{"submission_id":"2194517","keywords":[{"keyword_id":"36251","keyword_name":"article","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"22"},{"keyword_id":"234015","keyword_name":"barefooted","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"546"},{"keyword_id":"61","keyword_name":"boy","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"49815"},{"keyword_id":"434","keyword_name":"cartoon","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"11279"},{"keyword_id":"37","keyword_name":"cub","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"158154"},{"keyword_id":"10280","keyword_name":"kids","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"2042"},{"keyword_id":"2427","keyword_name":"m","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"18465"},{"keyword_id":"165","keyword_name":"male","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"779756"},{"keyword_id":"534926","keyword_name":"mubba","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"3"},{"keyword_id":"2432","keyword_name":"oc","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"37525"},{"keyword_id":"152","keyword_name":"raccoon","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"24244"},{"keyword_id":"6480","keyword_name":"read","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"166"},{"keyword_id":"2","keyword_name":"sketch","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"38962"},{"keyword_id":"2371","keyword_name":"traditional","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"14650"}],"hidden":"f","scraps":"f","favorite":"f","favorites_count":"0","create_datetime":"2020-06-30 15:46:00.804078+02","create_datetime_usertime":"30 Jun 2020 15:46 CEST","last_file_update_datetime":"2020-06-30 15:45:03.375507+02","last_file_update_datetime_usertime":"30 Jun 2020 15:45 CEST","username":"IceAgeChippies","user_id":"509185","user_icon_file_name":"147967_IceAgeChippies_chippy.jpg","user_icon_url_large":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/usericons/large/147/147967_IceAgeChippies_chippy.jpg","user_icon_url_medium":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/usericons/medium/147/147967_IceAgeChippies_chippy.jpg","user_icon_url_small":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/usericons/small/147/147967_IceAgeChippies_chippy.jpg","file_name":"3186532_IceAgeChippies_0000.jpg","file_url_full":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/full/3186/3186532_IceAgeChippies_0000.jpg","file_url_screen":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/3186/3186532_IceAgeChippies_0000.jpg","file_url_preview":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/3186/3186532_IceAgeChippies_0000.jpg","thumbnail_url_huge_noncustom":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/3186/3186532_IceAgeChippies_0000.jpg","thumbnail_url_large_noncustom":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/3186/3186532_IceAgeChippies_0000_noncustom.jpg","thumbnail_url_medium_noncustom":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/3186/3186532_IceAgeChippies_0000_noncustom.jpg","thumb_medium_noncustom_x":"120","thumb_medium_noncustom_y":"113","thumb_large_noncustom_x":"200","thumb_large_noncustom_y":"188","thumb_huge_noncustom_x":"300","thumb_huge_noncustom_y":"282","files":[{"file_id":"3186532","file_name":"3186532_IceAgeChippies_0000.jpg","file_url_full":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/full/3186/3186532_IceAgeChippies_0000.jpg","file_url_screen":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/3186/3186532_IceAgeChippies_0000.jpg","file_url_preview":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/3186/3186532_IceAgeChippies_0000.jpg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","submission_id":"2194517","user_id":"509185","submission_file_order":"0","full_size_x":"1115","full_size_y":"1047","screen_size_x":"920","screen_size_y":"864","preview_size_x":"300","preview_size_y":"282","initial_file_md5":"b77ad9f99ea7083bfc820366088653d5","full_file_md5":"dd8ab3ae9cbfbe81901f42008aaab4f8","large_file_md5":"973cc380a901c5b59da62cc2b5f45e08","small_file_md5":"365904b48fd3e1a5217f4135dbfd881a","thumbnail_md5":"684369cf4429fa4fdb90aaf9253067e4","deleted":"f","create_datetime":"2020-06-30 15:45:03.375507+02","create_datetime_usertime":"30 Jun 2020 15:45 CEST","thumbnail_url_huge_noncustom":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/3186/3186532_IceAgeChippies_0000.jpg","thumbnail_url_large_noncustom":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/3186/3186532_IceAgeChippies_0000_noncustom.jpg","thumbnail_url_medium_noncustom":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/3186/3186532_IceAgeChippies_0000_noncustom.jpg","thumb_medium_noncustom_x":"120","thumb_medium_noncustom_y":"113","thumb_large_noncustom_x":"200","thumb_large_noncustom_y":"188","thumb_huge_noncustom_x":"300","thumb_huge_noncustom_y":"282"}],"pools":[],"description":"Looks like Mubba has paused his skateboarding to find a better radio station. :3\n\nAnyway...