Why the suit? -
Well, why not? My artist is a Furry, meaning he is a
member of a sub-culture of creators that all have a love of
Anthropomorphic Characters. Taking Relic from paper to the
computer, and on to a wearable work of art was something that in
his eyes simply needed to be done to finish the work and be able to
have fun with it. Many others in the Fandom also go through this
process with their work, their characters as well.
member of a sub-culture of creators that all have a love of
Anthropomorphic Characters. Taking Relic from paper to the
computer, and on to a wearable work of art was something that in
his eyes simply needed to be done to finish the work and be able to
have fun with it. Many others in the Fandom also go through this
process with their work, their characters as well.
How much has Relic
cost to make? - Woof! As an estimate, I
would have to say about $400-$700 or so for the actual materials.
You need to use good material, if you get the cheap stuff... well...
that is exactly what you get. Time is a huge investment and is what
makes it so expensive. I will say, it is not the cheapest of hobbies
to get into, but if you are crafty enough and have the time to do the
work yourself you can save hundreds if not thousands of dollars.
would have to say about $400-$700 or so for the actual materials.
You need to use good material, if you get the cheap stuff... well...
that is exactly what you get. Time is a huge investment and is what
makes it so expensive. I will say, it is not the cheapest of hobbies
to get into, but if you are crafty enough and have the time to do the
work yourself you can save hundreds if not thousands of dollars.
Are there others
around here that do this? - Yes! Relic is a member
of a local group called the “Black River Furries” or if you prefer
“BlackRifurs” who are based out of Watertown, NY and try to
meet monthly to get into character and have fun, share ideas and
techniques for construction and alterations, and discuss plans for
attending conventions in other areas of the world. It is a small local
group but our numbers are growing. The Furry Fandom is a global
sub-culture and is represented by every demographic and walk of
life.
of a local group called the “Black River Furries” or if you prefer
“BlackRifurs” who are based out of Watertown, NY and try to
meet monthly to get into character and have fun, share ideas and
techniques for construction and alterations, and discuss plans for
attending conventions in other areas of the world. It is a small local
group but our numbers are growing. The Furry Fandom is a global
sub-culture and is represented by every demographic and walk of
life.
Do all Fursuiters
make their own costumes? - There are many that
do, but not all of them. There are many established artists that find
they do not have the time and in some cases do not have the ability
to sculpt their own suit and will commission a suit maker to make
the suit for them, the costs for these suits can range from $1300.00
to as high as nearly $6,000.00 !!! Although it is an art, not
everyone has the many different talents required for the fabrication
of these suits, the more complex the character is the more
expensive the suit will be both in materials and time some
requiring the work of several artists working together to produce
the completed suit.
do, but not all of them. There are many established artists that find
they do not have the time and in some cases do not have the ability
to sculpt their own suit and will commission a suit maker to make
the suit for them, the costs for these suits can range from $1300.00
to as high as nearly $6,000.00 !!! Although it is an art, not
everyone has the many different talents required for the fabrication
of these suits, the more complex the character is the more
expensive the suit will be both in materials and time some
requiring the work of several artists working together to produce
the completed suit.
Do you need a
Fursuit to be a Furry? - Absolutely NOT! Fursuiters
are just a small part of the Fandom (roughly about 20 - 25%) that
decide to take their art into the realm of cosplay. In general these
artists seek to bring their characters to life much like those of
Disney. Many Furries that do not have Fursuits choose instead to
wear tails, and ears that attach to their regular street clothes, others
choose not to wear any of the add on's at all, it is all about your
own personal preference and how you want to show your
"furriness."
are just a small part of the Fandom (roughly about 20 - 25%) that
decide to take their art into the realm of cosplay. In general these
artists seek to bring their characters to life much like those of
Disney. Many Furries that do not have Fursuits choose instead to
wear tails, and ears that attach to their regular street clothes, others
choose not to wear any of the add on's at all, it is all about your
own personal preference and how you want to show your
"furriness."
Can you have more
than one Fursuit? - Yes! More fluff = more
fun! There are many Furries that maintain multiple characters and
have Fursuits representing each one, there are several members of
the BlackRifurs that have multiple suits. My artist has been
working on another character for some time now that may well
become a second suit for him at some point, but it is still a long
way off.
fun! There are many Furries that maintain multiple characters and
have Fursuits representing each one, there are several members of
the BlackRifurs that have multiple suits. My artist has been
working on another character for some time now that may well
become a second suit for him at some point, but it is still a long
way off.
Who are the people that are Furries? - There is no one set
demographic or type of person that is more apt to be a Furry than
any other person. Quite basically anyone with a love for
Anthropomorphic art can be considered a Furry. Relic B. Furry
personally is friends with a Lawyer in the UK, an established
composer of Game Music in Ireland, and even Two commercial
airline pilots, a Voice Actor & School Teacher in Texas, a graphics
design artist in Germany (Tani DaReal) and a Cartoonist in
Maryland that is a contributing artist to the TV series My Little
Pony (Trish Forstner), that are all Furries and some of them are
also Fursuiters! Many of Disney's animators/artists are most likely
members of the Furry sub-culture. The Furry Fandom is a Global
Sub-Culture and is represented by every demographic and walk of
life.
