Crush...Yiff...Destroy!

Anonymous · Coadjutor Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Posts: 767

http://vcl.ctrl-c.liu.se/vcl/Artists/Charisma-Cat/furres/I_AM_A_FURRY.jpg

firstly i'd like to say...please dont tell me how crap the drawing is...i know, its old.
and i also apollogise for linking you to VCL...but y'know, i like putting my art there. It has a good archieve index.

Dogthing · Coadjutor Joined: 26 Oct 2003 Posts: 207

Uhh..."I do not believe I am an animal," and then it has next to it what I'm assuming is an animal version of the artist.

k

Edit: VVVVVV Oh ok

MagKnightX · Coadjutor Joined: 04 Dec 2003 Posts: 137

Representing yourself with an anthropomorphic picture is different from believing yourself to be channeling Bambi...

Khroan · Qualificator Joined: 29 Dec 2003 Posts: 37

Charisma? Haven't I seen you on IRC, or is that a different one?

But anyway, what a generic and stereotypical picture. I've seen around 6 of these so far, all from people who all act the same. You don't want people to stereotype you, yet ... oh, the picture speaks for itself. Nice skinny teenage raver goth catgirl with purple hair and really, really baggy pants.

m_estrugo · Coadjutor Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 160

Still, what means "furry" to you? Because we can all have different opinions about what is indeed a furry.

I think I don't belong to the furry community, even if I draw funny animals, have got a webcomic featuring them and am working on a comics series for Furrlough, a furry comic anthology by Radio Comix. And even if I do talk from time to time with people within the furry community...

I still don't consider myself furry.

mouse · Coadjutor Joined: 13 Jul 2003 Posts: 662

http://vcl.ctrl-c.liu.se/vcl/Artists/Charisma-Cat/furres/I_AM_A_FURRY.jpg

firstly i'd like to say...please dont tell me how crap the drawing is...i know, its old.
and i also apollogise for linking you to VCL...but y'know, i like putting my art there. It has a good archieve index.

i actually kind of like the character

as for all the stuff on the side, i would assume everyone here already knows all that

and like 75% of those that know all that dont really care

Sulaco · Rasophore Joined: 28 Oct 2003 Posts: 61

Still, what means "furry" to you?

There's a gigantic difference between furry art and just plain anthropomorphics. Furry art simply focusses on the fact that the portrayed character(s) are furries and makes that the center of interest. Any other elements of interest are secondary or not there at all, which is one reason why furry art is so looked down upon.

Anthropomorphics usually just uses the people with animal heads as vessels for communicating something larger and more significant whether it's a cartoon strip or animated movie. Mind you, this is just from an illustrative/visual storytelling standpoint.

For example, Tony Diterlizzi often draws himself as an anthropomorphized stork, but it's not even considered remotely furry.

Shmorky · Coadjutor Joined: 22 Nov 2003 Posts: 182

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHA

Oh well... there's some hope for you if you just stop calling yourself a furry.

Michael Hirtes · Coadjutor Joined: 04 Aug 2003 Posts: 519

Still, what means "furry" to you?

There's a gigantic difference between furry art and just plain anthropomorphics.

http://www.crushyiffdestroy.com/show-article.php?file=critterology

"A "phurri" thinks with his/her/it's groin and feels with their greasy fingers... A "critter" thinks with their minds and feels with their soul...""

And Jerry ought to know, since he's been involved with this whole thing since the mid-1970's.

Anonymous · Coadjutor Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Posts: 767

Charisma? Haven't I seen you on IRC, or is that a different one?

But anyway, what a generic and stereotypical picture. I've seen around 6 of these so far, all from people who all act the same. You don't want people to stereotype you, yet ... oh, the picture speaks for itself. Nice skinny teenage raver goth catgirl with purple hair and really, really baggy pants.

Ive heard that there is another Charisma with a leopard character. could be her, as ive never been on IRC.

I wasnt aware it was a strereotype as I've only ever seen one a bit like it, basically ranting that furries arn't bad.

And actually, I AM a skinny teenager with baggy pants! so what? I don't see your point.

Furry art is only 20% of what I draw as I'm at art college, but I always return to it as I love cartoon character design. I guess our definiations of the word 'furry' do vary, because I see them as any creature with human attributes or features. Not that I've ever heard the word used in real life at all.

