FurTheMore was a TON of fun! I went there as an attendee, and...since my lower back and my left leg has been giving me grief lately (bulging disc pressing against the sciatic nerve...it's not fun!) I borrowed a wheelchair from the hotel for the weekend, and it helped A LOT. For once, in a long, long time, I had a pain-free weekend! =D Of course, now that I'm back home, it's back to normal again, being in pain, but...what am I going to do? =P

While at FtM, aside from working on my tablet in my free time, I also hung out with  kalika at her table (we all carpooled together) and....she has been convincing me to try vending at furry cons again. And, after thinking about it over the weekend, I'm certain I want to try again :) Starting out small, mind you, but at least it would be something. So far, I'm only planning on trying for FtM next year. I don't want to do AC...not yet, anyways. It's gotten a heck of a lot bigger since the last time I was there. And...I also had gotten rid of my PA Tax License, cuz I was sure I wasn't going to sell at AC anymore. But for now, baby steps.

I will NOT be doing furry art, though. I still haven't gotten that groove back, unfortunately...Lord knows I've tried by drawing a conbadge for myself, and barely a third completed, I lost interest in it.

Instead, I'll be offering some polymer clay charms and earrings (I love making cakes!) and I'll have some of my amigurumi plushies available - they're my own patterns, too.

Also, for the last....I dunno....several years, off and on...I've been working on some chibi zodiacs. I had plans to have them made into a calendar, but after FtM, I now also have plans for making them into other things as well - keychains, buttons, stickers, enamel pins, etc etc. I'm nearly finished designing the zodiacs - I think after I complete Aquarius, I only have 3 more to go and then they'll be complete. In the meantime, I'm also looking into where I can get these images made into different kinds of merch that I can offer at my table next year. I'd also like to see if I can get a bullet journal book with them on the cover, with some washi tape made up of them (I love bullet journaling!)

So...that's my little update after FtM. Once I get the zodiacs complete, I'll post them here as well for everyone to see and enjoy :) Maybe once I get some charms and amigurumi made, I can also post them here, too. I'm still debating on whether to bring back my gryphons. I might. I'm still working on what I want to sell, and if I'll have room for it on my table.

Speaking of tables, I'm pretty much going to be over-hauling my table display, since it's horribly out of date now. That's another thing I'm looking into, as well as making a private Amazon wishlist of things that I want to get for my new table display. I might not also go under "HollyAnn". Maybe. I dunno yet. I was originally thinking of going by a cute name that's more of a "name of a cute store/shop", with a nice space/galaxy theme to it...but I'm not 100% sure yet. I'm only in the beginning stages of planning for things right now.

Hey guys, just thought I'd peek in and say Hi! *looks up at the top right corner* Wow, 4500 submissions that I haven't seen yet! O.o Well...it HAS been nearly a year since I've been here! XD

Things have been keeping me pretty busy...mostly it was the Fall Semester 2024 that took a big chunk out of me - probably the hardest, most stressful, anxiety-ridden semester I've ever had, since going back to college. Whew! Well, I can say it's over now, and I've got another 3 more credits under my belt.

I...I'm pretty sure I'm going to take a year off from college for 2025. I feel I literally NEED to take it off, because it was just THAT hard on me. But I'lll keep my options open for the Fall Semester 2025. Maybe....

I say "Maybe", because I'm currently applying to a couple of artist residencies! I don't know if I'll picked or not, but I'm hoping I will! I will not mention which ones they are, as I've unfortunately been told by some professional artists out there that I shouldn't apply to one of them - it's super-competitive, and I should just stick to smaller ones. I'm applying for it anyways. I'm Gen X. I think my "F- Around and Find Out" is finally surfacing ;) I've never been to an artist residency before and I feel like it would be a wonderful experience! I'm hoping to get into the one in which people are telling me not to apply for, because I'd be able to go for up to 6 weeks (I'm only planning on doing 3 weeks). So...here's hoping :) I find that I do take constructive criticism and rejection a lot better than I have in the past, so I'm also going into this with "If I make it, awesome! If I don't, well, I'll either work on my stuff, or see what classes are available for the Fall 2025 semester." So, whatever happens, feels like a win-win for me :)

And, ever since the semester ended, suddenly I'm getting all kinds of ideas for projects that I want to do! I need to writing them down because they're just so much at the moment that I want to do. Currently, two of those projects are crocheting afghans. I'd like to get into more drawing again, too. I've got myself a mini sketchbook (literally 2x2"!) with a mini palette the same size, and I've been working on some miniature watercolours/gouache paintings, and really enjoying it! :) But there's more that's on my mind. Sooooo much more!

