Hey, gang. Recently I started setting back up at conventions and special events, and have been much more successful. The first ever Memphis Monster Con was great this past weekend.
Back in 2019 I took a hiatus from setting up at comic cons, just before the pandemic hit in 2020. Comic cons had changed and my art just wasn’t selling. I was lucky to make gas money at most cons, and there were times when I couldn’t even give stuff away at shows…literally!
The last two Mays I set up at the Memphis Library Con at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library (main library) on Poplar.
In 2023 I set up with the MSCA, and then this year at the con I got my own table. Had a great time, and even signed copies of some of my old printed work like “Bushi Tales” and “Retro Fan Magazine”.
Nicki has been the moderator for both year’s creator panels with guests John Ostrander and Mike Norton (2023), and Gene Ha and Matt Wagner (2024).
I’ve also set up at 901 Comics East for 2023’s Halloween Comic Fest in October and this year’s Free Comic Book Day in May.
In October I was part of the Halloween pop-up shop Monster Market at The Medicine Factory downtown.
I had been a part of Monster Market a couple years ago just after the pandemic when it was at Marshall Arts and online. Mostly had prints, stickers, and some sketchcards for sale.
This year at the Medicine Factory I sold several more prints and stickers, some sketchcards, buttons, zines, and an original marker illustration (“3 Brides” from the MSCA “Drawing Blood” art show). Also had my Monster Market exclusive “London After Midnight” marker piece for sale, too.
Nicki and I got to attend a couple times, including the Monster Maker appreciation wrap party, where we picked up my pieces and enjoyed some snacks while taking to other artists.
On Saturday, October 26th I was part of the Crosstown Concourse Annual Record Swap & Zine Fest. The record vendors were located downstairs, and the zine artists were upstairs near the galleries.
I was trying out my new table set-up which includes the new canopy, striped table runners, LED lights, and wooden displays. I was happy to get it all to fit in my trunk, and haul it inside in one trip!
I had my new “Scared Silly” zine and my “BATS” trading cards for sale, along with prints, stickers, buttons, sketchcards, and sketchcovers. I had a great time, and did well. I did get some sinus crud thanks to the changing weather. I woke up the next day and had no voice! Thankfully after some coffee it came back some, but it made it a bit difficult to record a podcast episode at the Memphis Comic Expo. You can hear that “Drawing Funny” episode here. I had planned on attending the Corinth Comic Con the following week on my birthday to see my niece Lindsay who was set up there with her Nerdy Poop, but I ended up having to stay home due to the sinus crud kicking in over the week. It’s only an hour or two away in Corinth, MS and hope to check it out next year…if it doesn’t conflict with the Memphis Monster Con!
Which is where I was set up this past weekend- November 9th & 10th. It was the first ever Memphis Monster Con out at the Pipkin Building in the old fairgrounds.
I did a bit of tweaking to my table set-up, and painted the canopy poles black. Still need to work on setting it all up faster!
There are still a few things I want to add to it, but for now it’s functional and easy to transport.
I bought a new con bag to store and transport the canopy, table runners, table cloth, and other con supplies and displays. I do need a new banner (or two), printed table runner, and some new business cards. Was kicking myself for not having cards printed up before this con and Zine Fest. Working on designing those and the banners now and will have them for next year’s shows.
On Saturday at the Memphis Monster Con, I finally got to meet Marty Rossin from Gabe’s Cave in Eldorado, AR. Got an invite from Marty to come down and do a signing appearance in their amazing store. Definitely will look at what date will work for that in 2025. Been a bit since Nicki and I have been on a road trip, and I’ve wanted to check out the shop for a while now.
I’ve done some sketchcards for their YouTube gift boxes, and was interviewed by Marty on their YouTube show.
Marty bought one of my sketchcovers and some prints for a charity auction they’re supporting. I gave him an extra print and one of my official Star Wars sketchcards for the auction. Scan the QR code above or CLICK HERE to go to their Facebook page. Marty and Gabe have a few of my sketchcovers in their personal collection, and I appreciate the support they’ve given me and my work.
The Monster Con was a great show, and I had a blast being in artists alley, exploring the show, and picking up a few items to take home with me. It was definitely my most successful show- either solo or as a group, and look forward to being back next year.
There was a time back when I was self-publishing with Dave and Micah that I was either set up at or attending a con or event almost monthly. This fall is reminding me that was a long time ago and I’m too old for that $#*+! While I’ve been busy the past few months, I do only plan to do shows maybe quarterly with maybe a small one day local event thrown in here and there, and one art show a year either with the MSCA or on my own.
Speaking of art shows, up next for me is that I’m going to be a part of the Mid-South Cartoonists Association’s “The Funny Pages” art show at Germantown Community Theatre at 3037 Forest Hill Irene, Germantown, TN. The show opened this Tuesday, and the opening artist reception is this Saturday, November 16th from 5-8pm in the theater’s lobby. I’ll have one painted piece in the group show, which runs through the first part of January.
The next event after that I’ll be set up at is the Rouges Gallery group pop-up shop at Centerpoint Toys & Games on Navy Road in Millington, TN. Myself and other local artists will be in-store from 10am-3pm. It’s a free event and open to the public, and just a few minutes north of Memphis.
I do plan on looking at other horror shows and art events to table at in 2025, as well as doing Library Con, Zine Fest, Monster Market, Memphis Monster Con, and others again. Hope to see you out there!
Lin