Friday, June 22, 2007

Paradise Comicon 2007

Well, a complete week has already slipped by since the Main Event.. But I'm in desperate need of a Blog update.. So, I'll ruminate a tad on this past weekend's big 3-day 'Toronto Comicon 2007' event!
It was a very enjoyable gathering, as per usual.. But unless I'm imagining things,-- the crowds seemed a bit thinner than previous years? The CNE location is such a BIG Hall though, that sometimes it just "feels" like there's fewer people? At least, to me..
It's still not an ideal venue, in my opinion. And I know the organizers are aware of it, too.. It simply lacks the intimacy of their cozier 'Holiday Inn on King' venue; which they use for their 1-day conventions..
I got to meet up again, with a number of great friends.. Though, I didn't actually bump into other artist chums, 'til the last day of the Show.. And some of those, not 'til the dwindling hours on Sunday!
Talked briefly to Paul Rivoche, Cameron Stewart, and Michael Cho, too.. Finally got to trade books with Blair Kitchen and his brother Mike.. As well as, catch up with a few of my older Animation compatriots: David Bluestein, and Kurt Lehner..

Paid my respects to Darwyn Cooke, too.. And asked him how his 'NEW FRONTIER' direct-to-video, was proceeding? He told me that all of the North American production work was complete. And that it was now in the capable hands of overseas animators.. Hopefully, it'll turn out alright.. I know Darwyn was a stickler for ensuring that this 2D Animated Feature remain true to his approved Final Script.. So, hopefully, the resulting DVD, will be a memorable one!

I also got to meet up again, with a number 'Drawing Board' friends.. One memorable friend, in particular: Kieron O'Gorman.. aka "untamo1".. Who made a point of dropping by my Artist's Alley table each day, just to shoot-the-breeze, and talk Art, etc..
Kieron currently works fulltime as a Software Tester.. But is looking to changeover to an Arts career, someday. Considering the artwork he shared with me,-- this guy has got TONS of potential.. He'll do fine, in whatever artistic field he chooses to enter!
As a way of expressing "Thanks!" to whatever meagre advice I was able to share with him.. He gifted me with this beautiful Superhero gal, shown here:

Finally... Were you aware that I am: "..the BEST?!!" Neither, was I.. But yeah, I'm finally feeling vindicated!.. I've been told I'm quite simply: "..AWESOME!!!" Who am I to argue?..
OUCH, it already feels like my Head's gonna explode.. Jeepers!

Every convention, I renew acquaintances with some of the more-devout members of Toronto's fine Comic-Book community.. And from my personal experience, 2 of the very-best of these, are: 'Milo' & his girlfriend: 'Kathryn'..
Every show, they make a point to drop by & say "Hello!" and ogle my artwork.. It gives us artists a well-needed EgoStroke. And we (and our artwork) begin to feel a somewhat valuable, to the wider World?
I know that my "free sketches" may have SOMETHING to do with them consistently coming by my Table, too? haha

I'm generally a pisspoor Con Sketch dude.. But lately, I've been getting better at it.. Milo was smart enough to play to my own perceived strengths.. And this time, asked for "The Old Witch" from the vintage 50's-era EC Comics.. A character I've drawn a few times, before..
This, was the result:

I noticed later on, that I'd forgotten to draw a 4th finger on her Right Hand? Oh, well..

Milo also writes (and podcasts!) regularly for an excellent online Comic-Book resource, entitled: 'Digital Kontent'.. You can follow the Link posted in the above JPEG.. Or, if you'd rather read specifically about his 'Paradise Comicon 2007' experiences.. THAT Link, can be reached by clicking here: 'shplort'!!

Have a Great Weekend, everyone!! And I'll TTY'all again, soon!

10 comments:

Overvision said...

Hi Rich, I'm really diggin' what you're doin'.
I think that your blog is one of the most informative out there.
Thanks for taking the time to provide inspiration for thirsty eyeballs.

I hope that you don't mind me putting a link to this domain on my blog.

Take care.

http://www.overtonloyd.com

Rich Dannys said...

Thanks a lot, Overton.. Your kind comments are MUCH appreciated!
I recognized your Avatar from the Michael Cho X-MEN thread over at 'The Drawing Board', btw..

I don't mind the Link add, at all.. In fact, I'm more-than-happy to reciprocate. I checked your Site.. And your artwork is amazingly well done!!