Do you have to be a certain age? - No, but if you are a minor to be
able to go to the Conventions you must get your parents to go
along. There are age limits at the Conventions for specific
activities. Some require a Parent or Legal guardian to be with you
at all times, others could be a drop-off / pick-up event... these all
vary widely from Convention to Convention and you need to know
before hand all the rules they have in place, it IS for your own
safety regardless of your age. Anthrocon has attendees from the
age of 5 years old right up through 80 and older!
What about the TV
shows that portray Furries as bad? - TV and
any media in general seeks to show the worst of everything, it is
what sells and makes them the most money, its news. The way
they portray any unknown is based solely on the gains they might
attain from it and is never a fair nor balanced representation of the
whole. The few times the media has placed the Furry community
in the lime light it was focused solely on a fraction (1/10 of a
percent) that would do bad, they never once have pointed out the
good majority (99.9%) . Pittsburgh Anthrocon in 2017 raised over
$37,500 for their charity which was Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary,
and they choose a different charity to work for each year.
any media in general seeks to show the worst of everything, it is
what sells and makes them the most money, its news. The way
they portray any unknown is based solely on the gains they might
attain from it and is never a fair nor balanced representation of the
whole. The few times the media has placed the Furry community
in the lime light it was focused solely on a fraction (1/10 of a
percent) that would do bad, they never once have pointed out the
good majority (99.9%) . Pittsburgh Anthrocon in 2017 raised over
$37,500 for their charity which was Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary,
and they choose a different charity to work for each year.
Where are Furry
conventions held? - Nearly every major city in
the world has at least one Furry convention every year. To name
only a few:
the world has at least one Furry convention every year. To name
only a few:
* Furry
Weekend Atlanta (FWA): Atlanta, Ga.
* Furnal
Equinox : Toronto, Canada (every year near the Spring Equinox)
* Midwest
Fur Fest (MFF) : Chicago, Il
* EuroFurrence
: Berlin, Germany
* Anthrocon
(AC) : Pittsburgh, Pa. (the big one! 4 days at the end
of every June, this one con brings people together from all over the
world and is by far the largest gathering of Furries every year.
of every June, this one con brings people together from all over the
world and is by far the largest gathering of Furries every year.
What takes place at
Furry Conventions? - First and foremost a
Furry convention is essentially an Artists convention, but there is
that one single connection that all of those that attend have, the
love of Anthropomorphic Art. Most artists produce artwork that
they donate to the convention for an auction that raises money for
the charity they are working for that year. Artists also set up booths
in the Convention center (Dealers Den) to sell their work to
anyone interested in buying from them. There are workshops that
are aimed at very specific areas of art, for instance Fursuit
Construction, animation techniques, or even tutorials on working
with art related programs on the computer such as Photoshop or
The Gimp. There are dance competitions, games and activities for
all ages. There is also one major difference you will notice that is
unique to the Furry conventions compared to other Fan based
conventions... nearly all those that attend Furry conventions are
creators of art (in one form or another including music and
literature) themselves.
Furry convention is essentially an Artists convention, but there is
that one single connection that all of those that attend have, the
love of Anthropomorphic Art. Most artists produce artwork that
they donate to the convention for an auction that raises money for
the charity they are working for that year. Artists also set up booths
in the Convention center (Dealers Den) to sell their work to
anyone interested in buying from them. There are workshops that
are aimed at very specific areas of art, for instance Fursuit
Construction, animation techniques, or even tutorials on working
with art related programs on the computer such as Photoshop or
The Gimp. There are dance competitions, games and activities for
all ages. There is also one major difference you will notice that is
unique to the Furry conventions compared to other Fan based
conventions... nearly all those that attend Furry conventions are
creators of art (in one form or another including music and
literature) themselves.
Does Relic take on
commissions? - At thins point in time, no.
Although this is something I am considering, it is not something I
am committing to yet, But I would gladly help anyone needing
guidance in making their own.
Although this is something I am considering, it is not something I
am committing to yet, But I would gladly help anyone needing
guidance in making their own.
How long did it take
to make Relic? - My character design &
development (Started way back in 2001) has been ongoing ever
since over 15 years, my suit itself has only taken a mere 12 months
(so far) to bring into the public, although he is a wearable now, I
will never say he is completely finished, always something to
change or make better.
What are your plans for Relic in the future? - Aside from attending
local meets and maybe a couple yearly conventions, I am working
toward getting accredited by St. Jude and perhaps in time the
Shriners to make visits to children's hospitals for the chance to
brighten a day for someone who needs a laugh or smile in the
worst way. Having lost a very close friend to cancer when I was a
teenager I feel a certain need to try to help in the only way I know
how, by being a friend... which is what every furry wishes to be.
development (Started way back in 2001) has been ongoing ever
since over 15 years, my suit itself has only taken a mere 12 months
(so far) to bring into the public, although he is a wearable now, I
will never say he is completely finished, always something to
change or make better.
What are your plans for Relic in the future? - Aside from attending
local meets and maybe a couple yearly conventions, I am working
toward getting accredited by St. Jude and perhaps in time the
Shriners to make visits to children's hospitals for the chance to
brighten a day for someone who needs a laugh or smile in the
worst way. Having lost a very close friend to cancer when I was a
teenager I feel a certain need to try to help in the only way I know
how, by being a friend... which is what every furry wishes to be.
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