Not that I'm super active right now, but that's because all the artwork I'm currently doing I don't want to post here. Commissions and things. Anyway, I'll be leaving tomorrow to take my daughter back to the states for her first birthday! International travel with a 1 year old. This is going to be fun (LOL! NOT!)

I traded in my old laptop for a tablet. Much easier to tote around and chase a toddler! (OMG! My baby is really going to be a toddler soon! NOOOOOO!) So I can reply to messages and things, but I probably wont have much to post art wise. Not unless you know of an awesome app for drawing on an iPad! (If you do please share!) Just want to give you all a heads up and let you know why I wont be around much.

Later all! Wish me luck and sanity!

Pardon my previous Emo Moment. I think I'm feeling better know.

Well the typhoon past, we are out of tornado watch, and we made it out with minimal physical and mental damage. My walls are leaking water though, and I'm somewhat dreading calling housing about it. They have a problem of not being timely with repairs, or telling me something isn't broken when it is. *sigh*

Oh and I'm pretty sure there was an earth quake this morning.

Super Typhoon. Tornado watch. Earthquake. I think it was "Pick on Okinawa" day/week for mother nature or something. >.<

I want a drink...

Well we made it through the typhoon okay, but now we are in tornado watch. OH GOODY! [/sarcasm]

So I know the last time a huge typhoon was headed our way it totally fizzled out, so I kept this one to myself for a little while. Well doesn't look to be fizzling and it's headed right over the top of us.
All the dates and times are Japan standard time. (UTC+9)
<i>"Typhoon Bolaven was last seen skulking around about 340 nautical miles southeast of Okinawa. This beast had winds gusting up to 150 knots near its center. If Typhoon Bolaven continues on its current path damaging sustained winds of 50 knots or greater are expected to occur Aug 26 5 a.m. to Aug 27 6 a.m. The strongest winds on Okinawa are expected to be sustained at 130 knots with 160 knot gusts from 3 to 6 p.m. on Aug 26."</i>

In short, unless this thing make a wicked hook north or south it's gonna hit us head on. I don't have to worry too much. My house is made to withstand these things, and I'm on the high ground which means flooding risk in minimal. So unless a branch breaks off a tree, or some one doesn't secure their outside belongings and one of those things finds it's way through my window, I should be fine. But it's a possibility the power could go out, so I might be gone for a while. I'll be sure to keep you all updated though if and when I can. Of course as soon as my husband deploys we get the biggest typhoon to hit the island in 13 years! Uuuhg!

On and an interesting little image for you:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...../typhoon-1.jpg
We are that cute little glowing blue dot at the very edge of that monster typhoon!

There is literary NOTHING on it right now. But, I do a lot of sketching that I don't feel like posting, I'll probably end up dumping it all there. So if you want to see the extra stuff head on over and check it out. Not right now though, it's empty as my stomach. Which reminds me I need some eats.
Oh yeah, link: http://zhentee.tumblr.com/

I'm really in the mood to draw but don't know what, so I'm opening for trades. It's not going to be first come first serve, so don't feel discouraged if others have posted already. Just leave me a comment with the following:
1: Type of trade you are wiling to do. (Sketch, inks, flat color, fully shaded)
2: Which character of yours you want me to draw.
3: Which of my characters you would prefer to draw (See here: http://zhentee.deviantart.com/gallery/9204985)


Few things:
I don't know how many I will do, but 3 is probably a good estimate. Maybe more depending on the type.
I'll be choosing tomorrow some time, so you have plenty of time to post. I might even choose later than that. We will see.
I'll message you if I have chosen you, and post a closed trades journal. I really do wish I could trade with everyone, but that's not always an option. Sorry!
If you are chosen, I'll send you a message with a preview when I'm finished, but wont post until you post your half.

OFF TOPIC: Who loves "The IT Crowd"? That show cracks me up! OMG! XD

I think that was the most anticlimactic typhoon ever. It got up to a cat 5, so of course we do everything we can to prepare, overstock the emergency kit, bring in all outside belongings, lay down the pee pads for the dogs because they aren't allowed outside.

And then as it passes it rapidly downgrades from a 5 to a 2!! We had no wind or rain. I wouldn't have even known there was a typhoon happening by the looks of things! =/ Oh well. I guess that's a good thing, right? At least everything is stocked up and ready for next time.

If you are interested please note me here, or e-mail me at Zhentee[at]gmail.com before sending any money. I start commissions after money has cleared, slots are first come first serve.

While the base prices are good for just about any character, I may add to the price if you have a ridiculously complex character.

-Pricing info and Examples:
I can only accept paypal at this time, and all prices are in USD.

