Lett Osprey's wings and tail are almost finished...please give  DarkZorse and  Keianza some well-deserved love for this utterly awesome collab!! <3

http://www.furaffinity.net/full/27496473/ (the wings being modelled with Zorse's own owl mask, made by Nambroth)
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/27496511/ (the wings being modelled with Zorse's self-made stag mask and hooves, to make a peryton)

There's only a small amount of work left on the wings, and the tail still needs its fur base and to be strung up, so that it spreads out when the wings are spread. We hope to debut hubby's completed suit in July, at CabinCon, and debut Rime a bit later this year. Lett's head and feet you can see in my gallery and scraps. :)

~SD

So there's apparently a business scam in which art thieves on Instagram (and I'm guessing Facebook as well) have been posting large amounts of uncredited art to their accounts, simply to gain a huge amount of followers, so that they can then sell their accounts, for anywhere "from $50 up to $2-3K, and in rare cases, up to 10-20K, depending on the niche, amount of followers, and activity". They're often listed on shady sites like this: http://www.fameswap.com/browse-inst.....ounts-for-sale or on Ebay, and I even saw an app for buying/selling them. Anyway, for those of you who paint realistic, fantasy-style wolves/werewolves, you guys might want to check these two art accounts I found, in case your own work might be there, since I noticed there was a lot of my friends' artworks posted there. :/

https://www.instagram.com/wolves_clubs/
https://www.instagram.com/wolves.art.club/

~SD

Just in case anyone wants to add me, I'm "Swandog" on Ko-Fi and Ello, and "Xenia Eliassen" on Vero. :) (Sorry, but I haven't posted anything to these sites yet.)

~SD

If you play virtual D&D and are looking for photo-realistic, super-detailed, fully-furnished and ready-to-use map tiles, please check his out! He has two sets available now; the second set is brand new, and is fully-compatible with the first one, as well as the third one (a pack of "mega rooms", 4x larger), which is coming out soon. I personally think he does great work! :)

https://marketplace.roll20.net/brow.....eons-and-tombs

https://marketplace.roll20.net/brow.....agic-and-magma

Gif he made of packs #1 and 2 put together:
https://mobile.twitter.com/AaronArr.....90637332779008

You can see previews of upcoming packs on his Twitter, and you can watch him stream creating them on his Twitch, where he often asks for suggestions on what types of rooms to make: https://www.twitch.tv/tabletop_twitch :)

~SD

Hey all! I just wanted to mention that my Redbubble shop is now officially open for business! :D If you ever wanted a print (or shirt, mug, sticker, tote bag, phone case, or whatever) of my art, this is your chance to get it. If you don't see the specific image there that you wanted a print of, just let me know, and I'll see what I can do. :) Thanks for looking! <3

https://www.redbubble.com/people/swandogstudio

~SD

Watership Down is my favorite book and my favorite movie...the loss of Richard Adams tore an irreparable hole in my heart. I felt like I knew him personally through all his writings, and that I've lost a life-long friend. ;_; And Carrie Fisher too...yet another role model ripped away from us. It's all just too much to bear. :(

~SD

REALLY disliking the new cluttered look to inboxes and galleries. I prefer seeing the artist's names and titles on the images, even if clicking through my inbox took more time/pages to go through. :P (And yes, I know about the userscript to fix it, but I'm hesitant to install something I know nothing about, that could potentially include spyware/malware.)

*Edit: Thank goodness, just found the "toggle description" button! :D

~SD

Awesome stuff!  northwoood

More of their works can be seen over here: https://vk.com/north__wood

:)

~SD

Really amazing work; go check her out!  elesteyzis :)

~SD

Just wanted to post a few of the best pics from EF and from the Stardust photoshoot. May post a few more later, but that's all for now. :) We had a great time at EF, meeting both old friends and new (far too many names to list!), dancing, suiting and drawing in the Artist's Lounge, and it was awesome how many people attended Sayh's "Living the Furry Life" panel and shared their heartwarming stories with us. <3

It was my first EF, and hubby's third, as he had been to #2 and #4 previously. The only real downside to the con was the venue itself, with the sweltering heat in lobby, elevators and corridors (people were wearing EZcool vests under their normal clothing just to cope with it, and I got very faint), the extremely long wait for the elevators (hubby waited an hour on the last day, just trying to get our luggage down, until he finally demanded that they unlock the doors so he could take the stairs, since we were on the first floor), the hammering/drilling waking us up at the crack of dawn almost every morning (at least the hotel gave us a discount, since our room was right next to the source of the noise, and earplugs didn't block it out at all), and the very dangerously slippery, high-walled bathtub in the disabled-assessable room, which was not in the least disabled-friendly (I slipped and injured myself just trying to get out of it). So though we really loved the con, we hated the hotel, and thus may wait until EF moves to a new venue before going back; we'll see.

