tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81204973659869054462024-03-05T23:07:21.133-05:00The Art of PaigeyThe blog of Baltimore bred, Brooklyn based cartoonist Paigey Pumphrey.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743199616608351614noreply@blogger.comBlogger206125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120497365986905446.post-22341628566514265902015-11-28T12:28:00.000-05:002016-06-05T21:55:30.718-04:00Aftermath: LA trip and Designer Con!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In November of 2015, the week before Thanksgiving my husband <a href="http://ballsyart.com/" target="_blank">Phil</a> and I set out on our first dedicated vacation in over 6 years to sunny Los Angeles to visit friends, go to Disneyland and for me to vend my first West Coast show at Designer Con. <br />
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Me being the high strung, workaholic east coaster I am I scheduled full days of activities every day we were there. We flew in Monday night and stayed with our friends <a href="http://zombiejrcomic.tumblr.com/post/101759960805/zombie-jr-1-by-ben-dale-wunsapon-a-time" target="_blank">Ben</a> and Karen (who you may know as our Best Man from <a href="http://www.theartofpaigey.com/p/wedding.html" target="_blank">Phil and I's wedding</a>) who had recently relocated to Pasadena from Brooklyn for our first leg of the trip. In fact, MOST of our friends from New York had relocated to Los Angeles in the past year, especially our friends who work at DC Comics. At the time of our vacation, we had actually attended 6 goodbye parties for friends leaving New York City. So visiting Los Angeles we had the unique experience of seeing more of our New York friends out there in the span of a week than we had in the past 6 months back home. Also the weather was glorious and all of our friends had the cutest little houses with adorable little backyards. And omg the marijuana dispensaries out there were blowing my mind. So Phil and I's opinions about LA are… complicated, to say the least. There were a lot of feelings on this trip that we still aren't sure how to process.<br />
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Ben and Karen had the cutest little bungalow style house in Pasadena, and with a YARD! I was admittedly a little jealous, especially as it was late November when we were out there and it was in the 80s and sunny all week compared to the rain in the 40s we left NYC in.<br />
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Phil, Ben and I made a day trip to Little Tokyo on Tuesday of our trip and I went on a mini shopping spree.I found a super cute little store with cheap-yet-adorable Japanese housewares. I was SO EXCITED to buy sponges and tweezers. </div>
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On Wednesday we had an impromptu lunch with the awesomest of artists, the great Coop whom I've been friends with online but had never met in person. I've been a fan of his art since the 90s and was super excited to grab lunch and talk about comics and art. <br />
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Thursday we spent the morning and early afternoon at Disneyland and then after a rest went to California Adventure in the evening. OF COURSE I got all dolled up to have my own little pinup adventure in the parks, the weather was PERFECT. </div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/_Z7chXtEpP/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">#TBT to last month when Phil and I were in sunny California for Disneyland. ::siiiiiigh:: We have to go back! 😭🌴</a></div>
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A video posted by Paige Pumphrey (@paigey_pumphrey) on <time datetime="2015-12-17T19:45:18+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 17, 2015 at 11:45am PST</time></div>
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We hit Disneyland first to check out all the Season of the Force stuff that was up in Tomorrowland first thing. IMHO, Hyperspace Mountain wasn't very impressive. I don't know if it's that this particular version of Space Mountain is the first and thus very old, but all the Star Wars projections were so bright they drowned out the rest of the star lights in the coaster. As far as the rest of Season of the Force, it mostly just seemed like these expansive Target-like shopping pavilions had taken over the floorspace of Tomorrowland, and even for first thing on a Thursday the lines had already gotten a little out of control so we headed elsewhere. Hopefully the dedicated Star Wars themed world they're building now is more impressive. Lol, I'm such a snob. XD <br />
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A video posted by Paige Pumphrey (@paigey_pumphrey) on <time datetime="2015-11-19T17:42:06+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 19, 2015 at 9:42am PST</time></div>
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We also got on the Dumbo ride in Fantasyland. Since Phil and I are not small people, we figured it'd be best to get individual Dumbos (plus I got that floofy skirt!). Halfway through the line I also realized Phil and I were the only adults going on who didn't have some small child in tow, which I found humorous. </div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>After Dumbo we went to get Dole Whip floats and <i>get indoctrinated into the Illuminati</i>, wait- I mean, watch the Enchanted Tiki Room. It was a much needed break in the dark with air conditioning and a tasty beverage. </div>
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After we got out of the Tiki Room it was crazy crowded, hot, and lunchtime. So we decided to dip out, but managed to find the entrance to t he mysterious Club 33 where I could grab a quick photo.</div>
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Lunch!! And then a nap!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp","is_intentional":"1"}">"No. No. You've got to sign for it."</span></span></td></tr>
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We went to California Adventure after we ate lunch and took a nap, but we didn't know it closed so early (like 9 I think, we thought it'd be open til 10-11) so we were running around trying to see everything. Def want to go back and JUST see California Adventure when we come back next.</div>
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Buuuut- we did get to see THE THREE CABALLEROS, which is one of my FAVORITE Disney movies. Also Jose Carioca is my favorite Disney animal character, with Donald almost immediately behind. So it was a SUPER TREAT to run into such an obscure group.</div>