\n\nI like to draw. As it says in my profile, I'm not very good at drawing, but that hasn't stopped me (from trying).\n\nI was born in 1981. By consequence (or virtue, depending) I grew up without the internet---no Google for information, or a platform with watchers.\nIn those days, if I drew something or made something from Lego, I had very few persons to present them to.\nToday, contrariwise, I can scribble something and within minutes it will be seen by dozens of persons from all over the world (for better or for worse)!\n\nBy my 1980's - mid-1990's standards, this would be a miracle! Today, I take it for granted. As I'm writing this, I know these words (and my scribble!) will reach all over the US, and even extend so far as the UK, Germany, Russia, and so on.\n\nI feel powerful! :D It's scary. ._.\n\nSo it is that I have an online presence and an identity to go with. I'm known, mostly, by my scribbles and the things I write beneath them. I know many of my watchers by their avatars, their art, and through their comments/notes.\nWe have a little, virtual community going (that reads so cute!), and I like it!\n\nYet, it hasn't gone without its effects. The privilege of my virtual platform has affected the 'real-world' me and my artwork.\n\nI've written before that I 'draw for may watchers'. It's true!\n\nTell me, why would I sit here and draw an ACO or a Gene comic for myself (and only for myself). I am without reason to do so---in some ways it wouldn't even feel right to.\nEven now, having this thought come into my head, I felt the need to open TextEdit and write it down, for my watchers (to ignore, mostly, but I know at least one of you will be/is read/-ing this!) XD\n\nI don't feel 'trapped' or 'smothered' or whatever. In fact, I want it this way---I want to continue supplying the eyes, ears, brains and hearts of my watchers with something 'from me' (ego? Maybe!). ^^\nThat said, alcoholics like alcohol, but that doesn't mean it's good for them. :(\n\nTake for example my recent decision to go through a huge box of newspaper clippings I hoarded 18+ years ago. As I emptied the box in my closet to begin sorting, my very first thought was,\n\n\"This is important. Make a video about it for YouTube!\"\n\nTo add is that which initiated the decision to demothball the clippings in the first place.\nI was on my treadmill, ruminating on a recent post of mine: 'Please Read', in which I expressed my desire to include God/my worldview in my writings and drawings.\n\nI'd since made a couple uploads that had nothing to do with either, and was feeling guilty about it. So, I thought,\n\n\"The very next ACO I make will be of a Christian character\"\n\n...So of course, the very ACO I uploaded was of a roach from 'Dot and Keeto', but I digress. ^^\n\nAnyway, my mind ran through a list of Christian TV shows I recalled from youth. I thought of one, and I remembered, too, something I had from the show that I could include along with my ACO of the character ...and that 'something' was probably mixed in with those ancient newspaper clippings. :P\n\nMy point here is I'm not entirely sure if I'm taking my gallery/online presence too seriously and/or if I'm becoming obsessed with it.\n\nAnother point to consider is I'm beginning to identify with 'MartenFerret/Chippy'. I mean, I'm honest and open with my watchers (perhaps to a fault), but I'm beginning to think if I fail to maintain the 'status quo' of my galleries/online personality, I should feel guilty ...of something (albeit, I'm unsure of what).\n\nTake the oranges for example. It took MONTHS for me to make that orange tree, and I swear on the Bible that not a day went by that I didn't think about it. I had a vision in my head for what I wanted to do, but that which I wanted to do required a resource I didn't have on hand and (confession session!) I was too cheap to buy.\nSo, finally, after a watcher innocently shot me a note in which they asked about the oranges, I got out my craft paper and 'just made' something (my guilt was expressed via my 'HypotheticalWatcher' character).