Five months ago I commissioned a custom drafting table. I've been working hunched over a clipboard and it's been making my back FURIOUS, so something had to be done.

About two weeks ago, it was delivered! Oh boy! Only, it was built wrong. There is a fixed side and a hinged side, and they were swapped. And the footrest was mid shin, perfect for cracking bones. So back it went to the shop to have these mistakes fixed.

This morning it arrived once again and better than ever! Solid cherry with turquoise inlay here and there. Smooth and buttery wood. Enormous working surface so I can finally scale up my real media. The wood will become a deeper red over time and make the turquoise pop. The legs are outfitted with custom iron "boots", made by a local metal worker, for extra strength.

I must say that the furniture place was wonderful to work with and they stand behind their work. I know this table will get beat up over time, but when that happens, they will sand down and refinish the damaged surfaces. Hooray for local business!

It's a huge relief to finally have a good place to work. I've fallen behind on many things because of back issues. I'm looking forward to getting art done! In fact today has been spent inking and transferring many badges. I have brand new coloured pencils that I'm using on the coloured pencil badges, and..well watercolour badge folks don't get anything new and special. Sorry. ;3

Some pictures of the desk, just moved in:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1629405/deskfixed.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1629405/setup.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1629405/fixedside.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1629405/someturq.jpg

I am SO excited to decorate my corner!!!

So werewolf calendars are ready to be shipped at mach speeds to your door. They make snazzy wall art and supreme gifts, Just ask my Granddad. He loves his! You also get the warm fuzzies of supporting small business in the fandom. I had a lot of folks asking about it at MFF, so here is your chance.

http://www.werewolfcalendar.com/ getcha calendar here and have it in time for Christmas and the New Year.

Thanks to all of you who will and have already ordered!

Howdy ya'll!

I am open for badges to be delivered at MFF. In case you missed yesterday's journal, my prices are here: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1629405/badgeprices.jpg I'm not taking coloured pencil badges at this time.

If you would like a badge, please email me vantid@gmail.com. Let me know what kind of badge you would like, your character, name, and what theme/expression if any. I prefer paypal, but I accept other forms of payment as well. I will get back to you with a confirmation and let you know if I can take your order and then ask for payment.

If you are NOT attending MFF and if I don't get enough MFF orders, I might be able to take orders for shipping. However, I might not be able to ship them before MFF and prices do not include shipping. Please let me know in email if you are not attending MFF.

Thanks ya'll!

I will be attending MFF this year! I'll be harassing/sitting between fabulous  nambroth, who is one of the Guest of Honours, and  foxfeather.

I am thinking of opening for badge pre~orders, and taking Take home only! work at the con. I don't feel like killing myself that weekend for various reasons.

My badge prices are here: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1629405/badgeprices.jpg and more examples can be seen in my gallery.

Is anyone interested?

The final issue of Digital Artist Magazine, which should be still available in US stores as I just picke dup my copy today, is teeming with familiar fandom faces! I have an article in this issue, and there are features with:

 wolf-nymph
 balaa
 mearu
 sixthleafclover

And maybe more, I've only given it a quick perusal. I think it's pretty neat to have so many folks in the fandom, or at least on FA, on newsstands around the world. :D

I say last issue because it is now Fantasy Artist Magazine! I'm sure more folks will show up in the publication.

Howdy!

I will be attending Rocky Mountain Furcon this upcoming weekend. This con I will only be taking badge commissions! No sketchbooks. I'm happily working on my queue and sketchbooks do take me a long time, so badges of all flavours it is.

I'm excited to say that I will be presenting the Bird Wing panel again! It will be Sunday night after the Dealer's Room closes, so artists can come join in without worrying about homework. Like always it's based on my own research and I will have a few bird wings with me. I hope to see you there!

SO instead of commissioning artwork, I am getting commissioning a custom drafting table.
It's pretty similar to this:
http://www.versatables.com/products.....drafting-table

Only smaller, and the split top is going to be on the left side. Instead of metal, it's going to be cherry, except for the tilt top which be black drafting material whatever. The carpenter grinned and said "hmm...inferior material, but I see your need." As an artist, I can relate! Heehee. I am pretty sure I am also going to have turquoise inlay scattered around it as well because...gemstone in wood. It's almost a dream come true for me. It's so cool I almost can't stand it.

We are still in the design phase, and we have several things hammered out such as:

~Size of:
18 by 30 inches for the split top
36 by 30 inches for the tilt top
33-34 inch Height, maybe the full 37 inches
30 inches clearance underneath
~Dis-assemblage
~angle of tilt is still unknown, somewhere between 45° to 65°
~Split top can be swapped out when thoroughly wrecked by artings
~No drawers! They are too expensive so I will have a taboret instead
~Maybe a thin shelf instead of a drawer
~pencil rest at the bottom
~I can't think of what else. There is more but...turquoise inlay.

So my question for any of you is, any suggestions? Something I am not thinking about, something to add?

