Well, the pool hit an unexpected snag, which shouldn't surprise as it has done that fairly consistently. The event this past weekend went off as expected and had positive results. I will likely do it again next weekend. The major thing holding me back is motivation. My muses are fairly subdued lately and I am relying totally on my own desire to finish this project to ultimately see it through. However, it is hard to find the motivation. I have effectively failed in achieving my goal of 50 images in 50 days. Even if I take into account an unexpected illness which cost me more than a week, I still was unable to make my deadline, and that weighs on me. As it is, right now, my goal is to finish this project rather than the date at this point. I had planned to have it done before this point in time because I KNEW there would be consistent surprises that would cause delays.

As it is, this is still a large number of images that have been completed and will be. I am drawing, but will focus on my pencil work and then the inks. Which means there will be a sudden flood of images towards the end rather than daily images. For those who have been sending emails, sorry I've not been attentive. These delays affect all aspects of my life.

Concerning the project: An UPDATE:

As of April 22, 9PM Central, I have just finished penciling up to #47. 48, 49, and 50 are laid out and ready for detailing. Every image from35 to 47 is ready to ink. So 3 pics left to finish, then the inking, then the posting. This last groups is REALLY starting to show my silly side as I have been trying to constantly try new body types, new pairings, or new characters. Some have led to some playful and nice results. Others have a slightly darker and possibly more sinister mood. Still others, I Hope, will be seen as downright sexy, or hot. We will see. I have already started planning three new images to follow this project. They were ideas I had that were sort of like a backup in case certain poses died on me. So I may finish these as well, but only after the 50 are done.

I am pretty much recovered now. It was confirmed that I had an unusually severe case of food poisoning which was made severe due to the combination of that and a stomach flu that had been going around. It was both that made the condition so bad. As it is, I am better. I am still surprisingly weak when it comes to moving around. I have finished a few new sketches to final stage and will begin inking them tomorrow. I have also laid out my drawings all the way to #50. I and detailing those next as I ink one or two a day from here one out. There is little chance I will finish by the original deadline of April 15.

But seeing as I lost more than a week being sick, I am giving myself an extra 10 days to make it up.

It is possible I could finish by the 15th, if it were not for the conference this weekend. I have been asked to give a panel lecture concerning Furry, what it is and how it can affect and intersect with the Leather, BDSM, and other fetish communities. So I have to spend some time this week preparing for this. I am really looking forward to this as there are lots of folks out there who have heard of Furry but have no real clue as to what it is. This is my chance to help them understand Furry and accept it.

Of course, on top of all this is the construction of the new pool, which is getting done sooner than I suspected. Which means today and tomorrow, I am helping to dig up and transplant a lot of plants before they dig the hole.

As always, I am managing to stay very busy. I'm sending out this update, taking a break and playing a few games before I go out and dig. Then later tonight, I practice the presentation for this weekend, and still have to make dinner. After that, I'll draw some more.

And I will leave with a strange question that just popped into my head...

Why are there not any undead/zombie themed Easter Bunny/Peeps/Candy? I would find eating the facsimile of a chocolate rabbit more appetising if it looked as if it'd try and eat me first.

As of this point, I am still recovering. This has been one of the worse bugs I've had to deal with in a long time. I was barely able to function well enough to do the most recent image which puts me two days behind at this point. I have a free weekend this weekend as my mates and I have canceled our dive plans given my health. Having lost a full week has set me back quite a bit on this project and I now fear this setback could make it very difficult to finish this project on time. Even if I consider this an "Unexpected delay", I could add the lost days and put another seven on the end. But I'll still be trying to finish by the 15th since From that day to the 18th I have other obligations already.

This most recent image was very tough and was inked entirely while I was ill. Therefore, I'm not terribly satisfied with the results.

Health wise, I am recovering. It's just taking time. More than I expected. I can move around now. Though only a little, and I'm eating more now. I'm up to a piece of toast and a cup of soup a day now. And it's increasing. Fluids are a LOT easier to handle now. I'm expected to be back to 100% around next week, but should be mobile and functional this weekend.

Maybe it was something from the dive. But right now, I am VERY sick. To the point art is out.

This means the 50/50 project may experience a delay. For however long it takes to get better.

Image 34 and 35 are drawn and ready for inking. Others are only laid out. My buffer to stay ahead is disappearing fast.