\n\nMy orange tree was (thankfully) received well, but was that really the point? After all, I failed to uphold my word and standards.\n\nThere have been many fabulous Ferret failures, but perhaps the most dynamic of these pertains to my Timmy character.\nAs most of you know, Timmy was born in art therapy and developed in order that I might be able to understand and express my sexuality. Additionally, the character provided a vicarious means of 'skinny dipping' (an activity of consequence for me that carries a lot of meaning).\n\nAfter a few years, Timmy finally fulfilled his purpose ...perhaps a little too well. Though there has been disagreement on the ends of some of my watchers as to the nature of my 'Lick' cartoon, I've classified it as 'pornography'---something I'd vowed never to draw again (after some earlier struggles with it; I'd become too comfortable and allowed my guard to slip.\nI reacted (which itself is a shortcoming---always respond, never react) by denying Timmy his innocence and killing Ribbon and Ball (my love symbols).\n\nThis has been damaging to me as an artist---I let my watchers down (I know this because I was told so by several) and have forever ruined one of my OCs.\nThis reads like inconsequential, stupid internet drama, but to me it's all very real (it may even be for some reading this).\n\nIt's easy and tempting to think of an online person as 'text on a screen'. I willfully think this whenever a troll tries to upset me/someone I care about, but the fact is there is a mind and a beating heart behind every username.\n\nI can hurt any one of you, either by will or error, and any of you could do likewise to me. We need to remember this.\nI do (even if I don't always apply it---there's evil in the heart of every man), and that may be a reason I 'worry' so much and feel the need to upload as often as I do (to introduce, to build, to atone, and/or to stay relevant).\n\nIt takes a toll---seldom too much at a time, but it accumulates.\n\nI'm burning out. I never make 'MiniChu' scenes anymore, and I'm very often drawing on writing paper (with the lines), without much concern whether the art of my own characters is consistent or not. Sometimes, I challenge myself just to see if I can still draw consistently ...I can, I just don't want to most times.\n\nI'm not completely absent of caring. Sometimes, after an upload, I'll notice a line or two that I hate. After cursing myself, I (try to) fix it, then change the submission file. That reads bad, perhaps, but I see it as a good thing (overall).\n\nWhy do I want this? What's the value of a pageview, or a comment of \"Cute!\" from some person I'll never meet? Why care about any of it?\n\nFor me, art exists for the purpose of expressing something. Most of the time, I don't need to express something 'to' myself, but sometimes a visual incarnation of what's going on in my mind can help bring clarity (sometimes even closure).\nWe have two eyes on our faces, but the mind is also an eye. To 'see' a thing or concept with only one, sometimes, is to deny the depth of the subject (like looking with only one eye open).\n\nThere's value in that. There's value also in sharing art with other persons. Of course, art is often subjective if not abstract---the viewer may see an artistic work very differently than was intended by the artist. And that's ok!\nThe point is, something was communicated (for better or for worse) and this brings artist and viewer together, and can give many artists and viewers identity as a community. That's what we have here ...my goal, in part, is to continue contributing and not be labeled as the village idiot in the process. ^^\n\nAt this point, I'm just rambling and going in circles. I want to say something, but I'm unsure what exactly. Again, I want to keep writing and drawing (I feel obliged to), but I'm also burning out.\n\nTake a break? Sure! And I'll write all about it with a Gene cartoon to go with! ...Wait. :P\nIt's a nice day today, and it's early. I'm in good-enough health and have money in my pocket. I can go out in the fresh, COVID air, away from my computer screen. I'll, of course, be sure to bring my iPad with me---never know when I'll find another Mubba skull to write about ...Yeah. See the problem?\n\nI may go to Target, or perhaps the global market. Perchance I'll see a cute cartoon character on a candy bag from Korea or someplace, and I'll think,\n\n\"I can draw that! ...$2.29 for 8 gummy candies? Well, my watchers might like to see the package\"\n\nIs that so bad? Why do I think this is a problem? I can see it both ways.