Don't know much about the PFunk, really.. But I've always been a huge James Brown fan. And love seeing Bootsie slap the Bass!!

I remember seeing him & the oldtime JayBees play 'live' on either CNBC or CNN for the JB Funeral thing? It was positively hypno-tizing!

Thanks again, man..

Anonymous said...

Awesome blog, Mr. Dannys!! Thanks so much for linking people to DigitalKontent, it means a lot to me!

It doesn't matter if you forgot a finger on that witch, that sketch is BAD-ASS! Man, it gives me the creeps.
:P

Are you going to be at TCAF, The Cottage Con or the big Hobbystar Expo?

Rich Dannys said...

Thanks for dropping by, Milo!
I really enjoyed reading your recollection of the recent Paradise show.. But hadn't really added a formal Blog "Link" to your site.. I've now rectified that situation!

Someone on 'The Drawing Board' asked me if I'd be at TCAF.. And I told them, (unfortunately) it wasn't likely..
I dunno.. The lineup just doesn't do it for me.. I don't really follow any of those artists too much. I'd only go to see James Jean & visit with Darwyn Cooke (again)..

Aman knows I won't do his conventions, 'til he cleans up his predictable Paradise 'sabotage' routine. He's been better, of late. But I've never really enjoyed his Shows very much, anyhow..
Can't make the Cottage Show, either.. But I LOVE the concept of it! heh

I'll be at the next 1-Day Paradise convention, if/when they decide to do one. And I'm sure we'll run into each other again, before too long..

Glad you enjoyed the Blog, man.. Keep up the terrific work on 'Digital Kontent'.. And drop by, whenever you can!

CaveMatt said...

Hey Rich, I met you a couple years ago at a con, but haven't run into ya since. Luckily I found your blog. Really great posts. Hope you don't mind that I put up a link on mine.

Rich Dannys said...

Thanks for stopping by, Matt!

I checked out your Blog.. Man, your face looks damn familiar, but I'm afraid I can't recall the meeting.. My Brain is gettin' too-too OLD! hah

Anyhow, the artwork on your Blog is pretty spectacular, I must say.. The "L'il Red Ragtop" stuff, is sheer genius!!
I was a bit surprised to read that my old friend Goran Delic was your 'Design' instructor? I didn't even know he'd done any formal Teaching..
Where/when exactly was this?

Goran & I worked together in the Design department, for Nelvana's not-terribly-memorable "WildC.A.T.S." adventure cartoon.. Goran is one of the FASTEST artists, I've ever seen!

I'm (of course) flattered that you'd add my name to your "Links" listing.. I'm gonna add yours to mine too, if that's okay?

If you're not still in school somewhere,-- you should definitely be employed at some Toronto Animation studio.. Your artwork rocks HARD!

TTYLater..

CaveMatt said...

We actually have a couple other mutual friends, Leigh Young and Andrew Barr. They actually told me to head over to your table and check out your stuff at the Toronto Con a couple years back because I'm a big Spumco fan and you worked on Ripping Friends.

Thanks for adding me to your links and for the encouraging words. I am actually still in school over at Max the Mutt(that's where I took Goran's course. He RULES.) I am headed down to LA at the end of the week to visit my Aunt and Uncle and with a little luck throw out some portfolios, but without a Greencard it'll be mostly for feedback (I'm hoping to run into Jim Smith and some of the other Spumco guys and Gals at the SDCC since I'll be in town when that's on.) LA's a little far anyway, but if the feedback's positive then maybe I'll start looking around up here sooner than I planned. I don't really know Flash that well though and that's where most of the work is these days.

Thanks again Rich and keep in touch.

Ron Salas said...

Hey Rich, I did come to see you a Toronto. I was only there for a little bit on Saturday but I came to your table, talked to you, and saw your stuff. Don't you remember?? haha
Anyway, I plan on coming to next year's con as well so I'll make sure to have photographic evidence next time! :)

Rich Dannys said...

OOPS!! a-heh
Sorry 'bout that one, Ron.. I totally don't recall the meeting. Musta been REALLY distracted. Or, it may have been all those drugs I took, while in High School? hehe
Apologies..

To make it up to you, I've added you to my "Links"section. Overdue idea, if you ask me. Don't know why I didn't think of it, earlier..

Yves Pink said...

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