iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Furs of Color @fursofcolor.bsky.social · 4h

Damn I wish you'd ragged this so we could have shared closer to the time! ❤️

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Ian R. Soulfox @iansoulfox.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

I was feeling a little retrospective. Sorry, I coudld only fit so much into the alt text.

With Black History month now at a close, I wanted to reflect back on things as a black furry artist and try to recall my past time here in the fandom, not that I am under the impression that anything I've done could be considered important enough to be historic. Sorry if all this comes off a bit rambling.

Like perhaps a lot of you, I was indoctrinated early into the fandom by a healthy one two punch of both The Secret of Nimh, and Disney's Robin Hood. In my case, both were on a homemade bootleg VHS tape that I remember fondly in the early 80's. Saturday morning cartoons were my refuge, having caught everything from Gummi Bears to Voltron, Transformers and ThunderCats. We didn't have cable or satellite so if I wanted to watch cartoons during the week, I had to record as much of it as I could on multiple VHS tapes on Saturday mornings over the air so it lasted throughout the week.

My art skills blossomed early during my elementary school years, but were put to bed for a while by teachers that didn't quite encourage me to develop it. This is racist ass 80's Texas after all. If I wasn't interested in sportsball™, they didn't want anything to do with me.
By middle school, things came back to me. My love of animation continued from there even to my high school years and so I continued mostly self taught. Whatever we had that passed for art classes in rural Texas' school system was woefully lacking.

My geeky hobbies with animation and videogames didn't earn me many friends and left me with a lot of bullies I had to deal with that left me pretty introverted, bitter and a little misanthropic even to this day.

Eventually I graduated and went on to attend one of the quote unquote Art Institutes, one located in Dallas where I had hoped to get the skills to become a full fledged 2d animator, which was a dream of mine, chasing after Disney.

While attending art school, I had my first exposure to the furry fandom. It was something I didn't even know existed, but felt it had to have been a thing for a long time. It felt right. I believe it was a old Fox news local affiliate that had done a interview with the Florida furs back in late 97 that I saw one lonely night at my school sponsored housing that cued me in. I had a name for what it was. A search on this miraculous thing called the internet and I just had to find out more. I stumbled across a few furs even at school, who I'm proud to say I'm still friends with to this day.

In the two years that followed, I was able to get a taste of how animation worked, doing things like pencil tests and stop motion animation. I was living the dream but the one mountain that was hard for me to climb was 3d animation and it was still early days around that time with the use of 3d Studio Max and Maya being hard for me to process. By the time I graduated however, things were going to be rough. Toy Story 2 was only a month or so old and the writing was on the wall. 2d animation which was my dream, was dead. Long live 3d animation. The jobs I hoped to find after graduating were just not there.

I had to do a lot of traveling around that stretch of time to try to find work and unfortunately I had no real success finding anything I was trained for, instead I had to settle with whatever I could find in the meantime, a lot of that ended up being retail or other small jobs, all the while chasing after that white whale dream job that would never come.

A lot of my traveling ended up taking me in directions I never thought I'd end up thanks to the fandom. I had the luck of being able to attend some past conventions thanks to tagging along with others on long car trips cross country. Heh, at times I wonder how I'm still even breathing. I was so ignorant and naive of so much and yet those were some of my most memorable times.

I got to travel to Memphis for the furmeet there, growing further entrenched in the fandom in the process. I even traveled as far as Philadelphia to attend Anthrocon and California for Further Confusion. Wild times I guess. It was around that time when I managed to cobble together my old Compaq and a pirated copy of macromedia Flash that I still had from art school and begin hobbling together this strange experiment known as the Tail Underground, a flash animated site that I wanted to make as interactive example of my work as well as something that told a story.

With the Tail being hosted on Furnation, I guess it gradually gathered me a little bit of internet fame, though at the time I was not sure how to feel about being thought of as some sort of celebrity. The attention it got me did manage to open up a few more avenues and I was lucky enough to rub elbows with some of the greats in the fandom at the time.

