This is terrible.

*Shrugs* What can I say. I'm just a better writer than an artist. Though, never any harm in trying. :)

Come on, at least he tried, right?

Nah. It's still terrible.

<LoL!> At least your honest and consistent. :) Perhaps I could convince you to try one of my written works? My previous two posts are stories and you may enjoy them more than my art as, like I said, writing is more my thing than art. However, can't get better at something without trying, right? :)

Way to go, giving a dude with macular degeneration in one good eye a content free critique, without understanding any of the circumstances behind the artist or the picture, or the months of surgeries and eye rehab to even be able to see enough to draw it.

See that "terrible" picture up there? He was all set to draw me a little something last November for my birthday, when after a number of incidents related to the one good good eye needing surgery, things worsened ( http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/4060272/ ). His eye pressure ended up going so low it was akin to a collapsed souffle. IN addition to worrying about being able to provide for his wife and son, and unsure of whether he'd even get anything back approaching usable sight, he apologized. To me. "You're one of my best friends, and I can't see well enough to draw or write anything, and I'm not sure when I can or will". Even after everything he was going through, he apologized to ME.

This picture is the first time in months he's been able to see well enough to begin to hold pen to paper, and more importantly, is him following through on something that was important to him, and for that-- I'd take it over a wall full of Monets.

Try closing one eye. Somehow unfocus enough so that your other eye is about 20/600. Simulate a bunch of debilitating surgeries too, and let's see how well you do.

It's not like he hasn't worked consistently to improve-- go ahead, start from the gallery beginning and cycle through and you can see that with o formal training and just a shit-ton of practice, he improves pretty noticably.

So if you're actually going to spend the kilocalories to mash the keyboard to make words, make some useful, with substance. Otherwise, you're just the drive-by turd in the punchbowl, and you're wasting your time.

That's the point. :) I know I'm not a great artist by any means. However, one cannot get better without practice and I'm not afraid to post my arts for open critique.

Now, if you want to see terrible, go to the very beginning of my gallery and you'll see some of my first arts. Compared to this, they are terrible. However, I couldn't get this far without having started somewhere. :)

As I noted, I'm more a writer than an artist. Though, getting people to read as opposed to see arts is hard. I try to combine art with story to see if I gain a larger reader base. Though, as you'd imagine, it is hit-or-miss. :) *Shrugs* Again, no gain in not trying. :)

Excuse you? I'm all for critique but only if it has some merit to it. You obviously just made such a comment in order to try and make him feel bad about himself, so what the hell is your problem?

Yosh is legally blind. He has suffered a lot of pain because of his eye problems and is just recovering from a major surgery on his eye. Considering that, this is amazing. And even if he hadn't gone through all that, who gives you the right to decide what is bad or not? Are you the art police? I don't think so.

Great to see you drawing again! *hugs*

Thanks, Zee! *Hugs* My first drawing in nearly 3 months! I know I'm not a super artist, but I do like to try as, you know, one only gets better with effort. Another point is that, as you may agree, some things come easier to us than others and, well, art is something I've been working on for over 15 years and, compared to my first drawings, this is a gem. :)

Radical gift, man. Thanks!

Glad you liked it, egg brother. :) I thought doing this yesterday while drawing with my son would be fun. Like I noted, it was my first attempt. no redraws. :) Thought I'd try some new stuff with my version of Toroth and I think I did better with the legs than I usually do. :) Plus, as you may notice, I did sneak a little ref to a certain someone on the shirt. ;)

Very nice, Your eyesight must indeed be improving rapidly!

I especially like how you drew his crest so it looks like hair.

Hoo and Ray! *quack quack* I am glad you noticed how I tried to modify my Toroth design. I thought, as it has been awhile since I've drawn, I should try something new with him. Got to keep doing new things to get better, right?

And, yes, my eye has been improving greatly over the past two weeks. I'm hopeful this progress keeps going so that, on February 21st, my peeper is good to return to work. I've been out for over 7 months without pay and, well, it is long overdue for me to make some money for the fam. :)

I can't believe that first commenter, urgh.

I'm really happy you were able to draw something again! You're getting back to where you were and I'm super happy you could put something together again. I think it turned out great and it's nice Toroth's already seen and enjoyed it too!

*Snugs* Thanks, Nishi. I really appreciate you checking out my first work in over 3 months. It was tricky, but well worth it.

Drawing with my son is one of the greatest joys I have with him. It gives us both time to talk out stories and just let our imaginations go. Plus, it is something I can do that, with glasses, works unlike other tasks my eye keeps me from enjoying and/or doing with my little guy.

I'm hoping to do one with Tacki next. Then, perhaps more Nishi, Oxnard, and/or Bosky fun. :)

Thanks, Bluescales! I need to get through your gallery, too, as I imagine you have had some additions over the past three months. Oh, how good it is to see again! Still got a bit to go, but I'm getting there and it is thanks to supportive pals like you that I have even gotten this far.

