Sir Christopher Lee passed away. I am sad...and yet, I smile. I remember so many of the films I saw him in, all the rolls he played, and the squeal of delight whenever he appeared on screen...so many other people knew him and loved him...I feel sad, yet...Life Well Lived, Sirrah. Rest easy now.

Califur was a blast. Nynaeve enjoyed himself and has four take-home projects he is working hard on. They SHOULD be ready by the next PS party he is attending. BUT...the con wasn't really a success, financially. He made ends meet, paid the bills. But if not for his cool roomies, we'd not even have come CLOSE. And we're not the only ones. A LOT of the dealers barely broke even, or failed that, <:( It wasn't financially successful. But the vibe...the vibe was good. Good people, good energy. And that's...well...good. :) New venue next year. It's a little closer to home. Will have to see how it goes. Also, I REALLY need to work on the damned Patreon idea for our comic...Can you set the number of levels in the patron? Cause...I was thinking of eliminating a few steps, cause I think ten levels of patronage might be a bit much to handle...Anyone have anymore ideas?

Well, we got the REJECTION LETTER today. 0 Recommendations from the jury deciding who will be selling at FC. I asked to be placed on the waiting list but...apparently, this JURY decided that my BUSINESS wasn't good enough. Which upsets me for a great many reasons. Going to a jury system to decide who and what will sell at the convention, is basing it all on OPINIONS, of people who may or may not even have an interest in our work. Something I disagree with, when it comes to running our business, which is the creation of furry artwork. I think it's unfair, but then, there are always people complaining about Dealer's Dens no matter how they are organized or selected. Always. But for now, we knew this was coming, and simply put, we're going to put our money elsewhere, that is eager to see us and our business thrive. Still planning on attending FC. But I guess if we want to sell anything there, well, can't. Cause we can't work on anything naughty in the Furry Marketplace. Guess maybe if by some miracle someone is willing to share table space?

Bah. I'm rambling. Like Nynaeve's mom says, one door closes, another door opens. I need to compile a list of furry conventions in January through March or so. Anywhere near Los Angeles, to possibly Phoenix Arizona, Nevada, Washington, hell, even Vancouver BC. Limited travel funds, but loads of interest.

Just think on this. A Dealer's Den is NOT an EXHIBIT, nor is it a GALLERY SHOWING. It should be considered a BUSINESS. And as such, I think a juried system is the wrong way to go.

Dunno what table, but Nynaeve, thanks to the awesomeness of Califur staff, managed to get a table at the last minute and WILL be at Califur taking commissions! Dunno if I can get there. Work through Saturday and again Monday. Usual BS, so I will prep things for after-con goodness. Like, the NEW COMPUTER (Finally!) and stuff. :) Just thought I'd pass the good news!

Part one. It's the 20th. If you are interested in an FC Dealer's Den Table, then now is the day that the application period has started. Through the 27th. Get those applications in soon!

Part two. New Artwork incoming! Mostly sketches and a marker piece. Nynaeve' coughed up the goods. Still have a huge backlog, and we're working through it, and inks and colors for these are coming soon. '

# Nynaeve's gonna be at Califur, selling art in either the Artist Alley, or with friends. He'll be tossing some business fliers out on the tables telling where, when, how, and whatever else he wants.

May 20th through the 27th, if I am reading right. Right smack dab in the middle of a convention for me...which means I gotta get it done early. Word of advice to various interest parties though, their rules and regs have changed, as have how they pick and choose the dealers for the hall. Read everything so no mistakes are made...like what Nynaeve and I did last year. >.>

Gonna try and make more time for artwork again, now that I'm feeling a little bit better. Nynaeve's still down in the dumps, but he's got some projects in the pipeline. So it's time to play catch up again and get what's owed out there. Just so overwhelmed sometimes.

Any artists out there with Table Space at Califur who know Nynaeve, willing to share space/costs at all? So far, It's not looking good for Califur. For the first time in...yeesh. since 1998 when he started going to cons and selling, might not have table space due completely to crap on our end of things. RL drama and suck abounds. So...just putting it out there. Any one able to help?

Nynaeve learned today, that due to the constant bullshit drama he's had to deal with, and my chronic RL issues, both computer and otherwise, we're stuck very far down the waiting list for Califur Dealer's tables. And the Artist Alley isn't an option. So, for the first time in years, arguably near two decades, we might not be attending. <:(

Needless to day, I am incredibly upset. We both try to work hard, and the con is a huge thing for us. But with crappy jobs, no money, and no real choice, we may be forced to stay home. This has him incredibly upset and angry. Me? Well, let me put it this way. For the first time, I looked at my sketchpad, sitting out on my desk. And I put it away, out of site. I couldn't even bring myself to look at it.

So unless we can find table space...*shrug*...Just dunno. No motivation left right now to do anything. Just wanna throw it all away and go cry somewhere.

And before you ask, yes, it's been a seriously f**ked up and down week, all around.

Medically related depression sucks. Have to go off meds and flush my system and get re-balanced so once again, delays delays delays. Pretty pissed off and not in a happy place. It's rare, when this happens now-a-days, but it still occasionally does. Anyhow, I'll be fine, and posting again soon.

