5 posts tagged “stumptown”

So I survived an incredibly chaotic week and just got back from my totally awesome long weekend in Portland (Fri night-Tues morning).

What brought you back to Portland? Was it another comic con? I hear you asking. Nope, it's a one word answer:

Blue.

AKA the wonderful and talented Miss Christina Crow, to whom I owe all sorts of praise and gratitude. I've known her since Stumptown 2008, she was one of Cloudscape first "fans" and she really made us feel welcome in her city. During Stumptown 2009 we made a more romantic connection, and so when she was looking for a date to take her to Zombie Prom, I decided to be spontaneous and make a return trip to my favorite town in the USA.

I could go into detail about gathering last minute supplies, helping with make up for Blue and her friends as well as myself, rushing to get there on time, etc. But I think this will basically sum up how the weekend went.

Zombieprom

Yes, a good time was had by all. I also got to go cycling around with Blue and eat at many delicious restaurants. And she treated me to a homemade breakfast of Biscuits and gravy!

It was so nice to spend a carefree weekend with someone, and feel appreciated by them and not feel like there were any conditions, and reservations attached. And she actually finds my nerdiness to be endearing!

Such a lovely breath of fresh air.

I am looking forward to seeing her again in July for PZS.

Hey there,
I Really should have posted earlier, but I went straight into work on Tues and then had to run the Cloudscape meeting.

I know my last post made things sound pretty bleak, but in the end it all worked out, and then some!

Stumptown 2009 was at the time of writing this, my BEST CON EVER!

Everything worked out just exactly right!

Where to begin? Well we stayed at the super cheesey Jupiter hotel which was an experience. Camilla D'Errico recommended it and was also staying there, so I got to share a burger with her and pick her brain about sales techniques. She's a great role model for marketing and business savy, as well as a great person to share table space with. Cloudscape was right next door, so we got to banter and joke throughout the con.

Once again Cloudscape outdid themselves for set-up and display. I was very happy with our table this year.

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I also got to pick up Erika Moens book which had almost not been printed. And grab her super neat collaborative project with Lucy Kinsley. Which was really neat, those are two talented women.

I also got to touch base with all the great Vancouver regulars including the Jobnik crew and Steve Rolston. As well I got to speak with Ed Brisson, and it looks like we will be launching Funday Sunnies alongside his group in May. Expect more details soon.

I also got to meet Jeff Smith and get a nice sketch done. As well as pick up a beautiful limited run print of a new Pop Gun War by Farel Dalrymple.

I also got to get caught up with the one and only, Blue! Musician, Comics activist, and all around awesome girl! Not to mention one of Cloudscapes first fans! She was a huge help, and a great tour guide throughout the trip.

Sales were really good, and I think it helped that I had nominated Historyonics for two Trophy Awards. That night at Cosmic Monkey we even took home an award! I was super thrilled to take the stage, it was definitely a highlight!

Check it out!

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At the party I met Brendan, one of the editors at Dark Horse. He was a really nice guy, and he even bought a book from us :)

The following day I met Craig Thompson who is one of my heroes in comics. He blew me away when I was getting my book signed when he said "Oh yeah I know you, you did that Historyonics book, you guys are doing good stuff".
I was reduced to such a jittery fanboy at that point I had to make a hasty retreat. He'd been to table and liked my books! Woo Hoo!

I think those are the broad strokes. I'm sure I am forgetting countless talented artists I rubbed elbows with. I am definitely coming back to Stumptown 2010, and I will probably go to the Portland Zine Symposium this Summer because I am totally in love with the city of Portland.

Tomorrow morning I am off to Stumptown in Portland Oregon.

I feel like the right thing to do here would be to put a bright shiny face on and talk about how great Cloudscape is and how happy we are to be going to Stumptown, but right now that feels a bit insincere.

A few days ago I would have said I was excited to be going. Now I am not so sure.

I mean I'm still excited to meet Jeff Smith, and Craig Thompson. I'm still excited to speak to Camilla D'Errico and Erika Moen and Ed Brisson again. I'm even excited to attend the Trophy Awards (We are nominated).

I am also excited to see how people like our news books (We've produced two since the last Stumptown). I really feel we've made a great book and I think this could be the con we actually make some profit at.

But due to unforseen complications that I don't feel I should get into in detail here. Everyone seems to be going into this with a chip on their shoulder. They have their nose out of joint, or are stressed out or both. This makes me worried about the future of the collective and I really feel like I haven't done a good job as it's leader.

I am hopeful that we can pull together as a group and move forward, hopefully the good vibes of Portland and the greatest comic con on earth can soothe us all.

Wish me luck!

Life has been motoring along at it's usual break neck pace. I've been musing at how much and how quickly my life has changed. I am now on my second year at DeSerres and living with a roommate.

I'm feeling more comfortable with things so far. The dull ache of being single is becoming easier to handle.

More importantly though, I have a new book coming out!

Funday_sunnies

Well it's been an odd last few months. My career as a comic publisher has really taken off, sadly  comic publishing is still something one does for the love of it and not the financial rewards.

Still I've been feeling better.

October found me embroiled in a crazy relationship that burned itself out by November. For better or for worse I think I learned a lot about myself.

I am now officially a supervisor at DeSerres. I just need to make sure this doesn't put out the fire that was under my ass to escape.

My friend Angela finally put some pretty good targets in front of my face and I'm finally ready to get moving on some real careers.

The plan at the moment is a multi-faceted one which will involve drawing income from multiple sources and giving up on the security of retail sales.

I don't want to to go into great detail, but part of it will be more Cloudscape books, a web comic, and opening my studio space up for producing a lot more peoples mini-comics.

I'm still paying off APE, and most likely will be till February.

Hopefully in April I will have two new books to take with me to Emerald City and Stumptown.

In general life has been improving. Though I still feel, incomplete, like there's one piece missing from the jigsaw puzzle box.

Time will tell perhaps.