Random Art of the Day

Today I chose a piece I drew almost 3 years ago, the MLP:FIM main cast as humans of different races.
This was my first time trying to draw different ethnicities in a style I used to have.
Twilight Sparkle: African American
Pinkie Pie: Japanese (I was trying to be more specific than just Asian, but I don't think I could draw the differences well enough in this style)
Rainbow Dash: Non-Hispanic White
Apple Jack : Non-Hispanic White (really the only choice for this character though an Argentinian version could be interesting)
Rarity: Hispanic White (again, features don't show up well in this style)
Fluttershy: Middle Eastern, based off of another fan art I saw.



The next piece was a quick tattoo design I did for a character in one of my roleplays. It isn't a polished work, just enough to convey the idea.

Drawing Practice 1: The Raven made from dots

This is an ink dot work raven picture that I spent almost 18 hours working on (including short breaks for my hand). It is based on a tattoo I saw on Pinterest (the link was bad so I can't credit the original artist but their work is truly amazing!). I am extremely proud of how it turned out. I am trying to draw more often since I am still jobless to stay productive. I am willing to take commissions to help fund me getting out of my abusive home and with my fiance. I draw a lot of different things and most of my drawings on here are just quick sketches since it has been years since I have done more than just sketch work. But I can do small watercolor pictures or color pencil drawings. Usually I use ink pens and color pencils for drawing characters for people.

Movies and TV Shows I Like: Steven Universe

*Note: Play the music while reading.

So in my free time I get obsessed with tv shows. One that I got into is Steven Universe, created by Rebecca Sugar for Cartoon Network.

The series about the Crystal Gems, Garnet, Amethyst,and Pearl, and Steven, a young half-human, half-Gem boy whose gemstone is from his mother, Rose Quartz. It is set in Beach City where the Crystal Gems live in an temple, protecting the world from evil. Most episodes focus on Steven's days with his human father Greg, his friend Connie, other people in Beach City, or the Gems. The episodes are short making the slice of life style appropriate, but some episodes give tastes of a deeper plot. Whether it is showing us fusions, the ability of Gems to temporarily merge to form a new and more powerful person, the kindergarten, where gems were grown on earth for the past war they hint at, or Rose Quartz's past as leader of the Gems and her relationship with Greg.

So far there are two seasons, the second still ongoing right now and while I love learning about the history of the Gems and the war that happened, my favorite part of this show is actually the episodes dealing with some of the unconventional family things. Steven grew up without a mother and his father is around, but it is likely the remaining Gems raised Steven after Rose Quartz sacrificed herself to have Steven. He has three aunts/mother figures (gems aren't actually female they just have female forms) and a dad who was once a musician and lives out of a van. Strangely my favorite character is Greg. When he first appeared, I thought it would be a story about Steven trying to please his deadbeat dad, but that isn't what happened. It is likely Greg gave Steven to the Gems so he would be safe and have a real home. That is a very selfless thing to do, especially after losing Rose Quartz. And Greg's relationship with Rose Quartz is wonderful to watch.

Now for the animation and music, well animation has improved as the show goes on and gains more funding. It is overall very pleasing to the eye and while obviously cartoony, there are a lot of soft shapes and interesting body types. The color palates all fit the scenes wonderfully and help set the tone for each place (compare the Kindergarten and the beach in front of the temple for example). Just like the animation, the songs have gotten better and better over time. My favorite ones are most of the recent ones with a few from the first season (any sung by Greg especially). Most use the guitar or ukelele as that is what Greg and Steven play respectfully. There are a few exceptions, Pearl's songs have violin sounds and Garnet's are more edgier, but considering Estelle voices her, it makes sense.

If there is one thing I do have to say negative about it, the Uncle Grandpa episode is a waste of money and effort. Skip it because it is non-canon, junk. (I blame all of that on Uncle Grandpa because of the dumb tone of that show.)

I would suggest everyone give the show a watch, it is really quirky but fun and heartwarming with some action thrown in. If it isn't your thing, that is cool. I personally don't like Adventure Time (which Rebecca Sugar also worked on) but I admit it is a good show.

Add on to Previous Personal Post

So this is why I try not to share with my fiance, she called me on her break sobbing uncontrollably because she feels like it is her fault that we can't afford an apartment and that I am in this abusive situation. I tried to tell her it isn't her fault but when she has one of these spells it takes a lot (it didn't help that I was still upset from earlier). There is something wrong with the fact that she, and also her coworkers, can't afford a one bedroom apartment on their salary (and they are paid above minimum wage and aren't looking in the city!). Some of them even have children they are trying to support on their salary which makes getting roommates impossible. When my fiance talked to her parents about moving out (so that we can live together and I won't be homeless) they laughed at her instead of listening or giving calm advice. I would gladly try to sell artwork to make a living, but that never seems to work because people want hours of my time for nothing. If I actually had followers I would look into patreon or something similar to help us get on our feet.

A Little Bit Personal

Now most people are going to look over this post, that is fine. I have no followers and my only posts that gain attention have to do with God/Goddesses or cats. It feels pretty similar to my life. As long as I talk about or say what people like, I am listened to. But none of them care to know me really. I am trapped in an abusive situation with my homophobic, transphobic, racist, conservative christian family, yet when I ask for help, I get vague "sure you could sleep on my couch". I feel like everyone avoids the harsh truths of the situation. I can't even get to their homes because my family barely lets me out of town. I would need help moving my things to storage, finding a place to stay, and getting a job so that I could get an apartment. But everyone seems to think that someone else will help. I can't look them in the eyes and ask for help because I am 200 miles away.

