Thursday, March 31, 2011

...whaaaaa?

I know I promised a sticky post with things I'm selling and prices, but I decided to just go ahead and set up an online store, so that will hopefully be up soon.

Critiques in my painting class tend to be a two day affair. This is both because my class is large (16 students, and most produce anywhere from two to ten paintings between critiques) and because we all have a lot to say. For me, these things tend to go well. I know that it's my paintings, and not my worth as a human being, that is being evaluated. Besides, the other students and the teacher are there to help and therefore never cross the line into downright cruelty.

That being said, I heard something interesting while one classmate was taking their works down and another was setting up:

"Oh, I forgot. We're not supposed to tell them what we like."


...what? I mean, sure, you don't want crits in which all the feedback is 'you're amazing!' because that isn't really a crit. It's actually pretty frustrating and useless. But at the same time if all you're hearing is 'don't do this' and 'that looks strange' and 'you should reconsider', that can be dispiriting as well.

The thing about changing and innovating in your work is that sometimes things don't work out, but sometimes they do, and either way you have to go on from there. The positive part of a crit provides an anchor for future innovation. If you leave it out, you're stranding your studio mate.

So I guess what I'm saying is: other people are people too.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

SPACE 2011

It's late and I've just gotten back from SPACE 2011 and I wanted to put up a quick reaction post, both to say hello to any and all new readers who'll be wandering through and because I'm feeling pretty darn good about it and want to get this down before I start thinking too much.

First, some things I want to pat myself on the back for (because I almost didn't get them done): finishing The Adventures of Dirk Turbine: Attack of the Air Squid (authored by Leslie Anderson and illustrated by my very own self) and getting my business cards printed and cut this year. I forgot last time 'round and it made exchanging info much more difficult. This was good!

Compared to last year, the crowd was smaller and calmer, but then again the makeup of the exhibitors in general seemed less rambunctious as well. I got to actually talk to the other exhibitors this year rather than just waving hello and running away so that they could talk to incoming customers.

Although...incoming customers are always a good thing too.

I've got a lot of promotional material to sort through in the next couple of days, much of which I don't even remember how it came to be in my possession. I do know that plenty of them lead to webcomics, though, so that's good.

There were a surprising number of people (surprising only because no one asked last year) who asked if I had an online store. I currently do not, but expect a sticky post in the next couple of days with my currently available works (plus maybe some commission prices if you're in to that sort of thing), which should hold me over until I can actually set up a shop. It'll probably be a couple of weeks before that happens, unfortunately. Next weekend is taken up by a wedding, and the intervening time is getting eaten by ceramics uncover deadlines and painting crits.

Also graphic design stuff, too, I guess? Half the class doesn't even show up for crit days, so it's hard to determine how seriously I should be taking the assignments. Makes things less stressful, anyway.

In conclusion: SPACE good. SPACE next year: definitely happening. School is a thing that happens.

Anyone recommend other midwest cons for the going to? I think it's time for some adventure.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Last weekend

It was a goodly weekend. So I drew a picture so's I'd remember it.


Photobucket

Unfortunately, my tablet decided to get all glitchy in the middle of working on this. Fortunately, I was able to bring it back to life.

The bruises were from the underwater hockey tournament that was held by our club. They were well earned (...I think, anyway, but I'm a rookie, so who knows?)

Next weekend: the start of spring break, and the tournament held by UofI!