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Update
Posted 4 years agoThis is one of those "I'm not dead - yet" updates, so feel free to ignore.
So, I pretty much fell off the (thing) last month: no art, not much conversation, a whole lot of nothing. If you follow my tweeter or discord, you know I was having some dental issues and then there was MFM (yes, I went to a con during a pandemic - more further down).
So dental stuff: so, I had this cavity in the side of my tooth for a while. (And when I say a while, I mean about 20 years as I first noticed it after my braces came off.) And while I have tried pointing it out to dentists in the past, it was on the side of the tooth, so it didn't show on x-rays and it was the rear most top molar with the cavity facing the cheek, so hard to find under the best of situations and the dentists just weren't seeing was I was feeling when I rubbed my tongue across the tooth. So for the past year or so, I've been taking tylenol in the morning to help manage general pain. Unfortunately, early August the pain just got to be too much - like wake you up in the middle of the night too much - so I called in to work one day, called six different dental offices until I found a dentist that could see me that morning and took my face in to get fixed. So, after spending a few hours waiting in my car (waiting room was full) and finally getting in the Dentist, started having the same problem - doesn't show on x-rays, not seeing it on first glance. However, when I tell him exactly where to look, he takes one look and says "Your need a root canal - let me refer you to someone that does it", got prescribed some painkillers and some antibiotics. Well, given that the antibiotics really helped with the pain, it's no big surprise to figure out I may have had a little bit of an infection in the tooth (understatement here is heavy). And while I did schedule an appointment for a root canal, the first available appointment was three weeks on the last day of the month (also two days before MFM - so tying this all together). So, while I really didn't want to have my very first root canal (mainly because it's something I've been dreading given my dental history and dental anatomy - seriously, I cried and called my sister: I was very upset) I was reeeeeeally looking forward to it. The actual root canal is probably the most pleasant dental experience I've ever had - but damn was it expensive. But I can't really begrudge them as I have special teeth and they did a really good job and I am just so relieved to not be in constant pain all the time. I do need to schedule an appoint for a crown, though.
Then there was MFM: MFM is a pretty small, laid back con. Has been for a while now. The Con had to happen, or it was going to have to fold - the State of Mississippi was not going to issue a lock down this year despite current surge of Covid cases and that meant the contract with the Hotel was not going to allow the con to post-pone another year. Typical registration numbers are around 500- give or take. Masks were mandatory. Tim and I are both full vaxxed. And physical attendance was noticeably down this year. (It was a personal decision, we weighed the factors, took personal precautions and so did the con, and we made our decision to attend. There were a lot of folks that didn't attend because either they or a loved one are particularly susceptible to the virus or other reasons and they made the right decision(s) for themselves.) They did a few things differently to discourage unnecessary clumping of guests: electronic registration line, online charity auction, etc. I rather liked the concept of the electronic registration line - it could have been implemented better but it was a good idea and with a few logistical tweaks it would be a model other cons might benefit from. I also enjoyed the online auction - it was a lot less stressful for me as a participant and gave me time to look at the items and decide what I wanted to bid on. Do I wish they'd posted items as they came in? Yes. But I was really excited about the online auction and I kinda hope they do it again (though, the folks running it were discussing how they prefer the live auction, but I do hope they do the online auction or a hybrid/combo online/live one in the future). I did not run the artshow this year - which was the result of a number and factors, and spent most of my time in the gaming room. So, I got to spend some time with friends I don't really get to see save maybe this one time a year. It was nice. It was relaxing. I needed a day off after to recover.
So yeah, things have been happening with me. I have been back at the art, starting earlier this week, so after more than a month's hiatus I'm trying to work through my project queue again. I'm still a flake and still have other things I'm dealing with, but I'm feeling well enough and have time and energy to pour back into arting so I'm doing the thing. If you're on my discord, you've seen me posting WIPs again. ^_^ Thank you for sticking with me and being patient.
As always: thank you for reading this and you're awesome!
So, I pretty much fell off the (thing) last month: no art, not much conversation, a whole lot of nothing. If you follow my tweeter or discord, you know I was having some dental issues and then there was MFM (yes, I went to a con during a pandemic - more further down).
So dental stuff: so, I had this cavity in the side of my tooth for a while. (And when I say a while, I mean about 20 years as I first noticed it after my braces came off.) And while I have tried pointing it out to dentists in the past, it was on the side of the tooth, so it didn't show on x-rays and it was the rear most top molar with the cavity facing the cheek, so hard to find under the best of situations and the dentists just weren't seeing was I was feeling when I rubbed my tongue across the tooth. So for the past year or so, I've been taking tylenol in the morning to help manage general pain. Unfortunately, early August the pain just got to be too much - like wake you up in the middle of the night too much - so I called in to work one day, called six different dental offices until I found a dentist that could see me that morning and took my face in to get fixed. So, after spending a few hours waiting in my car (waiting room was full) and finally getting in the Dentist, started having the same problem - doesn't show on x-rays, not seeing it on first glance. However, when I tell him exactly where to look, he takes one look and says "Your need a root canal - let me refer you to someone that does it", got prescribed some painkillers and some antibiotics. Well, given that the antibiotics really helped with the pain, it's no big surprise to figure out I may have had a little bit of an infection in the tooth (understatement here is heavy). And while I did schedule an appointment for a root canal, the first available appointment was three weeks on the last day of the month (also two days before MFM - so tying this all together). So, while I really didn't want to have my very first root canal (mainly because it's something I've been dreading given my dental history and dental anatomy - seriously, I cried and called my sister: I was very upset) I was reeeeeeally looking forward to it. The actual root canal is probably the most pleasant dental experience I've ever had - but damn was it expensive. But I can't really begrudge them as I have special teeth and they did a really good job and I am just so relieved to not be in constant pain all the time. I do need to schedule an appoint for a crown, though.
