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In 1997, I was beginning to discover the internet. My comic "Newshounds" had been taken up by an "indie" syndicate, and my comics were displayed online for all to see. I was so fascinated by all the comics and material available on the net, I began to use search engines to explore "funny animals." That led me to a site called the Squeaky Clean Furry Archive (later Yerf). I spent many an hour at the El Cerrito Library's internet terminal looking through the art.
One character who everyone seemed to want to draw was Gene Catlow, a pleasant looking anthropomorphic cat who got along with everybody. I discovered he was the creation of Albert Temple, and his pictures of his character interacting with other characters were similarly genial. I decided to overcome my built-in shyness and write an email to him (from my then-aol account!) He lived nearby in Concord, and he said he thought my work was good too. Somehow the topic came around to meeting up in real life. Again, I was extraordinarily shy, but he seemed like such an awesome guy I went for it.
I remember vividly taking BART to the Concord station. I told him I would be wearing my Roger Rabbit shirt, and he said he'd be wearing his Felix the Cat shirt. As I stood outside the station, I saw a tall gentleman with a Felix shirt on underneath a jacket. Since I was wearing a jacket too, I opened it to reveal Roger, and he opened his to reveal Felix, as if to say, "Yeah, it's me!" We had a great time; we went to a nearby restaurant and just talked comics and art, and drew quick pictures of each others' characters.
We continued drawing pics of each others' characters until I eventually got my own computer, signed up for the SCFA and set up the Newshounds website once and for all. Over time I got to know so many more cool people on the internet, but Gene was always the first and the anchor. He was the guy at the gate of the fandom, saying "Come on in! It's not so bad!" He even drew what might have been a metaphorical picture of Alistair, standing scared of the ocean while Gene jumps right in. (Actually, here it is: https://yerf.metafur.org/tempalbe/alstgene.gif )
In 2000, he kindly credited me with inspiring him to create the Gene Catlow comic on Keenspot, which he kept up for 17 years, never missing an update, as far as I remember.
We continued to meet at cons, occasionally making art exchanges, always having an encouraging word for each other's work. Anyone he met was taken by his charm and his smile, and his sometimes gently wry take on the craziness of life. Gene was the idea person, full of vigorous ideas and enthusiasm for his own as well as others' work. He was playful, he was intelligent, he was the kind of guy who illuminated your day just by being in your general area.
The last words he said to me were in an email he sent in the middle of February: "Stay awesome YOURSELF, sir!!"
It's going to be very difficult without him. I feel his loss so deeply I can't even voice it. We've lost a beautifully creative soul with a lot of heart and more joie de vivre than you could shake a stick at.
We miss you, Albert. And we will never forget you.
One character who everyone seemed to want to draw was Gene Catlow, a pleasant looking anthropomorphic cat who got along with everybody. I discovered he was the creation of Albert Temple, and his pictures of his character interacting with other characters were similarly genial. I decided to overcome my built-in shyness and write an email to him (from my then-aol account!) He lived nearby in Concord, and he said he thought my work was good too. Somehow the topic came around to meeting up in real life. Again, I was extraordinarily shy, but he seemed like such an awesome guy I went for it.
I remember vividly taking BART to the Concord station. I told him I would be wearing my Roger Rabbit shirt, and he said he'd be wearing his Felix the Cat shirt. As I stood outside the station, I saw a tall gentleman with a Felix shirt on underneath a jacket. Since I was wearing a jacket too, I opened it to reveal Roger, and he opened his to reveal Felix, as if to say, "Yeah, it's me!" We had a great time; we went to a nearby restaurant and just talked comics and art, and drew quick pictures of each others' characters.
We continued drawing pics of each others' characters until I eventually got my own computer, signed up for the SCFA and set up the Newshounds website once and for all. Over time I got to know so many more cool people on the internet, but Gene was always the first and the anchor. He was the guy at the gate of the fandom, saying "Come on in! It's not so bad!" He even drew what might have been a metaphorical picture of Alistair, standing scared of the ocean while Gene jumps right in. (Actually, here it is: https://yerf.metafur.org/tempalbe/alstgene.gif )
In 2000, he kindly credited me with inspiring him to create the Gene Catlow comic on Keenspot, which he kept up for 17 years, never missing an update, as far as I remember.
