Over the years I wanted the ultimate costume. Something that would POP and WOW people. I wasn't happy just being an ordinary human. No, I don't think I'm an animal, but I always did notice people were really moved by something NOT human and non-typical so I searched for that. My artistic prowess helped me a little bit with finding something that really worked.
Rens fest was coming up so I wanted to do a mascot costume of some type. A mythical creature of sorts would really bring me some attention! I started browsing Deviant Art's fursuit groups, just fascinated with the anthropromorphic suits people would make, real and not real. I've always been artistic and craftsy(Minutely) so it wasn't a surprise when I started talking with family about making a suit.
I will say, I wanted to so badly, but I was so scared and doubtful about my own ability to make anything craft-like. I had usually avoided anything that involved my hands and being neat. Clay was as serious as it got. I didn't have to be too neat with that stuff in my own home.
I did thoroughly explain to my family, as I was making, that I had done extensive research on the fandom itself and the varying lifestyles people had good and bad with the fandom. You can guess what those are. Also, with my religious beliefs, certain questions had to be asked out right because for some reason, the fandom doesn't explain what branches to the fandom or inspirations there are, which, frankly, I think it hurts the fandom even more and drives people away.
Therianthropy is the thing I asked about because nobody mentioned, formally ,what it was, which would help curious people like me, that might be looking for the good side of things or it might change the mind of a troll who's just looking for confirmation that furries are people who do think they're animals.
I don't. I don't agree with therianthropy, but that's not the point of this forum XD.
I wanted a fursuit because I wanted something that would get attention. Not in a bad way, but kind of almost like an experimental thing. Plus, from the artistic side of it, I could display my artwork, walk it around, take it with me to cons, and get pictures and video. Let alone, animate a character.
Fursuiting for me is a way to show off my art, and write a story with a live-action character. I write in my free time and I have been told I have good character developement. Fursuiting is like animation in its make-up. I bring a character to life and give them their own interests, likes, clothing scheme, dislikes and personality. All the while, I scheme new ideas for new species, character-types, and I can roleplay, which I like doing too, by the way.
My family was postive about it. Yes, they think I'm weird. I kind of am, I have aspergers which is a type of autism. My mannerisms, likes, dislikes, preferences, and way of expression are quite odd. Even my speech and the words I use. This hobby is really, no surprise. I've dabbled in it since I was younger, without knowing it. I've always like anthropromorphic animals as well as feral animals. I just loved animals as a kid. I've always had pets. Every furry has some type of a pet I've noticed, whether it be a bird, rat, cat, lizard or something like that. If they don't currently, they're getting one or they used to, lol.
My family promotes it because they know I'm an artist and that's just what I do and I'm darn good at it too.
Now, sadly, not all of them want me showing up to places in my fursuit, if I ask about it. Usually, its to experiment with people's reactions. I like to see how people react, while giving them something to react to, especially if I can roleplay as someone else. It's fun and artistic in a way, to be honest. Its an art form of sorts! Certain individuals of my family love me and all, but they do really think I am odd. They don't look down on me for it, but they do deem some of these requests as too odd or embarrassing for their preference so I have very few that will let me follow them into stores with my fursuit on for their entertainment. They get shy and embarrassed or they don't have time to play around, they're in the store and out and onto the next errand and they need my sane help, lol. Which, I also understand. Not all of my family can have fun sometimes, they're too stressed or older people and they need my alertness for their companionship. With a fursuit head on, no, my vision is limited and I'm not as alert as I could be if I wasn't wearing a head. All in all, they are awed at my talent and knack for creating such amazing feats, regardless of their comfort level. They can't lie, they pretty much like what I do from an artistic standpoint.
Reactions have been pretty entertaining for me, as the fursuiter. I try not to be mean and scare people. I don't want people to forever dislike mascots or cartoon animals walking around at the supermarket. I like them, they're not bad. Not all of them. So I try to pick and choose the reactions worth pursuing. If a child is scared, I take note of that and move on, walk away, maybe act scared or shy myself and walk away. I dunno, it might make the kid curious.
I had one case of a girl that was scared of me when I got to close, but she was so curious, she talked her grandma into finding me again and I got close. She shied and I realized she wanted to just think about me from a distance. Which was fine.
You can get laughs, "Wow's." "what is that?!", "Whaaat?!" "What in the-" "This is amazing!" "Can I have a picture?!" "Do that again!" "Why?" and so many more.
To be honest, I'm weird enough, I don't care if the reaction is positive or negative, I like what I do enough not to care.
Some of my friends are so busy being embarrassed, they don't understand how I can't be for myself. Why would I be? I'm acting! Besides, I AM official weird, its in the doctor's documents, what do i have to lose?! I got this! I'm a natural
I have surprised myself with this new hobby. I didn't think I could produce something like a fursuit. I was wrong. This hobby has helped me feel more confident in other areas, to be truly honest, especially with my self-esteem. Not so much acting out in public or getting out of my comfort zone(Yes it has helped that some) but i know I CAN DO IT! I've struggled with my abilities as an artist for years and i realize, I can venture outside the comfort zone and I just might find out, I can extend my hand ever so further with something else I might like.
I've even talked so enthusiastically about fursuiting, I've got friends my age hooked on fursuiters, furry cons, and getting their own suit and characters going. I must say, the fandom is addicting! So much fun! Such a great playground! A great place to play, create, express, and share interests. It's costuming dream come true!
A fursuit is a costume, yes. Nothing less, nothing more. How people view that is going to be totally different than you. I don't think of myself as a "furry." I don't relate to the word in anyway on a personal level. I kinda grew up with a bad outlook on the fandom so I just never attached to the word. My view on it is completely different now, but I will not refer to myself as a "Furry."
If other people call me that, well, I do fursuit and that is what I am to the general public. I'm all right with that, there's no avoiding that. You won't even see me call myself "furry." I'm a costumer or a cosplayer. Fursuiter is the closest I get to the word, "Furry." Those are just the words I've used for years before I found out I AM technically what you call a "Furry" from the standpoint of the fandom.
Got into an argument with another furry about how I HAD to call myself one. I do not. The word is subjective. So subjective not every fursuiter sees it the same way. That means, I can totally not see it to mean anything to me, right? Yes? Okay, lol! I don't remember there being a rule about what it means as far as lifestyles go.
Anyways, that's my two cents about it. The ultimate WOW costume. Yeah, you'll get "Wow's" all right, lol!