Then there was MFM: MFM is a pretty small, laid back con. Has been for a while now. The Con had to happen, or it was going to have to fold - the State of Mississippi was not going to issue a lock down this year despite current surge of Covid cases and that meant the contract with the Hotel was not going to allow the con to post-pone another year. Typical registration numbers are around 500- give or take. Masks were mandatory. Tim and I are both full vaxxed. And physical attendance was noticeably down this year. (It was a personal decision, we weighed the factors, took personal precautions and so did the con, and we made our decision to attend. There were a lot of folks that didn't attend because either they or a loved one are particularly susceptible to the virus or other reasons and they made the right decision(s) for themselves.) They did a few things differently to discourage unnecessary clumping of guests: electronic registration line, online charity auction, etc. I rather liked the concept of the electronic registration line - it could have been implemented better but it was a good idea and with a few logistical tweaks it would be a model other cons might benefit from. I also enjoyed the online auction - it was a lot less stressful for me as a participant and gave me time to look at the items and decide what I wanted to bid on. Do I wish they'd posted items as they came in? Yes. But I was really excited about the online auction and I kinda hope they do it again (though, the folks running it were discussing how they prefer the live auction, but I do hope they do the online auction or a hybrid/combo online/live one in the future). I did not run the artshow this year - which was the result of a number and factors, and spent most of my time in the gaming room. So, I got to spend some time with friends I don't really get to see save maybe this one time a year. It was nice. It was relaxing. I needed a day off after to recover.
So yeah, things have been happening with me. I have been back at the art, starting earlier this week, so after more than a month's hiatus I'm trying to work through my project queue again. I'm still a flake and still have other things I'm dealing with, but I'm feeling well enough and have time and energy to pour back into arting so I'm doing the thing. If you're on my discord, you've seen me posting WIPs again. ^_^ Thank you for sticking with me and being patient.
As always: thank you for reading this and you're awesome!
It's been
Posted 4 years agoOne hell of a year.
Stay safe and try not to die.
Stay safe and try not to die.
Bad Dreams (personal jounal)
Posted 4 years agoThis journal is entirely optional and has nothing to do with art. It's just 2AM and I can't sleep for bad dreams. Getting the thoughts out while they are fresh.
Had a dream tonight that I was back at grandpa's house. (This happens often enough that my subconscious feels guilty about it and invented a family that lives there now so I'd stop dreaming about it, but here we are.) All my family was there like so many years ago. I knew this was a dream, the setting and folks kindof tipped me off, but I couldn't wake myself, not even witb a pinch or when my Uncle slapped me when I asked him to help wake me up. I couldn't wake up until I figured out why my brain had brought me back there.
And then I looked outside and saw an impossible scene in blue: a full moon ove the old oak tree with constellations floating in the night sky. I was there to remember the family member that lived outside the house: our old dog, Chops (so named because of a floppy sound her jowls made when she shook her head). I had to go outside, into the backyard and the snow and call the dog before I could wake up bawling my eyes out in the dream and softly crying in my bed.
Chops was a beautiful mutt. She had the body of somesort of hunting dog (I don't recall the breed). The vet said the only reason they knew she was a mutt was because that breed did not come in red, and Chops was red from head to tail. She was a big dog, taller than my waist and -I don't know- 80+ lbs. We had her from my early teens until my mid twenties. She died from massive seizures and heat stroke more than a decade ago. She was a very good dog.
After that I lay in bed thinking of the oddity of dreams. I have a town layout in my dreams that doesn't exist in reality that impossibly links the homes of my youth: my grandfather's house, where we lived after we turned ten, and the apartments in Ankara where we lived when I was 6 & 8, to a weird conglomerate of the houses I've lived in the past ten years. I could draw you a map of this amalgamated town my subconscious has stitched together across two continents and nearly 40 years.
Brains are so weird.
Hopefully I can get back to my warm bed with my husband soon. Just have to wait for the mood to pass and I feel tired again.
It's a weird, quiet night and my brain is in a morbid and melancholy place.
Goodnight everyone and sleep well.
Had a dream tonight that I was back at grandpa's house. (This happens often enough that my subconscious feels guilty about it and invented a family that lives there now so I'd stop dreaming about it, but here we are.) All my family was there like so many years ago. I knew this was a dream, the setting and folks kindof tipped me off, but I couldn't wake myself, not even witb a pinch or when my Uncle slapped me when I asked him to help wake me up. I couldn't wake up until I figured out why my brain had brought me back there.
And then I looked outside and saw an impossible scene in blue: a full moon ove the old oak tree with constellations floating in the night sky. I was there to remember the family member that lived outside the house: our old dog, Chops (so named because of a floppy sound her jowls made when she shook her head). I had to go outside, into the backyard and the snow and call the dog before I could wake up bawling my eyes out in the dream and softly crying in my bed.
Chops was a beautiful mutt. She had the body of somesort of hunting dog (I don't recall the breed). The vet said the only reason they knew she was a mutt was because that breed did not come in red, and Chops was red from head to tail. She was a big dog, taller than my waist and -I don't know- 80+ lbs. We had her from my early teens until my mid twenties. She died from massive seizures and heat stroke more than a decade ago. She was a very good dog.
After that I lay in bed thinking of the oddity of dreams. I have a town layout in my dreams that doesn't exist in reality that impossibly links the homes of my youth: my grandfather's house, where we lived after we turned ten, and the apartments in Ankara where we lived when I was 6 & 8, to a weird conglomerate of the houses I've lived in the past ten years. I could draw you a map of this amalgamated town my subconscious has stitched together across two continents and nearly 40 years.
