CrashOctopus Blog

Arastin Squid by Meg Lyman

Character commission for the Wandering Men

WOW. It’s almost here. Labor Day weekend approaches much too quickly!

I want to share with you a bit of my convention preparation, in the hopes that it might help someone someday. First, a bit of background: I’ve never done business at Dragon*Con before, so it’s all new to me. I have two panels in the Art Show and an Artist’s Bazaar table, which is like a Dealer’s table but in the same room as the art show. In slightly organized order:

• Get prints and t-shirts restocked
• Decide what art to put in the show
• Mat it, bag it, price it, put the pre-printed Dragon*Con barcodes on it, and decide on a layout
• Print an inventory (so I know which prints, originals, and t-shirts I have and how many)
• Start and finish a large cephalopod-related painting GAH
• Update my print book (the one I put out front for people to flip through)
• Print out a list for people to sign up for commissions
• Buy candy for the table - free candy stops people like no art can do
• Get ready to PARTY

It’s going to be a blast, but I am not going to enjoy the anticipation like a non-working attendee until I get all these things done. I have a good handle on them… except for the painting. I am not going to sleep this weekend. And I’ll probably not get to post again until after the con.

AIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! :D

I’ll get back to my color project in a jiffy. But first, a quick convention report. Anthrocon was wonderful, and I sold enough t-shirts, prints, originals, and commissions that I just might break even. The best part was the camaraderie and new beers. And also, coming home to this in my backyard:

EPIC.

Also, note all those “cool” colors.

Adorable Armadillo by Meg Lyman

Gouache and ink on notecard

Going to Anthrocon

I have been crazy-busy this week, and it’s not going to let up soon. I even got some art done! I’m heading for the beach this weekend and Anthrocon is next weekend. Getting ready for any convention is hard work, but this is my biggest con and I have to cram everything into two suitcases and get on an airplane. CRAZY but fun!

Lady and the Tramp Squids by Meg Lyman

8×10″ graphite OmegaCon doodle; SOLD

OmegaCon was a first year fantasy/sci-fi convention in Birmingham. I had art in the art show and a table in the dealer’s room next to the Wandering Men. The dealer’s room was huge and fabulous and the turnout was phenomenal. The art show organization was abysmal, but it all worked out in the end.

I sold enough to cover my food and my half of a hotel room, which is more than I was expecting! Most of my sales were prints and originals. I took some older illustrations (~5 years old), because they were on-topic for a fantasy convention, and actually sold some of those old ones! It doesn’t hurt to try, especially if your prices are reasonable for older work (unless your old work is really horrible). I didn’t put any old art in the show - it was all in a binder at my table. I was pleased to see it sell but a bit hesitant putting old work out there, even if it was hiding in a binder.

What are your thoughts on selling older work?

Dinner by Meg Lyman

8×10 colored pencil and ink

$45 - e-mail to buy

Furry Weekend Atlanta was very much fun. I had a blast sitting all weekend in the stuffy little room they set aside for “Artist’s Alley.” For those unfamiliar with this type of convention, they’re set up with a Dealer’s Room where merchandise and art are sold. Tables need to be reserved and paid for in advance. Often there will also be an Artist’s Alley, where table space is free, but first-come, first-serve, and only art can be sold.

I met a bunch of awesome people and sold prints, hats, commissions, and originals. I sold two pieces in the art show, volunteered to help with checkout, and ended up getting an offer to perhaps run the FWA Art Show next year because I’m “organized and focused.” These are apparently rare traits in the fandom.

One of the best things about a local convention is the local people you meet, giving you many opportunities to socialize with kickass people (artists and otherwise) throughout the year. Every time I meet artists in the Atlanta area, I feel more at home.

Elsie by Meg Lyman

5×7 gouache on Pastelbord

SOLD

Well, the show was really good, but in an unexpected way. Most of us didn’t sell much of anything; it was the first year the show had an art gallery, we weren’t well publicized by the show, and our location was obscure. That, and people came to buy other things. Like boats. They had three houseboats that were bigger, better decorated, and three times more expensive than my house.

