#LightboxExpo2019 -- Inside and outside (2 of 5)

VLOG by Lightbox co-founder Bobby Chiu..

Lightbox Expo 2019 was three days of extraordinary. It was a unique celebration of top level artists as peers. So many artists meeting up, exchanging ideas, making contacts, mentoring young artists. The sharp focus on concept art creators gave this event a special sizzle. #Lightbox2019

The venue was the Pasasdena Convention Center. A terrific location with special benefits for exhibitors (easy load in and load out). 

Right from the huge art displays in the main lobby..

There were so many icon artists represented... below are just two..

Terryl Whitlatch  https://www.artstation.com/terrylwhitlatch

Peter de Seve http://www.peterdeseve.com/illgallery.php

Not just on posters... in person too! So photogenic (and both are long-time friends of SNB).

An abundance of posted signage meant that it was easy to see all the options for programs. (there was also a popular app available)

Opening on Friday at noon with key note speakers. So many hands when up when Bobby Chiu
https://www.imaginismstudios.com/bobby-chiu

asked: "who is here from out of town."

The keynote address by artists Karla Ortiz
 http://www.karlaortizart.com/

and Iain McCaig
http://iainmccaig.blogspot.com/

 highlighted the importance of finding ways to connect (often over good coffee). And answered the question: Why another Expo? Because it's the same as asking "Why another drawing?" More chances to learn, grow, create, share, discover, improve, inspire. Iain shared how when artists gather we can appreciate the powerful light of inspiration that attracts us all, and how each artist is a mirror around that light, reflecting it in their own unique way.

The keynote address also introduced the first ever award show for concept artists..

The 2019 Concept Art Awards, presented by Lightbox Expo, are part of the Concept Art Association's https://www.conceptartassociation.com/
mission of "...elevating the profile of concept artists, their air and their involvement in various entertainment industries."
 (Award show program below, cover art by Iain McCaig)

The entrance to the Lightbox Expo exhibit hall..

Show hours...

and show sponsors..

Inside the main hall

Two copies of this large map -- one at each end of the hall -- was handy for attendees and exhibitors.

Plus there was a map available as a handout/flyer (example below highlights location of SNB booth and table for Wendling)

want even more to see??? 

Lightbox Expo delivered... a second ballroom full of exhibitors. You could enter via "More Exhibitors" doorway from exhibit hall

Or through the main lobby..

Here's where you would find many of the Studio booths.. (Sony Pictures Animation and Netflix below)

It was also the space for indie artists like John Nevarez https://johnnevarez.carbonmade.com/

 

and publisher and long-time SNB colleague John Fleskes.https://www.fleskpublications.com/books

Outside on the plaza, there was an interactive version of the Lightbox Logo..

Back inside.. the lobby was busy all three days with live demos..

Among the high-caliber demo artists -- Disney visual development artist Brittney Lee
http://britsketch.blogspot.com/

The beautiful, spacious lobby areas were put to good use. There was also seating available near the windows. And water stations!!!

Long lines were part of the Portfolio Review experience. But the calibler of pros on hand to give out tips made the wait worth it!

Many of the panels where held at the conference center building.. multi-story with beautiful light...

Major sponsor Procreate had a huge center set up with lots of folks trying out this popular tool.

Here's a view of the exhibit hall right before opening on the last day..

Sunday morning outside the venue...

Shot below was from on my early morning walk...

And in the afternoon, right when the Expo closed...

It's sunset on Lightbox Expo for 2019. Be there next year!

#LightboxExpo2019 -- (1 of 5) UPDATE 9.20.19 -- MORE VIDEO WALK-THROUGHS

The feedback on this new Expo was overwhelming positive. Everything thing from "exceeds expectation on all levels" to "new favorite show of the year." 

Here are links to some articles about the show:

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/10-see-panels-at-lightbox-expo-2019-1236783

https://variety.com/2019/artisans/news/lightbox-expo-spotlights-industry-artists-1203325672/

https://www.cartoonbrew.com/events/the-first-lightbox-expo-is-taking-place-this-weekend-in-pasadena-179111.html

Lighbox Expo photo gallery posted by Gary Catig on comicon.com

http://www.comicon.com/2019/09/08/scenes-from-lightbox-expo-2019-a-photo-gallery/

Congrats to all the hard work by the teams behind the scenes. Especially co-founders Jim Deomakos (l) and Bobby Chiu (r), along with and Lightbox Advisory Council of top artists. 

https://www.lightboxexpo.com/about

There are 5 posts here on the blog for  Lightbox Expo 2019.

This Post#1 of 5  is where I post You Tube videos with walk-through tours of the Expo and commentary. I've chosen these as a mix of artist/exhibitor/panelists as well as attendees who came from out of the area.


"Lightbox vs CTN/Animation Expo Comparison" posted by Sir  Wade Neistadt on 9.16.19

"BAM at Lightbox Expo: Artist Interviews" posted by BaM Animation on 9.16.19

"Meeting You Guys! Lightbox Expo 2019" posted by Laura Price on 9.16.19

"Lightbox Expo 2019, My Thoughts MQ" posted by Toniko Pantoja on 9.15.19

"My Adventure at Lightbox Expo/Art Convention Vlog" posted by Timooee on 9.15.19

"Is Lightbox Expo Perfect for You? Every Aisle, Every Booth Reviewed" posted by Adventures in Design on 9.12.19

"Is Lightbox Worth to Go? Lightbox vs. CTNX" posted by Seeds Art on 9.7.19

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
REST OF THIS POST IS A RECAP OF HIGHLIGHTS and/or list of ARTISTS PROMOTED BY SNB PRIOR TO SHOW OPENING

Recap of previous post here about SNB at Lightbox... (updated w/ photos)

Stuart Ng Books booth #116 was a popular gathering place throughout the Expo. Here are just two of the artists who signed at the SNB booth.

