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[STATUS] Tax Season Hiatus
Posted 7 years agoIT HAS BEGUN
It is now tax season. Jan 29 is the first day that filing will be available.
This is your yearly reminder to file and your yearly notification that I will be on hiatus until April 17. (The 15th is a Sunday. The 16th is a government holiday.) I still try to check in on FA on my phone, but will not be able to answer notes or do art.
If you made more than $400 (after expenses) in income from art, you must file a 1040 and you will owe Self Employment Tax. SE tax is calculated separately from income tax and cannot be eliminated with deductions or non-refundable credits. Your parents cannot claim your income on their return. You must file it yourself. If that income was in cash and you think it is untraceable, file anyway and pay the amount you owe. Don't play dice with the IRS.
If you made retail sales within your state, you may owe sales tax to your state.
If you made retail sales outside of your state, you may owe sales tax to that state, but the convention probably took care of it.
If you made sales online, the buyer is supposed to pay use tax. You do not owe sales tax.
If you paid a contract worker more than $200 during the year to do labor associated with your business, you must issue a 1099MISC. If that person gets hit with an audit, you will be penalized for not issuing the appropriate document.
You cannot deduct the entire cost of a new computer for art. You must estimate business use percentage based on real numbers, like the number of hours per day that you work verses the total time that you use the computer.
You can deduct the entire cost of a new tablet or art supplies, because they can't be used for any purpose except to make art. (Assuming you produce enough commissions that you could feasibly argue in court that your art is profit motivated.)
The standard mileage for 2017 is 53.5 cents. If you take this deduction, you cannot also deduct gas. Only the owner of the car may take the deduction.
The simplified home office deduction is still $5/sqft up to 300 sqft.
Spotify, Netflix, or other entertainment is not a deductible business expense even if you use it while working.
The new GOP tax plan is not in effect for tax year 2017 and will not affect your 2017 returns due in April 2018.
The health insurance mandate is still in effect for tax year 2017 and can still generate penalties for your 2017 return.
(This is verifiable general information, not tax advice. None of the above should be used for the purpose of tax evasion.)
It is now tax season. Jan 29 is the first day that filing will be available.
This is your yearly reminder to file and your yearly notification that I will be on hiatus until April 17. (The 15th is a Sunday. The 16th is a government holiday.) I still try to check in on FA on my phone, but will not be able to answer notes or do art.
If you made more than $400 (after expenses) in income from art, you must file a 1040 and you will owe Self Employment Tax. SE tax is calculated separately from income tax and cannot be eliminated with deductions or non-refundable credits. Your parents cannot claim your income on their return. You must file it yourself. If that income was in cash and you think it is untraceable, file anyway and pay the amount you owe. Don't play dice with the IRS.
If you made retail sales within your state, you may owe sales tax to your state.
If you made retail sales outside of your state, you may owe sales tax to that state, but the convention probably took care of it.
If you made sales online, the buyer is supposed to pay use tax. You do not owe sales tax.
If you paid a contract worker more than $200 during the year to do labor associated with your business, you must issue a 1099MISC. If that person gets hit with an audit, you will be penalized for not issuing the appropriate document.
You cannot deduct the entire cost of a new computer for art. You must estimate business use percentage based on real numbers, like the number of hours per day that you work verses the total time that you use the computer.
You can deduct the entire cost of a new tablet or art supplies, because they can't be used for any purpose except to make art. (Assuming you produce enough commissions that you could feasibly argue in court that your art is profit motivated.)
The standard mileage for 2017 is 53.5 cents. If you take this deduction, you cannot also deduct gas. Only the owner of the car may take the deduction.
The simplified home office deduction is still $5/sqft up to 300 sqft.
Spotify, Netflix, or other entertainment is not a deductible business expense even if you use it while working.
The new GOP tax plan is not in effect for tax year 2017 and will not affect your 2017 returns due in April 2018.
The health insurance mandate is still in effect for tax year 2017 and can still generate penalties for your 2017 return.
(This is verifiable general information, not tax advice. None of the above should be used for the purpose of tax evasion.)
[STATUS] Welcome 2018
Posted 7 years agoHappy New Year!
This is less of a series of resolutions and more of a loose work schedule, because I am one of those crazy people who plans things out far in advance and doesn't tend to procrastinate.
Here's to hoping that 2018 doesn't contain any huge problems that puts everything out of order for several months. Every year, I keep thinking "Okay. This is the year where I don't have any major life changes planned and I'll finally be able to get some work done." and so far, I've been wrong.
This Week: At least start on Moka and Charm's painting. Tail and paws for Yin's partial.
Next Week: Be close to finishing Moka and Charm's painting. 2018 Price List. Make an ad to go up around April.
Mid January - Mid April :: Busy season at First-Job. Notes will go unread. Art will go undone. House will go uncleaned.
End of April :: Inventory Prep for Wild Nights, Head for Yin's Partial, Wild Nights, (Opening for Commissions at Con)
May :: Working on bodysuit collab project and commissions from Wild Nights.
June :: Probably open for commissions for the second half of the year.
Personal Art Goals:
1) Make an art doll using the fox fur left over from a high school project.
2) Make the tarot card frame.
3) Design a character to use for erotic art. Must match various backgrounds, be visually interesting, and not a complete pain to draw.
4) Complete the quad stilts.
- Refit Bolts
- Drill Flex Space
- Attach Foot
- Attach tendons
- Field Test
- Tape for extra support
5) Working prototype for helmet and spine.
- Buy a new helmet (old one will be scrapped for this project)
- Pare down old helmet
- Sculpt a head (might buy a resin blank
- Mount a ball joint
- sculpt and cast vertebrae for tail
- Carve back extension pads
- Make harness
- Install neck tendons, spinal tube, and tail tendons
6) Make a felted art doll from cat hair. It will be a cat.
This is less of a series of resolutions and more of a loose work schedule, because I am one of those crazy people who plans things out far in advance and doesn't tend to procrastinate.
Here's to hoping that 2018 doesn't contain any huge problems that puts everything out of order for several months. Every year, I keep thinking "Okay. This is the year where I don't have any major life changes planned and I'll finally be able to get some work done." and so far, I've been wrong.