Anyway, thanks for putting up with the pic spam! :D

~Swan

If so, and if you like to be in a group photo there, please let me know ASAP! :)

Thanks,
~Swan

 Shadowwolf, who drew Lunacorn's feral and anthro ref, has now drawn her in taur form, to celebrate "Draw a Centaur Day", and it's so unbelievably gorgeous; I just had to share it with you guys! <333

http://www.furaffinity.net/full/19681125/

Story behind the image: Lunacorn is a luna moth/deer hybrid unicorn-fae with strong ties to the moon and its phases (she's essentially a moonspirit). During a normal full moon, she transforms into her anthro fae form: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/8269050/ , while otherwise she lives in her feral form: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/6007729/ . But here, she is "trapped" somewhere between feral and anthro form due to the lunar eclipse throwing off her usual shifting cycle (solar eclipses have the same effect). She doesn't seem much bothered by it though, and has even made friends with a rosy moon moth (Actias rhodopneuma) in the meantime (size exaggerated for better viewing). The flowering vine in her mane is a moonflower (Ipomea species). The relationship between luna moths, moon flowers, and lunar eclipses is a magical one. <3

So my son just told me the following:

"So (as an April Fool's joke) I just posted this to my forum. The one for my Tabletop_Twitch channel:

'After so many issues with Pathfinder and Symbaroum, we've decided to remove these games from our weekly play sessions. Tabletop Twitch is proud to announce our new weekly game: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, the Tabletop Game!

Enough with the gory combat of Pathfinder, and the dark gritty world of Symbaroum. Tabletop Twitch will now focus entirely on the magical world of Equestria, and all it's wonderful ponies! See you all on Wednesday! Brohoof everyone!'

I...might have gone too far. >_>

Oh no...There actually IS an official Pony rulebook for D&D. Like a published one. O_o

And my players are all screaming they want to do a joke stream...I might actually have to go through with this. D:

...Damnit. XD

Now they're all making characters...the most Mary Sue ponies, all blatant rip-offs, like 'Rainbow Sparkles'...I've created monsters.

I...can't stream this with my dignity.

Please kill me now. x_x"

XDDD

(If anyone ever wants to tune in to Aaron's weekly stream, go here: https://www.twitch.tv/tabletop_twitch ) :)

Where are you staying?

In the main hotel (Utsikten Meetings), hopefully on the ground floor.

Means of transportation?

Renting a car (would have to make too many charging stops with our own electric car).

Sharing a room with:

Hubby:  Sayh

Relationship Status:

Taken (married).

Where will you be most of the time during the day?

Hanging out with hubby and friends, helping Pinky and Sayh with staff stuff, maybe drawing/relaxing a bit in the lounge, and fursuiting when I can (I won't be having an art booth this year).

Who will you be with?

Hubby and various close friends.

What suit(s) will you have?

Selene: http://www.furaffinity.net/full/13725762/ and Spinel: http://www.furaffinity.net/full/19028213/

Can I talk to you?

Of course, but I'm kind of shy, and can be rather quiet when not feeling well (which is a lot lately).

Can I hug you?

If I know you, yes, but I'm more open to hugging when in suit. :)

Can I take photos of you/with you?

In suit, anytime; simply ask or poke me if you'd like one. :)

Can we hang out?

If I know you, sure (again, I'm shy). :)

How can I find you at the con?

When in suit, it will be easy, but otherwise, I'll usually be wearing a staff or Pinky Team t-shirt and my badges. (Might also be wearing a Fluttershy shirt and hat sometimes.) :)

Can we go out for dinner?

I'll only be going out to eat with my hubby and close friends.

What is the best way to contact you?

