Or rather: (not so) super secret project: Bun.
If you've been around me at all the past few weeks, you've probably heard me talking about the Bun. Frankly, it's been super hard for me not to show people what I've been working on or tell people what I'm doing in painful detail (not that most people would be that interested in it).
So, in order to help curb my mood swings over the matter I am going to give some basic information about the project:
1) The project is an alternate account where I am posting more adult work.
2) The account was created with the thought in mind of testing the assumption that adult work in general gets more attention.
3) The account was created at the beginning of the month an it'll probably take another five months of regular content to accumulate enough data to acheive the initial goal, after which I'll decided whether to maintain regular posting to the account, merging the accounts, or closing it up. At this point, I'd like to think I'll continue posting as the art has already proven to be an excellent way to grow as an artist and to explore and stretch my own boundaries and comfort zones.
4) There is a noticable difference in quality and style of the images being uploaded to the alt account.
5) I do not intend to directly link the two accounts or otherwise direct traffic between them in order, in part, to prevent contamination of the experiment and, in part, because the content is so different and I'm kinda embarassed and uncomfortable with the prospect of changing how people see/interact with me.
One of the reasons I'm making this post is incase you happen to stumble across the alt account and happen to see posted there something you know was done by me, you won't think I'm stealing my own work. The other reason I'm posting this is so the secrecy won't drive me batty.
All this having been said, my stance on drawing adult material hasn't changed; I'm very uncomfortable with it. But that really one of the personal boundaries/comfort zones I'm exploring and stretching.
Me me blah blah me. Um. Carry on.

I am very excited. I almost have 50 watchers. One more. Just oooooooone more.
You can do it. I know you're out there... not reading this - yet, maybe.
<Massive solar flare kills the internet>
Noooooooooo!

Not really. I generally try to keep my notification area clean so I know when I get new ones.
The only ones I keep in there are ones I need to respond to but haven't, yet.

On a completely different note, one of my friends told me I should create an after dark account and post all my naughty/steamy artworks over there. (You know who you are.)
The only problem with this is, generally speaking, I don't draw very much over the G/PG rating.
Sure, the temptation to draw kinky art is out there, as it seems to get the views (and I'm not going to pretend I'm not an attention whore). But I'm not terribly comfortable drawing it and I generally just don't.

Any thoughts on the matter?

When did going through my submission notifications go from being a pleasure to a chore? It's not like a get a lot of them, only following about 69 people. Still, I just don't wanna any more. Just don't wanna.

On another note: I've become a complete art bum. I have all these half completed projects that I just don't have the heart to work on and I'm not really ... blah blah blah... I can't even finish this sentence. Blaaaaaah.

Anywho. Here is the list of things I have on my plate (this is more for me than for notification purposes), in no particuliar order:
Badge- Kittyheart
Digital Painting (I guess that's what it is) - AlexMikomi
TMI Tuesday Responses - Kth, Dragonhead, Gonechoo, Naturalizze
Guest Comic - Gonechoo
Vanity Projects: Dragon painting, Art for MFM 2015

I think about each of these almost daily, but I'm just... blah... time... blah.... energy... blah... blah... bloo.

These things will see progress. I just have to find the time, energy, and confidence (I guess) to do them.

Oh, and if you think you should be on this list, make a comment. My brain is just all spongy and not working a full speed at the moment. I'm going to blame it on the rain.

I have so few viewers I thought I'd get this off to an early start. You have 32.5 hours to posit any questions and I will do my best to answer them - no matter how uncomfortable they make feel. If there aren't too many of them, I'll even try to doodle the response like more respectable artists do.

Looks like I finally topped 1000 views this past week... and then added a hundred more. O_O Holy tap-dancing tacos, Batman!
It took nearly eight years, but we have climbed that hill together! Wooo!
Who knew the secret to increased views was semi-regular updates with content? The world is full of mysteries!

I don't really expect much response to this but I would like some input.
Well, generally I'd like more input, but I'll try to narrow the focus for the moment:
1) Do you see any improvement in my work? If so, where?
2) What do you think of the new digital work? Improvement? Not so much? Lateral move?
3) Red or white wine with fish?
4) Suggestions for #4?
5) General comments are generally encouraged.
Anywho! Your words are appreciated.

So, after some mild prodding by Mr. Gon' E-choo Gator, I set everything up so I could stream.
Then I did a test run (the results of which I will hide in the scrap section - I am so sorry, Dragonhead. I truly am.). Mr. Gator and Dragonhead were kind enough to sit in for a few minutes, which was fun. Maybe next time I'll have my head in the right place and have an idea of what I am doing.
Anywho, now that I can stream, I have nothing to stream, but I can totally see the appeal for the artists.
It's a terrible, terrible drug and I want more - but I don't want to abuse it. And I really suck at drawing with people around. I get the page fright.
Anywho! That is what is new.
Stay frosty people - or toasty... or something... these terms really seem to be climate specific.