\n\nMaybe I'll draw a Gene cartoon instead; Do I have any ideas? No.\n\nWell (like an idiot), I announced to my watchers that I'd introduce Gene and Tasli to Mubba---I could do that ...not that I have any 'good' ideas, mind.\n\nWhy did I even create Mubba---because I found some trash on the ground? Well, nothing wrong with that. After all, inspiration may come from anyplace, and who knows: Mubba may become my best character yet! Take Fix, for example---he wasn't even a character until a watcher made fan art, thus compelling me to continue drawing him ...and I must say, the story I wrote for Fix brought tears to my eyes :3\n\n...Speaking of, I need to draw Fix's cubs. I've been promising them for ages now---Ginger surely is ready to give them birth! XD\n\nThat in mind, why am I looking at candy wrappers for something to draw? :P\n\nMaybe I'm afraid of commitment? Surely that's why I'm 39 and single ...then again, I did have a short relationship. On my partner's deathbed, I promised I'd 'do something' with my writing. Thank God that was an ambiguous promise, but I still need to act on it. *sigh*\n\nNow my mind turns to the existential---does God exist? If not, why should I care about anything I say or do that doesn't bring me pleasure? After all, I'd be of no more value than the bacteria on the bathroom floor. My life, my art/writings, and all that I treasure will be piled onto the back of a truck bound for a dumpster someplace, and it'll just end there.\nSure, I can give myself meaning and purpose, but how would that be any less delusional than religion? I want to live in the real world ...albeit, that isn't possible. No one really knows what the 'real world' is, as we each see it through the lens of whatever worldview we subscribe to. All is foolish and subjective! D:\n\n...but if God does exist, I'd best believe that I and my words and actions count; that my watchers have value, too, and that which I say and do in their sight matters.\nGod, to me, 'should' exist; the concept of God runs contrary to many things I oppose (such as hate, violence and so forth), so I will live and act as if He does. Otherwise, to condemn those things from myself and others would be me just making noise, as there'd be nothing to back my opposition.:3\n\nThat said, what really matters these days? Who or what would I answer to?\nSure, if I change what I do or believe, I'll lose some watchers, but I'll gain others who think like me.\nCub artist? No one can complain---to do so would count as hate speech; I'll draw whatever I want so long as it concurs with a given AUP and the law. I have my rights, after all---rights, rights, rights for everyone.\n\nOf course, 'rights' and what is 'right' may not agree with one another. Again, I turn to faith to distinguish between the two.\n\nEither way, no one can question what another says or does (within reason) ...no one can criticize or shame. Believe whatever you like, but do keep it to yourself. That's the rule ...is it a problem? I think so, esp. if one is to think of oneself as caring and responsible.\nI need to be shamed, I think. I need to be told my art is becoming lazy and I'm drawing too many bathers and bare bottoms. I can conclude these things for myself, but I'm not likely to internalize or act on them without feedback from 'intolerant' watchers.\n\nTolerance ...fine, but who wants to be 'tolerated'? Don't we all want to be accepted?\nNever going to happen, at least not so long as we want to be individuals rather than followers of the status quo. Some things are (and should be) unacceptable. I want 'unacceptable' things to exist, for without them, 'acceptance' means nothing. ...but I myself do not want to be 'unacceptable'. :(\n\nThere's a duality to many of our concepts---good cannot exist without evil, for example. I believe I'm a duality ...'MartenFerret/Chippy' is, after all, a concept that has developed and spread over time to others.\nMy watchers know when I say or do something out of character; there are (and rightfully so) expectations that I've failed to meet. None of you can know the great extent to which I value the few criticisms I've received. :3\n\nAll that said, I'm not looking for critique on my line art. I know I can't draw, but when I say or do wrong, I'll not count it as hate or intolerance for one to bring it to my attention.\nWe are, again, a community: we are responsible for and accountable to, one another. :3 ","description_bbcode_parsed":"Looks like Mubba has paused his skateboarding to find a better radio station. :3
Anyway...