This Week: At least start on Moka and Charm's painting. Tail and paws for Yin's partial.
Next Week: Be close to finishing Moka and Charm's painting. 2018 Price List. Make an ad to go up around April.
Mid January - Mid April :: Busy season at First-Job. Notes will go unread. Art will go undone. House will go uncleaned.
End of April :: Inventory Prep for Wild Nights, Head for Yin's Partial, Wild Nights, (Opening for Commissions at Con)
May :: Working on bodysuit collab project and commissions from Wild Nights.
June :: Probably open for commissions for the second half of the year.
Personal Art Goals:
1) Make an art doll using the fox fur left over from a high school project.
2) Make the tarot card frame.
3) Design a character to use for erotic art. Must match various backgrounds, be visually interesting, and not a complete pain to draw.
4) Complete the quad stilts.
- Refit Bolts
- Drill Flex Space
- Attach Foot
- Attach tendons
- Field Test
- Tape for extra support
5) Working prototype for helmet and spine.
- Buy a new helmet (old one will be scrapped for this project)
- Pare down old helmet
- Sculpt a head (might buy a resin blank
- Mount a ball joint
- sculpt and cast vertebrae for tail
- Carve back extension pads
- Make harness
- Install neck tendons, spinal tube, and tail tendons
6) Make a felted art doll from cat hair. It will be a cat.
[PSA] Art and Opportunity Cost
Posted 8 years agoGreetings,
With the holiday season coming up and potentially an $42,000 medical bill hanging over my head (because my insurance company is being a butt), I feel like it's time to discuss this again.
Every once in a while, I look at other people who are really good at things that I used to be able to do and I think "Wow. I'm too old to be good at anything." For most things, that is true. I've lost my flexibility and my singing voice, I never learned to sight-read music because I was losing my vision, and I came into riding without proper foundations. I am far far past the age I would need to start learning any of these things in order to gain enough experience to perform at a professional level while I'm still young enough to handle it.
And then I stop and think about it, and I realize, there /is/ something I am so good at that I can do it at a professional level; accounting. As a matter of fact, I am a professional, which is why I'm absent from FA for half the year. I would produce so much more art and I would be so much better than I am now if I had stayed home and practiced art, but I didn't. I learned accounting instead. Now, I don't have the time to seriously practice anything else because I'm too busy making my living as an accountant, so I'm never going to be as good as I could have been at skating or riding or music or art.
At the moment, having just been rejected from BLFC Dealer's Den despite having made it in the past couple years and waiting on news from DenFur, with cons dying all around me and politics closing in, I am glad that I decided to be an accountant. I just have to breathe and remind myself not to panic because I still have other options. Granted, it's a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy because if I was a full-time professional artist, I would not have other options, but I probably would not have been rejected from Dealer's Den.
The ultimate point is that a person pursing anything as a hobbyist cannot become as good as the same person would be as a professional, because a hobbyist has to devote at least 40 hours per week to doing something else. That person simply doesn't have as much available practice time. As a result an artist needs to be supported with money in order to keep producing good art. An artist needs to keep producing good art in order to produce really good art. It takes a professional level of practice to obtain a professional level of skill, and an artist can't get a professional level of practice on a hobbyist's time budget.
As I said before, telling an artist to find another job is the same as telling that person to quit doing art. It doesn't matter if that person could theoretically keep doing art just for fun, there won't be enough time and pressure to practice well and efficiently. It'll just be mucking around.
Right now, we still have an influx of beginners trying to use art as a minimum wage retail job because they can't get hired anywhere else, but as the economy starts to pick back up in some areas, they'll start to leave as they find better jobs. That is absolutely fine. Not everyone who picks up a tablet /should/ be an artist or has enough interest and dedication to put in the practice. Not every artist has to make it. Just like all other jobs, if that person just isn't good enough to ever make a living at it, that person should probably go do something else.
However, if you, personally, as a viewer, find an artist that you want to keep in the art industry, hire that person! Artists won't keep making art if they have better things to do. If I start picking up weekend shifts at my barn, I will stop painting. There just aren't enough hours in the day. If you can make practicing art a talented and dedicated person's best option, the world will be gifted with a great artist. If not, we'll end up with another tax accountant.
In other news, if I lose this fight with my insurance company, I might have to beg for money on FA for the first time in the nine years that I have been here. If it comes to that, I am really really sorry, and yes, I will draw porn.
With the holiday season coming up and potentially an $42,000 medical bill hanging over my head (because my insurance company is being a butt), I feel like it's time to discuss this again.
Every once in a while, I look at other people who are really good at things that I used to be able to do and I think "Wow. I'm too old to be good at anything." For most things, that is true. I've lost my flexibility and my singing voice, I never learned to sight-read music because I was losing my vision, and I came into riding without proper foundations. I am far far past the age I would need to start learning any of these things in order to gain enough experience to perform at a professional level while I'm still young enough to handle it.
And then I stop and think about it, and I realize, there /is/ something I am so good at that I can do it at a professional level; accounting. As a matter of fact, I am a professional, which is why I'm absent from FA for half the year. I would produce so much more art and I would be so much better than I am now if I had stayed home and practiced art, but I didn't. I learned accounting instead. Now, I don't have the time to seriously practice anything else because I'm too busy making my living as an accountant, so I'm never going to be as good as I could have been at skating or riding or music or art.
At the moment, having just been rejected from BLFC Dealer's Den despite having made it in the past couple years and waiting on news from DenFur, with cons dying all around me and politics closing in, I am glad that I decided to be an accountant. I just have to breathe and remind myself not to panic because I still have other options. Granted, it's a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy because if I was a full-time professional artist, I would not have other options, but I probably would not have been rejected from Dealer's Den.
The ultimate point is that a person pursing anything as a hobbyist cannot become as good as the same person would be as a professional, because a hobbyist has to devote at least 40 hours per week to doing something else. That person simply doesn't have as much available practice time. As a result an artist needs to be supported with money in order to keep producing good art. An artist needs to keep producing good art in order to produce really good art. It takes a professional level of practice to obtain a professional level of skill, and an artist can't get a professional level of practice on a hobbyist's time budget.