Just poke me and say hi if you see me, and if you need to send me a message, FB messenger, Telegram or Gtalk is the best way to reach me. :)

~Swan

So we'll be there, if my health cooperates (you never know with MS, but I'm hopeful, now that I'll be starting with a new and better treatment). :) It will be my first EF, and Sayh's second (he last attended 18 years ago, when folks still had to bring their own sleeping bags, lol). Also, my new Steenbok partial ( http://www.furaffinity.net/full/18438898/ ) completely fits the "Back to the 80's" theme, so how can I NOT go?? :D We really look forward to seeing everyone there, and joining in on some group photoshoots*! :)

~SD

(*If anyone can let us know closer to the time if/when there will be shoots for Clockwork Creature, Crystumes, Nambroth, StuffedPanda, Beetlecat, Beastcub and Magpieb0nes suiters, we would deeply appreciate it! <3 We'd also love to take part in any avian/gryphon or hoofer photoshoots!)

It seems that  faithry passed away on the 8th of November. Word is that a brain hemorrhage was the cause, and they were only 34. ;_; Faithry has been a friend to hubby and I for over a decade, was a great commissioner, and always a very kind and generous person, though I hadn't spoken with them in a long time (ever since I switched over from using YM to Skype, but we used to chat daily back on YM). Hubby and I even cameo'ed in their comics once, but it was never posted publicly. There aren't too many of us swans in the fandom, so we try to stick together. <3 Faithry will be dearly missed, and I pray their soul find peace and rest as they soar onward to the next world. *bows head in sorrow*

My old art of them:
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/78796/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/3369046/

Original post regarding their passing: https://inkbunny.net/journalview.php?id=207296

~SD

She's having surgery next week, and her rent is due, but work has been very slow, so if you would be interested in a commission, please help her out if you can! :)

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/7181070/ (journal post)
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5046178/ (commission examples and pricelist)

Thank you! <3
~SD

(This is in regards to a discussion I was having with someone.)

Being civil to genuinely rude people doesn't stop them from hurting you and never will, but being rude back to them isn't the answer either; it just means you are stooping to their level, and you'll never be able to stop bigotry (in this case, transphobia) that way. There are ways to fight against and even eradicate it (not wholly, unfortunately, but at least on a case-by-case basis), without tossing around insults, which will never get anything resolved. I firmly believe in the Golden Rule, and as much as I've been hurt by others myself over the years (or perhaps because of it), I still do my best to abide by it. There will always be the true bigots out there, who don't care whom they hurt, and will keep on doing it even asked repeatedly to stop; there is nothing much you can do for them, sadly. But then there are those who just make a honest mistake, and may have made an insensitive comment at some time or other, because they don't know the proper etiquette or the right terms to use, or just forgot/weren't thinking momentarily, and no one bothered to explain to them at the time why such a comment can be hurtful to a transperson. Those people generally don't mean to be rude, and don't even realize they are being rude, and therefore will try afterwards to be more sensitive and think their comments through before posting them, if just given a polite reminder.

I for one, was raised very "old school" (in the Deep South), plus I'm an old fart, and thus it took me a long time to undo two and a half decades of fundamentalist brainwashing, and begin to understand all the nuances of the various gender identities and their nomenclature (especially since it has evolved a lot over the past three decades). I still don't have all the terms down, though I'm trying my best to learn them, on behalf of all my trans friends, whom I love and respect dearly, and I try to stand up/speak out for them as often as I can. I don't believe (as did this other person) that someone is automatically "transphobic" if they make an honest mistake. It wasn't something I did in this case (though I have made such mistakes myself, like accidentally referring to a transperson as the wrong gender, or saying that I have "girly bits"*), but I was more speaking on behalf of my friends who have done this, even though I know for a fact that they are all very trans-friendly and supportive people, just as much as I am. IMO, calling someone transphobic is basically the same as calling someone homophobic, which implies fear, hatred, intolerance and wilful ignorance, and not everyone who just makes a slip-up is automatically a trans-hating troll. So rather than lumping them together with the true bigots, try instead to be civil and take the time to educate those who mean well, but may not fully understand, or gently remind those who maybe just forgot; you'll get a whole lot further that way, trust me. :)

