Posts Tagged ‘conventions’

34 items.

C2E2 Day One

by Colleen Doran on April 16th, 2010
Posted In: Blog

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.

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Off to C2E2 UPDATED

by Colleen Doran on April 15th, 2010
Posted In: Blog

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.

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Wondercon

by Colleen Doran on April 4th, 2010
Posted In: Blog, Culture, Comics, Colleen's Work, Shows/Exhibits

Hi all,

Still at Wondercon, and would have posted sooner except I couldn’t remember my own password.

As usual, I was certain this show would be full of angst, trial, trauma, and convention crud, but I am happy to report it has turned out to be one of the most pleasant and rewarding conventions in recent memory.

Not only have the fans been uniformly pleasant and fun, but the pros have also been a delight.

Phil Foglio was kind enough to give me some valuable advice on webcomics publishing.

Amanda Conner was slightly bowed by a cold, but ever the trouper, stepped in to complete two charming drawings for the CBLDF Live Art Jam. Sergio Aragonez provided fortifying hugs and kisses, and Gail Simone was dazzingly pretty with her red hair and glowing complexion. Trina Robbins was also sporting a new, short red do. She looked wonderful.

The staff is supreme, organized, attentive and supportive. I can’t think of a single thing that hasn’t gone right, except for a minor snafu with security. They kept stopping guests with exhibitor badges for some reason. Whatever, all was straightened out.

I’ve truly enjoyed everything about this show, including the location, which is in the center of a pleasant shopping district, with great places to eat and hang out.

And since this is a comics oriented show, I am amongst my people, and lo, it was good.

Excellent response to the Creator Rights panel with Mark Evanier and Mike Lovitz. My heart swells with pride. A young lady approached me today saying she has been inspired to pursue IP law.

If I can get home without getting convention crud, this will be the Compleat Convention, both Perfekt and Pleasant in All Glorious Ways.

I brought my work with me, and shut down a half hour early to get to my room, order dinner, and get back to drawing.

I’ll be home Tuesday.

PS: One bit of bad news: analog art supplies were not to be found. I made sure to run to the bank for cash to buy pens, paper, ink, etc. but not a single dealer had the goods. Bummer.

Plenty of people selling software and computer equipment. The shape of things already here, I guess.

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Wondercon and C2E2

by Colleen Doran on March 27th, 2010
Posted In: Blog, Colleen's Work, Colleen's Work, Shows/Exhibits

I’ll be at Wondercon this coming weekend and C2E2 two weeks later.

I am not bringing loads to sell. Only one box of books per show, and whatever art will fit in the suitcase.

I am also not taking commissions. I am sorry, but my commitments to my current long-suffering commissioners and clients must be honored.

I really expected to be about three weeks further along on my work than this, but them’s the breaks. Too much volunteerism, not enough drawing. The sacrifices I make for my fellow creators! Excuse me a moment while I crawl down off my cross…

I will be working on my assignments while at the show, so will have no trouble taking the time to talk to you, do free doodles, and draw my assignments right there in front of your eyes. And I will only have the most generic, non-spoiler pages in front of you while I work, so I won’t give any plot points away. This will make my editors happy.

Here is my event schedule at Wondercon:

Spotlight on Colleen Doran
Friday, APRIL 2
3:30-4:30pm  
ROOM 236/238
Moderator: Derek McCulloch, author of Gone to Amerikay, my current art obsession.
 
Creator Rights
Saturday, APRIL 3
12:00-1:00pm  
ROOM 232/234

Also, there is a Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Live Art Jam on Saturday, which I believe is at 1 PM.

UPDATE:

1:30-3:00 CBLDF Live Art Jam— Witness live art created before your eyes by comics masters, and bid on the chance to carry an original piece home! Watch as WonderCon special guests Darwyn Cooke, Amanda Conner, Colleen Doran, and Darick Robertson give you a glimpse behind the scenes of their artistic processes. The Live Art Jam is a treat for fans and students alike. All art will be auctioned to benefit the First Amendment legal work of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. You will need a bidder number to bid on art at this event, which will be distributed at the start of the event. Winning bidders will be able to claim their art from the CBLDF’s booth 725. Room 220
Categories: Art & Illustration | Comic Books | Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

I don’t know if my Marvel Girl Comics piece will be out by the show, but I know some of you have those copies of Amazing Spider-Man #600. Happy to sign them for you. I may be able to bring one Absolute Sandman or one Absolute Death, but I dunno. I’m sure dealers will have some, too.

Please forgive me for not being able to make more of a splash and have more goodies for you. I will be available at my table to talk all you want, and I apologize to everyone who asked for commissions. I just don’t have the time right now.

All in all, I just hope this pimple on my nose goes away before next week.

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COMICS ARE EVIL and other laughalots.

by Colleen Doran on November 4th, 2009
Posted In: Blog, Culture, Comics, Culture, Fandom, Humor, Culture, Literature, Fantasy, Lord of the Rings

I don’t know what’s funnier, this article:

Here is a war photo in which the Jewish Superman poses with allied troops. Later “Superman” movies continued to portray actors who look similar to the original embodiment of the ubermensch concept.

Super_Hero_6[2]

…or the comments thread, in which some people do not seem to recognize the satire as satire.

Includes strong language. See terrifying true trauma tales of artist vs client!

Hat Tip: Val Trullinger.

Lord of the Rings actor Mark Ferguson, AKA Nanosecond Gil Galad writes a humorous account of his fantasy convention adventures.

One couple from Germany became a pair of giant, green insects, complete with inbuilt, stereophonic clicking noises. They’d spent all their holidays and weekends making the costumes. The rest of the year they work in a bank, but today they’re cicada-like creatures that no can of Raid is going to stop.

Mark looking aweary, backstage at a Ringcon from years past. You’d look weary too if you partied like this dude.

mark11-09

I took a ton of shots of him meaning to use him as a model for my next book, but he ended up being all wrong for the part. Oh well, maybe later. He was a hoot to hang with.

Many thanks for the LULZ.

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