I'm finding more and more each year that I spend most (if not all) my shopping time (and money) in Artist Alley at FanExpo. A lot of people have echoed this statement. If you're looking for Bazinga t-shirts and Doctor Who figures, the retail section is for you. But really, despite Artist Alley being shuffled around and organized like an afterthought, it's the place to go to find unique and cool items (just be prepared to wade through the mishmash of genres and levels of professionalism).
This year I picked up a They Live print from Andrew Barr who always has a table nearby with Leigh Young. It was this print that I took to have John Carpenter sign. It's the first time I paid for an autograph in all the years I've attended the convention. Max Brooks, Guillermo Del Toro, House of Frightenstein folks: all free and lovely to chat with in years past. Mr. Carpenter was...there to sign autographs. Period. And that pretty much sums up our meeting. Though he did managean initial smile when he shook my hand, and then was curious who the illustrator was for the image (luckily Andrew was behind me in line so I could point him out). But that was it. Yeah, yeah, we all love Jack Burton. Thanks for the $40, now step aside and quit with the small talk.
I have finally gotten a chance to add all of the new minions (well, all the minions that have been photographed) to the Art Ghoullery section with their stories.
It was a weird convention experience for me this year. They changed the layout - again - so much that I had people saying they had the hardest time finding Artist Alley (never mind my actual table). And since our creepy coven of artists were hidden in the far back corner, people who like horror (or Halloweenish things) usually turned down the main aisle before getting near us (since there was a sea of anime items close by that gave the impression that's all there was).
It's been a month since I last posted. Why? Because I've been creating an army of creatures for FanExpo which takes place this weekend starting tomorrow in Toronto.
I'll be in the Artist Alley section (you can see the map marked with my location in far left corner - not too far from the Tim Burton Frankenweenie exhibit) at table A45.
I have taken loads of pictures for all the new creations waiting for their big premiere but haven't had two seconds free to post them. August has been a runaway train.
To remedy this, I decided to snap a couple of quick pictures for all of you to take a sneak peek (more below) and see what the table will look like this year, and who is on offer.
I always do a trial run for the table before a big show. This year, there are so many critters I barely have room for them all: Plague Doctors, Little Minions, Dark Dwellers, Carnivorous Plants, mini pumpkins and more.
So come visit me sometime over the next four days!
I was able to get away for a seminar this year. A friend kept Yetch company while he manned the table and I went off with another friend to sit in on a talk by Mitchell Markowitz. You might know him better as Super Hippy or the mosquito on Hilarious House of Frightenstein.
Also on the panel was Victoria Price, daughter of Vincent Price.
It was a packed room of fans, all of us pleased to sit quietly and listen to anecdotes of the show and especially tales of Vincent Price.
The biggest blessing of being part of the convention is meeting people. Not only meeting them, but having the same people come back year after year to say hello and tell me they are excited to see what's new on my table.
It's so funny that people are shocked when I remember them, but the secret is I'm just as shocked they remember me and my work.
Here's a great example. I was sent this picture from a lovely young woman (who is probably lurking on the blog right now. I see you). It's a photo of my creations she's collected over the last three years: she started with a mini pumpkin the first year, graduated to an eyeball plant and pumpkinhead minion the second year, and this year I was thrilled she was the one who adopted Wilhelmina the Witch.
It gives me immense pleasure when I know my beloved monsters go to good homes.
This year was certainly the busiest one for me in terms of people: general chatting, introductions, requests for interviews and interesting propositions for future shows or projects (many of whom are waiting for some sort of email from me, and if they are reading this, I hope they'll remain patient. There was a family emergency and I'm out of town. I didn't even get a chance to unpack from the show. Poor Yetch is surrounded by the mess I left in my wake).
As a rule, it's these interactions I'm most excited about as my anticipation grows each August. Celebrities are fun to see, but it's all the different people I meet (fellow artists, horror folk and - dare I say it - actual fans of my work) who make the weekend so great. I also feel guilty leaving people to man my table for too long, so it's been 3 years since I've lined up for or attended anything at the convention.
Of course, every now and then, there's an exception.
They've officially announced the Horror schedule and the floor-plan for retailers, special guests, and people like me in Artist Alley.
I will be at table A248 which is in the back right corner of the convention. For whatever reason, they've separated the horror artists in the Alley from the rest of the horror section (we're not only a row back from them, but actually far to the right of where the horror retailers will be). Between us and our brethren will be huge corporate exhibits for video game companies.
The concern of course is that horror fans who aren't interested in visiting EB Games or Xbox will simply skip our little corner all together. They will see the video games section and assume there's no more horror goodness to be found.
No use worrying about it too much, I suppose. There's little to be done about it at this point.
My foot actually looks like a foot now (if you can ignore the rainbow hues of healing), and I'm at the point where I can get around with the help of a cane. This is good news since I have less than 3 weeks until the big show, and I am in desperate need of some art supplies.
While hobbling around the house, I did manage to get some pieces finished. Six mini carnivorous plants have been sprouted. One went to friends visiting from out of the country, but the remaining five will make their debut at Rue Morgue's Festival of Fear.
I'll still have some of the eyeball plants for sale, but less than usual. So if you're coming to the show with the hope of buying one, pick it up early!
Most of you know who Joshua Hoffine is, or at least you've seen his photography. If you haven't, check out his site. Don't worry. I'll wait.
I had the pleasure of meeting him and his fiancée Jen (who makes pendants) almost two years ago at Festival of Fear, and I reported back on what a nice guy he was in addition to being wonderfully creative.
I just found out he's actually offering his services for 15 weddings this year (yes, the bride and groom jumping through the fire loop on a motorcycle is his handiwork). Like the title of this post suggests, it's enough to make me want to have a wedding.
Needless to say, I'm a fan. Not totally fanatic, but he's high on my list of favourite artists.
Which brings me to my story that I promised you yesterday.
Really, this post should have been called I'm A Moron. Can I have a Do Over.
I'm finding more and more each year that I spend most (if not all) my shopping time (and money) in Artist Alley at FanExpo. A lot of people have echoed this statement. If you're looking for Bazinga t-shirts and Doctor Who figures, the retail section is for you. But really, despite Artist Alley being shuffled around and organized like an afterthought, it's the place to go to find unique and cool items (just be prepared to wade through the mishmash of genres and levels of professionalism). 
I have finally gotten a chance to add all of the new minions (well, all the minions that have been photographed) to the 
