How my characters came to be
How they were named, the symbolism behind their stories and designs, and what they mean to me.
_Zephyr
The name, Zephyr, comes from years ago, even before I became a furry. It means "wind" or "breeze", and wind is my favorite element. I actually was looking for anything wind-related when I was searching for a name, and ended up finding "zephyr" used in a book, and I liked it.
Zephyr is a cat/dragon hybrid. Before I landed on that, I spent some time as each a cat or a dragon individually, and neither felt right by themselves. The cat - furry, warm, cute, likeable, graceful, independent, and content - represents more of the things I wish I could be and the good parts of myself. The dragon - scaled, cold, withdrawn, selfish, and easy to anger - represents pieces of my personality that I'm not always happy with or things that I don't want to let myself become. I like to think that maybe someday when I'm more confident in myself I might feel comfortable being full cat, but my current hybrid suits me now. And the wings are a plus. :)
Her coloring is greyscale (black/white/grey) mostly because I'm a fan of muted colors. Her white fur reminds me of winter snow, and the stark contrast of black markings come from the darker side of her personality. Her "habitat" being in a snowy climate, she blends in well with her surroundings, just as I tend to blend in with crowds. Her eyes, a vivid purple, hold the only color on her. Purple is my favorite color, and the bright saturation of her eyes represents the strong, unique spirit she holds inside her otherwise "dull" exterior.
Zephyr is me, and therefore is most commonly used in my own personal emotional art. She has no backstory of her own aside from basic details about where and how she lives within her world.
The name, Zephyr, comes from years ago, even before I became a furry. It means "wind" or "breeze", and wind is my favorite element. I actually was looking for anything wind-related when I was searching for a name, and ended up finding "zephyr" used in a book, and I liked it.
Zephyr is a cat/dragon hybrid. Before I landed on that, I spent some time as each a cat or a dragon individually, and neither felt right by themselves. The cat - furry, warm, cute, likeable, graceful, independent, and content - represents more of the things I wish I could be and the good parts of myself. The dragon - scaled, cold, withdrawn, selfish, and easy to anger - represents pieces of my personality that I'm not always happy with or things that I don't want to let myself become. I like to think that maybe someday when I'm more confident in myself I might feel comfortable being full cat, but my current hybrid suits me now. And the wings are a plus. :)
Her coloring is greyscale (black/white/grey) mostly because I'm a fan of muted colors. Her white fur reminds me of winter snow, and the stark contrast of black markings come from the darker side of her personality. Her "habitat" being in a snowy climate, she blends in well with her surroundings, just as I tend to blend in with crowds. Her eyes, a vivid purple, hold the only color on her. Purple is my favorite color, and the bright saturation of her eyes represents the strong, unique spirit she holds inside her otherwise "dull" exterior.
Zephyr is me, and therefore is most commonly used in my own personal emotional art. She has no backstory of her own aside from basic details about where and how she lives within her world.
Blaise
Blaise's name came from a childhood friend of mine. Blaise was actually her brother's name, and it just kind of stuck with me. Despite the name being somewhat masculine, I think it fits her as a character very well anyway.
I'm not entirely sure why I chose a jackal, of all things. I needed more drawing practice with canines at the time I created her. I loved the markings of the jackal, and it felt more unique than picking a wolf or fox. It just seemed right for her.
Blaise, as a character, is a type of release for me. I am an extremely responsible person who is terrified of breaking rules or doing things to stand out in a crowd. Blaise is the exact opposite of that - an outgoing, irresponsible person who lives in the moment and doesn't give a damn what anyone else thinks of her. There are days where I wish I could be more like that, and Blaise is how I express that longing. Also created during a period of my life while struggling with my sexual identity, Blaise also expresses those feelings for me.
Blaise has a world and story built around her, which she shares with Alexis. A lot of art containing Blaise contains themes of sexuality.
Blaise's name came from a childhood friend of mine. Blaise was actually her brother's name, and it just kind of stuck with me. Despite the name being somewhat masculine, I think it fits her as a character very well anyway.