It all still feels rather surreal as my early days in the fandom felt like I was kinda like Forrest Gump, ignorant of the people around me and yet I sometimes was lucky enough to be in the proximity of some great artists over the years like Guppy, Al Mackey and Fennec. Ash Bearfox, Gloomwolfe, who now is perhaps known as Artdecade, and even a great Kemono artist known in the past as Den. I felt like I wasn't alone as a black furry artist after I met greats like EbonyLeopard, Max Blackrabbit, Fel and Gene Catlow. I remember taking that long car trip back from FC catching a ride with Steve Martin and a lot of online chats with the late Robert Hill. The late nights I spent working on my first comic entry for the Furnation Magazine while crashing at the owner Nexxus' home in Dallas. I distinctly remember even staying a night at the Prancing Skiltaire, getting bored to tears watching the vhs release of Napoleon Dynamite. Hahah, sorry, that movie did nothing for me.

My work on the Tail Underground probably got me most of my notoriety back in the day though I'm not sure I handled it very well. I was still a total closet case at the time, especially involving family and so I did a lot of that work totally on the down low. My family remained unaware of what I did in my private time or where I went on those crazy adventures. Back then, the threat of media exposure to the fandom was considered dangerous and harmful to everyone involved so I treated it all like one big secret. I pushed hard to keep minors from accessing my site and yet it was like trying to stop a leaky dam with your fingertip. I still cringe to this day from recalling the few that tried to reach out to me personally about the site. It's strange feeling like you were probably someone's influence back in the day and yet I worried if said influence was ever even a positive one.

The fame however gradually faded as animating in Flash was a challenge that even someone like me couldn't keep up solo. Despite how often I tried to reach out to others for assistance, I just couldn't make a collaboration work. By that time, the formula I put together in creating this odd little verse of mine was cloned and copied and perhaps perfected by those with more support and backing and I had to put things to bed and start trying to be a functional adult with a job. Nowadays these furry Visual Novels would have been the epitome of what I had been hoping to create with the Underground back in 2001.

Nowadays, I'm kinda stuck in a rut, working a retail job that doesn't respect me while trying to make enough to keep the bills paid and a roof over my head. I feel a bit isolated now as most of my previous contacts now are only online and the local furry scene here in my current home in Austin probably forgot I even exist. As I'm creeping slowly to the age of 47, I guess the best I can do is keep on pushing forward and doing my best to get by.

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Nezzy💖 @squishynezui.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I'm doing these headshots for only $20.00 if anyone is interested. #furry #furryart #fursofcolor

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Tonya Song 🪶 @tonyasong.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I was speaking earlier and told the story of my grandfather who was in a boarding school. One of the parts of the story I always remember is how they forced him to eat steak despite having never had it (he ate venison and mutton at home). He would throw it up & they would keep forcing him to eat it.

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Beanworks 🔞 @beanworks.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Figured I'd try getting back into making storyboards and animatics again, so here's a little practice run with a mockup of a TV show intro for the Cosmopunk podcast! @cosmopunk.bsky.social #fanart #furry #furryart

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SORA! on ice. @bigchallengesdacat.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

CATWOLFSELF. because im a furry. #bipocfurs #fursona #art #artsky

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Lupin Coyote @vocalcanines.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

A bit late but Happy Hispanic/Latino Heritage month to all my fellow Latino furs out there~! Being Latino is a beautiful thing. #furry #fursofcolor #Latinofurry #furryfandom

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TimTam- (Caudle) - Remembering Roo @caudlewag.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I got this question several times...

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🤘🏿🏳️‍🌈Kalen Whitfield🏳️‍🌈🤘🏿 @jazlyte.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

HE CAME. ITS OUT GO WATCH IT!!! 💚❤️🖤 Thank yall so much for joining the live Premiere too that was so unbelievably cool!! youtu.be/CeVttMgitvQ?...

