I just got back from the San Diego Comic Con yesterday.
WOW! What a fantastic trip it was. We met so many phenomenal artists and talked with so many different people.
Mike and I were lucky enough to have a table right next to Martin Hsu , Jorge Lopez, and John Nevarez. A little further down the aisle was Patrick Morgan from Whale Boy fame and right behing us was Stephen Silver and Sergio Aragones. Bobby Chiu and the Kevin Dart/Chris Turnham who put out a GREAT compilation book of their illustrations.
We also met Deanna Marsigliese and Robin Mitchell. Both extraordinary artist and great people. Robin is one of those guys that you can't help but really really like. You should all check out his books, the Art of Robin Mitchell.
Deanna's work is incredible and so stylish. Simple but extremely elegant, drawings of girls and guys in a limited color palette that reminds one of Searle, which I think is a great inspiration to her.
Her publisher , Dan, was there as well, and he proved to be a swell guy as well.
Right next to them were seated two superb designers, Kristen Lester and Griselda Sastrawinata. I have both their sketch books, and boy are they kick butt designers.
Some of the highlights of the show for me were to meet Mike Kunkel, of Hero Bear who actually knew my work.
I was stunned. Thank you Mike, thank you so much.
And, Tim Sale, of Batman and Spiderman.
Both of them super simple guys, and great inspirations.
Some of the other GREAT GREAT people that made a big impression on me were Bobby Chiu and Kei Acedera, PAtrick Morgan, Donnachada Daly, Luca Tieri,Octavio"'Cano" Rodriguez, Louie Del Carmen(Whose book I missed!Damn!)Jason Felix, John and Shelley Loter, Justin Ridge, Justin and Josh Parpan, Israel Sanchez, Sarah Mesingah, the whole Flight Crew, Rodolphe Guenoden who introduced me to PIERRE ALARY from Beladonne, Stephanie LAberis, Sarah Dungan, and a ton of other artists.
I'll probably make a new post a little later to complement and detail all of this.
I don't think I have to say that I'm super excited about this new upcoming year after seeing all these kick butt artists and their works.
It's probably going to take me quite a bit of time to get my head back on my shoulders and restart doing good work!
In the meantime, have a great day.
Cheers.
P.