Spirit-Fox.com :: b a n s h o u ::

Why Spirit Fox?
To sum it up very briefly and as possible, Lets just say I have a strong spiritual interest in foxes, (specifically Kitsune) as well as the human soul. Smushing the two together we get Spiritfox an hence, my domain name :"3

Whats that Circular logo I see throughout the site, Did you Create that?
Not at all no. that "circular logo" you see isnt a logo at all, but a Japanese Seal/Crest. To be Specific - That of of Inari-sama; a Very diverse Shinto deity.

Can I use your artwork on my Website?
Please don't. All the graphics and art on this site I have worked hard on to make them my own if you use them, It would be taking form others hard and original work. and that's just not right.

Can I use you artwork for a personal forum/journal avatar?
Yes you can, but their are some conditions. First if the art is a commissioned piece of some one else's avatar/persona please don't, that's kinda like identity theft and I know the other person wouldn't appreciate that much. If it is a non commissioned piece, then by all means please do. However I request that a copy right mark © be placed along side or on the image with my name and a link back to my website.

Can I print out a piece of art from your page and hang it up?
What you want to decorate your walls/office/room/locker with is fine with me so long as you aren't making profit off of it. Heck, I'm honored if you like my art that much to hang it up!

Will you make me website graphics?
*chuckles* I'll make them for a price! if your interested in website graphics, please feel free to e-mail me I don't make free graphics and art for folks unless their gifts to repay favours or surprises for very good friends.

Can I modify your pixel art?
Absolutely not. and Please don't. While it may just be a bunch of silly little pixels to you, its still art that I placed hard work and time into. Please do not modify/trace or edit any of my pixel artwork.

Can I modify/edit your drawings to use them for my own?
Again. The answer is politely a "No". I work hard to make my creations and are happy with them as is. Please do no go back and edit pieces of my artwork digitally, adding jewelry or changing the hair/fur colours. All artwork is to be kept in its original content. Thanks

Can I use a picture you drew for reference?
I wouldn't recommend that. While you cannot copyright a certain pose, You wont learn anything from basing your artwork off anothers. When drawing subjects both familiar and unfamiliar I always use image references! If you cannot find pictures of the subject from life you want to draw, try corbis or getty one image banks.

What do you use to draw?
When using traditional mediums I use simple graphic pencils, micron pens and prizmacolour markers/pencils. When going Digital, I use Photoshop 7.0

What Kind of tablet do you use?
While I used to use my mouse up until 2005 I acquired a simple little small wacom graphire tablet last spring. Its helped my art grow leaps and bounds, and I highly recommend one!

What Programs do you use to make your digital art?
As stated earlier I use Adobe Photoshop and PSP, but also use vector based programs such as Flash and Illustrator. for my gif animations JASC Animamation shop Pro 3.

How do you make all those digital "sparkles/shinys" o.o?
*chuckles* I leaned many of my "eye candy" tricks from all ready made tutorials out there on the web but I also have enough special effect filters to choke a horse, While filters are helpful they can drown out the beauty of a piece, to be careful how and when you use them. I know all artists are guilty of using the lens flare to death at an early stage.

How do you make those borders/backgrounds?
A lot of my backgrounds and borders are made from editing brushes and belive it or not, Fonts. Dingbat fonts (AKA an ornamental spacer used in typesetting) are wonderful for this! I just simply rasterize the layer the font is on and work from there. One of the many "tricks of the trade"

Do you take requests?
I am always open to new ideas for subjects, So feel free to recommend something! However I may or may not use the ideas. I will not take requests for your personal characters. I don't do "free art"

Will you draw my avatar/persona?
Not unless your paying. If your intrested in a comission please see the Store page. thanks

Do you take are trades?
Normally when it comes to trades I am the one to approach the other artist about it. Due to limited time on my end. However if you are intrested in a trade, talk to me and we'll see what we can work out. The worst I can tell you is "No." correct?

Did you go to school?
I went to School for several years at Art Institute of Philadelphia as an Animator, then transferred back home to NY and Briarcliffe when I switched majors to graphic design. A very long story extremely short, is I never got a chance to finish school because of financial limitations on my end. While I learned a lot in school, much of what I know art wise, and in software is self taught.

What/whom are your inspirations?
Is their a way to answer this question without having to name names?.. heh I thought not ^^; Their a wide range of art, I would have to say person wise, a lot of my inspiration comes from artist such as Susan Seddon Boulet, Stephanie Pu-min Law and the simplicity and beauty of traditional sumi-e Japanese styled paintings. In the anthromorphics world defiantly Goldenwolf, Sandra san Tara, Tiina Purin, Xian Jaguar, Mearu Maggock Fireeyes, and the celtic stylings of Graywolf and Swandog. Theirs just so many to list! The energies and love of my friend and family.
However their is one bigger inspiration that no one can top. an that is Nature itself. The elements, the sky, the sea, the moon the stars, the sun. blades of grass, rocks, flowers. life. my own personal dreams. Okami-sama. In my heart I remember to thank these things daily.

You seem to have a lot of spiritual personal art, What beliefs/ideals do you follow?
I kinda trailed off into this question from the last. but to place it bluntly currently I am a practitioner and hold the ideals and beliefs of Shinto, with some personal eclectic ones I have learned over the years. I'll go into detail on this at a later date. Oh and for those whom have snarky thoughts and concepts in their mind about how non Japanese cant be Shinto, I suggest you take a look at Tsubaki Shrine of America

What are those stones arond your kitsune avatars neck? Do they mean anything?
Their called "Magatama" or in Korean; "Kokkok" Sacred curved shaped Jewels, The ones my avatar/I wear represent 3 things sacred to me. The Sea (aquamarine) The Sky (soladite) and the Soul (Garnet)

Any Goals for the Future?
I would love to be able to go back to college for a degree, since as stated earlier I never got to finish. I have eared then equivalent of an associates degree, but lack the paper diploma part. I would like to do this before 2009 when all my credits expire, but I don't believe sadly that this will happen. My dream job is s nice office where I can do my graphic work, with a company or a person (even freelance) that has a need and a desire for services that only I as an artist can provide. Other then that's its hard to say what dreams may come

I have a Question that isnt on here, Will you answer it for me?
Sure, If theirs something you would like to see here that isn't, simply email-me and I'll see what I can do about setting it up on here. thanks for your intrests!