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Rocky 🎃Read Beanstalked🎃 @rockybloo.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

She just wants a piece of him...or a couple chunks. #Beanstalked #OCsky #OC

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Kiyone @kiyonescarlet.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

It’s national fox day! That’s right, it’s day #2 in the same week where you have to give me treats and gifts and attention.~ (Other foxes can have some too, I guess…)

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pastel 🦇🩷 @pastelbat90.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Hey folks, for BHM - I wanna directly support a UK Black disabled person/people in need 🩷. This is a call out for anyone who may need support so we can try do what we can. Reply, send a dm, @ a friend (with permission). Let's all support each other 🌺

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Furs of Color @fursofcolor.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Great! Tried to DM you but don't seem able?

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Pan Rolls Dice @stellarencore.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Used to hide my hurts for fear of rocking the boat, till I realised the boat wasn't shit & I could swim faster anyway. Don't let people make you feel small for doing your best. Or talk down to you for trying your hardest. Or try to minimise you to cover up their own shortcomings. Don't be silent.

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Pan Rolls Dice @stellarencore.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Happy birthday to Fred Perry! Creator of Gold Digger, Legacy, and regular Furrlough Contributor. One of the first successful independent black comic artists I ever came across. This is a guy who made his own anime single handed 'because he wanted to see it happen'. Big respect.

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muushy🛸 @muushy.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

yknow what I'm bad at? PROMOING MYSELF 🧍🏾‍♀️ hi,I have a patreon and a silly lil server with a special patreon channel. check them out! 🍓 patreon.com/muushy 🍓 discord.gg/vxmCXdVyZN

patreon.com

Get more from Muushy on Patreon

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mayamada @mayamada.com · 17/09/2026

We started mayamada because we loved manga and Japanese storytelling, and wanted to make our own 🎨 Now we've built a universe of original characters and help organisations tell their stories through comics too. Discover it: mayamada.com/universe #mayamada #Manga #ImagineMoreStories

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Furs of Color @fursofcolor.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Are you PoC, furry and know your way around building a website? Get in touch!

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SCOOPIE ➡️ LVFC @sc00p-ie.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

FURRIES OF COLOR BOOK IS NOW OPEN FOR PR30RD3RS!!!!!!! Shares appreciated A 200+ page project with 50+ contributors. We put our heart and soul into this and really hope you take a look :3 Link: scoopie.bigcartel.com/product/furr... #furryart #furryfandom #furrypoc #pocfurry #zines

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Lexi 🔜NEKOCON 26' @zuzubellearts.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

BIPOC MEET UP SUCCESS!!! PROBABLY *THE BEST ONE YET* Thank you soooo much to everyone to came out 🥹 Youre all amazing and i cannot wait to see you again next year 💖🌟 (Click the photo, theres a lot of us :3c) #bipoc #fursofcolor #fursonacon

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💙 DYNAMO-DEEPBLUE 💙 @dynamo-deepblue.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

it hasn't been long since I got you, but it's true. I really do I can't express how excited and grateful I am to be able to partake in this aspect of the fandom for a second time with this wonderful piece of wearable art <3 #furry #furryart #fursuit #oc

An illustration of a black woman with short curly hair and glasses wearing a fursuit of a blue gryphon character with tiger stripes. The woman is smiling big while holding her fursuit head with her left hand against her face, which is winking at her with a smile of her own. The backdrop is pink and has text that reads "I love being you!" with a heart beside it. By Dynamo-Deepblue.

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BEAST BLOC 🔜 FWA2027 @beastexhibit.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Take us back to the Bloc 😭 #beastbloc

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🤘🏿🏳️‍🌈Kalen Whitfield🏳️‍🌈🤘🏿 @jazlyte.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

2 years, hundreds of joints, thousands of furry dollars later we are a week from ASS

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DJ WOOZIE 🔜 CAROLINA FURFARE @djwoozie.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

When I switch to my furry profiles 🦊

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Pan Rolls Dice @stellarencore.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

decolonisefest.co.uk

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Zeike Champion 🏳️‍⚧️✨ @gatorchomps.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

made a lil ref sheet/character card for my sona! 💙✨ #artpost #furry #fursofcolor #oc #fursona

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Leon “Lee” Grayhare @grayharetherabbit.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

A few weeks ago, I thought Leon made perfect sense as a radio DJ so here he is in his element c. 1983/1984 and transitioning to commercial. The station he works at specializes in R&B, soul, & funk. Probably one of my favorite pieces I’ve drawn so far! #fursofcolor #furryart #blackfurry

An anthropomorphic rabbit in a radio DJ booth. He’s surrounded by equipment and records.

