I've been uploading art slowly to my account over on Weasyl, quickly set up and used folders to organize this gallery, and have been playing a lot of FF8. Work is getting busy, and come to find out, my boss's birthday is next week too! Two days after mine!

How are you? What have you been up to?

So I've come to a decision-

Based on what I gathered from my previous journal, I will be starting to use my Weasyl gallery over the next week or so. It'll take a while to gather up permissions from artists who don't necessarily state their conditions of re-posting.

If you'd like to watch me there, here's a link! - https://www.weasyl.com/~snowinthesavanna

Expect to see a mixture of Xaviera, my ponies, and my lion guy if you do!

I will still be uploading here, but over time, I think I may switch over to uploading to Weasyl predominantly.
Being organized is a big thing for me, and I don't know when FA is going to catch up.

So I've been pondering this lately- not necessarily jumping ship to another site, but starting to upload more of my gallery somewhere else. I started on FA and have no intentions of leaving it, but looking at the other options out there, I'd really like the organizational capabilities of folders. IMO, it would be really cool to organize my commissions, so if you wanted to see my dressy stuff, click on the folder, and BAM! Frills ahoy! Or if you wanted to see my more babyfur content, (Since I seem to have attracted quite a few watchers of this nature) click the folder, and there it all is in its lavender scented glory. Want to see my ponies? There they are, not mixed in with everything else.

I've seen friends utilize these other sites this way, and I'm a little envious. I like having everything in its place. Not a fan of the chaos that is my gallery here, and the lack of control over it.

To be fairly honest, ultimately this would be for me. I do appreciate that my watchers seem to enjoy my characters, but in the end, I commission art for myself and my friends. You guys liking it is certainly a bonus, as it makes me happy knowing that Xaviera might bring joy to others as he does for me.

However, if no one is going to see it, it makes the effort of getting permissions from artists, uploading my gallery, and organizing it kind of a mute point.

So my question to you, my watchers:

What are your opinions of these other sites? Do you use them? If so, how frequently?

So, I don't know what I'll ever do with it, but I now have a SoFurry account. Mostly because of  tick

https://xaviera.sofurry.com/

Maybe I'll see you there!

A Purple Cat's Guide to Commissioning Artwork in the Furry Fandom
Version 1.1

Originally posted 9-4-2015

Last updated 9-7-2015

by Xaviera Caeran

Intro

Furry themed artwork is a fundamental aspect of the furry fandom as a whole, and many of us enjoy commissioning artwork of our characters. If you're like me, your “fursona” is an extension of your personal being; your ideal self, so to speak. Xaviera is who I am, just a little more fabulous and fluffy. Over time, I've enjoyed seeing my character Xaviera in many different settings, whether they be an homage to a real life occurrence, a hope for the future, or pure fantasy. (And occasionally some more graphic, mature material. For reasons.) With hundreds of new submissions daily on FurAffinity alone, artwork is important to all of us, and we are eager to show off our characters to anyone looking.

Credentials

Now you may be thinking, “Xaviera? Who?”
You may also be thinking, “Who are you, and why should I bother reading this?”

Well, as I approach my 400th commission and 6th year of being on FA, I've noticed a thing or two during these past transactions, and maybe from someone else reading this, I would be able to help someone less experienced in the trade. Aside from this, I have studied both business and psychology on a collegiate level, giving me a general basis of how each works. Over the last few years, I've had such fantastic experiences with different artists; I have had the fortune of working with some of the more professional, creative individuals out there, and continue to do so to this day. However, in light of my success in commissioning, I have experienced the opposite end of the spectrum; deadlines not met, quality not what I was lead to believe I'd be getting, unanswered emails and notes, and downright rudeness. If you've experienced any of these things, you've likely commissioned a few pieces yourself!

How to commission artwork

If you're a little wet behind the ears with this whole experience, don't be afraid! Many artists are very willing to work with you, moreso when you're respectful to them. Remember they are people too, and at one time, they tried something for the first time as well. Now, before we get in to the commissioning process, let's start with the building blocks.

Reference sheet

You've just finished writing your character description, and wow, what a great, individual being you've created! As you re-read it back to yourself, you're sure this will be a great thing to see. Even if you're only planning on getting a few commissions, get a reference sheet made of your character. “A picture is worth a thousand words”. Artists will certainly appreciate a visual representation of your character as opposed to a block of text. With a reference sheet, you can also designate all your special markings, patterns, and whatever else with pinpoint accuracy. A text description can leave things open to interpretation no matter how thorough you've been. After all, they can't see what's in your mind.

