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2025 Update, Upcoming Art Dump
Posted 7 months agoHowdy folks!
Now that we're well into 2025, I wanted to post a few updates for those who follow my journals, as well as make a small request at the end.
Caramelbunz, 
Soul-Silver-Dragon, 
Hyenaface, and 
Sexotheque, as well as my accompanying stories for each. I've been sitting on these for a few months now, but the holidays kind of drained me dry.
That said, if you're an artist who I have an outstanding slot with and I have not paid for yet, please send me an invoice and WIP as soon as you're able. I know who I'm already committed to (and have the funds set aside, don't worry), but I'd like to make sure I settle outstanding debts sooner than later given that it's also tax season, as well as get those finished so there's one less thing I have to keep track of along with my job search.
I do have one request regardless of how you reach out to me: please do not simply say 'Hello', 'Hi', or some variation thereof. I'm an old (30s) grey muzzle who really favors the asynchronous communication of Instant Messaging, and I treat it as such. For more information on why just saying 'Hi' is bad online, please consult the website no hello. In lieu of an empty greeting, try introducing yourself! I'd love to know more about you, your interests, what brought you to my profile, what you'd like to engage in, etc, instead of just trying to parse an empty greeting or platitude without additional context.
We are firmly in the "actions have consequences" phase of societal upheaval, and the consequence for buying that new Tesla or still squatting on Twitter, regardless of your personal justifications, is that I simply want nothing to do with you as a person anymore. As the danger level has raised, so have my standards for those I consider my friends, and I must make decisions that align with my values of compassion, empathy, and cooperation.
Take care of yourselves first, so we can all better take care of each other.
Now that we're well into 2025, I wanted to post a few updates for those who follow my journals, as well as make a small request at the end.
Incoming Art Dump
Leading with the good news, I've got a healthy backlog of art to share in the coming days that I've been neglecting to upload. You'll see stuff from
Caramelbunz, 
Soul-Silver-Dragon, 
Hyenaface, and 
Sexotheque, as well as my accompanying stories for each. I've been sitting on these for a few months now, but the holidays kind of drained me dry.Job Status: Laid Off
Moving on to the bad news, I recently got laid off from my job. While I'm profoundly grateful for the runway I have as opposed to prior forced job changes, it does mean I won't be commissioning anything new for the foreseeable future. Gotta make sure I plan and prepare for a long slog, though early replies to my job applications (and past data on prior job hunts in worse economic circumstances) give me optimism that I'll be just fine. If all goes well, I'll be back to commissioning some kinky artwork later this year - and I'm already making notes on ideas I'd like to see.That said, if you're an artist who I have an outstanding slot with and I have not paid for yet, please send me an invoice and WIP as soon as you're able. I know who I'm already committed to (and have the funds set aside, don't worry), but I'd like to make sure I settle outstanding debts sooner than later given that it's also tax season, as well as get those finished so there's one less thing I have to keep track of along with my job search.
A Request on Outreach
I've received a few notes of late from folks who want to engage in social outreach. While I greatly appreciate those notes, I'm also generally bad at replying to them since I dislike the FA note system. I have my Telegram account listed on my profile for folks to reach out to me on, and I have a BlueSky setup as well under the name "Kinkysaurus". Those are the best initial-contact places to reach me at this point in time.I do have one request regardless of how you reach out to me: please do not simply say 'Hello', 'Hi', or some variation thereof. I'm an old (30s) grey muzzle who really favors the asynchronous communication of Instant Messaging, and I treat it as such. For more information on why just saying 'Hi' is bad online, please consult the website no hello. In lieu of an empty greeting, try introducing yourself! I'd love to know more about you, your interests, what brought you to my profile, what you'd like to engage in, etc, instead of just trying to parse an empty greeting or platitude without additional context.
Political Info
Leaving the worst for last, I wanted to make it abundantly clear that you're not welcome anywhere in or near my circles if you're engaging in any voluntary behaviors that are supporting authoritarianism or fascism. Such ideologies directly harm myself, my friends, and my family, and have no place in civilized, compassionate society. I've spent the past sixteen years very carefully trying to deprogram those behaviors or tendencies out of people I care about, but current events make that impossible to continue. You have access to Wikipedia, ample history books at your public library, and even some WW2 vets and Holocaust survivors at your local nursing homes; if you can't be bothered to understand why those positions are bad and make you a bad person for having them, then I can't be bothered to help you.We are firmly in the "actions have consequences" phase of societal upheaval, and the consequence for buying that new Tesla or still squatting on Twitter, regardless of your personal justifications, is that I simply want nothing to do with you as a person anymore. As the danger level has raised, so have my standards for those I consider my friends, and I must make decisions that align with my values of compassion, empathy, and cooperation.