JORGE GUTIERREZ

Jorge Gutierrez, Director of The Book of Life and the upcoming Maya and the Three (Netflix), will be signing his book of paintings, Border Bang, at our booth at Lightbox Expo Sunday from 3pm to 5pm. Stuart Ng Books Booth 116. https://www.lightboxexpo.com/

LOISH
Loish will be signing her books at our booth at Lightbox Expo Saturday and Sunday from 10am to noon. Stuart Ng Books Booth 116.

Details on the signings at SNB booths always appear first on Stuart's weekly newsletter. Sign up via this "join our mailing list" link from the SNB website.
https://stuartngbooks.com/join-our-mailing-list.html

Artist Signings at Stuart Ng Books Booth 116 at Lightbox Friday noon-3pm - Ryan Sook will be signing and sketching in his Preliminati Vol. 2 Friday 2pm-4pm - Glen Murakami Saturday 10am-noon - Loish will be signing her two books: The Art of Loish: A Look Behind the Scenes and The Sketchbook of Loish: Art in progress Saturday 2pm-4pm - Iris Compiet will be signing her brand-new sketchbook Secrets of the Faultlines and Beyond  Saturday 2:30pm-4:30pm - Tonko House Founders Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumiwill be signing The Dam Keeper graphic novels, including the brand-new Book 3! Sunday 10am-noon - Loish will be back signing her two books Sunday 10am-1pm - Iris Compiet will be back signing her new book Sunday 1pm-4pm - Kent Williams will be signing his art books Not Strangers, Via Lactea and Eklectikos. Sunday 1pm-4pm - William Wray will be signing his new book of paintings Abstract and other books Sunday 3pm-5pm - Award-winning Director Jorge Gutierrez will be signing his book of cross-cultural paintintings Border Bang! Djamila Knopf will be signing limited edition prints produced especially for Lightbox!

Loish signs Saturday and Sunday

Robert and Dice sign Saturday

Iris Compiet signs Saturday 2pm - 4pm and Sunday 10am - 1pm

Bill Wray signs Sunday 1pm-4pm

Jorge Gutierrez signs Sunday 3pm - 5pm

--------------------------------------------------------------------
HIGHLIGHTS OF OTHER ARTIST SIGNINGS -- 

 The guest list and programming can be found on the Lightbox Expo website.   https://www.lightboxexpo.com/


CLAIRE WENDLING
https://www.lightboxexpo.com/claire-wendling
The icon returns to California as a featured guest at this event!
Check the Lightbox Expo website for her panel appearances. She will also be at the SNB booth throughout the show. (2 photos below from Lightbox Expo website)

Wendling was at table 334 and had a steady crowd of colleagues and fans visiting all 3 days of the Expo.

Wendling was last in California in 2015 and 2016.

Several posts on the blog from those trips. Here's one from 2015 with lots of background on the artist.

http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2015/04/claire-wendling-at-big-wow-convention.html

TERRYL WHITLATCH



Lecture Friday 1-2PM, Conference Center room 204

FLYING MONSTERS: Illustrating Flying Vertebrates with Whitlatch and Dr. Michael Habib

How do you get a Pegasus off the ground? Or a dragon? Or a Griffin? And in a way that is scientifically possible, and therefore adds authenticity to your creature building and animation? Join Creature Designer Terryl Whitlatch and world class Paleontologist Dr. Michael Habib in this cutting edge presentation on flight in pterosaurs, birds, and bats and their application to flying vertebrates of the imagination.

Demo Sunday 10AM - Noon, Demo Station 2, Exhibition Center

Terryl Whitlatch and Dr. Michael Habib

Join Terryl Whitlatch and Dr. Michael Habib for a live 120 minute demo.

Terryl will also be appearing at the Design Studio Press Booth, signing her book, and selling prints. She will also have a few originals available. Don't miss out on these! Here's one of the originals:

MANU CARRUSCO

Live demo drawing.. with A GOLDEN EAGLE. That's right. Life drawing with live eagle! Also a wolf!

Friday 4-6 PM. Conference  center room 103.

Animal Life Drawing: Birds of Prey: Eagle with Manny Carrasco

Join us for this unique opportunity to meet and draw a golden eagle up close and personal with artist and animal activist, Manny Carrasco.

LOCATION: Room 103, Conference Center

TIME: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Manny has posted many of his adventures in the field studying and sketching wildlife. He is one of the founders of Expedition Art. https://www.expeditionart.org/

CHARLOTTE BELLAND
SATURDAY -- Life drawing with a live wolf!!
From You Tube link below: "Charlotte Belland is the Chair and an Associate Professor of Animation at the Columbus College of Art & Design. She is a prolific teacher and animal illustrator who, through fortuitous serendipity, will be bringing a frickin' wolf to her life drawing presentation at LightBox Expo!"

Animal Lifedrawing: Journey the Ambassador Wolf with Charlotte Belland

Join us for this unique opportunity to meet and draw "Journey" the Ambassador Wolf up close and personal with Charlotte Belland.

LOCATION: Room 103, Conference Center

TIME: 4:15 PM - 5:30 PM

Next 4 photos below are a few pages from the Lightbox brochure.