As I said before, telling an artist to find another job is the same as telling that person to quit doing art. It doesn't matter if that person could theoretically keep doing art just for fun, there won't be enough time and pressure to practice well and efficiently. It'll just be mucking around.
Right now, we still have an influx of beginners trying to use art as a minimum wage retail job because they can't get hired anywhere else, but as the economy starts to pick back up in some areas, they'll start to leave as they find better jobs. That is absolutely fine. Not everyone who picks up a tablet /should/ be an artist or has enough interest and dedication to put in the practice. Not every artist has to make it. Just like all other jobs, if that person just isn't good enough to ever make a living at it, that person should probably go do something else.
However, if you, personally, as a viewer, find an artist that you want to keep in the art industry, hire that person! Artists won't keep making art if they have better things to do. If I start picking up weekend shifts at my barn, I will stop painting. There just aren't enough hours in the day. If you can make practicing art a talented and dedicated person's best option, the world will be gifted with a great artist. If not, we'll end up with another tax accountant.
In other news, if I lose this fight with my insurance company, I might have to beg for money on FA for the first time in the nine years that I have been here. If it comes to that, I am really really sorry, and yes, I will draw porn.
[SUPER SECRET STUFF] Comment to Remind Me That You Exist
Posted 8 years agoI'm putting together a secret list for secret purposes and don't want to forget about anyone by accident. If we speak to each other at least once per week, you're probably fine even without commenting.
[STATUS] Don't buy things from China
Posted 8 years agoWent out and got a proper Wacom tablet. No more lag!
The lesson remains: Don't buy things from China. As a Chinese person, I confirm that my countrymen are a bunch of cheats and scammers and I really should have known that before trying a Huion tablet.
Old Setup: Bamboo Fun and Paint Tool SAI
New Setup: Intuos Draw and Clip Studio Paint
What to do with the old tablet now?
The lesson remains: Don't buy things from China. As a Chinese person, I confirm that my countrymen are a bunch of cheats and scammers and I really should have known that before trying a Huion tablet.
Old Setup: Bamboo Fun and Paint Tool SAI
New Setup: Intuos Draw and Clip Studio Paint
What to do with the old tablet now?
[STATUS] Puns
Posted 8 years ago....I forgot how to fracking draw rocks.
Still on medical leave until the end of this week. The plan is to get a painting done before Friday, which just leaves the things due at Christmas.
Commissions may open up for sketches and other small work depending on how quickly the other paintings go.
BLFC and DenFur dealer tables have been applied for but not yet confirmed.
Wild Nights isn't open yet, but they're always a bit late, so no worries.
Still on medical leave until the end of this week. The plan is to get a painting done before Friday, which just leaves the things due at Christmas.
Commissions may open up for sketches and other small work depending on how quickly the other paintings go.
BLFC and DenFur dealer tables have been applied for but not yet confirmed.
Wild Nights isn't open yet, but they're always a bit late, so no worries.
Streaming Schedule
Posted 8 years agoGreetings,
I am now in a situation where I am going to be spending a lot of time sitting at my desk over the next two weeks. Come keep me company in the stream?
1) I do have a small queue right now, but is there any interest in in-stream quick sketch commissions?
2) What time is best for everyone. I can't leave and I have no circadian rhythm so it's up to you.
3) Music preferences? I love discovering new music. Left to my own devices, it will devolve into educational audiobooks or talk radio.
I am now in a situation where I am going to be spending a lot of time sitting at my desk over the next two weeks. Come keep me company in the stream?
1) I do have a small queue right now, but is there any interest in in-stream quick sketch commissions?
2) What time is best for everyone. I can't leave and I have no circadian rhythm so it's up to you.
3) Music preferences? I love discovering new music. Left to my own devices, it will devolve into educational audiobooks or talk radio.
[ART TECH] Corel Painter
Posted 8 years agoSo it turns out, FireAlpaca is terrible. It wasn't the tablet, the program just has strange pressure levels that are incompatible with my super-light, sensitive, hands, and no method of adjustment.
I just downloaded the trial version of Corel Painter Essentials 5. Once I figured out the shortcut keys and found the toolbar (The task bar was covering them up.), it worked great. It has everything I could ever want except transform (which, while a great time saving tool, I don't really need, as I am perfectly capable of functioning without it in traditional media) and comes at the low price of around 50USD.
For a long time, I was using a semi-bootlegged version of Paint Tool SAI. Poor students need to get by somehow. I've been trying to make the switch to a purchased program for a while, but never figured out how to get SAI specifically or found a good substitute. Switching to a Huion tablet forced me to change programs because the drivers are incompatible with SAI and also with any other tablet drivers on the computer.
Over the years, I have never begged for money over FA, but I am guilty of my share of bad actions in the name of survival. (Mainly freebooting and sneaking on public transport without a ticket.) Even if there isn't a clear harm, I think it's important to pay one's share when able, because it prevents the market from collapsing. Be a parasite when you must; but someday, go back and buy the DVD.
I just downloaded the trial version of Corel Painter Essentials 5. Once I figured out the shortcut keys and found the toolbar (The task bar was covering them up.), it worked great. It has everything I could ever want except transform (which, while a great time saving tool, I don't really need, as I am perfectly capable of functioning without it in traditional media) and comes at the low price of around 50USD.
For a long time, I was using a semi-bootlegged version of Paint Tool SAI. Poor students need to get by somehow. I've been trying to make the switch to a purchased program for a while, but never figured out how to get SAI specifically or found a good substitute. Switching to a Huion tablet forced me to change programs because the drivers are incompatible with SAI and also with any other tablet drivers on the computer.
Over the years, I have never begged for money over FA, but I am guilty of my share of bad actions in the name of survival. (Mainly freebooting and sneaking on public transport without a ticket.) Even if there isn't a clear harm, I think it's important to pay one's share when able, because it prevents the market from collapsing. Be a parasite when you must; but someday, go back and buy the DVD.
[CON] AWU 2017
Posted 8 years agoGreetings,
Wow! Between second busy season at First-Job, a visit from family, and preparations for AWU, I feel like I've fallen behind on FA. In summary,
Tica 
Kreoche and I drove 8 hours to Utah, stayed with 
WrathofAutumn (Thank you for allowing us to exist in your house.), went to a haunted house, sold at AWU, and drove 8 hours back.