Keeping Calm and Carrying On
2025 is going to be rough for all of us, but we're part of a community that looks out for each other, cares for one another. We're generally beautiful people who just want to be treated the same way we treat others: with kindness, respect, dignity, and humility. Do not get lost in the news cycle, do not get distracted by outrage generators. Call your representatives often, engage more with state-level politics, and take the time to envision the future you want to see for humanity and what you can do to contribute to it.Take care of yourselves first, so we can all better take care of each other.
Shifting Landscapes, and Where to Find Me
Posted 11 months agoCoHost is shuttered, and FA is reviving the bans against some prominent ABDL artists again. It seems like we're reaching the end of a given cycle where communities fail, shutter, or are destroyed from within, and new ones are being born. This is hardly the first time and it won't be the last.
Anyway! I've been cross-posting my artwork over at Weasyl since IMVU bought FA all those years ago, and that's my primary mirror; I invite you to connect with me there. I refuse to migrate to InkBunny due to its strong tolerance of underage fictional content, but SoFurry might become an option depending on how things go. I'm also active on Discord, Telegram, and BlueSky if those are your preferred platforms, though I strongly advise not relying on those as art galleries due to how they work.
In the meantime, some wisdom from rolling through these sorts of changes before:
* Be polite and respectful if you appeal your ban, so we always remain on the high road
* Do not spread rumors, gossip, speculation, or threats about the bans or staff
* Take the hint we're no longer welcome here, and move on to other sites or communities
And above all else: it's okay to be angry, but it's not okay to lash out at others with that anger. Channel that anger into something more positive, like building a better community for ourselves elsewhere and helping those most affected by the sudden changes. If we give into anger and embrace hostility, we only hinder our cause and the acceptance of our community by proving right those who despise us. Now is the time we behave like the leaders we are, walk the higher road, and leave behind those who would sacrifice the wider community for personal gains or positions.
This too shall pass, and we will be stronger for it. Until then, be kind to each other, and help if you're able.
Anyway! I've been cross-posting my artwork over at Weasyl since IMVU bought FA all those years ago, and that's my primary mirror; I invite you to connect with me there. I refuse to migrate to InkBunny due to its strong tolerance of underage fictional content, but SoFurry might become an option depending on how things go. I'm also active on Discord, Telegram, and BlueSky if those are your preferred platforms, though I strongly advise not relying on those as art galleries due to how they work.
In the meantime, some wisdom from rolling through these sorts of changes before:
* Be polite and respectful if you appeal your ban, so we always remain on the high road
* Do not spread rumors, gossip, speculation, or threats about the bans or staff
* Take the hint we're no longer welcome here, and move on to other sites or communities
And above all else: it's okay to be angry, but it's not okay to lash out at others with that anger. Channel that anger into something more positive, like building a better community for ourselves elsewhere and helping those most affected by the sudden changes. If we give into anger and embrace hostility, we only hinder our cause and the acceptance of our community by proving right those who despise us. Now is the time we behave like the leaders we are, walk the higher road, and leave behind those who would sacrifice the wider community for personal gains or positions.
This too shall pass, and we will be stronger for it. Until then, be kind to each other, and help if you're able.
‘Neer’s Gone
Posted a year agoI dunno, this one hits kinda hard. Only met him once at my second AC, where he and Sciggles happened to be in the lobby of the hotel I was staying at. At the time, I thought he seemed like a pretty chill guy, but I never really tried to reach out to him afterward.
I ain’t gonna rehash his rep or the fur drama. I don’t have much to say about his accomplishments or works that couldn’t be said better by those who knew him closely. I never knew him personally.
But every single fucker here owes him more than ya’ll know or care to admit. He put up with volumes of bullshit to keep this place running, and continued fielding it all the way to the end. He loved this place enough to buy it back from the people he sold it to, and keep it running for free mostly out of his own pockets.
The man deserved better than what he got, but we should all be grateful for the opportunities he gave us to meet new friends, share art, and build our communities.
Fuck. He deserved better than this.
I ain’t gonna rehash his rep or the fur drama. I don’t have much to say about his accomplishments or works that couldn’t be said better by those who knew him closely. I never knew him personally.
But every single fucker here owes him more than ya’ll know or care to admit. He put up with volumes of bullshit to keep this place running, and continued fielding it all the way to the end. He loved this place enough to buy it back from the people he sold it to, and keep it running for free mostly out of his own pockets.
The man deserved better than what he got, but we should all be grateful for the opportunities he gave us to meet new friends, share art, and build our communities.
Fuck. He deserved better than this.
LOOKING FOR ARTISTS - 2D and 3D Avatars
Posted a year agoI initially wrote a long-winded intro, but I've scrapped that in the interest of keeping things simple.