So, I finally figured out how to put things in the "scraps" section. Wow. I'm just a complete dunce. Anywho! Going to start using it and put older stuff in there, now - or later, whatever.
I'll put WIPs and sketches in there and the more polished stuff in the gallery. Going to have to figure out how I want to deal with all these older sketches and whatnot in my gallery, though. I'll probably deal with that over the next week or two.
Blah blah me me blah.
You are awesome. Don't ever forget that.
Edit: (Five minutes later) but if I use the scrap option, the submission won't appear on the front page and nobody will see it! Darn you, FA! It's like you don't even want us to use your scrap option.
Hrmm... but they do show up in keyword searches which encourages using that feature.
Now, I am stuck with the dilemma of using the scraps and/or manipulating the system by posting it as a submission and scrapping it after a few days. Oh, the things we will do to garner a few extra views....

I am currently following  vonboche who does a number of really interesting comics (not all of which are NSFW - just the ones I really enjoy).
He has as sharp, angular style and his subject matter and dialogue are very expressive and really evoke a sense of frustration.
Why am I writing this? That is a really good question. Probably because he has expressed the same frustration with the ability to receive exposure for his work that I have felt (though his work is far better and more polished than my endless dump of sketches and incomplete concepts).

So, if you read the journals, you know that my New Year's resolution this year was a break from tradition (my traditional resolution is not to make any resolutions - usually works pretty well) in that I resolved to upload art at least once a month. If you don't read the journals, you're probably not reading this.
The original intent was to do at least one inked submission per month - which just didn't work out. So, I tried to do something more manageable and lowered my standards to include sketches and other stuff. With only a couple (really silly) last minute saves, I have managed to up keep my resolution - I've been a bit bad at uploading here on DA and most of the submissions are in the "scraps" section; I've done much better as uploading to FA and Weasyl.
So, over the course the year, I've uploaded about 60 images of badges, digital artwork, inks, and sketches. I've also accumulated a number of new materials and tools: a scanner, a tablet, lots of card stock, new pencils, pens, glue, french curves... and a bunch of other stuff.
Generally speaking, I feel a lot better about drawing and exercising my art muscles on a regular basis. (I've also kept some sea monkeys going all year, too - but that's completely unrelated to the topic at hand.) I've identified myself as an artist or aspiring artist as far back as I can remember - and to think for several years I did not use those skills at all. It was kindof a rude shock when a friend pointed it out off-hand last year with an off-hand comment. It's really a shock to find that you can simply stop doing something that is such a big part of your personal identity and not notice.
Anywho! Maybe next year, I will be able to do a more polished work each month. But I still have another month to finish of this year.
So, for this year, a part of me will be giving thanks (hey! It's suddenly a Thanksgiving Journal! Fancy that!) for promises kept (as best they could) and for the people that helped me keep them.

Okay. I am going to do this. I am going to open one slot for a commission to test the waters.
I have been trying to put something up like this for a month, but I have psyched myself out so very much. So very much.
Here is what I will do:
Sketch: $5
Inked Sketch: $7
Inked: $10
Digital Color: +$5 - 15
Style: ???
Background: +$2 - $15
Multiple characters/figures: extra. I don't know.
Here is what I will not do: scat, children in sexual or violent situations, um... other stuff I can't think of at the moment (let's talk).
Payment: Paypal or cash; partial upon sketch completion and approval, remainder upon completion.
Physical drawings can be mailed if postage is paid.
How to get the slot? Um... comment or message me.
I will edit this journal when the slot is taken.
I will now go cry and vomit a little, now.

(NOTE: If you are looking at the submission and it does not appear to be fully colored, hit that refresh key.)
Well, I have finally come to a point where I can wrap up my first exploration in the art nouveau style. It have been a very educational experience and I feel like I have done a fairly adequate job (overall) is achieving what I set out to do in the project and in learning oodles from the experience.
I am currently nursing a headache and will probably grab an adult beverage.
If you have any comments, suggestions or questions regarding the project: ask. Notes, comments, messages: all are welcome.
In the mean time, I am going to be seriously contemplating maybe doing commissions, as I have cleaned the most work intensive projects off my plate.