Brains are so weird.
Hopefully I can get back to my warm bed with my husband soon. Just have to wait for the mood to pass and I feel tired again.
It's a weird, quiet night and my brain is in a morbid and melancholy place.
Goodnight everyone and sleep well.
Year in Review
Posted 5 years agoYep. It's that time again where I provide myself raw metrics for the year so when I am feeling like a sad sack I can look back and show myself how far I've come. So here are the numbers:
Last year's review:
2019 submissions: 84 (69 regular, 15 scraps. Lots of simple inks.) (total: 491)
Total page views: 6301
Watchers: 199
views/submission: 60-90
ALT
2019 submissions: 2 (total: 60)
Total page views: 1551
Watchers: 70
views/submission: 80 - 130
This year's review:
2020 submissions: 51 (total:542)
Total Page views: 10,680 (wait...what!? That's a gain of over 4K views, how the heck!?)
Watchers: 227
views/submission: 37-149
ALT
2020 submissions: 21 (total: 81 - a few alt pieces and at least one progression composite included)
Total page views: 4040
Watchers: 174
views/submissions: 40/102 - 674
This has been a weird and crazy year for a lot of reasons. But all in all it's been pretty successful by any metric. I got to GoH a small con, before the pandemic blew up. I've done a lot of really fun an challenging work and my skills have progressed because of it (the Leyendecker studies really gave me some confidence to push myself and expand my skill sets while giving me more confidence to work in color without over obsessing on details). My AD account absolutely exploded in the last couple months - so that's a thing.
The pandemic has definitely effected my work flow but in a lateral way - definitely had times where I just didn't due to stress but there's some work that got done because I had time to do it. It's weird.
Any way, it's a new year. Got some ideas I want to try. Feeling relatively good about things. We'll see what happens.
As always, thank you for reading.
(TLDR: numbers numbers numbers doesn't really matter, this one's mainly for future me.)
(Additionally: verified that if you really want to game the system - the Transformation dropdown gets you a LOT of extra traffic - at least, a good deal more than the Fetish (other) dropdown - use this knowledge carefully and don't abuse it.)
Last year's review:
2019 submissions: 84 (69 regular, 15 scraps. Lots of simple inks.) (total: 491)
Total page views: 6301
Watchers: 199
views/submission: 60-90
ALT
2019 submissions: 2 (total: 60)
Total page views: 1551
Watchers: 70
views/submission: 80 - 130
This year's review:
2020 submissions: 51 (total:542)
Total Page views: 10,680 (wait...what!? That's a gain of over 4K views, how the heck!?)
Watchers: 227
views/submission: 37-149
ALT
2020 submissions: 21 (total: 81 - a few alt pieces and at least one progression composite included)
Total page views: 4040
Watchers: 174
views/submissions: 40/102 - 674
This has been a weird and crazy year for a lot of reasons. But all in all it's been pretty successful by any metric. I got to GoH a small con, before the pandemic blew up. I've done a lot of really fun an challenging work and my skills have progressed because of it (the Leyendecker studies really gave me some confidence to push myself and expand my skill sets while giving me more confidence to work in color without over obsessing on details). My AD account absolutely exploded in the last couple months - so that's a thing.
The pandemic has definitely effected my work flow but in a lateral way - definitely had times where I just didn't due to stress but there's some work that got done because I had time to do it. It's weird.
Any way, it's a new year. Got some ideas I want to try. Feeling relatively good about things. We'll see what happens.
As always, thank you for reading.
(TLDR: numbers numbers numbers doesn't really matter, this one's mainly for future me.)
(Additionally: verified that if you really want to game the system - the Transformation dropdown gets you a LOT of extra traffic - at least, a good deal more than the Fetish (other) dropdown - use this knowledge carefully and don't abuse it.)
Success?
Posted 5 years agoBeen thinking a lot about "success" and "making it" recently.
Despite this being one of my most prolific years, with some of the best numbers I've ever had, and definitely a lot of technical advancement in skills, my brain keeps asking itself "but when will I make it?". And I guess part of the problem with that question is what is "it"? When do I make what? At what point will my brain be satisfied? When will I be fully and properly validated?
I really don't know. I don't have any real goals other than to keep improving. I don't really want to support myself with my art, as that causes me way to anxiety, so monetary success isn't really a goal. I don't have any concrete goals for technical success - and that's a moving goal post for me anyway. Would it be nice to have more views/watchers/feedback on my work? Sure, but I realized a while ago that while that can be really validating, it's the sort of thing no amount of whatever will ever satisfy my hunger for it (and that's a whole lot of layered issues in and of itself).
So yeah, when the thought comes up it's sort of a self-defeating thought: no matter how much "success" I achieve, I'll never really "make it" because I don't really know where I'm going or what my goals are. It's just bad brain juice fuel.
So, what's the point of this journal? I don't know. Maybe someone will find comfort in it? We're all just sort of floating through life trying to do our best, be better, and whatever. We're not alone in it, though it feels that way. There are other people out there groping around in the dark just like you or me. Just reaching out hoping to find another hand.
As always: thanks for reading my journals!
Despite this being one of my most prolific years, with some of the best numbers I've ever had, and definitely a lot of technical advancement in skills, my brain keeps asking itself "but when will I make it?". And I guess part of the problem with that question is what is "it"? When do I make what? At what point will my brain be satisfied? When will I be fully and properly validated?