Genghis · Coadjutor Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Posts: 186

Furry art is only 20% of what I draw as I'm at art college, but I always return to it as I love cartoon character design. I guess our definiations of the word 'furry' do vary, because I see them as any creature with human attributes or features.

Though having animal features is certainly an essential part, I personally think should be a bit more specific.
Take VG Cats, for example.
Some people would call it a furry comic. I call it a comic. Hell, even if you do decide to define it further, why would you choose to point out the character designs over something like, say, the subject matter (in this case, gaming humour)? In most comics, the presence or absence of animals doesn't even enter into the equation as far as content is concerned.

Of course, if the entire script is written around the fact that the protagonists are bipedal moggies then it could be described as a furry comic, since the furriness is the focus of the story. It should be noted that every comic I've seen that uses this scriptwriting convention sucks horrendously.

Charisma · Coadjutor Joined: 03 Jan 2004 Posts: 158

Does anyone read 'Jack'? thats seen as a furry comic, although its very much about human views of life and death. it is just a matter of character design. thats what the word 'furry' means to me i guess, just the character's design.

Chris Baird · Coadjutor Joined: 04 Aug 2003 Posts: 78

Does anyone read 'Jack'? thats seen as a furry comic, although its very much about human views of life and death. it is just a matter of character design. thats what the word 'furry' means to me i guess, just the character's design.

Just a suggestion-- try the "Search" button that's at the top of every page here.

SLaitila · Coadjutor Joined: 03 Jun 2003 Posts: 126

Does anyone read 'Jack'? thats seen as a furry comic, although its very much about human views of life and death. it is just a matter of character design. thats what the word 'furry' means to me i guess, just the character's design.

Although the comic has a plethora of known furries' "fursonas". So, it's connected firmly to the fanbase.

Fursona, my god how I hate that word...

Shmorky · Coadjutor Joined: 22 Nov 2003 Posts: 182

There's another thing most people don't like about furries. They take themselves way too seriously. I know I do a lot of stupid shit, but I never try to justify it. If you want to label yourself a furry/raver/goth/whatever then you should expect that you'll get made fun of. The more you whine about it the more you're going to get teased for it. Getting all huffy isn't going to help either.

I'm going to be honest: I think you're a goofball. I am disgusted by your drawings of furry tits and pussies. Should you care about what I say? Well only if you want to perpetuate more furry stereotypes.
Take a long hard look at yourself and your hobby and try to find the humor in it.

...And for some lols, here's a short flash cartoon on the subject. (NOT WORK SAFE)

Sulaco · Rasophore Joined: 28 Oct 2003 Posts: 61

Furries aren't so bad just as long as they never draw furry art.

Ethan A. Stanger · Rasophore Joined: 23 Oct 2003 Posts: 53

Furries aren't so bad just as long as they never draw furry art.

Excellent point!

Also:

Furry: 1. Consisting of or similar to fur 2. Having a furlike quality, as in tone; fuzzy: a furry voice 3. Covered with, wearing, or trimmed with fur

Literal definitions, use them....don't abuse them (i.e. slang).

Wayd Wolf · Coadjutor Joined: 06 Oct 2003 Posts: 456

Charisma? Haven't I seen you on IRC, or is that a different one?

But anyway, what a generic and stereotypical picture. I've seen around 6 of these so far, all from people who all act the same. You don't want people to stereotype you, yet ... oh, the picture speaks for itself. Nice skinny teenage raver goth catgirl with purple hair and really, really baggy pants.

There are people on this planet who cannot afford clothes yet there's teens running about with pants made of enough material to clothe the entire freaking Brady Bunch. We need to get a lot of British pop artists together to sing something and hold a benefit concert again. Clothes Aid or something like that.

Fins · Qualificator Joined: 19 Dec 2003 Posts: 25

Eh... I don't mind baggy pants. As long as herms/fruity ringtails/vats of spooge etc. don't characterize the fandom... oh wait they already do in many people's eyes. Just draw what you want and don't worry about it. If somebody hates furries because they're having intercourse with their beagle, it doesn't apply to you. Don't take it as a personal attack.