I'll be at FurTheMore this March! I'll be traveling and rooming with  kalika and her hubby again :) No, I will not be selling at the con. I'm still not confident or active in the furry fandom enough to warrant it. I'll be around, though, either at Kalika's table, or maybe at some table in the hang out part of the hotel, working on my tablet, or drawing, or working on crocheting or knitting. Feel free to drop by and say Hi if you like :)

Anyways, just wanted to pop and say Hi, and what's been going on with me, even if it's just briefly :)

A week late in writing this, but...we're back from FtM!

I had a great time at the con, and of course, had an awesome road trip with Kalika and Nace as well, who were also my roomies during the con :)

If anyone had met me there and are reading this, I also would like to apologize for cancelling the Making Paint From Pigment panel. I was in a lot of pain, and I made the call during suppertime to cancel it, so I could go back to my room and stretch out on the bed for the rest of the night.

I have a bulging disc in my lower back, and it's pressing against the sciatic nerve to my left leg, which also gets pretty painful, and the pain seems to get worse as the day go along. I even had to miss out on the GoH Dinner too, because of it, which I hated to miss out on it but...there's really nothing much I can do about it. I'm due for a cortisone shot to my back in early April, so I pretty much have to grin and bear the pain till then, as nothing really does anything for the pain, and I really don't like the idea of taking a lot of Tylenol for it as well. I also missed out on some panels that I've been wanting to go to for fun, too, but...again, too much in pain >.<

With that aside, though, I had a good turn out to my What Is The SCA panel and I had help with a fellow SCAdian fur there, Draylen :) Thanks so much for the help, if you're reading this! I feel like I was just spewing out verbal diarrhea with whatever popped into my head XD But it went well, though!

Thanks to everyone who came by my table and were curious to ask what I had on my table too :) I had some of my favourite medieval facsimile books on display, as well as some folders that showed how I made some of my illuminated scrolls step-by-step, as well as having the original side-by-side (photocopied, of course!) to show where I got my inspiration from. I also had my tablet displaying my best works, which...really liked to turn the screen off and I had to constantly check up on it XD And, I also worked on my tablet weaving, and I was able to finish my trim by Sunday :)

I had the chance to check out the Marketplace a bit and bought a few things, too :)

Being at FtM has actually left me with some positivity and feeling like I want to do more art =D This is a good thing, cuz I've been really missing it. I might.....MIGHT...have a table at the Marketplace next year, but I still won't take commission work. Instead, I'll be focusing doing art stuff that brings me joy and happiness, and making some merch from that and offering it at my table. At least, that's the plan. We'll see...I've got about a year to get my butt in gear ;)

Thank you to all the staff at FtM who tended to me, and I probably bugged and harrassed endlessly from being GoH and trying to figure out where to go, and what was going on XD Hopefully I wasn't too much trouble. And thank you for having me as GoH this year! I had fun! :)

Anyways, I've got errands to run and stuff, so...it's back to the grind again XD

Fur the More is fast approaching! I'll be heading there with my friends Kalika and her hubby Nace this Thursday.

I will have art for sale in the Art Show, and I would like to let people know that, ALL proceeds that I make from my art in the art show will be DONATED to help one of my friends raise money for their gender affirmation operation :) i will NOT be making ANY money at the con. So, if you happen to be at the con and see something you like, please bid :) You'll get awesome art (originals and hard-to-find prints), and the money will help my friend be able to afford to get the operation she needs...Everyone wins! =D

I will be in my medieval garb during the convention (I mean, with a theme like Arthurian Nights, why not?) Kalika and I will be sharing a booth in the Marketplace (Booth 114 on the Marketplace map). Feel free to come by and say Hi! I will have some things on display at my table, lots of scribal art stuff (which is what I mostly do in the SCA), as well as some Arts and Sciences stuff that I do as well - tablet weaving being another big thing that I do as well. I'll try and fill up as much of the table as I can, and I will have a tablet that will be scrolling through my best works of illuminations that I've done for the SCA. If you're curious about anything, feel free to ask :)

I will also be hosting two panels: What is the SCA, and Making Paint From Powder Pigments. The first one is pretty self-explanatory: I'll be hosting a Q&A panel about what the SCA is, and telling people about it and such. The second one is a demonstration panel, where I'll be making Lamp Black paint (which will be like watercolour/gouache paint - it can reactivate with water if it happens to dry out), and I will be giving out free samples of the freshly made paint to anyone who would like some (while supplies last!)

Anyways, I better get back to getting things done, as I still have a lot of things to prepare before the trip. If you're going to FtM, I hope to see you there! :)

Hey guys!

If you're planning on going to FurTheMore this year, be sure to check out the art show!