I really don't know. I don't have any real goals other than to keep improving. I don't really want to support myself with my art, as that causes me way to anxiety, so monetary success isn't really a goal. I don't have any concrete goals for technical success - and that's a moving goal post for me anyway. Would it be nice to have more views/watchers/feedback on my work? Sure, but I realized a while ago that while that can be really validating, it's the sort of thing no amount of whatever will ever satisfy my hunger for it (and that's a whole lot of layered issues in and of itself).
So yeah, when the thought comes up it's sort of a self-defeating thought: no matter how much "success" I achieve, I'll never really "make it" because I don't really know where I'm going or what my goals are. It's just bad brain juice fuel.
So, what's the point of this journal? I don't know. Maybe someone will find comfort in it? We're all just sort of floating through life trying to do our best, be better, and whatever. We're not alone in it, though it feels that way. There are other people out there groping around in the dark just like you or me. Just reaching out hoping to find another hand.
As always: thanks for reading my journals!
Art fight
Posted 5 years agoI decided to participate in Artfight(.net) this year, because is sounds fun.
It's the first day - so the servers are super overloaded over there.
I've been assigned to team spice. So, I'm looking for some sweet sweet team sugar to draw.
Just wish the site was up so I could do that.
So yeah... If you're participating too, give me a boop.
It's the first day - so the servers are super overloaded over there.
I've been assigned to team spice. So, I'm looking for some sweet sweet team sugar to draw.
Just wish the site was up so I could do that.
So yeah... If you're participating too, give me a boop.
1920s/Deco Badges
Posted 5 years agoPeople following may have noticed I've been doing a lot of 1920s/deco style badges recently.
Some of you may have even noticed a pattern in who I'm doing them for, specifically: Dragget Show peeps and people associated with FurSquared (which may have a Roaring '20s theme for their next con).
Where am I going with all this?
Nowhere, really.
I have one more FurSquared person to do one for and I'll have completed that particuliar set of badges. After that I may do two or three more for two or three people I have planned out (some super cool people that have made the con fun for me over the past few years).
After that, I'll probably stop. I've been doing these for fun and practice and I promised myself I'd quit when it stopped being fun (and after 10+ badges - which is way more than I planned to do when I started - it's getting pretty close to not-fun-anymore). This has been a fairly successful project as a whole, but I'm feeling more than a little guilty for working on this when I could be doing other projects (even though it's been something nice to pour my stress into and is something I can essentially do as a lazy bum in my robe with a cup of tea).
Anywho! Thought I'd put my intent down in writing so people know what's going on with me.
(I may revisit this later in the year or early next year - but I do need to put this down for a while.)
Some of you may have even noticed a pattern in who I'm doing them for, specifically: Dragget Show peeps and people associated with FurSquared (which may have a Roaring '20s theme for their next con).
Where am I going with all this?
Nowhere, really.
I have one more FurSquared person to do one for and I'll have completed that particuliar set of badges. After that I may do two or three more for two or three people I have planned out (some super cool people that have made the con fun for me over the past few years).
After that, I'll probably stop. I've been doing these for fun and practice and I promised myself I'd quit when it stopped being fun (and after 10+ badges - which is way more than I planned to do when I started - it's getting pretty close to not-fun-anymore). This has been a fairly successful project as a whole, but I'm feeling more than a little guilty for working on this when I could be doing other projects (even though it's been something nice to pour my stress into and is something I can essentially do as a lazy bum in my robe with a cup of tea).
Anywho! Thought I'd put my intent down in writing so people know what's going on with me.
(I may revisit this later in the year or early next year - but I do need to put this down for a while.)
Update and stuff
Posted 5 years agoWell, it's been a busy few months over here.
Aside from being sick for most of December and January, I got to be a Guest of Honor at Fangcon. I did some neat art for the con. Started some studies to prep for future cons and just bone up on styles and techniques. Yep, lots going on.
Fangcon was fun. Did my first panels, ever, and they seemed to go pretty well. Did panels on dealing with the struggle of posting art and not getting much response, how to give a critique and the benefits of knowing how, and just playing boardgames. Also got to participate in a radio play, which was a nice slice of something different. All in all, it was a good con experience.
Art wise been trying a lot of new stuff. Made first crack at tshirt designs for the con and for the dragget folks. Submitted some stuff to a 'zine back in October - don't really know how that's going. Did some poster designs for Fangcon, which was a real learning experience. Wish I had been feeling well enough to do more, as planned. And my current period studies have been really educational and surprisingly rewarding. Generally: trying new things and doing things I didn't know I could. ^_^
As always (it seems) got a few more projects to take care of before it seems like my plate will be clean - as though it ever is. But I'm really looking forward to see where things go from here.
Thanks for reading and thanks for sticking with me. ^_^
Aside from being sick for most of December and January, I got to be a Guest of Honor at Fangcon. I did some neat art for the con. Started some studies to prep for future cons and just bone up on styles and techniques. Yep, lots going on.
Fangcon was fun. Did my first panels, ever, and they seemed to go pretty well. Did panels on dealing with the struggle of posting art and not getting much response, how to give a critique and the benefits of knowing how, and just playing boardgames. Also got to participate in a radio play, which was a nice slice of something different. All in all, it was a good con experience.
Art wise been trying a lot of new stuff. Made first crack at tshirt designs for the con and for the dragget folks. Submitted some stuff to a 'zine back in October - don't really know how that's going. Did some poster designs for Fangcon, which was a real learning experience. Wish I had been feeling well enough to do more, as planned. And my current period studies have been really educational and surprisingly rewarding. Generally: trying new things and doing things I didn't know I could. ^_^
As always (it seems) got a few more projects to take care of before it seems like my plate will be clean - as though it ever is. But I'm really looking forward to see where things go from here.
