My Philly Show Report.

The Philly show was the first card show I ever attended as an artist in 2000 or 01, back when most people that walked by didn't even know what a sketch card was and I was horse from explaining them over and over again. A lot has changed since then, new and many more faces in front and behind the tables, and a few more grays for many of us. It was great to see familiar faces again and a pleasure to meet new fans, friends, and artists.

It's been a few years since I've done a card show and in that time I've drawn a few hundred more sketch cards to add to the thousands I've already done. For some reason, which my back was asking me about, I felt it necessary to bring everything card related I owned or had a scan of. I also brought along prints and comic stuff but in the end the table was only so big and much of it was relegated to under the table.

They had the artists corralled in a "circling of the wagons" approach and I think it worked well. It was easy to talk with and get to know each other and they all seemed very nice. I was next to Jeff Zapata from Topps who was doing Wacky Pack and Garbage pail kids commissions all weekend and I also got Otis Framptons "Oddly Normal" volumes (which I've still yet to unpack - Thanks Otis). My sign up sheet for commissions was full all weekend long and I'm grateful to anyone that pre-ordered any before the show.

Over all a pretty good weekend and I'd find it hard to complain about anything. But, next time I'll have the batteries in my camera charged so I have more pics to post. Of what I got , above is the best you'll get. Some of the commissions I did I got pics of. And the Conan went to the winner of the "Farthest Traveled Award"... Graham, all the way from the UK. I wish I was able to take pics of them all, I'm going to see if I can track down some scans.

Mecca, Jerusalem, the Wailing wall, the Vatican, the Grand Canyon, and the almighty Philly Non-sport card show. It's that simple. If your a card collector and haven't been to this show, I would put it on your Bucket List. Harris and Frank seem like they've got things worked out pretty well and the show seemed to run very smoothly from my vantage point.

Just go.

Later

WM

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Warren Martineck

Philly Non-Sport Card Show This Weekend!

I'm heading out to Pennsylvania for this weekends Philly Non-sport card show in Allentown.

I think it's been almost 5 years since I attended this show and the first time in the new facility.

I've got my pencils sharpened and I'm ready to do some sketches... bring em on. I'm rested up and ready to wreak havoc on the card world!

Hours:

Sat 10th:

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Sun 11th:

10:00 am - 3:00 pm

I'll be there doing commissions all weekend and will also have some limited prints available.

Looking forward to seeing old and new faces this year so stop buy and say hi even if your not buyin'.

Commissions: I'm also accepting pre-ordered commissions for the show but get them in now or it won't be a pre-order anymore.

Later

WM

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Warren Martineck

Conventions and Commissions Update

I just wanted to let everyone that got on my commissions list know that I'll be starting to dig into it by tonight or tomorrow. The plan is to get through the whole list by the end of next week. (As long as the schedule doesn't go all to hell) I wanted to thank everyone for the great response and can't wait to see how some these come out.

I also wanted to announce that I have 2 scheduled convention appearances coming up. The Philly Non Sports Card Show October 10-11, and the Boston Comic Con October 24-25. A few people have already contacted me about preordering commissions to be picked up at the show and I am taking orders for more of these right now. For more info check out my Sketchcard page or contact me directly about other types of commisions.

Thanks again.

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