I like to draw. As it says in my profile, I'm not very good at drawing, but that hasn't stopped me (from trying).
I was born in 1981. By consequence (or virtue, depending) I grew up without the internet---no Google for information, or a platform with watchers.
In those days, if I drew something or made something from Lego, I had very few persons to present them to.
Today, contrariwise, I can scribble something and within minutes it will be seen by dozens of persons from all over the world (for better or for worse)!
By my 1980's - mid-1990's standards, this would be a miracle! Today, I take it for granted. As I'm writing this, I know these words (and my scribble!) will reach all over the US, and even extend so far as the UK, Germany, Russia, and so on.
I feel powerful! :D It's scary. ._.
So it is that I have an online presence and an identity to go with. I'm known, mostly, by my scribbles and the things I write beneath them. I know many of my watchers by their avatars, their art, and through their comments/notes.
We have a little, virtual community going (that reads so cute!), and I like it!
Yet, it hasn't gone without its effects. The privilege of my virtual platform has affected the 'real-world' me and my artwork.
I've written before that I 'draw for may watchers'. It's true!
Tell me, why would I sit here and draw an ACO or a Gene comic for myself (and only for myself). I am without reason to do so---in some ways it wouldn't even feel right to.
Even now, having this thought come into my head, I felt the need to open TextEdit and write it down, for my watchers (to ignore, mostly, but I know at least one of you will be/is read/-ing this!) XD
I don't feel 'trapped' or 'smothered' or whatever. In fact, I want it this way---I want to continue supplying the eyes, ears, brains and hearts of my watchers with something 'from me' (ego? Maybe!). ^^
That said, alcoholics like alcohol, but that doesn't mean it's good for them. :(
Take for example my recent decision to go through a huge box of newspaper clippings I hoarded 18+ years ago. As I emptied the box in my closet to begin sorting, my very first thought was,
"This is important. Make a video about it for YouTube!"
To add is that which initiated the decision to demothball the clippings in the first place.
I was on my treadmill, ruminating on a recent post of mine: 'Please Read', in which I expressed my desire to include God/my worldview in my writings and drawings.
I'd since made a couple uploads that had nothing to do with either, and was feeling guilty about it. So, I thought,
"The very next ACO I make will be of a Christian character"
...So of course, the very ACO I uploaded was of a roach from 'Dot and Keeto', but I digress. ^^
Anyway, my mind ran through a list of Christian TV shows I recalled from youth. I thought of one, and I remembered, too, something I had from the show that I could include along with my ACO of the character ...and that 'something' was probably mixed in with those ancient newspaper clippings. :P
My point here is I'm not entirely sure if I'm taking my gallery/online presence too seriously and/or if I'm becoming obsessed with it.
Another point to consider is I'm beginning to identify with 'MartenFerret/Chippy'. I mean, I'm honest and open with my watchers (perhaps to a fault), but I'm beginning to think if I fail to maintain the 'status quo' of my galleries/online personality, I should feel guilty ...of something (albeit, I'm unsure of what).
Take the oranges for example. It took MONTHS for me to make that orange tree, and I swear on the Bible that not a day went by that I didn't think about it. I had a vision in my head for what I wanted to do, but that which I wanted to do required a resource I didn't have on hand and (confession session!) I was too cheap to buy.
So, finally, after a watcher innocently shot me a note in which they asked about the oranges, I got out my craft paper and 'just made' something (my guilt was expressed via my 'HypotheticalWatcher' character).
My orange tree was (thankfully) received well, but was that really the point? After all, I failed to uphold my word and standards.
