Each expo is a chance to see favorite artists... and find new ones...
Best of all is when you go to a convention and find a new (or new-to-you) artist who stops you in your tracks. For Lightbox 2021, this artist was Dominique Ramsey. https://www.dominiqueramsey.com/
Her booth caught my eye right away....
because she featured this image...
Oh how I wish the event was in person, because I had so many questions. I loved the subject matter -- smooth collies! But also the really unique way she conveyed them with shapes, silhouettes, an understanding of their anatomy.. and even the sable, blue merle, and tri-color coat colors. I started exploring her links to find our as much as I can and was finally able to contact her directly.
The titles associated with this image make me even more curious "Bedtime tales - The Panther" -- I hope to learn more and will update here...
While I wasn't able to get merchandise from her with this image on it from her online stores at Redbubble https://www.redbubble.com/people/euqinimod/shop and Society 6 https://society6.com/euqinimodart I was able to order other items. And I learned about her "Solitary Animals" book that is due to be released in November. https://www.dominiqueramsey.com/solitary-animals
Another new-to-me discovery was this booth by artist "Vixieart." https://www.artstation.com/vixiearts
Aritst Hedvig H-S based in Sweden.
The animal images captivated me..
and exploring the links helped me make this find... and more purchases!
More striking animal images (are you sensing the theme here) at this booth by Eva Vilhelmina Eskelinen.
Also in this photo is a longtime fav artist of mine... David Colman of "David's Doodles."
His Instagram account is brimming with gesture drawings like these....
Back to Artist Alley -- enjoy the wonderful angles and shapes of Hadji Joos' animals...
An artist I discovered at the inagural Lightbox Expo is Marie-Alice Harel. http://www.maharel.com/
You can scroll down this post from the 2019 show and see more: http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2019/09/lightboxexpo2019-booths-and-tables-3-of.html
For 2021, she hosted several "filled-to-capicity" Zoom panels. It has been wonderful to see her embraced by the LBX community. Her art.. and her voice... are important.
And of course.. every Expo is a chance to catch up with artists I've been following for years now..
Which shipped fast from her Big Cartel store. https://elsasketch.bigcartel.com/
Packing items well... and adding a note as well as business cards.. these are important gestures that enhance the consumer experience.
Art life is indie business life too....
https://elsasketch.bigcartel.com/product/violin-tea-sherlock-sketchbook
She used the interactive link on her booth to connect directly to her books at the SNB website.
Bill Robinson's "Flimflammery" booth is always a treat...
and I stock up on his greeting cards!
Here's his "Mary Blair inspired" SF card..
lots more art and merch at his Etsy store..
I wish more artists would sell greeting cards... postcards.. and mini prints. These small items are easy to pick up at conventions. Be sure to brand them well with your name and contact information. The cards get sent out... they make an art gift as well as a greeting and introduce you to new fans! Mini-prints are also great small gift items.
Another artist friend whose career I've watched achive milestones over the years is Steph Laberis. https://stephlaberis.squarespace.com/
https://stuartngbooks.com/?subcats=Y&pshort=Y&pfull=Y&pname=Y&pkeywords=Y&match=all&search_performed=Y&status=A&q=steph+laberis&dispatch=products.search
Steph's links also featured this great "about me" page.
Artists always shy away from "self-promotion" -- but more than ever, it's important to share your story. So many social media sites thrive on (and profit from ) anonymous art. We have to push back against that -- artists and fans together.
ArtWORK is never free. Is is the product of a real person who put it there.
Share your story. Connect with your followers. Invite them to support what they "like and share."
Support art to bring more art!
Artist alley is a way to introduce your art to peers and fans. Every year Lightbox Expo gives artists and attendees new ways to connect. Make use of all these opportunities. Since 2020 and all the lockdowns, we've all survived thanks to access to art. Art is life.
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