I've signed myself up for it, and I will have original paintings and illustrations for sale there, and possibly prints, too, which are hard to comeby from myself, as I've cleared out a lot of my things, and I'm not making prints of my furry art anymore. Two of the illustrations will even have REAL 24k gold leaf on them! Yes, it is VERY shiny! =D

I will also have an original illumination in the Charity auction - a leafy vine border that will hopefully be displayed in the conbook. However, the original will also have REAL 24k gold leaf on it! =D

I wanted to let everyone know that for the art show, whatever art pieces of mine that sell there, I am NOT keeping the profits. Instead, I will be donating all my profits to a trans friend of mine, who has been trying to raise money for their gender affirmation operation through GoFundMe. It's a win-win situation! You can get an original, or a hard-to-find print by myself, and the money goes to a good cause :)

Please be sure to let others know of this as well, I really would like all of my art show pieces to go to a new home :)

Hey everyone! I'm not dead yet! =D

I had a really busy fall semester with my classes - taking both Drawing I and Painting I, side by side together, and starting at 8:30am took a lot out of me! O.o But...I survived! And I may have learned a thing or two (oh, trust me, I learned more than that!) and so many things that took me out of my comfort zone. But! I kind of approach doing art a little differently now. All my life, I've drawn and made art, but I actually never really learned the fundamentals of it, and that's what these two classes did for me. There were "ah-HA!!" moments, and moments where I had to literally walk away from the classroom to collect myself in the bathroom because some things were difficult to tackle. But, things went well, and I did good in my classes, and now I don't have to wake up at 5am anymore! =D

I am *never* taking a morning class again. Or two classes side by side like that again. Or....really, just two classes in one semester. I think I'll keep it to just one per semester. I really don't know how kids can do 5 classes per semester as full-time students, I don't think I could handle that... >.>

I also have some big news! I will be Guest of Honour at Fur the More 2024! The theme this year is Arthurian Legends, and...well, one of my biggest passions is making medieval illuminations, as well as studying books and manuscript from the middle ages. So, I'm happy that I'll be a part of that :)

I will *not* be selling art, or offering commissions at the con...there's just too much to plan for in such a short amount of time. Although, I do plan on submitting some art for the art show, and I'd like to see if I can get a decorative border frame made for the inside of the con book done in in time. I plan on having my booth as a show-and-tell of my medieval illuminations that I do for the SCA, as well as having some other things on my table, like my tablet weaving, and various tools of the trade that I use for making illuminations.

I'm also planning on doing a couple panels too...I need to get those finalized with the panel director, but I plan on having one being just a "round table" Q&A about the SCA, and to introduce people to what it is, what we do, and so on. Another panel, I'm going to demonstrate how I make homemade paint from pigments, using soot to make Lamp Black paint, and I'd like to see if I can get some little containers so people can bring home a sample of it that they can try out for themselves :) It works just like gouache, and can probably also be used as a watercolour too...but mostly like gouache. If it dries, it can re-activate with water.

In any case, that's all I have planned so far...maybe there will be more for me, but for now, that's the size of it :)

Hope to see you guys there!

In an attempt to get myself back into doing art on a more regular basis, I've joined Art Fight!

Art Fight is a place where artists are in two teams, and you "attack" and "counter attack" each other by drawing the other person's characters for points. I believe this goes on for....a year? I think? So..yeah XD

If you're on Art Fight, feel free to add me as a friend there :)

https://artfight.net/~HollyAnn

Go Team Werewolves!

FurTheMore 2023 was a blast!

It was the first furry con I've been to in a while, and even then, it was also the first time I've put stuff in the art show in about a decade (OMG has it been that long??), and the first time selling in Artist Alley since before the pandemic, even if it was just for one day.

The short of it....I needed this. I *really* needed this experience. And I've missed it, a lot. This entire weekend at the con has been a serious morale/confidence/esteem booster for me, and I loved every minute of it. Well, except for one part, but I'll get to that in a little bit.

I traveled with  kalika and her hubby Nace, the 8+ (9+...it was a loooong day!) hour drive from the Lake Champlain area, all the way down to the con. This was our Thursday, pretty much. We got to the hotel pretty late, but I managed to get my art in the art show while Kalika and Nace got their table set up in the Dealer's room.

To the two people who helped me out with putting my art in the art show (I'm so sorry I dont' remember your names!) if you're reading this, thank you so, so much for helping me out! And I hope I didn't put you guys on the spot while I cried when I saw my art all hung up. It was...not really over-whelming in a sense. But let's just say that, for once in a very long time, I was very happy and proud of my art, and seeing it hung up, whether it sold or not, made me very proud :) Thank you again, to the two of you, if you're reading this, I truly appreciated your help, and your very kind words :)

Friday, we were up, and had breakfast in our room. The whole weekend, I dressed up in dresses because I could, and because I wanted to, and because I usually *never* wear dresses and dammit, I wanted to feel pretty! XD I headed down to the line to get my pre-reg badge and, this was the only thing I didn't like about the con. It was a VERY long line. And with the bulging disc in my back that's been causing me pain and issues, standing for an hour was torture >.< Normally I can stand for about 20 minutes at a time and then I need to sit or stretch out my leg. But...I didn't have the heart to be like "Hey, can I cut in line for my badge? My back and my leg are killing me...", so I braved the hour of standing in line >.> I did it to myself, and it messed me up for pretty much the rest of the day.

