Thursday, April 2, 2015

Emerald City 2015 - Bestest Friends

Proof I was at ECCC 2015
In my Ka-Blam shirt, again. Told other artists at Emerald City Comicon about the $10 print deal for wearing and promoting the shirt. They liked.

Wow, what a show. Four days next year? Madness! But in a good way.

Had an infection that ALMOST canceled the show for me, but the right antibiotics for the strain of nasty I'd contracted finally put me on my feet for the 4 hour drive and the load-in. I don't count the ferry ride from Bainbridge Island - it's too relaxing. It's just the Road Trip.

So wasn't quite together a lot of the time. Those of you who saw me bouncing off the walls in Con Mode were watching the last sizzles at the bottom of the battery before I crawled back to my table - and at one point, under it. 

But I got to meet a lot of old friends and make new ones. Roberta Gregory was sharing the table with me, with her new "True Cat Toons." Bruce Taylor shared her half of the table as author AND booth babe, so we weren't so locked down. He was really in sales mode, and moved some books. Then again, he always is.

Didn't make a lot of sales - but that's not really what the shows are for any more, are they? Especially now, with the internet. And I was concentrating on promoting the Clallam Bay Comicon (CBCC). MIGHT we be honored with the presence of Linda Medley, author of "Castle Waiting"? We have Roberta Gregory ("Naughty Bits," and many others), of course, who is always a splendid addition to any show.

My "How To Draw A Horse Correctly" panel went well. I was a bit confused by the new overhead technology, and kept sliding out of the screen - tape the pad of paper in place next time! - and trying to remember how the old panel went. 

The original was called, "How To Draw A Horse Right, Damnit!" but ECCC Familied it up. 

I'm planning on holding it again at the CBCC, and if all goes well, it will be filmed and loaded onto Youtube, so you can all watch it.

At the end, those who stayed - most of 'em, I think - came crowding up to remind me I'd promised to pass out the sketches. And I gave them the "passes" to the CBCC - you know, the one with no admission fees - and wished I'd remembered my comics for the panel. 

One young man said, "This is the best thing I've been to all weekend!" which surprised and pleased me. A woman showed me her sketchbook, and it looked like she'd been xeroxing my sketches from the air! Not to give away the farm, but expect a comic book about Rome.... with the horses drawn correctly.

I should point out that my riding chops are nothing to write home about, so thanks to audience members who ACTUALLY know how to ride. As a kid, I just jumped on whatever woods colt was going and went off through the woods, while the pony's owner looked out the back window and said, "Huh. No horse. Must be off with the kids in the woods again." Rope bridles and hanging onto a mane are no substitute for the Vienna Riding school. 

I had SOOOOO much fun being able to yack with Michael McAdam (old friend and former Peach Pitt)​ at ECCC 2015. However, I apologize for making the man go red as a balloon in his face and almost choking to death laughing. He said, " 'I'm bored" should be on my tombstone, and I said, "No, I want the line from Desert Peach #3: "The slut used duct tape." 

New fabulous smart friend Meghan (booth babe and sound design) for the people by our table said the most dangerous words in the world are "I'm bored." Because I'd said, "I got bored and learned to crochet," while pointing out my new beret.

Damn' infection. I'm making all kinds of health changes THIS year, to keep me moving for upcoming years. The girl is 63 this year, but I'm not quitting. Not yet. Us artists and writers die at the drawing board and the keyboard, you know. When we're not out clearing potato sprouts out of the kale beds or catching the chickens trying to scam us.

Next year: Emerald City made purring noises about my presenting the horse panel again - and possibly, "How To Hold Your Own Comicon." Cross your fingers.

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