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Friday we spent coming back to Pasadena from Disneyland, then setting up my table for Designer Con, then meeting up with Phil's old coworkers and friends from DC Comics, who had all moved to LA from NYC in the past year. The dinner was a delight, I think it must have been about 20 of us all along a long banquet table at this great Mexican restaurant, all hooting and hollering and being loud obnoxious New Yorkers in Burbank. In fact we had SO much fun we didn't take a single picture. D'oh.</div>
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Designer Con:</div>
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Saturday and Sunday I spent vending at Designer Con alongside my pal Peter Goode whom I know from the art scene back in Baltimore. He actually curated some of my first group art shows! This was my first west coast convention table and I think I did ok. After just coming off the insanity of New Yoprk Comic Con a month prior I wasn't super blown away by the attendance, especially since I found out that CTN Expo was the same weekend over in Burbank and in all honesty I think THAT was more my ideal customer base. Ending the already packed vacation week with a con table to work was probably also not my brightest idea ever. I was SO TIRED from everything else that I just couldn't muster the energy to be excited about selling. I honesty would have rather been sitting poolside, but alas I was there and may as well make the most of it. It was great to see everyone that came by- I was so happy to finally meet followers from my social media accounts and other artists based in California who I've never had the pleasure of meeting in person. I felt so bad for my friends that I hung out with after the show, I was so tired I almost fell asleep over dinner- both nights! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEd1irx_JPJZUwqyXE6xTccz6i78qS-ERIukV462s7BtGhaUqDOIRgt9bbqikvUU78GWuBez15DKXenwi1wMU0EiM9zPNzNT1lSDc7akJVyqeQmguHzhJMyrwFo9TnDNbXWtOfUt8B9s/s1600/12289632_10153509636623855_8743134230590539384_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEd1irx_JPJZUwqyXE6xTccz6i78qS-ERIukV462s7BtGhaUqDOIRgt9bbqikvUU78GWuBez15DKXenwi1wMU0EiM9zPNzNT1lSDc7akJVyqeQmguHzhJMyrwFo9TnDNbXWtOfUt8B9s/s320/12289632_10153509636623855_8743134230590539384_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="6" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/-XEsbbNEqt/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">#DesignerCon!! Booth 726 with @petergoodeart and husband Phil!</a></div>
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A video posted by Paige Pumphrey (@paigey_pumphrey) on <time datetime="2015-11-21T20:37:00+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 21, 2015 at 12:37pm PST</time></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pVVlZvyasMDQ3d9HV_RWDkhVfWHwtP5hizdNTsv1oM0Ne_OJY3fQl2gEsbHyylRjezBYcwmsei_RUHCQkDojm6wtGPI4eb6LPFVMPrawZWF0mvJp1Bku7_kXwvxGmZhrdZhhoKF6sD0/s1600/12289685_10153511246283855_6157146519404145184_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pVVlZvyasMDQ3d9HV_RWDkhVfWHwtP5hizdNTsv1oM0Ne_OJY3fQl2gEsbHyylRjezBYcwmsei_RUHCQkDojm6wtGPI4eb6LPFVMPrawZWF0mvJp1Bku7_kXwvxGmZhrdZhhoKF6sD0/s320/12289685_10153511246283855_6157146519404145184_n.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I finally got to wear my Luchadora skirt!! A Paigey/Maria/Little Asian Sweatshop collaboration!!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5Y4Nk2hT8LXvuuJ5LNRIFqPMMS1EpptIMqywHWXkZ_CYJY2R1h9sx86zLM9FjNTAMDCyCgIqvvmbzwVcgrp8skpKjYxcVsBSnstFvEwrwPUaSrqL4RSQ2RajseTwt5PgllwMURG7-vY/s1600/11220149_10153531107003855_714013070098498158_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5Y4Nk2hT8LXvuuJ5LNRIFqPMMS1EpptIMqywHWXkZ_CYJY2R1h9sx86zLM9FjNTAMDCyCgIqvvmbzwVcgrp8skpKjYxcVsBSnstFvEwrwPUaSrqL4RSQ2RajseTwt5PgllwMURG7-vY/s320/11220149_10153531107003855_714013070098498158_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGF1_uc1S56j9tjfAL8O1XFhX5m0Mgarj4v2JsSIaoe9__3zpjwgNVkVStnSeReijVhjQfHUEYrVf3WkmWghyphenhyphendokW8IXw8L24ZG9xhxNI52vlYzQ-J4HYHVLhqJKoSbQgihybVpPK_GA/s1600/12029785_10153511455713855_8936201896851556449_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGF1_uc1S56j9tjfAL8O1XFhX5m0Mgarj4v2JsSIaoe9__3zpjwgNVkVStnSeReijVhjQfHUEYrVf3WkmWghyphenhyphendokW8IXw8L24ZG9xhxNI52vlYzQ-J4HYHVLhqJKoSbQgihybVpPK_GA/s320/12029785_10153511455713855_8936201896851556449_o.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got to meet awesome Tiki artist BIG TOE! He was such a sweetheart!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-XPdK9XtZbIHgqI4RAA6Aht-ZUE4sXw8jwklN7E2V-iOD6fIeJvxNigmx20onVk-La_DYHF6HYBzicCe6XD842WhfK5xjasNhyphenhyphenfNYPCfg7Hh3HKQFfUZD2SIZvXIVQ95XyruQ42T5I0/s1600/12278737_10153511772823855_4063099760938478367_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-XPdK9XtZbIHgqI4RAA6Aht-ZUE4sXw8jwklN7E2V-iOD6fIeJvxNigmx20onVk-La_DYHF6HYBzicCe6XD842WhfK5xjasNhyphenhyphenfNYPCfg7Hh3HKQFfUZD2SIZvXIVQ95XyruQ42T5I0/s320/12278737_10153511772823855_4063099760938478367_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With our NYC-turned-LA friends Pat and Jen and their new California baby! </td></tr>
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Overall we had a fantastic time in LA. To the point where we almost didn't want to come back, especially with how cold and lousy the weather was when we returned. We def want to go back out there again next fall and see even more of our friends and all their lovely faces and all the cool locales and such. </div>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743199616608351614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120497365986905446.post-5462322602187129372015-11-23T00:57:00.000-05:002016-01-03T22:48:41.514-05:00I designed the 2016 International Nerdlesque Festival poster!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZrUYNYKdFgOps2FHXvGRkJMbnNXfltNDlCb2S41z1pkSZPGvswckwFgh0Sa5Cz5x1j1HQ5tEQRMGmKnj9qWilXKaCOO7TYBEdeWdBkyLQH8AvsI6n_pbrQxB815bIr3ZVbLg1hu4t7A/s1600/NYNF.splashpage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZrUYNYKdFgOps2FHXvGRkJMbnNXfltNDlCb2S41z1pkSZPGvswckwFgh0Sa5Cz5x1j1HQ5tEQRMGmKnj9qWilXKaCOO7TYBEdeWdBkyLQH8AvsI6n_pbrQxB815bIr3ZVbLg1hu4t7A/s320/NYNF.splashpage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Happy to announce that I'm doing the art for <a href="http://nerdlesquefest.com/" target="_blank">The 2nd International Nerdlesque Festival</a> this April 1st and 2nd in NYC! I had so much fun at the 1st one two years ago that I offered to do the artwork for the next Fest- and here I am! The last festival had so many amazing performances, I was thoroughly impressed. I highly suggest that if you are a fan of pop culture, nerdy stuff and sexy burlesque performances you should def come out to this show! I will also be vending at the festival both nights, so if you come out
