As you may have noticed, I have been not very active as a creator on this site. It’s not that I haven’t been creating; however, I haven’t been feeling the energy to post a lot of them. There have been several reasons for this, chief among these have been: Not having the energy to post to all of my sites (which has been vastly reduced thanks to PostyBird), Not able to come up with a compelling story to accompany the image, and feeling like the image was incomplete/not good enough to post. To add to these reasons, I have been dealing with other personal challenges like: stress from working on the project from Hell, dealing with depression, anxiety and two deaths in the family. All of these have sucked even more of my little personal energy. That all sad, I have been doing better as of late.

With the crazy time we find ourselves in, I’m hoping to make more productive with my time. I’m hoping to kickstart myself into posting and being more active in the community again. This winter I have put together an online shop at shop.crazyausky.com and will be opening for commissions. I will be putting together a Terms of Service soon and will be managing my queue and items though Artconomy, but I will also take PayPal payments as well. I will also be going through my files, sketchbooks, and stories and posting my back catalogue hopefully soon as well.

I hope that I will be back and continuing to do well though these ‘interesting’ times.

Posted using PostyBirb

Hey everyone,

Wow, it’s been a long time. I never planned on being this radio silent for this long, but I have had a lot happen since I posted 2 years ago. I’ve moved to the Twin Cities, changed jobs, among other things.

I also have decided to do commission work. These will be SFW sketches, stickers, paintings and maps. Yes maps. Cartography has been a huge interest of mine and recently getting into Tabletop RPG, it’s always fun to draw maps of regions that don’t exist and creating and exploring world of someone’s mined. I am still working out my rates, but expect another post soon along with how to commission me as well.

I hope that it will be good to be back and an active creator again.

~Ski#

It was very fun though some things could be even better next year. [tl;dr]

As most of are aware, I was able to go to Anthrocon 2016. I arrived in Pittsburgh on Thursday Mid-morning, after attempting to catch a red-eye on United, but was switched to Delta after the flight to Chicago was delayed long enough to miss my connecting flight due to mechanical problems. Despite this I ended up getting there 15 minutes after my original flight. This also allowed me to use Uber for the first time to get to my hotel, The Wyndham Grand. Which I will say was quite enjoyable and was able to get there no fuss.

The Wyndham Grand, has a wonderful lobby, friendly staff and definitely did feel welcome anytime I entered. There are two major issues though I have with this hotel, for the convention. The first is the standard double room was cramped. Which if I needed to get to the other side of the room, I had to ask anyone at the desk to move so I could get by. Also due to the size of the room, we could not get a roll-in bed, which resulted with me on the floor most nights.

The second issue was the distance from the hotel to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and the Westin (0.7 miles [1.1 km]). Which Anthrocon did address with a shuttle bus that ran about every 30 minutes from the opening ceremonies to closing ceremonies. However, I always seemed to be a couple minutes late, which definitely cut down on my fursuiting for the convention. Also the shuttle buses ended right after closing ceremonies so anyone staying at the Wyndham had to walk from that point back.

In total I was able to be in fursuit twice. The major factor is how my suit deals with the heat... It doesn't, and the distance to the con from the hotel. This automatically puts at least a 30 minutes of being in the suit, which then the reason I wanted to be in suit had passed. That said each time I was in suit was fun and amazing. the first was almost immediately after I was at the hotel and just walked around the lobby for a bit, the second time was immediately after the fursuit parade. And was amazing by the people stopping for pictures. I unfortunately did not participate in the parade itself due to missing the line up after a long lunch, and the distance to the hotel to pick it up. Again, this was my poor planning that is to blame.