Thanks for reading and thanks for sticking with me. ^_^
Progress
Posted 5 years agoI've been kindof impressed with what I can do the past few months. Woo! Go me!
That's it. Just patting myself on the back.
Thank you for reading.
And... um... carry on.
That's it. Just patting myself on the back.
Thank you for reading.
And... um... carry on.
Year in review
Posted 6 years agoYep, it's that time again where I make another dry, statistical journal to keep track of my metrics. Please feel free to keep on scrolling.
Last year's review:
2018 submissions: 72 (9 regular, 63 scraps - mostly work doodles spanning multiple years) (total:407)
Total page views: 4834
Watchers: 163
views/submission: 20-60
ALT
2018 submissions: 6 (total:58)
Total page views: 1132
Watchers: 62
views/submission: 50-100
This year's review:
2019 submissions: 84 (69 regular, 15 scraps. Lots of simple inks.) (total: 491)
Total page views: 6301
Watchers: 199
views/submission: 60-90
ALT
2018 submissions: 2 (total: 60)
Total page views: 1551
Watchers: 70
views/submission: 80 - 130 (technically 2 submissions doesn't make a great sample size for this kind of thing)
Overview: A pretty productive year for my regular account; a pretty dry year for the alt account. Managed to post something every month this year, so yay me! Did a few projects, submitted to a 'zine, generally kept moving all year. ^_^ Is there room for improvement? Heck, yeah! But definitely feel like I'm not an unproductive lump (looking back at prior "year in review" posts have helped me keep perspective when I've been feeling down on myself, so this has been beneficial for me).
Things I'd like to focus on or work toward: I've got a few unfinished projects I'd like to work on (Need to finish those items on the Art Prompt list, only about have through the list; have a request on my alt account; Artwork for cons - O_O Oh god, I have less than a month to work on stuff for Fangcon and Fursquared! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah! - and there's always my WIP file of half-completed stuff to fiddle with). I get to be Guest of Honor at a con this year, so that'll be interesting (Fangcon in February - which is a month away... oh god oh god oh god....). And next year is the Year of the Rat, so maybe work on some stuff for the Alt account.
...this will be a busy month, I guess...
As always: thanks for reading! This journal is more for my own benefit than anything else, and if anyone else enjoys it, that's a bonus.
Last year's review:
2018 submissions: 72 (9 regular, 63 scraps - mostly work doodles spanning multiple years) (total:407)
Total page views: 4834
Watchers: 163
views/submission: 20-60
ALT
2018 submissions: 6 (total:58)
Total page views: 1132
Watchers: 62
views/submission: 50-100
This year's review:
2019 submissions: 84 (69 regular, 15 scraps. Lots of simple inks.) (total: 491)
Total page views: 6301
Watchers: 199
views/submission: 60-90
ALT
2018 submissions: 2 (total: 60)
Total page views: 1551
Watchers: 70
views/submission: 80 - 130 (technically 2 submissions doesn't make a great sample size for this kind of thing)
Overview: A pretty productive year for my regular account; a pretty dry year for the alt account. Managed to post something every month this year, so yay me! Did a few projects, submitted to a 'zine, generally kept moving all year. ^_^ Is there room for improvement? Heck, yeah! But definitely feel like I'm not an unproductive lump (looking back at prior "year in review" posts have helped me keep perspective when I've been feeling down on myself, so this has been beneficial for me).
Things I'd like to focus on or work toward: I've got a few unfinished projects I'd like to work on (Need to finish those items on the Art Prompt list, only about have through the list; have a request on my alt account; Artwork for cons - O_O Oh god, I have less than a month to work on stuff for Fangcon and Fursquared! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah! - and there's always my WIP file of half-completed stuff to fiddle with). I get to be Guest of Honor at a con this year, so that'll be interesting (Fangcon in February - which is a month away... oh god oh god oh god....). And next year is the Year of the Rat, so maybe work on some stuff for the Alt account.
...this will be a busy month, I guess...
As always: thanks for reading! This journal is more for my own benefit than anything else, and if anyone else enjoys it, that's a bonus.
Last day of the year
Posted 6 years agoWell, I managed to squeak it out today: I have made at least one submission every month this year! Woo! Huzzah! Go me!
And now that I have sufficiently patted my own back: thank you for reading this. ^_^
And now that I have sufficiently patted my own back: thank you for reading this. ^_^
It's Holiday season...
Posted 6 years ago...so Happy Birthday, Everyone!
Prepping for the year end review
Posted 6 years agoI've been feeling a little down about myself and my art recently, but had the brilliant idea to check last year's year end review for some perspective, which really helped.
I've been doing the year end review for the past few years to help be keep track of my numbers here and generally give myself a touch stone for changes and raw numbers.
Generally, it looks like this past year has been pretty good for me, and next year is looking better - art-wise, at least. ^_^ So I'm going to focus on that instead of my nagging doubts.
As always, thanks for reading!
I've been doing the year end review for the past few years to help be keep track of my numbers here and generally give myself a touch stone for changes and raw numbers.
Generally, it looks like this past year has been pretty good for me, and next year is looking better - art-wise, at least. ^_^ So I'm going to focus on that instead of my nagging doubts.
As always, thanks for reading!
Con
Posted 6 years agoSo, MFM was this weekend and it was a nice break from the usual routine and a much needed vacation.
I manned the Art Gallery again this year, and I got to do the con's badge designs (which I've now posted).
