After spending well over a year away from FA, Deviantart, Tumblr, and the Furry community, I have returned from my leave!

Long time no see, FA.

I can't say that I've ever experienced a fuller message box (5000+ submissions, notes, comments, favorites, etc). I picked through a couple of things, but couldn't even chip the sea of beautiful artwork. I've spent the past month or so picking through some of my favorite artists' galleries and seeing what they've been up to. I've laughed and I've cried. So many beautiful people have come and gone, experienced heartbreak, weathered sickness, found new love, and have grown into stronger, older human beings.

A lot has happened while I was away.

I left FA and removed myself from all social venues related to art and the furry fandom. I told myself I was doing this so that I could better focus on school, as my illustration was distracting me and keeping me unmotivated. A year later I am still unmotivated.

School is rubbish and I'm ready to part with the institution I'm attending (I'm five years into my degree now). There's a light at the end of the tunnel, so I am hopeful for that. I've grown a lot as a design student and starting taking my first baby steps into the corporate design/illustration world. I have received generous recognition and encouragement from many wonderful people and I am so thankful for that. Now to just see it through. I am due to graduate in the Spring of 2015. I have never felt prouder.

I began dabbling in art again, taking part in five different exhibitions and showcases here in Nashville. I explored sculpture and painting, specifically within the low-brow genre (I worked with a lot of pornography, found objects, and did some pretty erotic illustrations for a few shows). It was nerve-wracking having my work be viewed by strangers in a public venue. It was a weird mixture of extremely happy and extremely nervous. I had some insults hurled my way and some rude gestures made towards my work, but overall it was positively received and praised. I am so happy to have been a part of the physical art community here. Hopefully there will be more to come for Grey the Fine Artist.

I left my job at Starbucks early in October 2013 for a new and exciting career change-- I entered the adult industry! I began working as a sales associate for Hustler Hollywood (the adult store affiliated with Larry Flynt's Hustler magazine). Sex-positivity, sexual health, and education have be close to my heart for a few years now, although I had felt odd about making it into a job. A year later, I am so thankful that I have made this choice. I have learned so much about people, relationships, pleasure, communication, politics, feminism, and perspective through this earth-shaking industry. The time spent at Hustler Hollywood has shaped me in a way that will permanently be a part of my life. I have thoroughly enjoyed serving and instructing the Nashville store.

As of October 2014, I have officially moved to a new adult store. I am now working in a much more posh, upscale, female-friendly store that focuses primarily on romance, couples, and health. It's a step in the right direction for me and I am much happier for it. Though the job is far from paradise, it was love at first sight and I am terribly happy. :)

As for the furry world, I have spent some time getting reacquainted with my characters. I removed most of my old gallery with the exception of a few pieces I still really enjoy. I'm giving myself a fresh start so that I can reenter the fandom with a clean slate. I am so, so excited to show you how my style has evolved, as well as to announce some new plans I have for my work. I think you will like what I have in store. <3 I am no longer connected to the Tennessee furs group that I was meeting with for a time, although I have made several new furry friends who happen to be my neighbors. It is a great feeling to be rewelcomed so strongly by this fun, vibrant, and lovable community.

I am going to take some time to work on my personal projects first, but I hope to re-open commissions someday. We'll see what happens!

Cheers, hugs, and smooches!

xoxo Grey/Blinksi