Ever since I missed pre-reg for Midwest Fur Fest, I have always have pre-registered for the con. This was no exception. This is definitely not the exception. I picked up my membership for the con on Mid-Afternoon on Thursday. Upon getting into the main con-space where the registration tables where set up, and was immediately confused on where to go for pre-reg. When I made it up there, there was a enormous line for registration. Looking around I did not see anything to denote the line was for non-pre-registered attendees. I was able though to see the special line for sponsors and super-sponsors. this being the case, I got into the line and proceded to wait to get in. Though about 15 minutes in I learned I needed to go to Pillar C since I pre-reg. Which I think I had to wait a total of a minute to get my membership and attendee stuff. This lack of signage also I believe contributed to the under-utilization of the zoo. Talking with some staff off site, I understand why they lacked signage (the convention center forbits attaching things to the walls or pillars). This is not uncommon, and also suggested they use art grates triangles to create way points and stable sign posts.

Anthrocon though is a weird beast. With the convention being in a convention center and not stuck to one hotel, it is very spread out and sprawls to the streets and the two major hotels. This makes the feel of the con something I am not completely use to. For conventions I'm use to a hive of furriness enveloping the hotel and being forced to be social and outgoing. Because I was not forced to do this, I found myself slinking into the corners of the con-space and only really being social in the zoo, lobby and bars where I couldn't shy away without leaving.

The spot where I spent a good chunk of time as the dealers den. I have been wanting to read more, but have a hard time shopping for books online. The main issue I have is finding books I will enjoy and needed a guiding paw which I was able to get from all three of the major publishers, despite me being super awkward and un-eloquent in my speech.

Also on Friday, in heading to the main space, I was perplexed by the line of fursuiters. Apparently this was where the staff inspected the fursuits to make sure they matched the definition that is used by Guinness of what makes a fursuit a fursuit. [needs citation] I did not know this was needed for the fursuit picture before the parade until later that day. It was at this time I began to think about skipping the parade, which I ultimately did after a long lunch after my art panels.

Later Friday, being a huge TF fan myself when to the Transformation Meet and Great. The idea although it was good, it was more of a panel of two or so people talking why they like tf and was mostly awkward for the first 40 minutes until they opened it up to going and talking to people. The better time was when I made it to Licos' TF Art Jam in the zoo. There I was able to meet more transformation artists and have a nice kangaroo-girl sketch thanks to DingoRoo's suggestion.

Saturday was more filled with mostly the art panels I was looking forward to. Both the creature creation panel and the Art One-Oh-Something I found to be quite interesting. Both allowed me to see how other artists create and apply their crafts. I ended up learning new methods I have been itching to use in future drawings. My only lament is how they where scheduled. with the creature creation panel ending a half hour after the art One-Oh-Something started. In doing this, I missed the start of the second panel, and skipped Q & A on the first.

Sunday, was mostly uneventful. I spent the morning looking for some last minute stuff around the Dealers Den and finally made it to Artist's Alley. I feel ashamed it took me to get into the alley, but I found myself looking at the line to get art wrapping around the room on Friday and Saturday caused me and several other furs to come back later on Sunday to get some things in the alley.

I do feel bad not getting more things from all of the artists, this was the thing that kept entering my mind of 'optimizing the time of the con'. This lead me to make a few things I wish I didn't do. Like skipping the character voices panel and some of the entertainment events like Kage's Story Hour and such. Although the latter will be on YouTube and probably could watch it tonight.

Sunday ended with the dead dog parties. I will say, this was my favorite part of the convention. This had the vibe of furry cons I am accustom to. fursuiters every where and no room to be shy and reserved. Fun things happening around. Though I stuck my head into the dance and the zoo. I ended up spending all night at the piano on the second floor signing random songs until midnight. The next morning my voice was course but I have amazing time, and didn't realize until an hour before that I was chilling with Pepper Coyote, Ruffis and Fox Amore.

Monday was weird to see the city revert. I also switched hotels from the Wyndham to the DoubleTree. Which took a good chunk of the day away. But the DoubleTree was definaly the better hotel for me. The rooms where large and the 4 block distance would have allowed me to be in fursuit within time for crazy stuff and not be halfway done by the time I got to the convention center. Also had enormous fun meeting other furs for dinner then going to fireworks with them afterwards. Along with helping them finish off their booze.

