The Transformation Continues

So I guess I didn't write to much about it before, but over the last several months, since, around APE, I guess I'd say, I've been kinda working on this whole self transformation. Well, at least an "artist self" transformation. I've been working towards taking my art/comics side of my life much more seriously. Throughout my various con experiences, I've met some truly inspiring individuals who have really guided me on how to not only set my goals, but also work towards achieving them. Quite inspiring really.

It's kind of been a slow process, but I'm being patient. I mean, on top of just life happening, I still had various commitments to follow through with (such as completing Mastorism, which I felt was a tad detrimental to the takeoff of my transformation). One of my main troubles, though, was getting a good website going for myself (y'know, aside from this kick ass blog here), so I spend quite a great deal of time tearing down my old website and setting up a new one. One that was more oriented toward selling myself as a professional graphic designer (which I am) to pick up freelance jobs (or I guess you could call it "side work"), and it was very static and straightforward and business-like (about as business like as I get, anyway).

My goal was to get this site done in time for WonderCon so that if I gave my card to anyone, they would find my super duper great website. However, once I got to WonderCon, I almost found myself trying to talk people out of going to my website! I was thinking "THIS isn't what I want people to go to." Cause these people were fans, my website was set up for prospective professional clients to. One of the other problems I encountered was that I had a card for me, a card for Mastorism, and a card for Symbiosis Ink - and people wanted to know which card to take, and I couldn't even convince myself that any of those sites were ones that would satisfy what these people were after. Then, don't even get me started on how to inform people about THIS blog site.  Yikes!

So, on my five or so hour drive home, I thought long and hard about what all this meant. Part of what I was trying to do was to streamline (notice a re-occurring theme here?) my whole website situation so I could give people a one stop shop. This also meant I had to streamline WHO I AM (not so easy for someone like me to do). I think I've come to the conclusion that I'm not really selling myself very well as a work-for-hire graphic designer, production person, etc, and I just need to focus on producing my own art, and hopefully 1.) gain a bit of a following and 2.) get peoples attention that way.

The bottom line, is, I guess I'm saying, I'm tearing down my website and starting it over, among other things. Partly why my new vigor for blogging has taken a big of a break. The website is almost complete so, I will be getting back here some more. But I will also be doing website specific blogs going forward, as well as my new, regular-ish, emails.  Boy, social media sure takes a lot out of you without having to even actually talk to anyone!  Whew.

OH, and before I sign off here, about those emails - I just put a subscription box over on the right there, I encourage you to sign up. Right now, they mostly have some updates, links, and upcoming events, but I'm hoping to include some comics and maybe exclusive art very soon!  Check it out.

That's all for today, take care everyone!

Re-Boot/Re-Vamp/Re-Imagine/Re-Purpose

So!  I think its fairly obvious that, y'know, given that most of my posts are either a barrage of linkage or me proudly announcing that I'm "back on track" as far as blogging goes (every month and a half or so), that I'm pretty much not really keeping up with the blogging.  That's what you call opening with the obvious.  On to the point.

I have this problem with biting off more than I can chew, project wise, and then letting some things flounder (aka this blog) and some things excel (my comics).  But I really want the blog to work, because I feel like I need it as an outlet, and as a document of what I'm doing.  I need something beyond my "page commentary" (long winded as it is) on my Drunk Duck updates.  I mean, that's why I started this blog. 

The problem is: I want my blog to succeed on the same level as my comics.  I want my blog to be realized in the way that I feel my comics are realized (which, is to say that they achieve my goals for them on a personal level, if not a commercial one).    Why is that a problem?  Well because I consume a ton of fantastic comics blogs daily, and with those in mind, and some already ambitious goals of running an art/tutorial/geek (I hate that term by the way- for another day- but I guess I gotta use the language) blog I was having trouble bringing myself to post because nothing I could post would ever be worth while. 


Meaning, I'd post nothing.


For a bit I thought that giving myself some kind of rigorous posting schedule with regular features would be the answer (structure usually helps me), but that didn't seem to help in this case.



So with that sort of reality set in, I'm going to make one last noble attempt at this blog and see where it lands me.  I considered obliterating all the previous posts for a fresh start, but I can't quite bring myself to do that-- but from here on out, its just going to be me doing whatever I do.  I'm just going to post on whatever comes out and let the blog define itself organically.  I can be happy with that.

BUT in the mean time, to add a little structure-- since Mastorism has just kicked up a new storyline, I'm going to start mirroring the page posts here.  In fact, I think I'm going to use this site's RSS feed as the official Mastorism feed and see how that works out too...

