Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Back to my mundane life and MORE THOUGHTS ON WIZARD WORLD...

MONDAY---

I get up and clean out the car and unpack our weekend things. Also the wife and I take out some trash and I clean out and sort my desk and folders. While she falls asleep in the bedroom, I put in 4 hours at the art table. I draw two “adult” pieces, work on a commission and thumbnail out 9 pages of Pleasant Life #2. Very exciting things happening in that issue!

I pass out around 3am to Mystery Science Theater 3000.

TUESDAY---

I work a 12-5 shift at McDonalds and then go to the newspaper to work a night shift. Pretty standard day. I check emails and update things where I can.

Now I want to talk a bit more about Wizard World Chicago:

I had a great time doing the show. Solidly, it has been 5 years that I’ve been doing PLEASANT HYMNS. Its been a great run and I’m glad to have done this big of a show to celebrate. It was my first time out there and next year it will get even bigger! But with all these positive things, I do realize that there is room for me to improve. Here is a list of things I am going to work on for next year:

1- ALL COLOR COVER COMICS -- I need to get rid of those old crappy black and white ashcans. The art is 5 years old and I am tired of A-having to explain how much my art has improved, and B-lugging them around!! Sure they are cheap and sell pretty well, but its time to retire them. Luckilly, I sold out of #1’s at the show so there are no more! But I think from now on, I will have only ashcans 5-7 and my GRAPHICS MAN one shot in a quarter box and I plan to move them quickly. Lets get em’ gone to make room for the new stuff. The new stuff all has color covers. I mean, I have the 3 HYMNS trades, I’ll have 3 new PLEASANT LIFE comics, THE OUTCAST trade, TALES 1-2, and EARTHGIRL comics... not to mention IDIOTHEAD CDs. Time to make room for them.

2- TWO ART PORTFOLIOS -- I packed my one full of sequential art and some adult pinup stuff. I need to have two different ones showcasing both. That way people are more aware that I have Adult art available. That stuff sells man! So, I need to make sure people know I have it better. Plus it gives people more to look at. I am in ARTISTS ALLEY after all!! Also, new business cards are a must!

3- BACKDROP/CLOTH/RACK -- This past show, I used some old racks I had and made a magazine type of rack. It worked mostly but was awkward as hell to set up and carry out. Not to mention heavy! I need to find a nice magazine rack that holds all my comics comfortably, vertically and makes room on the table for my art. Also, my nice silver “FABULOUS!” table cloth is retireing. People always comment on it, but maybe they really are making fun of it. Its too gaudy anymore. So next year, new cloth! And I am investing in one of those nice scrolly backdrops! No PVC pipes or racks. Something that slides nice and is easy to carry. Something that brings my stuff vertical and showcases my art. Professional looking. Step it up a notch.

4- WEIGHT/APPEARANCE -- Yeah, it is a factor. People want to approach people who are more esthetically pleasing. I know, you’re thinking “aw come on Adam, that ain’t true!” But you’re wrong. It is. Being thinner not only will aid in the overall nice appearance of the booth itself and provide me more energy for the show. Also, I avoid the stereotypes of “fat geek boy no one wants to talk to selling his indie books.” And SUPER bonus, no one can compare me to Mortin. “Hey! Is this fat tub of lard on the cover, you?” Yeah, its fun isn’t it??

Also, I am thinking of being more odd in my dress. I’ve focused on appearing professional. But I think wearing something odd might help push the FUN factor up a notch. Maybe dress up as a shark. I dunno. We’ll see.

Anyway, those are my thoughts for improving for next year. I’m showcasing the new. Out with the old. Onward and upward!

T

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