But! Despite me being in pain, taken Tylenol for it, and having it do absolutely nothing for me (LOL) I still had fun! I looked around the dealer's room, hung out in the Zoo, attended the Sketchbook Swap panel (which was a ton of fun!), and took occasional rests to stretch out my leg. I had to skip an evening panel that I'd been wanting to go to though, I was just too much in pain at that point, and pretty much spent the rest of the evening stretched out in bed.

Saturday, I was able to get a table at Artist Alley! I knew I wanted to limit myself so I wouldn't be over-whelmed with doing commission work. I literally felt like I was starting completely over again, because I didn't have my cubes, my table set up, or anything. I had to make my own price menu on the spot because it's been so long... I had also brought a TON of buttons to sell there too, but at the last minute, I noticed that they didn't look....good >.> I had to throw them all out because it looked like mold had gotten into them, and I didn't notice it till I took them out of the bag! O.o So much for that! XD

I only took on 2 commissions (conbadges) for the day, and that was enough for me. I worked on a conbadge for blue red panda named Alex, and I had a great time drawing him up and colouring him :) I forgot my white pencils and gel pens at home, but I did what I could to make it look good for him, and I'm very happy to know that he loves his badge, and it really gives me a lot of joy to know that he loves it so much :) I'll put a photo of it up on my FA once I get this journal typed up. I only had enough time to get his badge complete and the other one (for Rain Oubliette), I'll complete here at home.

I also had the chance to finally meet my friend Eclipse in person for the first time! We've known each other since days of EZboards (I'm guessing 20 years, maybe?) and this was the first time meeting him in person. It was absolutely wonderful to finally meet him! And I'm glad to hear that he had a great time at the con, even if it was just for the one day he was there :)

Saturday night, we had drink vouchers, so we went to get some free drinks, and hung out with  thepurplehusky and her SO. I only had the chance to get one drink, and then we watched the hotel staff cart away the booze bar and I was like "but...but...I have one more voucher!!" XD Ah well, it was a good drink! It was a special FurTheMore cocktail, it was pretty good!

Daylight Savings Time sucks. At least, the "getting one less hour of sleep" part does. I value sleep whenever I can, but...what can you do when you're at a convention during that time? The hotel's breakfast buffet was soooooo good! They had the best bacon, too! =D Sunday was just a lazy, easy day. I spent my time checking out the dealer's and artist alley tables, got myself some things, hung out with Kalika and Nace behind her table so I could rest my leg and back, and that was pretty much it.

FurTheMore's theme for next year is Arthurian Legends, and....I kinda want to go back again, just for the fact that it's THAT theme. Anyone who knows me well, knows that I do medieval illuminations in the SCA, so that's the kind of stuff that's right up my alley. If I do go, will I have a table and vend there? I don't know yet (in which, that answer is a big step up from "no")...it's possible. I do have some ideas for things I could possibly sell at my table. It's something I would definitely need to have a good think-over for it. But, seeing as how the con was absolutely wonderful, the staff was absolutely wonderful, and how much of a fun time I had there, that also makes it that much easier to not say no, either. But it's something I'll definitely need to think about.

The long drive home was long, but we had Cracker Barrel for lunch, and Cheesecake Factory for supper on the way home (most people who have these restaurants in their area will not understand the excitement that comes from us whenever we go there, cuz we've got NOTHING up here!), so going to these restaurants are bit of an event for us in of itself ;) Once we got back to Kalika's, we got my stuff loaded into my car and I drove another hour back home. Good thing, too, because the weather hadn't started yet, and now, we're currently in a snowing frenzy today, and I'm glad I don't have to be out driving right now!

All in all, I had a wonderful time at the con; it was a wonderful experience, and...I seriously just needed this. I've missed this so much. More than I even realized. This weekend was like therapy for me, in a good way, of course! And it's just left me in a good feeling :)

To everyone I met and chatted with, both old friends and new, it was wonderful seeing and chatting with you! And I hope you guys had a wonderful time at the con (and for the artists I talked with, I hope you guys had happy sales at your tables!)

Again, to the staff of FurTheMore - if you're reading this, THANK YOU SO MUCH for such a wonderful con! =D My hat's off to you for doing all that you can to put this convention on, taking the time and patience to help people out, and especially watching out for us con-goers by having a mask mandate to help keep us all safe and healthy :)

To anyone who hasn't been to FtM yet, I highly recommend going to this con! =D

This is to all the artists out there that sell their art/commissions/etc. at furry conventions.

I've been out of the game for...Wow...I dunno. But a LONG time! So I just wanted to know what kind of stuff are the cool kids buying/selling?

For the artists: What sort of commissions are popular these days? Is it still con badges? Any other type of commission work that's popular for you? What are your prices for these things?