Tuesday was my flight out in the afternoon. After checking out, Krystal and I made our way to Station Square and had a bit more fun before being dropped off at the airport. Their I was able to take in the incline railway along with the food and shops along the Monongahela River and the coffee and ice cream above on Mount Washington. On the flight home I was able to meet up with another fur for an hour in Chicago O'Hare. This is where again my flying was cursed. My flight ended up getting pushed out until midnight and landed Wednesday at 2:30 am. The hotel where I left my car refused to send there shuttle and so had to take a cab there and sleep off the exhaustion at the Holiday Inn 10 minutes down the road.

Overall, I was a fun experience although I will say I have some things I would have done different. The first was wear the "1st Convention" ribbon they gave me. I learned all too late, this helps others know you don't know what's going on. I didn't where mine since this is my 4th convention myself and felt too prideful not to. Don't. this ribbon will get people to talk and help you around. Another thing is better planning. While there was nothing wrong with the Wyndham, it was the wrong hotel for me. Same with the Westin would have been the wrong hotel as well. But next time. I will be shooting for the Courtyard, William Penn or the DoubleTree. This would have allowed me to meet more furs and fursuit a lot more I think.

That said I am happy this all happened, and said to see it pass. I loved how the downtown become enveloped with furries, and how the Pittsburgh public comes out to see us and get pictures. This also makes me look forward to Furry Migration come September. That said I hope that everyone else had at least as much fun as I did at Anthrocon and hope things align for me to do this again next year.

~Ski Sharp

So. Anthrocon has come and now has techically went.

I will be staying here in Pittsburgh until Tuesday evening flight back home. I hope to be hitting up the incline railway and the Andy Warhol Museum tomorrow.

Tonight I'm thinking of hitting the pool for a little bet before heading back to the westin to attempt to be a social person.

This weekend was amazing and I hope I will be able to make it next year.

I'll post a post con report later

Where are you staying?
The Wyndham Hotel

What day are you getting there?
Thursday, around 10 to 11 am

How are you traveling?
United Airlines

Who are you staying with?
3 other furs

How is the best way to find you?
Look for me. I'll either be in some Minnesota swag or fursuit

Are there any panels you might be attending?
Defiantly am doing some art track and some tf stuff too.

What do you look like?
A goofy ausky. Though some have said I look like a furry version of John Belushi…

Will you be suiting?
Yeah!

Do you do free art?
At times, If I’m in the mood.

Do you do trades?
See Above ^

Do you do badges?
// Goto Do you do free art?

What’s your gender?
Male.

How tall are you?
5’ 8”

Can I talk to you?
Definitely!

Can I touch you?
If it’s appropriately

Can I visit your room?
Sorry invite only.

Can I buy you drinks?
Sure and, I can’t turn down Caribou Coffee….

Can I give you stuff?
Depends on what it is….

Can I hug or snuggle with you?
Hugs sure, snuggles… that’s a friends thing.

Are you nice?
Growing up in Lake Wolbegon, I like to think so

Do you have an artist table?
Nope, Kinda did this spur of the moment

Will you be going to parties?
If I'm invited

will you be preforming?
Probably not

If you see you, how should I get your attention?
Yell my name, or tap me

Where will you be most of the time during the day(s)
I don't know this is my first Anthrocon

Can I come with you for food/fun/etc.
We’ll see

Can I draw in your sketchbook?
Yep, just ask first

Can I take your picture?
If you get my good side ;)

So. It's happening. I have my registration, my hotel and ticket to ride to Anthrocon 2016.

In preparation I have even made a new fursuit tail hope to finish my leggings and even a new badge. With all of this fun news you're probably wondering why I have that important title.

While I do have a hotel room right now I only can split the room one way, and I am hoping to find 2 more roommates for Anthrocon.

I have a 2 bed queen room at the Wyndham Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh from Thursday until Monday.