UPDATE:

I'm on some stuff to help out. I'm finally able to hold down fluids and have finally started eating some foods again, though everything has to be super easy to digest. I'm not expected to be 100% until Fri, April 1st. Which I find humerous. Though I am considering asking my mates to cancel the dive they had planned for this weekend. I'm still terribly fatigued and find it hard to move around. I suspect this weekend, I will play catchup on art to try and stay on target for project.

I have now completed my dive certification and am ready to go. My first dive with my family happens this coming weekend. Yay!

As of this point, it is day 29. I am finishing my dive certification this weekend and do not know if I will have time to post day 30 and 31 (Maybe all the way to 33 now as I just got a call that changed things.), so I will be trying to post those today, so I can focus on the dive classes.

I've reached that point where the challenge becomes harder because now my arthritis is making itself known. Meds and other things I've been taking have really reduced the impact and pain it normally has, but then again, I don't usually draw this much or frequently. My goal is still to finish this early.

Day 50 is April 15th and I need to try and be done early, as that weekend I will be at a convention, (non-furry), working in panels and discussions about the furry fandom and what it is. So I have to start preparing materials and such.

Today marks day 25 of the 50 chosen for this project. I am still a little shaky from my diving exertions this past weekend and I have more this weekend, so my goal is to get as much done this week to allow me to stay on track this weekend and next week. The diving course is eating away more time than I suspected and I am having to readjust to stay on schedule. As it is, I am still on track at the halfway point which feels wonderful to me.

On the matter discussed in the previous journal regarding the minor drama, it would seem than my journal comment was useful. Most of those who have been emailing me with the negative comments I discussed have since sent apologies and even explanations of confusion. Up until I explained the origin of my project and the origin of the Iron Artist, they had suspected the Iron Artist Challenge was relatively new. They were surprised to learn it was based off of older, similar projects by different names, and apparently, they also checked this detail. In the end, all save one has basically apologized and now we are chatting more amiably than before and I am getting some useful help from their comments.

And it both validates me as an artist, and as a human to discover that there ARE a lot more rational, intelligent people out there after all. YAY! (And no that is not sarcasm. I feel really good about how this turned out.)

As of this point, Thursday 17th I have posted 24 of the 50 pictures and am technically ahead as day 24 is not until Sunday. As I mentioned I am taking dive classes to become a certified Diver and Those Start Friday, which is why I posted early, because I'll have little chance this weekend. As of this point, I am ahead of schedule on my Dive Class studies as well, and have some time tomorrow to try and finish a few more, so even with the Classes, I should remain ahead of schedule.

(Fair warning: A little drama here. Sorry about that.)

Now for the other reason I am posting this. I will not name names, as for the ones who made the comments, those individual's identities are not important. But I have been receiving emails regarding this project. In short they are critical, accusing me of copying the Iron Artist thing so many artists are doing right now, as well as accusing me of 'cheating' on the project because I am not doing one drawing a day. The reason I bring this to light here, is because it's no longer just one person saying this to me.

So, some points of clarity. First off, I know what the Iron artist challenge is. It's a DAILY challenge to try and draw to completion one image a day for 100 days. I never had any intention of doing that challenge for a lot of reasons summed up as one. Life. I am under a lot of pressures and difficulties right now. A family crisis, emotional stresses, job related issues and concerns, and a VERY unpredictable work schedule as well as the current Dive Certification. Given my extremely complex schedule, Any endeavor I engage in, by its very nature, will have to be fluid and easy to manipulate.

Which is where the 50/50 project comes into play. The Iron Artist is not the correct project for me, and as the artist doing the drawings, YES, I DO get to make that distinction regardless of the opinions of others. This project has always been for my own personal needs first and foremost. Secondly, the 50/50 project concept is not new… neither is the iron artist concept, though the name is fairly new. I have encountered this same project years ago. In College. Back in 93. Yes, I’m dating myself a bit here, but let’s face it, for those that are criticizing me for ‘copying the iron artist’ project, the fact is such projects are a matter of course at art colleges. An instructor tells you to get a sketchbook of a set number of pages and fill the book by a set date. 100 pages in 50 days, 50 in 25, or whatever. The fact is, this project concept has been around longer than FA, and in many cases, longer than some of the furs in the fandom.

