Thanks for agreeing to this interview for Alternative Cash. Let's start with an introduction – what is your name, and what do you do for a living?
My name is Kat Leith and I am a student working in retail. I aim to finish my writing degree so I can be an editor. I've also considered teaching. I am returning to college in January.
How did you get into making fursuits?
I'll replace "job" with "hobby" here, though I do hope to one day make it a source of real income. I used to be really into Japanese animation and I was actively on the internet participating in fan sites and the like, when I came across a different kind of fandom called "furries" who put more emphasis on anthropomorphic characters (like Bugs Bunny or Mickey Mouse) than human ones. I thought it was pretty interesting so I started to do art and make my own character but I didn't get really active into the costuming aspect of it until a couple years ago. I tried making my first costume just for fun, but I didn't have anywhere to take it or use it so it didn't see much action. Once I outgrew that character, I sold the costume and that was kind of a rush! I loved that someone liked my creative work enough to buy it, and I have been interested in doing that ever since. Then, I met my now boyfriend who encourages me to pursue my artistic interests as a whole! That includes fursuit building.
Did you need any special training, or did you have a background in this kind of hobby?
Nope! Anyone can build a fursuit. All you need is a basic knowledge of shapes (for carving the head and feet shapes) and sewing (for making the body and tail and furring the head and feet) and a ton of patience! Just like anything else, all it takes is patience and practice.
What do you like about it?
It allows me to be creative and to make something others can enjoy! Nothing is more fulfilling than seeing someone frolic around in a costume you made specifically for them and genuinely enjoy it.
What are the downsides, if any, to your line of work?
It's difficult to break into when you're first starting out (like I still am) as far as getting people to take commissions.
How do you overcome that particular hurdle?
Keep posting your work for people to see to try to gain a sort of audience for your work.
What sites are the best for building an audience for furry art?
Describe your typical work day:
Spend 6 to 8 hours a day carving foam and sewing fabric. Not much to it, really.
What resources would you recommend to a new person getting into this line of work (books, websites, classes, etc)?
(I recommend) http://www.matrices.net/fursuiting.asp and http://fursuit.livejournal.com/ .
Just research it and see what other people have done! That's how I learned ALL of what I know about it. Then, take what you get from them and put your own efforts and creativity into it.
Do you have a website, book, or portfolio you'd like to share with Alt Cash?
Not much of a portfolio to speak of just yet.
*To check out Kat's work or commission her, follow THIS link.
Hopefully you'll be getting some commissions soon. I'd love to do a follow up with you.
**While Kat doesn't have a wide range yet for her portfolio, I have seen some of her work from the past year. She's come a long way with her craft, and gets better every time she makes something new.
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