be sure to swing by my table and check out all my pinup goodies! <br />
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The final versions:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2X7tkKvdfVLKgc7Ho0lMBAnt6_v0zbwHKdHIluCJ5rSRI8PhnDWaWMDgCbW-X01iXpVnggBuPEM5LRFVoDSA5La646qxqk4LOwMkjEO1O7BLKCpfMFd_4yMKsGBnaqI3tcjlMIy99lk/s1600/NYNFPoster.WH.web.V3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2X7tkKvdfVLKgc7Ho0lMBAnt6_v0zbwHKdHIluCJ5rSRI8PhnDWaWMDgCbW-X01iXpVnggBuPEM5LRFVoDSA5La646qxqk4LOwMkjEO1O7BLKCpfMFd_4yMKsGBnaqI3tcjlMIy99lk/s320/NYNFPoster.WH.web.V3.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friday 4/1/15 at <a href="http://www.websterhall.com/" target="_blank">Webster Hall</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MCldcyoVJxBvCVJyl60-gtn6JquM3tcFBsVBLtpgrHrPiMC1PXRc4jJ5n35XF-os3_W0LOIRq8XrowHwYa4EQVXTcRJcHPUve_d2OP9JaK6AhIXEPfDZ07V7NLoEz95HVEDj8CP8zcE/s1600/NYNFPoster.LPR.web.V2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MCldcyoVJxBvCVJyl60-gtn6JquM3tcFBsVBLtpgrHrPiMC1PXRc4jJ5n35XF-os3_W0LOIRq8XrowHwYa4EQVXTcRJcHPUve_d2OP9JaK6AhIXEPfDZ07V7NLoEz95HVEDj8CP8zcE/s320/NYNFPoster.LPR.web.V2.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saturday 4/2/15 at <a href="http://lpr.com/" target="_blank">Le Poisson Rouge</a></td></tr>
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Progress pics:</div>
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<span id="goog_1065350208">My inspiration for the flyer came from 80's arcade art. I've been a fan of this type of art all my life, a good chunk of my adolescence was spent at the local arcades they had in the Maryland suburbs.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KFze6z1p8_t1U2kaY0s0KJ2PrtkvE1GAoVcVUC4up5A3GARsd2Io9HGv-0smxlAgu_RgB3YWMVDsfRevFnHuRr93pRp-8PoIY8LGOFBbuD-kCK6bJ0ru5en2v9wftV_7zJYVAtXUyAo/s1600/NYNFInspi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KFze6z1p8_t1U2kaY0s0KJ2PrtkvE1GAoVcVUC4up5A3GARsd2Io9HGv-0smxlAgu_RgB3YWMVDsfRevFnHuRr93pRp-8PoIY8LGOFBbuD-kCK6bJ0ru5en2v9wftV_7zJYVAtXUyAo/s320/NYNFInspi.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the art I collected for inspiration.</td></tr>
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I tried to break down the elements of my favorite pieces- limited palettes, rounded borders and starbursts were definitely takeaways. Even still I would love to do more artwork in this style. I think it's criminally under appreciated nowadays- there's<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span data-reactid=".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1"><span data-reactid=".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.0"> such a masterful incorporation of stripes and geometric shapes. Total retro-futristic stuff going on. Love it. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I still have so much to learn about harnessing it's aesthetic for my own work.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span data-reactid=".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1"><span data-reactid=".1.1.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.0"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3SPhHNVE9Dtq2oxUGaAb0oShpTQzXzIi3OTNr72auZX9EcxqMhJKAwHQEFEe6ReE2siL9wUgkcd__X1vDR84ypRiqNsxN6KnkN9pyDF-DEonRwk5TE_H7c6hWInKddNtz0O_sLdsD5g/s1600/11910875_10153354229258855_507527524_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3SPhHNVE9Dtq2oxUGaAb0oShpTQzXzIi3OTNr72auZX9EcxqMhJKAwHQEFEe6ReE2siL9wUgkcd__X1vDR84ypRiqNsxN6KnkN9pyDF-DEonRwk5TE_H7c6hWInKddNtz0O_sLdsD5g/s320/11910875_10153354229258855_507527524_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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My initial sketch. I knew right off the bat that I wanted a Statue of Liberty figure with a burlesquey/sci-fi spin- adding a bubble helmet, torch scepter and upgrading her stone tablet to a electronic one.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nAVoVpt9GdlYeV9aD_h8W0C1-sNaNaQNEYvNB5XsjE8FpHEh-fW478Q35BdHsJs_sW229uq1F4wZaup0TTs6Zg-GNaal7wojrDCia3DPEZFomGEHEIFjmis6au-u8q8qWBeWpuKP_yE/s1600/11921671_10153368729343855_9079619075048715181_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nAVoVpt9GdlYeV9aD_h8W0C1-sNaNaQNEYvNB5XsjE8FpHEh-fW478Q35BdHsJs_sW229uq1F4wZaup0TTs6Zg-GNaal7wojrDCia3DPEZFomGEHEIFjmis6au-u8q8qWBeWpuKP_yE/s320/11921671_10153368729343855_9079619075048715181_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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After I got my initial sketch down, I scan it into Photoshop and adjust proportions and posing. I then lighten all my linework to a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-photo_blue" target="_blank">non-photo blue</a>, and print out the sketch on bristol or card stock copy paper. I then start a second more refined drawing on top of the blue lined sketch, refining my linework and starting to focus on the fine details like her hair, face, and the flow of the dress. The benefit of the blue lined printout under the drawing is that it's eraser-proof, so it's almost like an analog save. There have been too many times in my history of drawing where I thought I should erased something and do it better, only to find out that the version I drew 2-3 erases ago was perfect and I should have just left it alone. When I draw I use a 2H pencil for my layouts (the H stands for hard, it gives a lighter line on the paper) and then go back in to details with an HB pencil (which is somewhat darker, the B stands for bold).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVhvPoIedUlVd89kG3NXY_FGdw8kXZIjat1LbbEIXsR2-N-fbjRMAz0QFAvfwKwjEaPK7115oHYI_O0bcB-RkoFSFBK27J5TA6d7bGfbmb-hmCqaDbkbo7B9znj2-6G1SrSdBfAs6oeY/s1600/11951121_10153375426233855_7082703197966089514_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVhvPoIedUlVd89kG3NXY_FGdw8kXZIjat1LbbEIXsR2-N-fbjRMAz0QFAvfwKwjEaPK7115oHYI_O0bcB-RkoFSFBK27J5TA6d7bGfbmb-hmCqaDbkbo7B9znj2-6G1SrSdBfAs6oeY/s320/11951121_10153375426233855_7082703197966089514_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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After I have my pencils where I want them, I take a sheet of vellum and tape it over top of my pencils so I can start inking. I tend to always use Micron pens- I've used them since high school and they're one of my favorite brands. They're easy to get ahold of and reasonably priced, plus it's just what I'm used to working in. