Journals32
Newest
Life and Content Update
2 min read
As you may have noticed, I have been not very active as a creator on this site. It’s not that I haven’t been creating; however, I haven’t been feeling the energy to post a lot of them. There have been several reasons for this, chief among these have been: Not having the energy to post to all of my sites (which has been vastly reduced thanks to PostyBird), Not able to come up with a compelling story to accompany the image, and feeling like the image was incomplete/not good enough to post. To add to these reasons, I have been dealing with other personal challenges like: stress from working on the project from Hell, dealing with depression, anxiety and two deaths in the family. All of these have sucked even more of my little personal energy. That all sad, I have been doing better as of late.
With the crazy time we find ourselves in, I’m hoping to make more productive with my time. I’m hoping to kickstart myself into posting and being more active in the community again. This winter I have put together an online shop at shop.crazyausky.com and will be opening for commissions. I will be putting together a Terms of Service soon and will be managing my queue and items though Artconomy, but I will also take PayPal payments as well. I will also be going through my files, sketchbooks, and stories and posting my back catalogue hopefully soon as well.
I hope that I will be back and continuing to do well though these ‘interesting’ times.
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
Anthrocon 2016 Post Con Report
10 min read
It was very fun though some things could be even better next year. [tl;dr]
As most of are aware, I was able to go to Anthrocon 2016. I arrived in Pittsburgh on Thursday Mid-morning, after attempting to catch a red-eye on United, but was switched to Delta after the flight to Chicago was delayed long enough to miss my connecting flight due to mechanical problems. Despite this I ended up getting there 15 minutes after my original flight. This also allowed me to use Uber for the first time to get to my hotel, The Wyndham Grand. Which I will say was quite enjoyable and was able to get there no fuss.
The Wyndham Grand, has a wonderful lobby, friendly staff and definitely did feel welcome anytime I entered. There are two major issues though I have with this hotel, for the convention. The first is the standard double room was cramped. Which if I needed to get to the other side of the room, I had to ask anyone at the desk to move so I could get by. Also due to the size of the room, we could not get a roll-in bed, which resulted with me on the floor most nights.
The second issue was the distance from the hotel to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and the Westin (0.7 miles [1.1 km]). Which Anthrocon did address with a shuttle bus that ran about every 30 minutes from the opening ceremonies to closing ceremonies. However, I always seemed to be a couple minutes late, which definitely cut down on my fursuiting for the convention. Also the shuttle buses ended right after closing ceremonies so anyone staying at the Wyndham had to walk from that point back.
In total I was able to be in fursuit twice. The major factor is how my suit deals with the heat... It doesn't, and the distance to the con from the hotel. This automatically puts at least a 30 minutes of being in the suit, which then the reason I wanted to be in suit had passed. That said each time I was in suit was fun and amazing. the first was almost immediately after I was at the hotel and just walked around the lobby for a bit, the second time was immediately after the fursuit parade. And was amazing by the people stopping for pictures. I unfortunately did not participate in the parade itself due to missing the line up after a long lunch, and the distance to the hotel to pick it up. Again, this was my poor planning that is to blame.
Ever since I missed pre-reg for Midwest Fur Fest, I have always have pre-registered for the con. This was no exception. This is definitely not the exception. I picked up my membership for the con on Mid-Afternoon on Thursday. Upon getting into the main con-space where the registration tables where set up, and was immediately confused on where to go for pre-reg. When I made it up there, there was a enormous line for registration. Looking around I did not see anything to denote the line was for non-pre-registered attendees. I was able though to see the special line for sponsors and super-sponsors. this being the case, I got into the line and proceded to wait to get in. Though about 15 minutes in I learned I needed to go to Pillar C since I pre-reg. Which I think I had to wait a total of a minute to get my membership and attendee stuff. This lack of signage also I believe contributed to the under-utilization of the zoo. Talking with some staff off site, I understand why they lacked signage (the convention center forbits attaching things to the walls or pillars). This is not uncommon, and also suggested they use art grates triangles to create way points and stable sign posts.
Anthrocon though is a weird beast. With the convention being in a convention center and not stuck to one hotel, it is very spread out and sprawls to the streets and the two major hotels. This makes the feel of the con something I am not completely use to. For conventions I'm use to a hive of furriness enveloping the hotel and being forced to be social and outgoing. Because I was not forced to do this, I found myself slinking into the corners of the con-space and only really being social in the zoo, lobby and bars where I couldn't shy away without leaving.
