GRASP EXPO recap at other stuff!

Hey everyone! I'm back from my first major comic show appearance at the GRASP COMIC EXPO in Grand Rapids, MI. I had to share all some pics and tales of my experiences this weekend. So here we go!

Friday night my pals Dean and Mjit came over and we got our drink on and we played "Cards Against Humanity." Lots of fun! Dean slept over so we could just leave right out in the morning. We left and loaded in the rain and got there around 9:10. I ran into my old pals Dan Hogan, Kevin Leen, Brett Pinson and Connie Pinson. Joe from migeekscene.com was there covering the event and it was good to see him again. I let him store his camera and other stuff behind my booth.

Ugh, I'm tired!

I always do a warm up sketch when I arrive at shows. This time it was a Slave Leia. Necessary.

I don't take pics that often with costumers but the 501st are a special case that I sometimes make time for. This pic was snapped at a weird time, and thus I look stoned. I assure, not the case. But still, I don't want that pain stick rammed in my ass by the Emperor's Guard. Hopefully he doesn't know I support the rebellion (Liberal!).

There was a running joke all weekend about "If I cosplayed, what would I wear?" I have an affection for the Ghostbusters and their proton packs. I want one! So my Girlfriend said she'd come home one day to see me playing Ghostbusters in the nude. I had to sketch the moment of what it would look like if she came in the door and caught me doing that.

I did a panel on "THE WORLD OF SKETCH CARDS." How to collect them, how to get into doing them for yourself. I think it went well. I had about 15-20 people in the room. Pretty much every panel was attended like that. I tried to go through my outline I wrote and I showed examples of my work and others like Katie Cook and Grant Gould to help illustrate my points. But when I got back to my table, I realized a couple points I could have expanded on. I recorded the audio so maybe I'll share it if I can get it to sound good.

It was Misty's first true comic con experience. She had fun, and I kept her busy.

Saturday went well. It was slower than anticipated, but I made decent sales. After the show, Dean, Misty and I went to Five Guys and then grabbed a few things and then hit the hotel. We took a dip in the hot tub and then tried to see if there was a con party. There wasn't, so we ended up just drinking in our room and watching boxing/UFC. Kinda a bummer, but it made for a nice relaxing night. I kinda needed that after the hell week of work I had.

I picked up a few things. An old MAD Magazine from the 80s, some INVINCIBLE comics I am behind on, some STRIP adult comics (reference), "Pins and Needles" by Jack Gonzalez, and "Teacher Strips" by Stu Rase. Some nice reading to catch up on!

Sunday was slow but I made more sales and I finally, finally, FINALLY sold off the last of the old matted 8x11 prints that I had in stock. They are gone, never to return. I sold mostly print cards, prints and some original art. The folks who put on GRASP EXPO, as well as GRAND RAPIDS COMIC CON treated us artists very well and they gave me rock star treatment. I haven't had that before. I really felt welcome and I was grateful to them for their support. I don't have one bad thing to say about the show at all. I think some might have went into the show thinking it would pull in regular comic con numbers, but its a small press show. We were the focus. Our names can only do so much, and thats understandable. But the ones who did show up, truly wanted to be there and truly wanted to check out the indie folks and their work. Its a nice break from those comic show that make you pay $65 per person, per day to go to the show and you pre-pay for your autographs and photos. I think with some small amount of retooling, they will come back strong with it next year. Thanks to GRASP, thier staff and crew, and all who came out and had a good time with us.

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In the week leading up to GRASP, I worked a ton of hours at both jobs. My two days off I had my boys overnight for the first time. The day I dropped them off (when I was supposed to be sleeping) I took my girl to a pizza place here in Grand Ledge, my new home. Its called Cuginos. We had their pizza and breadstix. Very good! (although my stomach hurt for a bit after it. I just cant handle certain foods anymore. Boooo!!!!!)

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This week, a MAJOR event happened. The Supreme Court of the United States passed a law that its is now 100% legal for gay couples to get married. This is something I've supported and voted on for years. Very time the law in specific states would get banned, I would voice my outrage. The whole debate was beyond dumb. Now gay marriage (Now referred to as simply: MARRIAGE) is approved and hey, the world didn't blow up. Armageddon didn't happen. We're still here and nothing has changed! Just that those who are in love can now join in the same unions as straight people can. Oh no! How dare they want happiness!! Of course, the loudmouths came out and bitched, but nothing can stop it now. Not without years of changes. And we're not gonna let that happen. We're one more step closer in our evolution of thoughts and being the way we should be as one race, one species of humans. While horrid things are happening in the South that brings up years of racial issues, we're also crossing the finish line on other things. We're trying to get it all together. We're trying. We have hope. And it was my hope that was rewarded this week. This effects people in my family and friends of mine that I've seen had to struggle through this for a long time. I share their smiles this week. This was big time, man. And its about time!