Commissioning your reference sheet

It's time to bring your creation to life! Now, to find an artist that will suit your character's style. Are they toony? Realistic? Somewhere in between? This is very important when selecting an artist to work with. If an artist illustrates in a particular style, you should expect that style to be reflected on the rendering of your character. If your character is toony, do not approach a realistic styled artist. This will not end well for you or the artist in question. Is your character a little on the extra-fluffy side? You might want to find an artist that has more of that content on display in their gallery, rather than someone who primarily illustrates more slender individuals. This is a dip in to the responsibility of a commissioner.

A commissioner's responsibilities

As a commissioner, you do have a few responsibilities to uphold. First and foremost, when you're ready to find an artist, find out for certain if they're currently taking commissions. If they are closed, do not ask them anyway; they are publicly stating “I am currently working on what I can handle”. If you do ask anyhow and receive a rude response in return, you've brought that upon yourself. Say for example, you worked in a restaurant, and 15 minutes after close, someone is banging on the door demanding to be served. You'd be irritated too.

The artist is open for commissions: great! STOP. Find their TOS and read it. Many artists have a link on their profile page or on their personal website stating their terms of service. You will learn how they work, what conditions your commission may be subject to, and what policies they have towards things like posting in your personal gallery, refunds, edits, changes, etc. They have put hours in to carefully designing and drafting their terms of service; it is your responsibility to read and understand what has been presented to you. Many artists consider contacting them as an agreement to these terms and conditions, and will uphold them as such.

Now that you've read their TOS, find their pricing information. It is important to have a general idea of how much your commission will cost. Remember that each option, like shading, or backgrounds, add more to the total cost. These enhancements require more time and effort, and are financially rewarded as such. You should also have the expendable funds ready when you contact an artist. Many artists only start work or add to queues after payment has been confirmed. This is not greed- this is protection of their work. It would be pretty awful to spend hours upon hours on something to not get paid. You wouldn't work for free; neither will they. For some, this is their job and only source of income.

Speaking of income, do you have a way to pay? The days of mailing checks or money are long behind us. If you plan to commission art, get yourself a PayPal account. While there are other options, PayPal seems to be the most universally accepted form of payment. PayPal is also fantastic for keeping records of payments, and another thing we'll cover later.

You've got your idea, you've got money, and they're open. Huzzah! Lets discuss a few different types of commissions, starting with that reference sheet that I was heavily insistent on earlier. When commissioning a reference sheet, again, find an artist who suits your character's style. You may also want to find someone who will stream your commission, whether that be publicly or privately. This way, you can work with them directly, making sure all your details are met and things will appear just as you imagined them. Many artists will incorporate your character's details; height, weight, species, name, personality, etc. Be certain you know what you want your reference sheet to display. Remember- this is what other artists will be looking at when they work on your commission. Make it easier for them- the important details should be clear and concise.

Now that you've got your reference sheet, the world of easier commissioning awaits you. When commissioning art, it is important to have an idea of what you'd like to see. Otherwise, some artists offer 'artist's choice'. Be aware that if you're giving an artist all power of decision making in your commission, you must be okay with this lack of control. If you're like me and not always okay with this, start working on that idea. Some artists will work with you as far as coming up with a scene, but you must have some key details or direction as to what you'd like. If they're not okay with that, move on. They work a certain way, and you two just aren't jiving.

Let's review what we've read thus far:

1. Find an artist that is OPEN
2. Read that artist's TOS
3. Have an idea of cost, and a way to pay
4. Get a reference sheet!
5. Have an idea of what you'd like, or artist's choice it is!
6. Be respectful and courteous!

And additionally,

7. Ask for an alternative handle for communication. Relying on on-site communication has gone awry in the past for many. Email is a great way to keep in contact with artists.


You've commissioned your art. After seeing a few work in progress updates, the email or note arrives with the finished product. The anticipation and excitement is rewarded with something truly fantastic, and you've got yourself a nifty new piece of artwork to share, or keep for yourself depending on the arrangement made. Now, you did remember to thank your artist, right? No? Say “thank you”. Even though you've paid them for their services, they've invested hours of their time in to your piece. Gratitude goes a long way, even a simple “thank you” is important.

Before you go posting your commission to your gallery, if it isn't stated in their TOS, make sure to ask (and wait for a response) if it is okay. There are artists who are against re-posting their work despite your character being the focus, an artists who ask that you not post within 24 hours of their submission. Ignoring these requests are not only rude, but incredibly disrespectful to the artist in question. Though you may “own” your character, you hold no legal rights to someone's work. It is not your right to re-post art of your character, it is a privilege.