The spot where I spent a good chunk of time as the dealers den. I have been wanting to read more, but have a hard time shopping for books online. The main issue I have is finding books I will enjoy and needed a guiding paw which I was able to get from all three of the major publishers, despite me being super awkward and un-eloquent in my speech.
Also on Friday, in heading to the main space, I was perplexed by the line of fursuiters. Apparently this was where the staff inspected the fursuits to make sure they matched the definition that is used by Guinness of what makes a fursuit a fursuit. [needs citation] I did not know this was needed for the fursuit picture before the parade until later that day. It was at this time I began to think about skipping the parade, which I ultimately did after a long lunch after my art panels.
Later Friday, being a huge TF fan myself when to the Transformation Meet and Great. The idea although it was good, it was more of a panel of two or so people talking why they like tf and was mostly awkward for the first 40 minutes until they opened it up to going and talking to people. The better time was when I made it to Licos' TF Art Jam in the zoo. There I was able to meet more transformation artists and have a nice kangaroo-girl sketch thanks to DingoRoo's suggestion.
Saturday was more filled with mostly the art panels I was looking forward to. Both the creature creation panel and the Art One-Oh-Something I found to be quite interesting. Both allowed me to see how other artists create and apply their crafts. I ended up learning new methods I have been itching to use in future drawings. My only lament is how they where scheduled. with the creature creation panel ending a half hour after the art One-Oh-Something started. In doing this, I missed the start of the second panel, and skipped Q & A on the first.
Sunday, was mostly uneventful. I spent the morning looking for some last minute stuff around the Dealers Den and finally made it to Artist's Alley. I feel ashamed it took me to get into the alley, but I found myself looking at the line to get art wrapping around the room on Friday and Saturday caused me and several other furs to come back later on Sunday to get some things in the alley.
I do feel bad not getting more things from all of the artists, this was the thing that kept entering my mind of 'optimizing the time of the con'. This lead me to make a few things I wish I didn't do. Like skipping the character voices panel and some of the entertainment events like Kage's Story Hour and such. Although the latter will be on YouTube and probably could watch it tonight.
Sunday ended with the dead dog parties. I will say, this was my favorite part of the convention. This had the vibe of furry cons I am accustom to. fursuiters every where and no room to be shy and reserved. Fun things happening around. Though I stuck my head into the dance and the zoo. I ended up spending all night at the piano on the second floor signing random songs until midnight. The next morning my voice was course but I have amazing time, and didn't realize until an hour before that I was chilling with Pepper Coyote, Ruffis and Fox Amore.
Monday was weird to see the city revert. I also switched hotels from the Wyndham to the DoubleTree. Which took a good chunk of the day away. But the DoubleTree was definaly the better hotel for me. The rooms where large and the 4 block distance would have allowed me to be in fursuit within time for crazy stuff and not be halfway done by the time I got to the convention center. Also had enormous fun meeting other furs for dinner then going to fireworks with them afterwards. Along with helping them finish off their booze.
Tuesday was my flight out in the afternoon. After checking out, Krystal and I made our way to Station Square and had a bit more fun before being dropped off at the airport. Their I was able to take in the incline railway along with the food and shops along the Monongahela River and the coffee and ice cream above on Mount Washington. On the flight home I was able to meet up with another fur for an hour in Chicago O'Hare. This is where again my flying was cursed. My flight ended up getting pushed out until midnight and landed Wednesday at 2:30 am. The hotel where I left my car refused to send there shuttle and so had to take a cab there and sleep off the exhaustion at the Holiday Inn 10 minutes down the road.
Overall, I was a fun experience although I will say I have some things I would have done different. The first was wear the "1st Convention" ribbon they gave me. I learned all too late, this helps others know you don't know what's going on. I didn't where mine since this is my 4th convention myself and felt too prideful not to. Don't. this ribbon will get people to talk and help you around. Another thing is better planning. While there was nothing wrong with the Wyndham, it was the wrong hotel for me. Same with the Westin would have been the wrong hotel as well. But next time. I will be shooting for the Courtyard, William Penn or the DoubleTree. This would have allowed me to meet more furs and fursuit a lot more I think.
That said I am happy this all happened, and said to see it pass. I loved how the downtown become enveloped with furries, and how the Pittsburgh public comes out to see us and get pictures. This also makes me look forward to Furry Migration come September. That said I hope that everyone else had at least as much fun as I did at Anthrocon and hope things align for me to do this again next year.
