CTN Expo was a blast!

Just got back from the annual animation gathering (and highlight of my year) CTN Expo in Burbank!  Not being one to make a lot of posts to my blog while on the go (what does this blog look like, twitter?!) I finally have a chance to post my thoughts on the overwhelming-but-fun convention that comes but once a year.

CTN has become almost a "family reunion" of sorts, a chance to see friends and colleagues that I may keep touch with via Facebook but rarely get to spend time with face to face.  I think it's that and a lot more for many of us animation artists, both professional and aspiring.  Comic-Con long ago became an overwhelming orgy of all manner of pop culture, comics and animation seem almost secondary to all the big tentpole movie hype, cosplay, and toy & game exclusives.  None of that goes on at CTN (despite some feeble attempts by marketers to do so on occasion.)  This is a place, an ever-more-crowded place, for people who care about the art of animation and storytelling to learn, network, and party with their own kind.

It may only be three days a year, but in a way it is the longest weekend of the year.  I only wish it could take place in a venue that can accommodate all of us, the tents and small rooms just don't cut it anymore!  But for whatever frustrations and failings there may be, CTN still remains the best place to meet and learn from other animation artists.  I hope it continues to be the gathering it has been for a long time.

Getting set to go APE!

Well, the time has come for me to get back into the fray of comic conventions.  Yep, I'm going to be at the upcoming Alternative Press Expo (APE) con!  This year will be a bit different for me and a lot of my fellow artists, since Comic-Con International has transferred the ownership & operation of the convention back to Dan Vado, the fellow who first started APE over 20 years ago!  With that change, there has been a change of venue; APE will be held at the San Jose Convention Center on the weekend of October 3-4

My illustrations, books, stickers & tees (and me!) can be found at Table 237, right in the center of the convention hall.  Hope to see you there!

Tickets to Alternative Press Expo (APE)
Get your tickets now at: http://www.alternativepressexpo.com/#!tickets/cq53

 San Jose Convention Center - Saturday and Sunday October 3rd & 4th

The Funkybat Store launches today!

Huzzah! Today I wish to invite everyone to check out my latest online creation, The Funkybat Store! This is my (for now) modest storefront on the web, offering some of my more popular merchandise which was once available only at WonderCon and APE. Now my creations are available for sale 24/7/365! I've got my T-shirts and stickers and some magnets right now, and I plan to offer prints of my illustrations in the future.

Go to funkybat.bigcartel.com to pick up what you missed from the cons! I'd love to hear feedback from customers & potential customers on what they'd like to see added, after all this store is for all of you as well. I'll be revising it as I go along, as I'm new to the online retail scene.

Next thing on the horizon will be an *all new* Funkybat.com. I'll be launching a revamped version of my site later this month, I'll keep everyone posted via this blog and my Facey Spaces and other social media. I'll also be uploading a lot of new stuff I haven't put out anywhere online as well. In the meantime, check out the store:

funkybat.bigcartel.com