The Art Gallery was a little bit of a loss this year: not many artists submitted their work for display. But a lot of people said they're looking to contributing next year. Honestly, I'm having my doubts as to whether it's worth it to keep it going. If it's worth doing, I'm definitely going to have to put more energy into it, and maybe take up my hubby's suggestions of soliciting some of the dealers and artist's alley folks to display stuff during the con; maybe do what we did the first year and solicit people online to allow us to print out and display their digital works; and/or see if we can talk the charity auction folks into displaying some of the auction items before the event. Either way, the last three years have definitely given me some perspective into how much energy it takes and just how hard it is to run a con - it's exhausting.
Being asked to do the badges was a real surprise and honor, though. Got a message out of the blue in June asking if I'd like to do them - and I was not about to turn down the opportunity (after attending a local con for more than 15 years and they call you up, how do you not jump on it?). Over all, it took more than 40 hours to do the six over the course of roughly six weeks. Totally worth it. (Are there things I'd do different if asked again? Yes. But that's part of the process: live and learn.)
But over all: the con was fun. I got to hang out with a lot of folks I don't get to see but this once a year, so that was a real treat. ^_^
Now I just have to get ready for my next con in... (checks calendar) February. I am going to commence the screaming. (Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!) They're letting me be GoH at Fangcon in AL this year - woo... don't know what they were thinking - but hey! It's not really an opportunity I could pass up. Seriously, who in their right mind would ask me to be GoH? Better take 'em up on the offer before they come to their senses and ask someone marginally competent with any kind of credentials. >_<
I manned the Art Gallery again this year, and I got to do the con's badge designs (which I've now posted).
The Art Gallery was a little bit of a loss this year: not many artists submitted their work for display. But a lot of people said they're looking to contributing next year. Honestly, I'm having my doubts as to whether it's worth it to keep it going. If it's worth doing, I'm definitely going to have to put more energy into it, and maybe take up my hubby's suggestions of soliciting some of the dealers and artist's alley folks to display stuff during the con; maybe do what we did the first year and solicit people online to allow us to print out and display their digital works; and/or see if we can talk the charity auction folks into displaying some of the auction items before the event. Either way, the last three years have definitely given me some perspective into how much energy it takes and just how hard it is to run a con - it's exhausting.
Being asked to do the badges was a real surprise and honor, though. Got a message out of the blue in June asking if I'd like to do them - and I was not about to turn down the opportunity (after attending a local con for more than 15 years and they call you up, how do you not jump on it?). Over all, it took more than 40 hours to do the six over the course of roughly six weeks. Totally worth it. (Are there things I'd do different if asked again? Yes. But that's part of the process: live and learn.)
But over all: the con was fun. I got to hang out with a lot of folks I don't get to see but this once a year, so that was a real treat. ^_^
Now I just have to get ready for my next con in... (checks calendar) February. I am going to commence the screaming. (Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!) They're letting me be GoH at Fangcon in AL this year - woo... don't know what they were thinking - but hey! It's not really an opportunity I could pass up. Seriously, who in their right mind would ask me to be GoH? Better take 'em up on the offer before they come to their senses and ask someone marginally competent with any kind of credentials. >_<
It's that time again!
Posted 6 years agoTime to go into my FA profile settings and manually change my age. Unlike most sites that use your birthday info to maintain your age, FA has a static box you have to remember to update once a year to keep it accurate.
I should have updated it last week, but I was sick and attending a funeral and just didn't have the energy. Oh well! Hard part's over, now!
Carry on, Meat People! We're all in this oven together!
I should have updated it last week, but I was sick and attending a funeral and just didn't have the energy. Oh well! Hard part's over, now!
Carry on, Meat People! We're all in this oven together!
Woo!
Posted 6 years agoSo, I finished up some con work last night that I've been working through the past few weeks! (Have to wait until September before I can post any of it.) Have a few minor tweaks to iron out tonight and then it's on to...
Um... (in no particular order) more con work, finishing up commissions, and my art prompt inks!
You know, it felt like a lot more progress before I wrote it down.
Anywho! I get to work on stuff I can post again! Woooo!
Um... (in no particular order) more con work, finishing up commissions, and my art prompt inks!
You know, it felt like a lot more progress before I wrote it down.
Anywho! I get to work on stuff I can post again! Woooo!
What I like about the fandom
Posted 6 years agoSo, I am not the first person to make the following observations, but they are something I genuinely enjoy and it's a big positive thing about the Furry Fandom.
It's Summer and there are a lot of different fandoms having conventions: ComicCon, DragonCon, various Sci-fi and fantasy cons (Renn fairs count!), GenCon for gamers, etc. And a lot of these conventions are for fans of various industries and the genres they work in and promote. And these are all great and fun and cool and stuff. Seriously, I really enjoy Sci-fi and gaming conventions, they're a lot of fun.
And then there are the Furry conventions. They're similar but at the same time kindof different in their focus and purpose. Instead of a bunch of people getting together to celebrate and enjoy certain movies, books, time periods, genres, or activities (and FurCons cover all of these things and more, too), Furry Conventions are at their heart just a bunch of people getting together to celebrate each other. Yes, there's that central theme of funny animals/anthropomorphized animal-people/animals/cartoon animals/whathaveyou - but that's a pretty darn big area of interests and really people come to the fandom for a lot of different reasons (those that like old cartoons, those that just happen to like a certain animal or animals in general, those that like stuffed animals, people that want to be animals, people that believe they are animals, people that just want an escape from being human, people that like werewolf and where-whatevers, people that ect. ect. ect - seriously, this is one of the reasons why it's so hard to define the fandom: because it's something different for everyone), but it's more of an excuse to get together than the actual reason. You go to a Comic convention because you like Comics; you go to a Furry Convention because you like furries. No one is selling furries at a Furry Convention. People aren't there just to meet big names in the Furry Industry or have someone sign their furry plate collection or posters. Nobody is there for to be the first to see the new furry trailer. They're not paying to see an authentic re-enactment of how things were in Furry times and maybe get a neat Furry weapon or eat furry meat on a stick (please to no eat furry meat - it's gone bad, throw it out). No, people are there to see each other and have fun together, sure you can do a little bit of all of the above, but more than anything else we're there to just hang out with some cool people that also want to hang out with some cool people.