Am I using an idea not original to myself? Of course, but I never claimed to be doing otherwise. However, I am not copying the Iron artist. I looked back at my lessons in college and used a device that I was, at that time, Obligated to do. I molded it to fit my own personal art needs and time restraints and I set myself a specific goal. And in the end, THAT is how artists improve. They keep working. 50 drawings in 50 days gives me flexibility. ‘Making time’ each day to draw is NOT always an option. But a set goal is a matter of achievement. And THIS is what I need as an artist right now.

I thank those with critical and unnecessarily negative opinions on the nature of this project to keep them to themselves. I’m not going to stop or cancel it because you feel slighted. I was never doing this project for you. I was doing it for myself first and foremost and I am simply sharing the results with those that enjoy looking at my artwork, including you. I have demanded nothing in return.

If you feel you have a valid opinion about this project, please hold on to it until the project is completed. I have enough life issues without someone trying to distract me from a goal that IS important to me, even if it is not to them.

For those of you who have positive responses, by all means, keep them coming. Encouragement will only make me feel better about the work and the nature of the project and will likely encourage more art from me. You should always feel able and willing to encourage artists you enjoy or like. It is that, more than anything, that helps validate them and helps them feel appreciated within the fandom.

Diving lessons begin in a few days and I will not have time to work on or post the project images. However, I am ahead right now, so I will post all I have for now and sort of flood things a bit. This means the next image to post may not be until Monday the 21st, which will put me a couple days behind as I only have to 23 inked and the 21st is day 25. I hope the diving doesn't hurt my goal with this project too much, but it shouldn't. I just need to spend the rest of the week studying.

If all goes well with diving and may seriously consider investing in an underwater camera and take my photography to the next level.

As of today, I am on track with the project, Day 18 and 18 images uploaded. I have 19 to 25 penciled but needing to be inked and 26 to 43 laid out and sketched. So, I'm ahead of the curve on this project.

In addition to this I have to set aside time to work on my diver's certification. Classes begin Friday.

And My mates have been exposed to yet another reason why it is dangerous for me to be depressed, bored, and creative all at the same time. They weren't too happy when they went to cook some eggs this morning only to discover "someone" had drawn screaming faces on each of the eggs.

Never the less, this mornings omlette was among the best I've had.

As of this point, I have successfully completed ten on the fifty images I have set out to do. I am also a little behind. I have others finished, just not gotten them scanned in yet. As of now, I am at 15 pics done, which means a few more will be posting fairly quickly. Given the start date of this project, my goal date is April 15th. This date was not planned. It was just coincidence that my deadline meets the tax deadline. However, that does seem appropriate. I've also managed to meet two other requests for this series and have started on numbers 16 through 20 in my sketchbook. Technically I am still on schedule, I just haven't posted to the pace I am maintaining. I hope to have up to 18 posted by Mon 14th. That should have me on track for drawing as well as posting.

This info is for those who have made requests in the past, as well as those who want to know how this project is progressing.

BTW, for the one who requested the characters in drag... I'm having trouble with that. I May be able to pull it off, but I hope you aren't too upset with me if I cannot go through with it. :)

Well, That family crisis still has yet to resolve itself. I was told Monday that it had been moved yet again to another unspecified date in the future. So the underlying stress is still there. However, since it may be another two months before this is resolved I am using this time to start the 50/50 project I originally had planned that got sidelined. This is similar in some ways to an iron artist goal, but it isn't. As I understand, the iron Artist goal is to create one image a day for 100 days.

Mine is to complete 50 in 50 days, allowing me flexibility to make more than one a day so that I could in theory finish this project early. It is simply a goal to complete 50 images this year, specifically within a 50 day window of time. There is no certainty that the images will be posted daily. Some may be posted two or three a day and there may be a few days with no posts. This is simply a personal goal.

As it is, if you are reading this, and were part of the responders to the first 50/50 post, some of you will find some of your requests had been met. some of you may not. It is one part inspiration and one part what the muses do to me as I draw. So far... I've been fairly pleased with my work which shows more detailed backgrounds and characters, as well as more expressive eyes and faces. I hope loyal fans of my art are equally if not more satisfied.

Well, my life threw another curve. An issue I hoped to be resolved this week has been delayed a month. It is causing me to be highly stressed out. Some days I sleep as much as 15 hours. Other times I sleep 3. I'm very emotionally reactive, which means little things set me off, which is the reason I am posting this. I have a question and need input.