For the con-goers: What kind of things do you like to buy from furry artists at a convention? Con badges? Sketchbook commissions? Anything else? What kind of price range are you willing to pay for those things?

And, if it's possible, please feel free to link others to this journal entry/send people to this journal, so I could get maximum responses, please! :) I'm truly curious, and....Fur the More is literally around the corner so...ya never know ;)

Thanks in advance!

Hey guys! So, I'm thinking on doing some art trades while I'm at Fur The More this year!

I'm planning on going to the Zoo room (I think that's what it's called?), and I'll probably sit there for a little bit on Saturday and Sunday, with a sign next to me saying "Doing Art Trades" or the like.

It's been forever since I've drawn furry art so...I thought this might be fun to try and re-introduce myself into the fandom and stuff :)

So, if you're going to Fur The More 2023, and you're an artist who would like to do an art trade with me, just look for me in the Zoo there :) I might be in costume, or regular clothing, but I will have a HollyAnn badge on me (at least one, anyways! LOL), just look for the pastel purple and yellow fox gryphon on my badge ;)

Hey guys!

Once again, sorry for the radio silence and inactivity here.

I'm nearly finished with my 2nd semester of college (still can't believe it went by so fast!) and I've just been busy with that, as well as other things.

But! It looks like I'll be going to FurTheMore in March! =D I'll be riding and rooming with Kalika and her hubby Nace :) I will NOT be selling in the Dealer's Room, though. I just don't have enough time to prepare for that, and I've been horribly out-of-touch with the furry fandom, I honestly don't know what I would have to offer. Plus, it's been forever since I've drawn furry art, too. So...yeah. That said, I'm also NOT taking pre-con commissions for badges or anything. Again, my life's been pretty busy as it is, and I'm also not sure what the going-rate is for commissions these days. And, I'm probably out of practice for being AWOL for so long in the fandom >.>

Although, I do plan on entering the Art Show. After the New Year, I'll see if I can make some paintings to bring along with me and put them up in there. They'll be space-themed in one way or another, but will also have some animal stuff associated with them in some way. I'm also thinking on putting the TARDIS in one of them because...their theme for March is Time Traveller, so...yeah ;)

Anyone else going to FurTheMore in 2023?

Hey guys!

Again, sorry I haven't been all that regular here on FA, but I *do* have some big news!

I'm going back to school! =D

It's both exciting and anxiety-ridden for me, because I haven't been to college since 1996, and this is also the first time going to college (or any kind of schooling) here in the States. It feels very different, especially with a lot of things being done online and such, which wasn't the case when I went to college the first time around - heck, I barely even really had much experience with Windows 95 back in those days! LOL!

In any case, I'm going to be taking art in college. My goals are to get a certificate in Studio Art, and then go for my Associate Degree in Design and Media Studies.

For the first semester, I'm trying it out as a part time student, so I can get a taste of modern college life, and how it's going to be like and such. If things go well, I'll do the 2nd semester as a full time student. Or, maybe I'll continue as a part time one? Who knows. I'll see once I get there, though. :)

Since I'm only a part-time student this coming Spring semester, I just have two classes lined up, one of them being Studio art. So, yeah, it took me nearly 25 years to realize what I *really* wanted to go to college for. I'm still into art, and I do have big plans with my art....but those plans mean that I need to get better, and to learn things that I never learned before - anatomy, portraits, various art mediums, perspective...just to name a few. The other course, I'm still not exactly certain what it is...but from what my understanding is, I think it's going to be a basic "how well do you read/write" essays kind of class, and it's mandatory for a student's first semester so...yeah.

So, it's safe to say I'm not going to be doing furry art any time soon, nor am I taking commissions. I honestly have no idea just how busy I'm going to be with this...but this is a good thing :) I feel like I'm re-inventing myself :) And, it goes to show, you're never too old, nor is it too late, to go back to school!

Wish me luck, guys...I feel like I'm going to need it! XD

Hey guys!

I was wondering if anyone would like to see some of the non-furry stuff I've been doing lately. Whether it's visual art, crocheted stuff, other kinds of crafts I've been doing, etc.

Still not much on the furry art front, I'm afraid, I'm working on getting back to being creative...whether it's furry art or otherwise ;)

Wow, ANOTHER journal posting?! Just days after the last one?! Who am I even?? XD

So...ever since I decided to want to give furry art another try, and ordered those markers, a few ideas have popped up in my head. Ideas for bookmarks. And buttons, which I still have my button machine.

Maaaaaaaaybe pins? I'll have to think about that. I know I can make my own plastic pins. Enamel pins might be expensive - I dunno about those, since I've never really inquired about getting some made...I do know that they're currently all the rave at the moment, though. So....I dunno.

