[CW: This interview contains NSFW, sexually explicit artwork.]
If you’ve been following the blog for a while now then you have likely already surmised that I’m a pretty big furry fan, or more specifically: I fucking LOVE queer furry porn. Lucky for me, the furry art scene is BURSTING with queer furry art and sex comics.
In fact, I’m pretty confident in saying that in terms of sheer volume alone the furry scene seems to have more queer and trans positive sexual content than any other art genre out there.
But, like, why? Why is it that the furry community seems to be such a huge conduit for expressions of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity? I dunno.
Since late last summer I’ve had the pleasure of first speaking with SalKitten, then with SerialDad, and just a few months ago I had a great chat with HootSewers (aka MrSewers).
This time around I reached out to the ever fabulous Alex Ket, aka TakimiNada, whose work I only recently just discovered but immediately became enamored with.
Here’s what we got to talking about:
What initially drew you to the furry/anthro community and what do you enjoy about making furry art?
TakimiNada: I love animal people! I used to read furry porn comics (guilty pleasure of my teen years) and in 2016 I finally decided I had to sit down and indulge myself a little. And, well, I was also looking for a source of income, so that helped.
I enjoy the patterns and different shapes and body sizes it can offer! It’s a lot of fun playing with the proportions and the way animal parts are integrated.
Do you still read or look at a lot of NSFW furry comics and art? If so, what are some of your favorite comics or who are some of your favorite artists?
TakimiNada: Not really! I read a few a long time ago, not anymore. I barely ever have time to check out comics, and when I do, I revisit old favourites like Sunstone and Alfie. The comics I used to read were by Jay Naylor btw! I was pleasantly surprised he was still doing art, when I found his page on [Fur Affinity]!
What do you personally enjoy most about drawing furry erotica (yiff)?
TakimiNada: It’s mostly an anatomy exercise for me and, well, I enjoy drawing dicks. Dicks are a lot of fun. Jokes (not really jokes) aside, I really enjoy being able to express one’s desires in a simple visual manner. It’s a little weird to me to know people jerked it to my art tho, so I try not to think about it!
In your opinion, what do you think is the general appeal of erotic, sexual furry art to people? Why are so many people into that adult content?
TakimiNada: I think it’s a certain sense of anonimity that people enjoy. You know, it’s like a dress-up play, but with sex – a lot of people are into that, and furry art allows that and much more. They probably feel more safe with a persona (fursona) in porn instead of their actual living selves? I can’t really say for sure if that’s the case though. For me it’s the fantasies that are impossible irl for one reason or another.
As a queer individual yourself, how big of a part, if any, does your identity play in the art that you create?
TakimiNada: It doesn’t really play any part in my art, to be completely honest. Except, maybe, educating me on the derogatory terms some people use for their characters? But it’s their choice and their business, so I only shrug if I hear “dickgirl” or “cuntboy”. It’s definitely fetishistic, but I’m not gonna kinkshame anyone.
The furry community generally seems to attract a fandom of very diverse sexualities as well as gender identities and expressions. Why do you think that is?
TakimiNada: I most definitely agree with that! I think it’s because of the freedom of not being shamed cuz of your identity. Furry folks seem to be shamed by the outside communities, but normally not within the fandom.
A lot of [people] seem to think furries are zoophiles, which probably turns them off of the furry fandom. The argument of “animal people is weird!” had gotten invalid with the popularity of movies with animal people in them, especially such as Zootopia. Some people still hang onto that one though. A lil silly imo.
[So] I’ve seen a few xenophobic people in the community, but they’re most definitely more rare than in the outside world of non-furry stuff.
I just feel like furries are often more open-minded, since they’re in a minority. There’s always exceptions to every rule, but as far as I’ve been in the furdom, I’ve been always welcome and greeted with nice words and encouragement. It’s honestly refreshing.
Gay furry art is also very widespread, and makes for a good advertisement of how accepting (most) furries are.
In looking through your work, I couldn’t help but notice you live in Russia, which is known to be extremely unsafe for, and unwelcoming of, queer and trans individuals. What have your personal experiences been like there?
TakimiNada: I just moved from Russia to Brazil, but I spent my whole life in Russia, yes. It’s extremely unsafe and unwelcoming, unless you know the right people. Most non-queer folks in Russia that I’ve seen had the mentality of “as long as I’m not involved, it’s ok”. But we all know that’s bullshit, and that’s exactly why queer kids in Russia tend not to come out to their parents unless they’re desperate or they know for sure their parents’ stance on LGBTQ+. Honestly, it’s really sad and I don’t think the situation is gonna improve much in the coming years. We can hope though!
I’m glad to hear that you were able to get out of Russia and be somewhere else, though Brazil is not without it’s epidemic of anti-queer violence also. How has the move been for you so far?
TakimiNada: I agree! Thank you. My boyfriend’s female cousin is getting married with her girlfriend soon, so that makes me feel a little easier, even if I’m in a hetero relationship. The move’s been awesome! I am feeling at home and welcome in this house and overall country. Brazilians are very warm people, and after the Russia’s coldness it’s definitely a 180! :3
What role do you think artists and their creations can have in raising awareness for the violence, discrimination, and human rights struggles that queer and trans people face?
TakimiNada: A mildly big role, I would say. Lots of non-queer (and overall non-minority) people don’t understand the importance of visibility, and it’s pretty sad. If trans and queer folks didn’t make themselves visible, at least on some level, people would still be unaware of the existence of such. Normalizing queer and trans people is super important, and artists are doing a good job at accomplishing just that.
For more awesome artwork, check out TakimiNada’s Fur Affinity account. Be sure to also follow them on Twitter and DeviantArt too.