So, once again I find myself thinking about doing commissions. This time, it's for the most common reason: kinda need the money.
Business has been not so great at the job and my hours have been cut, so money's been a little tight.
Anywho! This is not the first time I have contemplated taking commissions and I'm not entirely comfortable with the idea (for a lot of reasons: #1 being I'm unsure of my ability to timely complete the desired task), but I have Fridays off for the moment, so that gives me a designated day to work on projects like this.
I'd appreciate any suggestions, comments, or input on the idea of commissions or the sort of commissions you would like to see me do.

I think just about every artist on this and any number of other sites has that same sudden sense of elation, when they look at the bar and see the icon indicating they have a note/comment/shout/watch/favorite/whatever. For a hobbyist, like me, this is the sort of thing we live for.
Artists need feedback. We cannot live in a void, where we do some work and never see or hear of it again (well, some people can, but let's pretend I'm not talking about them >_>). We like to know that what we've done is appreciated, or not. We like to know what in our work is good and bad, so we can grow and learn. We like the attention.
Some sites have a little space where we can see how many people have viewed our work, which is good but not entirely helpful. If you get a lot of views you can assume it's well liked - or got put on reddit and is now a meme. If you don't get a lot of views, you really don't know if those people liked it or their cat accidentally clicked the link while they were going to the restroom.
Favorites are nice, because they tell us that you like it enough to want to look at it again later. They don't necessarily tell us why you like it, but we definitely know you probably like it.
Comments are awesome. Comments are just the best (unless they are mean, then they are the absolute worst). Comments allow you to tell us exactly what you think about our work. Comments let other people/artist critique our work - telling us what's good and bad or how to improve. When I log into FA and I see the C up there, I am giddy as a school girl. Personally, I love a well done critique, where someone points out the good and the bad and might give ideas on corrections or improvements (I know I critique myself savagely - as you might notice in some of the descriptions of my submissions - so someone else's view is always welcome - as long as it's a critique and not a criticism).
Why am I writing this? This is a reminder that these functions are there and that some people really, really like it when you use them. It's quite possible, you could make an artist's day just by posting a positive or helpful comment. I know it's hard sometimes. I know it takes a lot of energy and thought. And I know I don't do it as much as I could/should, either. But if you really like the art, it's not a huge expense on your part - and for some of us non-professional types, it could be the only payment we receive for hours of dedication. (Just don't expect an artist to work on flattery alone - it is a LOT of work to produce some of this stuff.)

Just got back from MFM. I am exhausted from all that high powered relaxation. I think I may lie down after typing this.
Anywho! MFM was great! Really needed the time off from work and really needed the whole getting-out-of-your-own-head-thing that cons are good for: so double win there.
I managed to do everything I set out to do on Thursday and Friday, so the rest of the con was just a free coast through the game room (nope, I did not go to many panels, because I am a flake). Got Mr.  tacokurt his glow products for his DJ session. Got Mr.  calamity_cougar and Mr.  JugularJaguar their watermelons. Got Mr. The  Cosmik his badgers (sidenote: Mr. The Cosmik is super cute - just sayin'). And got my T-shirt submissions to the auctions (and it was pretty humbling seeing them auction for $7 total - next year, I will get on those tshirts - next year! [I am neither competitive nor obsessive at all (totally am)]).
Had a lot of stress from work and the related anxiety going into this vacation and I feel a lot better thanks to the con and the people there.
Thank you everybody! You're awesome!

Which Hotel are you staying at?
Spill over: nicer beds - though the hallways give me vertigo.

How are you traveling?
Through the third dimension! - by way of car.

When will you arrive?
Thursday.

Who are you rooming with?
TimJustTim

Where will you be?
I usually spend most of my time in the game room, though I've resolved to attend panels this year. I SHALL DO IT!!!

How is the best way to find you?
Did I mention I spend a lot of time in the game room? Um... probably by calling me, but you'd have to have my number for that.

Are there any panels you might be attending?
Yes. Maybe. Probably. I'll try.

What do you look like?
I will probably be the only one stupid enough to be wearing a red jacket the entire weekend (I need the pockets! I neeeeeeeeeeed them.). Also: brown hair and glasses - so, this description is not helping.

What is your gender?
Male

How old are you?
32

How tall are you?
5'8" - and all my friends have contrived to make me feel short by being taller than me. T_T I am of average height!

Can I talk to you?
Okay. I'm not always a great conversationalist - and I'm not always a bad one. It's kinda like roulette. Certainly less adept with people I don't know. I can smile and nod, though.

Can I hug and/or snuggle you?
Um... I'm not very comfortable with touching and strangers.

Are you nice?
I'm kinda a biased person to ask this question. I haven't heard very many people call me "mean"... but that's not really something people say to your face - especially if you are mean and people are scared of you. I try not to be mean.