Of course, if I do happen to get completely back into this, I'd like to do conbadges again. Those were always my #1 sellers back in the day, and I'm currently mulling over how I can do them a little differently, so it's not just a static "here's your character, looking stiff, as they pose for the camera" kinda thing =P

But still though, I feel like the ol' wheels in my brain are full of dust and cobwebs from not being used for years are finally creaking back to life. This is a good thing :)

And, of course, I wanted to ask everyone out there, since I'm not familiar with what's "in" these days....What's "in" these days? XD Like, what sort of things that people would like to see/buy/commission, etc.?

I have no idea if I'll sell at cons again, and honestly, it's too soon to really tell at this point. I may feel the need and want to do this again, but it could also change in a heart beat, too, so I'm trying not to think too far ahead.

If I *do* happen to sell at cons again, I might just stick to Artist Alley. I've canceled my PA Tax License (It took FOREVER to do it, too, cuz they kept insisting I needed a new one every year, and couldn't seem to really understand that I wanted to cancel it). Which is another thing I would have to take into consideration too - I don't want a million state tax licenses if I'm just going to sell there once a year, or once and never sell there again...which is why I figured Artist Alley would be better for me, cuz we sell stuff through the convention's store instead, and then collect our money afterwards. But again, that's really thinking far ahead, and I'm trying not to do that too much.

For now, I just want to focus on what I want to do right now, as well as get up-to-date with what stuff is going on, what people like, what they don't like, etc etc. So, any ideas are more than welcome, if it helps to get the ol' wheels going ;)

It's been well over a year since I last posted...sorry guys!

Since then, I had given away all of my markers cuz I honestly wasn't sure if I was going to come back to doing furry art again, but they all went to some very art-potential girls who are well on their way to becoming awesome artists themselves, so I'm glad they're making use of them.

I've been going to a new therapist for my depression and I'm slowly....very slowly....convincing myself I want to do furry art again. Yeah, how about that? After a year of giving away all my markers XD Well, that's life, eh?

A few days ago, I ordered new markers. This time, Winsor & Newton brush markers. I'm just waiting for them to come in the mail now. I also have W & N inking pens now too. I've only used them a few times and I really liked how they handled inking :)

Now...I gotta say, this doesn't mean I'll be taking commissions. I want to work on my self confidence, and help build myself back up first before I commit to this and even decide to take on commissions again. IF....and that's a really big IF...I decide to take on commissions again, I'll let you guys know.

I literally haven't done any serious furry art in years now. I HAVE done some drawings and doodles (aside from my medieval stuff), and..it's kinda weird cuz even though I haven't drawn much, it DOES feel like I'm a bit better. Which doesn't make much sense to me, cuz I always thought one can get better if they practice? I dunno XD

But anyways. Just wanted to let you guys know I'm still around. I still only rarely check FA these days, only once in a blue moon, really. I'll do some practicing once I get my new markers and maybe I'll post the results once they're done. We'll see :)

How are you guys doing? Let me know in the comments, cuz I feel like I'm soooo out of touch with the fandom right now; I actually felt like no one would really remember me, or I've turned into one of those "has-been" artists. But, anyways =P

Still feels a little weird being back here XD Over the last week, I'm remembering and recognizing names again...wow, you know it's been forever (and that you're getting old) when you look at artists' names and trying to remember...and then having to go to their gallery to remind you of their art, and then it all comes back XD

Not much going on with me at the moment.

Although, I *am* pre-reged for Anthrocon this year, and for the first time since I first attended AC in 2001, I'm going as an attendee, and not selling. I was there last year, in the Artist Alley, and I didn't do so well in sales. People go to a furry con to buy furry stuff, not cute crocheted stuff >.> The Imposter Syndrome was really strong for me during those days. Even in the last number of years when I used to attend AC in the 2000s and early 2010s, I didn't so well financially there. And that also, I believe, helped contribute to my depression, anxiety, self-worth as both a person and an artist.

So...I'll try going as an attendee, see if I can have some fun, maybe buy stuff/get commissions from artists, attend panels...not sure what else, but it's a big con, I'm sure there's something for everyone :)

Wow, FA has changed A LOT since last I was here! O.o

Yup, I'm still around...just haven't really been all that active in the fandom as of late, but slowly getting back into it. Slowly getting back into furry cons too, although it's still very rare for me to draw furry art these days...I still haven't been able to do much with that, and I feel I need to start building up my confidence in that again - I feel like I'm a complete newbie in the fandom O.o

I'm very aware that people have been asking for me, too. Thank you for your concerns :) I'm still dealing with and learning how to live with depression (I'm on medications, seeing a councelor, etc.) and it's different...but I think it's going in the right direction.

Not sure if I'll be uploading here much. I mostly wanted to get my new reference pic up here, as an official "This is my recent reference pic, HollyAnn is now a gryphon." kind of announcement. Holly's rarely changed since I created her back in 1997, and really, I seem to associate myself more with gryphons than anything, so it just made sense for me to change her into a gryphon as well. She still has some fox characteristics, as she's a peregrine falcon/fox gryphon hybrid. But she's still very recognizable and kept her colours and such :)

So anyways...Hi guys! I'm still here, still around. Just...still quiet, still trying to get caught up on whatever needs being caught up on.