A quick note on actually copyrighted characters: not all artists will draw copyrighted characters. (Simba, Balto, Kovu <3, etc.) There can be some nasty repercussions if you're found profiting from the use of these kinds of characters. Corporations like Disney have powerful lawyers. If artists are not willing to draw such characters, respect their decision to protect themselves.

Commissioning Artwork at Conventions

Planning on commissioning artwork at a convention? Awesome! Getting artwork at a convention can be a fantastic experience. Pay today for art either later that day, or the next morning; what a turn-around! A few things to keep in mind regarding commissioning art at cons:

1. Try to have at least one physical copy of your reference sheet. Not all hotels offer free wi-fi in the con space, and in some cases, the rooms either.
2. Always make sure you have a receipt from the artist that has both yours and their contact information. At some conventions, receipts are mandatory for business with artists because of tax and income laws applicable to the state the convention is hosted in.
3. If you choose to turn in a sketch book of yours to an artist for sketch commissions, absolutely make sure that you have your contact information either on the cover or somewhere not easily torn out/lost from the book.
4. If you plan on getting multiple sketch commissions from multiple artists, instead of a sketch book, try a 3-ring binder, or something similar with removable pages that you can collect and put back in later. Just make sure whatever material you're handing them has your information on it.
5. If your commission will be a take-home situation, make sure you're using an up-to-date mailing address and YOUR LEGAL NAME as your contact information. A phone number and email address are good ideas as well to maintain contact.

In an ideal world, having a great experience when commissioning would happen every time. Unfortunately, we live in the real world. During this section, keep in mind that this in entirety is based off of my own opinions and methods. Stories like artists disappearing without completing commissions wouldn't exist if it didn't happen. This is where the selection process is so important.

A few things to keep in mind, as per Xaviera's personal opinion:
1. Keep a record of all contact with your artist. Emails, notes, PayPal transactions, everything.
2. If an artist does not have a TOS, find another artist
3. If an artist does not have a publicly available queue, find another artist
4. If an artist does not provide any means of communication aside from on-site, such as FA's note system, find another artist.
5. If an artist is rude to a client in a public setting, find another artist
6. Check Artists Beware, especially if you're skeptical
7. Check the artist's page. If several people are wondering where their commission is, find another artist
8. If an artist says to not ask about the status of your commission, find another artist
9. If an artist is taking on new commissions when they have a large backlog of owed commissions, run.

Patience is a virtue, and in this world of instant gratification we may find ourselves dwelling in, you may discover that you might not be so willing to wait as you had once thought. Art takes time, and if you're in a queue, you do have to wait your turn. One thing that I like to do in these situations is during the commissioning process, ask if they can give an estimated time of completion. This is not set in stone, but will provide a good idea of when you can expect your commission to be complete. If this time frame is surpassed, politely inquire about the status of your commission. Asking every week or so is fine. Asking every other day is not.

The worst possible thing

It's been two months. Two scenarios: First, no updates, no activity on their page, no response to your inquiry, nothing. While life does certainly pull us away from this world, as an artist involved in a transaction, it is their responsibility to maintain contact with their client. Second, the artist is active, but not responding to you. Gather your evidence- screen cap conversations, save emails, get all the details related to your commission you can. If you've paid with PayPal, you've got a chance at getting your money back so long as you take action within a set amount of time.

Do not under any circumstances charge back. Firstly, contact the artist in question for a refund. Give them a few days to respond. If they do not, it's time to open a dispute with PayPal. You will be required to give a reasoning to PayPal as to why you're opening the claim against this person. Make sure to include all details of the transaction, such as the date of the beginning of the transaction, the time frame agreed on, the dates of attempted contact, etc. PayPal may contact you for further detail. It is imperative that you are prepared, and the more you can give them, the better your case is. Attempt to contact the artist again, notifying that you have filed a dispute.

If the dispute is not resolved within a certain time frame, it will expire. If contact has not been established with your artist, you must escalate the dispute to a claim. After this, the decision regarding the transaction is in PayPal's hands. This is where your supporting evidence is crucial. (I am not affiliated with PayPal in any way. This is based on my personal experience dealing with the subject.)

Don't be discouraged. For every bad experience, I've had 10 good commission experiences. Use common sense, and pay attention to the details. If something is causing you to feel skeptical, there's a reason for it. Be courteous, be kind, be professional, be respectful, and most importantly, be careful. Know what you want, what you're comfortable with, and what your limits are.

If you've made it to the end, congratulations! I hope this was helpful in some way or another to you.
If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or concerns, feel free to post them below, or contact me privately.