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On the artwork front, I worked on more STAR WARS sketch cards but also did some STARSLAM 2 pages and a print idea for PLEASANT LIFE 2:

Oh man.... the fight begins...

Mortin: Simply Irresistible?

And now I'm home. Back to the drawing board, literally and figuratively. Thanks all for checking out the site. I'll return soon with more stuff to show. Cheers !

T

Busy Week Before GRASP EXPO!

Hey friends. I just got done working five long 16 hour days in a row, with about 3-4 hours in between the jobs to drive home, nap, get up and ready to go to the other job. By the end I was teetering on madness. Then on Father's Day, I get out of work and go get my boys and have them til 9pm, after being up from noon the PREVIOUS day. I was an absolute zombie. But... when I got back to the apartment I still put in an hour at the table to color a piece I needed for the upcoming GRASP EXPO and do some digital scans of new stuff. So yeah, I'm burning my candle from both ends and the middle. I'm virtually beside myself with exhaustion. But I got applications out for a potential new day job that will pay me decent so I don't have to do this anymore like this. Lets hope, shall we? Cause I can't keep this up forever.

This week, I got two 16 hour days, then I get my boys two days in a row, while still working at the gas station. Then a long 8 hour cashier shift, then GRASP EXPO! Its gonna be a long haul week, and I don't have any spare time to get my stuff done or packed. I'm gonna have to squeeze it in during my potential nap times. So please note what all I am doing to make this show happen for me! HA! But I'm very much looking forward to the show.

I will have a panel on Saturday at 12:45 titled "The World of Sketch Cards." I will be discussing the hobby and how to break into doing them as an artist. You won't want to miss it. :) I will have all my books there (Sans STARSLAM, as they asked me to avoid bringing porn to the very family friendly show. Understandable!) as well as prints, print cards and original art sales. So come on out and check out my new stuff! Its gonna be a lot of fun to get out and do a nice show. This little new piece is making her debut there too:

At the night job, I've been busy on new STAR WARS cards. Here's a peek at the back of them:

The new set is sure to be a doozy!

Despite my utter exhaustion, Father's Day was fun. I got my two boys and I got to skype with Cody. We talked E3 and a ton of video game stuff. Made me really want to get a 360 for the house. Although I pretty much have no time whatsoever to play games, I still would like one so I can play online with him. Would be fun. My Retron 3 is acting up and the boys are starting to want to play more video games. So I should look into investing into something for them too. We'll see. But the desire is certainly there. I'm missing out on a lot by being so busy all the time. Oh well.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to this weekend at GRASP. I sure earned it, five times over! Come out and see me at the show!! But I won't be wearing glasses...

Cheers!

--T

New Home/New Office!

Hey all!

Life returns to "normal" after my tiny weekend excursion. I've been working a CRAPLOAD of hours at both my jobs. But hopefully some respite on the horizon. In my downtime, I've been busy moving stuff to my new home in Grand Ledge. Yesterday after work was a big day. We cleaned out the office area and set it all up. Here are some pics:

All my furniture is no more. We're using hers now. No more rickety old art desk. Its all sleek and profressional.

One half the office is mine, the other is hers. Works out nicely!

We both love it! I moved my computer over this morning after work and that is the area I am typing from now. I'm going very minimalist this time around. But still, I gotta display SOME toys am I right? Especially my Gojiras!

For lunch yesterday my girl treated me to a place in North Lansing called MEAT. And I had one of the best pulled pork sandwiches I've ever had! Check it: 

Meat is off of Grand River and they have Star Wars and heavy metal albums on the walls. Iron Maiden was playing when we walked in! Its that kind of place. Highly recommend!

This week its back to hardcore work schedule and a few other things to take care of. Saturday we're taking a make up trip to see some of her family, then Sunday is my RUSH concert. I'm looking forward to all of that! Its gonna be a busy, stressful week to say the least.

In other news, don't forget I will be at the GRASP COMIC EXPO June 27-18th. Its an indie comics show and I will be conducting a panel there about sketch cards. Check out their FACEBOOK page right HERE. I just got Pleasant Life books back in stock so I am coming loaded, baby! I won't have the cash to do a print run of my new prints, unless I get a miracle freelance check. You never know. Times are tight right now though.

I am working out deals to possibly do more shows later this year. I just feel the itch to get back out there and let people know I am alive and making new shit. I've hit a nice stride of productivity and I need to continue to kick ass on things to make this career happen for me again. I also signed up for another sketch card set. This next one is gonna be a doozy! I can't wait to start!!!

I've been rocking on Starslam pages and small pinup pieces for the con season. Busy! Feels good. I'm on NO SLEEP, but things are beginning to line up the way I need them to. 

Anyway, that's my latest. Take care my friends!

Hey Now!!