Hey guys!

I know it's been FOREVER since I've been around FA. No, I didn't leave the fandom. I just took a quiet seat in the back for a little while...and continue to do so. For now, anyways.

In any case, I wanted to give a small update of how things are going.

* Still haven't really done much in the way of furry art, but I've done little sketches here and there. Most of the time, when I do them, I just toss them aside and never look at them again. I still haven't really gotten my groove back >.>

* Was diagnosed with severe depression. I'm on meds now, and things are getting better :) It may be a little while before things are ALL better, but I'm working on that ;)

* VERY slowly making my way back into doing furry conventions, but I'm still doing my crocheted amigurumi, rather than drawing furry art. Again, till my groove comes back (IF it comes back), that's what I'll be doing.

* Still behind in my work (thanks to the combination of depression and feeling tired all the time [found out I have sleep apnea too, fun!]), but things are starting to look a little better now, and I'm VERY slowly starting to get back on track. The struggle is real, though >.>;;

* HollyAnn (my fursona) is officially no longer a fox. She has now been permanently turned into a gryphon. I will post an updated character sheet whenever I can get the chance. She still has the same colours, with a little bit of a variation in some of the markings...but to be technical, she's a peregrine falcon/fox gryphon. Which, to be honest, feels more like me, and also feels more interesting than just a fox.

I honestly don't check up all that much here...just every once in a long, long while. I still have well over 14k submissions in my box that I haven't even looked through yet. Once I get caught up in things, I'll come back and start posting again :)

Till then....I'm still around, just not very often. Just leave a message after the beep, and I'll get back to you whenever it's at my convenience.

BEEEEEEP!

I had heard that  genecatlow passed away. I am so very sorry to hear this :( I only had the chance to meet him at one Anthrocon, which feels like ages now (back when it was in Philadelphia), and he was such a pleasant guy to talk to, and I had been following his art ever since.

My condolences to everyone out there who knew him, especially to  catswhisker :(

The Hiatus Status:

I know it's been forever since I've posted here, I'm really sorry for the lack off inactivity :( I still don't really have any inspiration to draw furry art. Lord knows I've tried. I was at Anthro New England, and I had noticed I forgot some of my conbadges at home, and I honestly tried to draw up a new one for myself. Not even a third way through it, I closed Photoshop and never bothered to save it. I just couldn't do it...couldn't even draw HollyAnn, my own fursona =P I just felt like I had no inspiration to want to draw her, and felt pretty frustrated about it. Since I haven't been able to draw much furries, I've also kinda been neclecting my online galleries - FA, DA, etc. I'm trying to make an effort to at least check FA again. Once again, sorry for not being active. I am still around, though.

The Possible Reboot:

What I *have* been getting inspired to draw though, is Clax. Those of you who might remember my beloved purple gryphon character, especially back in the days of Mountain Poutine, I've been doodling him again. But he looks much different from how he used to look like. I've had plans for rebooting Clax, revamping his image. Mostly because I've actually been thinking on putting him in another comic. No, it's not going to be Mountain Poutine (I have no interest in wanting to start it back up, or reboot it). It's going to be a fantasy-adventure comic...one that will be a story that has a beginning, middle, and end. I'm currently in the middle of planning out the story, and...if I chose to do this, I want to introduce it as a web comic, with a possibility for making actual comic books out of it as well, to sell at conventions and such. But...we'll see. The characters won't involve furries, they'll be humans, elves, etc., but the gryphons will be intelligent quadrupeds. So...I guess that could count as anthro? XD

Tiny Paws Con:

Despite not being able to do furry art, I'm still doing my amigurumi crochet stuff. I just was informed that I got my table for a new furry convention, Tiny Paws Con, which will be in Danbury, CT, Sept. 8-10, 2017. I'll be there, with my friends  kalika and her hubby  bigkittywolf and their son, hopefully we'll have our tables next to each other :) If you're interested in checking out Tiny Paws Con, here's their webpage: http://www.tinypawscon.org/

 kalika is offering YCH conbadges, featuring the new starter Pokemon from Pokemon Sun/Moon! Go check it out! Commission her! Such awesome! A must-have for any Pokemon fan out there :)

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/20708945/

I'll be at What The Fur on Saturday only, for a few hours. I'm day tripping with my friends  kalika and  bigkittywolf, and this time, I'm actually going as an attendee, and not to sell :) I haven't been there since 2013, so it'll be nice to see friends again! :) I'm really looking forward to it :)

I've been super-quiet/not as active as I used to be on here...or any of my art galleries, for that matter.

