As the title states, it’s been a rough week. On Wednesday, following a wonderful Boston Comic Con and vacationing a few days in Salem, MA, my girlfriend, her daughter and I rushed back to take care of one of our cats only to have him pass away that same night. I had planned to write an entire blog piece about him today, yet on the other hand, this past Saturday was an equally notable experience: the Newark Comic Con. Though the fans were great and I did well financially at the show, I can’t put it any other way than it was the worst show I’ve ever attended. I feel strongly that artists and vendors should not support it based on mine and others’ experience there, and I feel compelled to share that. Read more… ›

Yes, as the title implies, I’ve already signed up for an Artist Alley table at next years’ Boston Comic Con. It’s honestly one of my favourite shows to do in my favourite city (I still think I’d like to move up this way someday). This year’s show was another success. I’ve sold out of a few things, and I don’t know that I’ll be able to restock on these items for this Saturday’s Newark Comic Con. (Sorry, though I still have plenty of prints and books available.). Though Aside from sales alone, there’s a lot more appeal to exhibiting at the Boston Comic Con. Read more… ›

August is officially here, and that means we’re halfway through the summer. Be that as it may, it seems that the second half is going to be the busiest. I have three conventions to attend before I return to my full-time teaching post and a load of work to get done on Chadhiyana and Gentleman Cthulhu as well as some back work on other projects. Though now to add to all that, part of the remaining weeks are going to be spent on putting a new system in place in my studio–hopefully for streamlining my work-process going forward. Read more… ›

It was five years ago this month (July 2011) that I began preparing for my second New York Comic Con appearance. I had decided beforehand to dedicate the entire summer to getting new work ready. This included new prints, my first (and, to date, only) sketchbook (for sale, that is) and a collapsible banner to draw people to my table. Amongst the pieces I created that summer were an unused cover idea I had wanted to submit to Planet Lovecraft Magazine (before it closed its doors) of Cthulhu sitting in an armchair in Victorian attire, reading a copy of the magazine and an acrylic painting of a nameless Indian female warrior. Read more… ›

About a month ago I posted that I was running just a tad behind on a few things due to a dreadfully disheartening school year in the district where I teach (amongst other things) and that I was going to need a bit of time to catch up. Little did I know it was going to take about a month to do so; I thought a week, two at the most–but as the saying goes, “Even the best laid plans…” Read more… ›

This blog piece is a bit difficult to write, as I’m quite torn on precisely what to write. On one hand, this past weekend I was exhibiting at the Garden State Comic Fest and honestly came out of the event with some relatively noteworthy news to share. On the other hand, over dinner on Sunday, my girlfriend brought me up to speed about the recent shootings in Baton Rouge and Falcon Heights and the intense backlash (on both “sides”, as it were) following this news. So, I am quite torn. I’d love to share my experience at the GSCF, yet I seem this time particularly unable to ignore what is happening in the world beyond my small and rather insignificant life (in the broader scheme of things). But, I suppose, like most convoluted stories or thoughts, its best to start at the beginning, though a part of me feels icky doing so. Read more… ›

As usual the week of an upcoming convention, I’m just writing this to remind anyone living in or near Morristown, New Jersey (or making a trip there) that I will be exhibiting at the Garden State Comic Fest on Saturday and Sunday at the Mennen Sports Arena. This will be both my second year doing the show and the show’s second at this new(ish) location. Read more… ›

Today (that is, today, as of this writing, yesterday as of this posting) is the first day I’m back in the studio full-time for the summer, and I have to say that no “summer vacation” (as it were) has been more welcome than this one. It was a trying school year to say the least (I teach full-time for most of the year), mostly because of the climate in the school district this year (of which I will say little). So for the next ten weeks, I’ll be getting a much needed recharge for the coming school year and have the opportunity to concentrate more on my writing and my art. Read more… ›

Recently, two of my favourite modern creators announced an end to their beloved series. In video games, Hidetaka Miyazaki has (somewhat ambiguously) stated that “there’s absolutely no plan right now for any sequels, spin-offs or tie-ins” to Dark Souls or Bloodborne (forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2016/04/27/hidetaka-miyazaki-puts-the-souls-series-on-hold-wants-to-do-more-mecha-games/#180de5cb1845). And in comics, Mike Mignola has ended the Hellboy series to pursue a new direction as a watercolourist (albeit new works from other creators may come out featuring the character). Yet as devastating as these announcements seemingly are–and one coming after the other, no less–more than anything these two men have earned a great deal of respect from me for making these decisions. After all, I believe firmly in the old adage that all stories have a beginning, a middle and an end. Read more… ›

Just a quick thank you to everyone who came out to support the White Plains Comic Con this past Saturday, especially those who bought commissions, prints and copies of Chadhiyana. As I said last year, I really hope this convention continues to grow, as the people in the White Plains area seem to be very supportive of the event and it’s extremely well run. Really, one of the best conventions I’ve been to.  Read more… ›