A big thank you to AWU staff for doing their best to accommodate the dealers. We were put into a tiny room with half-size tables, but they still managed to make everyone feel comfortable. I also really appreciate that the fursuit games and fursuit parade were scheduled before and after dealer hours so that Tica was able to participate. (We were still late to the fursuit parade, but that is the reality of sloths.)
The three of us are definitely considering attending next year, but it will depend on whether we are able to schedule around our local con, DenFur.
Panel Suggestion: After-Hours Art Jam, run by
AlphaSempaiWolvieSyxx It already exists. Why not make it official?
Wow! Between second busy season at First-Job, a visit from family, and preparations for AWU, I feel like I've fallen behind on FA. In summary,
Tica 
Kreoche and I drove 8 hours to Utah, stayed with 
WrathofAutumn (Thank you for allowing us to exist in your house.), went to a haunted house, sold at AWU, and drove 8 hours back. A big thank you to AWU staff for doing their best to accommodate the dealers. We were put into a tiny room with half-size tables, but they still managed to make everyone feel comfortable. I also really appreciate that the fursuit games and fursuit parade were scheduled before and after dealer hours so that
Tica was able to participate. (We were still late to the fursuit parade, but that is the reality of sloths.)The three of us are definitely considering attending next year, but it will depend on whether we are able to schedule around our local con, DenFur.
Panel Suggestion: After-Hours Art Jam, run by
AlphaSempaiWolvieSyxx It already exists. Why not make it official?[Personal] I remembered that I really like this
Posted 8 years agoI think I need a new character specifically for the purpose of designing cute clothes. I just remembered that I really like it.
Summary: Working on eevee keychains. Leafeon is a mori girl.
Summary: Working on eevee keychains. Leafeon is a mori girl.
[STATUS] Work Resuming
Posted 8 years agoAs you can see from recent posts, work is being done again.
Kingsley Fullbody Monochrome is currently in progress. Hoping to have it done by the end of the week.
Snack's badge hopefully the weekend after that.
Glaceon and Leafeon, plus a new batch of keychains are scheduled to be ready in time for AWU at the end of October. I'm also looking into some sticker or other options, so if you have suggestions, please post. So far, I know of StoreEnvy and Redbubble.
Medical shenanigans will resume in November. Whatever doesn't get done before then may have to wait until December.
Kingsley Fullbody Monochrome is currently in progress. Hoping to have it done by the end of the week.
Snack's badge hopefully the weekend after that.
Glaceon and Leafeon, plus a new batch of keychains are scheduled to be ready in time for AWU at the end of October. I'm also looking into some sticker or other options, so if you have suggestions, please post. So far, I know of StoreEnvy and Redbubble.
Medical shenanigans will resume in November. Whatever doesn't get done before then may have to wait until December.
[Personal] Literal Horse
Posted 8 years agoOkay, I've had this conversation a few times now, and I'm fairly sure that people are just messing with me at this point.
The person I am dating is a sloth.
I am not currently participating in any master-pet type relationships.
The person I refer to as my "horse" is not a person, he is a literal horse. I own him in a legal and government sanctioned way, and I have papers to prove it. I ride him on the bridle paths of a public park. Sometimes, I let children come up and pet him. Their parents are not in any way shocked.
I know nothing about pony play. I have no idea where to get pony play equipment. I buy my tack from the tack store and the ranch supply store, where they sell equipment that does not fit humans. I will not send you a picture of myself in jodhpurs because I do not own any. I ride in jeans, a normal shirt, and a helmet. I do not have a crop. I like as much as possible of my tack to be synthetic, because I'm too lazy to take care of leather.
This is my hobby, not my fetish.
I mean, you can send me [SFW] photos of your pony suit if you really want, but I have no context for understanding it.
[STATUS] Still dying but not quickly
Posted 8 years agoGreetings,
You might have noticed that I have not completed any art for a month, even though I have commissions due, which is highly unusual for me. That is because I have spent the majority of my free time on the phone with various healthcare providers and also with an insurance company. The receptionist at the hospital has been really great. I'll have to get her a gift card or something for helping me deal with this giant mess.
Thank you for your patience.
Edit: And also I stopped streaming art because Mishira vanished and I can't figure out how to operate OBS or Xsplit.
You might have noticed that I have not completed any art for a month, even though I have commissions due, which is highly unusual for me. That is because I have spent the majority of my free time on the phone with various healthcare providers and also with an insurance company. The receptionist at the hospital has been really great. I'll have to get her a gift card or something for helping me deal with this giant mess.
Thank you for your patience.
Edit: And also I stopped streaming art because Mishira vanished and I can't figure out how to operate OBS or Xsplit.
[STATUS] Dying a little bit on the inside
Posted 8 years agoI've been busy with medical stuff and the bureaucratic complications that go along with medical stuff, mostly the latter.
Sorry for delays.
Sorry for further delays.
I AM GOING TO FINISH THE ART
I HAVE NEVER MISSED AN OBLIGATION AND I DO NOT INTEND TO START NOW
The following phrase accurately describes the state of my life right now:
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
...
Not actually dying imminently. That was an exaggeration. If you want to help, the best thing you can do for me right now is (if you are a US Citizen) make every effort to pester to your government representative to make sure the statutes saying that you cannot raise premiums or deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions, so that I will continue to have health insurance (that I get privately through an employer and pay for at the same rate as everyone else, not medicaid, which is a whole different lecture for a different day) for the things that I need to live.
I know it sounds very politically motivated, but seriously guys...do you remember what the world was like before the insurance mandates? The insurance companies would refuse to cover anyone who was already sick, so that a person born with any kind of illness or anyone who developed a chronic problem while not on the payroll of a large company was pretty much screwed, because insurance would just shrug and say "Well, we know you actually need medical care, so we're not going to sell you insurance because we know we'd lose money on you." and then that person would still have to deal with paying the jacked up prices for healthcare that exist because of insurance. It wasn't a good thing. I grew up expecting the world to continue operating like that, and I'm kind of surprised that I made it this far. Now, I am definitely a little alarmed at the possibility that the world will go back to how things were, and I won't make it that much further because I am dying a little bit on the inside.