Pycnopodia · Coadjutor Joined: 31 Dec 2003 Posts: 72

Does anyone read 'Jack'? thats seen as a furry comic, although its very much about human views of life and death. it is just a matter of character design. thats what the word 'furry' means to me i guess, just the character's design.

I read Jack. Without Jack I would not be able to tell a furry from a toilet today nor would I be able to draw anything at all, I like Jack and I agree that furry is just about character design.

Anonymous · Coadjutor Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Posts: 767

http://vcl.ctrl-c.liu.se/vcl/Artists/Charisma-Cat/furres/I_AM_A_FURRY.jpg

firstly i'd like to say...please dont tell me how crap the drawing is...i know, its old.
and i also apollogise for linking you to VCL...but y'know, i like putting my art there. It has a good archieve index.

I have to tell my brother that I am a fur today and this is perfect for showing him that I am not one of those people in the "Dark Side" of the fandom. Though I can't lie to you I am bi X~X

Anonymous · Coadjutor Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Posts: 767

Do you mind Charisma?

Charisma · Coadjutor Joined: 03 Jan 2004 Posts: 158

nah, I dont mind at all 'guest'.

and maybe i do take a little seriously, but hey, i think people should draw what they want and people who dont like it should stay away from it instead of searching for it to make fun of it. but its thats your hobby....

the nudity i draw could even be concidered as PG, as its just a naked body and nothing sexual is going on. apart from one sketch i did perhaps.

mouse · Coadjutor Joined: 13 Jul 2003 Posts: 662

There's another thing most people don't like about furries. They take themselves way too seriously. I know I do a lot of stupid shit, but I never try to justify it. If you want to label yourself a furry/raver/goth/whatever then you should expect that you'll get made fun of. The more you whine about it the more you're going to get teased for it. Getting all huffy isn't going to help either.

The only thing is, theres a HUGE difference between just a site or a group, or whatever just saying shit about another group to be funny (or even not to be), and a more personal or 'getting up in someones face about it' type of scenario

I'm positive the latter happens

If you were hanging out with a group of friends (or any group you may associate with), and they at some point start constantly railing against one out of many interests of yours ...dont you think that at some point you might be like "Uh, hey guys, you DO know that I like (whatever), right?"
Even if just to 'test the water', find out if thats something thats gonna become a problem further down the road.

If a furry is hanging out with a bunch of people, (but isnt the obnoxious sort i.e. they dont bring it up constantly etc.), and the subject of furry comes up ....why is it exactly that they should not discuss it or say what they want to (such as defending it)?

you know there are people out there that will actually try to apply the whole 'whining' thing even to a face to face situation like that (Ive seen it done in a fucking debate before, when someone had raised legitimate points...ridiculous)

DA · Coadjutor Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 320

you know what, most of my friends know I'm into anthromorphics, most of them have seen the freakier stuff in the fandom, I merely explained to them I am not personally into the freakier stuff, I don't get any trouble whatsoever.

Maybe cos I don't make a fuss of it, If I draw something weird for my own pleasure I don't parade it around, I don't wear fursuits or go on about being 'yiffy' nor do I spout crap about animal spirits.

The problem starts because furries get so damn defensive about their whole thing, it's a whole sorta cos it's a lifestyle thing they don't want anyone telling them they think it's dorky, me I don't care if my friends think it's dorky and because I don't fuss over it, most of them either ignore it if they can't deal with it or just blow it off as no big deal.

The New Meat · Coadjutor Joined: 03 Jun 2003 Posts: 327

I wasnt aware it was a strereotype as I've only ever seen one a bit like it, basically ranting that furries arn't bad.

And actually, I AM a skinny teenager with baggy pants! so what? I don't see your point.

You weren't aware of the baggy pants stereotype? You're new to this whole furry thing, aren't you?

Furry art is only 20% of what I draw as I'm at art college, but I always return to it as I love cartoon character design. I guess our definiations of the word 'furry' do vary, because I see them as any creature with human attributes or features. Not that I've ever heard the word used in real life at all.

OOOOOO you're at art college la dee diddly doo for you

But seriously, the picture's not bad. You've got ability. It's just the whole I AM A FURRY HEAR ME ROAR thing has been done many times. Many,many times.