As for "Commenter #1", critique with no substance doesn't bother me. I also know I am far from an artist with writing being more my talent. Though, I like to try and trying is the only way to get better at something you may not necessarily be good at. :)

*Smiles and snugs you all crinkly* Thank you for the kind words! That made my morning! :)

Actually, I have written some much longer works. The biggest, thus far, being "Creative Campaign 2". This story is eventually to get self-published at cost so anyone who was a part of it, or wants to experience it, can by either buying the book, or DL'ing a .PDF copy of the 218 page tale. :)

I also have a Haposaur story that is about 130 pages entitled "The City of Solitude". I tried to get this honestly published 3 years ago and got no response. Pretty soon, after I get some more sight back, I am looking to work with Tacki and Nishi to fix some grammar errors and then post each chapter of it on here for all to see. It is approximately 22 chapters long and features all sorts of exciting things you don't normally see in a Hapo story. Then again, it is meant to be the series finale and, hopefully, a movie one day. :)

Other projects I have that are longer stories are "Project: Ezil", which I will get back to eventually, along with the rewrite of my 200+ manuscript, "Silmaria". Lots of good times!

*Huggles* I'm glad you can see my theme in all my works, too. I do love friendship and affection. I also like to show positive relationships and learning, too. I write hard so that, in large, my works are adult and kid friendly. This is why I got myself caught up in the Brony movement. MLP: FiM is more proof my work can get popular and, so long as shows like it exist, I will continue to write until, one day, I rise above being just a site contributor to a truly published dino-ducky. :)

Thanks again for being so kind, Bluescales! I look forward to seeing new entries in your gallery as you find time to create new awesomeness. :)

Toroth looks so cute! You're a good artist and a great friend!

Thanks, Ms. Nana! It was an honor for me to FINALLY do this for him.

When I went into surgery #5, I thought on how terrible it was that I missed Toroth's birthday. I really, REALLY wanted to do something on his special day. Though, better late than never, right? :)

It's so great to see you drawing again Yosh. A personal fear for me was the chance that I would never get to see a new picture by you ever again thanks to your eye problems.

This picture is really cute and it stars one of my favorite friends in it. Maybe it's not the same as a Marci picture, or a Tavi or Gem pic, but it clearly shows the high levels of dedication and love you give to people around you. That's my two cents! *hugs*

*Hugs* Your two cents are much appreciated. As I noted, I am not an artist by any means. However, that doesn't mean I can't try my hand at art and do all I can to improve my style. :)

I was worried, too, that I wouldn't be able to ever draw again. It's nice that, despite a bit of struggle, I was able to pull this off. Gave me a lot of self-esteem to not only draw this, but do so with my son as we told each other stories. :) He's big into Metroid and drew a big scene with Samus as I did this piccie.

I have a whole month before I start back at work again with my crucial appointment at UPMC (Pittsburgh PA) being this forthcoming Tuesday. I'm stoked to get good news to assure me my cornea is truly still on the mend.

Oh, on another note, I actually got to FINALLY see the first two episodes of Season 3 in MLP: Friendship is Magic yesterday! Watched them with my son. Good times! :)

hehe, you're in luck too. I think they're up to episode 9 now. There's even a Spike themed episode too where Spike is acting a bit silly. Should be lots of fun to watch when you get to it.

I can't wait! *Flutters merrily*

Last night, I got an episode list so that, when I have my son help me type in YouTube on our Wii, I can make sure I get the actual episode instead of some nasty parody that isn't kid appropriate. Our first attempt to find Season 3, E1 and E2 wound up in scantily clad women dancing about. *facepalms* Yipes!

BTW: Now that I can better see your avatar, I've got to ask if you have a larger and/or full version of it? It's cute! :)

https://inkbunny.net/submissionview.php?id=264718

It's actually a statuette that Kiffin commissioned for me for my birthday by a talented person by the name of Lord Zasz. Kiffy got one too so now they're sitting up on the mantle.

I had no idea EEEEEE so AWESOME asdklhfjahfadjg

Seriously? That's so cool! I amright now on my laptop, screen reader PC, and can't get a real good view of it. However, when I switch to full eye rehab mode later I am going to hit up your Inkbunny page so I can get a good gander at this. As well, I completely forgot you had an InkBunny page and, as such, will go through that gallery, too, as I'd hate to miss any of your arts that may be hidden there like this super-cool commission. It's great!

