Appearances may be approaching

I will be exposing myself at gencon in Indianapolis, or rather, appearing to the public and exposing them to my art. My booth number is #2633. If you look on the exhibit hall map, you can see this is situated somewhere between the island of Atlantis, and mars. Which is to say it will be hard to find. If there is a bright center of the universe, my booth is the booth that is farthest from it.

However, I will endeavor to make it a worthy destination, as always. This year I bring free booze, go-go dancers, cake, fireworks, and lots of art. Most of that was a lie.

 

I will be bringing a good number of original pencil works this time, including matted original drawings of my Magic the Gathering cards, over a dozen in fact, and the first time I have offered any of these particular works for sale, and a full portfolio of artist proof magic cards, all with pen drawings on the backs for extra spice and flavor. I learned a lot about these last year, and what people seem to want and what they have less interest in. Just random fantasy drawing, even well executed, is surprisingly in less demand then simply cool stuff. And so I have heard your pleas and answered back with generous abandon.

I will also have several large canvases on display, 3 ft. x 4 ft., which will make up a good amount of my display, and while they almost certainly won't sell due to their size and price tag, they should add quite a layer of frothy ambiance to the background. Which is really more what I'm going for anyway.

I have also secured a table in the art show of Dragon Con. I made a larger purchase then I originally realized in fact, not realizing that I was purchasing the "full package", which evidently at Dragoncon, entitles you to a death star sized area for display, including a table in the "Bazaar", a spot in the print shop, and two large bays in the gallery. These bays are 8 ft. long and 4 ft. deep. each. Which means I have inadvertently acquired an area fully the size of two booths at most conventions when I thought I was just doing a slightly pricey art show. Which would have meant I was sitting at a table. Generally a small one. With a tiny amount of art laid out both upon and behind said table.

So instead of that small presentation, I'm now forced to bring my full artistly powers to bear, doing it up with utmost zeal and workmanship. So to sum up, basically I'm hanging lots of stuff, and about twice as much as I originally planned.

I also have one more new announcement for the schedule this year, I am signed up for my first Magic Grande Prix in Orlando, which is totally a thing if you're into Magic, and the gladiatorial mindset it encourages. Tales of such events have been relayed to me over the years from many of my artist peers in the business, tales of such harrowing adventure and daring, glorious enterprise that I simply had no choice but to seek out such an event, and involve myself in its roiling sea of potential.

So that should be cool.

 Lastly, I may also be appearing somewhere in and around the United Kingdom, during the exact weekend of the Legend of the Five Rings world championships, so I may be stopping in there as well. I will announce that shortly if it can be made a real thing.

If you can make it to Indianapolis, see you in two weeks

Spectrum Live 2014

A little over a week ago, I was in Kansas City, as foretold. It was a lot of fun, and Spectrum Live, a convention of artists and for artists, is definitely growing every year. It is still quite small compared to any comic convention I've ever attended, but that can actually be a good thing. It allows people to walk around and actually spend the time to look at art, talk to the artists, and not feel pushed around and herded like cattle. Which is never terribly appealing, and a reality in almost every convention out there, except this one.
As in past years, that is to say, both of them, it was host to the brightest stars in fantasy art, and around every corner was another masterpiece of the genre, being touted by its humble creator. Also I was there, doing my best not to look too humble in such vaunted company. As proof, I have a shot of my booth from the show floor here.

 

This photo is courtesy of the moderately tall and extremely Internet famous Noah Bradley. This may be one of his finest works.

During the convention hours, I had the chance to work on only one piece, a detailed drawing that I could manage while talking and drawing, and not worry about the difficult stuff. Like perspective, or anatomy. Or much lighting, or texture. But it was a lot of fun, and I thought it turned out pretty well, so I wanted to include it here, so you can observe what art looks like when an artist only pays half his attention to a drawing.

 

Anyway, I flew into town Thursday night, and that evening and the next three days were kind of a blur. For such a relaxed convention, it's amazing how fast it seems to go by. Days filled with awesome art, and some great conversation, and nights filled with much of the same. And a little alcohol as well. It's always a privilege to see such good people in the business that has been my life's pursuit, and it's never enough time spent with them when it's all over, and time to pack up and leave. And while all the booth setup is a lot of work, and the packing up after the fact even more so, I can't wait to do it again.

Which will be in August, at Gencon.