Work and NYCC

"Where've you been?"  "Working my ass off, that's where."

That was the gist of a brief email conversation I had the other day and it accurately describes my past few weeks. 

  I had finished up most of my freelance work, as planned, in late September and didn't have anything scheduled for afterward. So I got to jump on all the commissions I had piling up and finished the majority of them. Although I still had a few to get to , I also planned on doing up new artwork for showing around the New York Comic Con as getting real work is the main priority.  In the process of doing that work, I agreed to take on another Penciling gig for Bluewater and finally said yes to be on an upcoming sketch card set to help fill in the future schedule. But, 2 or 3 days before the Con, Mike Lilly contacted me about Inking an Antony and Cleopatra Graphic Novel he was penciling and he really needed help. So I was on board for that too and found my schedule completely full until January and I hadn't even left for NYCC yet. 

  Which brings to this short concentrated review of the con: Awesome. 

It was extremely busy, had tons of people, and left me pretty damn tired. I basically spent 2 days walking around seeing friends I haven't seen for awhile, meeting artists, hitting up various publishers, book pushers, dealers, and showing my stuff around. It went better than I expected and I even added to my current workload with publishers that wanted to see more. 

  So that's where I've been, putting in some double overtime trying to get everything done. It's working pretty good and I've got a good pace going. Unfortunately I've had to put off a few of those remaining commissions and updating my Website, which I originally had in the schedule for right now, is again on the back burner.     

Next: Filling a visual request.

Actively looking for an assistant.

WM

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Warren Martineck

'

Boston Comic Con Wrap Up

  

 I know it's been almost a week since the show but I had to get a few commissions left over from the Con that I wanted to hold off for the posting.

 As with any Convention, it's great to get out of the studio and head out to meet new people, fans, other artists, and friends I haven't seen in awhile. It's about the people, and there was a LOT of people. Although Saturday morning seemed slow, there was a steady stream of people walking and stopping by the table all weekend long. Being in this new larger facility was awesome, even with the greater number of people, there was more "breathing room". I heard that one or maybe both of the days they were pushing the limits of the shows fire codes. Nice.

I talked with a lot of people that stopped by to check out my stuff and to say hi or ask about my work. I think there are a few art schools in the Boston area as I met a bunch of the students that were walking around, checking out artwork, and asking questions and getting advice from other artists. I must have gone over 7 or 8 portfolios.

  I was doing sketches for the entirety of the show and only took a few breaks. Thanks to my buddy Steve for sitting in for a few minutes on Saturday and my Wife and son came on Sunday to help out a bit and enjoy the festivities. I didn't get pics of all the sketches that went out but I do have a few things to show. Some were just quickies or an occasional fast freebie for kids and I had some repeat customers from last year that wanted something new to add to their collections.

  Gripe moment: I have to ask.... what is up with all the charity requests lately? I did 3 Sat and Sunday morning and then had to turn down 2 more after that. It was getting ridiculous. I've also been getting them online more frequently lately. I don't mind doing one every once and awhile for charities I've heard of or from people that I know but you have to draw the line somewhere. (pun intended) I will have to think about and come up with a guild line to follow for doing these charity pieces from now on. Gripe moment over.

On to some pics and art posting!
This one is of my son. He has just recently gotten into Star Wars and the 501st was there at the show. Along with being wide eyed at the clone troopers walking around, he thought it was the coolest thing watching R2 zip by the table. So We got a pic with the droid.

Spiderman requests were popular as I found myself drawing him all weekend and had a few Spidey's as pre orders. Here are a few.

Here's one of the charity sketches that Granite Con was collecting in a sketch book to be auctioned off next year for the Make a Wish Foundation.

Some after show commissions that I just finished up today, A Hulk and Deadpool.
(It's so much easier when I have a scanner handy)                                                                                      

   

 I'm always happier with the ones I can spend a bit more time on...
                                                  

So it was a busy weekend, I was pretty horse by Sunday night and took Monday off and slept like a bear the next day.
But it was fun.

Later
WM                  

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Warren Martineck

Boston Comic Con

Just wanted to let you guys know, I have a table at Boston Comic Con and will be there both days signing and doing sketches and whatever else anyone can think of. Last years show went really well and this one looks to be much better and some big name talent we be attending this year also.
The show is at a bigger venue this year down on the Waterfront to accommodate the greater number of dealers and artists and the larger number of attendees.

Saturday April 10 2010
Sunday   April 11 2010

I am taking pre-show orders for commissions to help keep my commissions list under control at the show. I would greatly appreciate any pre-show orders.
Check out the Boston Comic Con site for more details and hope to see you there.

Later
WM

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Warren Martineck

One Long ComicCon Weekend

   

   The New York ComicCon was this past weekend and I decided to go and make an adventure out of it. I figured it would be a good chance to reconnect with old friends, make some new connections, maybe finally get something interesting to post on the blog, and hopefully drum up some work. It was a 3 day show and the fam and I stayed with the in-laws in NJ for an easy commute for me into the city each day. I didn't get a table this year as I wanted to stay mobile and really try to see everything that was going on. The show was busier than last year and from what I hear actually sold out and the attendance was better than expected.  

  Early hours Friday was for Professionals and was a good time to catch up and say hi to friends and artists I haven't seen in a while. I even met a few people I've worked with in the past that I only knew through emails and phone conversations. Saturday was mega swamped with people and the isles were like one big long mosh pit. I left early as it was just too busy to really get anything accomplished or have anything other than just a "how are you doing" conversation. Publishers were just too busy to look at your stuff and artists were buried under fans and commissions. Sunday morning was wonderful though, the crowds were minimal, you could easily walk through the isles and talking with publishers was much easier and were able to spend some time with you. I had lunch with some good friends I went to the Kubert school with that I haven't seen in a while. I hooked up with Keith Champagne, Charlie (from Indie Spinner Rack) and some good friends he new through his podcast for a nice italian dinner after the show on Sunday. 

   I had taken a disposable camera I had laying around and thought it was perfect for the show as I didn't want to risk losing or damaging my digital. That was a mistake. Of all the shots I took that I was planning on posting here and actually make this interesting, only 2 dark and grainy pics came out. Bummer... that'll teach me. (I even lifted the pic above from someone else online). 

   It was a long 3 days and pretty tiring, but it was nice to get out of the house. Now, a day or to after, it feels good to get back to normal... and back to the drawing board. 

Later

WM