As an artist, I was trained in many different media, including photography. I even worked at a professional studio for a time. I've always taken photos as a hobby, but I want to get away from it being casual and get back into photos as art again. And this goal is something I have been working towards for some time now. I do private photos shoots. Which is not near as naughty as it sounds. It means the content and focus of the shoot is up to the model. I provide suggestions and offer poses. I frame the image and go from there.

My goal has been to try and build a collection of photos of various fursuiters. And so far, I've had remarkably positive results from the models. Everyone has been eager, helpful, and kind to me. The images are given to them and I only retain a backup copy for records, which means they get to be the sole distributers of the images.

Recently, a photo shoot had some images posted online. (NOT going to go into the details on that specific incident as this is actually separate.) But that incident has lead to certain individuals contacting me via email, notes, etc... and criticizing me for the photos. NOT because of the content oddly enough, but rather because in their eyes, photos are not ‘artwork’ and therefore do not belong on FA.

Let’s not forget that I do not post pics from these shoots. The Owners of the suits do that and so far, they have been very kind to me by giving me credit as the photographer. I’ve received nice comments saying ‘way to go’ more or less, but some of these rather aggressive comments are apparently focused on trying to get me to stop posting photography. (Again, let’s not forget, I didn’t actually post the photos.) But, I have quite a lot of furry related photography. And While I never thought to post, I don’t feel I should be told not to.

Which begs a question:

What do you think? Is Photography Artwork or not?

First off, my opinion will not be changed by this. I’m more or less curious. I see photography as artwork, because while it is something many people can do, it does require a specific skill set and a certain amount of artistic talent to take an image that is more than a snapshot.

And if you feel photography is artwork, would you like to see some by me?

I invite honest opinions on this. And hope everyone respects everyone’s right to one.

For those that read this, you may have noticed that I was about to start a big project. But life threw me a curve. I will not go into the details on a public forum like this, but I need to vent a little, so don't worry if it's vague. Something happened to a member of my family back in July. What started as a major family related stress grew as it was later discovered that my non-involvement went from non-involved to directly involved. It was something that was done to me. The end result is every day I juggle my job, my personal life and the fact that the futures of two people are now directly dependent on me and what I do over the next few months.

On top of that is discovering that my cousin's son has serious cancer. This isn't one of those distant cousins. I know him. He's seven and is a sweet kid. I've been devoting all my free time to the construction of crafts and quilts to sell at a charity event for him.

For those of you looking for the project to get rolling... it'll be delayed until at least March. Sorry.

Sometimes... I think I'm just too good at faking that everything is alright. Anyway, I'm a bit moody at the moment and will update any relevant changes later.

When I had this idea, I had no clue what the iron artist thing was that was going around but it seems I am having a similar idea if nothing else. I am about to attempt what for me should be a very severe artistic exercise and I owe a friend of mine some credit for encouraging me to do this.

http://www.furaffinity.net/user/thegrinningjackal/

He's been encouraging me to reapply myself to my art more and more and I guess it is sinking in. Normally I wouldn't feel the need to talk about a project in advance like this except for a few things, one I need to go get new supplies and two, I need to slate up some characters for use.

I am calling this my 50/50 project and the goal is to produce 50 brand spanking new images in final inked form in 50 days. With a goal of uploading at least one a day. Now... given circumstances and travel this means I may have days where I will be unable to submit. So I will try to double up on certain days to make up for that fact. Which means it won't be a true daily update. Wish I could but life isn't linear for me anymore.

On one hand this prospect excites me. On another I am concerned how my arthritis will handle it.

Nevertheless, I will give this a shot. Which is now where you guys come in.

Poses will be up to me as well as pairings if I do that, but what I'd like to know is what kind of characters folks want to see.

So, here is your chance. These can be characters I've created in the past and just haven't used in a long time that you liked, fan based characters, and even your own characters (Be prepared to supply reference material) It'll sort of be like getting a free commission... well... not really, but eh, whatever right?

Anyway, I need to line up some characters and do some prep exercises first so we have some time before I get started so please reply on this journal with the characters you'd like to see.