There have been many fabulous Ferret failures, but perhaps the most dynamic of these pertains to my Timmy character.
As most of you know, Timmy was born in art therapy and developed in order that I might be able to understand and express my sexuality. Additionally, the character provided a vicarious means of 'skinny dipping' (an activity of consequence for me that carries a lot of meaning).
After a few years, Timmy finally fulfilled his purpose ...perhaps a little too well. Though there has been disagreement on the ends of some of my watchers as to the nature of my 'Lick' cartoon, I've classified it as 'pornography'---something I'd vowed never to draw again (after some earlier struggles with it; I'd become too comfortable and allowed my guard to slip.
I reacted (which itself is a shortcoming---always respond, never react) by denying Timmy his innocence and killing Ribbon and Ball (my love symbols).
This has been damaging to me as an artist---I let my watchers down (I know this because I was told so by several) and have forever ruined one of my OCs.
This reads like inconsequential, stupid internet drama, but to me it's all very real (it may even be for some reading this).
It's easy and tempting to think of an online person as 'text on a screen'. I willfully think this whenever a troll tries to upset me/someone I care about, but the fact is there is a mind and a beating heart behind every username.
I can hurt any one of you, either by will or error, and any of you could do likewise to me. We need to remember this.
I do (even if I don't always apply it---there's evil in the heart of every man), and that may be a reason I 'worry' so much and feel the need to upload as often as I do (to introduce, to build, to atone, and/or to stay relevant).
It takes a toll---seldom too much at a time, but it accumulates.
I'm burning out. I never make 'MiniChu' scenes anymore, and I'm very often drawing on writing paper (with the lines), without much concern whether the art of my own characters is consistent or not. Sometimes, I challenge myself just to see if I can still draw consistently ...I can, I just don't want to most times.
I'm not completely absent of caring. Sometimes, after an upload, I'll notice a line or two that I hate. After cursing myself, I (try to) fix it, then change the submission file. That reads bad, perhaps, but I see it as a good thing (overall).
Why do I want this? What's the value of a pageview, or a comment of "Cute!" from some person I'll never meet? Why care about any of it?
For me, art exists for the purpose of expressing something. Most of the time, I don't need to express something 'to' myself, but sometimes a visual incarnation of what's going on in my mind can help bring clarity (sometimes even closure).
We have two eyes on our faces, but the mind is also an eye. To 'see' a thing or concept with only one, sometimes, is to deny the depth of the subject (like looking with only one eye open).
There's value in that. There's value also in sharing art with other persons. Of course, art is often subjective if not abstract---the viewer may see an artistic work very differently than was intended by the artist. And that's ok!
The point is, something was communicated (for better or for worse) and this brings artist and viewer together, and can give many artists and viewers identity as a community. That's what we have here ...my goal, in part, is to continue contributing and not be labeled as the village idiot in the process. ^^
At this point, I'm just rambling and going in circles. I want to say something, but I'm unsure what exactly. Again, I want to keep writing and drawing (I feel obliged to), but I'm also burning out.
Take a break? Sure! And I'll write all about it with a Gene cartoon to go with! ...Wait. :P
It's a nice day today, and it's early. I'm in good-enough health and have money in my pocket. I can go out in the fresh, COVID air, away from my computer screen. I'll, of course, be sure to bring my iPad with me---never know when I'll find another Mubba skull to write about ...Yeah. See the problem?
I may go to Target, or perhaps the global market. Perchance I'll see a cute cartoon character on a candy bag from Korea or someplace, and I'll think,
"I can draw that! ...$2.29 for 8 gummy candies? Well, my watchers might like to see the package"
Is that so bad? Why do I think this is a problem? I can see it both ways.
Maybe I'll draw a Gene cartoon instead; Do I have any ideas? No.
Well (like an idiot), I announced to my watchers that I'd introduce Gene and Tasli to Mubba---I could do that ...not that I have any 'good' ideas, mind.