As for new computer, and space to work in, same as above. Delays n' crap. If I had the money, I'd be out of here in a New York minute. Family drama is almost non-stop, and dealing with three free-loading assholes in this house is enough to erie me sane. Considering that I am most assuredly NOT in my right mind after years of this, that's saying something. Heh. Maybe I should continue and get that sanity back, THEN drop them all off a cliff somewhere?

Anyhow, back to the drawing pad, and back to the planning, and back to the plots of huge tits, wang, and much revenge.

Been having severe art block since injuring my hand a week and a half ago. Fingers are just fine now, but just...blyeah. Depressed a bit, and just feeling in a Mood, I guess. <:/ Not knowing anymore what's happening with the new computer is definitely one thing. I can't really proceed with artwork...when I can't scan, color, tinker, or do anything on this old machine. <:( So I am bummed out, severely.

I made a Weasyl. Nope. Not leaving FA. But, more places for artwork, means greater exposure. I love FA. :) Regardless of owners so long as they don't try to screw me over. ;) Not much there, but there will be as much here as there.

https://www.weasyl.com/~miafillene

*^.^* Tuesday is birthday celebration day over here. Happiness time!

Read above. >.> We're gonna celebrate soon as we're able. yay! Another year survived!

Time Warner tech came over. Replaced our digital modem. Our lines are fine. But one reason for the crappy service? Our cable modem is a much older version. They replaced it, and said we should be able to have fewer drops and fewer latency issues. And more then DOUBLE the speed. WHICH...the old router, if it hadn't died, wouldn't have been able to handle anyways...so....new router coming tomorrow, hopefully, and faster zoom zoom intrawebs! YAY!

Nynaeve arrived home safe and sons. Much thanks to hi roomies! And FC for running a good con, despite Dealer's Room sign-up troubles, and that Wi-Fi issue. Broke even with a little bit of profit to go have a nice dinner after. Didn't make a lot of money to contribute towards needed stuff like the new computer, programs, peripherals, et al, to get the digital art and animation running again, but it was a good convention for Nynaeve.

As for me? Loads of pics of San Francisco. And I'll simply state that some of yer fur suits at con looked amazing. >.> But my nerves failed me badly and i ended up back in my room elsewhere.

So...still working on Patreon, still trying to catch up, and still working on the webcomic. But...feeling pretty okay right now.

Nynaeve and I are taking FC pre-orders for Badges and Commissions. Prices are listed as follows...

Full Color Laminated Badges: $20 for Pony-Themed
$25 for Furry
+$5 for larger (up to 8"x10" badges

Commissioned Drawings:
9"x12" Bristol:
$20 Pencil Sketch
$30 Shaded Pencil or Inked
$40 Flat Coloring
$50 Shaded Coloring

10"x15" Layout Bond:
$30 Pencil Sketch
$40 Shaded Pencil or Inked
$50 Flat Coloring
$60 Shaded Coloring

+$10 each extra character
+$10 complex backgrounds

simple backgrounds or other simple extras, no charge, specially if they make us smile.

CDs and Portfolios are still available, at $10 each.
Color Prints, those that remain, are only $1 each.
All available at con. >.>

OH! All badges come with a lanyard and clip. No extra charge.

That about covers everything...there are 10 slots currently open for badges, and 6 slots open for commissions. More will be added if needed. ^.^

So please, help us out over here? Give us a ring. We draw great stuff!

$4k Plumbing nightmare. Idiots who rootered our main outflow pipe and lined it, didn't properly set sand and stone underneath so when torrential rains over a couple years hit, the damn thing settled. Leading to a blockage, on New Years. It looked like the whole front yard got TP'd...but smelled a LOT worse.

FC Hotel, the San Jose Marriott, managed to lose Nynaeve's reservation. Not cancel. COMPLETELY LOSE. Add this to the crap that occurred from the Califur Convention, the bug issue, and he is thinking of burning his Rewards Card from them in effigy in the street outside. Luckily, a hotel next door had space, and is only very slightly more. The sleeping arrangements might be humorous, but working on that as well.

At least the thumb is healing nicely, and expenses for the trip won;t be too bad, since he can't sell much or display much on half a table. BUT...well, that will lead to the NEXT journal....so please please PLEASE....if you are reading this journal, read the next one too!

sai? Gimp? Free copy of photoshop 3.0? I need something if I am to continue my artwork online. HELP! Someone? Anyone? URLs, advice, information, anything?

I am running an iMac 2.4ghz intel core duo running mavericks.
Later, I will have a better, faster iMac running Yosemite.
So I need something I can add a tablet, and scanner, and everything to, later on.