I'm currently looking for artists who can do one or more of the following:
[*] Character Turnaround and Reference Sheet for use by 2D and 3D artists
[*] 3D Modeling Artist with experience rigging and optimizing for VRChat and VR trackers (face, eye, FBT, etc)
[*] 2D or 3D Artist with experience rigging for video conferencing or livestreaming (e.g., vTubers)
This is a larger project to try and bring my stegosaur self off the proverbial page and into more interactive spaces - everything from video conferencing, to livestreaming, to VR, and beyond. If you know of someone in one or more of those fields that's accepting commissioned work and amenable to said work being used in 18+ spaces/kinks (primarily ABDL), please leave a comment here or DM me directly.
I'm currently looking for artists who can do one or more of the following:
[*] Character Turnaround and Reference Sheet for use by 2D and 3D artists
[*] 3D Modeling Artist with experience rigging and optimizing for VRChat and VR trackers (face, eye, FBT, etc)
[*] 2D or 3D Artist with experience rigging for video conferencing or livestreaming (e.g., vTubers)
This is a larger project to try and bring my stegosaur self off the proverbial page and into more interactive spaces - everything from video conferencing, to livestreaming, to VR, and beyond. If you know of someone in one or more of those fields that's accepting commissioned work and amenable to said work being used in 18+ spaces/kinks (primarily ABDL), please leave a comment here or DM me directly.
ANE 2024: Post-Con Report!
Posted a year agoTL;DR First: I had a blast, and I'm looking forward to going next year!
Considering it was my first furry con in over a decade, it went very well! Lots of fun panels to go to, plenty of photography opportunities, and (almost) everyone was so friendly and authentic that I felt incredibly at ease. I ended up hitting the hypnofurs, scalies, and Young-At-Heart meetup panels on Saturday, but had to skip the Latex meetup on Friday due to a dustup in the Night Market (more in a bit). Speaking of, the Night Market and 18+ panels were amazing, and it's a real boost to my own confidence to see so many people being their best selves out in the open like that.
Big shoutout to all the folks who setup the panels, and the staff for keeping everything in order!
I almost forgot (stealth-edit time), but ANE also had a strict policy of masking at every event and proof of vaccination in-person at registration (hence, I suspect, the reason for the line). This was an amazing policy, and I felt fairly confident going in that any COVID/RSV/ConCrud would be very minimal as a result, if it happened at all. Compliance was never an issue that I saw, and outside of eating areas or outdoor spaces, I generally saw 90-95% of folks masked up at all times. Masks + vaccines are just good health policies in this day and age, and if there are any research furries keeping tabs on the data, I'd be curious if there's a comparison between reported post-con sickness in ANE against cons that didn't have vaccine and/or masking requirements.
Really the only bad note of the entire con was a dustup in the Night Market. See, I'm a hobbyist photographer who loves taking candid photos of folks, especially when they're in gear or suiting. I don't want to disrupt anyone, and I like seeing how relaxed and pleasant people are when a lens isn't shoved in their face or they're expected to pose. This admittedly plays nicely into my own social anxieties, in that I don't have to interrupt folks, make introductions, or struggle to understand what they're saying through a suit/mask/hood/whatever.
So when I read about the Night Market online in the schedule and event page, I was pretty excited! I made sure to double-check all the rules and policies surrounding it, too, to make sure I was in the clear. Nothing on the site at the time of the event (and at time of writing this journal) on the Night Market event page, the Code of Conduct, or the panel descriptions for the various Night Market activities had any additional restrictions against photography beyond what the con already clearly laid out (ask for consent before posing with folks, and strict rules for media), so I assumed I would be in the clear as long as I was respectful about it. Given that my lens meant I had to remain ~15ft away to get a shot and the Night Market was packed, I felt I'd be fine.
That was not the case. I got the universal "stop" signal when a critter in gear pointed at me while talking to someone, so I immediately lowered my camera and turned my attention back to the band performance. What I wasn't expecting was the person they were talking to stomping across the floor into my personal space, and then screaming into my ear to demand if I was staff before announcing that no photography was allowed in the Night Market without consent.
In hindsight, I know I was in the clear. The written rules had no such mention on their site, and no signage was posted in the venue stating those rules. I even confirmed with staff immediately after the incident what the rules were, and was told that technically yes, no photography was allowed in the Night Market without consent...but also they might have forgotten to post that this year on the site (having now looked on mobile and desktop several times and days since the incident: yes, they did forget to post the rules in question). They apologized for the oversight and said I didn't have to delete the photos (and even pitched applying for their staff photography team next year if this was a continued interest of mine), but I deleted them anyway because it was the rule in spirit from last year (which I didn’t attend), even if it wasn't explicitly written this year (my first time attending).
Ultimately the escalated over-reaction from the random guy left me feeling unsafe, and so I opted to skip the latex meetup that night and just head home. I do not have any photos from the Night Market, either of performers or visitors (including the few who deliberately posed for shots), as I deleted all photos from both memory cards for that timeframe.