Are you fur suiting?
I'll be wearing a jacket. You want me to wear a fursuit, too? No. No. That's just too much in the August heat. Bless those people doing it, though. They're great! (Remember to stay cool and drink plenty of water!)

If I see you, how should I get your attention?
I have the tunnel vision. Try flagging me down and yelling my name. If that doesn't work, run up to me and tap me on the shoulder. If that doesn't work, you've probably scared me for all the waving and yelling.

What/where will you be eating?
Food. Nearby food. Once I'm at Con, I don't like to go very far.

When will you be leaving?
Monday? I think? I don't know, Tim made the reservations.

So, I am sitting here, having spent an hour or so working with this tablet I purchased. I have learned a lot in my minor forays with the tablet.
Pros: I can now do art without consuming materials, yay! When I figure this out, inking will be so much less stressful. When I figure this out, I'll be able to do a lot more work with color.
Cons: I have not yet figured this out.
I have a lot to learn, but that's neither a pro or a con.
So I am testing a number of programs. I've tried Sai - and decided against it. I'm trying Autodesk Sketch Pro and Manga Studio. Both of them have pros and cons. Autodesk has a really intuitive sketch system, which is fantastic - still need to work with the other tools to see how I feel about it. Manga Studio has a number of really easy to use tools.
So... yeah. Really don't know how this will work out. I think the quickest and easiest way to get good color results at this stage will be to work on my vector shading. My normal painter technique is not translating very well - but can be worked over with some practice and edumacation. This whole painting with layers thing is really throwing me for a loop, too. I'm sure once I learn how to use this tool it'll be super, but until then... the cake is a lie.

I'm currently feeling pretty good. In the past 7months the number of people watching this account has more than doubled (from 7 to 17 - but two of those are known watch bots). Anywho! Thank you all for watching me. It makes me feel all warm and bubbly inside - like a hot air balloon (because it stokes me ego). Um... that's all. This is a pretty ego-centric post.

Aaaaaaaah! I just ordered a tablet! Much excitement! I just excited all over myself! Waaaaaah!
A good friend got me an amazon gift certificate for my b-day, which was enough to make a tablet purchase affordable. -I've only been ogling tablets in stores and online for a few years now so this isn't really a big deal. (Such lies I say.)
Now, I just have to look at and think really hard about software. T_T Hrmmmm.... probably should have gotten it a few weeks ago when I was browsing, because a number of sales were going on (not that I knew it). Much thinking. Will probably take me a week or so to decide what I want. Any suggestions will be muchly appreciated.

So, MFM is running it's annual tshirt contest. Woo! I am super excited! I finally did something I've been putting off for ... about a decade now: make a submission. In fact, I was so timely in making my submission this year, I've had to wait a few months for the contest to actually close... (submission made in April; contest closes in July). So, this week they extended the deadline for submission to July 15th (totally would have appreciated this if I hadn't jumped on the contest the month it opened this year).
Oh sweet mercy! I have got personal problems! It's like waiting for Christmas waiting for the voting to open! I want to see my entry up for vote. I want to see the competition. I want to see who wins! (The entries are usually pretty fantastic every year and I'm just as giddy as a school girl to be contributing this year.)
Anywho! So, after they announced the extension, I just about exploded. So, I channeled all that energy over this past weekend to make a second contest entry (each artist is allowed up to 3).
So, now I have two contest entries that I can't post here until the contest ends. I think my brain might explode. I want to flail about waving my work like a small child in hopes that my mommy with put it on the fridge and tell me what a good boy I've been. Wooooooooooo! I can make it through one more week.
Anywho! If you're going to MFM, check out their page: http://www.mephitfurmeet.org/
If you're not going, you should think about it.
And if you're an Artist and have some time before July 15th, you might want to make a submission, too. If you win, you get free admission!

So, in the spirit of the advice given by KittyHeart tacokurt and starkraven I've been taking the time to sit down and add shading and a better job on my sketches in general. Considering all I really upload are sketches, it's probably a good idea. This means I have gone back and added some detail to some of my more recent sketches.

Thinking about getting a tablet again. They look like a much more forgiving medium for inking and coloring. Of course, I am thinking about this when I don't have any money - so the temptation to make an impulse buy is nil.

Had a small group of friends over to "art" together. We have a small house so I could only fit a few people in, but it was still super fun! Thanks to for coming and sharing my table with me. You guys are super!

It is almost the end of May. In order to keep my New Year's Resolution, I need to make at least one submission before the end of the month. MUST ART! MUST ART HARD! Sketch, badge, ink, something! Anything! Come one, me!
Can I avoid letting my busy schedule and various other interests prevent me from keeping my resolution? We'll find out by June 1st.