Thank you for reading!

Before it gets beat in to the ground, I'm gonna do this one.

1. Who eats more?
Probably me, but not by much.

2. Who said “I love you” first?
I'd have to say she did first,

3. Who is the morning person?
Oh gosh, her. I am not a morning person at all.

4. Who sings better?
She would say me.

5. Who’s older?
She is, by a few months.

6. Who’s smarter?
She would say I am, but she knows plenty of things I don't.

7. Whose temper is worse?
Oh mine, most certainly.

8. Who does the laundry?
I feel she will when we move in together, but I do all my own now.

9. Who does the dishes?
This is usually a joint effort.

10. Who sleeps on what side of the bed?
My side is the left. Or, how ever much is left of the left when she invades it.

11. Whose feet are bigger?
Mine.

12. Whose hair is longer?
Hers.

13. Who’s better with the computer?
I built hers, so me.

14. Do you have pets?
She has one cat, I have one old mutt.

15. Who pays the bills?
This will be a joint effort.

16. Who cooks dinner?
She's a really good cook, and enjoys doing it, so her.

17. Who drives when you are together?
She wont drive after dark or when it's raining, so I drive primarily.

18. Who pays when you go out to dinner?
We rotate, but don't keep a strong record of who's turn it is.

19. Who’s the most stubborn?
She would certainly say I am.

20. Who is the first one to admit when they’re wrong?
Her, definitely.

21. Whose family do you see more?
Mine, definitely.

22. Who named your pet?
The SPCA named mine, I think her friend named hers.

23. Who kissed who first?
I'd say I kissed her first.

24. Who asked who out?
I asked her out.

25. What did you do on your first date?
Our first 'date' date, I believe we went to a nice dinner, then to the movies.

26. Who’s more sensitive?
Her, even if she hides it well.

27. Who’s taller?
Me, by like, half a foot.

28. Who has more friends?
I'd say me.

29. Who has more siblings?
Me, two brothers.

30. Who wears the pants in the relationship?
She would say me, and she'd be correct.

By now, I would assume that if you're following my account, you've stumbled across art of my pony ocs. My question to you, my watchers, is

Given the content of my pony commissions, would you prefer I posted them on a different account? Or do you not mind seeing them in this gallery?

Good morning, various anthropomorphic creatures.

I still don't have my phone back, which really wangs chung at this point.

So, to make me feel less ronery, ask me stuff for any of my characters!

So it's really slow at work today, and I still don't have my phone, so..

Got questions for me? My ponies? Or my lion? Ask 'em!

So if for some reason you've tried to message me in the last two days, my phone ded.

And apparently in this world of tracking numbers and logistics, my new phone will 'hopefully' arrive tomorrow from the 'overnight' service ordered two days ago.

So Nika and I have returned in one piece from Massachusetts. The ride home was loooooong, and a little eventful too. Had to use my cat-like reflexes to dodge both a chunk of blown tire, and what looked like a large chunk of dirt tumbling down the road.

Good times were had, long time friends were met, movies were watched, trains were ridden, and cities were walked around. Got to visit the aquarium, the zoo, and the harbor area of the city. Got to try authentic New England clam chowder, which was great!

Unfortunately, we did not have time to stop by the yahd sale.

But there's always next time! For now, I have this plate and dish to remember the trip by.

Originally planned for Maltese Fur Con, which was sadly cancelled, today and I will travel to the Boston area to visit with and friend.

Where we will make our own con. With blackjack. And hookers.

Today is going to be a little slow at work today, so let's do that tmiTuesday thing!
Got any questions for Xavi? Ask away!

 powhatan and  redneckfur inspired me to do one for myself.


Basics

Name: Brian
Nickname: Xaviera, Xavie, Kitty, Princess
Location: New York
Age: 24
Height: 5'10"
Zodiac sign: Virgo/Libra
Pets: Samantha; old mutt
Favorite thing about yourself: I can chameleon in to most social settings if need be.
Worst habit: Avoiding social situations.
Fun fact: I enjoy being silly and funny, especially when I'm all princess'd up.

Identity, Sexuality & Personality

Gender identity: Male
Sexual preference: A bit of both!
Romantic preference: Female
"Kinsey Scale" score: Variable?
Relationship status: Dating  nikola
Myers/Briggs type: ISTJ
Hogwarts house: Ravenclaw


Routine

"Early Bird" or "Night Owl": Night Owl, for sure.
First thought in the morning: Gonna be late for work again!
Last thought before falling asleep at night: I love my bed~

School/Work

Do you work or are you a student: Full time manager
What do you do well: Act like I know what I'm doing!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years: 5 years older!

