Justin Carpenter

2006-03-04T23:29:40Z

72.131.6.59:

'''Justin Carpenter''' is an early-fandom [[furry]] artist and writer better known by his [[Furry fandom|fandom]] name '''Dusty Rancourt''', not to be confused with fellow early fandom mainstay [[Don Rhoades|Don "Dusty" Rhoades]]. Justin became active in furry fandom in 1990 with contributions to the [[Avatar Archive|St. Norbert College Avatar furry archives]], and appeared at several mid-Nineties furry [[convention]]s as a dealer. Justin's art is best known for its judicious use of the "triangle eye" (made famous by such artists as [[Michele Light]] and [[Eric W. Schwartz]]), and for portaits of early [[FurryMUCK]] personalities such as [[Stash]], [[Midori Hatamoto]] and [[Telzey Amberdon]]. Justin has been cited as an influence for such artists as [[Jessica Willard]], [[Randy Entinger]], [[Patrick Little]], and [[Waccoon]].

His formerly gregarious [[MUCK]] love life has earned his such dubious titles as "The Good Time Had By All Online" and "FurryMUCK's Liz Taylor", as well as his place beside MUCK personalities [[Lochiel]] and [[Cinnamon DeWolf]] as "The Big Bad Wolves Of FurryMUCK". He approaches these "distinctions" with some degree of embarrassment today.

Justin's primary [[character]] contribution to furry fandom, [[Dusty Rancourt]], is a high-risk entrepreneur and venture investor who runs an independent music label, [[Equinox Records]]. Dusty has been described as "equal parts Hugh Hefner and Hugh Grant," both everyman and wish fulfillment self-cipher, and his life serves as equal parts vicarious fantasy wish fulfillment and externalized reflection and critique of the same. A science fiction adaptation of the character also exists with a slightly modified life story, as does a gaslight fantasy adaptation who runs the [[Gypsy Theatre]] on [[Furtoonia]].

Justin's primary [[furry fiction|fiction]] contribution to furry fandom is an unfinished political thriller serial novella titled ''Grace Under Fire'', though he is better known for collaborative [[character]] and plot building with such better-known fandom luminaries as [[Tim Johnson|Tim "Ravenwolf" Johnson]] (Lyssk and Rusted Earth realms), [[Randy Entinger|Randy "Tremaine" Entinger]] and [[Dragon of the North|Dragon of the North]].

== The Fandom Essays ==

Justin announced his departure from the fandom in late 2004 due to a series of grievances with furry fandom social dynamics, outlined in a series of highly volatile treatises (some would say rants) referred to by the collective title "The Fandom Essays". He suggests that furry fandom has taken a collective affirmative stance on alternative [[lifestyle]]s and sexualities, and argues that affinity for "animal-people" is the only common point of agreement for [[furry fan]]s. Critics of these essays have argued that the author's bitterness has damaged the points he hoped to make by writing them, and some have compared his beliefs to the [[Burned Fur]] movement. Others cite that the essays' circulation today is a testament to the endurance of the points made in them, and argue that Justin cites personal discomfort with certain practices and alternative lifestyles in his essays, but does not suggest censure of these lifestyles on moral grounds or any other, only a code of conduct to be courteous to non-[[lifestyle]] [[furry fandom|furry fans]].

Justin himself has said that he did not expect the essays to receive the circulation they have, and while he stands by the arguments they represent, he acknowledges they were circulated in rawer and more emotive form than he would have preferred, having foreseen the response they would receive. He is aware of his reputation as a controversial figure, and states that he's comfortable with such a stigma.

Justin remains the owner and webmaster of the furry-friendly community web site [[House Rancourt]] (named for his primary [[fursona|furry alter ego]]), and the grandwiz and site administrator of [[House Rancourt MUCK]]. He also serves as co-writer and editor for his wife [[Stacie Carpenter]]'s literary projects, including the furry-themed ''Snowdrifts'' and ''One Man's Trash'' novellas.

== External links ==

* [http://houserancourt.sytes.net House Rancourt]
* [http://www.livejournal.com/tools/memories.bml?user=rancourt&keyword=Fandom+Essays&filter=all The Fandom Essays]
* [http://houserancourt.sytes.net/faq/faq.php?num=3&f_id=4 Justin Carpenter's FAQ]

[[Category:People]][[Category:Artists]][[Category:Writers]]

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Justin Carpenter