make up the difference needed for a jumpstart on next month's payment due

Hey there fluffs, EC not a happy kitty atm with the flu.

I've taken two days of sick leave to rest and stay warm, may need another day or two to shake this and get back to proper work.

Of course with the arts our source of income and me being sick, there isn't anyone to do the work, so I'm going to take some very light work, chibis and such.

http://www.electropawartworks.com/donation-page/
If you'd like to send a little donation on my page with your ref, I'll do something small for you, headshots, static icons and chibis, you can write one of those in the ref box if you like.
Just some light work that don't require a lot of brainpower, sinus and flu meds don't mix with big stuff like the sheets.

Anyway thanks a lot fluffs, I'll return to work in the next day or two.

I'm too sexy for your party
Too sexy for your party
The way I'm disco dancing

./" On the catwalk, on the catwalk yeah, I do my little turn on the catwalk ./"

http://www.electropawartworks.com/cowboysncrooks/

Event for today fluffs, will be streaming in about an hour :)

Just a little extra work for one of the cats that needs to see the vet, you know how it goes. See you there!

www.tigerdile.com/stream/electrocat

Bit of a headache but it works now. Feed on the site as requested so you can use that now. Probably be for stream notices and specials etc, site updates,

http://www.electropawartworks.com/

Alright, I got work in five hours XP see you fluffs later <3

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/16186441/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/16169005/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/16168097/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/16160130/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/16160111/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/16152980/

Opening two adult artwork slots for completion on stream.
As you can see from the samples, very tame stuff, keep it tasteful please.
No cubs, scat, spooge and stuff like that, and I'd prefer not to draw erect penisses and such. See the samples for example scenarios and style.

-Comment in the journal if you'd like a slot
-Slot costs $30 for two characters,
-Banditt will get the commission info from you
-Two slots at a time, if you can't be accommodated atm your comment will be replied to at a later date

1:
2:

https://furstre.am/stream/South-Afrifur gonna be chatting with some local furs in a stream, come pop in :)

Hey fluffs, I'm posting to let you know I'm doing a little better, been trying to draw the last few days. I'm slow but it's starting to come back.

Thank you to the guys who sent some donations to help get us through this tough time with lack of income, I'm going to do some small headshots to help get us through the last of it tonight.

Pop into stream, make a donation and drop your ref, and i'll do a small doodle for you.

www.tigerdile.com/stream/electrocat

Hi fluffs, just posting a journal letting you know I'm alive.

I'm dealing with some real life issues atm, having real trouble finding motivation and inspiration for work.
Took a week off and the wave of depression persists, trying to break through it. It may well be the low that comes with bipolar disorder since a lot of arguements and bad stuff's happened with friends lately.
It's happened before and it should pass in a week or two. "Unplugging" seems to help so if skype or whatever is unresponsive, that's why. Bandit is there to handle your emails and work stuff though.

Of course not working is bringing a lot of financial problems and making it worse, so to help you can order some work off the website for me to get to when I'm better.

www.electropawartworks.com <- You can use the Order EC Arts menubar on the left or grab one of the few Furenzy card slots that remain at the top menu bar. There's a link on the right side above the schedule where you can make a donation if you'd like to.

Love you and miss you fluffs, hope to see you all soon in-stream.

Commissioned for you guys, thanks for all the support this year!

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The tail-socks were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that dear Santa Paws soon would be there;
The fluffies were nestled, in a big, snuggly heap;
While visions of nachos danced through their sleep;
And Fluffy in her kerchief, and Draco in his cap,
Had just settled their fursuits for a long, winter’s nap.
When out on the lawn, there arose such a clatter,
Darth jolted to the floor, wondering what was the matter.
Away to the window, Bear flew like a flash,
Tore open the valance, and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breasts of the sexy snow-bear,
Glimmered and shined, making passerby stare.
When what to Demillion’s eyes did appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer
With a little old driver, shaking with guffaws,
Shorty knew in an instant, it was old Santa Paws
More disjointed than jellyfish, his transformed deer came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name
Now Turgius! Now, Theron! Now, Bastiel and Jac!
On Vella! On Xenon! On, Flykat and Stormak!
To the top of the tree-house! To the top of the wall!
Now, dash away, dash away, dash away, all!
As drunk griffons will try to dance and squawk
When met with an obstacle; the deer cursed and balked
How they got up to the housetop; who knew?
With the sleigh full of toys, and Santa Paws, too
And suddenly, Nightfirer could hear on the roof
The stamping and slipping of each cloven hoof
As Namloos was wondering where he’d last heard that swear,
Down the chimney Santa Paws came, with room to spare
He was dressed in velour, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of treats he had flung on his back
And he looked like a ferret, rooting for a snack
His eyes, how they twinkled! His jowls, how saggy!
His fur was like snowflakes, and his tail was all waggley
His wet nose shined in the Christmas light glow,
Santa Paws wore no boots, as his black claws showed
His red tongue was hanging down in between his teeth
And a big, bright green bow poked out from beneath
He had a long face, and a little round belly
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly
He was chubby, and plump, a right jolly old hound,
And the three shivered slightly, as his sack hit the ground
A wink of his eye, and a twist of his head,
Soon gave Stripe to know, he had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
And filled all the stocking, then turned with a jerk
Then, laying a finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose
He sprang to his sleigh, barked commands to his team
They all complained, “it’s like paddling upstream!”
But Truth heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