Sorry for delays.
Sorry for further delays.
I AM GOING TO FINISH THE ART
I HAVE NEVER MISSED AN OBLIGATION AND I DO NOT INTEND TO START NOW
The following phrase accurately describes the state of my life right now:
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
...
Not actually dying imminently. That was an exaggeration. If you want to help, the best thing you can do for me right now is (if you are a US Citizen) make every effort to pester to your government representative to make sure the statutes saying that you cannot raise premiums or deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions, so that I will continue to have health insurance (that I get privately through an employer and pay for at the same rate as everyone else, not medicaid, which is a whole different lecture for a different day) for the things that I need to live.
I know it sounds very politically motivated, but seriously guys...do you remember what the world was like before the insurance mandates? The insurance companies would refuse to cover anyone who was already sick, so that a person born with any kind of illness or anyone who developed a chronic problem while not on the payroll of a large company was pretty much screwed, because insurance would just shrug and say "Well, we know you actually need medical care, so we're not going to sell you insurance because we know we'd lose money on you." and then that person would still have to deal with paying the jacked up prices for healthcare that exist because of insurance. It wasn't a good thing. I grew up expecting the world to continue operating like that, and I'm kind of surprised that I made it this far. Now, I am definitely a little alarmed at the possibility that the world will go back to how things were, and I won't make it that much further because I am dying a little bit on the inside.
[CON] BLFC 2017
Posted 8 years agoHotel: Con Hotel
Arrival: Thursday night, about 9pm.
Departure: Monday morning, incredibly early.
Transportation: Flying. My rideshare flaked out on me.
Sharing a room with:
SoongDae is our RA. I'm not entirely sure who else will be in there.
Age: 18+
Height: 5'
Weight: 95lbs
Art Status: Yes! I have not yet been assigned a table number, but you can find me in the Bazaar section of the Dealer's Den.
What will you be offering at your table?
I will be offering at-con commissions, prints, and fun keychains. I also have a pile of misc buttons and fursuit parts.
Do you take commissions?
Yes. Very much yes. I am at the con for entirely this reason.
Do you do trades?
Yes! (Lower priority than paid commissions though.)
Are you a Fursuiter?
I will not be bringing a fursuit because I don't want to pay for checked baggage.
What's your fursuit?
N/A
Who do you hang out with?
I'll be in Artist Alley during work hours, but I'm not attending the con "with" any particular friends and I would be happy to come hang out with new people.
Attending parties?
Sure? I don't expect to be invited to any, but I am open to the idea.
Do you drink?
I can't for medical reasons, but I can pretend.
Can I buy you a drink?
I would be very happy if you offered me a sugary beverage of the fruit, coffee, or tea classification. My favorite alcohol-like beverage is half grenadine half sours.
Do you smoke?
No, but I don't mind if you do.
Are you attending any panels?
Planning on the following:
Watercolor Basics
Figure Drawing
There are a few others I would like to attend, but they occur during work hours.
Stage or public performance?
Nope.
How do I identify my self to you?
State your fursona name. If available, please show me a badge with your fursona picture. I cannot see faces. I will not recognize you unless we know each other well enough to know your voice.
Rules of engagement (physical contact)?
Link to Touch Zone Guide: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/19862762/
Essentially, do not touch my face, sex organs, or abdomen, in that order of importance.
I know it is very tempting because I am the same weight as a 5th grade child, but please ask before doing anything that involves my feet not staying in contact with the ground.
How can I find you?
I will be parked in the Bazaar for most of the day.
I look like this: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/22487088/
Can I talk to you?
Of course!
Can I give you lots of money?
Yes. Please buy the things.
Can I give you stuff?
I am open to bribery.
Can I hug or snuggle with you?
Yes. I like to be petted on the head, back, and limbs. Please do not touch my face with your germy hands or put your germy saliva on me.
Can I come to dinner with you?
Please do! Food is more fun with friends.
Can I hang out with you?
Sure. (After hours though. Please try not to block the table.)
Can I take your picture?
I am not sure why you would want to do that, but you may.
How do I know if you're not looking to socialize (angry, busy or upset)?
1) Customers at the table always take priority over socializing. If someone else walks up, I will drop my conversation with you to greet that person. It's not because I don't like you or that I'm trying to brush you off, that's just how being a shopkeeper is done. If you stick around, we can continue the conversation after the transaction is finished.
2) After hours, I will say to you, explicitly, with English words "I'm sorry, but I'm currently [in pain/responding to an emergency/late for an event]. We can talk later." and then I will tell you where you can find me later.
Personality Type?
Highly conscientious. A type. Has letters at the end of name. My assigned tarot card is the Emperor.
What's your goal for the con this year?
Profit.
Arrival: Thursday night, about 9pm.
Departure: Monday morning, incredibly early.
Transportation: Flying. My rideshare flaked out on me.
Sharing a room with:
SoongDae is our RA. I'm not entirely sure who else will be in there.Age: 18+
Height: 5'
Weight: 95lbs
Art Status: Yes! I have not yet been assigned a table number, but you can find me in the Bazaar section of the Dealer's Den.
What will you be offering at your table?
I will be offering at-con commissions, prints, and fun keychains. I also have a pile of misc buttons and fursuit parts.
Do you take commissions?
Yes. Very much yes. I am at the con for entirely this reason.
Do you do trades?
Yes! (Lower priority than paid commissions though.)
Are you a Fursuiter?
I will not be bringing a fursuit because I don't want to pay for checked baggage.
What's your fursuit?
N/A
Who do you hang out with?
I'll be in Artist Alley during work hours, but I'm not attending the con "with" any particular friends and I would be happy to come hang out with new people.
Attending parties?
Sure? I don't expect to be invited to any, but I am open to the idea.
Do you drink?
I can't for medical reasons, but I can pretend.
Can I buy you a drink?
I would be very happy if you offered me a sugary beverage of the fruit, coffee, or tea classification. My favorite alcohol-like beverage is half grenadine half sours.
Do you smoke?
No, but I don't mind if you do.
Are you attending any panels?
Planning on the following:
Watercolor Basics
Figure Drawing
There are a few others I would like to attend, but they occur during work hours.