If you see someone has already listed a character you'd like to see, you can still request that character. Popularity may influence me on this matter. I'm going to try and have as many different characters and types as possible to really stretch myself on this.

The reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated.

I had a fantastic time at MFM this year but need to address the bane of my existence. RUMORS! Okay, I am really certain some of these are just being spread by folks to see how gullible others are, but some are getting out of hand. Some here is your dose of Rumor control.

First, I did not ever host an orgy at Furry Fiesta Last year! Some folks though my room party for artists was apparently code for sex. Don’t ask me how they got confused, but “Art Jam” does not mean “orgy”.
Secondly, I was not running around in my underwear at Furfright last year. I mean let’s face reason here. If I was to lean out my door to grab a newspaper in my underwear, someone would have taken photos and it’d be all over the net and You tube.
And Finally, I am not DEAD! And I cannot actually believe I am actually having to clarify this. I am not dead and Tiger Cowboy did not cover up my death to protect himself. So please don’t go after him. I am alive and well.

As hard as it is to believe, that last one was a surprise for this year’s MFM. Last year, after TC’s little stunt where he announced MFM was closing I had a MILD panic attack and left the room. Someone saw me clutching my chest and the next thing I know, Folks were telling me Wielder had a heart attack. This year that had apparently snowballed into my death. And why is that no one seems to see my big honking name badges? I used to think folks were just joking and pulling my leg and “pretending” they didn’t know they were telling me rumors about myself to me in person. Now… I am not so sure.

Anyway, I am not dead just in case folks hear the rumors and get worried.

Wielder

MFM is still a bit away, but it's time to make the plans. Right now I'm not sure where I am rooming. Though I have some stuff set up, just an unexpected wrinkle is making me think things over.

But I will be there. And to make matters more interesting I will have a panel I will be doing. Wielder Moments. It will be a storytelling panel where I will do what I have done at most cons since I first started going. I will tell stories about events in my life which has been fairly amusing to others over the years. The only difference is now, instead of sitting in the garden court at a table and doing this, I'll have my own panel room and I invite the curious and the familiar alike to attend and tell me what they think.

Also, I try to submit something for the Tiger Haven Auction each year. This year is no different. At least two items will be submitted.
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/3697483 Baran
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/3697522 Malaysia

These will be the original black and white drawings, matted and framed and ready for hanging. Both images were drawn from stock photos of cats Tiger Haven has actually rescued. I wasn't able to get in touch with Tiger Haven Directly for other photos, but I think what I did turned out okay.

In addition to this, if I can finish it will be a quilt. A few years back I did a tribute quilt in honor of a friend of mine who had just passed away, Greyson. Then a couple of years ago, I used the same motif to make gift quilts for the ladies who represent Tiger Have each year. What I discovered when going through my scraps is remainders of each of these three quilts were still in my box. I make extra panels to see how thigs will go if I decide to enlarge. I have decided to take the remainders of these three special quilts and start working them into a more complex pattern and larger quilt.

Of course... it's not done yet. HOPEFULLY it will be in the auction. I do plan to have it done in time, but it may be cutting it a little close.

Either way, see you at MFM, and if you want to meet up with me, now would be a good time to start emailing me so we can make sure I have accurate info to reach you. Looking forward to seeing my favorite con in its new home.

It is official. I am now married. My mates and I will be heading out for our honeymoon and will enjoy a weekend together. I was surprised by how many made it and the one day event transformed into a weekend long festival of fun that was a blast but left us wiped out afterward. As it is, time to enjoy my summer and my new status as no longer a bachelor.

In less than a month, My mates and I will have our commitment to one another. And our family of three will become official. Or as official as anything can be under such circumstances. Given that upcoming event, my other responsibilities, and other obligations, I am overloaded. And when I get stressed... it seems as if my body falls apart. Which makes it harder to get things done. And art... Gods... I'm so backlogged. I have so much more work to do. Which is easier if I'm not dealing with major physical issues at the same time. Maybe it'll all be better in a month when I the event is over.

Hello everyone! I’m doing a friend a bit of a favor. A local fellow artist is on the look-out for commissions. He needs the income and his work is actually pretty darn good. If you’d like to help out a developing furry artist, please go by his FA site, look at his works, fav a few if you have FA, and maybe order a commission.

http://www.furaffinity.net/user/thegrinningjackal/

You would truly be doing BOTH of us a favor.