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsYP242potc6cPEwNxnv764BrIPUzpoHNz_r1Q0uh2R2Pd_gtAeZJ4ErfzmsqXtRZslk92HAv59fF0xEToDi8O0wRTEqJ-sl5Jkj_CUACQGkgXnEF-XEAb3XUrh64c_UYwVN8siBQ6qs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-01-03+at+8.16.37+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsYP242potc6cPEwNxnv764BrIPUzpoHNz_r1Q0uh2R2Pd_gtAeZJ4ErfzmsqXtRZslk92HAv59fF0xEToDi8O0wRTEqJ-sl5Jkj_CUACQGkgXnEF-XEAb3XUrh64c_UYwVN8siBQ6qs/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-01-03+at+8.16.37+PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left- inks right after scanning, Right- inks after cleanup</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After I finish inking I scan Space Princess Statue of Liberty into my computer, usually at 300-400 dpi and open her up in Photoshop. Make sure she's whatever size you need her to be- for this poster I will be working in 11x17". Here I start to clean up the linework- erasing any screw ups I may have made on the actual inks and use the Level Tool (Ctrl + L) to bump up the contrast so the lines are more clear. I also go in with the Dodge (set to Highlights at 20% exposure) and Burn (set to Shadows at 50% exposure) tools to eliminate any shadows from scanning the vellum and to darken any fine lines that were starting to grey out. Once I get my line work clear enough, I go to Image > Adjustments > Threshold to make the linework all a sharp, solid black. This may require some adjustments of the slider bar and you may even need to go back yet again and color in some lines that have gaps in them. Once I feel happy with my inks I start my coloring process.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">**Depending on how tight my deadline is- I may go even further with cleaning up my inks by importing them over to Illustrator and vectorizing them, then individually adjusting each <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%A9zier_curve" target="_blank">B<span style="font-weight: normal;">é</span></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">zier curve</a> with the Pen tool. I actually have a segment on how I do this <a href="http://www.theartofpaigey.com/2014/02/new-merch-sketches-and-tutorial.html" target="_blank">here</a> on Natalie Kin's It's a Draw! video tutorial series. However be warned, it can easily add at least another day to your work and I only suggest it for very clean, open, graphic drawings free of any textures like hatching, stippling, etc. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHEH8PdBiMyCQpJVfIGJ7dukFaPU3OmGwByCFL-Umx1IzLCNHnN267_FKe7nbIPIsXHmsWG3fwIZq6Mmkgo3UKf8ki9esauME0Rk5-noaJPapqbDby3Tl4Bbc4QseaQD6k8Ha81E4sSQ/s1600/11996918_10153387523673855_2115312653993799901_n.jpg"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHEH8PdBiMyCQpJVfIGJ7dukFaPU3OmGwByCFL-Umx1IzLCNHnN267_FKe7nbIPIsXHmsWG3fwIZq6Mmkgo3UKf8ki9esauME0Rk5-noaJPapqbDby3Tl4Bbc4QseaQD6k8Ha81E4sSQ/s320/11996918_10153387523673855_2115312653993799901_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />Wee! Coloring time! So now that our inks are all pretty and sleek and flat black, I start making my layers for coloring. For such a simple palette, I only really worked in about 10 layers for the figure, which I laid out in this GIF:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHV6UZvNF9vkqB9qP-ku6w0rQJ6ppMSVGg0PpelUwLLCRlilPdCq8BPFhYYf0bwFHEnDGDZmC-3Qn_rYF7nbZQGaohs9AIVPmURmN7UNiBcI_GBkjmZ75wELZcncBOVvKt8oc1WkRR8A/s1600/NYNF.Process.gif" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHV6UZvNF9vkqB9qP-ku6w0rQJ6ppMSVGg0PpelUwLLCRlilPdCq8BPFhYYf0bwFHEnDGDZmC-3Qn_rYF7nbZQGaohs9AIVPmURmN7UNiBcI_GBkjmZ75wELZcncBOVvKt8oc1WkRR8A/s320/NYNF.Process.gif" width="279" /></a><br />
<br />
One of these days I'll break down my coloring methods even further, but that's a progress blog post for another day. <br /><span class="st">¯\_(ツ)_/¯</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjAnN2Zv460vsW_57ligk0-rJhrt607e-GjzKfODoCMZrU5nvSqGqCavdzDIonMovPgKAZNMUEBaaEYIkA3lTmziu1WJqCWY1jz_WgG8eFa8lwEPcEYcr_fu687i1toEN2f23RwKnYA0/s1600/11904735_10153388127268855_2987626354630104314_n.jpg"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjAnN2Zv460vsW_57ligk0-rJhrt607e-GjzKfODoCMZrU5nvSqGqCavdzDIonMovPgKAZNMUEBaaEYIkA3lTmziu1WJqCWY1jz_WgG8eFa8lwEPcEYcr_fu687i1toEN2f23RwKnYA0/s320/11904735_10153388127268855_2987626354630104314_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Now for the HARD PART.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygKYsv-viYye020UdObfMNhgjC6o5WKgAaDr3_aWzYJhdAn5hfkvVdCIqX4_U0fgd5GblL8ZJIEW4asOKfaSzvutA5j_AWdoOojpvVc3Cdov8xmdOVJe2fZsNxrcYHACL4tD7hfa8dFU/s1600/11995538_10153388337573855_1952355288_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygKYsv-viYye020UdObfMNhgjC6o5WKgAaDr3_aWzYJhdAn5hfkvVdCIqX4_U0fgd5GblL8ZJIEW4asOKfaSzvutA5j_AWdoOojpvVc3Cdov8xmdOVJe2fZsNxrcYHACL4tD7hfa8dFU/s320/11995538_10153388337573855_1952355288_n.jpg" width="207" /></a><br />
<br />
After I got my figure and my palette sorted I started sketching out in
Photoshop what I want the actual poster to look like. At the time I
didn't have all the information of where the Festival was being held, or
when, or any of that good stuff, so I concentrated on the upper 2/3rds
of the poster. This is usually how I lay out all of my posters-
scribbling in an inordinate amount of layers, squashing and stretching
elements to make them fit in various spots. I have to laugh when people
think the hardest part of the poster for me is drawing the main figure,
when drawing cute girls is (for me, at least) second nature at this
point. It's actually all the typography, design elements and general