Why did I even create Mubba---because I found some trash on the ground? Well, nothing wrong with that. After all, inspiration may come from anyplace, and who knows: Mubba may become my best character yet! Take Fix, for example---he wasn't even a character until a watcher made fan art, thus compelling me to continue drawing him ...and I must say, the story I wrote for Fix brought tears to my eyes :3
...Speaking of, I need to draw Fix's cubs. I've been promising them for ages now---Ginger surely is ready to give them birth! XD
That in mind, why am I looking at candy wrappers for something to draw? :P
Maybe I'm afraid of commitment? Surely that's why I'm 39 and single ...then again, I did have a short relationship. On my partner's deathbed, I promised I'd 'do something' with my writing. Thank God that was an ambiguous promise, but I still need to act on it. *sigh*
Now my mind turns to the existential---does God exist? If not, why should I care about anything I say or do that doesn't bring me pleasure? After all, I'd be of no more value than the bacteria on the bathroom floor. My life, my art/writings, and all that I treasure will be piled onto the back of a truck bound for a dumpster someplace, and it'll just end there.
Sure, I can give myself meaning and purpose, but how would that be any less delusional than religion? I want to live in the real world ...albeit, that isn't possible. No one really knows what the 'real world' is, as we each see it through the lens of whatever worldview we subscribe to. All is foolish and subjective! D:
...but if God does exist, I'd best believe that I and my words and actions count; that my watchers have value, too, and that which I say and do in their sight matters.
God, to me, 'should' exist; the concept of God runs contrary to many things I oppose (such as hate, violence and so forth), so I will live and act as if He does. Otherwise, to condemn those things from myself and others would be me just making noise, as there'd be nothing to back my opposition.:3
That said, what really matters these days? Who or what would I answer to?
Sure, if I change what I do or believe, I'll lose some watchers, but I'll gain others who think like me.
Cub artist? No one can complain---to do so would count as hate speech; I'll draw whatever I want so long as it concurs with a given AUP and the law. I have my rights, after all---rights, rights, rights for everyone.
Of course, 'rights' and what is 'right' may not agree with one another. Again, I turn to faith to distinguish between the two.
Either way, no one can question what another says or does (within reason) ...no one can criticize or shame. Believe whatever you like, but do keep it to yourself. That's the rule ...is it a problem? I think so, esp. if one is to think of oneself as caring and responsible.
I need to be shamed, I think. I need to be told my art is becoming lazy and I'm drawing too many bathers and bare bottoms. I can conclude these things for myself, but I'm not likely to internalize or act on them without feedback from 'intolerant' watchers.
Tolerance ...fine, but who wants to be 'tolerated'? Don't we all want to be accepted?
Never going to happen, at least not so long as we want to be individuals rather than followers of the status quo. Some things are (and should be) unacceptable. I want 'unacceptable' things to exist, for without them, 'acceptance' means nothing. ...but I myself do not want to be 'unacceptable'. :(
There's a duality to many of our concepts---good cannot exist without evil, for example. I believe I'm a duality ...'MartenFerret/Chippy' is, after all, a concept that has developed and spread over time to others.
My watchers know when I say or do something out of character; there are (and rightfully so) expectations that I've failed to meet. None of you can know the great extent to which I value the few criticisms I've received. :3
All that said, I'm not looking for critique on my line art. I know I can't draw, but when I say or do wrong, I'll not count it as hate or intolerance for one to bring it to my attention.
We are, again, a community: we are responsible for and accountable to, one another. :3 ","writing":"","writing_bbcode_parsed":"","pools_count":0,"title":"Just Me Rambling in Circles (Read if You Like)","deleted":"f","public":"t","mimetype":"image/jpeg","pagecount":"1","rating_id":"0","rating_name":"General","ratings":[],"submission_type_id":"1","type_name":"Picture/Pinup","guest_block":"f","friends_only":"f","comments_count":"0","views":"2","sales_description":null,"forsale":"f","digitalsales":"f","printsales":"f","digital_price":""}