APE Extravaganza!!!

Whoo, boy, APE has come and passed! It was quite the planning and work getting there, but my first time as an exhibitor at Alternative Press Expo was well worth the lack of sleep, eye strain, and busy September. I shared a table with three amazing artists and friends: Annie Wong, Andy Malpica, and Allentine Tanujaya. Although I didn't get everything I wanted to finish done in time to sell at APE (still working on my comic about Catholic school), I did get a lot of things made. I had 8.5 x 11 prints, postcards (printed at Moo - as well as my business cards), and made my first keychains and necklaces.

My pretties....

Since I couldn't make buttons (couldn't afford a good button maker), I decided to try and make some keychains and necklaces. After searching on Etsy, I got a trial DIY package from Sun and Moon Craft Kits.

The first six.

I was hooked. So I ordered some more and (lightly) crafted my hands away.

Many a late night...

My tablemates and I also collaborated on a zine/comic called The Cadence of Dreams: A Door to Another World. We each interpreted the title how we saw fit. I knew I wanted to make a comic. Then I decided I wanted it to be Sci-Fi. The story came quick from there and I got to sketching, planning, and inking. 

Day 1

Day 2: The Sunday of INK

We printed and bound it all up and voila!

Annie created the great cover. I really loved collaborating with those awesome ladies. It was inspiring to work on a project with other artists. 

I packed everything up Friday night, checked it twice then three more times in the morning, and was on my way! 

My part of our table

Table full of awesome! Unfortunately, I didn't get Annie's banner name in the shot. Fail.

Peek-a-boo, art! Annie and Andy - watchers on the table

The four of us and our sweet table.

I really enjoyed exhibiting at APE and will definitely be doing so next year (hopefully the exhibition changes don't alter my plans). Now it's time to keep drawing, but also look for more exhibiting options in the future. It was a great experience and I would love to do it again. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know! Right now the only one I'm planning for is CAKE (Chicago Alternative Comics Expo). Plenty of time to make more comics!

In the next two weeks, I'll be updating my Etsy shop with prints, keychains, and necklaces leftover from APE.

Now, lastly, here is my submission for our collaborative zine The Cadence of Dreams: A Door to Another World:

Dreaming

Wow, it's been a week or two, eh? Sorry about that, dear internet. I was in the depths of finals and then attacked by the laziness of the holidays. However, I wanted to get back to my treasured blog and you swell folks, so without further ado...

the last post of the year!

Here is the final work for my interior illustration for Philip K. Dick's "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" Above is the lineart, inked traditionally on bristol with dip pens and India ink.

Then I took that baby into Photoshop...

Ta-da!

I'm still experimenting with applying texture in Photoshop and I want to keep it flat, more of a style than trying to be realistically rendered. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it, but I sure do love that owl! Man, that is one sweetass owl.

Have a great remainder of 2012 and I'll see you all in 2013!

Almost, but not yet forgotten...

I knew there was something bothering me today other than the slew of things unfinished... a blog post! Durr...

I give you the in progress of my interior illustration for "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick.

Still need to ink and then apply some washes before the finish due Monday.

Here's the rough lineart (as seen in the above photo taped to my desk).

I have a busy weekend ahead of me! Also, I'll be going back to Chicago on Monday and be there for ten days, so no blog posts for next week or the Tuesday after. I'm super excited to be back in Chicago for a bit and chill with friends and family.

I hope everyone enjoys next week's holiday chill (or unfortunately maybe not so chill) time, and god speed those who work in the retail industry.

Android Dreams

Behold! Lineart for the current project I'm working on: a cover for Philip K. Dick's "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?"

If you're not privy, it's the short story which the film Blade Runner was based on. Although I must say they really are two different stories, especially in mood. Philip K. Dick has a certain humor in his work which reminded me a bit of Kurt Vonnegut and that had me addicted. If you haven't read this short story or been lagging on reading any Philip K. Dick like I was, stop whatever you're doing and read some! Cause damn, it's good.

I'll also be doing an interior for the story. More posts to come on these projects as they develop!