Pycnopodia · Coadjutor Joined: 31 Dec 2003 Posts: 72

I have some friends, all registered at an anime forum and they say they hate furry. If they dont like furry it would have been OK with me if they could shut their mouth once in a while - I dont care about their current opinon on bananas nor furry.
There is no use arguing or defending furry with these people (why should I have to defend anything anyway?) as their opinion is already set and I dont think Ill be able to help them change it.
When I want them to shut up I tell them how bad their cartoon-porn is - it always works.
(Note to hentai-ppl; I dont really hate cartoon-porn)
Something says me they dont they hate furry though, I think they are afraid to say they like it somehow. Its probably easier for them to hate it then to like it. I am guessing they care much about their reputation on that anime forum.
I dont really have any problems with furry, but there is only one guy I know (my bestest friend) that is interested in drawing, knows I am a furry and has some interest in furry. Id like to have more friends interested in furry but where am I supposed to look for furries?
I certainly dont want to "convert" any of my current friends or try to make them interested in furry - I learned my lesson a year ago while trying to make the same friends interested in airsoft. It did not go very well, I realized that these people was not responsible enough for it. Its a miracle everyone still has both eyes intact. I later joined a local airsoft club alone and met great guys to play airsoft with without risking to get shot in the eye or to shoot a friend in the eye.
I am hoping to find a furry-club or to start one and get in touch with other furries that way.

DA · Coadjutor Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 320

Pycno, be very very careful... Unfortunately Furry does tend to attract people who are not quite right in the head, you may fall in with a good group, but if you fall in with a bad group it can get bad.

Be careful either way, trying to make friends over the net is always uncertain whatever the interest.

Pycnopodia · Coadjutor Joined: 31 Dec 2003 Posts: 72

Maybe cos I don't make a fuss of it, If I draw something weird for my own pleasure I don't parade it around, I don't wear fursuits or go on about being 'yiffy' nor do I spout crap about animal spirits.

The problem starts because furries get so damn defensive about their whole thing, it's a whole sorta cos it's a lifestyle thing they don't want anyone telling them they think it's dorky, me I don't care if my friends think it's dorky and because I don't fuss over it, most of them either ignore it if they can't deal with it or just blow it off as no big deal.

Yup, I agree.

GoManVanGogh · Coadjutor Joined: 18 Nov 2003 Posts: 140

http://vcl.ctrl-c.liu.se/vcl/Artists/Charisma-Cat/furres/I_AM_A_FURRY.jpg

firstly i'd like to say...please dont tell me how crap the drawing is...i know, its old.
and i also apollogise for linking you to VCL...but y'know, i like putting my art there. It has a good archieve index.

Actually, I don't think the art is that bad. To be sure, it could use some shading to give it more depth, but the line work is pretty good.

As for the message. I'm sorry to have to be the one to inform you of this, but circumstances have changed significantly from the time you produced this artwork. And as a result of those circumstances, it's overall statement of intent has been rendered errouneous.

Alas, "Furry", as a term, has had far too many negative connotations, some of which you mention, attatched to it to ever be considered descriptive of anything respectable or tasteful from this pont forward.

While I agree with the overall sentiment behind your work, I'm sure I'm not alone in my opinion of it's social context being rendered obsolete by this point.

Best wishes for the future.

Shmorky · Coadjutor Joined: 22 Nov 2003 Posts: 182

If you were hanging out with a group of friends (or any group you may associate with), and they at some point start constantly railing against one out of many interests of yours ...dont you think that at some point you might be like "Uh, hey guys, you DO know that I like (whatever), right?"
Even if just to 'test the water', find out if thats something thats gonna become a problem further down the road.

If a furry is hanging out with a bunch of people, (but isnt the obnoxious sort i.e. they dont bring it up constantly etc.), and the subject of furry comes up ....why is it exactly that they should not discuss it or say what they want to (such as defending it)?

I got teased a lot on the 5th grade for liking Super Mario so much. Yes, I was embarrassed, but all I did was tone down my obsession and started showing people I had other interests. If someone wants to make fun of my hobbies I don't let it bother me.
Most geeks and nerds aren't that defensive about their interests, and when they are we make fun of them. On the horny dork side we have anime fans. The majority of them know that it's really pathetic to be crazy over bambi-eyed naked cartoon women. On the geeky side we have the OS/Browser nerds who really like one application, but they don't try to shove it down your throat. Linux nerds are made fun of the most because they're usually the most defensive.
There ya have it, kids.

