Well I had quite the time at San Diego Comic-Con International 2010. It was my first time exhibiting at that show, as well as the first time exhibiting Rob The Bot. I was sharing a table with Denis “Joenis” Caron of L.A.W.L.S. and Artistic Doom. To call this show a success would certainly be an understatement. I think its just that I’m finally in a place where I can focus on my art and take this potential career seriously.
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I am not gonna bore you with a review of the iPad; there are many places that can do that better than I, so instead i’ll try to dig deeper into the device and what it means for the industry. There has been one question that has been asked of me the most, since I first decided to purchase Apple’s newest gadget. That question is simply “why?” “Why is it so great, and why should I buy one?” To answer it I have decided to write this blog to organize my own ideas and answer it for myself. There were definitely many reasons why I decided to buy it, but I am still looking for that one sentence that will say it best for any skeptic I may encounter.
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When I made the decision to become a professional artists, I assumed everything would fall into place. I never even began to think of the degree of organization and thought that would need to go behind it all. Above all else, this course and its assignments have taught me to be more aware of myself as an artist and my work as a product of that self.
One element of my studio practice is the environment I choose to work in. Due to the nature of my work, which is mostly digital, I am mostly confined to my desk. However, this has only inspired me to become more creative with how I prepare my surroundings. Specifically Robyn O’Neil’s explanation of her work space has shown me that I must become aware of my surrounding and habits, and to work them into something that can work to my creative advantage. Unfortunately my options are very limited for the time being, however it is a technique I will surely take advantage of after I finish school. Much of my design work follows the philosophy of simplicity. There is a certain perfect balance point where something is only designed enough to fulfill it’s practical use. I strive to achieve that balance in my work. To help achieve this, I surround myself in simplicity. As I can be easily distracted, the ideal space is a white desk with nothing more than the most essential of equipment on it. My iMac, keyboard, mouse, iPhone dock, and of course, the bottomless mug of hot coffee. No plants or frames of loved ones. Nothing else to steal my attention or creative energy. A blank canvas. This leaves me and my mind to forge the creative energy I need. All the colors, fonts, and music happen in the 24” mirror of my mind in front of me. My inspiration occurs separately from my active work space. Often with drives or walks. These drives and walks are always accompanied with music as loud as I can get it. The music will range in genre and mood, depending on the emotional end I am trying to arrive at with my work. Over 90% of my creative brainstorming happens this way; completely zoned out, and focused in. I try to achieve the general emotions I am trying to accomplish, and use that energy and state of mind to focus into the specific work. It never fails to produce solutions to my various design problems. I also use this technique to take a break from the design process. This is usually achieved by merely trying to solve a completely different artistic challenge, steeping two pots with one teabag.
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My epic return to the Emerald City came and went a little too quickly. Perhaps due to the fact we were inside of a convention hall, exhibiting for 2 full days. The hall was in the Washington State Convention Center, home of the 8th annual Emerald City ComiCon. The con was definitely quite the experience. It spanned all of Saturday and Sunday, and had over 20,000 attendees.
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After weeks of (likely over-) planning. It’s finally Here. I took a break this week from my film’s production to prep for Emerald City Comicon, where I’ll be exhibiting TNPPress.com along with my graphic novel Spaghetti Strap Western. I’ll be joined by long-time friend Denis Caron. He’ll be there exhibiting his 2 comics Anhedonia Blue and LAWLS.
It’s been almost 4 years since Denis and I first started TNP Press (formerly The Noir Project), and I can’t believe how far we’ve come lately. I remember attending San Diego Comic-Con in 2008 as mere attendees and fantasizing about exhibiting at a convention. And it great to finally be there.
Even as I’m writing this, sitting in an Irish Pub in DFW airport, on layover, on my way to Seattle, it still hasn’t really hit me. I think the feeling will come as I fly into the Emerald City, or perhaps when I walk into the convention floor later today to setup our booth. Either way it us sure to be an exciting weekend.
So if you are in Seattle, be sure to stop into the Washington State Convention Center Saturday and Sunday. For more info and links go to our official blog over at TNP http://tnppress.com/eccc_10/