 So, for all 2 of you out there... thanks for sticking around... more should be coming up soon.  Actually absolutely more will because I'm going to be posting those pages.  Enough typing for one post thought.  I'm heading on out for a bit.........

Long Beach Comic Expo: A Full Day of Comic Book Goodness

So this last weekend, Long Beach Comic Con put on an extra one-day Comic Expo at the Long Beach Convention Center, which I attended as fan, and let me say, it was quite good time!  The overwhelming feeling I had leaving the expo was "why aren't there more of these?"

You see, usually what you'd expect from a one day comic event (at least in my experience) is lots of vendors, almost zero creative talent, and about an hour (at best) of walk around time before the "I've seen it all, and I don't need to see any more" vibe sets in.  ABSOLUTELY NOT THE CASE here.  This was, for all intents and purposes, a full blown con floor (no programming or "events") at a smaller scale.  They had quality vendors, and LOADS of creative talent on hand, as well as publishers and various other companies showing of their wares.  It was the perfect size for a one day stint, and I managed to do about six hours of floor time, mostly just checking things out, without ever feeling like it was time to go.

I'd say half of the positive vibe was that it was simply just busy and abuzz with lots of excited attendees.  The place was pretty well packed for the duration of my time there, but there was enough to do that if you wanted to, say, get something signed by Mike Mignolia, you only had to stand behind a few people to meet the guy (vs. dedicating a chunk of your day to standing in line).  Everyone was seeming to have a good time because there was really something for everyone there.

The best part of the whole deal, and the reason why I say things like this should happen more often, is that it was high quality, but really felt low on the insanity level.  It was easy (and nice for me, who usually exhibits) to just show up and check it out casually.  It seemed like it was pretty low key for the exhibitors as well (many just kind of showed up as casually as the fans), a few of whom mentioned just finding out about the con the day before and getting on board for some fun.  Pretty cool.  It came together really well for Long Beach Comic Con, and I wish there were more casual attendance expos of this quality.

Highlights for me, mostly, was just hanging around watching artists do their things for other people.  I love to watch people draw/paint/create, so its awesome to go and get to see it happen live.  As much as I was there as a fan, I really mostly found myself doing research.  While I poked around, I listened in on the types of questions attendees asked exhibitors, and what kind of answers they got, and just really soaked a lot of it in.  Usually when I'm going around a con lately, I'm doing a "lap" which is more or less a quick run around the hall (or portion of the hall) to check one or two things out and then get back to my table.   Here I was able to really slow down.  Also, a highlight was that I was able to bring my 16 year old, who hasn't been to a con before, and let him check it out.  I think a ride along as an exhibitor might be tad much for him (early mornings, long hours), so this was the perfect opportunity.  He had a great time. 

So, NOW I'm looking forward to checking out what the full Long Beach Comic Con is all about in October, and also definitely hoping that this Comic Expo turns into a annual event.

"They don't call it artfun."

"I believe in work and work and work to make things good.

They don't call it artfun."


That little gem came from Charles Yoakum's blog, Ink Destroyed My Brush, today.  He's a credit-where-credits-due kind of guy so I would have to assume the words are his own.

Anyhow, I thought those wor some good words for artists to live by, so I had to share.. and speaking of which, I have a page to go ink.  You ought to go check out the post too,  has a great work-in-progress from his comic The Human Hourglass.

Speaking of Ink Work...

Almost like fate, while I'm considering all this inking stuff, I stumbled upon a blog I hadn't visited before called Illustration Art.  The newest post was called "Ink and Commitment" which was truly inspiring and thought provoking.

I read a lot of digital vs. traditional articles, blog posts, and forum debates.  Since I'm primarily a digital artist, I find it an interesting subject, albeit a tad aggravating at times, as some of the traditionalists have some pretty harsh feelings toward digital art.  But that's okay.  I can understand where they're coming from (even if I don't totally agree with their opinions), and I love working traditionally as well, and have a great respect for all of those who do.  (Really, I go digital because I can just get more done faster).

Anyhow, you'll find none of that in this post.  Sure it's an arguement for the traditional side, but for the virtues of working with ink, not for the "pitfalls" of working digitally.  Well, minus one amusing remark noting that the Wacom tablet's ancestry can be traced back to the Etch-a-Sketch.   Its almost a love letter to ink.  And it was just what I needed to read today at just the right time!