Overall, the con was a great time, and I'm looking forward to going next year! That said, I did learn a few things to help me have a more fun time in the future:
* Even though I live locally (within CR distance), I should absolutely get a room of my own next year at a backup hotel. Having to duck out around midnight to catch last trains/buses home meant I didn't get to enjoy the evening festivities as much as I would've liked. It'll also let me leave heavier gear upstairs or swap out as needed, rather than packing everything in and out.
* Everyone has a conbadge, but if you're trying to find someone in a crowd, having a unique hat or prop is way better. I had no issue finding folks based on descriptors about their hat or prop, but finding someone in a sea of badges was impossible.
* Bring a water bottle! ANE and the Westin had water dispensers everywhere, so I just need to bring a reusable bottle instead of shelling out $4.50 for one at the gift shop
* Don't be as conservatively dressed next year! Everyone was super relaxed and open, so there's no reason for me to shy away behind basic jeans and a plain t-shirt.
* Be more assertive in standing up for myself, especially when I know I'm in the right. At the same time, do not escalate a situation further - remove yourself from it, and talk to staff as soon as you're able.
* Join chat rooms for the panels that offer them so that if I have to leave due to crowding/social anxiety, I can still let folks know where to find me so we can meet up or talk.
As for the con itself, I think they've got their own lessons learned after an amazing 2024:
* Meet-and-greets regularly over-packed rooms and had lines out the doors waiting to get in. Rooms might need to be combined next year, or backup hotels utilized for additional meetups if the finances don't accommodate BCEC expansion. Alternatively, non-18+ meetups (like species meetups) might consider scheduling off-sites at nearby venues or day-tours, weather permitting, so everyone can attend.
* You can never share the rules too many times, and it's never too late to fix a mistake. Especially for 18+ panels, I'd recommend signage telling folks about photography policies in that event, as well as announcements by emcees to remind folks about said policies. Signage should not only be at every entrance, but also inside the panel.
* Taping down line markers for panels outside rooms (or posting signage) could help with traffic flow. Lots of us queuing for a panel ended up sticking to both walls until doors opened, since there wasn't a formal "queue" to get into most events.
* For registration, consider offering a mailed-badge option for early birds provided they provide proof of vaccination and ID at checkout (such as a digital card). This would drastically cut down the registration queue which, at peak, stretched to the Grand Ballroom.
Frankly, I was floored by the attendance levels of ANE. I was expecting a smol little con of one to three thousand people, but the whispers I was hearing were numbers approaching five thousand attendees. It's awesome that they're grown so big, and I sympathize with their plight of needing more space but also the cost of said space in Boston. Still, I'm sure they'll find the right balance for their future needs, and I'm excited for 2025!
I had a blast, all told. I'm really looking forward to ANE 2025, and I'll be back in full force with my camera to get more photos. Speaking of, if I decide to post the photos I do have, it won't be here. That said, if you saw a Stegosaur taking your photo and are curious if it turned out well, drop me a line with your sona's design/headshot and I'll see what I've got!
The Good
Considering it was my first furry con in over a decade, it went very well! Lots of fun panels to go to, plenty of photography opportunities, and (almost) everyone was so friendly and authentic that I felt incredibly at ease. I ended up hitting the hypnofurs, scalies, and Young-At-Heart meetup panels on Saturday, but had to skip the Latex meetup on Friday due to a dustup in the Night Market (more in a bit). Speaking of, the Night Market and 18+ panels were amazing, and it's a real boost to my own confidence to see so many people being their best selves out in the open like that.
Big shoutout to all the folks who setup the panels, and the staff for keeping everything in order!
Masks & Vaccines!
I almost forgot (stealth-edit time), but ANE also had a strict policy of masking at every event and proof of vaccination in-person at registration (hence, I suspect, the reason for the line). This was an amazing policy, and I felt fairly confident going in that any COVID/RSV/ConCrud would be very minimal as a result, if it happened at all. Compliance was never an issue that I saw, and outside of eating areas or outdoor spaces, I generally saw 90-95% of folks masked up at all times. Masks + vaccines are just good health policies in this day and age, and if there are any research furries keeping tabs on the data, I'd be curious if there's a comparison between reported post-con sickness in ANE against cons that didn't have vaccine and/or masking requirements.
The Bad - Night Market Dustup
Really the only bad note of the entire con was a dustup in the Night Market. See, I'm a hobbyist photographer who loves taking candid photos of folks, especially when they're in gear or suiting. I don't want to disrupt anyone, and I like seeing how relaxed and pleasant people are when a lens isn't shoved in their face or they're expected to pose. This admittedly plays nicely into my own social anxieties, in that I don't have to interrupt folks, make introductions, or struggle to understand what they're saying through a suit/mask/hood/whatever.
