A Distant Soil by Colleen Doran

Some idiot called at 5:30 AM, and I was unable to get back to sleep. Certain I would be low energy for the show, I completely overdid the energy drinks pick-me-up and got babbly and stayed babbly for hours. I am sure there were people who were deeply desperate to get away from me after five minutes.

Also, misread the show instructions and thought the show began at 10 AM. There I was in the hall at 9:00 AM for setup. Show didn’t begin until 1 PM. So I sat there like an idiot for awhile wondering where everyone was until someone hit me with a clue stick.

At least I got to wander the hall and do a little shopping. Wonderful, great selection of all kinds of collectible stuff, as well as art supplies. I had already loaded up at Utrect’s the day before, but there were a few things I was unable to find there. Dick Blick has a booth at the show and the staff promised to return tomorrow with a certain type of pen eraser I really like.

Everyone is super-friendly and things are going very smoothly.

One very minor sour note concerns a clueless guy who shows up at every show and drives the pros crazy. He doesn’t have a mean bone in his body so I can’t bring myself to be curt with the fellow, but as God is my witness he returned many times and spent a good hour-and-a-half hanging out. I was ready to gnaw off my own leg. He doesn’t mean any harm, but dang. You just don’t want to be the fan all the pros know by your nickname. Even fans were rolling their eyes. He would not step aside to let other people up to the table. If he actually bought my books and read my work, I might be more enthusiastic. But he doesn’t. I’m really not sure how to handle this fellow.

Business was kind of slow, but I am not at the show to make money. I was just glad to be able to enjoy the very pleasant venue. The convention reminds me of San Diego Con about 15 years ago. Big, but not out of control.

This convention center is massive and gorgeous. It has many amenities, and you can get from the hotel to the show without ever having to go outside. But it is a very long walk.

It looks like the underground metro system stops here. I considered using it to get into town, but don’t have enough confidence in my urban navigation skills.

Do wish the convention center shops and food vendors would stay open longer hours. It might be nice to actually be able to grab something late in the evening or early in the morning. Like at that fudge shop.

Going out with friends to dinner. Intended to stay in, but the show was so slow where I am way back at the very very back that even major creators had plenty of private time. This has got to be a great show for fans because the waits just aren’t that long for anything. Maybe tomorrow will be different.

Picked up some t-shirts I do not need for me and family, but just not spending on much outside of art supply needs.

Am having a great time, but very antsy to get back to work already. I feel a little guilty for going out to dinner, but not guilty enough not to go.

Hope that idiot doesn’t call at 5:30 AM again, because I know where he lives.

By the time you read this I will be on my way to Chicago. Looking forward to seeing you!

And I just wanted to dash off a note to let you guys know that some projects got wrapped up, another project just got a push back on the schedule, and another project got moved up.

It’s all good news. Lots of good news I can’t post, but all VERY good news.

Also, when I get back from Chicago, I have a list of commissions and packages to send out. Sorry to all those who have been very patiently waiting, but I sincerely hope it’s been worth the trauma.

I will NOT be taking any commissions at Chicago because even though my schedule has a breather in it, I need to take advantage of that time to move forward on current work.

I won’t be able to take any new commissions until early next year. I sincerely appreciate EVERY request. Thank you so much for your kind interest.

Please don’t feel as if you are bothering me when you remind me about a commission. I have the memory span of a mayfly and when I get going on a project, the blinders are up. A friendly reminder once in awhile is not an imposition, but a welcome communication with someone who cares about my work enough to come to me for something special. Don’t ever think I don’t want to hear from you.

I only have a few commissions hanging fire now. Whew!

Anyway, C2E2 should be major good fun, and if it is even half as pleasant as Wondercon, I will be most grateful.

This year is turning out to be absolutely fantastic in every way. I have had such good luck, many inquiries for new gigs, new working relationships, and wonderful times with old friends. I am so positive and motivated (if occasionally overworked,) that I pray this continues for about a decade.

With a little more time to sleep. That would be nice, too!

UPDATE: Not used to city traffic. Will need therapy. Took longer to get from airport to hotel than it did to fly here.

Went straight to Russian restaurant I remember fondly from last visit, then off to Utrecth’s art supply store. Cleaned them out of Faber Castell black pens, drafting dots, sandpaper boards, Bought enough goodies to last an entire year. Very happy with the prices: nearly half what I normally pay. Great sale going on!

Very friendly, helpful, knowledgeable staff, and super selection. Everything but Deleter. And I mean everything. They were even selling encaustic paints on a table near the door. Never seen encaustics for sale anywhere.

Never seen anyone use encaustics.

Early day tomorrow.

Have internet in room, so will blog away after each day. Will curl up in bed with drawing board, and order pay per view each night.