Got everything packed. Doggo got to come with since she could stay with brother at his house in San Jose and so leaving was easier than it sometimes is. On the other hand we got to experience the full spectrum of Winter Driving Conditions, from snow and ice on 97 to high gusting winds at Weed and finally some good old fashioned California rain as we navigated our way around Lake Shasta. Fittingly enough, the drivers got worse the better the conditions became, until we were driving down the South Bay on dry pavement and people were drifting across four lanes of traffic at 80 MPH without signaling. Made me want to see them try that trick on packed snow. From a safe distance, of course.
It made driving the five miles from my brother’s house to the convention center on Thursday, in the pouring rain, downright relaxing. Even though I had to set up table and art show by myself, I had enough time that I didn’t feel rushed, so that was nice. We tried to go to Mudai Ethiopian for dinner after, but they are apparently closed on Thursdays. Luckily, this being San Jose, we were able to throw a dart at Google maps and hit a world class Oaxacan restaurant, which somewhat made up for Ipoh Garden having closed since the last time I was at the McEnery Convention Center.
Friday was very quiet. It was a real struggle to drag myself away from my table to go perform my reading, but I’m glad I did: my aunt came in specially to listen and I got to chat with the AV guy about driving diesel rigs across the Midwest in -38º F. One time their truck broke down and they had to be rescued by a passerby.
“Everyone stops, when it’s that cold. Because otherwise you die.”
I’m glad people get better as conditions get worse, but I wish conditions didn’t have to get bad for people to be good.
I read “The Five Bodies of Tamerlain Pierce” which is about as baller as anything I have every written and I charmed all three members of my audience, so that was nice. When I got back to my table David had sold a couple prints, which was comforting.
David was a real champ the whole weekend. There’s not a lot of people I trust with my table for long periods of time, but thanks to his help I was able to make rounds of the den and visit friends at other tables—and buy stuff, of course. One of the benefits of having a day job that I can save money off to spend at times like these, without worrying about blowing my output/intake balance from the table.
Saturday picked up. A lot. FurCon feels a bit like Rose City that way, in that it is not a Destination Con like San Diego or AnthroCon, where people save up all year and take the week off. Rather, FC and RCCC take place in major metropolitan areas where the locals who want some weekend fun make up a significant portion of attendees.
What was most nice was how happy everyone was. When I dealt in 2018 I got a distinctly sour feeling from the attendees, but this year everyone seemed to be in a pretty good mood. One guy who I started chatting with while his friends were visiting with the dealer next to me turned out to be another bicycle enthusiast, and when I told him how I decorated my bikes with fish stickers, he bought a pack. It was cute.
Commissions were relatively light. I only had two sketchbooks. They seem to be a fading trend, which saddens me. But I had a good time in the homework room with Kiki and Etuix and Talenshi, and I am very pleased with all the work I did over the weekend.
Sundays are usually made by my on-the-spot brush pen sketches, but this time I got caught by my second sketchbook of the con, which is probably the most profound sketchbook I’ve ever had the honor of contributing to.
I love themed sketchbooks. They are great fun, especially if the themes are whimsical or weird. But Steve’s book blew them all away.
His theme was simple: draw your interpretation of your creative process.
The book was about half full of some of the best art I’ve ever seen. Everyone had drawn something different, and everyone was right. Every page I looked at, I thought “yes, that’s exactly what it’s like!” Except each page was different.
My only regret was that I had to do it at my table, and could not put as much time and care into it as I would have liked. Then again, this meant I could not over bake the content, which is perhaps a good thing. Anyway, of everything I drew that weekend I am most proud of this.
Also on Sunday was my Gentle Physical Wellness for Creators program, which got about six people which turned out to be the perfect amount. We did extremely gentle Pilates and some plank practice, and everyone left feeling better than when they arrived. It was all very gratifying and I hope to hold it at some other cons I do.
The trick will be getting all my dealer friends to put down there pencils and come do it.
The art show was a pleasant surprise. I have not had good luck with art shows in the past, but decided that, as panels were cheap and I was driving, to go all in with my remaining planet horse originals, plus embellished giclée prints of the rest, so that I could display the entire system. I also added some modest brush pens, for good measure. The result was very satisfying, and I had many people stop at my table after having seen my work in the show. Even better, four pieces sold, not including Sol, who had been sponsored beforehand. It was all very encouraging, and I’m having fun cooking up what I’ll do for my next show, which will probably be AnthroCon.
Of course the best part of these cons is getting to see old friends and making new ones. The highlight for me was definitely Talenshi, whose work I have admired for years and whom I got to share a couple meals and a dealer aisle with. Anyway, her work is wonderful and you should definitely go buy one of her sketchbooks. And then commission me to draw in it. We make a good team. I also go to sit (almost) back-to-back with Thornwolf, who is a massively skilled powerhouse and it felt good to be in her vicinity. I missed Balaa and Sairah, and also the chance to meet Maquenda, but hopefully we’ll have another chance soon.
Fond shouts to my dealer buddy, Moth Monarch, whose game gets stronger (and more iridescent) every time I see them, and Kikidoodle, who is a champion among artists. Also Etuix, Idess, Laura Garabedian, the Kaiju Twins, Naomi and Rio, and last but not least to Moo, for putting together one of the best run dealer rooms I’ve had the pleasure of participating in.
And thanks to everyone who came and bid in the art show, bought prints, or just stopped by to chat. It wouldn’t be the same without you.
It was a long drive back yesterday, but it gave me lots of time to think about the future, and where I want my business and products to go this year. I am waitlisted for Emerald City, but I have a standing invite from Kiki to work for her, selling Purrmaids, and multiple offers of places to stay. Also Volante Design will be there, so I will probably go. Who knows, I may be able to fill a last minute vacancy.
I am also filled with the desire to design and produce enamel pins, as I always am after seeing (and buying) my friends’ beautiful work. I have set a soft goal to have at least one pin made this year. Wish me luck.
My next confirmed convention will be Biggest Little FurCon in Reno, Nevada, May 1-3, at the Grand Sierra Resort (and Casino!). I will be splitting a table with Moth, so look for our Tower of Terror somewhere in the dealer room. I look forward to the relatively short seven hour drive, on dry, bare pavement, before things catch on fire.
On the home front, there is art to draw, stories to write, and pins to design. Updates on all of these will be posted to my Patreon, so if you haven’t already, go give me a follow! Pledges start at $1/month but I also make public posts there now and then. It would be great to have you along.