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ToonHive @toonhive.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

The fully animated and colored ‘Pretty Pretty Please I Don’t Want to be a Magical Girl’ pilot by @kianamai.bsky.social will release next Friday, September 4th.

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Yuko ❤️ 💚 🖤 ✊🏾 @blackpanther.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Don't forget to interact on tt so more folks can see us! I'm out here snatching furs off the streets!

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THE KICKBACK ☀⚡ @the-kickback.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Today we would like to recognize Ken Sample aka Ken Cougar. A Black man who is credited with creating and coining the term "Fursona". While drawing one of his "Exotics" Ken drew a Cougar character that looked strikingly like himself. Attendees of this conference also wanted their own characters!

a drawing by ken sample of the character ken cougar

Ken cougar on a Ken Sample portfolio #1. Ken cougar is inbetween two female furries. On the left is a fox and on the right is a cheetah! There are other drawings scattered in the backround

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Lexi 🔜NEKOCON 26' @zuzubellearts.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

🌟Get ready for the #fursonacon BIPOC MEET-UP! 🌟 9/5 Saturday! 6pm-8pm! Join me, Yuko, and Nunu as we share experiences in fandom, mingle, and make friends! Tell your friends!! 🗣🗣🗣 We cant wait to see you all there!!! 🐾

Lexi (brown and white wusky), yuko (panther,) nunu (green and black cat creature) and company standing in front of a brick wall with the words FURSONACON BIPOC MEET UP on the front. Saturday (9/5/26) 6pm-8pm
Panel room 2

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VoidalStars || V-Artist @voidalstars.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

You’re gonna love these boys~ Only available in the $5 tier of my patreon tho 🤐 There’s a veeery good reason 🍆 #Furry #Bipocfur #fursofcolor #nsfwfurryartist

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Leon “Lee” Grayhare @grayharetherabbit.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

The Urban Casual Goblin has struck again. A carryout piece featuring one of my OCs, Courtney, waiting for her order. (FYI if anyone’s wondering about the name, “Cony Hill”, I recently learned that “cony” is an old word for rabbit #furryart #sliceoflife #fursofcolor

An interior piece of a food takeout restaurant featuring 2 anthropomorphic rabbits, a donkey, and a serval

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Fur meets at Galloping Ghost Arcade @furmeetsatgga.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Hey y'all, just wanna say thank all for coming on through yesterday at our meetup at @gallopingghostarcade and joining us at @TonysCafe2007 for dinner! #Fursofcolor #Arcade #Fursuit #Highlights

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𝗽𝗹𝘂𝗺!🍃🔞 @puppeypawbs.art · 14/08/2026

face reveal? kinda!!

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ALCA, Goddess of Lust 💜 @flailmorpho.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

question for black followers okay so my character in my book is black and starts off the story with cornrows but she doesn't know how to make them herself because she's a chronically ill 10 year old girl anyway, question is how hard it would be to figure out styling black hair by yourself

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paxil puppy 🐾☀️ @regulardog.net · 22/07/2026

give more credit to black furries. black furries have routinely showed me the best times in this fandom and in irl furry spaces/events. yet we really only focus on fandom problems affecting the comfort levels of white ppl while ignoring racism in various parts of the fandom.

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Sleepi Studios 🌿 @sleepistudios.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

The newest member of the Sleepi Suits family: Delorean the Poodle 🐾 Owned by: @deloreandoodle.bsky.social More info and pictures below!

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