I love this artwork so much and I have to share.

http://www.facebook.com/UkiyoEHeroes

The fact that the artist is creating actual woodcut prints blow me away and I want them.

This year's Anthrocon was amazing! I have never done so well in the dealers room, thanks to all of you who stopped by! Hello to the new watchers, glad you found my page here.

I stayed up all of Saturday night working on commissions, and was quite out of it on Sunday. I still didn't get everything done! I'm so slow.

I am taking a bit of a vacation from everything for a little while, but will get back on top of everything pretty soon. My hand needs a bit of a rest! I was debating on returning to Anthrocon, but it was such a good experience that I want to go back next year. So thanks again!

Right so I already mentioned I am going to AC, but I will say it again!

I have a table in the dealers hangar at table D05. I will be selling lots of beautiful hang on your wall give to your friends and family prints and a few original sketches and maybe some sketch packs! Not sure about that.

I will be taking on a number of commissions, see my prices here:http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1629405/signage.jpg I may take a limited number of take home commissions, which end up looking rather nice.

Like usual, even if you don't wanna buy anything, c'mon by and say hello. I don't mind.

Howdy!

I'm working on clearing my stock out, and I have some slightly damaged or off prints. These will also be at AC if anyone wants to take a close look. Mmm, Bargain bins.

These large prints are normally $40, so take a look. Up for grabs we have:

1 11 by 14 "Flighty" http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2325450/ Full Bleed $20
This print has some fleabites (where the ink has scratched off) and some scuffing. If someone buys this I will fix most of the fleabites. It's still a beautiful print.

2 11 by 17 "Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf" http://www.furaffinity.net/view/4838537/ White Border $15
Prints are flipped from the upload and are a bit washed out. Very slight bending in the corners.

1 11 by 14 "Sootpaw"http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1022612/ White Border $15
Print is slightly washed out and has some barely noticeable scuffing at the top.

1 8 by 14 "Mischa Mutt" http://www.furaffinity.net/view/3610611/ Full Bleed, $10
This is a really pretty print that had something stuck to it at some point, so there is a very faint tape mark on the face. Not very noticeable more than a foot away.

1 9.5 by 14 "Archaic Eden" http://www.furaffinity.net/view/3557519/ White border, $15
Print is a bit washed out, no damage.

1 11 by 14 "Pint Sized" http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1904467/ White Border, $15
Print suffered some bending/crumpling at the top inch, easily matted out.

2 12 by 14 "Sun Flight" http://www.furaffinity.net/view/712721/ Full Bleed, $20
Both prints have the slightest scuffing, one has a tiny blob of ink on the edge, the second has spotted discoloration in the ight beneath the wolf. Both are gloriously rich with colour, and a good deal if you like this piece!

1 9 by 9 "Lexicon" http://www.furaffinity.net/view/736902/ Full Bleed, $7
This print is much nicer than the upload, for once. It was viciously attacked by tape and has a white spot the size of a quarter on the edge. See photo: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1629405/printdamage.jpg Otherwise very lovely, looks like an original.

Shipping is $5 within the U.S. International shipping will vary. I can also deliver at AC for freeeeee. If anyone is interested, send me an email. Paypal address is vantid@gmail.com.

Thank you guys!

Hey guys!

I'm going to AC this year. I'm gonna sell stuff! I will be at the convention in the dealer's hangar. Depending on my workload, I may not be taking very many commissions this convention as I am playing a game of catch up.

I'm running a print order in a couple days, and if any of you guys going want a specific print, now is a good time to get it. Please send me an email with any such orders. Large prints (11 by 17 or 14) are 40 dollars, and small (8 by 11) are 15. Pieces like the 2012 Werewolf Calendar and the Celestial Party dragon and many more not yet printed are available!

.

SO earlier I mentioned  foxfeather and  mbala's Kickstarter.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects.....bees-and-trees

So far they have done really well, look how awesome everyone has been! Now they are just shy of their new goal of three thousand that will enable them to restore an acre of their property to native grass land. This benefits native wildlife and the local ecosystem. They are, in essence, converting part of their land into a natural park.

They are all set for bees, and ready for trees, so how about some anise thimbleweed milkweed trefoil goldenrod vervain timothy?? Every dollar helps, and if are unable to donate, spreading the word is pretty awesome too. :>

Thanks ya'll.

Last year I spent a great deal of time helping  foxfeather and  mbala work their brand new 80 acre dog park! I mean, farm! We planted the giant organic garden and began the no till farming method that helps the soil thrive, cleaning up 30 years worth of accumulated trash, and the very beginnings of native prairie restoration. I'm not able to be there this year, and I miss it, but they are still doing marvelous things for the land, including getting an apiary started..that's to say, BEES!!! And planting a whole bunch of trees.

These are two folks in the fandom who are going beyond organic and working with nature to establish a healthy habitat for both wildlife, livestock, and people.

To get that started, Fox and Mbala have a Kickstarter running. They are so close to their goal, and I would love to see them exceed it by far, as starting up a farm from the abused land is expensive and every little bit helps.