Hello friends. Typing out another bloggy blog from my late night gas station job via my iphone. Super technology to the rescue!

Things have been going okay. Im working my ass off at both my dayjobs. I never get a day off. Schedules change without notice and I rarely get to see those I care about. But its busy times for all right now. Im thankful I have a job at all to keep afloat. But I am actively looking for that great better paying dayjob thats gonna help me get and keep myself on my feet. It will come. Im applying to more in the morning, actually.

It seems like the last few months ive just been hiding like a hermit. I never know what day it is. Shit be cray cray lately. I was looking at dvd/bluray releases tonight at work and man am I behind on a bunch of shit. I never got to see the third Hobbit movie. I wanna see Whiplash and Birdman. I still havent seen all of season four of Game of Thrones, and only a couple episodes of the new season of That Metal Show. I know Louie and Maron are starting up again soon. Also the new Breaking Bad prequel, i havent seen any of it yet. Nor have I seen a second of Gotham. And I still havent seen any new Family Guys, Walking Dead or anything! Not having a TV sucks. But even if I did, im never home to enjoy watching anything. My GF and I watched "I Love You Man" the other night, purely just for the Rush appearance in the flick. I didnt get to finish it though.

Im proud to say I sparked her interest in Star Trek. We watched a couple together a couple weeks ago and shes watching the series on her own. I think she's in love with it. Another conversion successful! Things are going pretty well for us.

For Easter I had my kids over and I made a big ham and mashed potatoes. Little James is talking like crazy and Scotty had alot of fun on my computer. He's getting great at reading and writing now. He's kicking autism's ass!!

In comic/art related news, its official: ill be at Clems Comics in downtown Lansing once again for FREE COMIC BOOK DAY on May 2nd. From around noon-6. Come on out and see me! Also dont forget the GRASP COMIC EXPO in Grand Rapids in June. Im a featured guest and Ill be conducting a panel on sketch cards. How to get into doing them and collecting them. Should be a lot of fun.
Im lookong forward to it. Im currently on a couple new sets and so Im plugging away at those. And I inked four Starslam pages tonight at work. So we're still rockin' and rollin'!!

But anyway, I just wanted to touch base with everyone. When I get caught up on movies Ill let ya know what I thought of em!

Have a good week! --T

POTHOLES, PROGRESS and APPEARANCES!

Hello my friends! Just thought I'd post a nice Friday update so you can head into your weekend with good spirits and know that I am right along with you. I started drawing some commissions this week. I got them mostly done too! I would share them, but my printer is on the fritz. I need an ink cartridge or else it won't let me scan! And they tend to run around $30, which I don't have currently, so they will have to wait a bit. But it felt good to sit down and have a night of art progress. I got 11 Starslam books sketched and I did three commissions of an adults only nature. I'll share in the proper Deviantart website when my scanner will let me!

I'm gearing up for my first public appearance for the year this weekend! I'll be at the MSU COMICS FORUM again this Saturday from 11-5pm.

I will be set up in the artist alley once again along with many of my pals from the Michigan area. I'll have copies of my ARTBOOK, PLEASANT LIFE, ANNA POCALYPSE and maybe some STARSLAM if you ask nicely! I'll have art cards, original art and I will be taking commissions at the show and pre-orders. For info on where the show is, visit the official website HERE - They run a great show there and showcase a lot of local and indie talent. Come on out and support great comics and those who make them!

Later in the year, I am going to be a featured guest at the GRASP EXPO in Grand Rapids in late June so keep an eye out for that. Details will be worked out but its looking like I will be conducting a panel there. Not sure what about yet but we'll work out the details and I'll share the info with you fine folks. Just keep the idea of going in your mind. I'm likely going to do only one more show maybe later in the year, also FREE COMIC BOOK DAY somewhere. But all that has to be worked out yet. I'll let you know when I know!

So business is slowly returning to normal around here. I got some big things happening this weekend. Some things I'm really looking forward to. Good things all around! It feels good to get out there and see my old friends and make new ones! Saturday will for sure be an exciting day for me for several reasons.... I Can't wait!

In health news, I stepped into a pothole in a dark parking lot a couple nights ago and twisted my foot a bit. It really, really hurts! I missed a day of work due to it and I had to work yesterday with it at both jobs. I was in absolute agony at the first job. Luckily at the second one, I could sit down a lot. That helps. To make myself feel better, I baked myself some more banana bread. YUMMY! I got most of today off, so I am going to pack my old gear bag (been a while since I've used it!) and relax my foot. Hopefully its on the mend even more today and I'll rest up as much as I can. Stupid potholes!!

Its negative 25 degrees here in Lansing, Michigan after wind chill factor. Its been a goddamn cold February so far!  My space heater is getting a work out, thats for sure!

Anyway, just a general update on whats going on. Come out to the MSU COMICS FORUM this Saturday!!! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again!

Cheers, T