Tag: artist alley table

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The RathaQuest of RathaCon

rathacon artist alley table 2018

So…Many…Puns… But it was so worth it!

I almost didn’t go this year because RathaCon was the same day as the first day of Ohio Valley Pride in Wheeling. However, the RathaCon table was booked by the time I found out Ohio Valley Pride was happening, and I didn’t want to back out of my commitment because I know my fans down in Athens would have missed me.

I’m glad I went, though, because this was the most financially successful RathaCon I have attended so far! I think it helps, too, that my table buddy this year and I had a good chemistry – our jokes seemed to entertain the attendees, at the very least!

Yes, I had a table buddy at this year’s RathaCon – she goes by the online handle of Arcanineryu and this was her first selling-at-a-convention experience. I think she did great!

In fact, we both had REALLY good sales. One element that I think helped the most with that was the RathaQuest the convention organizers ran.

RathaQuest was a scavenger hunt: you went up to one of the convention organizers (conveniently cosplaying as a Sim with an exclamation mark over her head), and she would give you a card that listed a clue on it. The clue was either to find a specific table and ask a question, or to go to every table and say a password and they would give you a piece of a puzzle, or to go to a table for a clue hidden directly on the table. You bet your bottom dollar I was part of that scavenger hunt, and the guests and I had a great time with it. I was a clue holder: you had to find my table and ask, “What is Hexacon, and what are the duck-sized horses?”

(Hexacon is a convention that happens in Johnson & Sir: it’s a witches convention, and one of the attractions is the duck-sized horses. Unfortunately, at one point, they get loose.)

The RathaQuest was REALLY fun and I hope the organizers do it again next year.

There were some artists that felt the convention should have been had when the school year was open, because Athens is a college town (Ohio University is there). However, I feel a bit differently about it: see, when I was in college at Bowling Green State University, the anime club hosted a one-day convention called Animarathon. It’s a convention still held annually.

The problem is this: yes, attendance will grow enormously. Your sales will not. Because college students are notoriously broke.

I think I would rather go to a convention that’s geared towards the local community and happens in the summer, instead of going to a convention during the school year that attracts a lot of attendees who say to you, “I can’t, I’m too broke.”

But that’s just me. What do you think?

By the way, my next convention appearance is this weekend at 3 Rivers Comicon, May 19 and 20 in West Mifflin, PA. It’ll be at the Century III Mall. There’s free parking and food trucks, if that further entices you. And yes, I will be sharing a table with someone at this show, too, this time with Kampie from Classic Plastics earlier this year. I’m excited to be sharing a table with Kampie again! Also, Arcanineryu will be at the show, as well, so be sure to stop by her table, as well!

That’s all for now. Thank you for reading!

You. Are. Awesome.

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How Awesome Con Was Awesome, or Tater Tots Are Not Breakfast Food

awesome con artist alley table

This last weekend was my first ever Awesome Con down in Washington, DC. Why did the con happen the same weekend as Easter/April Fools Day? Because other cons were happening in the summer and, for once, the convention organizers coordinated so they wouldn’t conflict with each other.

I know. Convention organizers actually coordinating their conventions to not happen at the same time. To somebody who live through PIX 2017, which happened the exact same weekend as Tekkoshocon, it’s a freaking miracle.

Anyway, pretty much the only reason I was going to sell my work at Awesome Con was because of one dude – Carlos.

carlos and kelci

This guy was my table buddy for the whole weekend. He got me the table in the first place. He helped carry my work to the artist alley, got me food and watched the table during bathroom breaks, and helped to keep track of sales. It’s because of Carlos that this weekend went as smoothly as it did, and for that, I thank you, my dude.

As much as I appreciate your help, though, that doesn’t change the fact that tater tots are a glorified cafeteria side dish. They are not breakfast food, Carlos. No amount of rationale that they’re a tiny hash brown will change my mind on this.

Ahem.

I’m not going to get into how much I made in terms of sales at Awesome Con. What I WILL say, though, is that one of my goals this year has now been checked off.