Rules for the room:
Quiet hours are between 1am to 8 am
No Illegal substances, which means if anyone in the room is under 21, the room will be dry.
All roommates and guests must be 18+
The room should be kept clean within reason. So everyone keeps their stuff together

Anyone interested or would like to know more please send me a note here or Direct Message on Twitter Ski_Sharp

Thanks and hope to see you all at ac.
~Ausky Aus
Ski#


Update:
The two vacancies have been filled for the room.

Hey all!

I wanted to do a little post to here to prove that I am not dead, and that I am still around.

The past couple months have been crazy for this dog. Since November (wow, I'm bad at this). I have finally moved back to my own home and have now completely recovered from my knee. Unfortunately it was 1 week too late to make the hill over the skiing season in Minnesota. While this was occurring back in March I been letting a fur-friend of mine stay in my upstairs room.

While this was all happening, At work it's been a big cloud of unknown around the place with what is all going to happen in 3-6 months. All the while, I was putting in 60 hour weeks to prevent myself being sent to Bangkok in the middle of this month. (Not saying anything is wrong with Thailand, but I'd want to travel there without having to work the entire time). Because of this, I haven't been keeping up well with my art, or management of this or other art sites.

That is not to say I haven't done art though. If you follow me on Twitter, you'd know that I was able to be in an art showcase in my town of Hutchinson, Minn. at the local art center. While I didn't place or finalize a sale on any of my prints, It has made me consider being more active with art in the sense of sales. While I'm not at the point that I'm comfortable doing commission work right now, I will be putting together a print list and going through my gallery her and other sites to develop print costs. There will be more about this in either a future journal or submission.

While we are still on art, I do have a few new ideas that I'm planning on creating and a couple of projects I defiantly want to finish, especially some new ideas that involve transformation, and some with sports, along with an expanded telegram sticker set.

But I think I have rambled on enough as it is and will have to try to do these more often.

Thanks for reading this even if its TL;DR.


Your friendly ausky,
~Ski#

Ask Your Questions and I'll answer them

Comment here and I'll:

1. Tell you what animal/creature you remind me of.
2. Tell you what colour I think fits you.
3. Tell you how I feel about you.
4. Insult you.
5. Tell you my favourite OC of yours.
6. Tell you what season you remind me of.
7. Tell you what food you smell like in my head.
8. Think of a random nickname for you.
9. Tell you what element you remind me of.
10. Ask you to put this in your journal without using the word 'tag'

Tagged by:  kizith

A few months ago some good friends of mine bought a house. Over the past three weeks this dream has turn nightmare. They found black mold, bad wiring the works; worse, because of these things now they can't make the house payment. One of the house mates is a very talented artist and is doing commissions right now. So please help them. The full story and how to commission can be found here --> https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/7139214/

So as the title suggests, my surgery was successful. Heck they didn't need to do anything to fix the meniscus or MCL; they healed by themselves. That said, The surgical staff did replace my ACL and PCL completely. In order to do this they needed to drill several holes in my bones and used some bio-degradable pins to hold in the new tendons. All of the surgery and exploration of the knee was done through several small holes in the knee, so I will have minimal scars.

Even though the incisions were small, this is a majorly invasive surgery and now I have some horrible pain if I don't keep up with the medicine. This medicine unfortunately has left me very scattered brained and unable to focus and very nappy. As such it has temporarily devastated my ability to do art. The art I have been able to do, has been slow and very sub-par. The meds though have also zapped my appetite so I'm loosing weight and I'm not feeling the pain of the bones healing. So there's some silver lining.

I think I am going to be on this heavy duty medicine for about a week, after which I'm not sure what I'll be on. Hopefully something I can have a clear head and not constantly falling asleep from.

As of right now I'm still looking at Thanksgiving before I'm able to load bear on my left leg, and still unknown before I know how long I can drive and be around furries again.

So for anyone who is interested, I will be having knee reconstruction surgery for my ACL, PCL and MCL tomorrow (21 October 2015). Because of this I will be off social media until at least Friday, if not later. I'll give more details later

So the sága continueS but the good news is I have answers.

