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!

Here are more samples of art .. and links...
Griz and Norm...https://www.instagram.com/grizandnorm/
Their popular "Tuesday Tips" book now back in stock at SNB
http://stuartngbooks.com/100-tuesday-tips-signed.html

Tara Nicole Whitaker http://www.taranicolewhitaker.com/

 Lorelay Bove -- http://www.lorelaybove.com/

 Melanie Hopper  -- Got the little rabbit original last year.. and other items this year...
http://www.mellyhopper.com/

 Benson Shum http://bensonshum.com/

Here's a preview of the new book from artist Meg Park....
http://megpark.tumblr.com/

Soon available at SNB website!!

Two more posts on CTNX 2016 -- post #1, Around the Show -- on the blog now..

http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2016/11/ctnx-2016-post-1-of-3-around-show.html

Coming Soon Post #3 -- SNB at Parlor room 131

CTNX 2016 -- post 3 of 3 -- SNB at Parlor room 131

Stuart Ng Books has exhibited at CTNX since the very first year. We've seen this Expo grow from one room in the Convention Center Building in 2009... to expanding over the entire hotel complex in 2016. CTNX is an Animation epicenter!

Premiere artists are a top draw for this Expo. As invited guests, they appear on panels, in interview settings like "Conversation with Creators," on stage for live demos, and can be found on-site meeting with peers and attendees. Connecting with talent is one of the hallmarks of this Expo.

The caliber of guests who have appeared at CTNX reads like a roster of rock stars in Animation: from first year headliners like Disney icons Eric Goldberg and Andreas Deja... to years that featured superstars from Europe like Moebius, Loisel, Juanjo Guarnido... to this year's combo of guest artist Claire Wending and the debut of her new book. http://stuartngbooks.com/forget-me-not.html

Claire Wendling made several scheduled appearances at the Expo. But for attendees at CTNX, it's

moments like the photos below that make this Expo so unique. Over the three days of the Expo, there are many opportunities for attendees and artist peers to connect one-on-one. It's moments like these that impact young artists lives... and make CNTX a stand-out.

After hours.. an attendee chats with Claire Wendling...

During the show... Claire Wendling (seated in the middle of the trio below) used the patio of the SNB Parlor room space to hang out and meet up with other artists. In the foreground, the amazing Angela (in the hat) from the SNB crew assists a patron.

In previous years, the Stuart Ng Books space has always been inside the Convention Center building with the other artist exhibitors. This year, with the new layout for the Expo, SNB was granted the opportunity to occupy one of the small conference rooms of the hotel tower. We had signs and this flyer to help folks find us:

The SNB location was Parlor Room 131. While the rain on Sunday robbed us of the patio.. on Thurs-Sat the weather was exceptional and the outdoor space was a real bonus. Attendees and other artist exhibitors appreciated the extended hours, which offered yet another option for inspiration during CTNX at night.

 Stuart arrived with his intrepid team of crew members to assemble the pop-up store. All the shelves and grids were built and installed by the SNB team. A big THANK YOU to Jim, Ivan, John H, and Steve. Also to temp team help for cashier station and store hours help at this (and other shows): Rhonda, Monique, Jasmine, Ari.

 That blur of blue in the photo below is Stuart arranging the books in the wee hours of set up.

The pop-up shop was a big success.. thanks to all our patrons who stopped by. This quick pic below shows one of the celebrity shoppers who graced the space. We are so grateful to everyone who comes to shop and support us. SNB wouldn't be .. without You!

A big, special SHOUT OUT to our beloved MARY  (in patio pic below) --- longtime SNB store manager, and now a sometime guest helper --- who found out over the CTNX weekend that she passed the CA bar exam. Congrats Madame Esquire!

Sign up for Stuart's email list to get the latest on the books he brought back from CTNX. 

http://stuartngbooks.com/join-our-mailing-list.html

You'll learn there first about the titles coming soon to the website. http://stuartngbooks.com/

Free safety pins at SNB store and SNB space at CTNX -- UPDATED 11.14

Safety pins are a sewing and quilting tool. Sewing is a way to join, fasten or repair something. Safety pins have become a symbol...

There's a hashag (#safteypins)...
http://nymag.com/thecut/2016/11/people-are-wearing-safety-pins-as-a-show-of-solidarity.html

The safety-pin-as-symbol trend was launched in June 2016, by a woman named Allison... an American living in the UK. She proposed the idea via a tweet on her Twitter account
 https://twitter.com/cheeahs
Here are the tweets that started it all:

I'd like to come up with something that can be made by anybody anywhere to pin on their jacket or coat to signify that they are an ally.
I quite like the idea of just putting a safety pin, empty of anything else, on your coat. A literal SAFETY pin! ( miss pommery 1926 (@cheeahs) June 26, 2016)

Her recent tweets encourage new adopters to honor the pledge that comes with the symbol
#safetypin is a promise to advocate. don't you dare break it.
 (UPDATE -- sadly, the account seems to have been deactivated)

More press on the Safety Pin symbol...
Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/safety-pin-trump-brexit_us_58251b53e4b0c4b63b0c11a9

Vox
http://www.vox.com/presidential-election/2016/11/10/13586322/trump-brexit-safety-pin

There is even a Star Wars connection now...
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/rogue-one-is-a-political-allegory-tease-writers-946638

There is also is also a Safety Pin hashtag "#Kidslitsafetypins" ... where the focus is signaling a safe haven from bullies... with art like this on Twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/kidlitsafetypins?src=hash

Deborah Freedman: http://www.deborahfreedman.net/

 Matt Tavares: http://www.matttavares.com/

 LeUyen Pham: http://www.leuyenpham.com/

Elise Gravel http://elisegravel.com/en

Alina Chau   http://alinachau.com/

More kids lit safety art images on this link:http://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=13439
This link has list of 13 kids books with the theme of Empathy: https://tinybop.com/blog/13-books-to-spark-conversations-about-empathy

The Safety Pin as solidarity traces back to Brexit... and the search for calm, low-key ways to show strong support for those who feel they are at risk.

