Carolyn "Cat" Bedell
FREELANCE ILLUSTRATOR
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Toon Furs
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Toon Furs is an artistic, safe for work sub-section of the furry fandom, a
close-knit community that share a common interest for animation. Typically, the members of this group are into Western (American) cartoons, inspired by Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry, Animaniacs, Walt Disney Pictures movies, Don Bluth Studio movies, and much, much more. Slapstick comedy and toon humor are welcomed and encouraged!
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This subculture is inclusive to all forms and eras of animation, including Japanese anime, European and other international cartoons, stop motion, and computer generated animation. This is a space for novice cartoon fans to experienced members from the animation industry to come together, share common interests, support fellow cartoonists, and meet up at various art-based and furry conventions in the continental United States.
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Since 2023, Cat has been one of the active representatives for the Toon Furs online community, hosting and moderating a Discord Server, creating original mascots for the community, and planned and hosted a couple of panels at art-based conventions in Pennsylvania (Anthrocon, 2023) and Michigan (Motor City Furry Con 2024). These panels have been recorded and edited by Cat, and are available to be watched below.
Toon Furs/Panel Videos
DeadPossumCo Presents:
Toon Furs: The History, Controversy, and Future of our Subculture
What the fluff are Toon Furs?! Despite being a part of the furry fandom since the very beginning, Toon Furs have been overshadowed by the Science Fiction/Fantasy and Anime origins of the Fandom. So… what’s with all of those rascally toon furries? Let’s talk about the Toon Furs community, its involvement in the early years of the Fandom, the alleged controversy, and the future of Toon Furs!
This video has been made for educational purposes, and is protected under fair use. All copyrighted material used in this video belong to their rightful owners.
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Filmed, edited and research by Cat Bedell.
Recorded in-home in Ohio.
DeadPossumCo Presents:
The Acme Guide to Toonifying Our Fursonas!
Hosted by Reggie/Cat Bedell (she/her), an Ohio based illustrator, comic artist, and novice animation historian. Since 2023, Cat has been one of the active representatives for the Toon Furs subsection of the Furry Fandom. She is an advocate for the preservation and accessibility of historically and culturally significant cartoons and films. This is her first experience hosting and participating in a panel at a convention.
This video is a recording of “DeadPossumCo Presents: The Acme Guide to Toonifying Our Fursonas!”, performed live in-person by Cat Bedell, Ye Aung, and Taijey. All outside clips belong to their rightful owners. Additional commentary and edits produced by DeadPossumCo/Cat Bedell. Published as a part of her “Toon Furs” series, which focuses on the toon side of the Furry Fandom.
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Filmed on location at Anthrocon, Pittsburgh, PA, June 2023.
Toon Furs After Dark:
Removing the Censor Bar
Hosted by Reggie/Cat Bedell (she/her), an Ohio based illustrator, comic artist, and novice animation historian. Since 2023, Cat has been one of the active representatives for the Toon Furs subsection of the Furry Fandom. She is an advocate for the preservation and accessibility of historically and culturally significant cartoons and films. This is her first solo panel at a convention.
This video is a recording of “Toon Furs After Dark: Removing the Censor Bar”, performed live in-person by Cat Bedell and Hydie. This panel and additional commentary is for an 18+ audience. All outside clips belong to their rightful owners. Additional commentary and edits produced by DeadPossumCo/Cat Bedell (she/her). Published as a part of her “Toon Furs” series, which focuses on the toon side of the Furry Fandom.
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Filmed on location at Motor City Furry Con, Ypsilanti, MI, April 2024.
​​​Cat's involvement in this community is based on three words: "Educate, entertain, and explore." Using her interest in animation and film history, Cat's panels focus on educating members on the historical significance cartoons have had and continue to have in the future, providing a clear thesis on the popular traits and archetypes found in animation and how inspired artists and writers can take inspiration from these sources for their own original works. She loves sharing less-known cartoons with her audience, taking suggestions, and encouraging others to spread their own knowledge on the expanding world of animation. Lastly. and most importantly, Cat is a strong advocate for the availability and restoration of historic and international cartoons to the public, including cartoons which may be banned, on the basis of education and historical significance. She has become one of the bigger representatives of this subculture, creating and moderating a community on Discord, fostering a safe space for other Toon Furs to meet, make friends and share their artwork.
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Besides hosting and filming cartoon panels at conventions, Cat has also designed mascots for the Discord server, and larger Toon Furs community. Using Redbubble, a print-on-demand custom merchandise site, merchandise featuring the Toon Furs logo and the Toon Furs mascots are available for members. All funds raised (20% of each sale) helps with production on future Toon Furs videos, social media management, and panels/meet ups at conventions!​
The two mascots of the Toon Furs Discord Server and social media pages, based on suggestions from members in the Discord server. Both characters are named after one of the greats of animation history- Chuck Jones.
Illustration including 50+ Toon Furs' characters from the past twenty years. All characters belong to their respectful owners. Created as a celebration of the end of Toon June 2024.
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