San Diego Comic-Con 2015 (Allen William’s booth to the right) |
The San Diego Comic-Con International is coming up in three weeks and the summer/fall convention season is beginning to gather steam. From San Diego you can move onto GenCon, WorldCon (World Science Fiction Con), DragonCon, IlluxCon, New York ComicCon and World Fantasy – just to name a few of the heavy hitters. You are guaranteed to run into scores of professionals, artists and art directors alike at any of these events as well as hang with serious fans of the genres numbering into the thousands.
Stephan Martiniere’s walls are blank because he sold all of his large framed prints! |
Over the years I have met and made friends with a wide range of attendees, and created deep lasting bonds with fellow professionals like Stephan Martiniere, Cathy and Arnie Fenner, Dylan Cole, Greg Hildebrandt, and Kirk Thatcher to name but a few. Others I have been lucky enough to shake their hands and begin to know them better – John Howe, Roger Dean, Joe Haldeman, Moebius and George R.R. Martin. The list is huge, and all began because I attend these events first and foremost as a fan.
Signing the 2015 A Song of Ice and Fire Calendar with George R.R. Martin in San Diego |
Being sincere about what you are interested in and love will trump any need to be a completely ‘successful’ professional to engage in compelling conversation before the eyes of other professionals. I know I would much rather talk with an excited and educated fan or young talent than feel the pressure to look at someones work, pro or amateur, who is trying too hard to ‘make it’ at that event. There is so much more to a convention than just making sales/acquiring work in the moment.
Here are a few thoughts on how I approach a show like San Diego Comic-Con, which will be my 18th straight appearance this July.
Booth at 2015 San Diego Comic-Con |
Justin Sweet at IlluxCon in Allentown |
2015 IlluxCon in Allentown Art Museum |
Bob Self’s Baby Tattoo at San Diego Comic-Con |
I'll be exhibiting for the first time at SDCC this year, so this post is tremendously helpful! I would love to see your work in person!
Congrats on making it in to the Con Sanya! It is a wild, shocking experience. Be prepared and be patient…not all that is good just happens on the main floor that week.
Do you mean to say it's a good idea to branch out to other areas? Portfolio reviews for example?
Hi Donato, thank you for this helpful post! I'm getting ready for my first booth at a (Spectrum Live)convention. I have had work in galleries but actually being there and selling ones work can be intimidating.