Habits (Do you…?)

Drink: Oh gosh yes.
Smoke: Not anymore!
Do Drugs: Retired!
Exercise: I should!
Have a go-to comfort food: Not especially.
Have a nervous habit: Fiddle with something in my hands when talking to others.

What is your favorite…?

Physical quality (in yourself): I look pretty good dressed up, if I do say so myself!
In Others: I like them soft and plush!
Mental/emotional quality (in yourself): The ability to show no emotion and act like there's nothing wrong at all!
Food: Homemade Italian foods. Store-bought and most restaurants suck >.>;
Drink: Fuzzy Navel, Sweet red wines
Animal: Big felines!
Colors: Purple, Green, Red
Artist/Band/Group: Fall Out Boy, Gorillaz, Sneaker Pimps, Leslie Hall
Author/Poet: N/A
Actor/Actress: Mark Wahlberg <3
Blogger: N/A

... Will never be the same without Big Mama's House of Indigestion and Child Labor Law Violations. After all, Big Mama welcomes the Anthrocons.

Nikola, myself, and another friend will be in the vicinity of the largest (still, I think?) furry con in the U.S. for Saturday. Very much looking forward to seeing people I've not seen in a long time, as well as meeting up with new friends. This will be my first time back since 2012, and my 4th time attending.

If you'd like to, feel free to say hello. I'll be wearing a badge or two of Xaviera.

Haven't done one in a bit, but I'm feeling adventurous!

Got a question for me? As away!

Go visit Ms.  rasalgethi and get yourself a badge, ref sheet, or tags!

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6854209/
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6854209/
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6854209/

Go go go!

Swiped from  powhatan



*Not 100% sure if I'll be attending, but I plan on being there Saturday*



Where are you staying?
N/A

What day are you getting there?
Saturday

How are you traveling?
Car

Who will you be rooming with?
N/A

How is the best way to find you?
I'm still debating if I'm going to dress up or just go casual. Text or Twitter works best

Are there any panels you might be attending?
Not one to check schedules before getting there.

What do you look like?
Depends on how I dress that day.

Will you be suiting?
N/A

What is your gender?
Male

How tall are you?
5'10"

How old are you?
24

Relationship Status
Occupied

Can I talk to you?
Of course, that's why I'm going.

Can I touch you?
Not without asking.

Can I visit your room?
N/A

Can I buy you drinks?
Yes. Yes you can.

Can I give you stuff?
I'm not comfortable receiving gifts, honestly.

Can I hug or snuggle with you?
Nooooo.

Are you nice?
That's debatable.

How long are you going?
Saturday, for the day.

Will you be going to parties?
If I'm invited, but wont be staying long.

Will you be performing?
Honey I am always performing.

If I see you, how should I get your attention?
DO: Approach me, say hello, and introduce yourself.
DO NOT: Approach me and tell me how many of my commissions you've saved to your hard drive.

Where will you be most of the time during the day/s?
Finding people to catch up with, so likely wandering around the convention space.

What/where will you be eating?
Nowhere in particular. Big Mama's House of Child Labor Law Violations is gone, so...

Can I come with you for food/fun/etc?
Invite only.

Can I take your picture?
Not without asking first. Gotta check my makeup if I'm wearing it.

Do you do free art?
Interpretive dance only.

Do you do trades?
I might have my 3DS with me, so maybe.

Do you do commissions?
No.

What's your goal(s) for the con this year?
Meet up with people I've not seen in some time, and people I only get to see very infrequently.

Attention followers!

 folly854 is still taking slots for her fashion through the decades project!
Check it out here:

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6776019/
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6776019/
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6776019/

If you've ever wanted to get art with Xavie, here's a chance! I've got one slot in the 80's, so the other slot is open for the taking!

Today is  partial's birthday!

She's a fantastic friend and artist, so make sure you wish her a happy birthday!

June is a busy month!

Go ahead and wish  rasalgethi,  fuzzyjack, and  missy_da_dane a happy birthday!
They're all awesome people :3

First and foremost, today is  relyt14's birthday today. He's a sweet fox, so go wish him a happy one.

Secondly, still trying this socialization thing and it's close to yesterday yet; ask me anything!

Hey you!

One of my favorite artists is doing a sweet era-themed art project.

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6776019/
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6776019/
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6776019/

Check up on it! If you dig the 80's, you can be in a piece with Xavi if you take the other slot!

It's going to be a slow day at work today, so keep me entertained by asking me questions about stuff and junk.