composition that drive me to beat my head against the wall. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWzgByFo2QQ068wAXbjyWIIt_ZQxS8j6-JU036S5rU0c_WtAfU9MbxHYRhb6dES5_EWoUFVp9Bpr8LPHkIMBj8LMMnwEkQUG6J8OcLOT39MUIDwG8Wu0e6BoVLeg6OYGKO4CjqUfvgcY/s1600/image1.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWzgByFo2QQ068wAXbjyWIIt_ZQxS8j6-JU036S5rU0c_WtAfU9MbxHYRhb6dES5_EWoUFVp9Bpr8LPHkIMBj8LMMnwEkQUG6J8OcLOT39MUIDwG8Wu0e6BoVLeg6OYGKO4CjqUfvgcY/s320/image1.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Then I start designing my type! For this part, I open up Illustrator and start looking at fonts (of which my husband and I have about 26,000…). I eventually settled on using two that reflected the retro sci-fi feel I was going for and started building my elements and configuring them into something that starts to resemble my initial poster sketch. (<a href="https://designschool.canva.com/blog/combining-fonts-10-must-know-tips-from-a-designer/" target="_blank">This is a good article on combining fonts.</a>) I tend to build my posters in Photoshop rather than entirely in Illustrator, which people like my husband find mind boggling, but it's what I'm most comfortable in and I feel it's more organic. Plus I'm more familiar with making things look how I want to in Photoshop versus Illustrator. I still however import the elements and type I built from Illustrator- I NEVER use the type tool in Photoshop. It's bush league. You can't scale, kern or properly space your type without it looking like ass. So you shouldn't either, so please do yourself a favor and learn how to use Illustrator if you're going to be dealing with type.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoykDCEWZkGuZpJNKZL8XWbTPahgwgnUbqGHdVTZo2JsRGBMZ9ywyHqT13vD2Mfs3VblNxNRLCpmne0qId9oqxB-qZGUd829LkxAwn4nIsJWLgan0y0hGYFO0mqAFcC9BYa2m_9_shKg/s1600/12027565_10153400867463855_6832002357630751693_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoykDCEWZkGuZpJNKZL8XWbTPahgwgnUbqGHdVTZo2JsRGBMZ9ywyHqT13vD2Mfs3VblNxNRLCpmne0qId9oqxB-qZGUd829LkxAwn4nIsJWLgan0y0hGYFO0mqAFcC9BYa2m_9_shKg/s320/12027565_10153400867463855_6832002357630751693_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
After a couple of days of arranging, then staring, then rearranging, then staring some more I finally got my poster to look like the design I had in my brain and was super pleased with the result. These two last pics are of the early draft before I got all of the proper info- which you can see at the top of this entry. I hope that if you're in the NYC area you'll come by for what is going to be a super fun and amazing show. I went to the first one and was thoroughly impressed (hence why I wanted to be part of the next one!)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMIM5a6Xb24KvhPkf9xGCdlb2oQzDDSKyG3fPeqp_E5H5FzVsSz-tfW1JR4A9kNRbnfQU-9PcXNQoUsU1UgSSUppngp2GjLWQtctDG1ce0jeGj2fXlBmHti3TPQUV_9_LBnAiL6WeYYA/s1600/NYNFPosterTeaser.web.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMIM5a6Xb24KvhPkf9xGCdlb2oQzDDSKyG3fPeqp_E5H5FzVsSz-tfW1JR4A9kNRbnfQU-9PcXNQoUsU1UgSSUppngp2GjLWQtctDG1ce0jeGj2fXlBmHti3TPQUV_9_LBnAiL6WeYYA/s320/NYNFPosterTeaser.web.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743199616608351614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120497365986905446.post-20342776492153905752015-11-04T19:30:00.002-05:002015-11-04T19:32:16.265-05:00Society 6 sale until 11/8/15! $5 off everything* and FREE SHIPPING!<div style="text-align: center;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743199616608351614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120497365986905446.post-43882314666855255622015-10-17T19:38:00.000-04:002016-01-02T15:56:19.084-05:00Aftermath: New York Comic Con 2015<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUr2R4ikVDR6FcOm8L4PJj3moXMiFftb2uWy2qpee77ABdK_VlsHXyoaRESgPn252gsKzd1ErjB7_ZbxmGqpYtKEnsJ4iiax3iX5vlSVldqwIHTmJNvuNab_20VlWNmw_scEIsqA6LBc/s1600/12122675_10207614814267369_6999651464493034208_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUr2R4ikVDR6FcOm8L4PJj3moXMiFftb2uWy2qpee77ABdK_VlsHXyoaRESgPn252gsKzd1ErjB7_ZbxmGqpYtKEnsJ4iiax3iX5vlSVldqwIHTmJNvuNab_20VlWNmw_scEIsqA6LBc/s320/12122675_10207614814267369_6999651464493034208_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Bob's Burgers group was a hit! </td></tr>
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Ack! Ack! Another New York Comic Con has come and gone and I've emerged victorious. Albeit tired, sore and with no desire to hear my own voice for at least a few weeks. Therein lies the adventure that is NYCC. We had a rallying cry all weekend of the show- if we didn't love this, we wouldn't do it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWohzZbzUCM5oyBJdxAJrMwCJV7_oiyz3rAY8tBVajTd7SoGuE02AvPKT9B1eReC0NDc4oiXEKYdaP_CubBlopxhpsBnsDWVN5JOMVEYVy259AL7Vi2QQ17pbTnL-LSYcmlbBp3ghH5I/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-12-29+at+5.25.56+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWohzZbzUCM5oyBJdxAJrMwCJV7_oiyz3rAY8tBVajTd7SoGuE02AvPKT9B1eReC0NDc4oiXEKYdaP_CubBlopxhpsBnsDWVN5JOMVEYVy259AL7Vi2QQ17pbTnL-LSYcmlbBp3ghH5I/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-12-29+at+5.25.56+PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our "NYCC Skybox", as we ended up calling it. All that separates us from the teeming masses.</td></tr>
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Much like last year: me, <a href="http://www.littleasiansweatshop.com/" target="_blank">Little Asian Sweatshop</a> and <a href="http://mariartist.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Maria Danalakis Art</a>
all pitched in and got a booth on the main floor of the exhibitor hall and had all of our usual pinup-inspired goodies for sale. Now fully aware of how grueling NYCC's schedule is, we decided to not be as ambitious in our cosplay themes. Four 12 hour workdays in a row that have the intensity of a Macy's on Black Friday really takes a toll on us physically and mentally, so we played it more low-key this year. Thursdays we just wore whatever- I dressed in a pants version of my Mouseketeer outfit. Friday was Batman-themed where I was a very loose interpretation of Catwoman. Maria dressed in her adorable Riddler dress and Fenny busted out her VERY old-school Robin costume from cosplays past- she literally had not worn it in over 12 years. It was hilariously terrible- back from the days when all we had to make costumes from was cheap wedding satin. She looked great though. That costume will always crack me up. Saturday however was our crowning achievement- we had a Bob's Burgers group of Maria as Linda, me as Tina and Fenny as Louise. It hit two big bullet points with me and cosplay- amazingly comfortable and instantly recognizable. And Maria was BORN to play Linda. She borrowed my bubble flip wig I had made from Fifi Mahoney's and was SO into it, even being in character a good chunk of the day. Our little Cosplay Diva! Sunday was our 'screw it' day- jeans and hoodies. We were so tired people should be happy we were even there at all.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/8lVdwutElA/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">#NYCC exhibitor booth 2682- Paigey and Friends!! Come see me, @littleasiansweatshop and @mariartist</a></div>
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A video posted by Paige Pumphrey (@paigey_pumphrey) on <time datetime="2015-10-08T16:30:08+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 8, 2015 at 9:30am PDT</time></div>
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Unfortunately we were unable to get the cherry spot we got last year so