So when I read about the Night Market online in the schedule and event page, I was pretty excited! I made sure to double-check all the rules and policies surrounding it, too, to make sure I was in the clear. Nothing on the site at the time of the event (and at time of writing this journal) on the Night Market event page, the Code of Conduct, or the panel descriptions for the various Night Market activities had any additional restrictions against photography beyond what the con already clearly laid out (ask for consent before posing with folks, and strict rules for media), so I assumed I would be in the clear as long as I was respectful about it. Given that my lens meant I had to remain ~15ft away to get a shot and the Night Market was packed, I felt I'd be fine.
That was not the case. I got the universal "stop" signal when a critter in gear pointed at me while talking to someone, so I immediately lowered my camera and turned my attention back to the band performance. What I wasn't expecting was the person they were talking to stomping across the floor into my personal space, and then screaming into my ear to demand if I was staff before announcing that no photography was allowed in the Night Market without consent.
In hindsight, I know I was in the clear. The written rules had no such mention on their site, and no signage was posted in the venue stating those rules. I even confirmed with staff immediately after the incident what the rules were, and was told that technically yes, no photography was allowed in the Night Market without consent...but also they might have forgotten to post that this year on the site (having now looked on mobile and desktop several times and days since the incident: yes, they did forget to post the rules in question). They apologized for the oversight and said I didn't have to delete the photos (and even pitched applying for their staff photography team next year if this was a continued interest of mine), but I deleted them anyway because it was the rule in spirit from last year (which I didn’t attend), even if it wasn't explicitly written this year (my first time attending).
Ultimately the escalated over-reaction from the random guy left me feeling unsafe, and so I opted to skip the latex meetup that night and just head home. I do not have any photos from the Night Market, either of performers or visitors (including the few who deliberately posed for shots), as I deleted all photos from both memory cards for that timeframe.
Lessons Learned
Overall, the con was a great time, and I'm looking forward to going next year! That said, I did learn a few things to help me have a more fun time in the future:
* Even though I live locally (within CR distance), I should absolutely get a room of my own next year at a backup hotel. Having to duck out around midnight to catch last trains/buses home meant I didn't get to enjoy the evening festivities as much as I would've liked. It'll also let me leave heavier gear upstairs or swap out as needed, rather than packing everything in and out.
* Everyone has a conbadge, but if you're trying to find someone in a crowd, having a unique hat or prop is way better. I had no issue finding folks based on descriptors about their hat or prop, but finding someone in a sea of badges was impossible.
* Bring a water bottle! ANE and the Westin had water dispensers everywhere, so I just need to bring a reusable bottle instead of shelling out $4.50 for one at the gift shop
* Don't be as conservatively dressed next year! Everyone was super relaxed and open, so there's no reason for me to shy away behind basic jeans and a plain t-shirt.
* Be more assertive in standing up for myself, especially when I know I'm in the right. At the same time, do not escalate a situation further - remove yourself from it, and talk to staff as soon as you're able.
* Join chat rooms for the panels that offer them so that if I have to leave due to crowding/social anxiety, I can still let folks know where to find me so we can meet up or talk.
As for the con itself, I think they've got their own lessons learned after an amazing 2024:
* Meet-and-greets regularly over-packed rooms and had lines out the doors waiting to get in. Rooms might need to be combined next year, or backup hotels utilized for additional meetups if the finances don't accommodate BCEC expansion. Alternatively, non-18+ meetups (like species meetups) might consider scheduling off-sites at nearby venues or day-tours, weather permitting, so everyone can attend.
* You can never share the rules too many times, and it's never too late to fix a mistake. Especially for 18+ panels, I'd recommend signage telling folks about photography policies in that event, as well as announcements by emcees to remind folks about said policies. Signage should not only be at every entrance, but also inside the panel.
* Taping down line markers for panels outside rooms (or posting signage) could help with traffic flow. Lots of us queuing for a panel ended up sticking to both walls until doors opened, since there wasn't a formal "queue" to get into most events.
* For registration, consider offering a mailed-badge option for early birds provided they provide proof of vaccination and ID at checkout (such as a digital card). This would drastically cut down the registration queue which, at peak, stretched to the Grand Ballroom.
Frankly, I was floored by the attendance levels of ANE. I was expecting a smol little con of one to three thousand people, but the whispers I was hearing were numbers approaching five thousand attendees. It's awesome that they're grown so big, and I sympathize with their plight of needing more space but also the cost of said space in Boston. Still, I'm sure they'll find the right balance for their future needs, and I'm excited for 2025!
Final Thoughts
I had a blast, all told. I'm really looking forward to ANE 2025, and I'll be back in full force with my camera to get more photos. Speaking of, if I decide to post the photos I do have, it won't be here. That said, if you saw a Stegosaur taking your photo and are curious if it turned out well, drop me a line with your sona's design/headshot and I'll see what I've got!
