~Maplesquid

I really don't have many things to say about this year. Nobody really does.

I'm glad I got 90% of my backlog of arts done, all that remains to upload is the concept art of my personal sona, Rafe Silves.

As mentioned in the previous journal, I have around 8 or so, never before seen concept art pieces of this character, which I consider my genuine representation and closest thing to what I can call "sona".

I'll do my best to space the uploads a tad better, as to avoid "shotgun spam" of artpieces uploaded.

These will also feature a bit more of an in-depth dive as part of the descriptions, behind the inspirations, music, lyrics and even snippets of accompanying character lore alongside them, all of which are inspired and translated / conveyed from my real life experiences onto the "character" or visual representation.

I've often compared Drago as my "Inner Child" representation. An "ideal" to strive for, the naivete and glee.

I guess one can say, with Rafe growing into my main representation (And canonically, Drago's father) I've grown into that role by default.

Typically in western furry culture, both the owner and the character are considered to be one and the same person, we call this "Fursona" and a reflection, projection or avatar of the self, be it with the same name or different as we "see ourselves"

In Kemo culture however, the owner and the character are considered both to be separate people to one another, as such, they are always addressed accordingly, as if you were standing in front of them.

For the Westerners out there, when someone directly engages with them in conversation, praise, compliments or even flirting, they are almost always directed towards the owner, whether or not they are in costume as there is no perceived difference between them.

In kemo culture, the owner's character is often referred towards as a member of their own family, such as their child, or cousin, etc.

Western furs tend to want to have a fursuit character of their own fursona. But sometimes their fursuit will act and be completely different than their human selves. In a way, two personalities for one identity.

To put it simply... I'm in a mix between the Kemo cultural way of things with regards to fursona perceptions, as I've "outgrown" Drago, and now see him as still a very important part of myself that needs to be nurtured and protected, but not inhabited or let at the helm any longer.

Hopefully you'll all enjoy what I'll have to offer in the future with this avenue. If not, I'm sorry.

I do hope you've all had at least some positive moments towards the end of the year or throughout your holidays.