Stage or public performance?
Nope.
How do I identify my self to you?
State your fursona name. If available, please show me a badge with your fursona picture. I cannot see faces. I will not recognize you unless we know each other well enough to know your voice.
Rules of engagement (physical contact)?
Link to Touch Zone Guide: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/19862762/
Essentially, do not touch my face, sex organs, or abdomen, in that order of importance.
I know it is very tempting because I am the same weight as a 5th grade child, but please ask before doing anything that involves my feet not staying in contact with the ground.
How can I find you?
I will be parked in the Bazaar for most of the day.
I look like this: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/22487088/
Can I talk to you?
Of course!
Can I give you lots of money?
Yes. Please buy the things.
Can I give you stuff?
I am open to bribery.
Can I hug or snuggle with you?
Yes. I like to be petted on the head, back, and limbs. Please do not touch my face with your germy hands or put your germy saliva on me.
Can I come to dinner with you?
Please do! Food is more fun with friends.
Can I hang out with you?
Sure. (After hours though. Please try not to block the table.)
Can I take your picture?
I am not sure why you would want to do that, but you may.
How do I know if you're not looking to socialize (angry, busy or upset)?
1) Customers at the table always take priority over socializing. If someone else walks up, I will drop my conversation with you to greet that person. It's not because I don't like you or that I'm trying to brush you off, that's just how being a shopkeeper is done. If you stick around, we can continue the conversation after the transaction is finished.
2) After hours, I will say to you, explicitly, with English words "I'm sorry, but I'm currently [in pain/responding to an emergency/late for an event]. We can talk later." and then I will tell you where you can find me later.
Personality Type?
Highly conscientious. A type. Has letters at the end of name. My assigned tarot card is the Emperor.
What's your goal for the con this year?
Profit.
[CON] Wild Nights 2017 Aftermath
Posted 8 years agoPART 1: The Journey
The drive was uneventful in a good way. Tica is an excellent copilot and even took over part of the drive through OKC. Even better, she actually called me the night before at a reasonable hour, to confirm our travel itinerary. I realized afterwards that I shouldn't have been so impressed, because that is what normal adults do when travelling together, but compared to past experiences with both other furries and other young adults, that was a really responsible. Thank you Slothfriend.
In other news, there are 3 trees by the side of the road between here and Salina, KS, Wheat-Jesus is still intact, and the one of the pro-life signs has been replaced with one that says "Vaccinate".
PART 2: The Task
Oklahoma, the land where paint never dries. Despite that, I feel like I made a lot of progress this year. It turns out that using real watercolor paper helps a lot. I was able to get nice deep colors and real watercolor technique instead of watercolor-pretending-to-be-acrylics.
POSSUM GUY WHO ORDERED A REF SHEET - I really hope you see this because I don't have your contact info.
PART 3: Complications
There was a tornado warning. It has been confirmed that military style yelling is not effective on a group of furries. Small bit of flooding. No hail, no big deal.
PART 4: Etiquette PSA
Some of the other artists expressed to me that they were really uncomfortable having their personal space invaded. I know that Wild Nights is known as a hookup con and party con, but for us, sitting at the table is work-time. We don't have the option to get up and leave if something is bothering us. It's fine to stop by and chat. We really like chatting, but let's keep things professional. Please don't come around to the back of the table without being invited, and please keep your hands to yourself (especially if someone is inking). The heavy flirting can wait until after-hours, when we're free to play. (It's fine, Mr. Otter. You were really drunk. This is something else entirely.)
Part 5: The Return
We hit a possum on the way to OKC, then took a wrong exit, got a little bit lost, and took the wrong freeway up through Wichita. There was a snowstorm somewhere in western Kansas, and we got stuck in a drift at a rest stop. Truckers had to help push us out.
PART 6: The Recovery
I am the kind of sick that involves coughing, sneezing, and fluids dribbling out of my sinuses. Eww. Better now than at BLFC.
The drive was uneventful in a good way.
Tica is an excellent copilot and even took over part of the drive through OKC. Even better, she actually called me the night before at a reasonable hour, to confirm our travel itinerary. I realized afterwards that I shouldn't have been so impressed, because that is what normal adults do when travelling together, but compared to past experiences with both other furries and other young adults, that was a really responsible. Thank you Slothfriend.In other news, there are 3 trees by the side of the road between here and Salina, KS, Wheat-Jesus is still intact, and the one of the pro-life signs has been replaced with one that says "Vaccinate".
PART 2: The Task
Oklahoma, the land where paint never dries. Despite that, I feel like I made a lot of progress this year. It turns out that using real watercolor paper helps a lot. I was able to get nice deep colors and real watercolor technique instead of watercolor-pretending-to-be-acrylics.
POSSUM GUY WHO ORDERED A REF SHEET - I really hope you see this because I don't have your contact info.
PART 3: Complications
There was a tornado warning. It has been confirmed that military style yelling is not effective on a group of furries. Small bit of flooding. No hail, no big deal.
PART 4: Etiquette PSA
Some of the other artists expressed to me that they were really uncomfortable having their personal space invaded. I know that Wild Nights is known as a hookup con and party con, but for us, sitting at the table is work-time. We don't have the option to get up and leave if something is bothering us. It's fine to stop by and chat. We really like chatting, but let's keep things professional. Please don't come around to the back of the table without being invited, and please keep your hands to yourself (especially if someone is inking). The heavy flirting can wait until after-hours, when we're free to play. (It's fine, Mr. Otter. You were really drunk. This is something else entirely.)
Part 5: The Return
We hit a possum on the way to OKC, then took a wrong exit, got a little bit lost, and took the wrong freeway up through Wichita. There was a snowstorm somewhere in western Kansas, and we got stuck in a drift at a rest stop. Truckers had to help push us out.
PART 6: The Recovery
I am the kind of sick that involves coughing, sneezing, and fluids dribbling out of my sinuses. Eww. Better now than at BLFC.
[STATUS] Back from Wild Nights
Posted 8 years agoI have returned. No major issues. Aftermath journal to come.
For this next week, an all out rush to finish up a painting. More updates afterward.
For this next week, an all out rush to finish up a painting. More updates afterward.