2023 Recap, 2024 Plans
Posted a year ago2023 Recap
Ten commissioned pieces this year, including my first ABDL comic since ISB5. In lieu of physical exploration this year, I spent the excess funds I had exploring my identity through artwork instead. Looking back at the content and quantity, I definitely see the increased tilt towards AB-related artwork versus DL-specific stuff. There was also my first flirtation with pup play in art, courtesy of a collab with DrXeno and done by Sexotheque. All in all, a pretty good year art-wise.
Outside of artwork, I made some progress elsewhere: I went to some ABDL events at a local bar, worked on my photography skills with wildlife and some minor portraiture work, practiced my flirting skills with some other guys, and found the courage to continue expressing myself more openly.
I won't say 2023 was a bad year, but it definitely wasn't a good year. Layoffs kept me preoccupied with stress and anxiety the entire first half of the year, and I generally felt too pressured to take time off for myself and my own needs most of the year. My goal for 2024 is to do better at putting myself first, or at least prioritizing my needs appropriately.
2024 Plans
Cons!
I'll be attending ANE 2024 this year, my first proper furcon since Anthrocon...christ, 2010? 2011? It's been a while. Anyway, if you want to say hi or meet the kinkster pitching these art ideas, I'll have more details closer to the con. If you're doing con badges and are ABDL-friendly, please reach out.
Art!
I've been kicking around some artwork ideas and trying to assign them to artists. In particular, I'm looking to do a lot of AB-specific art and exploration in that space. If you do ABDL artwork featuring adults, and are looking for some sort of regular commission schedule (i.e., monthly commitment), then please reach out.
Other Ideas!
I'm still looking for artists interested in the following mediums/outputs:
[*] 2D/2.5D Avatars (e.g., vTuber)
[*] 3D Avatars (e.g., VRChat)
[*] Stickers (client-agnostic/transparent PNGs)
[*] Fursuit parts (heads, gloves, slippers, feet, etc)
All artists should be ABDL-friendly, as that will be the predominant focus of 2024.
Wrap-Up
So long 2023, hello 2024. May it be a better year for all of us, full of hope, prosperity, and compassion for all.
Twitter Down, Looking for Artist(s)
Posted 2 years agoFirst thing's first, I cannot see your stuff on Twitter anymore. I deleted my account last year when Elmo took over, and have been following the handful of artists lacking other social or gallery presences via RSS Bridge. Unfortunately, recent changes to the BirdHellSite mean I cannot see anything without logging into Twitter first (much like Instagram and other BadSites), and RSS Bridge is broken.
Long story short: I cannot see your stuff on Twitter. This includes new work, commission availability, YCHs, or life/status updates. If that's where you primarily do business, you absolutely need to diversify your online presence now so folks can reach you. I've head great success with commiss.io, but YMMV depending on needs and residency laws. If you choose to remain solely on Twitter, it's going to be very difficult for me (and others who left) to do business with you as a result.
Moving on, I am looking for artists who create the following content:
[*] Stickers (in the form of transparent PNG images; Telegram or app-specific sticker packs aren't acceptable)
[*] 3D Models for VR Chat/rendered works
[*] 2D vTuber Designs/avatars
[*] Traditional Artwork (physical media)
[*] Digital Artwork (digital or mixed media)
Recommended or interested artists should be comfortable with all or most of the following content:
[*] Diapers/ABDL (18+ only)
[*] Scalies (particularly stegosaurs)
[*] Orcas
[*] Bondage (Leather/Rubber/etc)
[*] Cannabis/Smoking
[*] Hypnosis
If you or know someone who is available for any of the above, please leave a comment on this journal with a link to your gallery and commission info, so I can keep you in mind for future ideas. Current focus is on stickers and 2D vTuber/avatar designs, though I'm generally always coming up with new commission ideas.
Long story short: I cannot see your stuff on Twitter. This includes new work, commission availability, YCHs, or life/status updates. If that's where you primarily do business, you absolutely need to diversify your online presence now so folks can reach you. I've head great success with commiss.io, but YMMV depending on needs and residency laws. If you choose to remain solely on Twitter, it's going to be very difficult for me (and others who left) to do business with you as a result.
Moving on, I am looking for artists who create the following content:
[*] Stickers (in the form of transparent PNG images; Telegram or app-specific sticker packs aren't acceptable)
[*] 3D Models for VR Chat/rendered works
[*] 2D vTuber Designs/avatars
[*] Traditional Artwork (physical media)
[*] Digital Artwork (digital or mixed media)
Recommended or interested artists should be comfortable with all or most of the following content:
[*] Diapers/ABDL (18+ only)
[*] Scalies (particularly stegosaurs)
[*] Orcas
[*] Bondage (Leather/Rubber/etc)
[*] Cannabis/Smoking
[*] Hypnosis
If you or know someone who is available for any of the above, please leave a comment on this journal with a link to your gallery and commission info, so I can keep you in mind for future ideas. Current focus is on stickers and 2D vTuber/avatar designs, though I'm generally always coming up with new commission ideas.