Part of this is because the fandom is sort of a big ole furpile: everyone has their own 'sona, interests, activities, and general contribution to the whole that is the fandom; and we all just come together to enjoy what everyone else is doing with it. We're not a fandom focused on a single thing, but a giant web of individuals linked together by a network/web of shared interests and mutual respect and admiration - and that's pretty darned neat!
It's Summer and there are a lot of different fandoms having conventions: ComicCon, DragonCon, various Sci-fi and fantasy cons (Renn fairs count!), GenCon for gamers, etc. And a lot of these conventions are for fans of various industries and the genres they work in and promote. And these are all great and fun and cool and stuff. Seriously, I really enjoy Sci-fi and gaming conventions, they're a lot of fun.
And then there are the Furry conventions. They're similar but at the same time kindof different in their focus and purpose. Instead of a bunch of people getting together to celebrate and enjoy certain movies, books, time periods, genres, or activities (and FurCons cover all of these things and more, too), Furry Conventions are at their heart just a bunch of people getting together to celebrate each other. Yes, there's that central theme of funny animals/anthropomorphized animal-people/animals/cartoon animals/whathaveyou - but that's a pretty darn big area of interests and really people come to the fandom for a lot of different reasons (those that like old cartoons, those that just happen to like a certain animal or animals in general, those that like stuffed animals, people that want to be animals, people that believe they are animals, people that just want an escape from being human, people that like werewolf and where-whatevers, people that ect. ect. ect - seriously, this is one of the reasons why it's so hard to define the fandom: because it's something different for everyone), but it's more of an excuse to get together than the actual reason. You go to a Comic convention because you like Comics; you go to a Furry Convention because you like furries. No one is selling furries at a Furry Convention. People aren't there just to meet big names in the Furry Industry or have someone sign their furry plate collection or posters. Nobody is there for to be the first to see the new furry trailer. They're not paying to see an authentic re-enactment of how things were in Furry times and maybe get a neat Furry weapon or eat furry meat on a stick (please to no eat furry meat - it's gone bad, throw it out). No, people are there to see each other and have fun together, sure you can do a little bit of all of the above, but more than anything else we're there to just hang out with some cool people that also want to hang out with some cool people.
Part of this is because the fandom is sort of a big ole furpile: everyone has their own 'sona, interests, activities, and general contribution to the whole that is the fandom; and we all just come together to enjoy what everyone else is doing with it. We're not a fandom focused on a single thing, but a giant web of individuals linked together by a network/web of shared interests and mutual respect and admiration - and that's pretty darned neat!
Big News!
Posted 6 years agoWords. Lots of words. Words going here. Expressing thoughts and ideas.
So, I have accepted and invitation to be Guest of Honor at Fangcon this coming February. Which is kindof a big thing for me. So I am super psyched and trying to get myself into some sort of order to start working on that and all it entails. They're a smaller con, currently Alabama (this is their 8th year, and they've bounced around a bit) and is run by a couple of friends and really swell guys (Keefur and Draconis). Their theme this year will be Howlywood - so probably going to do some movie industry related art over the next few months. Check it out here: https://www.fangcon.com/
Additionally, I was just asked to do some artwork for MFM's badges, where I've also be staffing the art gallery for the past couple years. MFM (Mephit Furmeet) is my local con, held in September, which has been going on since 1997, and I have been attending regularly since the early '00s. It used to be held at one of the airport hotels here in Memphis, but has since moved to a very nice hotel in Southaven, Mississippi - which is about a 35min drive from where I live. Their theme this year is American Mythology and Folklore - which isn't too far removed from some of my recent work. Check them out here: https://www.mephitfurmeet.org/
So, yeah. Mixed in with my artprompt project, a commission, a few other things projects, prepping for and advertising the MFM Art Gallery (which I should have already started doing months ago), and doing Fangcon related art and activities; it looks like I have a lot on my plate to take care of. ... I'm not stressing. Not stressing.
Does anyone know how to write a bio for a conbook?
So, I have accepted and invitation to be Guest of Honor at Fangcon this coming February. Which is kindof a big thing for me. So I am super psyched and trying to get myself into some sort of order to start working on that and all it entails. They're a smaller con, currently Alabama (this is their 8th year, and they've bounced around a bit) and is run by a couple of friends and really swell guys (Keefur and Draconis). Their theme this year will be Howlywood - so probably going to do some movie industry related art over the next few months. Check it out here: https://www.fangcon.com/
Additionally, I was just asked to do some artwork for MFM's badges, where I've also be staffing the art gallery for the past couple years. MFM (Mephit Furmeet) is my local con, held in September, which has been going on since 1997, and I have been attending regularly since the early '00s. It used to be held at one of the airport hotels here in Memphis, but has since moved to a very nice hotel in Southaven, Mississippi - which is about a 35min drive from where I live. Their theme this year is American Mythology and Folklore - which isn't too far removed from some of my recent work. Check them out here: https://www.mephitfurmeet.org/
So, yeah. Mixed in with my artprompt project, a commission, a few other things projects, prepping for and advertising the MFM Art Gallery (which I should have already started doing months ago), and doing Fangcon related art and activities; it looks like I have a lot on my plate to take care of. ... I'm not stressing. Not stressing.
