Last year I did a few convention appearances. I appeared at Phoenix Comicon, Free Comic Book Day at the Apache Junction Public Library, Intervention Con, and Youmacon (where I only attended and didn’t sell any work or appear at panels).
This year, since I have moved from Arizona to Ohio, I’m hoping to make more appearances at some Midwest conventions, particularly those in Columbus.
I’ve been approached by one convention, and there’s one I’m hoping to get to down in Savannah, Georgia, because a friend of mine (Chloe Rose, who’s attending school there) wants to go.
However, in between convention planning and making comics, I’ve been writing, particularly in Claire and Tracy’s story.
Well, a lot of the stories I’m writing recently (especially their’s in particular) take place in places I haven’t visited in a long while. Like Chicago. And Pittsburgh. And there are even some that may take place in New Mexico or Tennesee.
So I’m wondering…should I take some time away from conventions…so I can go on research trips?
Another friend of mine, Suzy, did a research trip in lieu of conventions, and that has inspired me to consider doing the same thing.
I have quite the travel bug, and I would love to do more of it so I can see new sights, meet new people, write about new things, and share more of my experiences.
Either way, whether I do more conventions or more research trips, I intend to write about them here on this blog.
Have any suggestions for places to go? Travel tips? just have something you gotta’ say? I would love to read about it in comments.
Thank you for reading and I will see you on Monday.
Here’s a snap shot of the crowd at the convention. And this is just one half of the building!
So I just came back from Youmacon and it was a blast like always! I did not go as a special guest or even as an exhibitor. I just went as an attendee, and it was very refreshing to do so, especially since I didn’t have to deal with any special guest stress like I had to at Phoenix Comicon.
This is the Renaissance Center, where half of the con took place. The other half was in the Cobo Center.
Anyway, I did learn a couple of things while I was there, especially from some local friends of mine that live in the Detroit area. One thing I learned is that Detroit parking is apparently free on the weekends (that would have been nice to know: it would have saved me a ton in parking fees). Still, The Renaissance Center did have a parking garage with a handy sky walk on the third floor, connecting to the convention hall. The less time I spent outside in the cold, the better.
I did manage to take a set of pictures while I was there, because the cosplayers this year were amazing! There was an especially good Korra, which I will show some pictures of now.
It actually got me thinking of getting into cosplay myself, especially since I started wearing the Jayne hat and I got some positive reception for it (I even posed for photos).
Standing in line. Because why not.
Which is surprising considering that the actor who played Jayne – Adam Baldwin – is kind of a professional ass (thanks, GamerGate).
Still, I got a lot of positive reception wearing the Jayne hat, probably because people can separate Jayne the character from Adam Baldwin the actor. Like I do.
Another grumpy face selfie. This time for the line for the Friday Team Four Star panel.
However I did start thinking of maybe cosplaying as Jayne more often, or even just cosplaying in general. But it is a very expensive hobby.
Exhibit A: Princess Tutu cosplay done by my old college roommate, Katy.
On the upside the convention itself gave me some new artistic inspiration! Hopefully you’ll see some of that in the coming weeks.
I want to get into the habit of doing warm up sketches more often, and that may include fanart… We’ll have to see how that goes.
Here are some other pictures that I took at the convention itself.
I don’t think she noticed.There was an entire gaggle of assassins.My friend Alex (on the far left) is a trooper for coming to the con with an injured leg.
Another pro tip for Youmacon: take the back walk. The con takes place in two different centers: the Renaissance Center and the Cobo Center. They’re starting the shift events into the Cobo Center more so than the other one, however you still have to walk back and forth. Try to avoid the main stretch and take the back way. It runs right alongside the river (and on the other side of the river is Canada). Take that route to get back to the Renaissance Center: you will come across a lot less aggressive homeless people that way.
Here’s a peek at the secret passage…and Canada.Less populated, but still safe. The People Mover also runs a little ways by it.That’s Canada across the water. Swim for free healthcare!
Also another pro tip: it’s good to stick to a budget. That way you have money for gas on the way home. I succeeded in this endeavor, but I know people who forget this kind of stuff.
Here are some more pictures from the event.
Spiderman being smooth.Team Four Star panel. Sorry it’s so blurry!
Youmacon was such a blast! I had a great time while I was there.
It’s good to have one convention out of the year where you can go as an attendee. Not as a guest or an exhibitor, but just for the fun of it, to hang out with friends.
Thank you for reading and I will see you on Friday.