~SD

(*If I know a person for many years as being one gender, and then they later switch genders, it can take my brain awhile to adjust to it, and I may accidentally slip-up and refer to them as their previous gender, but I do sincerely apologize for it whenever I catch myself doing it. And thankfully, all my close trans friends are very kind and patient with me if I screw up. This particular discussion, however, was specifically about those who have responded to the question: "what is your gender?" with a reference to their genitals, which I've seen several of my trans-friendly friends do on con memes and such, and even I've done in the past, by saying "I have girly bits". It doesn't mean we are transphobic, or trying to disrespect transpeople; it never even occurred to me that someone could be deeply offended by it, but know that I know, I won't be using that reference anymore. So if I--or anyone--ever says something that inadvertently comes across as rude or hurtful, please kindly TELL US right away, so we can resolve it. The last thing I want to do is offend any one of my friends, and sometimes may not even realize that I have. If you don't tell us, we won't know, and unresolved offences can turn into grudges over time.)

Sadly, I fear we're going to have to put Buster (our 8yo saluki) down. ;_; He seems to have some kind of arthritis, and nothing we nor the vet can do has been able to make it any better (we've been trying for 3 months now). He also has some kind of chronic eczema on his paws, causing the pads to deeply crack (bleeding and causing him to limp), then heal up, then crack open again, over and over (so he's been wearing socks most of the time), and he's been obsessively licking open sores on all his paws and leg joints (due to joint pain). He was in a cone for nearly a month to try to prevent the licking, and was so miserable in that, we just gave up and took it off, and put duct-taped, cut-open socks over his heels instead. His back legs have also gotten more wobbly when he walks, and he can't jump up onto the couch as easily as he did before.

In spite of being on two full rounds on antibiotics, and continuous cortizone pills and pain meds, he hasn't improved, but is just going more and more downhill, and seems to be in a lot of pain. :( His favorite thing to do before was to go on walks and runs, and now he won't even budge from his bed except to eat. We have to literally drag him outside to potty, which he does the moment his feet touch the grass at the bottom of the stairs, then he immediately turns back for the door. He's also peed three times now inside (thankfully we have linoleum flooring), which is something he NEVER did before. Consequently, he's been in diapers at night. :P He just seems depressed and totally uninterested in anything but cuddles, food/treats and car rides now, and it's just not a good life for him to carry on like this anymore...and with my health also going downhill due to MS, I can't help hubby care for him as much as is needed. ;_;

 Stuffedpandastudios just finished making hubby's jackalope mask, and it's simply incredible, so I just had to show you guys!! :D

Profile: http://www.furaffinity.net/full/17507648/
Collage: http://www.furaffinity.net/full/17507641/
Turnaround vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRzsTkf_ZIY
Vid of it being worn: https://vine.co/v/eIzOnnVMhAb

(Based on this ref by  ratuccino http://www.furaffinity.net/view/15284600/ Will post pics of the rest of the partial soon!) :)

~SD

Just passing this on from  Dogsoul :)

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1BE.....?usp=send_form

(And please note that I didn't create the survey, so if you have any problems with it or suggestions for it, please direct your feedback to Dogsoul!) :)

~SD

Thanks to everyone who commented with their recommendations on my previous journal! :) I was unable to decide whom to go with (I loved all your suggestions!), so in the end, I asked hubby to choose, and he finally did (it was hard for him too!). :D You guys are all so awesome for helping us out!! <333 *hugs*

~SD

Hi guys...I'm wanting to commission a full-color, detailed pic of all eight of mine and my hubby's chars in one image (Swandog, Sayh, Lett, Rime, Selene, Jasper, Onyx and Lunacorn). So I need to find someone who is good at drawing deer, horses, canines, gryphons/birds, and hares, and someone who doesn't have an insanely long queue (though I am very patient). Any suggestions? :)

Thanks! <3
~SD

You guys all gave such kind words of comfort, support and advice to me when I posted the other day about my MS diagnosis (for which I can't express my gratitude enough!), and thus I was hoping some of you might be willing to do the same for a relatively unknown artist whom I greatly admire. If any of you have managed to overcome (or are still dealing with) severe depression and suicidal thoughts, and could offer any suggestions on how to cope, please read/comment here:

https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6921034/

I just don't want their cry for help to go unheard. Thank you. <333

~SD