Not only that, but there are new connections in terms of comic shops and fellow artists to collaborate with. Speaking of fellow artists, HUGE shout-out to the peeps in my neck of Pride Alley: Poorly Formed, Kelsi Jo Silva, Sarah Stovalosky, Rage Gear Studios, Static Starling (I forgot to grab your business card. I’m sorry! But your buttons are delightful), and Thirty Seven Stars crochet. (And a shot-out to not-table-neighbor Pride Alley fellow Dale Lazarov. Good to finally meet you face to face!) Every single one of you is fabulous.

photo artist alley table buddies

Another group of artists who are fabulous: Super Art Fight. It’s like wrestling personas draw art against each other using audience prompts placed on the Wheel of Death. Y’all are amazing. And at least one of you is…Sexyful.

sexyful t shirt super art fight

Also, it ABSOLUTELY made my weekend to see three things: my old college buddy Dominique, John Barrowman’s costume, and someone who recognized my art because their friend bought from me at PIX. Holy banana pants! It was my dream to experience someone who recognized my art from somewhere specific, and that was amazing.

With that, I need to get back to KickStarter fulfillment. So t hat’s all for now. Thank you for reading!

You. Are. Awesome. (…Con)

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My First Year of Classic Plastics Toy And Comic Expo

classic plastics toy and comic expo 2018

It’s been two days since I came back from Classic Plastics Toy & Comic Expo down in Parkersburg, WV, so I’m going to talk about it now.

I’ve been to Parkersburg before, for the Parkersburg Pop Con back in September of last year. Classic Plastics was different in a few ways, the number one point being that it took place in the downtown Art Center. The other difference was that Classic Plastics was a two-day affair, so I crashed with my art buddy Kampie (whom I met at Parkersburg last year). We also shared a table at the event.

classic plastics toy and comic expo artist alley table

The goal this year is to have a table buddy at as many shows as possible this year – because last year I was often on my own (the worst was Comicon Erie, where I was at my table by myself for 3 days. NEVER AGAIN). Table buddies are a must: they help watch your stuff when you have to run to the bathroom, one of you can grab food if you’re hungry, and there’s somebody watching the table if you or the other have to get up and walk around to stretch a bit.

Kampie was a great table buddy for both days of the event. I want to work with her more often this year. (Also she’s got her own art on Facebook and RedBubble. Be sure to check out both pages.)

Classic Plastics was pretty cool this year! One of the Muppet designers was there (Tim Clarke, if you were curious). As was Daniel Pesina. Pesina passed around signed prints to folks who had tables at the show. He’s a cool dude.

There were a few great things about the show, including having Kampie as a table buddy and “fighting” with New Dimension Comics dude Jon over who’s the biggest fan of Master Pesina. Another was the trio of burly dudes sitting at the table across from us. They had wrestling POP figures, toys, and (brace yourself) T-shirts that said “Nobody cares about your fragile masculinity.”

Ya’ dang right I bought one of those shirts from a bearded, tattooed dude named Cash who looked like he could bench me.

There was also a tank top of a cat skull with the words “Dead Men Can’t Cat Call.” I traded a Forest Spirit print for it and wore that beast the second day of the show. Plus, on the second day, I met the lady who designed both shirts.

THAT’s the kind of thing I’m here for – cool dudes showing up with cool ladies making cool shit.

(In case you’re curious, yes, they have an online store at Bearded Death Apparel. Go check them out. They’re awesome people.)

kampie and kelci
A semi-rare look at my own face. Photo courtesy of Kampie.

The only downside with the show was Sunday, the second day of the show – it fucking DIED. All of my earnings were on Saturday, because on Sunday, I was lucky to make $20. Parkersburg, what the hell?

Then again, probably everybody in the town was at church. Parkersburg is a VERY conservative town, one that rejected an LGBTQ anti-discrimination ordinance on “religious grounds” and yet has at least two strip clubs within spitting distance of each other on the main drag. I know this, because Kampie and I stayed near one that weekend.

Classic Plastics, I love you, but your hometown is dumb.

So, a lesson for those of you who want to support local comic shows like Classic Plastics – GO ON SUNDAY. You’d be surprised at the new things that happen on Sundays at shows. Plus, it’s less crowded.

That’s all for today. I have to get back to KickStarter fulfillment and making commissions.

Thanks for reading!

You. Are. Awesome.

P.S. Enjoy this sign that was definitely on display near the Art Center elevator.

classic plastics funny elevator sign