Does anyone know how to write a bio for a conbook?
Commission slots open
Posted 6 years agoDear Person reading this: I am officially open for two (2) commissions. (Pay no mind to the commission indicator on my profile, I will update/edit this journal when the slots are filled.)
Commissions I am open to take: sketch, pen & ink, limited digital, and mixed media (including paintovers)
Prices are based on the estimated time and resources required for your piece. Payment is due upon completion.
Please either comment below or message me directly.
Commissions I am open to take: sketch, pen & ink, limited digital, and mixed media (including paintovers)
Prices are based on the estimated time and resources required for your piece. Payment is due upon completion.
Please either comment below or message me directly.
Commission Warning! Commission Warning!
Posted 6 years agoPlease be on notice that I will be opening for limited commissions next week.
You have been warned.
Details available when my inner dialogue isn't just constant screams.
You have been warned.
Details available when my inner dialogue isn't just constant screams.
This is a Journal
Posted 6 years agoWith Leafy's ref sheet done, I am officially done with my promised art queue (if you don't count ongoing group/personal projects and that one ink drawing for the nice Canadian that disappeared). Woo! That's a relief.
Now I only have to worry about every day anxieties like managing finances, work, interpersonal relationships, and dozens of other things. Wooooooo....
Anywho. I've decided for future "commission" work, in order to reduce anxiety/stress I'll probably go with a less formal route of doing stuff and letting people tip me via Ko-fi. I just don't think I'm in a place in my life right now that I can deal with the stresses of the formal commissioning process on a functional level. It's not an ideal or standard sort of arrangement, but I want to see if it can work for what I need right now.
For monetizing my work I think I need to focus less on getting paid to do something and more on finding a way to get paid for what I do.
>shrug< Life is weird. Let's see where it takes us.
As always: thank you for reading! Don't explode!
Now I only have to worry about every day anxieties like managing finances, work, interpersonal relationships, and dozens of other things. Wooooooo....
Anywho. I've decided for future "commission" work, in order to reduce anxiety/stress I'll probably go with a less formal route of doing stuff and letting people tip me via Ko-fi. I just don't think I'm in a place in my life right now that I can deal with the stresses of the formal commissioning process on a functional level. It's not an ideal or standard sort of arrangement, but I want to see if it can work for what I need right now.
For monetizing my work I think I need to focus less on getting paid to do something and more on finding a way to get paid for what I do.
>shrug< Life is weird. Let's see where it takes us.
As always: thank you for reading! Don't explode!
Update
Posted 6 years agoThings that have been going on:
Finished moving into the new house. (So many boxes and things to unpack, now!)
Went to Fursquared: it was a nice break and really good to see and meet a bunch of you.
Got my computer set up again.
Additional stuff.
Words.
So many words.
And things.
Such things.
Thanks for reading. Please come again.
Finished moving into the new house. (So many boxes and things to unpack, now!)
Went to Fursquared: it was a nice break and really good to see and meet a bunch of you.
Got my computer set up again.
Additional stuff.
Words.
So many words.
And things.
Such things.
Thanks for reading. Please come again.
Moving
Posted 6 years agoMy husband and I bought a house and we started moving in today.
The past month has been hellacious, especially with the spectre of potential homelessness as we have to be out of our current residence by the end of the month. So, it's a huge relief to have this house to call our own.
And we've been so lucky to have so many friends offer and provide help with this entire process.
But yeah, probably won't be able to do or post much art the next coming weeks. But we'll see how it goes.
As always: thanks for reading!
The past month has been hellacious, especially with the spectre of potential homelessness as we have to be out of our current residence by the end of the month. So, it's a huge relief to have this house to call our own.
And we've been so lucky to have so many friends offer and provide help with this entire process.
But yeah, probably won't be able to do or post much art the next coming weeks. But we'll see how it goes.
As always: thanks for reading!
Year in review
Posted 7 years agoThis is another one of those dry statistical posts to help me keep track of metrics. I do these once a year so I know what's going on with my accounts.
Last year's in review:
2017 submissions: 76
current page views/visits: 4112
Watchers: 149
Rough average view/submission: 25-60
ALT
Submissions: 26
current page views/visits: 747
Watchers: 50
Rough average views/submission: 20-45
This year's review:
2018 submissions: 72 (9 regular, 63 scraps - mostly work doodles spanning multiple years) (total:407)
Total page views: 4834
Watchers: 163
views/submission: 20-60
ALT
2018 submissions: 6 (total:58)
Total page views: 1132
Watchers: 62
views/submission: 50-100
Overall: not a very productive year. Given the months long string of depression and anxiety and other stuff going on during the year, I'm not really surprised. Hopefully this year will be better.
Last year's in review:
2017 submissions: 76
current page views/visits: 4112
Watchers: 149
Rough average view/submission: 25-60
ALT
Submissions: 26
current page views/visits: 747
Watchers: 50
Rough average views/submission: 20-45
This year's review:
2018 submissions: 72 (9 regular, 63 scraps - mostly work doodles spanning multiple years) (total:407)
Total page views: 4834
Watchers: 163
views/submission: 20-60
ALT
2018 submissions: 6 (total:58)
Total page views: 1132
Watchers: 62
views/submission: 50-100
Overall: not a very productive year. Given the months long string of depression and anxiety and other stuff going on during the year, I'm not really surprised. Hopefully this year will be better.
Happy Birthday!
Posted 7 years agoHappy Birthday, Everyone!
And to all: a good night.
And to all: a good night.
