I sold prints I sold mini comics I Sang on stage (man was that nerve racking) and I just got the chance to meet a lot of amazing people. It was definitely an honor to be included in this experience. It was such an amazing experience that it has taken me 2 weeks to really digest the experience.
Everything started on Friday with a book signing at the local store, Graham Crackers Comics. There we mingled with the customers and signed books all over the place. Then we had a mock press conference and a talk with L.A. Banks, , an amazing writer, about her book Vampire Huntress and her movement into comics with creator Eric Battle.
The events that day went late into the night. I don't think I got to bed till after 3 that night.
Saturday was crazy busy, as well. After over sleeping I met my boyfriend and we went over the location where the actual convention was being held. I had people coming up to my table before I could actually get myself set up. There were lots of kids so I left out all the naughty art with naked girls on it. At one point I was so overwhelmed with the experience I honestly thought I might cry. One young man came up and showed me his art work and I was just amazed. It reminded me of my days when I was uninhibited by frustration and expectations of my work and I just drew as much as I could.
Then another young lady came up that was a huge fan of my work and I gave her a free print and she told me I had a FAN FOR LIFE! I was just so amazed to see how my work impacted other.
I got to meet so many amazing artists that I had only known online for many years. And it was crazy cause we were all fans of each others work and shared mutual excitement on getting to finally meet in person and talk.
After the show that day we had a sit down meeting about the the whole idea of the black Age represents. How we can do more for our community with teaching through comics and so forth and having more positive images of minorities in comics. That was pretty interesting. From there we had dinner with friends and laughed a lot about everything that happened that day.
Sunday was a lot mellower. The show itself was only one day but then we headed over to meet John Jennings for a book signing of the Black comic book! I am really proud of john and his work to bring so many creators together under one cover. We also signed a few books for people and before we knew it we were all being whisked away to the airport so we could get home on time. I of course didn't leave right away but that is a story for another time. Talk to you guys soon. Hope you enjoy the pictures.
~Arie