we had to choose a booth location all the way in the back of the exhibit
hall- which also happens to be the length of about 4 football fields. As a result we all did well, but not as well as last year. Either way- we are def planning to exhibit again in 2016. This is usually the most social I am all year, so it's a good way to get all of my desire to dress up in silly outfits, talk about art, get pictures taken and hang out with friends in one fell swoop. Plus I get to make a little money and hear from people coming up to me about how awesome they think I am? Let's do it! It's certainly a nice break from sitting in front of the computer in my apartment while wearing 4 day old pj pants. (Like I am now…) </div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/8lkUY9tEjX/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">JFC ITS ONLY THURSDAY PEOPLE 😰</a></div>
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A video posted by Paige Pumphrey (@paigey_pumphrey) on <time datetime="2015-10-08T18:39:55+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 8, 2015 at 11:39am PDT</time></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got a visit from my pal, burlesque superstar <a href="http://www.dangrrrdoll.com/" target="_blank">Dangrrr Doll</a> as Black Canary!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFvCj4RMTH3uxeKbzuBijheEFeuVhmZo50hTvYDBCKa7NvG4Hb70P54VsDwp7ZIELFYXl-UPTAxsi507ZJgp6NvRByGKgozuXEzd0MPM4quL8phyphenhyphen5Y_Bu718bOa_3EL4nKRqXYJljPoI/s1600/12038652_10153441976803855_2062637999875934884_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFvCj4RMTH3uxeKbzuBijheEFeuVhmZo50hTvYDBCKa7NvG4Hb70P54VsDwp7ZIELFYXl-UPTAxsi507ZJgp6NvRByGKgozuXEzd0MPM4quL8phyphenhyphen5Y_Bu718bOa_3EL4nKRqXYJljPoI/s320/12038652_10153441976803855_2062637999875934884_o.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fenny in her awful/awesome Robin costume. At 8am. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3QsvRpIaSBt9zwSOKKkwmUmSdwxIIf3jeR5UNE_ELg7RWWdhBaNo42uamrd8E-OF3m8Ab8whOcy9JHNCgJxZk3P7D_bYyfq5oM0khgJWk6Ul3VitYVP2qwTY2VArLt3RoYNjMneG4tc/s1600/12112481_10153441930988855_7648092251475479565_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3QsvRpIaSBt9zwSOKKkwmUmSdwxIIf3jeR5UNE_ELg7RWWdhBaNo42uamrd8E-OF3m8Ab8whOcy9JHNCgJxZk3P7D_bYyfq5oM0khgJWk6Ul3VitYVP2qwTY2VArLt3RoYNjMneG4tc/s320/12112481_10153441930988855_7648092251475479565_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was always like a little party at our booth.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhhuwHEiSiVC_npPuD0haKO2cLL_RX3VYvC__dfqvclvWVJGJW9klX7svr5iMr2lhGgG6cFqRPzSu3u1kAE8U-KKq-BcxALHGjduNICpPCUz_X_VCb8qyW-Cl9vfOrc0V_8c-pv8iO2I/s320/12115749_10153442230723855_7063009216678263198_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rewarded with elote for a hard day's work!</td></tr>
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At times standing at the front corner of the booth it was
almost hypnotizing watching the endless shifting sea of people. And
every day of the show it just got more and more crowded. You thought it
was "bad" on Thursday and Friday? (It was.) Oh heavens, that was mostly
comprised of people who were willing to take off from work to attend.
Saturday and Sunday are usually when the GENERAL PUBLIC come out to the
show, as those are the days most already have off for the weekend. It
was like each day just escalates more and more with attendance until it
reaches maximum humanity. And then, AND THEN on the final day- Sunday,
when you don't think it can get any worse with the shuffling masses and
lack of personal space, they decide to make it KIDS DAY. >_<; So
now not only are you dodging and weaving through people in general, but
at least 40% are most likely going to have a slower, waist-high
counterpart attached by the arm who is being dragged through (or pushed,
or led) the mob. Which I have to admit- I really feel kind of bad for
kids who are brought to New York Comic Con. I just don't see it really
being that fun for anyone under the age of 12. If you really think about
it- you're being led around a building that kinda-sorta looks like an
amusement park with characters running around and and crazy structures
like the giant pavilions that the larger companies build. Buuutttt--
it's crazy crowded so you can't really stop. Each aisle is like a giant,
slow moving line with no real ending. And being a child, you can't
really run off on your own to check out whatever catches your eye. (As
my mother would say: That's how you get snatched!) Also the characters
and cosplayers running around are a bit of a gamble if you choose to
have your child interact with them. Some cosplayers I know are great
with kids and have an amazing rapport with the public. Others however
can be weird, or creepy, or rude- because guess what, cosplayers are
people who are there to enjoy the show just like everyone else. They're
not there like characters from Disney World who are paid to be there and
have a code of conduct in a controlled environment. There's going to be
characters dressed up in costumes that most parents would deem
inappropriate for their children to see- whether they're super sexy
battle bikinis, gory zombies that will scare the crap out of them, or
guys in spandex bodysuits where you can totally make out their gross
little wiener waggling all over the place. And don't get me started on
the in-character Deadpool cosplayers. Also I hope those parents either
brought a ton of money or have their "No, you can't have that." game on
lock because they are essentially walking their child into a giant toy
store that stretches on for miiiiles. However, I must say there needs to
be a mass reinstatement of the 'keep your hands in pockets' policy I
had as a kid when shopping with my mom- too many grabby little fingers
of questionable cleanliness smeared on all my merch. Look, but don't
touch guys. Jeez. What I'm saying, in my opinion is that a lot of NYCC
isn't fun for little kids. It's big and boring and scary and
anxiety-inducing, especially if the kid didn't really want to go in the
first place. Or thought that NYCC would be more akin to an amusement
park, only to find the only rides is a crowded escalator. There's plenty
of smaller shows that are way more kid-friendly with even special areas
set up where they can color and draw and do kid things that I think
they would probably enjoy more than standing crotch-level next to a
lumpy, middle-aged Spider-man with a visible trouser snake.<br />
I'd have to
say with my experience the best time for a kid to start going to
conventions (especially NYCC) is early-mid teens. They can go of their
