24.03.05
L.A. Waxing
This is the only photo I took at WizardWorld LA and it was taken as the show was closing on Sunday evening and exhibitors were packing up to go home. But I couldn't resist a photo op with IceBat - who knows what kinds of doors this will open for me, career-wise? You can see what he's all about over at UglyDolls.com. I first noticed these charming little fellows when Matt and I visited a toy store in Soho a few months ago. The designs are, coincidentally, similar to this sketch I did last year.
So... the Con was really good. I was able to get together with Eddie Berganza, Greg Rucka, and Tanya & Richard Horie (basically, the entire creative team of Adventures of Superman) to discuss specifics of the book such as tone, page design and colour palettes. As I've stated many times since, I wish I could work like that all of the time. It's truly collaborative and passionate and there's a palpable energy bouncing back and forth that's just not present when I'm slaving away by myself at home. But that's the nature of freelance work, I guess, so I'll take those moments when I can get them.
I was also inspired by time spent with Alé Garza, Mark Brooks, Dave McCaig, Skottie Young and Josh Middleton, a handful of the most talented artists in the biz who make me feel unworthy when I look at their work.
And finally, a big thanks to everyone who came by the DC Booth to see me (or to see Greg and bumped into me by accident). It was great chatting with everyone and doing sketches. Unfortunately, it didn't occur to me to photograph any of the better drawings I did, so if any of the recipients are reading this and want to scan their sketches, e-mail them to me and I'll post them on the site in all their hurried glory!
Back to work now...
**As I've stated many times since, I wish I could work like that all of the time. It's truly collaborative and passionate and there's a palpable energy bouncing back and forth that's just not present when I'm slaving away by myself at home. But that's the nature of freelance work, I guess, so I'll take those moments when I can get them.**
Would working at Crossgen have appealed to you had things worked out there?
Posted by: Luke at March 25, 2005 09:19 AM
That's a good question. I was never all that interested in Crossgen's line of books or their rigid policies on a structured universe, but I still think there's merit to establishing an organized, in-house environment where the creative teams work together. I mean, can you imagine a group of people trying to make a movie, or put together a magazine, with their only contact being a couple of e-mails or phone calls? It would have been interesting to visit the Crossgen campus to see how happy people were. Obviously, there are always tensions and dramas in the workplace, but I mean generally, what was the energy like there?
I often feel that I'm missing out on important social nourishment by not getting up in the morning and going to 'work' for a set number of hours each day with a group of other people. I kind of imagine the consequences of this social 'hole' in one's life are similar to those of home-schooling.
Hopefully I won't be a complete social misfit a few years from now..
Posted by: Karl at March 25, 2005 10:09 AM
or what about a fellowship somewhere, say at a film institute or an arts organisation? the blogger, jason kottke, just went full-time and since he didn't want to live and work alone at home he got a fellowship at a creative technology organisation. the idea is that, though there are no financial ties, there will develop a symbiotic creativity through his presence.
here's his post:
Posted by: matt at March 25, 2005 11:04 AM