[STATUS] Busy Season is Over
Posted 8 years ago1) State board finally got its act together. I have papers and a license number now. Yay.
2) RMFC is cancelled. There are several potential causes, all of which are embarrassing. I apologize on behalf of my local community.
3) My desk is finally set up enough to work and I will be working to catch up on art over the next week.
4) Going to Wild Nights with Tica April 22 - May 1. I hope to see you there!
5) I've decided not to take any large painting commissions this year, so I can focus on completing the projects that I planned over the past few years and get some non-commissioned work into my print inventory. I wrote the script and thumbnails for Holy Dark in 2013. It's been long enough. I haven't decided to stop taking them all together, but I only have time to complete a few paintings per year at the level of detail I'd like to put into them. Small works will still be available.
6) Got any con suggestions for 2018?
7) Thank you for sticking with me. I'll try my best to make it worth your time.
2) RMFC is cancelled. There are several potential causes, all of which are embarrassing. I apologize on behalf of my local community.
3) My desk is finally set up enough to work and I will be working to catch up on art over the next week.
4) Going to Wild Nights with
Tica April 22 - May 1. I hope to see you there!5) I've decided not to take any large painting commissions this year, so I can focus on completing the projects that I planned over the past few years and get some non-commissioned work into my print inventory. I wrote the script and thumbnails for Holy Dark in 2013. It's been long enough. I haven't decided to stop taking them all together, but I only have time to complete a few paintings per year at the level of detail I'd like to put into them. Small works will still be available.
6) Got any con suggestions for 2018?
7) Thank you for sticking with me. I'll try my best to make it worth your time.
[STATUS] Delays
Posted 8 years agoI sincerely apologize, but outstanding commissions may be delayed by a week or so. In a shocking turn of events, I have been subjected to an involuntary move during the worst possible time of year. The three weeks or so that were supposed to be spent on painting were used up taking care of the extraneous responsibilities thoughtlessly thrust upon me. (To be understood as, "I had no hot water, no internet, two leaking toilets, and only half an hour per night plus Sunday, to try to fix it. Thank you parents, for dropping me into this mess. I was perfectly fine where I was and now my schedule for the next two months is off course.")
I will try my best to make original deadlines, but there may be a slight delay for reasons listed above. If that is not reasonable for your timetable, you are always welcome to request a refund instead.
In other news, RMFC is confirmed and my room is looking for a fourth party member. Please send me a note or email if you are interested, somewhat reliable, and passably financially responsible.
I will try my best to make original deadlines, but there may be a slight delay for reasons listed above. If that is not reasonable for your timetable, you are always welcome to request a refund instead.
In other news, RMFC is confirmed and my room is looking for a fourth party member. Please send me a note or email if you are interested, somewhat reliable, and passably financially responsible.
[STATUS] BLFC Confirmed
Posted 8 years agoBLFC Vendor status confirmed!
They never sent me an email, so I just sort of checked every once in a while, and surprise! Application approved.
It's still busy season. This week is 50 hours minimum. Still not too bad.
I have been informed that I am moving. Not asked, informed. I will be moving over the next two months. (Into a house in a senior community that is full of furniture that I do not like and that I have to dust and am otherwise not allowed to touch.)
Art is still on schedule. Busy Season is a yearly planned hiatus that has been accounted for.
I will be participating in Sketchbet (mostly doodles on scrap paper at work in ballpoint pen. Don't expect any real art to come out of it.). For this purpose, I have made a Twitter account. I do not know how to direct you there. I do not understand how to operate Twitter. Please send help.
Looking around at art software. I tried Krita, but can't seem to get the hang of how it flows. I tend to operate my tablet very lightly, and the opacity vs. size is different than I'm used to.
Also looking around for a new tablet, since this one is old and dying. Considering Huion. Let me know if you have opinions.
They never sent me an email, so I just sort of checked every once in a while, and surprise! Application approved.
It's still busy season. This week is 50 hours minimum. Still not too bad.
I have been informed that I am moving. Not asked, informed. I will be moving over the next two months. (Into a house in a senior community that is full of furniture that I do not like and that I have to dust and am otherwise not allowed to touch.)
Art is still on schedule. Busy Season is a yearly planned hiatus that has been accounted for.
I will be participating in Sketchbet (mostly doodles on scrap paper at work in ballpoint pen. Don't expect any real art to come out of it.). For this purpose, I have made a Twitter account. I do not know how to direct you there. I do not understand how to operate Twitter. Please send help.
Looking around at art software. I tried Krita, but can't seem to get the hang of how it flows. I tend to operate my tablet very lightly, and the opacity vs. size is different than I'm used to.
Also looking around for a new tablet, since this one is old and dying. Considering Huion. Let me know if you have opinions.
[STATUS] Busy Season
Posted 8 years agoIt's that time of year again. T_T
Going on partial art hiatus, as I do every year.
First-job isn't too bad right now. I'm only doing 45 or so hours, but it will get up there.
Also, my parents are coming for New Years, for 10 days or so. I will be busy entertaining them when I am not at work and it may take a few days to get my life back on schedule after they leave.
I will still be checking messages via phone every day. However, I may not reply unless it is an emergency.
All art projects are still on schedule. This is a planned hiatus and has been taken into account.
USA Artists! Here's your yearly reminder to do your taxes.
1) If you made more than $400 from art, you owe self employment tax.
2) If you paid a helper more than $200, you are required to issue a 1099MISC.
3) The due date is April 17 (April 15 is a weekend.) to get your payments in, even with an extension.
4) You will not owe penalty if you pay in at least 90% of last year's tax.
5) The statute of limitations is 3 years from the date of filing. Please file, even if you didn't make enough money to owe tax. It protects you from future audits.
6) You can't just write off random crap as business expenses.
7) Remember to file income tax in the states where you sold at conventions. The sales tax you pay before you leave and an income tax return are not the same thing.
8) Colorado has a resident sales tax refund that you can get back if you file.
9) Don't use TurboTax. Go to the IRS website. Download the form. Print it out. Write on it. Mail it in. There are instructions. I promise it's not that hard.
Going on partial art hiatus, as I do every year.
First-job isn't too bad right now. I'm only doing 45 or so hours, but it will get up there.