~Ski Sharp
As most of are aware, I was able to go to Anthrocon 2016. I arrived in Pittsburgh on Thursday Mid-morning, after attempting to catch a red-eye on United, but was switched to Delta after the flight to Chicago was delayed long enough to miss my connecting flight due to mechanical problems. Despite this I ended up getting there 15 minutes after my original flight. This also allowed me to use Uber for the first time to get to my hotel, The Wyndham Grand. Which I will say was quite enjoyable and was able to get there no fuss.
The Wyndham Grand, has a wonderful lobby, friendly staff and definitely did feel welcome anytime I entered. There are two major issues though I have with this hotel, for the convention. The first is the standard double room was cramped. Which if I needed to get to the other side of the room, I had to ask anyone at the desk to move so I could get by. Also due to the size of the room, we could not get a roll-in bed, which resulted with me on the floor most nights.
The second issue was the distance from the hotel to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and the Westin (0.7 miles [1.1 km]). Which Anthrocon did address with a shuttle bus that ran about every 30 minutes from the opening ceremonies to closing ceremonies. However, I always seemed to be a couple minutes late, which definitely cut down on my fursuiting for the convention. Also the shuttle buses ended right after closing ceremonies so anyone staying at the Wyndham had to walk from that point back.
In total I was able to be in fursuit twice. The major factor is how my suit deals with the heat... It doesn't, and the distance to the con from the hotel. This automatically puts at least a 30 minutes of being in the suit, which then the reason I wanted to be in suit had passed. That said each time I was in suit was fun and amazing. the first was almost immediately after I was at the hotel and just walked around the lobby for a bit, the second time was immediately after the fursuit parade. And was amazing by the people stopping for pictures. I unfortunately did not participate in the parade itself due to missing the line up after a long lunch, and the distance to the hotel to pick it up. Again, this was my poor planning that is to blame.
Ever since I missed pre-reg for Midwest Fur Fest, I have always have pre-registered for the con. This was no exception. This is definitely not the exception. I picked up my membership for the con on Mid-Afternoon on Thursday. Upon getting into the main con-space where the registration tables where set up, and was immediately confused on where to go for pre-reg. When I made it up there, there was a enormous line for registration. Looking around I did not see anything to denote the line was for non-pre-registered attendees. I was able though to see the special line for sponsors and super-sponsors. this being the case, I got into the line and proceded to wait to get in. Though about 15 minutes in I learned I needed to go to Pillar C since I pre-reg. Which I think I had to wait a total of a minute to get my membership and attendee stuff. This lack of signage also I believe contributed to the under-utilization of the zoo. Talking with some staff off site, I understand why they lacked signage (the convention center forbits attaching things to the walls or pillars). This is not uncommon, and also suggested they use art grates triangles to create way points and stable sign posts.
Anthrocon though is a weird beast. With the convention being in a convention center and not stuck to one hotel, it is very spread out and sprawls to the streets and the two major hotels. This makes the feel of the con something I am not completely use to. For conventions I'm use to a hive of furriness enveloping the hotel and being forced to be social and outgoing. Because I was not forced to do this, I found myself slinking into the corners of the con-space and only really being social in the zoo, lobby and bars where I couldn't shy away without leaving.
The spot where I spent a good chunk of time as the dealers den. I have been wanting to read more, but have a hard time shopping for books online. The main issue I have is finding books I will enjoy and needed a guiding paw which I was able to get from all three of the major publishers, despite me being super awkward and un-eloquent in my speech.
Also on Friday, in heading to the main space, I was perplexed by the line of fursuiters. Apparently this was where the staff inspected the fursuits to make sure they matched the definition that is used by Guinness of what makes a fursuit a fursuit. [needs citation] I did not know this was needed for the fursuit picture before the parade until later that day. It was at this time I began to think about skipping the parade, which I ultimately did after a long lunch after my art panels.
Later Friday, being a huge TF fan myself when to the Transformation Meet and Great. The idea although it was good, it was more of a panel of two or so people talking why they like tf and was mostly awkward for the first 40 minutes until they opened it up to going and talking to people. The better time was when I made it to Licos' TF Art Jam in the zoo. There I was able to meet more transformation artists and have a nice kangaroo-girl sketch thanks to DingoRoo's suggestion.
Saturday was more filled with mostly the art panels I was looking forward to. Both the creature creation panel and the Art One-Oh-Something I found to be quite interesting. Both allowed me to see how other artists create and apply their crafts. I ended up learning new methods I have been itching to use in future drawings. My only lament is how they where scheduled. with the creature creation panel ending a half hour after the art One-Oh-Something started. In doing this, I missed the start of the second panel, and skipped Q & A on the first.