I found out the damage I have done to my knee, and the repercussions of it. First the damage, the MRI shows that I go big or stay home. I completely severed my ACL & PCL, in addition I tore my MCL & Small tare in my meniscus. As a result I will be needing surgery....

The surgery is scheduled two weekends from Wednesday where I will be having ligament replacement surgery for my ACL & PCL. They expecting me to be released sometime Thursday, ill be having physical therapy twice a week until my surgery. Also due to my living arrangements I wont be able to go back to work until Thanksgiving.

Because of this injury I wont be able to make almost anything furry until I can drive. This means fur meets, zoo boo, charity drives and conventions. Also the fall out will mean I will not be able to get to a convention for a while. So no Midwest FurFest and probably wont be able to make Fur Squared either as I rebuild my Holiday and Sick day hours. Beyond furry, I will be incapable of skiing throughout this winter and possibly into the summer as well.

So in short: No furry-Ing, no skiing, no snowshoeing, no hockey... This is winter is going to sick for this snow loving ausky dog.

So incase anyone missed my last journal, here is the whole short story:

On Sunday I bought a swing chair, and Monday I attempted to put a rope in a tree to hold the chair up. To do this I threw a rope and clip up into a tree, where it got stuck barely out of reach. To bring down the rope, I grabbed a chair and jumped. I missed and landed awkwardly, upon hitting the ground my kneecap dislocated and had the worse pain in my life.

After getting my knee looked at by an Orthopedic, it's clear that I almost certainly tore my MCL, and probably ACL. There is a good chance that I also tore my meniscus and have a hairline fracture in my femur. I currently have an appointment to get an MRI on Sunday, and should know what's the next steps will be by Tuesday.

With that happening in my life, I will not be able to drive for a while so I wont be able to be very active in the furry community unfortunately. I hope to work on reading things I said I would and drawing thing, but I won't be able to make any fur meets or events for a while.

I will try to do another update after I know the next steps.

Last night, I was a complete idiot and jumped for a rope in a tree, missed and hurt my knee. I am happy that my neighbors where around to help me out. It was quite obvious that i needed medical attention and ended up in the ER all of last evening.

My leg isn't broken, but i did dislocate my kneecap and the have a extremely sprained knee, I am going to an orthopedist on this week to make sure that I didn't harm anything else.

With that said, I am currently at home today, resting, and since i drive a stick, I'm pretty much stuck here in Hutchinson. So I will not be able to make any meets or picnics until i am better.

Where are you staying?
The Hyatt-Regency (the con hotel)

What day are you getting there?
Thursday sometime before afternoon rush-hour

How are you traveling?
A WABAC with a broken cloaking circuit that makes it look like an Orange Dodge Dart

Who are you staying with?
Um…. A crazy dog-man… who has the same name as me… and looks exactly like me…

How is the best way to find you?
Look for me. I’ll most likely be at the entrance to the art room.

Are there any panels you might be attending?
Maybe, but I don’t know what I be at.

What do you look like?
A goofy ausky. Though some have said I look like a furry version of John Belushi…

Will you be suiting?
Yeah!

Do you do free art?
At times, If I’m in the mood.

Do you do trades?
See Above ^

Do you do badges?
// Goto Do you do free art?

What’s your gender?
Male.

How tall are you?
5’ 8”

Can I talk to you?
Definitely!

Can I touch you?
If it’s appropriately

Can I visit your room?
Sorry invite only.

Can I buy you drinks?
If I’m off the clock, sure. If I’m on the clock, I can’t turn down Caribou Coffee….

Can I give you stuff?
Depends on what it is….

Can I hug or snuggle with you?
Hugs sure, snuggles… that’s a friends thing.

