Behind the Scenes at Stuart Ng Books: November 2016

Friday, November 25, 2016

CTNX 2016 -- post 1 of 3 -- around the Expo

CTNX 2016 implemented many of the changes organizer Tina Price discussed during her interview on this episode of the Bancroft Bros Podcast:http://taughtbyapro.com/animation-podcast-57-the-tina-price-interview/. The interview covers the origins of CTN and the Expo, which launched in 2009.

The biggest change was the new "Artist Pavilion" tent in the parking lot -- all the artist exhibitors in one location -- and a special price of $20 admission to just this area! Below is the entrance to the Artist Pavilion tent.. with the CTN Cafe in front...

Here's the cover for the CTNX 2016 program... with the layout for the 3 areas of the Expo -- The Artist Pavilion Tent -- the Marriott Convention Center Building (aka CTN Downtown) -- the Hotel Main lobby/Ballrooms (aka CTN University) The CTNX Free App is the best way to stay up to date on-site with programming...

The program included this map for the Artist Pavilion (a detail map with the names and table numbers for each of the artists was also available)

The Convention Center building at the Marriott -- aka "Downtown CTN" -- (below left) and one Tower of the hotel ... with the Artist Pavilion Tent on the right.

Here's a long view of this same side of the Pavilion tent -- extending towards Thorton Ave.

The map showing the Convention Center layout for various functions (Live Demos, Portfolio Reviews etc)

The registration and ticket tent along the side of the Convention Center building..

An outdoor lounge with a snack bar .. between the Convention Center building and one of the hotel towers...

Another view of the outdoor lounge...

The Cafe area... with tents on the left for live model drawing.....

The front of the Convention Center -- Downtown CTN -- Building...

Inside the main lobby of the hotel... the "CTN University" .. with a line of attendees in front of the Ballroom doors for panels and programming...

Daytime programs included events such as this talk below by Terryl Whitlatch -- artist and creature designer.

Terryl is Artist in Residence at Imagination International Inc (iii). The company distributed these clever bookmark shaped info cards about her talk... featuring art by Terryl. More about Terryl, iii, and her free online art course here.. https://imaginationinternationalinc.com/creatures-of-amalthea/

Many of the panelists followed their talk with a book signing ... pic below is the signing line for Terryl after her talk...

CTNX at night is always a popular part of the Expo. Night-time programs included live demos..

And the poplar Wacom showdown art challenge event.. hosted by artist Bobby Chiu...
https://www.schoolism.com/

Artists and attendees used surfaces in lobby areas as "Freebie tables" to distribute cards and flyers.

The Cafe area at night....

Live model drawing workshop...

Two more posts on CTNX
Artist Pavilion http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2016/11/ctnx-2016-post-2-of-3-artist-pavilion.html
SNB at Parlor Room 131 http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2016/11/ctnx-2016-post-3-of-3-snb-at-parlor.html

CTNX 2016 -- Post 2 of 3 -- Artist Pavilion -- UPDATED 12.9.16

The heartbeat of CTNX is the artists --- so many fantastic exhibitors --- from first year tablers to established pros! And this year... eager attendees could see them all for a special $20 one-day admission.

Since I was on-site at CTNX early for set-up with SNB.. I was able to get some preview pics of the Pavilion tent interior. It was a substantial tent -- with doors and lighting -- and because it was erected on top of the parking lot, the interior space included trees!

Some of the most popular areas for the Artists exhibitor space are the large booths for the major players...

Once the show opens.. these same spaces have long lines for portfolio reviews... For example,
Dreamworks...

Pixar...

Blue Sky....

CTNX also attracts major indie talent...

Tonko House...http://www.tonkohouse.com/ -- Oscar nominated for "The Dam Keeper"

Breakout Disney artist Brittney Lee...

https://www.etsy.com/shop/britsketch

Art instructor and filmmaker Nicolas P. Villareal, with his film project "The House of Colors"
http://redcloverstudios.com/

Little wonder once the doors open.. the tent is packed.. with press...

and people!

Rows of tables.. and tons of talent to discover. Here are some artists and items that caught my eye..

http://www.elisesketch.com/about-me

Happy to be an early fan of artist David DePasquale! Pictured below before the show opened (holding a special image close to my heart:).

His Tarot Card set images --- as prints and collected in a book -- have been a huge hit. Here's one of the Tarot images

See more on this link:

http://davedepasquale.blogspot.com/

The Artist Pavilion included this large cafe area in the center...

With handy tables for drawing and meetings...

More art .... Artist and blogger Mina Roy...

http://www.minaroy.com/
I loved the shapes and designs of these stickers!

The Nickelodeon space included this popular drawing wall...

New Kitten art by Leslie Strock (inspired by character "Chi").. plus cut paper rainbow unicorn original I got from her last year...

These bird buttons by Jennifer Kanne make such good design use of the basic button!
http://blog.onyxserpent.com/portfolio/

Long-time SNB pal Genevieve Tsai (below)... super busy at her table. Stuart picked up copies of her new book for the store. So exciting to see artists grow into their careers... she's become a star (she was tapped by Chris Sanders to do interior art for "Rescue Sirens" book by him and Jessica Steele-Sanders!)
http://charicreatures.com/

UPDATE 12.3.16! Genevieve's book

now in stock at SNB!http://stuartngbooks.com/for-the-love-of-lines-vol.-3-fish-out-of-water-signed.html

Elsa Chang is known for her charming cats... and this year, for her physic powers... as she was selling cat-embellished UMBRELLAS! A hot item on Sunday with the rain showers catching many by surprise!

Charming, colorful, food-loving rodents.. art by Lauryn Danae http://lauryndanaeart.com/portfolio/

I just adore these seek-and-find animal mini prints by Eliza Reisfeld. I found them at her table last year, and re-stocked my supply. They make great gifts! http://www.elizareisfeldart.com/#/illustration/

Fun parrot and owl art in this sketchbook by Rachel Wolfe http://rachel-wolfe-art.tumblr.com/

Big time fan of the lovely greeting cards by artist Casey Robin...

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CaseyRobinArt

UPDATE 12.3.16 -- Casey's Sketchbook "Fluff and Twirl":

In Stock at SNB Store -- Here is link: http://stuartngbooks.com/fluff-and-twirl-the-art-of-casey-robin-signed.html

Casey has the pink and blue print skirt on in the photo below. Artists rarely get to leave their tables.. but when they do.. the good ones are out shopping the other tables... getting inspired and learning from other exhibitors!

A jar of little "kitten nuggets" on the table of artist Channing Winget made me stop.

Clever packaging is always a plus.

Tons more fun plush art on her website and Storenvy store:
http://www.sewgoodsplush.com/

So many fun dog art images at the table of Janice Rosenthal...
http://artofjanice.com/portfolio.html

The Paris image peeking from the box of cards made me stop and chat with Noel Clark
http://www.nwelli.com/
and Elle Wyant...
http://www.ellewyant.com/

But these stickers were also a great find! It's been a long drought of great gal action heroes.. between Ripley and Furiosa... but with Rey and the new Rouge One Star Wars film, I have hope there will be even more soon!