Charisma · Coadjutor Joined: 03 Jan 2004 Posts: 158

Good point, no matter what your hobby is, or what you're interested, there's going to be SOMEONE who thinks its geeky, sad or a waste of time, so you might as well do what you want and dont shove it in everyone's faces I guess.

For instance, I play a GameCube even if my boyfriend thinks its the saddest games machine ever invented.
Other people tell me that The Darkness sound like a sick cat, but I still listen to them.

I think that this is the biggest thing the internet has ever taught me. That we're all so different, so roll with it!

Shmorky · Coadjutor Joined: 22 Nov 2003 Posts: 182

Good point, no matter what your hobby is, or what you're interested, there's going to be SOMEONE who thinks its geeky, sad or a waste of time, so you might as well do what you want and dont shove it in everyone's faces I guess.

For instance, I play a GameCube even if my boyfriend thinks its the saddest games machine ever invented.
Other people tell me that The Darkness sound like a sick cat, but I still listen to them.

I think that this is the biggest thing the internet has ever taught me. That we're all so different, so roll with it!

NOW you get it you little FREAK!
I knew there was some hope for you!

Charisma · Coadjutor Joined: 03 Jan 2004 Posts: 158

no need to be nasty.

Dogthing · Coadjutor Joined: 26 Oct 2003 Posts: 207

no need to be nasty.

He means it in a good-natured way!
i think

The New Meat · Coadjutor Joined: 03 Jun 2003 Posts: 327

Yeah, Charisma, we're just jinkin' ya. It's all good fun.

Anonymous · Coadjutor Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Posts: 767

nah, I dont mind at all 'guest'.

and maybe i do take a little seriously, but hey, i think people should draw what they want and people who dont like it should stay away from it instead of searching for it to make fun of it. but its thats your hobby....

the nudity i draw could even be concidered as PG, as its just a naked body and nothing sexual is going on. apart from one sketch i did perhaps.

Well it didn't have the affect I hoped, he at least allowed me to talk to him after I showed him. He thinks I am a sex craved fur and a physco for even being a fur X~X. Just another example I guess of how yiff can hurt you.... not that I am against it

Shmorky · Coadjutor Joined: 22 Nov 2003 Posts: 182

no need to be nasty.

To complete the cycle you were supposed to say "Thanks. Right back at ya, homo."

Charisma · Coadjutor Joined: 03 Jan 2004 Posts: 158

Well it didn't have the affect I hoped, he at least allowed me to talk to him after I showed him. He thinks I am a sex craved fur and a physco for even being a fur X~X. Just another example I guess of how yiff can hurt you.... not that I am against it

just wondered, but why did you feel that you had to tell your brother about it anyway? Ive seen this happen so many times

Anonymous · Coadjutor Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Posts: 767

just wondered, but why did you feel that you had to tell your brother about it anyway? Ive seen this happen so many times

He caught me downloading smut last year and a few days ago he asked me to explain it and furrys to him. He figured I was a fur since he heard about them on a program called animal imatators and CSI. So I kinda had no choice but to explain the whole thing to him. Whats worse is he told my other brother while he was driving me home and now he thinks I am a weirdo. God I wish I was smart enough not to use VCL last year.

Blair · Rasophore Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 52

The internet opened a doorway to hell and we are still trying to figure out how to close the fucker.

Claiming to be a furry and proud of it is almost Faddish in a way, Furry becoming the new angsty teenager-goth-raver-Potential time magazine cover story after offing all their classmates with a ak-47 and screaming "i am the jesus!!" over and over..thing.

I suppose its like if I were walking around with an airhose jammed in my ass and made hissing noises at people on the street, cursing them for laughing at me or making comments, because they are too mundane or some other idiotic bullshit.

The furry community by large is too sensitive. Period.

eatenmyeyes · Recusant Joined: 23 Jan 2004 Posts: 18

Still, what means "furry" to you?

There's a gigantic difference between furry art and just plain anthropomorphics. Furry art simply focusses on the fact that the portrayed character(s) are furries and makes that the center of interest. Any other elements of interest are secondary or not there at all, which is one reason why furry art is so looked down upon.

I thought that this was so profound, I found it necessary to delurk to tell you as much.