To be honest...I just haven't been doing a whole lot, in ways of drawing, anyways. Nothing I've been doing on the side is really worthy to be taken a photo of to place up on my galleries too, so...yeah >.>

Sometimes I lurk around, and check out what other people I'm watching have uploaded. Sometimes, it's days, or weeks, that I'll even check this place.

But I'm still around, somewhat XD I'm just not as active as I used to be.

- Where are you staying At/How long will you be staying?
We'll be staying at the Hyatt. We're driving down Thursday, and leaving Sunday, after the Dealer's room closes..or possibly after supper Sunday.


- How are you traveling to/from the con?
By car!


- Who are you rooming with?
My husband and I are rooming with  kalika and  bigkittywolf


- Who will you be with?
My husband Trinsic, Kalika and Nace. And anyone else I happen to be hanging out with XD

- Where will you be? How is the best way to find you?
I'll be at the Dealer's Room! I'm at Table 7! It's probably the best way to find me...just go to my table :)

- Attending any events?
Not that I know of. I'll probably be behind my table for most of the con.

- What do you look like?
I'm a short, plus-sized lady with brown short-ish hair, blue eyes, glasses.

- What is your gender?
Female!

- How old are you?
Just turned 40!

- Can I Be Your Friend/Are you mated/looking for a relationship?
I'm very happily married to my husband, Trinsic. So, no, I'm not looking for a relationship, and not interested in a relationship of that kind with anyone else. But I'd be happy to make a new friend/aquaintence :)

- How tall are you?
5ft 2"

- Can I talk to you?
Sure! :)

- Can I hug and/or snuggle you/Touch you?
I'd rather you not, I like my personal space, and I'm not the touchy-feely type of person.

- Are you nice?
I'd like to think that I am :)

- Are you cliquey?
I don't really understand the question >.>

- Are you Fursuiting?
Nope, I don't own a fursuit.

- Do you do free art?
Nope, I'm not doing art at this convention. I might attempt to doodle something if I'm hanging out with people at a party, but there's no guarantee how nice it will look =P

- Do you do trades?
Not planning on them for this con, but who knows? All depends on how busy I am, I suppose.

- Do you do commissions/Can I Give you Money for things?
I'm only planning on making a set amount of stock, not planning on taking custom orders or commissions, although it might change my mind, depending on my workload. As for giving me money, I'll have a table full of crocheted plushies, so please, I need your monies! It helps to pay for my hotel/trip/dealer's table, etc.

- Are you buying art?
I don't know. it all depends on how well I sell things, and if I have enough to treat myself :)

- If I see you, how should I get your attention?
Just come up and say "hi!" :)

- Can I take your picture?
As long as you ask me first. And I also ask not to show me it later on either, I honestly don't like looking at my picture >.>

- Can I ask you to dance with me during the dances?
I probably won't be going to the dances. Sorry :(

- Can I buy you food/drinks/Take you for dinner?
Probably not...I might be in hermit mode after the Dealer's room closes, and will retreat back to my room to eat pizza.

- Do you attend parties?
Not usually. I used to hang out with other artists at artist parties in the past, but I haven't been to one in a long, long time.

- May I kidnap you to my room?
To be honest, I prefer not to >.>

- Will you tell me your room-number and can I surprise visit you?
Sorry, but no. It wouldn't be fair to my roomies, and they have a toddler; we don't want to wake him up when he's trying to sleep.

- I have a personal question for the convention. May I ask you that?
Uh...depends on the question, I suppose >.>

- What's your goal(s) for the con this year?
To sell plushies, gryphons, make more, sell more. See and meet people, and hopefully have some fun :)

- Are you attending any other cons in the next year?
I'll be going to Bakuretsu Con - an anime convention in Colchester, VT during the Halloween weekend. I'll also be selling my crocheted amigurumi plushies there as well :)

Today, I say good-bye to my 30s and say hello to my 40s :) No big plans, other than doing chores and trying to work on crocheted stuff for ANE, which is coming up. Oh, one big bit of news though - I treated myself to an early Birthday present last week...I got a tattoo! =D My first one. It's of my purple gryphon in my SCAdian coat of arms (aka device), where it's sitting, holding a long bow in one of it's paws. It looks awesome, the tattoo artist did an excellent job on it :)

Anyways, I started playing Animal Crossing: A New Leaf a few days ago, and I could really use some visitors. I don't have much in the way of a town (I did some time-hopping though, and that made my store get upgraded, and I have a garden shop now), but you're more than welcome to visit. I'm looking for fruits other than cherries, so that I can start having my fruit farm again. If anyone has spare axes that they don't mind parting with, I could use some of those too, as I'm dying to get some landscaping done in my town, and it's hard to do when the shop rarely has the axe available =P

My 3DS friend code is: 3454-3698-0257 Feel free to add me. I'll be mostly AFK from it, other than to add friend codes and such. I'll keep my AC:NL town gate open for a good part of the day today :)