Regarding Recent Changes
Posted 2 years agoFirst, for the mods: every single one of my characters is, has been, and always will be over eighteen. If you think otherwise, you're wrong.
In the event some puritanical jackass has a grievance with my ABDL images, then you can find my stuff over at Weasyl.
For everyone else, I've written down some of my wisdom regarding the current situation below.
This is not my first community migration/cataclysm/implosion/whatever-this-is. Hell, this isn't even my first one on FurAffinity! For whatever it's worth, I vehemently disagree with the policy changes targeting vertically-challenged individuals or those not of a "normal" shape or size but are still very clearly adults. I also disagree with specifically calling out digimon/pokemon and similar monsters or toons: it's totally understandable to want to cull underage content, but this is not how you do it.
So what do you do in times like these? I know a lot of folks are dealing with this for the first time ever, and so I wanted to offer my wisdom from going through this sort of upheaval so many times that it doesn't even phase me anymore. This is my guide on how to handle your community collapsing in on itself like a giant black hole of drama and, hopefully, maintain your friendships, connections, and commissioners during this mess.
FIRST, figure out a backup plan. FA is (mercifully) not the only gallery site out there nowadays. Weasyl offers a character-centric gallery experience, SoFurry has excellent tools for writers, and InkBunny is highly problematic and should likely be avoided due to its prolific amount of underage material and the community's refusal to self-tag (so that you're forcibly exposed to it, regardless of blocklist). In the era of software like PostyBirb, don't feel like you have to commit to a specific platform; if anything, consider using multiple platforms, and see which one(s) your fans and followers interact with you on the most.
What is not a good substitute for FA are Discord, Telegram, Twitter, Instagram, or any of the SNSes out there. They are not galleries, they are feeds, and while feeds can be great at satiating clients or fans, they're terrible for discovery or sanity. Discord is noisy and difficult to manage at scale, Telegram is backed by the UAE's Soverign Wealth Fund, Twitter has a serious issue with fascism and hate speech, and Instagram is Facebook.
Wherever you end up going, bear in mind the golden rule of the internet: if you're not hosting it yourself on hardware you own, then you're at the mercy of whoever you're borrowing space from and subject to their whims. If absolute freedom from censorship is important to you, then I suggest learning how to roll your own web server on a Raspberry Pi or something and see if that's for you.
SECOND, communicate early and often with your followers. Use submissions to direct them to new galleries or sites, post a journal with links to new profiles, and share your new gallery locations on your SNS feeds. There is no such thing as overcommunication, especially when leaving a platform. If art is your business, consider setting up a dedicated commission queue somewhere that's separate from your gallery. Sites like Commiss.io can make it easier to keep a professional revenue stream going that's not directly tied to a gallery or SNS profile, which in turn makes it easier to survive and migrate the next community implosion.
Speaking of, there will always be another cataclysm. No community lasts forever, no site stays online indefinitely, and no business will operate permanently. At some point, you'll have to do this again, which is why diversification now is so important.
FINALLY, try not to let this get to you. Change is a normal part of life, and the internet is no different. Take stock of what you liked about it here, and bring that with you to wherever you go next. Remember what you disliked here, and try to improve wherever you end up using those experiences. If this is your primary means of income, then this is a hard but necessary lesson on ensuring your livelihood can survive hostility from a hosting provider's capriciousness. If you've been waffling on reaching out to someone and attempting to make a connection or friendship, then now's the time to take that big swing before they move on elsewhere.
That's about it, really. It sucks, but it's also inevitable.
Good luck everyone.
In the event some puritanical jackass has a grievance with my ABDL images, then you can find my stuff over at Weasyl.
For everyone else, I've written down some of my wisdom regarding the current situation below.
This is not my first community migration/cataclysm/implosion/whatever-this-is. Hell, this isn't even my first one on FurAffinity! For whatever it's worth, I vehemently disagree with the policy changes targeting vertically-challenged individuals or those not of a "normal" shape or size but are still very clearly adults. I also disagree with specifically calling out digimon/pokemon and similar monsters or toons: it's totally understandable to want to cull underage content, but this is not how you do it.
So what do you do in times like these? I know a lot of folks are dealing with this for the first time ever, and so I wanted to offer my wisdom from going through this sort of upheaval so many times that it doesn't even phase me anymore. This is my guide on how to handle your community collapsing in on itself like a giant black hole of drama and, hopefully, maintain your friendships, connections, and commissioners during this mess.