-Sketches with flat colors: $10 per character
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/7930235/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/7930534/

-Ponies: $8 flats $12 Shaded
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/7390720/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/7513378/

-Flat color character, no or solid color background: $12 per character
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/7630584/

-Shaded with no or simple background: $20 per character
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/7851669/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/8122289/

-Shaded with detailed background: $30 each additional character is $20
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/7295421/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/7693351/

I do NOT offer anything pornographic. I might be willing to draw nude characters, but please e-mail or note me about that, and I will let you know. Censured nudity, (unable to see naughty bits because they are covered by an arm, leg, or fur in the case of anthros) is okay.

What you get from me is a high res, signed but non-watermarked version e-mailed to you. You can print this out for your personal enjoyment, or post it to your website as long as you link back to me.
You are not allowed to print it out to sell or make money off of in any way.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask!

We've got a category 4 typhoon headed our way. Got our emergency kit all stocked, this is going to be fun. (not!)

Check it out: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v.....ng/typhoon.png

Let you all know how it goes!

Just wanted to give a big thank you to all the people who helped me finish getting all the cloth diapers I needed for my baby girl! She is happy in her new cloth diapers, and we are happy that she is happy!
Check out my Cutie in Cloth here: http://zhentee.deviantart.com/art/C.....loth-305251265

NEW:
A big thanks to everyone who has commissioned me so far and helped me put a pretty big dent in the remaining cost of getting my daughter into cloth diapers. But I still have a ways to go before the remaining cost is covered. (why do bamboo inserts have to cost so much? stupid heavy wetting daughter! [I take back the stupid part! I love my little girl!]) so these are still OPEN! Just send me an e-mail or a note!!!

Info from previous journal:
So you don't know this, by my daughter is allergic to disposable diapers. Getting her into cloth diapers has been a lot of money up front, and we could use a little extra to finish off our stash. To get what more we need, I'm offering some cheap commissions that have the fastest turn around. Ponies, colored sketches and cartooned pet pictures should offer something for just about everyone.
Please check out my deviant page here for prices and examples: http://zhentee.deviantart.com/art/S.....ions-299943466 I can only accept Paypal at this time. If you are interested or have any questions please send me a message here or e-mail me: ZHENTEE[at]GMAIL.COM

Thanks for reading.

So you don't know this, by my daughter is allergic to disposable diapers. Getting her into cloth diapers has been a lot of money up front, and we could use a little extra to finish off our stash. To get what more we need, I'm offering some cheap commissions that have the fastest turn around. Ponies, colored sketches and cartooned pet pictures should offer something for just about everyone.
Please check out my deviant page here for prices and examples: http://zhentee.deviantart.com/art/S.....ions-299943466 I can only accept Paypal at this time. If you are interested or have any questions please send me a message here or e-mail me: ZHENTEE[at]GMAIL.COM

Thanks for reading.

I was thinking of opening commissions, but wondering if anyone was interested, and if so what kind of image would you want and what price would you be willing to pay?

VIEW IT. SHARE IT. ANYWHERE, AND EVERYWHERE.

http://youtu.be/Y4MnpzG5Sqc

http://www.chron.com/business/artic.....on-3349672.php

While there are still some wrinkles to iron out, as it stands right now, United/Continental had seen the petition and more fully understands what it's new program is doing, and working out a way to help those US military members flying with pets due to PSC orders! If all goes well those traveling with pets due to PCS will not have to pay the 3rd party fee! How this will work exactly is still unclear. The Petsafe Office here in Okinawa is still undergoing training and wont be open until the 20th of March. Luckily we don't leave until next year, but I know many families here this is effecting due to the change in policy and the backlash it's caused in the middle of their move. A good friend of mine in fact is going to have to pay quite a large sum to switch airlines to get her dog back home since she has to leave before the 20th when United will resume shipping animals out of Okinawa.

Thanks to every one who signed the petition! While we didn't make our goal of 15,000, we did get over 2,500 signatures, and that's all it took to make a difference!!!

I would like to start by saying, I am NOT asking for donations, all I'm asking for is a little bit of your time, and if possible, a little effort as well. Please take the time to read the following: my sotry, a few articles, and if you feel up to it, sign the petition. I don't know whether or not anything can be changed, but at least I'll know I put the effort into trying to get it fixed.

Thanks to a change in United airlines policies after merging with Continental airlines it could cost me up to $8,000 for <b>just</b> my dogs to fly back home next year!!! But this doesn't just effect military over seas, or those moving over seas, it can effect anyone who chooses to fly with a pet on this airline!

Of all the things I've made for myself in my adult life, all the things I own, anything that can be considered mine today, husband and child included, my dog out dates them all. He's been there for me when I've had nothing else, and seen me through some very difficult times in my life. And this airline is asking me to either take out a loan just to get him home, or leave the oldest part of my adult life in a foreign country. Not just Biskits either, but Clover as well. I may not have had her as long, but she is just as much a part of this family as my husband, child, other dogs. If I can't save the money or get a loan for the missing amount by next year, not only would I have to give up 2 family members, I would have to explain to my daughter why we can't take them with us and break her heart as well. Military members have no choice to but to fly with this airline and they are taking advantage of that. The cost of an over seas relocation is already a large one, this just makes it even worse.