As a community of animal and art lovers, I hope you will take a look at the Bees and Trees project here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects.....bees-and-trees And if you can't contribute in these tough times, maybe spread the word!

Please help us get covered in BEES!!!

I am heading out to my native state for TFF. I decided to go last minute, so hopefully I can grab a table in the Artist's Alley for all three days. I will be taking all kinds of nifty commissions and selling a few prints. Hope to see you!

I heard the dealer tables for Rainfurrest sold out instantly, bummer! I was hoping to go this year.

So does anyone have a table they are willing/able to split/share? I have my own seller's permit.

I'm going to be there, next to my BFF  thornwolf in the dealer's room, barring any unfortunate events. Table 35!

I will be taking commissions! I can finish a few at con but most will be post con delivery only because I am so. slow. I have fewer slots this year, too, because again...slow.

That said I will be taking pencil, ink, and watercolour commissions! And my usual okami style commissions are available.

ANYWAY even if you are broke or don't want any of my stuff, come on by if you want, I have prints and a few original sketchies if you want to look.

Thend.

Someone who's work I have admired and enjoyed since I first came to the internet, indeed, the person who introduced to me to the fandom in the first place, is offering commissions! Give her gallery a look, she does an amazing mix of furry fantasy and sci fi.

 jaxxblackfox

Okay, so a while back there was an awesome non anthro MUCK that I had a blast playing on, but it died and I was sad. Not just me, but my buddy  nambroth too. She did some market research and found that there isn't an active, live-action place to RP that fits a certain criteria that Nam and I share. You can read her journal here: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/2568459/

Well, it seems there isn't an active place, so Nam made one. You can read all about it here: http://featherdust.critter.net/haezyn/

Look a map!
http://featherdust.critter.net/haez.....%20overlay.jpg

If you don't like MUCKs, that's fine! Don't know how to MUCK? Neither do I, but I am learning! Don't know how to Roleplay? Sign up for the forum and you can read logs as they are posted to see if you like how it goes. I am gonna steal Nam's disclaimers here:

"Disclaimers:
We are still brandy-brand new. This means that our population is still low and as such sometimes the MUCK is really quiet. If you log on and it's dead, please don't give up on us! Try logging in during the different coast's 'prime times'. Some days are prone to be more quiet than others.
The MUCK is still new and while it is stable, we are still ironing out some fiddly parts of it, like my description typos and a few unimportant commands and the like. Bear with our minor dust.
There are rules: please get at least somewhat familiar with them before signing up, please. :)"

If you have an questions, ask us! We are happy to help. We'd love to ave more folks to play with. Spread the word for more chances that it will grow!

TL:DR: A pretty world where you can roleplay as a talking animal, mythological critter, or a person. Lot's of nature.


Again, if you aren't interested, it' coo'. No need to comment.

Why isn't this all over everything.

http://www.wacom.com/en/Products/Inkling.aspx

How EXCITING!!!

One of my old favourites from when I joined the internet ten years ago is now on FA. I love his art, his stylization, his linework and design, the messages in his art and writing. So go take a look and give him a watch.

Click this!  PseudoManitou

Those of you who know about conceptart.org, they are having a big sale right now. All streaming and downloadable classes are only 8 dollars. 8!!!! Dollars!!!! for classes that can run 60 bucks...but are usually 20.

http://theartdepartment.org/store

Artists: go spend some money and learn some stuff!! And if you've never heard of this site, man, get over there and learn some stuff! http://conceptart.org/forums/index.php

Most of you cool kids are still at Anthrocon, hope you are having a good time!

Those of you at home (or using the internet at the con :D), do any of you garden organically? Is it produce or ornamental as well? What do you do to control pests and weeds, and even disease? I know there are several different approaches to gardening organically, so I'd like to hear how others go about it, or have attempted in the past, or those who do not and why.

Edit: Our garden is roughly 60 by 60 feet, reclaimed from an old corn field. Soil is sandy with tons of worms and good drainage. Running water is a creek 500 feet away, down a hill. Fencing is a double layer electric on the outside and an eight foot deer fence inside that will hopefully deter all predators from taking out our guinea fowl and mess with a deer's depth perception if they try to jump both layers of fence...that is to say hopefully they do NOT try to jump the fence. The hotwire is powered by a solar panel.

The guinea fowl may eat the good bugs as well as the bad, sadly, so I am unsure how the balance of predator/prey with the bugs will end up.

We started a compost pile in the center of the garden. It's not the best made pile, but it will do for now, I think. It's already knee high and stinks to high heaven. :D

If you'd like to see more, see http://foxfeather.livejournal.com/244708.html

Check out this amazing piece of original artwork that has too few bids on it by  novawuff

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl.....m=230630295052

What a steal.

I know not everyone will see this and I will keep getting asked, but.

I will not be attending any conventions for the rest of the year. FC2012 is my next convention. I'm taking this year off to to try and make that commission list disappear. c: