Entities and Oddities in ... um ... Artity (AnthroCon bit)

[the_gneech]

Saturday morning at AnthroCon, the dealers all had to be up way too early to get in their preregistrations for next year's dealer room; so I spent the morning listening to Jim Groat, BushyCat, and a few others trade war stories about obnoxious fans they love to hate. A particular topic of complaint was that once upon a time, fans wanted artists to draw their own characters (e.g., "Could you draw me a picture of Tiffany, Mr. Gneech?"), before the proliferation of the MU*s.

Then, according to the gripe session that morning, all the fans started wanting character portraits of their own personae, which tend to come in exacting and often odd detail. Well, that's understandable ... to a lot of people, their online persona is a distillation of their best self, or at least a self they're a lot more comfortable with than their too-too solid flesh. However, in order to put an individual stamp on a persona -- and there are a lot of, um, individuals out there -- a lot of them are just plain strange.

I haven't encountered a whole lot of that myself ... most people's online characters are pretty straightforward ("a happy, toony blue dragon," "a sleek fox," "a big, brawny tiger with black hair"). However, I did get one at AC that I ended up not being able to do because of time, that was just ... um.

The character was a bat-like, three-eyed, devil-creature with a face somewhat like a Roswell alien ... except for the aforementioned eye in the middle of his forehead, with the personality of Mr. Burns off of The Simpsons. The woman who asked for the design was completely unfamiliar with me or my work, as far as I could make out, but wanted me to do the picture because she saw the Leonard Lion "Are you crazy, is that your problem?" button, and thought I could express the character's Burnsian personality.

Although I was a bit taken aback by the request, at the same time, it was something of an artistic ego-boost to have somebody want my artwork on its own strength, rather than because of my association with Suburban Jungle. I did regret that I couldn't get the woman's artwork done in time ... although at the same time, I wouldn't have wanted to bang it out in the rushed manner it would have required.

-The Gneech

Comments

[mortonfox.livejournal.com]

It's a pity there wasn't time. That would've been one heck of an interesting character to draw.

[koogrr.livejournal.com]

A particular topic of complaint was that once upon a time, fans wanted artists to draw their own characters.

While Jim Groat could perhaps be accurate in saying this, Bushycat can't. She arrived on the scene long after Furversion, Yarf, Centaurs Gatherium, 'Zines, APAs and Mucks established the idea of personal furries, and the sketch trading that encouraged getting "X-artist's version of your Char". If she has signature characters, they haven't risen on the radar to the level of Red Shetland or Rabbi-Tom.

Mostly, I see it as being peeved about a lack of interest in their work and the random comissionee's quirks and involvement in their own fantasy world. I met one artist who offered the "Pervert's special, if you can come up with something that squicks me, you get two commissions for free." I don't know if anyone was successful getting freebies from her. In general, it's easier to say no, and signs saying what you will or won't do often help alot.

[katsunewolf.livejournal.com]

most people's online characters are pretty straightforward ("a happy, toony blue dragon," "a sleek fox," "a big, brawny tiger with black hair").

...
*walks out of the room, quietly, an avoids mentioning his Lucidrian char... >.> *

*chuckles*
Theres always gonna be one odd ball in a group.
You not have been able to do the picture on time, but be glad theres more people in the world, that are just diffrent! :P

Your a great artist! an a Great Person. I try not to mention SJ much at all when i talk to ya, cuz i tend to talk to people as they are. an not by what they do or are generaly affliated with..

also.. when i compliment somones art, i sound like a total geek. :P

^~Kai

[the-gneech.livejournal.com]

D'Aww! *blush* Thanks. :)

-The Gneech

[camstone.livejournal.com]

Hey, I always admire your artwork on it's own strength.

Sure you draw a nice Tiffany, Leona and all - but your consistant style, graphics abilities and creativity is pretty awesome.

And no, I'm not a fan-boi either... nor a co-worker... just a simple friend, I hope. Crumple up SJ ...
(OH MY GAWD, WHAT HE SAIIIDDDD! I can see the jungliods getting out the rolls of duct tape right now!)
... and I'd still be there at times going... 'Whhhhaaaaaattttttt?'

[lowen-kind.livejournal.com]

Camstone sez:
And no, I'm not a fan-boi either... nor a co-worker...


Nah, none of those. Just someone who lives less than a mile from the Gneech and goes over to his house to play games. :=3


Then he sez:
... and I'd still be there at times going... 'Whhhhaaaaaattttttt?'

Hehehehehehehehehehehehe.

We're just lucky that there was no-one on either side of us that Saturday night in the hotel. :=3
I do like the Gneech's capabilty for doing weird character voices.

Everyone, get your mind out of te gutter. It was a friendly RPG game that got loud at times. :=3

[the-gneech.livejournal.com]

You guys are GAMERS??? You never told me that! Get away from me, you scum!

-The Gneech, apparently in the grips of temporary insanity

[torakiyoshi.livejournal.com]

Is it possible to admire SJ because of your style? I am attracted to it by the art and the cleverness of the story.

And you know I drool over anything you produce...

-=TK