Sunday, was mostly uneventful. I spent the morning looking for some last minute stuff around the Dealers Den and finally made it to Artist's Alley. I feel ashamed it took me to get into the alley, but I found myself looking at the line to get art wrapping around the room on Friday and Saturday caused me and several other furs to come back later on Sunday to get some things in the alley.
I do feel bad not getting more things from all of the artists, this was the thing that kept entering my mind of 'optimizing the time of the con'. This lead me to make a few things I wish I didn't do. Like skipping the character voices panel and some of the entertainment events like Kage's Story Hour and such. Although the latter will be on YouTube and probably could watch it tonight.
Sunday ended with the dead dog parties. I will say, this was my favorite part of the convention. This had the vibe of furry cons I am accustom to. fursuiters every where and no room to be shy and reserved. Fun things happening around. Though I stuck my head into the dance and the zoo. I ended up spending all night at the piano on the second floor signing random songs until midnight. The next morning my voice was course but I have amazing time, and didn't realize until an hour before that I was chilling with Pepper Coyote, Ruffis and Fox Amore.
Monday was weird to see the city revert. I also switched hotels from the Wyndham to the DoubleTree. Which took a good chunk of the day away. But the DoubleTree was definaly the better hotel for me. The rooms where large and the 4 block distance would have allowed me to be in fursuit within time for crazy stuff and not be halfway done by the time I got to the convention center. Also had enormous fun meeting other furs for dinner then going to fireworks with them afterwards. Along with helping them finish off their booze.
Tuesday was my flight out in the afternoon. After checking out, Krystal and I made our way to Station Square and had a bit more fun before being dropped off at the airport. Their I was able to take in the incline railway along with the food and shops along the Monongahela River and the coffee and ice cream above on Mount Washington. On the flight home I was able to meet up with another fur for an hour in Chicago O'Hare. This is where again my flying was cursed. My flight ended up getting pushed out until midnight and landed Wednesday at 2:30 am. The hotel where I left my car refused to send there shuttle and so had to take a cab there and sleep off the exhaustion at the Holiday Inn 10 minutes down the road.
Overall, I was a fun experience although I will say I have some things I would have done different. The first was wear the "1st Convention" ribbon they gave me. I learned all too late, this helps others know you don't know what's going on. I didn't where mine since this is my 4th convention myself and felt too prideful not to. Don't. this ribbon will get people to talk and help you around. Another thing is better planning. While there was nothing wrong with the Wyndham, it was the wrong hotel for me. Same with the Westin would have been the wrong hotel as well. But next time. I will be shooting for the Courtyard, William Penn or the DoubleTree. This would have allowed me to meet more furs and fursuit a lot more I think.
That said I am happy this all happened, and said to see it pass. I loved how the downtown become enveloped with furries, and how the Pittsburgh public comes out to see us and get pictures. This also makes me look forward to Furry Migration come September. That said I hope that everyone else had at least as much fun as I did at Anthrocon and hope things align for me to do this again next year.
~Ski Sharp
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
Attention about Anthrocon and me
2 min read
So. It's happening. I have my registration, my hotel and ticket to ride to Anthrocon 2016.
In preparation I have even made a new fursuit tail hope to finish my leggings and even a new badge. With all of this fun news you're probably wondering why I have that important title.
While I do have a hotel room right now I only can split the room one way, and I am hoping to find 2 more roommates for Anthrocon.
I have a 2 bed queen room at the Wyndham Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh from Thursday until Monday.
Rules for the room:
Quiet hours are between 1am to 8 am
No Illegal substances, which means if anyone in the room is under 21, the room will be dry.
All roommates and guests must be 18+
The room should be kept clean within reason. So everyone keeps their stuff together
Anyone interested or would like to know more please send me a note here or Direct Message on Twitter ski_Sharp
Thanks and hope to see you all at ac.
~Ausky Aus
Ski#
In preparation I have even made a new fursuit tail hope to finish my leggings and even a new badge. With all of this fun news you're probably wondering why I have that important title.
While I do have a hotel room right now I only can split the room one way, and I am hoping to find 2 more roommates for Anthrocon.
I have a 2 bed queen room at the Wyndham Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh from Thursday until Monday.
Rules for the room:
Quiet hours are between 1am to 8 am
No Illegal substances, which means if anyone in the room is under 21, the room will be dry.
All roommates and guests must be 18+
The room should be kept clean within reason. So everyone keeps their stuff together
Anyone interested or would like to know more please send me a note here or Direct Message on Twitter ski_Sharp
Thanks and hope to see you all at ac.