Just wanted to wish everyone some happy holidays and a happy new year. And in lieu of christmas music, I leave a link to a video I got from someone else that's just so epic and awesome. And if you know how to embed the video into FA journal text...TELL ME! PLEASE! Christmas pic coming later this week. ;) I hope. Still can't really scan anything since I don't have working Sai or Photoshop on the upgraded oldie here. But I will find a way. :) Merry Merry and Happy Yule!

http://nigelstanford.com/Cymatics/

Truly amazing and awesome and just really makes me feel happy and positive.

ps.- Thumb is healing nicely, and we're back drawn' and getting ready for Further Confusion. If anyone is attending, contact me or Nynaeve, and possibly arrange a pre-commission? We are still a bit desperate with the money.

1. Chopped up thumb via meat cleaver. Medical Bills and my finger looks like a cute Q-tip.
2. Legal bills from idiot brother. Bail money not returned even though he never went to trial.
3. Our labrador has a severe ear infection. Topical, yucky, but easily fixed. Bills tho'.

So, once again, screwed over around the holidays. In debt up to eyeballs. I hate asking for help...but yeah, we need it. <:( At least SOME good news...we WILL be selling at FC. :) Half Table opened up and Nynaeve pounced on it like a Horny wolf on a naked spread-eagled vixen in heat. ;) Still though, upwards of $3k in debt. NOT fun. Gonna be a lean couple of months. <:( Any donations would be appreciated, but business would be even better. We're working on getting a ton of finished work up and out, so we can take even more. Ah well. Questions or Comments welcomed!

Nynaeve[at]ureach.com for paypal.

Mia.

P.S.- Typing with a bad thumb is hilariously difficult. But possible.
P.P.S. - Did you know they can put stitches THROUGH a fingernail? Creeeeepy.
P.P.P.S. - Found a couple silver florins and a Half-Crown. Also Silver. Floating in the bottom of a closet cleaned out due to pests and cleaning. Neato!

Things are slowly returning to normal. Hopefully the infestation is gone, and the physical damage from moving close to two tons of crap in less then an hour due o rain in california will heal quickly. We're totally clusterfragged in organization right now. Not sure what's been completed, what is owed, what's in progress. *sigh* Totally upended and upset everything. Barely know if we;re coming or going. New computer is being delayed probably until around christmas, just to sort things through over here. Poor Nyn is just a basket case of ouchie and hurt right now, and I am just completely disorganized and aggravated. It'll pass. After all, what's more and more delays and time? <:P Still rather depressed, and still trying to figure out Patreon...I think one big problem, is that I am thinking of the rewards as Kickstarter-ish. One person, one reward at a time, when it SHOULD be at levels of donation...with the higher donation amounts receiving the individual rewards. Ideas? Questions? Comments? Please. I could use 'em all.

Well Nynaeve finally ID'd what's been giving us hives...He had a relatively minor bedbug infestation in his room and on his couch. And now, although I don't have the infestation, I still have to get inspected and treated and clean everything out. So, delays. And as a result, a LOT of money spent on professional exterminators. I hate asking for donations or help, but I may just have to. <:( This. F**king. SUCKS. I am so tired and stressed out from moving all my shit out, boxing it up, bagging clothing, cooking bedding and clothing in the dryer and making sure there's no trace of them on all our stuff. Just so tired. Luckily it's not a MASSIVE infestation, like the ones you have to burn all your stuff in, but it's still pretty bad. Several thousand comics, all our stuffed animals and gaming gear.. the MINIATURES. Ugh. So please, keep us in your prayers, as we're gonna need it.

Ekko? If you can read this, Nynaeve will be texting you the question above as well. Apparently several pieces of owned artwork are missing...AGAIN...and Nynaeve is worried that your badge was among the items. With his current crop of RL issues courtesy of the family, he's rather forgetful with what's been done and what is owed. PLEASE let either me here, or Nynaeve via text if you got your badge? If not, we're gonna have to replace. >.<!

Doing emotionally better now. The stress and allergies and hives are all still there and still being obnoxious, but I am coping with it a touch better. Getting a new computer soon, and setting up shop for the comic is proceeding. Slowly, but there is hope. As for Patreon, I have to remember it's NOT Kickstarter. it's ongoing, so I need to...well, lessen the prizes a little bit. >.> Maybe even cancel anything less then $5 a month. But there's still gonna be quite a bit out there. Just have to keep it at a manageable level, I guess. So far, it's looking like it is, below.

Raffle Tickets for monthly drawing (Pencil)
Guaranteed monthly drawing (Pencil)
Guaranteed monthly drawing (Full-Color)
Character Commission (Pencil)
Character Commission (Full Color)
Small Painting (One a Year)
Large Painting (One a Year)

The Monthly drawings are fully rendered pencils, but my choice of characters. So it could be nearly anything. The character commission is YOUR choice. Still have to figure out how many to actually offer, while still being able to maintain a decent amount of income, which is hard.

And worse yet, is the backlog I am still struggling to slog through. Nynaeve is helping when he can, but all the RL drama and recent illnesses and people's refusal to just leave me alone to art, has been hitting HARD. BLYEAH. SO, i could use some help with the patron awards and stuff, as in what levels should get rewards and so-on. I know lower levels just get access to the patron rewards folder, but setting and staging everything else...I don't want people to feel left out, or to be left waiting. >.<! GAH!