Charisma · Coadjutor Joined: 03 Jan 2004 Posts: 158

Still, what means "furry" to you?

There's a gigantic difference between furry art and just plain anthropomorphics. Furry art simply focusses on the fact that the portrayed character(s) are furries and makes that the center of interest. Any other elements of interest are secondary or not there at all, which is one reason why furry art is so looked down upon.

so because furry art is purely about character design, its frowned upon?

Genghis · Coadjutor Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Posts: 186

so because furry art is purely about character design, its frowned upon?

It's more the fact that it has no content whatsoever that means it's frowned upon. The term "shallow" came about for a reason.

Anonymous · Coadjutor Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Posts: 767

so because furry art is purely about character design, its frowned upon?

Actually, furry art is about furry, i.e. the furry fandom. It's not furry art unless it has idiotic fandom in-jokes or fandom ties of any sort. If it has these things, it is immediately unprofessional fan work, shallow and unworthy of notice by anyone except for furry fans, and furry fans are not the most intelligent or discriminating of audiences as a whole.

It is usually easy to distinguish furry art from real art and cartoons featuring anthropomorphic animals.

Just because a drawing features an anthropomorphic animal does not mean it is furry. Sometimes people can produce works featuring animal characters that are actually used in a way that is relevent and enjoyable to all audiences, not just furry fans. If you do not recognize the fandom in your work, chances are high that it will not be considered furry and you may still have hope for success.

If you don't participate in the furry fandom, then YOU ARE NOT A FURRY. If you do participate in the fandom and you don't want to be made fun of alongside the furry stereotypes, you ought to either get out of the fandom or accept the stereotypes as the dominant furry majority, get a thicker skin, and get over it. You are judged by the company you keep, and you choose your own company.

Fins · Qualificator Joined: 19 Dec 2003 Posts: 25

A lot to think about there. Well said, for the most part. But now I'm curious what those fandom ties might be.

so because furry art is purely about character design, its frowned upon?

Actually, furry art is about furry, i.e. the furry fandom. It's not furry art unless it has idiotic fandom in-jokes or fandom ties of any sort. If it has these things, it is immediately unprofessional fan work, shallow and unworthy of notice by anyone except for furry fans, and furry fans are not the most intelligent or discriminating of audiences as a whole.

It is usually easy to distinguish furry art from real art and cartoons featuring anthropomorphic animals.

Just because a drawing features an anthropomorphic animal does not mean it is furry. Sometimes people can produce works featuring animal characters that are actually used in a way that is relevent and enjoyable to all audiences, not just furry fans. If you do not recognize the fandom in your work, chances are high that it will not be considered furry and you may still have hope for success.

If you don't participate in the furry fandom, then YOU ARE NOT A FURRY. If you do participate in the fandom and you don't want to be made fun of alongside the furry stereotypes, you ought to either get out of the fandom or accept the stereotypes as the dominant furry majority, get a thicker skin, and get over it. You are judged by the company you keep, and you choose your own company.

Anonymous · Coadjutor Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Posts: 767

By "fandom ties," I mean including furry in-jokes and language ("yiff", "furson", etc.), drawing your or others' characters from FurryMUCK (or other furry online chats/games like Furcadia), referring to well-known furries or furry artists, or drawing any animal characters humping in a context in which it could not be considered some kind of social commentary or a joke. Uploading your art to a furry art archive also provides a fandom tie, even if you're only uploading to the mostly-professional Yerf.

Art style could also be considered a fandom tie--most (but not all) furry artists mimick another furry artist's style (Kyoht and XianJaguar are popular choices) to some extent. It is a pretty good indication of how furry someone is.

mouse · Coadjutor Joined: 13 Jul 2003 Posts: 662

Actually, furry art is about furry, i.e. the furry fandom.

I would be inclined to agree with that, and say all art with references to fandom is 'furry art' but the other way around things arn't so clear. Someone could be a participant/member of furry fandom - because they like cartoon animals - and then draw an anthropomorphic comic book that has no jargon whatsoever.

It's not furry art unless it has idiotic fandom in-jokes or fandom ties of any sort. If it has these things, it is immediately unprofessional fan work, shallow and unworthy of notice by anyone except for furry fans, and furry fans are not the most intelligent or discriminating of audiences as a whole.