own volition and pursue their own weird interests with other like-minded
teens with little to no supervision. Much like dropping kids off at the
mall back in the day (or do what my parents used to do and go as well,
but wander around on their own). Plus cons are held during daytime hours
and are relatively safe- more and more conventions are stepping up
their staffing, security and policies to help the expanding community
feel more included. I know if I had the option of going to a con like
the ones they have now I would have lost my damn mind. I however didn't
start going to cons until 1998 when I attended my first Otakon at 17,
and I've attended shows every year since then. The way I actually met my best friend Fenny was through anime conventions and the mutual friends I had within different groups that all met up at various shows in the mid-Atlantic area back in my late teens/early 20's.<br />
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="6" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/8rHpugNEuY/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">…and now I must scream. 😩</a></div>
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A video posted by Paige Pumphrey (@paigey_pumphrey) on <time datetime="2015-10-10T22:24:53+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 10, 2015 at 3:24pm PDT</time></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Louise and Tina waiting for the M train.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practicing my Tina face in the bathroom. Weirder. No, <b>WEIRDER</b>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrmYCgOSKejJT8JTJnua54jQuYwITMmT_JRwjbqF5ohqOgyFZvJb5SPXj2t563WSXAOohH57MRqrUPJgDLtB6rFxMHKFQNL5gPpRG8q8R4NdyVeAZX94vg0dpIL0JpInI-Q8mq3JIlK4/s1600/12118765_10153443060368855_6720039227902441180_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrmYCgOSKejJT8JTJnua54jQuYwITMmT_JRwjbqF5ohqOgyFZvJb5SPXj2t563WSXAOohH57MRqrUPJgDLtB6rFxMHKFQNL5gPpRG8q8R4NdyVeAZX94vg0dpIL0JpInI-Q8mq3JIlK4/s320/12118765_10153443060368855_6720039227902441180_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I LOVE Maria as Linda. I kept randomly looking over at her and cracking up. The inclusion of her into Fenny and I's cosplay shenanigans has definitely breathed some new life into our jaded old convention souls.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's so weird seeing me in glasses so big.</td></tr>
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As much as I bitch and moan during cons, especially NYCC- I really do love attending and interacting with people and sharing my art and merch with everyone. It's crazy and crowded and physically destroys you over the course of 5 days (we gotta spend all day Wedsnesday setting up the booth), yet as soon as my recovery week is over I'm already thinking about next year.<br />
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="6" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/8tET5CNEhs/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">I just want to go to the restroom. 😖</a></div>
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A video posted by Paige Pumphrey (@paigey_pumphrey) on <time datetime="2015-10-11T16:34:10+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 11, 2015 at 9:34am PDT</time></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kF5qeWJ0UqWFMilguhgfx2xQ-epFLcJxS8HGndUMG3d9XuNi8lB-kt_d_mhTKc06CTSTx2QvkzohJyLIQn08h45WWoBAXqeK8y_C466FJM_qYmP4eYtV3LeLUcM9Jox9HRyzmk2jhNs/s1600/12096345_10153444415438855_6043761349433629376_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kF5qeWJ0UqWFMilguhgfx2xQ-epFLcJxS8HGndUMG3d9XuNi8lB-kt_d_mhTKc06CTSTx2QvkzohJyLIQn08h45WWoBAXqeK8y_C466FJM_qYmP4eYtV3LeLUcM9Jox9HRyzmk2jhNs/s320/12096345_10153444415438855_6043761349433629376_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I attempted to be social on Saturday night. Phil and I met up with some out-of-town friends for drinks and I ended up almost nodding off after 1 drink. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aw! Friends!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dorking out with our con pals Brit and Emily!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfG4oA3rb0q9PVZcyNrzif54rdzSuyRtU11ib_RMEAwO1W2GqPm87Y6MiHTfw7vvSQMIqZAaz64yfqwSwANT8eVRRw110AHnxHzECXIoxC2uc1XELmfndWqTbcaPgGVDWneSONPho9-0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-12-29+at+5.51.53+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfG4oA3rb0q9PVZcyNrzif54rdzSuyRtU11ib_RMEAwO1W2GqPm87Y6MiHTfw7vvSQMIqZAaz64yfqwSwANT8eVRRw110AHnxHzECXIoxC2uc1XELmfndWqTbcaPgGVDWneSONPho9-0/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-12-29+at+5.51.53+PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fenny and I quoted Mr. Meeseeks from Rick & Morty all weekend. I'm kind obsessed and Fenny had never seen it so we spent every night after the show watching episodes on hulu. It's brilliant and if you aren't already- you should watch it too. Fenny and I are already talking about doing R&M characters for 2016.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743199616608351614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120497365986905446.post-88011240937212348962015-10-03T19:27:00.000-04:002015-11-08T19:28:07.272-05:00Aftermath: Baltimore Comic Con 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuePIBB9EuGUUZc8vSkujusocwhyphenhyphen30GVgQmemJZ0SXv0FHGPQyha94N8xmZ2qeJXL8hodNUiglo8Dau6sAuAsYyKEEF5aYBV9k56KZbfY2XBSHOryWkKU58aQVTdcd-i4VGCbxr0_qBs/s1600/12065990_10207708552496061_2773992344766209736_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuePIBB9EuGUUZc8vSkujusocwhyphenhyphen30GVgQmemJZ0SXv0FHGPQyha94N8xmZ2qeJXL8hodNUiglo8Dau6sAuAsYyKEEF5aYBV9k56KZbfY2XBSHOryWkKU58aQVTdcd-i4VGCbxr0_qBs/s320/12065990_10207708552496061_2773992344766209736_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Baltimore Comic Con 2015 marks *8* years of attending comic conventions as a professional exhibitor! Man o Manischewitz! It almost seems like I know what I'm doing at these things, right? Haha! I've got you all fooled!</div>
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/8ENMPBtEog/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">BALTIMORE COMIC CON! AA tables 199 & 229! (Rear facing Endcap) With me as always is @littleasiansweatshop #baltimorecomiccon</a></div>
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A video posted by Paige Pumphrey (@paigey_pumphrey) on <time datetime="2015-09-25T19:42:54+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Sep 25, 2015 at 12:42pm PDT</time></div>