So whats going on exactly? United airlines has merged with Continental, and with this merger, are changing their policy so that animals can no longer fly as excess baggage or in cabin. Instead, they have to fly as cargo on a separate plane. This means that instead of the $250 it took to fly my dog here, it could cost $1,440 to $3,869 to fly my animals home. Because not only do I have to pay for them to fly cargo, but also for them to be tendered at their origin airport by a "Regulated Agent" or "IATA-Approved." (3rd party) United has made claims that they can't do anything about it, that they still have "competitive rates" They tried to pass blame and say that it's the new TSAs fault and that US requires pets to enter country as cargo. However the new TSA clearly states that animals flying as excess baggage or in the passenger cabin can not only enter the US, but are are exempt from the 3rd party charges. All united would need to do is to continue to allow pets to fly as excess baggage. Military members have no choice but to fly united thanks to a contract with he military allowing the military to fly at discounted rates.

This doesn't just effect Military members, but their host countries as well. I know for a fact the island I live on already has a stray dog and cat problem. Until now, many military members have been try to help with this problem. Finding stray pets, who would otherwise be put down, new homes with military members who would fly them back to the states with them. They have even gone and found people in the US or the mainland to take these animals and had voulenteers fly the animals to either the main land or the states to get then new homes. With this change in policy and increased cost, they would no longer be able to do this. If this price to fly animals back to the US stays where it is, many lower ranking military members will be forced to abandon their animals, creating an even bigger stray problem we would no longer be able to help with. Not just in Okinawa, but in any host country!

So what can you do? Well there are a few things.
-Read these following articles about whats going on: http://www.stripes.com/news/shippin.....-rule-1.168509 http://www.wtsp.com/news/article/239156/81/United-says-pets-not-in-cabin-to-fly-as-cargo
-Read and understand the new TSA: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/de.....20from%20Japan
-Like the following face book pages to help keep up with what's going on: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Unit.....21467661237059 https://www.facebook.com/militarypetalliance
-Sign the petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/ad.....ts/?cid=FB_TAF
-Share this information. Get the word out to anyone and everyone you can. This effects everyone who wants to fly wit their pets, internationally and domestically. Let them know we are not going to let this new policy 'fly'.

Seriously, I can't think of what to draw... so.. IDK Request something, and I'll pick something. Or multiple somethings...


ready set go!

I need to make a character with dreadlocks. Yup, no doubt, that is going to be my next project.

First of all, first journal. Hi all of you who watch me. C: Sorry this first journal is long and some what complaining, but I would really appreciated some feed back on this.

So we are expecting to get pretty big chunk of money soon, and since we have everything we need for our baby except the usual small things you need to buy periodically, the hubs and I were thinking of doing a bit of tech upgrading. My husband for a long time has wanted to build a fish tank computer. We don't really fight over our desktop, but we can both need it for long chunks of time, often at the same time. This can get a little annoying, but we usually end up dealing and giving the other a chance when we can. The hubs was thinking this way we can each have our own good desktop custom built for what we need. Mine for digital art for example.

Okay, cool, that's actually really good idea I think, here is where the problem lies. Along with the new comp, I was really interested in getting a new graphics tablet. Not that mine is bad or anything, it works really well still, but I have always wanted one of the monitor tablets. I know I can do art a lot faster without the visual disconnection I have with the tablet I have now (aka drawing on the desktop but looking up at the screen.) I'm having a little trouble though, since I don't want the cheaper one, I want the more expensive one, and I feel it's a lot of money to drop on something like this. But here is the thing. The cheaper one, while an upgrade on working space and the whole looking where you are drawing thing, the pressure sensitivity levels of them pan are half of what the tablet I have now is. I feel like I would be spending a lot of money but downgrading if I got it. The more expensive one has the same levels, and a much larger work space, and of course the whole drawing on screen thing. The more I think about how I might be getting it though, the more selfish I feel. Like I should be spending this money on the baby (but what, if we have everything? Not to mention I ALWAYS put my baby's needs first! She will have everything she needs before I will waste money on myself!) or saving it (even though we would still be saving a chunk of the money we are getting) or just, doing something else with it. (I don't know what though.)

So I want to ask you guys what your opinions are. Do you think it is selfish of me to get this really expensive thing for myself? I can think of reasons to get it, increase in art output speed, putting money into the economy, less chance of developing carpel tunnel because I could draw from the shoulder more instead of from the wrist. But I kind of feel like those reason are shitty, and I'm just trying to justify my selfishness. I feel like unless I can get a little more professional with this, (And I would really like to) it is a lot of money to dump on a hobby. A serious hobby, but still a hobby. But at the same time, I REALLY want it!

IDK... what do you guys think? be honest with me.

Also, I'd only be getting it if we are getting the amount of money we are estimating. If we get less and are going to have to use it all for the things we wanted to get, then I'm not even going to bother with it. It's just a possibility I was thinking about.