Huggable Koi #10 visits Long Beach Comic Con

Delighted to continue the fine tradition of escorting a friend to comic con......

It started with Marty Mouse.... art by Steph Laberis.... and photos by Sarah Hunt. My hand finished plush "Squeeze Marty" pal has joined me on adventures at conventions in California and even France.... http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2014/11/behind-scenes-with-martin-marty-mouse.html

This con, my photo buddy was Huggable Koi #10.

He's a handmade, one of a kind art plush by the artist Bonnie Robinson Stewart... and you can see more of her work here: https://www.facebook.com/huggablekoi

 Some close-ups of Koi and cars...

This cute little blue car...

 Was just the right color for my blue-trimmed buddy...

 And had a back-seat mascot Marty would've approved of....

Highlight for me was a visit with internet superstars Hilly (r) and Hannah Hindy .. the sister team behind "The Hillywood Show"... 

creators of amazing parodies with millions of on-line views and fans around the world. 

https://www.youtube.com/user/JckSparrow

One of the first cos-play pals we made was this excellent young Rocket...

 We made friends with all sorts from the galaxy .. moon men...

 and stars.... oh Cumberyummy...

This Sherlock standee was the "booth babe" doing a good job getting at least one person's attention so I could learn more about the costume party/benefit known as "Halloween Hotness" http://www.halloweenhotness.com/home.html

Speaking of yumminess.. he almost became a snack for Godzilla!

 Two super hero gals came to his rescue...

And was happy to find Christopher Robin and Pooh....

He felt right at home at the needle-felt craft art Woolbuddies booth .. even with the giant Dinosaur in the background... http://woolbuddy.com/

 Lots of plush pals at conventions ... a great place to find your tribe...

And maybe even meet a real Princess!

Thanks so much to all the kind cos-players who played along....

Kickstarter workshop sept 26th UPDATED 10/6 with link for book and 10/10 with link to kickstarter for chapter 6

Last chance this year for Kickstarter workshop in culver city .... http://bostonmetaphysicalsociety.com/kickstarter-class-creators/

I have taken this workshop and highly recommend it. Excellent resource on Kickstarter and other crowd sourcing options.  And now there is a companion book.....Available for purchase at the SNB Torrance store! http://stuartngbooks.com/kickstarter-for-the-independent-creator-a-practical-and-informative-guide-to-crowdfunding.html

Post here on the blog about June 2015 workshop... http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2015/06/kickstarter-how-to-classes-june-27-and.html

UPDATE 10/10/15

Madeline has Kickstarter going to print chapter 6 of her comic. Check it out to see how she structures the rewards .. including TWO "Kickstarter Consultation" packages...

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/488929101/boston-metaphysical-society-chapter-6

Long Beach Comic Con UPDATED 9/28 WITH PHOTOS! and 10/6 with book link

 Long Beach Comic Con ... is a local con for us ... but I hadn't been until this year. ...http://longbeachcomiccon.com/

From the outside... it looked almost like a car show... until you realized these vehicles aren't from a single maker... but have familiar pop culture themes from films and tv...

The Jurassic Park one had its own animatronic mascot...

The Star Wars car looked like a Land Speeder ... 

 sporting this custom plate...

 and an R2D2

Inside the main lobby was the registration area. ... and the hallways to the various panels..

The Exhibition floor was located downstairs

Lots of vendors and toys...

Handcraft arts... such cool stuff at the needle felt art Woolbuddy booth... http://woolbuddy.com/

Many artist friends... like Sho Murase... http://shomurase.com/

and Jeff Victor... http://www.jeffvictor.blogspot.com/

Also fun displays on related pop culture interests..... from a booth promoting the Oct 17th "Halloween Hotness" cos-play and costume party/benefit for National Breast Cancer Foundation.... http://www.halloweenhotness.com/home.html

to a giant inflated space shuttle at the Space Expo pavilllion....

A Lego sponsored play area for kids...

A large area for gamers and gaming...

You could even buy a round of laser tag...

And of course cosplay... from the silly and surprising..

 to the screen-ready spectacular...

adding to the spirit of fun ... and of course photo ops!

While the attractions and characters get most of the attention at conventions.. It's important to remember the panels! Panels are wonderful opportunities to learn from the creative minds and souls behind the comics and other arts. There are also informative panels about all sorts of related topics... photo below from panel on How to do a Kickstarter....with moderator Madeline Holly-Rosing... who is a frequent con panelist... and also gives workshops on kickstarter for indie creators:   http://bostonmetaphysicalsociety.com/kickstarter-class-creators/

UPDATE 10/6/15 --- Madeleine's book now for sale on SNB website and in the store....http://stuartngbooks.com/kickstarter-for-the-independent-creator-a-practical-and-informative-guide-to-crowdfunding.html

UPDATE 7.9.16
More on Madeleine and her latest books in this Author Spotlight on the Book Lemur page
http://www.booklemur.com/authors/madeleinehollyrosing.html

Long Beach Comic Con ....with its smaller scale ... wide variety of exhibits and activities .. and family friendly vibe.... is a perfect intro event convention to try if the logistics of some of the bigger shows put them out of reach...

For more cos-play pics from this show .. see this post on Huggable Koi  #10 at LBCC... http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2015/09/huggable-koi-10-visits-long-beach-comic.html

Get Inspired ... artist Jeff Victor puts his name his art.. and it goes to 25 million people...

An internet image good news story...via this image by artist Jeff Victor.....

This quote from Jeff Victor artist arrived on my radar today .. "MY MIND IS BLOWN. Robert Downey Jr himself actually shared my evolution of his work. This is just...holy (###)...I can't even brain right now."

Jeff had posted this image on his blog... and via the ways of the internet.. it came to the attention of Robert Downey Jr.  and it arrived 9.9.15 on Downey's own Facebook page (with 25 million followers)....https://www.facebook.com/robertdowneyjr

The internet isn't just a platform for art theft. It can also connect artists with credit... recognition ... support .. and appreciation. Not to mention a fun fan boy moment .. in person and by proxy.

The post on Downey's FB was brief.. and sadly didn't mention the artist in the text... HOWEVER -- and IMPORTANT NOTE TO ARTISTS HERE!!!! ... Jeff's blog address is featured on the image... making it EASY to credit.. and FIND.. the artist. Help your art .. help make your name! (to 25 million people one day.. it can happen)

Congrats Jeff! See more of his art .. and his nice write up about this image.. on his blog "Wicked Crispy" http://www.jeffvictor.blogspot.com/

Horse Show 2015 -- Show Program (post 1 of 5)

Admission to the Horse Show includes a free copy of the show program...

 This year's program was full color.. with glossy paper and large format/magazine size.

 In addition to info on all the horse show classes.. the program had lots of photo reference..

background on the children's art contest...

 Ads from sponsors... local merchants .. and show supporters...

including this little donation from me....all fees for ads etc. raise funds for Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

(see Horse Show 2015 post 4 of 5 for more info on Terryl Whitlatch...)