~Ausky Aus
Ski#
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
This Ausky is Still Around.
3 min read
Hey all!
I wanted to do a little post to here to prove that I am not dead, and that I am still around.
The past couple months have been crazy for this dog. Since November (wow, I'm bad at this). I have finally moved back to my own home and have now completely recovered from my knee. Unfortunately it was 1 week too late to make the hill over the skiing season in Minnesota. While this was occurring back in March I been letting a fur-friend of mine stay in my upstairs room.
While this was all happening, At work it's been a big cloud of unknown around the place with what is all going to happen in 3-6 months. All the while, I was putting in 60 hour weeks to prevent myself being sent to Bangkok in the middle of this month. (Not saying anything is wrong with Thailand, but I'd want to travel there without having to work the entire time). Because of this, I haven't been keeping up well with my art, or management of this or other art sites.
That is not to say I haven't done art though. If you follow me on Twitter, you'd know that I was able to be in an art showcase in my town of Hutchinson, Minn. at the local art center. While I didn't place or finalize a sale on any of my prints, It has made me consider being more active with art in the sense of sales. While I'm not at the point that I'm comfortable doing commission work right now, I will be putting together a print list and going through my gallery her and other sites to develop print costs. There will be more about this in either a future journal or submission.
While we are still on art, I do have a few new ideas that I'm planning on creating and a couple of projects I defiantly want to finish, especially some new ideas that involve transformation, and some with sports, along with an expanded telegram sticker set.
But I think I have rambled on enough as it is and will have to try to do these more often.
Thanks for reading this even if its TL;DR.
Your friendly ausky,
~Ski#
I wanted to do a little post to here to prove that I am not dead, and that I am still around.
The past couple months have been crazy for this dog. Since November (wow, I'm bad at this). I have finally moved back to my own home and have now completely recovered from my knee. Unfortunately it was 1 week too late to make the hill over the skiing season in Minnesota. While this was occurring back in March I been letting a fur-friend of mine stay in my upstairs room.
While this was all happening, At work it's been a big cloud of unknown around the place with what is all going to happen in 3-6 months. All the while, I was putting in 60 hour weeks to prevent myself being sent to Bangkok in the middle of this month. (Not saying anything is wrong with Thailand, but I'd want to travel there without having to work the entire time). Because of this, I haven't been keeping up well with my art, or management of this or other art sites.
That is not to say I haven't done art though. If you follow me on Twitter, you'd know that I was able to be in an art showcase in my town of Hutchinson, Minn. at the local art center. While I didn't place or finalize a sale on any of my prints, It has made me consider being more active with art in the sense of sales. While I'm not at the point that I'm comfortable doing commission work right now, I will be putting together a print list and going through my gallery her and other sites to develop print costs. There will be more about this in either a future journal or submission.
While we are still on art, I do have a few new ideas that I'm planning on creating and a couple of projects I defiantly want to finish, especially some new ideas that involve transformation, and some with sports, along with an expanded telegram sticker set.
But I think I have rambled on enough as it is and will have to try to do these more often.
Thanks for reading this even if its TL;DR.
Your friendly ausky,
~Ski#
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
TMI Tuesday + Updates
2 min read
So go ahead and ask me anything!
Also I figured since I'm typing anyways I should put together an update (for those who care)
So, as most of you know that I haven't been posting much lately, and for all of you watchers out here: I'm sorry. This autumn I found myself becoming quite active, to prevent myself from boredom and such that I felt in the waning weeks of the summer. As Such I found in the town I'm currently living in getting involved with the local art scene around here, and come January I was co-chair of the visual arts charity, running Open Mic Night at the art center, continuing to be involved with the photo-club. This was in addition to my job and stuff with the local furs group (MNFurs [if you're in the area you should check them out, it's a really cool group]) I also in this time picked up a spot with Furry Migration (and if you haven't booked yet do! LINK!!!! )
With this I have found myself loosing more time to create, navigate and post on here and other furry art sites. Now before anyone yells at me "Ski you're doing too much", I know and I have seen myself start pulling back in some areas, like: Not posting art, (I'm still drawing it cause i'd go insane if I didn't), and my photography and volunteering to other groups has suffered from this. What is nice is things that have been driving me busy out side of work seam to be now slowing down, and I can finally breath again, it feels nice.
So yeah, I finally beginning to feel like I'm getting stuff in line again and hopefully will be able to get things ! thanks for reading!
Ausky Aus!
Ski#
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In