FIRST, figure out a backup plan. FA is (mercifully) not the only gallery site out there nowadays. Weasyl offers a character-centric gallery experience, SoFurry has excellent tools for writers, and InkBunny is highly problematic and should likely be avoided due to its prolific amount of underage material and the community's refusal to self-tag (so that you're forcibly exposed to it, regardless of blocklist). In the era of software like PostyBirb, don't feel like you have to commit to a specific platform; if anything, consider using multiple platforms, and see which one(s) your fans and followers interact with you on the most.
What is not a good substitute for FA are Discord, Telegram, Twitter, Instagram, or any of the SNSes out there. They are not galleries, they are feeds, and while feeds can be great at satiating clients or fans, they're terrible for discovery or sanity. Discord is noisy and difficult to manage at scale, Telegram is backed by the UAE's Soverign Wealth Fund, Twitter has a serious issue with fascism and hate speech, and Instagram is Facebook.
Wherever you end up going, bear in mind the golden rule of the internet: if you're not hosting it yourself on hardware you own, then you're at the mercy of whoever you're borrowing space from and subject to their whims. If absolute freedom from censorship is important to you, then I suggest learning how to roll your own web server on a Raspberry Pi or something and see if that's for you.
SECOND, communicate early and often with your followers. Use submissions to direct them to new galleries or sites, post a journal with links to new profiles, and share your new gallery locations on your SNS feeds. There is no such thing as overcommunication, especially when leaving a platform. If art is your business, consider setting up a dedicated commission queue somewhere that's separate from your gallery. Sites like Commiss.io can make it easier to keep a professional revenue stream going that's not directly tied to a gallery or SNS profile, which in turn makes it easier to survive and migrate the next community implosion.
Speaking of, there will always be another cataclysm. No community lasts forever, no site stays online indefinitely, and no business will operate permanently. At some point, you'll have to do this again, which is why diversification now is so important.
FINALLY, try not to let this get to you. Change is a normal part of life, and the internet is no different. Take stock of what you liked about it here, and bring that with you to wherever you go next. Remember what you disliked here, and try to improve wherever you end up using those experiences. If this is your primary means of income, then this is a hard but necessary lesson on ensuring your livelihood can survive hostility from a hosting provider's capriciousness. If you've been waffling on reaching out to someone and attempting to make a connection or friendship, then now's the time to take that big swing before they move on elsewhere.
That's about it, really. It sucks, but it's also inevitable.
Good luck everyone.
Back...maybe.
Posted 3 years agoDecided to post some recent art here, now that FA is back under independent ownership again. Most of my stuff is over at Weasyl or tucked into my private archives/portfolios, so those of you hoping for uploads of my old stuff again will likely be disappointed.
Expect a focus on bondage, diapers, and dudes. You've been warned.
Expect a focus on bondage, diapers, and dudes. You've been warned.
That escalated quickly...
Posted 10 years agoYup, gallery is empty. Sorry folks.
I'm still here, though, just without any media. I'll still be contacting artists for commission work, since FA is still the best place to do that for the time being. You'll also see me favorite some things here and there, just so I have a bookmark of sorts to return to.
For the time being, I wish everyone the best of luck in whatever they decide to do, and I have no doubt that many of you will find where I set up shop next, even without an advertisement.
Thanks to everyone that made my stay here enjoyable.
I'm still here, though, just without any media. I'll still be contacting artists for commission work, since FA is still the best place to do that for the time being. You'll also see me favorite some things here and there, just so I have a bookmark of sorts to return to.
For the time being, I wish everyone the best of luck in whatever they decide to do, and I have no doubt that many of you will find where I set up shop next, even without an advertisement.
Thanks to everyone that made my stay here enjoyable.
Out.
Posted 10 years agoGonna keep this short and sweet.
I do not like the acquisition by IMVU of FA. I do not trust the new owners to protect our community or its interests, so I'm pulling out.
If you're an artist I've comissioned, and you see this, note me for contact info. I'll likely still want to do work with you in the future.
For everyone else, I apologize in advance for the massive gaping holes in your favorites lists over the coming days. Check under the Support tab for ways to remove them from your favorites galleries.
For watchers: I dunno if or where I'll setup shop again. Might be tumblr, might be another site. I likely won't announce it here, but I'm sure you'll find me anyway.
Good luck to everyone.
I do not like the acquisition by IMVU of FA. I do not trust the new owners to protect our community or its interests, so I'm pulling out.
If you're an artist I've comissioned, and you see this, note me for contact info. I'll likely still want to do work with you in the future.
For everyone else, I apologize in advance for the massive gaping holes in your favorites lists over the coming days. Check under the Support tab for ways to remove them from your favorites galleries.
For watchers: I dunno if or where I'll setup shop again. Might be tumblr, might be another site. I likely won't announce it here, but I'm sure you'll find me anyway.
Good luck to everyone.