And you say Kiffin has one, too? Awesome! I bet they look great together. There's nothing like not only being able to share your real selves, but your special selves in such a way. I know I smiled when Nishi did a special work that had Yosh and Tina Bear together. My wife ay not be big into alternate personas, but I like knowing my creative, Yosh side can be there with a creative version of my Mrs. :)

I admire effort over skill. In addition ya did this for someone you find really close. Great job kiddo. Drawing from the heart gets it's rewards

I thank you very kindly for your words, Tavi. I strive to do all I can to only do those works in which I truly feel and have special meaning. This is why, in large, my gallery is filled with material related to friends and folks I know around here. I've always been for friendship and feel best when I can put my mind into how happy I am to know who I know while doing my best to make them as happy as they make me. :)

My "Creative Campaign" series was all about this special nuance to my artistic watermark. As I told Ozzie, I am looking to write up a little section for my on-and-off "Creative Campaign 3" that features you, him, and my pal, FallenFeathers. Got a few things I want to do first, but it's on the list and, when I get to it, I hope you like it. :)

Have yourself a great day, Tavi! Always a pleasure to share words and times with you.

Awww, I'm so glad that your eye is well enough that you can draw again! *hugs* Its really cute too. It really gives me hope, seeing you drawing again. ^^

*Huggles* You and me both. As Tacki wrote, and I actually thought, I worried I'd never be able to see well enough to draw again. However, through my rehab sessions here, and great friends like you (along with taking good care of my eye) I am getting back what I lost and feeling happier by the day as my life gradually returns to one I am more involved in. :)

Something you and I both know is how our bodies are mere shells for the real entity that lies within. We may have broken / malfunctioning parts, but we are still who we are and know we can't ever give up on all we can do.

For example, I know I probably won't get all my sight back from before the double-tragedy in early August, but I will find a way to make the best of it. It's not easy to keep losing more-and-more functionality, but we must be strong and fight to ensure that, even if we lose things we love, that we don't lose ourselves.

My saddest loss that will never go away is how I can no longer go outside in sunlight as it hurts too much. Also, with my cornea being junk, light is my enemy and makes everything I look at blurry. Especially outdoors. I love forests and being outside and have had to work really hard to mentally psyche myself out of being upset each time I leave darkness, or dim lighting.

I also will never again have the ability to just grab a book and sit and read it without having to use a magnifier tool or screen reader. Mechanical voice reading, over one's own mind, sucks. It works, but sucks. And, let's face it, holding a bulky magnifier over words just isn't the same as sitting there and flipping the pages yourself and really getting into the story.

Though, I accept these losses and am doing all I can to still enjoy books and the outdoors and how I really can no longer swim as I can't afford to get bad things in my eye. It's not fun, but there are other ways to be happy in what our minds allow us to do and, so long as we are strong, we will never let our conditions ruin who we really are on the inside. *Huggles*

*huggles* Awwww, yeah. I understand that. Its no fun having so many things taken from you by an illness. Can you wear some sun glasses to help dim the outdoors? I need to find a new pair of sunglasses myself. I can't be out in the sun or heat too long myself without getting sick. Even so, I can't run and play like Tavi or others do. I can just walk along with my cane for a bit and then have to sit down. But at least we can still count the things we DO have in life and CAN still do. Talking with each other and loved ones really helps. ^^ *huggles*

*Huggles* Indeed. Actually, you remind me of an adventure I had in Colorado when I was getting training for when I may go completely blind / need more adaptive techniques. :)

I could still see clearly and had the ability to focus at this time, but there was a young lady in our party who was completely blind. We all decided to venture out to a really cool mall called "Colorado Mills" and, as we walked about, she looked over at me and noted how she felt like she didn't fit in. After all, of the four of us at the mall, she was the only total blind.

I walked alongside her and told her how it isn't so much about what she could see as much as it is the company. She might not "see" what is going on. However, she can "feel" the fun and actively participate with good people who, as I've learned myself, don't mind describing things and/or helping her to enjoy the world as if she did have sight. Being blind sucks, but it sucks more to have sadness make you feel like you are not worthy of being and/or doing something with others.

The above was a hard pill for me to swallow personally when I was totally blind for a month last year. People would come into my hospital room and I had no idea what they looked like or anything. Heck, I didn't even know what my room looked like and, during meals, often found myself getting food all over my hands as I felt for it. :( It was no fun, but it did remind me of what I discussed with the young lady I met in Colorado. This being that, despite being unable to see the world doesn't mean I can't be a part of it. :)

*Huggles close* I hope you never lose the desire to do all you possibly can, Ozzie. Our conditions each respectively suck and take away from those things we once loved. Though, thanks to our mates and friends, we can still enjoy as much as we possibly can.

