Truth be told, it feels like the furry fandom has become less and less about art. Sure, there are more artists, and people commissioning artists, than ever - but, despite this, it all feels so... Fake?
For example, Anthrocon banned poodling in the fursuit parade. This was done to both limit the number of people doing the parade, and also to prioritise fullsuits during the parade. Apparently, the idea that there should be quality controls on a private event is controversial, with furries crying "but what about disabilities?" and "that's classist, some of us can't afford a fullsuit!". Personally, I think both of these arguments can be countered with: "You don't have to do the parade, y'know? It's a luxury, not a right".
It often feels like the furry fandom has become less about the art itself and more about wanting to just do everything. It's like a checklist! "Commissioned an artist, check! Attended Anthrocon, check! Partaken in a parade, check!" And yet, has anyone ever stopped to ask why one convention is venerated over others, and seems to be more a pilgrimage than a convention - never mind the fact that the furries coming in seem to demand everything be made accessible to them at the lowest conceivable price.
I'll admit, pricing is the main reason I don't commission other artists. I'd like to commission them, but I don't have the money to frequently spend a lot of money on this sort of thing - and I wouldn't have it any other way. I would rather spend 100 quid or more on a good piece of art than have an artist lower their prices just to end the whining. Why? Because not only do these people need to eat, but it's a show of appreciation. Think of it this way: when you buy someone a gift, you usually don't buy the cheapest thing you can find, because spending more sends a stronger message of kinship.
What I often see nowadays, is people coming in and then demanding artists make stuff for them at the lowest prices they can find - as if these people work on an assembly line. I don't think I'll ever open commissions, because I know full well half of all the messages I'll get would be "Can you draw it for cheaper/free?". I know this has been a thing in the fandom since it first started growing in membership, but I can't help but feel that it's more common nowadays, especially with the advent of social media and everyone wanting to show off - but without having the money to actually do so.
Art is a luxury - if you can't afford it, you don't get it. If it means you don't get to show off, so be it. This should be a fandom about appreciating art, not merely showing off the latest thing you tried getting for free. Anthrocon isn't the only convention out there, and you don't need to be constantly commissioning people. Live within your means FFS!
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1 week ago
07 Sep 2025 18:58 CEST
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