// ComicFest 2011, Birthday, & More

Well, I have to say that this year's ComicFest was quite an eye-opener. I was quite humbled at the fact that I had won a table in Artist's Alley. Sharing space with some of the artists there was one of the most humbling experiences I've had. And to see the caliber of artists there and here I was with them--considered a peer. I couldn't believe it. The coolest part was taking one of my prints (ComicFest Mjolnir) and having each and every artist there sign it to reprsent ComicFest for this year.

I got to share a table with the other Art Contest winner and that was also a great time. Chad Blakely (http://chadblakely.blogspot.com) is an artist to truly keep an eye on. His self-published book, Kidnapping Kevin Smith, will drop in June. It's endorsed by Kevin himself and even features a dope cover by Madman artist Mike Allred. The cool thing about Chad was that he was willing to hold down my fort as I went table to table getting everyone to sign/sketch my print. He even sold a few of my prints & sketchbooks when I was gone. Chad is a guy that has a unique style and true passion for sequential storytelling.

My first day there was awesome as I was able to make some money selling sketchbooks, prints and even a quick commission of Kid Flash. Saturday proved to be an even more exciting day as J. Scott Campbell was in attendance. The cool part was being able to chat with various artists and talking with them about how they go about their work and such. Some of my friends even visited my table on Saturday, and like punks they didn't buy any of my goodies. On Sunday as the 'Con was winding down, I was asked to participate on a panel with teaching kids how to make their own comics. The funny part was we then would work with the kids to make a quick comic, and I got to work with a little girl who decided that she wanted to tell a story about Mickey Mouse losing his nose. She didn't want any part of drawing it though, so I was honored to work on her little story.

When I started cleaning up on Sunday I realized how satisfying ComicFest was for me. It proved that there are some people out there that truly like my work enough to purchase it. Being able to support myself with my artwork is something that I've been searching for for a long time. ComicFest showed that I could do that. Being around the fantastic artists there was also awesome because like I said I felt like I was considered a peer there--instead of a hack or wanna-be.

On a different note, tomorrow is my birthday. I've spent the past 3 days off from work and tomorrow will culminate the end of my 4 day Birthday weekend. I plan to hang out with my wife and enjoy great food. It's quite a significant birthday, and my experience with ComicFest is a gift that came early.

Anyway...enough sappy stuff... visit my gallery - http://quietstorm.deviantart.com/gallery/

Take it easy!

// ComicFest Commission - Ultimate Moon Knight

Commission featuring my representation of Moon Knight from Marvel's Ultimate Universe. 

This was done for a collector who had literally hundreds of Moon Knight images featuring countless talented professionals including many deviantArt members. It was truly an honor to be included into this collection.  Many thanks to Chad Blakely for sending me a photo of this commission.  Remember artists that attend conventions to  bring your digital camera to save those commissions for posterity.

// ComicFest - Sunday Sketch Rigby

Another Sunday sketch, this time featuring Rigby from Regular Show.  It's truly amazing...oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhh!

// ComicFest - Sunday Sketch Robin

Sketch featuring Robin from the new Young Justice show. Another ComicFest sketch.

// ComicFest - Saturday Thor Sketch

Sketch featuring Thor from the Avengers. This sketch was done Saturday at this year's Denver ComicFest.

// ComicFest - Friday Night Green Lantern Sketch

Here's a sketch of Green Lantern Kyle Rayner that I did tonight on Day 1 of Denver's ComicFest 2011.  Immediately after finishing this one, I was commissioned to draw up Kid Flash from Young Justice and unfortunately I didn't get a chance to snap a picture of that commission.

// Code Z Pencils Page 01

Here's the pencils for my new webcomic called Code Z.

The preface of the story is what would happen if people were trapped where I work when the dead begin to rise.  It's scripted and co-plotted by Steve Kruc.

Critiques welcomed and encouraged.