Are you nice?
Growing up in Lake Wolbegon, I like to think so

Do you have an artist table?
No, I’ll be running all of them though…

Will you be going to parties?
I’ll be at the brewing party

will you be preforming?
Probably not

If you see you, how should I get your attention?
Yell my name, or tap me

Where will you be most of the time during the day(s)
Art Room, or right outside of it

Can I come with you for food/fun/etc.
We’ll see

Can I draw in your sketchbook?
Yep, just ask first

Can I take your picture?

Hey all!

If you didn't know,  FlyingFire and myself have been working hard for the past several months to re-imagine and craft a wonderful new Artists' Alley for Furry Migration! This year we have a wonderful opportunity to work on reworking the Artists' Alley with the new Convention location, the Hyatt Downtown Minneapolis. We have been taken lessons from last year on what worked and what did not and believe we have a recipe for success.

If you're an artist, we are still taking submissions for the drawing for all 3 days, or if you want something more stable we are continuing our Guaranteed Artist spots (half-tables) as well and currently taking reservations. Both types of Artists' Alley tables are open for submissions and reservations up until the opening of the Convention and drawing submissions until the Saturday of the convention. To sign up simply fill out the Artists' Alley Form on the convention website (http://www.furrymigration.org/deale...../artist-alley/). Drawings are daily and Artists whom are drawn will be notified the day before.

I hope to see you all there!
Ski Sharp

P.S. If you have any questions I'd be happy to answer them!

Yep that tine again and this time i got a ask.fm account
https://www.ask.fm/ski_sharp

Yep ask me anything!

So to those who don't know I'm on furlough this week, and one day in... I'm already bored out of my mind. It doesn't help that it's raining and that all my friends live ah hour or so away. And that furloughs seam to zap your motivation and attack your self worth when you can't organize a vacation around it, and life in a town with nothing but churches and bars for stuff to do...

But ready over,
Please ask me anything. I'll be happier then ever to answer.

So go ahead and ask me anything!

Also I figured since I'm typing anyways I should put together an update (for those who care)

So, as most of you know that I haven't been posting much lately, and for all of you watchers out here: I'm sorry. This autumn I found myself becoming quite active, to prevent myself from boredom and such that I felt in the waning weeks of the summer. As Such I found in the town I'm currently living in getting involved with the local art scene around here, and come January I was co-chair of the visual arts charity, running Open Mic Night at the art center, continuing to be involved with the photo-club. This was in addition to my job and stuff with the local furs group (MNFurs [if you're in the area you should check them out, it's a really cool group]) I also in this time picked up a spot with Furry Migration (and if you haven't booked yet do!http://www.furrymigration.org !!!

With this I have found myself loosing more time to create, navigate and post on here and other furry art sites. Now before anyone yells at me "Ski you're doing too much", I know and I have seen myself start pulling back in some areas, like: Not posting art, (I'm still drawing it cause i'd go insane if I didn't), and my photography and volunteering to other groups has suffered from this. What is nice is things that have been driving me busy out side of work seam to be now slowing down, and I can finally breath again, it feels nice.

So yeah, I finally beginning to feel like I'm getting stuff in line again and hopefully will be able to get things ! thanks for reading!

Ausky Aus!
Ski#

So get off your tails and ask me stuff!

So go ahead and ask me anything!!

Yep ask me anything!

Hey all

Boy it's been a busy year so for for this ausky dog. And I'd like to say I'm doing well and alive!. Unfortunately I haven't been updating to any of my art sites much lately, and that's a shame, nor have i been doing much for photoshop paintings that everyone seams to enjoy.

Starting in January I was in a creative rut and for some reason couldn't think of anything grand or fun to draw, write or create on my off time. Then in this off-time I was elected to the local art charity board as vice-chair where I live, also gotten involved with helping prep for Furry Migration. Then Starting in February my work became busy as well.

But I'm going to keep trying to be getting art up, most of it sketches but Will be uploading sometime!

Take care all
Ausky Aus.

P.S.
If you're leaving for another site with this whole IMVU look for me on
* DeviantArt
* Weasyl
* SoFurry

I'm planning on still posting here and the other sites as well.