We continued to meet at cons, occasionally making art exchanges, always having an encouraging word for each other's work. Anyone he met was taken by his charm and his smile, and his sometimes gently wry take on the craziness of life. Gene was the idea person, full of vigorous ideas and enthusiasm for his own as well as others' work. He was playful, he was intelligent, he was the kind of guy who illuminated your day just by being in your general area.
The last words he said to me were in an email he sent in the middle of February: "Stay awesome YOURSELF, sir!!"
It's going to be very difficult without him. I feel his loss so deeply I can't even voice it. We've lost a beautifully creative soul with a lot of heart and more joie de vivre than you could shake a stick at.
We miss you, Albert. And we will never forget you.
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I remember when he emerged on VCL and Yerf. He was an unknown, who quickly became a true Great by the Turn of the Millennium...and one of the most affible furs one could ever cross paths with- And he was one black cat you wanted to cross paths with! :)
And man, could he tell stories with his art!
His loss leaves a huge, gaping hole in the community.
d.m.f.
And man, could he tell stories with his art!
His loss leaves a huge, gaping hole in the community.
d.m.f.
Thanks for posting this. I was very sad when I heard the news this morning. I can't think of many people like him-- whom I never heard anyone say a bad word about, nor did he trash-talk anyone. Why do the good ones go, and the raging assholes seem to stick around for eternity?
I should have commented here first because I can't keep saying it. It actually hurts thinking about this. I haven't hurt like this in a long time but thinking about how many people whose lives he brightened, including my own, and how much we are all hurting makes me want to scream.
Again my condolences to you and to everyone who knew him much better than I did.
Again my condolences to you and to everyone who knew him much better than I did.
I did not expect that. He was one of the greats in furry web comic history.
I actually did a tribute to his comic, way back in June 2012, commented by Gene himself.
The comic is: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/8226064/
He will be missed.
I actually did a tribute to his comic, way back in June 2012, commented by Gene himself.
The comic is: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/8226064/
He will be missed.
...and here's another Yerf image for you:
https://yerf.metafur.org/tempalbe/cf8_08c.gif
For now the smile there is mixed with tears.....
https://yerf.metafur.org/tempalbe/cf8_08c.gif
For now the smile there is mixed with tears.....
Yeah, I read a lot of his comics early on some of the earlier drawing after the 2000s then finally seeing him in person at one of the Conifurs. It's sad to say but the fandom has aged enough that we're going to see more close friends pass away. I've lost a couple myself in the last 6 months.
I only just now found out about this by way of someones journal. Hadn't talked to him in years, but he was someone who left a positive lasting impression both online and in real life the few times I did meet him. I still remember meeting him when you guys had the art circle going on back when FC was at the Doubletree. Very warm and kind guy, introduced himself to say hello to me. I was still incredibly shy too. Its amazing how we both discovered furry around the same time that decade and how much its changed.
He will be missed, and my condolences go out to everyone affected by his passing, and I think we were all made better people for having had him in our lives, no matter how long or short.
*Hugs you extra tightly* I think the best way to honor him is to live to those words he said to you. You are still and always will be awesome. He always knew that about you. I'd agree with him 100%.
He will be missed, and my condolences go out to everyone affected by his passing, and I think we were all made better people for having had him in our lives, no matter how long or short.
*Hugs you extra tightly* I think the best way to honor him is to live to those words he said to you. You are still and always will be awesome. He always knew that about you. I'd agree with him 100%.
Yeah, it certainly was something that was very shocking to hear happened. He certainly was a staple of the fandom, and a damned good person as well! Sadly, never really talked to the fellow, but considering his company, I could certainly tell the measure of the man.
He will certainly be missed.
He will certainly be missed.
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