Also, my parents are coming for New Years, for 10 days or so. I will be busy entertaining them when I am not at work and it may take a few days to get my life back on schedule after they leave.
I will still be checking messages via phone every day. However, I may not reply unless it is an emergency.
All art projects are still on schedule. This is a planned hiatus and has been taken into account.
USA Artists! Here's your yearly reminder to do your taxes.
1) If you made more than $400 from art, you owe self employment tax.
2) If you paid a helper more than $200, you are required to issue a 1099MISC.
3) The due date is April 17 (April 15 is a weekend.) to get your payments in, even with an extension.
4) You will not owe penalty if you pay in at least 90% of last year's tax.
5) The statute of limitations is 3 years from the date of filing. Please file, even if you didn't make enough money to owe tax. It protects you from future audits.
6) You can't just write off random crap as business expenses.
7) Remember to file income tax in the states where you sold at conventions. The sales tax you pay before you leave and an income tax return are not the same thing.
8) Colorado has a resident sales tax refund that you can get back if you file.
9) Don't use TurboTax. Go to the IRS website. Download the form. Print it out. Write on it. Mail it in. There are instructions. I promise it's not that hard.
[STATUS] Happy Holidays!
Posted 8 years agoSchedule: Sitting at home drawing and waiting for a package to be delivered. I'll be at my SO's house for the actual holiday, so trying to get everything finished and posted now.
I also plan to move my beast's boarding situation on January 1 and wish to attend the local stock show.
Parents will be visiting in late January and then firstjob busy season is picking up, so there won't be much activity until spring.
Art Status: On track for commissions due Christmas Eve. Some gifts might be a little late.
Fursuit Project Status:
Quadstilts first attempt did not stand up to first walk. I snapped the hinges. Got materials and measurements for a new design using PVC instead. If it works on the low pressure test, I plan to wrap the whole structure in tape to prevent cracking before the high impact test, but I don't really have a place to do that until the weather gets warmer and I can use an outdoor arena.
Came up with a new system that mounts the head on a ball join with crossing neck tendons, for greater movement. Still not sure what I want to do with the tail movement. I do want some lateral motion at low speeds, but not to wag furiously at high speeds, so I can't just wire it to the legs.
Other Projects:
Coworker started crochet as part of his weight loss plan. It inspired me to pick up knitting again. It turns out, the only thing you need to be competent at knitting is an adult level of attention to detail. I remember being rubbish at it, but the last time I tried to make something I was in elementary school.
Talk to me about Dutch Angel Dragon designs.
Wishlist:
(Or really, if someone could just point out where to obtain these things.)
Reasonably priced boots that fit
Moisture wicking knee high socks
Freakonomics, Chinese translation (to be regifted)
Dress shirts of a color other than white or blue, child sizes
Ugly sweater for torturing cat
A third knitting needle, so I can make round things
I also plan to move my beast's boarding situation on January 1 and wish to attend the local stock show.
Parents will be visiting in late January and then firstjob busy season is picking up, so there won't be much activity until spring.
Art Status: On track for commissions due Christmas Eve. Some gifts might be a little late.
Fursuit Project Status:
Quadstilts first attempt did not stand up to first walk. I snapped the hinges. Got materials and measurements for a new design using PVC instead. If it works on the low pressure test, I plan to wrap the whole structure in tape to prevent cracking before the high impact test, but I don't really have a place to do that until the weather gets warmer and I can use an outdoor arena.
Came up with a new system that mounts the head on a ball join with crossing neck tendons, for greater movement. Still not sure what I want to do with the tail movement. I do want some lateral motion at low speeds, but not to wag furiously at high speeds, so I can't just wire it to the legs.
Other Projects:
Coworker started crochet as part of his weight loss plan. It inspired me to pick up knitting again. It turns out, the only thing you need to be competent at knitting is an adult level of attention to detail. I remember being rubbish at it, but the last time I tried to make something I was in elementary school.
Talk to me about Dutch Angel Dragon designs.
Wishlist:
(Or really, if someone could just point out where to obtain these things.)
Reasonably priced boots that fit
Moisture wicking knee high socks
Freakonomics, Chinese translation (to be regifted)
Dress shirts of a color other than white or blue, child sizes
Ugly sweater for torturing cat
A third knitting needle, so I can make round things
[STATUS] Mishira is Down
Posted 9 years agoStreaming software won't open. Unsure why. No streaming until this gets sorted out.
Update: This grass looks great! This grass is the only thing in the picture that looks great. Actually the light quality is okay, but I think I forgot how to draw forms again.
Update: Fixed it! Streaming this weekend.
Update: This grass looks great! This grass is the only thing in the picture that looks great. Actually the light quality is okay, but I think I forgot how to draw forms again.
Update: Fixed it! Streaming this weekend.
[FREE ART] Raffle Results
Posted 9 years agoRemember this post: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/7731651/
The RNG has spoken. Winning numbers are 1 and 5.
Strangely, there were no new watchers that entered. (Or maybe not that strangely considering how I consistently failed to link new journals to the raffle.)
AlekNeko and 
IkarusPlague have been added to the queue. Expect to see your sketches up next.
In other news, I never did manage to reach 2k watchers. I had 1950 at the time of the raffle post and gained 52, but somehow currently have a total of 1993. Good enough. Free sketch stream is scheduled for Friday November 18th. It will start in the evening (USMT) and last until midnight.
A notification will be posted to scraps sometime tomorrow night per original announcement.
The RNG has spoken. Winning numbers are 1 and 5.
Strangely, there were no new watchers that entered. (Or maybe not that strangely considering how I consistently failed to link new journals to the raffle.)
AlekNeko and 
IkarusPlague have been added to the queue. Expect to see your sketches up next.In other news, I never did manage to reach 2k watchers. I had 1950 at the time of the raffle post and gained 52, but somehow currently have a total of 1993. Good enough. Free sketch stream is scheduled for Friday November 18th. It will start in the evening (USMT) and last until midnight.
A notification will be posted to scraps sometime tomorrow night per original announcement.
[Personal] Ethics Exam
Posted 9 years agoI have been trying to finish this, but half the time I can't load the course material. Scheduling may be slightly delayed for this reason.
