Hey guys!!! Our local paper actually did a front page article today about the mini comic con at the library... I got a shout out as a local manga artist... DREAM COME TRUE!!! <3 You can read the article here if you'd like!!! http://www.timesreporter.com/article/20150715/NEWS/st_refDomain=www.facebook.com&st_refQuery=
Hey guys!!! So, if you've been keeping up with me on social media... facebook, instagram... you'll know that my art life has been pretty crazy lately as I prepared for the biggest artistic endeavor of my summer: A mini Comic -Con at our local library!!!
I have known about this event for several months now. The library has a teen anime club that meets once a week, and I have presented and given demonstrations there three times prior to the comic con. =-) I was really excited to have this opportunity, because, obviously... don't ALL artists dream about participating in a comic con?! BTW... I know that we have small cons here in Ohio, but I don't drive, and so it would really be a hassle to go!!! -_-;
The theme of the library's summer reading program is "Superheros", so I decided that would be a good running theme for any display art I would draw up, and also for the demonstration I would be giving in the afternoon.
This is the super hero I drew up, based on a chibi pose from Chris Hart's "How to Draw Manga Chibis" book. I modified the pose a bit from the original and obviously changed up the character's look, since it wasn't initially a super hero dude. When I give demos to groups, I prefer using a reference from a book that I can pass on to the kids to go check out themselves!!!
This is a very poor attempt to recreate the Super Dude on a small dry erase board... You'd think I would be better at using the board by now... Nope. xD Oh well!!! The kids did a great job following along, I saw some really nice chibis when it was done, so that's what it's all about!! (Also this dude looks a bit squished there... xD )
I have been working really hard on my display items. I made two small display boards, one for a super hero, the other for a villain character. I also framed a few pieces of mine and set up a few that were not framed. Quite a few people came up afterwards and looked and asked questions about media I use to color my work. I love answering those kinds of questions!!! <3
I set up pencils they could take, and also I drew up a bookmark of Scarlet Witch, since I cosplayed as her, and my husband helped layout and print those. I included all my social media info and email on the back. A lot of the kids really liked those!!
It was a busy afternoon!! There was another local cartoonist that gave a drawing demo, crafts and video games, snacks, and prizes were given out at the end of the afternoon for best costumes. I got to be one of the judges for that, which was totally fun!!! So many people came out in really nice cosplay, so it was a really tough choice!!! It was also my first time cosplaying... so I was really nervous about that. But it was a fun experience, and I would definitely do it again next year.. since we are planning on another mini comic con!!! =-)
This is my little group that went... Myself as Scarlet Witch, my sister Bethany as "Belle" from Once Upon a Time, and my sister Felicity as "Asuna" from Sword Art Online. My daughter Lucy also dressed up as "Princess Elsa" and came with us for a little bit, so she got to have fun and feel pretty too!! =-)
Since this kind of stuff never happens in our little town, my sisters wanted to go walk around our mall in cosplay after the con was over. The mall was dead though... but we had one lady come up to us and ask if Felicity was a nurse or a doctor... ? This kind of stuff is REALLY rare happenins' here!!
Mind control....??
My husband surprised me by taking off work early so he could come to my demonstration at the library. That was really special!!! <3 And then we came back home and did some goofy pictures too...
It was a really great day!!! So glad that we took lots of pictures to remember it by. The teens and kids that came out for it all seemed to have a really fantastic time as well, and are super excited about doing it again next year!!!! Sounds like I am already planned to be there again, so yay!!!! Looking forward to it!!!!! =-)
Now.... some surprise art. I was asked about a month ago to work on a poster for one of our local theater's upcoming shows. They have asked a bunch of local artists to take a poster and create, and then that poster will be unveiled at the board meeting in September. I have been very excited about this, but just super busy, and decided I wanted to keep it a secret for a while... =-) I got first pick of the shows, and since I'm already going to be the lighting designer/board operator for "Charlotte's Web" opening in April, I decided it would be super fun to do something for that show!!! =-) Now that life is slowing down a little, I broke out the book and started reading it again and looking over Garth William's lovely illustrations for some inspiration. I have a few rough sketches right now, so bear with me on those... Talking with the director about her thoughts and which direction she'd like to go with it, and should have something finished soon, since the deadline for submission is coming up in August!!!
And so!!! That is what has been ongoing lately.. Things have been super busy, especially the last few days as I was kicking it into high gear for library con... I don't know how artists that go to the really big cons do it!!! So much time and thought went into everything I put together for it, and I'm really excited at the outcome and the possibility of doing it again next year. It was really nice to have a slow paced day around the house today, catching up on housework and errands and enjoying some nice weather!!! These things have been a bit overlooked this week. =-)
If you came to the library con and are reading this, thanks so much for coming out... What a fun time!!! And MANY thanks to Ms. Darlene, who puts so much effort and time into these anime events!!!!! =-)
Until next post... Assemble!!!
-Stasia-Chan '15
