How's it goin?

Heya Folks!

So those of you who follow me on Twitter are probably already privy to my stated intention to retire from furry art, and I realize in the heat of everything I may've given folks the impression I'm going to full-on disappear and I wanted to maybe clarify myself, and also to maybe take a step back from how emotional I have been over recent weeks.

I do not intend, nor could I really imagine being able to stop drawing furry art entirely. However, I am taking time away from the more explicitly social aspects of the community. I'm quitting Twitter completely, I've closed my Discords and I will be closing my Patreon at the end of the month.

When I said I was retiring from furry art, I more meant to articulate that I will be permanently closing commissions. I have been doing commission work in some capacity over the course of the last decade, and via it I have met some of the most incredible people I've ever gotten the pleasure to know. I've gone to places I would've never gone, and done things I would've never otherwise done because of relationships I built off drawing for people. It was a genuine pleasure for so long to be able to utilize my talents for all the kind and colorful people in this community. However, commission work is no longer something that can sustain my well-being, and it's impossible for me to adopts the sorts of business models in art that would otherwise allow me to continue doing it professionally.

I intend to work on my existing commission queue as I find time, but I'm pushing my expected completion of everything through the end of Summer. This may seem like a long time, and it is, but I've recently picked up a new job and I want to be able to give my final pieces each a fair amount of time rather than focusing on turn-around like had been. As my job settles, I will also be able to start offering an option for refunds, but I do regrettably have debts I'm still trying to stay ahead of. I promise to remain accountable for what is owed one way or another.

As far as going forward I will be utilizing this space for those commissions and the sparing art I may continue to do otherwise, but I won't be interacting as much as I know I used to. In time, I do still want to explore concepts with the characters I've made over the years, but I want to do so on more personal terms, via stories, animations or games--But I have to put in the effort to make those things, and divesting art from my livelihood I now believe is my best way to do so.

I plan to continue going to furry cons so long as my friends go, and I don't want to be a total stranger in online social circles, but I no longer feel the desire to run any communities myself.

I'm sorry if anyone was distressed by my initial messages, doubly sorry if this walk back is annoying relative to any emotions invested! It's been a weird year, let alone the last month and I'm taking everything day by day.

Thank you everyone who has been supportive. I will still be fairly quiet for a bit here while I get things rolling with my new job, but I look forward to when I can start sharing things again!

Take Care!
~Gray Rose

Hey Everyone!

If you're interested in keeping up with my most recent posts and have telegram I'd recommend checking out my Telegram Group!

Clover's Cozy Cottage

I post new art, WIP's and bonus extras from time to time!