Oh, to answer your question, I do wear sunglasses when I'm outside. They not only help keep my eye from burning out of its socket, but also cut back on the fog that sunlight gives me. Truly, I'm a vampire as I do best in the dark, or when light is coming from behind me as opposed to directly in front. :)

*huggles* Awww, that was very kind of you. I'm sure she appreciated your company. It must have been terrifying to not be able to see for a month. I know I would have been very depressed in that situation. I never really thought I'd be disabled like this and not be able to do a lot of the things I used to either. I wasn't prepared for it like you were though, and it all sort of hit me at once. Though I still had my senses, I was in a lot of pain and unable to do certain things. I was pretty much stuck in bed for the better part of a month, which is when I started going incontinent. I didn't have Tavi at the time, but I had another room mate that helped. Otherwise I would have had to stay with my parents and that would have been a nightmare.

I feel so much better when I think of Tavi being there for me. He urges me to do things when he thinks I am up to it, and sometimes we do get out and go to the park or something, though we haven't done that in a while because of the cold. *huggles*

Ah, I see. I feel like a vampire sometimes too, since the sun and heat can make me sick, so I tend to prefer cloudy days or just go out at night. At least we don't sparkle. X3

<LoL!> Don't get me started on Twilight. The only Twilight I respect that sparkles is Twilight Sparkle on MLP: FiM. :)

*Shrugs* To be honest, I wasn't exactly "prepared" to lose as much as I have. I remember the day before my cataract surgery in 2006 reading my latest issue of Neopets Magazine and thinking on how I'd soon be able to sit down with my DS and enjoy the copy of Yoshi's Island: DS I had ordered. I was so psyched as, truly, past surgeries always healed up in a eeek and I was pretty much as I always was from my teens.

Then, a week after my surgery, I realized I couldn't focus on text and that I couldn't see my DS anymore. Worse, I struggled badly to see my computer at work. I didn't understand why things didn't go back like they always had.

Then, after my son was born in January 2007, I developed the corneal ulsar that caused me to go in-and-out of the eye hospital to get my eye partially sewn shut to try and save it. Mind you, the greatest pain, minus kidney stones, that I have ever experienced is being wide awake as someone uses a needle and thread on your eyelids as you are WIDE AWAKE! The 3rd time in the year they did it, I insisted they put me under as I couldn't take the agony again.

Needless to say, unlike the wife who usually gets such things, I got extreme depression and really wasn't happy having a son. I felt awful and hated how, as I had a son, I'd lose my sight, my clarity, and so much else. :(

Fortunately, thanks to drugs and therapy over the years, I have gotten better in dealing with the losses I've experienced. I am also glad I actually took my cane travel and screen reader lessons seriously while in Colorado as, without them, I'd be sunk. The fact I also learned to cook blind helped greatly as well. :)

*Huggles* The way you talk about Tavi made me have a talk with my wife on how it truly must feel to have a mate who requires so much time and effort. However, like I am sure Tavi feels, you are worth it and he believes in you despite what your situation brings upon you. To find someone like that is EXTREMELY rare as you hear lots of folks end relationships over less straining circumstances.

Huey Lewis really had it right when he sung of "The Power of Love" as, truly, love can make anything possible. You and I may seem like burdens to our mates, but they love us and can often see more in us than we may, at times, see in ourselves. :)

*giggles* Yeah, the only time I can stand the Twilight movies is when Rifftrax is played over them.

Awww, that must have been terrible to experience. Why didn't they put you under to sew your eye? Seems like they would have. I hope they at least numbed it. Jeez. Then again, I do remember when I had my blood clot, they would take me in and operate on my leg without putting me under for some reason. They numbed it, but it still hurt, and they did it about two or three times. The back of my calf on my left leg was shredded for a while and still has scars to this day.

Awww, I can see how that would upset you. Having a son and not being able to fully see him. How awful. :( I'm so glad your sight is doing better though, and I hope it keeps improving. I know you're probably enjoying being able to see somewhat clearly as much as you can. ^^

*huggles* Yeah, I do feel like a burden at times. I get depressed and Tavi will ask what is wrong, and I just say its the usual. But he's always there to love and comfort me, and I always try to be there for him as well. Even though we may need a lot of care from others, we can also express our gratitude by trying to be there for them too.

Hehe, yes, I have listened to that song recently and its very true. ^^

*Hugs* Thanks, Pawsie! Truly, I am still getting my sight back to a solid, working order and am just happy to see well enough now that I could FINALLY draw Toroth something special for his birthday in which happened between my 5th and 6th surgeries. :)

The one thing I see around FA, and other places, are folks who get intimidated by the quality of art others can churn out compared to themselves. This often leads to a "freeze" as those who don't feel worthy don't post. :(

However, as we all should remember, is that our art, writing, music, etc. is our own and only we can present it as it meant to be presented. We may not be as good as someone else, but that is no reason to not try. Heck, as I flipped through Cartoon Network one day, I saw animation that I thought was complete trash and it is popular. So, all arts are truly open to personal interpreation and you never know who will bond with your style. :)