Hollywood Reporter
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/why-people-are-wearing-safety-pins-trumps-win-946516

Artist Maeril illustrates calm, low-key support action steps in her infographic that has became a viral sensation. It was inspired as a way to counter Islamophobia... but the techniques work for many types of intimidation. Here's the FB link for Maeril https://www.facebook.com/itsmaeril and on Tumblr http://maeril.tumblr.com/

more on the infographic, and a video... at this Buzzfeed link:
https://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanhatesthis/someone-made-a-guide-for-what-to-do-when-you-see-islamophobi?

There has confusion about the symbol... and attempts to co-opt it... Issues that are well addressed in this blog post: https://danceswithfat.wordpress.com/2016/11/13/should-you-wear-a-safety-pin-say-something-sunday/ Here's an excerpt:

" When someone is wearing a safety pin, the bigots are forced to acknowledge that the person does not hold the same prejudices. More people wearing safety pins = less comfort and sense of safety for bigots. In this way people can use their privilege to disrupt bigotry..... research supports the idea that these small steps are important building blocks for future activism".

A safety pin is just part of a larger conversation we are all part of. If you are wondering why someone is wearing a safety pin... ask.

A safety pin has become a symbol -- for community, tolerance, and support.
If you need one ... I have placed a container of them at the entrance of the SNB Torrance store. They are FREE!

We will also have FREE safety pins at the Parlor Room 131 location for Stuart Ng Books during CTNX (Nov 17 - 20th). http://www.ctnanimationexpo.com/

If you are feeling unraveled... look for the safety pins. 

They are shining armor.. and sometimes come attached to real-life knights...

Empowering equally

(image below by Ari Marmell and Claudio Pozas)

We are stronger together. And we are all together going forward. 

Use this time to practice, practice, practice being calm. Be the otter. Otters make everything better.

(photo below by Bill Margol)

Art in action -- links from artists -- UPDATED with Ripley/Aliens info

So much activity on my social media radar --- and lots and lots of it about anxiety. These days can feel tumultuous.... but art reminds us, others before us have weathered worse and survived. When it's our turn to be tested, we should turn to each other. And art!

Take a break from the news cycle. Watch some inspiring movies. Revisit classics ... full of characters that rise to the challenge...

Role models like Atticus ....

Even when it may feel more like a moment for Ripley

Let's not forget, we admire Ripley for her abilities, not her anger. She faces her greatest fear with clarity. Her hero journey exemplifies that it takes focus...and love...to prevail when you are feeling in the trenches. If you like the Aliens approach... check out this Hudson/Ripley based analysis of the recent headlines: http://www.stonekettle.com/2016/11/bug-hunt.html

This is also a great time to re-visit the posts here on the blog on "Yoga for artists". Self-care is vital for indie artists. Releasing stress ... finding calm ... these tools will help.
 http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2015/06/yoga-lesson-2-upper-body-stretches.html

For this post, I'm sharing some links artists have shared about current events. There are great insights here... and actions to take.

We all have work to do. Art is life .. and life, like art, is hard: full of doubts, and frustrations, and even fear. There is even a famous book about this!

For those who feel overwhelmed... surround yourself with loved ones and things that help you feel empowered. (art below by Lunarbaboon.com)

Use what you have... to do what you can... to make things work, not make things worse. Feel all the feelings. Find safe ways to share them. Act in ways that are productive, not punitive.

Leaders lead by example. Barack Obama is overseeing the transfer of power --- with grace and hospitality. Who knows what he is feeling? What we see.. is what he is doing. Leading at a difficult time. Good is what you DO.. not what you are. Action is character.

Many people are looking to artists.... sharing images that bring comfort and hope. Make art... be a candle in the darkness ... a light of hope on the path. Be kind. Stay focused on what you love. This will remind you why the work is important.. and will give you courage to do it. Be brave. Courage doesn't come from anger. Or fear. Courage comes from hope.

Some artists are making free downloads... like this poster
 https://www.patriotsunderground.com/tools/

Others are donating portions of their online sales to groups like Planned Parenthood, the ACLU etc.

Democracy is messy and imperfect. Sometimes the 51% will win.. and the 49% won't. Then we come back to what we have in common. We are charged with the work of finding that. We will need art and artists to help us all get there.

Find inspiration from others who have faced fear and challenges, and found their voice...

from Malala.org
"Four Actions You Can Take to Make Change"
https://blog.malala.org/4-actions-you-can-take-to-create-change-5198a6687c3e#.lh5o6ki9m

Don't Panic
http://www.cracked.com/blog/dont-panic/

Your Grief is Real
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/election-pain-grief_us_58234497e4b0d9ce6fc03fd8?

How to heal the rift
http://qz.com/818726/donald-trumps-supporters-deserve-our-support-not-our-scorn/?utm_source=qzfbarchive

Movies explain the unexpected phenomenon..
http://www.cracked.com/blog/6-reasons-trumps-rise-that-no-one-talks-about/

Mike Rowe of "Dirty Jobs" with link to Rowe's FB post
http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/mike-rowe-trump-win-dirty-jobs-1201915978/

Science says it's good to watch kitten videos
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/election-aftermath-the-value-of-compassion-and-reason/

I highly recommend "Maru the Cat" on You Tube..

I will be updating this post with additional links....

UPDATE 11.13
online letter via intl artist... a world wide communication
https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/president_trump_letter_loc/?cyzhplb