There's plenty of furry art that , in fact , does NOT have any of those things. And here comes the fan issue again. What is fan artwork? Someone who draws funny animals because they like funny animals doesnt make it furry, doesnt make it 'fan art' ...regardless of whether they have ties to or actively participate in a fandom. It really doesnt matter.
If someone's drawing tiny toons characters - thats fan art.
If someone (a 'furry fan') draws a cartoon dog doing laundry...well what the fuck is it fan art of? You see the point here? Its a singular creation. Doesn't matter how ripped off it appears to you or not.

While most of these things can be easily found in furry fandom - they really are not representative of even enough to take statements like that seriously.

The rest of you post I for the most part agree with.

But , as of lately, I really am starting to think of 'furry fandom' in its purest form as more of an 'art scene' than a fandom. The problem is that it factionalized. You have all kinds of people that belong to different sects of it. Theres lots of different ways people can 'be furries'. Thats the problem and thats the source of the confusion. What's its supposed to be, and what it seems largely is; a group of people who gravitate towards pictures/cartoons/comics/paintings/whatever, with an animal theme or animal characters. Its used widely enough and has been around long enough that this isnt unnatural at all. There is a huge glaring difference between funny animal comics and comics with a human cast. Its not unreasonable that people would prefer one over the other. People have in the past, and currently do - and they do whether they are even aware of a furry fandom or not

Sulaco · Rasophore Joined: 28 Oct 2003 Posts: 61

So, in summary of this entire thread:

ANTHROPOMORPHIC
ANTHROPOMORPHIC
ANTHROPOMORPHIC

FURRY
FURRY
FURRY

The distinction: One is art. The other is just an abomination.

Charisma · Coadjutor Joined: 03 Jan 2004 Posts: 158

if your opinion is correct, then anthro art looks far more proffesional and realistic than furry art. And furry art just looks like a teenage fad, full of sex and ravers.

I hope to be good enough to move onto the anthro art someday

Ethan A. Stanger · Rasophore Joined: 23 Oct 2003 Posts: 53

What is fan artwork?

So-called art made by fans. Usually poorly drawn and not attempting to give art serious merit.

A fan who's an artist will always be an oxymoron in my book.

Charisma · Coadjutor Joined: 03 Jan 2004 Posts: 158

i see fan art as just a really good and easy way of giving people presents without using the postal service. and alot of fan art is mainly just trades. I know some artists which work almost entirelt on trades. They have a few pics of their own characters and then spend the rest of their time having other people draw them for them.

And I know from experience that sometimes it helps your skills by drawing giftart for others more than it does drawing for yourself.

whats wrong with being a fan of other artists if you're and artist yourself?

mouse · Coadjutor Joined: 13 Jul 2003 Posts: 662

What is fan artwork?

So-called art made by fans. Usually poorly drawn and not attempting to give art serious merit.

Well, ya went ahead and ignored the main point of all that. Fan art as I stated it (the tiny toons example), is not supposed to have any 'artistic merit' as you are putting it. Its done out of appreciation. If a kid (or whoever) scribbles his favorite character and mails it off to his favorite tv show..thats not supposed to be hung in a gallery.

And then, a lot of what you guys are refering to specifically in furry fandom is not fan-art by my defintion because it is creating things that previously did not exist before. Yes these people are "fans" of anthropomorphic animals as in they appreciate them...

You gone and switched definitions of "fan" on me again, Ethan? I thought you didnt like that definition of the word?

You are just going to have to be more specific.

All of it is mostly a moot point. Merit is subjective, and I could easily say most artists are fucking flakes who cant ever get shit done. And I've seen it, I've been around more artists and musicians that have failed miserably because they couldnt pull thier shit together long enough to accomplish anything. And then to top it off they are unhappy and wonder why they didnt make it.

A fan who's an artist will always be an oxymoron in my book.

ok, but ...theres plenty of artists (yeah! real actual artists!) who are fans..hate to break it to you. We went through this on EAF, I pointed out that reason furry fandom had and does have some professional artists in it is because those people appreciated anthropomorphics, and wanted the concentration that a fandom (or any interest-oriented grouping) provides - regardless of thier particular 'job' or 'career'

You see it frequently in SF fandom. oh, and comics...

Does an artist HAVE to have a wide range?....not if they dont want it.