I'm not entirely sure why I chose a jackal, of all things. I needed more drawing practice with canines at the time I created her. I loved the markings of the jackal, and it felt more unique than picking a wolf or fox. It just seemed right for her.
Blaise, as a character, is a type of release for me. I am an extremely responsible person who is terrified of breaking rules or doing things to stand out in a crowd. Blaise is the exact opposite of that - an outgoing, irresponsible person who lives in the moment and doesn't give a damn what anyone else thinks of her. There are days where I wish I could be more like that, and Blaise is how I express that longing. Also created during a period of my life while struggling with my sexual identity, Blaise also expresses those feelings for me.
Blaise has a world and story built around her, which she shares with Alexis. A lot of art containing Blaise contains themes of sexuality.
Alexis
Alexis is a name that I always liked, particularly when I was younger. I just like the sound of it.
She was created partially as a character to be a part of Blaise's story, as her mate. Because of that, I knew I wanted her to be a canine. I designed her color scheme - made up of varying blues - before picking her species. I decided I wanted a species of dog whose coat could naturally be "blue", and eventually landed on the speckled blue coat of a cattle dog. Combined with husky traits to give her a light-colored belly and thick, curly tail, I felt the mix was good for her.
Alexis represents the type of person I used to be, or am trying to accept. Although her story is entwined with Blaise's, much of her backstory is inspired from my own personal history. She also shares my fears, though amplified in her character.
Alexis is a name that I always liked, particularly when I was younger. I just like the sound of it.
She was created partially as a character to be a part of Blaise's story, as her mate. Because of that, I knew I wanted her to be a canine. I designed her color scheme - made up of varying blues - before picking her species. I decided I wanted a species of dog whose coat could naturally be "blue", and eventually landed on the speckled blue coat of a cattle dog. Combined with husky traits to give her a light-colored belly and thick, curly tail, I felt the mix was good for her.
Alexis represents the type of person I used to be, or am trying to accept. Although her story is entwined with Blaise's, much of her backstory is inspired from my own personal history. She also shares my fears, though amplified in her character.
Violet
Violet's name, somewhat obviously, comes from the fact that I like purple, and she is very purple.
Her species and design were created before she had a name or personality, but I decided to turn her into a character. Violet is an unsympathetic psychopath who's a little selfish but not afraid to do what needs to be done. Simply put, I tend to draw her when I'm feeling a little insane and/or furious at people.
Violet's name, somewhat obviously, comes from the fact that I like purple, and she is very purple.
Her species and design were created before she had a name or personality, but I decided to turn her into a character. Violet is an unsympathetic psychopath who's a little selfish but not afraid to do what needs to be done. Simply put, I tend to draw her when I'm feeling a little insane and/or furious at people.
Skyphos
Skyphos comes from the Greek name for a type of vase. I found it while browsing a museum once, and the term stuck with me. It's very fitting for him because, in his story, Skyphos is a vessel for the powerful magic he holds.
Skyphos was created to be Violet's partner in her story, and therefore needed to be feline. I chose a cheetah because I loved the idea of a fast, lean, powerful form for him. Skyphos is many of the same things Violet is to me, but he expresses much more cold, emotionless violence. I tend to draw him when I'm feeling detached from the world or alone.
Skyphos comes from the Greek name for a type of vase. I found it while browsing a museum once, and the term stuck with me. It's very fitting for him because, in his story, Skyphos is a vessel for the powerful magic he holds.
Skyphos was created to be Violet's partner in her story, and therefore needed to be feline. I chose a cheetah because I loved the idea of a fast, lean, powerful form for him. Skyphos is many of the same things Violet is to me, but he expresses much more cold, emotionless violence. I tend to draw him when I'm feeling detached from the world or alone.
Navigation:
My characters: Home -- Zephira -- Blaise and Alexis -- Violet and Skyphos -- What they mean to me
My art: About -- Commission prices -- Ordering a commission -- To-do list and availability -- FAQ -- Leave a service review -- Contact me
My characters: Home -- Zephira -- Blaise and Alexis -- Violet and Skyphos -- What they mean to me
My art: About -- Commission prices -- Ordering a commission -- To-do list and availability -- FAQ -- Leave a service review -- Contact me