Hi fluffs,

I've taken a few days away from streaming, art and furry things in general. Mental fatigue and exceptionally long hours was starting to have a serious effect on the quality of work delivered. A few personal and relationship issues have caused motivational issues too, but it's getting better.

So the time away isn't just for me, it's so I can work at my best for you, too.

Played some games, cleared up some issues, learned a few new things and feeling a little better. It's not quite a 2 week vacation as I feel I actually need but the few days away have really helped.

I plan to try streaming later today, so I will see you then.

EC out!

http://www.electropawartworks.com/xmas-toons/ <- infos and orders
$10 each, specials at $40 for 5 and $80 for 10.

Drawn offline, and posted on Xmas Eve, try to get your order in early as there may be a rush later the month.

Refsheets for January are open. Book your slot early as sheet slots fill up very fast. http://www.electropawartworks.com/refsheets/

See you in-stream later!

EC out!

Anyone interested? Check out our new templates!

http://www.electropawartworks.com/b.....emplate-icons/

Support the project, and I'll make more and new templates.
What would you like to see next?

http://www.electropawartworks.com/c.....slave-society/
^ Form and infos

Streaming here: www.tigerdile.com/stream/electrocat

Also, doing a jam session multistream later!
Pop on the multistream, tell the writer what's going on with the story and I'll draw it.

Coffee shop will be followed with finishing up zombies.

Also check out our furry card deck http://www.electropawartworks.com/carddeck/ need some more fluffs to finish this

And Furenzy has a few slots remaining if you want to get in on that
http://www.electropawartworks.com/furenzy-sign-up/

See you in-stream

Taking some icons and toons in the stream fluffs, come see me there if you'd like something. Bit under quota today.

www.tigerdile.com/stream/electrocat

http://www.electropawartworks.com/trick-or-treat/

Streaming today at
www.tigerdile.com/stream/electrocat

Come check it out :D

Ello fluffies, sorry for being scarce!

Had a fur come stay with us for a few days and took some time to sort out relationship problems etc. With FA down a few days it was hard to keep everyone informed of the AFK too.

Tomorrow things will be getting back on track and streamingness of doom and dismay will return at the regular time.

Hey fluffythings,

Recovering a little depressions and stress so output's been low the last week.

Lots of fun in the stream this week for you.

Monday: 2 Refsheets for and Paintball picture
Tuesday: 's beer chugging picture, and paintball, toons
Wednesday: 's cat character's refsheet and ferrets!
Thursday: Backlog work, toons, icons, doodlepages
Friday: Furry Aquarium, see your fluffy transformed into an aquatic creature http://www.electropawartworks.com/aquarium/ info and order here.
Saturday: Nightfirer's canine refsheet and aquarium rollover / backlog, toons, doodlepages
Sunday: 's two sheets

If you'd like to order some commissions I'd be happy to squeeze some work in this week as I'm badly under quota from the sick leave and days off thereafter. You can find all commission info on my website. http://www.electropawartworks.com/ Just go to the 'order EC arts' menu on the left and choose what you'd like.

If you'd like to just zap a donation, you can do that here: http://www.electropawartworks.com/donation-page/

If you'd like to get in on the furry card game Furenzy, the link's at the top of the page under Furenzy http://www.electropawartworks.com/furenzy-sign-up/

If you want to be part of the 52 card furry deck, it's at the top of the page too http://www.electropawartworks.com/carddeck/

See ya in-stream fluffs
EC out!