My parents want to punish me in some sick way by making it impossible for me to succeed in life because evidently I could never please them. For those who think I am over dramatic, I cooked for them one night, trying to be nice and show that I am useful. All I heard that night was how bad my food was and I had to throw it away and clean it all up on my own. They then said I was too sensitive for being upset by their comments. I knew the food wasn't that good, but I didn't even get a thank you for trying. This is how my life has been my entire life. I can never do anything good enough, or I am not reading their minds to know what they want me to do. My siblings get praise and love all the time, I get to hear it. I only get a shrug and a "So what do you plan to do with your life? You are so useless and worthless" tirade. I am so tempted to say that I plan to kill myself, just to see if they even care. If they do it will probably be because of their precious social image, not because of me, because they have made it very clear that they don't love me. Now I am left wondering if anyone does.

(I know my fiance does, but I hate putting all my problems on her when she actually has depression and is struggling enough with her own life.)

My Favorite Cat Breeds: Turkish Angora

Elegant Turkish Angoras are graceful, energetic and usually the first to welcome visitors into your home. At one point all longhaired cats were called Angoras due to the Angora thought to be the source of the long fur gene.







History
Turkish Angoras are one of the ancient, natural breeds of cat, having thought to have originated in central Turkey, in the Ankara region (historically known as Angora). Cats from eastern mountainous regions of early Anatolia and through inbreeding and natural selection, developed into longhaired breeds like the Turkish Van and the Turkish Angora.

Longhaired cats were imported to Britain and France as early as the late 16th century. There the Turkish Angora was used, almost to the point of extinction, to improve the coat on the Persian. The Angora of the 20th century was used for improvement in the Persian coat, but the type has always been divergent from the Persian – particularly as the increasingly flat-faced show cat Persian has been developed in the last few decades.

Appearance
Turkish Angora cats have long, silky coats and elegant, sinuous bodies. Though it is best known for a shimmery white coat, Turkish angora cats can display a variety of colors: solid colors, such as black, blue, red and cream; in tortoiseshell or blue-cream; in classic, mackerel and spotted tabbies of many colors; and bi-colored cats in any of these colors with white. In recent years, many breeders have begun working with smoke and shaded colors as well. Any shade and pattern, except those that denote hybridization (such as lavender, chocolate or the pointed pattern) is accepted for CFA registration.

Eyes may be blue, green, amber, yellow, or odd-eyed (e.g., one blue and one amber or green). Ears are pointed, large and wide-set. The eyes are almond shaped and the profile forms two straight planes. The plumed tail is often carried upright, perpendicular to the back.

The W gene responsible for the white coat and blue eye is closely related to the hearing ability, in this and other breeds, and presence of a blue eye can indicate the cat is deaf to the side the blue eye is located, with some being totally deaf if bearing two blue eyes. However, a great many blue and odd-eyed white cats have normal hearing, and even deaf cats lead a normal life if kept indoors.

Personality
Turkish Angora cats are playful, intelligent, athletic and involved. They bond with humans, but often select a particular member of the family to be their constant companion. They are in turn, very protective of their person.
Turkish angoras are energetic, and often seek out "high ground" (or perch) in the home. This perch is then used as a way to observe activity of the home. This could include tops of doors, bookshelves, and other furniture. Some ride on their owners' shoulders.

My Favorite Cat Breeds: The Ragdoll

The Ragdoll is a popular breed of indoor-only cats with semi-long hair and (usually) blue eyes. They are known for their docile temperament and affectionate nature

Appearance:
The Ragdoll is one of the largest domesticated cat breeds with a sturdy body, large frame, and proportionate legs. Their pointed coloration is responsible for the blue eyes of the Ragdoll. Ragdoll kittens are actually usually born white but gain some of their coloration at 8 – 10 weeks and full color and coat at 3 – 4 years.
The Ragdoll’s semi-long coat is plush and silky, consisting mainly of long, soft guard hairs. The absence of the thick, dense, insulating undercoats results in reduced shedding and matting.

Markings:
Color Pointed – One color darkening at the extremities (nose, ears, tail, and paws) with no white anywhere in the coat

Mitted – Same as pointed, but with white paws like mittens on the front and boots in the back and abdomen. With or without a blaze (a white line or spot on the face) and must have a white chin belly stripe.

Bicolor –  (more white than Mitted) White legs, white inverted V on the face, white abdomen and sometimes white patches on the back. Only their tails, ears, and the outer part of their masks show the darker markings. In the Van pattern, only the top of the mask, ears, and tail, and perhaps a few spots on the body, show darker markings.

Lynx – A variant of the above types having tabby markings.

Tortie- A variant of the above typed with tortoiseshell markings

Colors:

Red (or Flame)

Seal

Chocolate

Blue

Lilac

Cream (Red Dilute)

Temperament:
Ragdoll cats tend to be more interested in humans than some breeds of cats. They are known to run to greet you at the door, follow you from room to room, flop on you, sleep with you, and generally choose to be where you are. Many Ragdolls have been taught to come when called and play fetch. They are gentle cats, and usually play without extending their claws. Ragdolls tend to be floor cats, not jumpers.

Unlike many cats, Ragdolls are notable for collapsing into the arms of anyone who holds them, even if they are cradled on their back. They love their people, greeting them at the door, following them around the house, and leaping into a lap or snuggling in bed whenever given the chance. They need time with their families so it is not a breed to get if you will not be home enough to give them the attention they crave.  However every cat is different and individual so no guarantees that your Ragdoll will let you hold them like a baby or sit in your lap for a long time.

Sweet and docile, Ragdolls are not "fighter" cats. They view any on-comer as a loving entity. For this reason, Ragdolls are strictly indoor cats. Many Ragdolls have been killed by cruel humans or loose dogs.

Overall Ragdolls are beautiful and friendly cats fit for a loving home with plenty of time to devote to them.