I sold a few prints and one small painting (featured above, painted during the show yesterday). So sales were “meh.” However, I handed out a bunch of cards, got lots of names on the mailing list, and talked to a bunch of people. I even got a couple e-mails already inquiring about purchases! But the best part of all was meeting the other artists. You’d be hard-pressed to find a nicer bunch of gals (and guy). Everyone was fun to talk to and learn from. The show was well worth all that effort for that alone. And I already have an invitation to another show. Woo!

Here are the awesome people I met who have work online: Anne Brodie Hill, Anita Elder, Jose Portilla, Amanda Carder, Cathy Little, Rhea Metcalf, and Cheryl Hardin, who took a bunch of my money for one of her fabulous paintings.

My booth setup was a bit haphazard; we had more room that we thought we’d have, so I only brought water-related art during setup. The first night of the show, I brought more art to fill out the panels, which is why it’s sorta shoved into the bottom.

I have never been a good people-person; being in crowds makes me a bit nervous and I am horrible at small talk. Doing conventions and this show has helped a lot with that obstacle. I even volunteered to stand out in the hall and heckle passers-by, asking if they wanted their faces painted. I only asked the young ones, their parents, and the really old folks. Only the kids said “yes.”

Now that I’ve finished my laundry and unpacked and tidied everything, I’m finally ready to go on with my post-convention life. I haven’t done much art since then. I know art inspiration often comes in cycles, but this is a lousy time to be unmotivated. I have three big pieces to finish by Christmas.

ANYway, my business participation in the con consisted of two areas: the Art Show and the Exhibitor’s Hall. The Hall was already full when I decided to register, but friend and CotC mastermind Andy Hopp granted me table space in the hallway. Although we had to haul everything into a room to be locked up at night, the location was great. We had a lot of foot traffic.

I shared a table with my friend, artiste extraordinaire Kelly Brighbill. This is my half of the table. I should mention that I completely forgot to take any photos of the table or art show setup, so I pilfered these from the Wandering Men, whose table was right next to mine. They had a mini catapult set up and were shooting candy at a toy castle. It drew a lot of people and I ended up with chocolate in all my boxes - a win-win situation.

See the big banner at the top? That was ~$50 at Kinko’s, and it is sturdy and awesome. Under the banner is my box o’ originals, all matted, bagged, and priced. I sold 3 items from the box. The sign on the front of the box displayed print and commission prices. I also had a price sheet sitting on the table.

On the left is a jar marked “DONATIONS.” I was giving away free business-card sized prints of cats and dogs, but asking for donations to my local no-kill animal shelter. I also sold raffle tickets for $1 (which went in the jar) for a free print. The jar made about $18. I gave a free raffle ticket to anyone who bought something.

Here I am at the table, watching the catapult action. I wore my CrashOctopus hat the whole time. Good advertising. Sold 3.

On the left side of the photo, between Kelly’s head and Nathan’s shoulder, you can see the corner of one of my prints. I put one of each in a portfolio-type binder that was sturdy enough to stand up on its own, sort of like a tent. I had 8×10, 5×7, and “mini” prints (~3×4) for $15, $10, and $2, respectively. Art prices are pretty low at these types of conventions, and even so, I only sold about 10 prints. In front of the prints, I had another portfolio full of loose originals and sketches. I sold a half-dozen of these.

I rented 3 art show panels for $12 each and hung 28 originals, ranging from ACEO to 18×24. Each piece has a silent auction bidding sheet, so I was able to hang these and forget about them - no tending required. The minimum bids I chose were less than I’d sell them for outright, but not so low that I would cry if they sold. Of these, I sold 6 (including Felipe), all at minimum bid. Not too bad!

It was great sharing a table; each time I wanted to go to a seminar or look at the other tables, Kelly watched our table, and vice versa. Overall, I sold more than I expected, got a lot of mailing list sign-ups, and had a blast! True, most things I sold to friends or people I met at CotC last year, but I converted a lot of new customers, and all of last year’s customers were repeats this year. Plus, a few people I didn’t know at all bought things.

If you’re remotely near Akron, OH, around November 6-9 next year, I highly recommend attending Con on the Cob. You’ll have fun, I guarantee it.