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I've been writing about Baltimore Comic Con for as long as I've had this blog (which is actually coming up on a good long while!) and going is always a treat. It's my hometown show so I get to see an interesting mix of folks- friends from my past intermingle with the new and it's always a fun party at my table that I set up alongside my best friend in the whole wide universe: Fenny from <a href="http://littleasiansweatshop.com/" target="_blank">Little Asian Sweatshop</a>. I always do rather well at this show and I'm able to save money by staying at my parents house a mere 15 minutes away. </div>
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I also changed up my appearance for the first time in quite a few years: chopping off my hair into a short pixie-ish cut and dying it royal blue! I needed a change and had this realization that my hair when long had been spending 95% of the time clipped up, which is kinda pointless. I also have very little hair styling ability and once I'm dona fixing my bangs and spit curls I'm just about at the end of my patience- so I figured let's keep the front the same and just chop off the back. Easy Peasy!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spoopiest of the Spoopys</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp","is_intentional":"1"}">I am VAMPYR!!!!</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AMAZING Elvira and Pee-Wee cosplayers that were in character! So good! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They made me SO HAPPY!</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_685532431"></span><span id="goog_685532432"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHusfQO5FPAKbyPl2xfthL0QAJgg2Le-9sRT_Km7Q4dq2go03HrdOBOl-9KrpHGX7F9yypKoodp34DtVBLna7dSMJ92Xx-pKTivTGC3BhrIbQVZnrV2-0Ei3fxlb7Vtn6MNarAbsBRGw/s1600/12038512_944916288888153_1360506584570826261_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2EuU4Gw27d_EoatTKlHfnV4PSejbsxlL5c6fRb11G9XKnTLEMtD7d2ChsktVI4rk-SDGwl2bT13uLDwo92MzCHc4UuaJJVXIAIEZl7h3O4ZBxdVQ_e5jaeJ2nSXglPDeEQVYKEtbu-uk/s1600/11201180_10153419854013855_4572182324967437342_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2EuU4Gw27d_EoatTKlHfnV4PSejbsxlL5c6fRb11G9XKnTLEMtD7d2ChsktVI4rk-SDGwl2bT13uLDwo92MzCHc4UuaJJVXIAIEZl7h3O4ZBxdVQ_e5jaeJ2nSXglPDeEQVYKEtbu-uk/s320/11201180_10153419854013855_4572182324967437342_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Kayley and Sharon of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cosplay10.6/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Cosplay 10.6</a> as Gwen and MJ</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_685532431"></span><span id="goog_685532432"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHusfQO5FPAKbyPl2xfthL0QAJgg2Le-9sRT_Km7Q4dq2go03HrdOBOl-9KrpHGX7F9yypKoodp34DtVBLna7dSMJ92Xx-pKTivTGC3BhrIbQVZnrV2-0Ei3fxlb7Vtn6MNarAbsBRGw/s1600/12038512_944916288888153_1360506584570826261_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHusfQO5FPAKbyPl2xfthL0QAJgg2Le-9sRT_Km7Q4dq2go03HrdOBOl-9KrpHGX7F9yypKoodp34DtVBLna7dSMJ92Xx-pKTivTGC3BhrIbQVZnrV2-0Ei3fxlb7Vtn6MNarAbsBRGw/s1600/12038512_944916288888153_1360506584570826261_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHusfQO5FPAKbyPl2xfthL0QAJgg2Le-9sRT_Km7Q4dq2go03HrdOBOl-9KrpHGX7F9yypKoodp34DtVBLna7dSMJ92Xx-pKTivTGC3BhrIbQVZnrV2-0Ei3fxlb7Vtn6MNarAbsBRGw/s320/12038512_944916288888153_1360506584570826261_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am WORTHY!! With Kayley of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cosplay10.6/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Cosplay 10.6</a> as Thor</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdNn4CR1XMhN3cP0cGA996sqLF9PgTqkRKZD_mOaKDYFN4e8h3-_uCedd-VTlSQMEv0IBczViHIXHfxQPW7H-uflbPw2nhtYXclI_nK2l7g6IReOR7rqyAKkYlIuCFxciIGGCfByYt8U/s1600/12065534_10153422930473855_7226752886738199173_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdNn4CR1XMhN3cP0cGA996sqLF9PgTqkRKZD_mOaKDYFN4e8h3-_uCedd-VTlSQMEv0IBczViHIXHfxQPW7H-uflbPw2nhtYXclI_nK2l7g6IReOR7rqyAKkYlIuCFxciIGGCfByYt8U/s320/12065534_10153422930473855_7226752886738199173_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hrspanks" target="_blank">Hunter Spanks</a>, tattoo artist at Have Fun Be Lucky! This is his FIRST COSPLAY! Awww!</td></tr>
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Here's a video interview with me from Sunday with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdGI03wiOhj3sLDKHrlvU9A" target="_blank">Loading Snacks</a>:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="197" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xE5_yh5xIyM" width="350"></iframe></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_3etuV7Z9CjT4dj29AbOGNRUDTQhOyeuInyRS8scJ5Pq8W4hJCiw3SYmQhHj4Fh9fDISPbhSdAK5Pja5kAmcKftENzt1qLS7juUzY_75urjOlw7WhrziroB1vQePi5WKEl2xWWBqRz4/s1600/12079586_10153423263903855_3647888214344107544_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_3etuV7Z9CjT4dj29AbOGNRUDTQhOyeuInyRS8scJ5Pq8W4hJCiw3SYmQhHj4Fh9fDISPbhSdAK5Pja5kAmcKftENzt1qLS7juUzY_75urjOlw7WhrziroB1vQePi5WKEl2xWWBqRz4/s320/12079586_10153423263903855_3647888214344107544_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fenny and I's tradition of post-con crabs at Captain James</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743199616608351614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120497365986905446.post-41105111098568925512015-07-24T13:52:00.001-04:002015-08-01T16:55:32.173-04:00My Maryland pinup shirts are now available on SuperFanStyle!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eInO_ReZva2lUQbPOKe-Wq09G6Bqz-JP51ZDWwAvg4022MgV9WErzbeNqWAEP6eG76UYlfoAbK1o8S5AaS1GzTdeWrpQgCQX9diwYm7E-eByD-7RwKObjP-bImaqBKP4XaS4AymncnM/s1600/SFS.Promo.Instagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eInO_ReZva2lUQbPOKe-Wq09G6Bqz-JP51ZDWwAvg4022MgV9WErzbeNqWAEP6eG76UYlfoAbK1o8S5AaS1GzTdeWrpQgCQX9diwYm7E-eByD-7RwKObjP-bImaqBKP4XaS4AymncnM/s320/SFS.Promo.Instagram.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Hey guys! Exciting news, especially for those of you in my home state of Maryland: I have a series of t-shirts available on the website <a href="http://superfanstyle.com/">SuperFanStyle.com</a>! <br />
<br />
Check out the link here: <a href="http://www.superfanstyle.com/paigey" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.superfanstyle.com/paigey</a><br />
<br />
Get Mens and Womens shirts for only $19.99.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NhdvHZqpg6oU37d1HK-hWigJsjlm0d2pbBJbmyz_lsWjPr6jLCiW4ffp33wCPUG-MDRZJQHgu85BdIQ1-6sCMsfjsx12JmJpm0tRL8t2l0XU5ucrGL6xooT21sLiDwhtDJrv_T0Wap4/s1600/SFS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NhdvHZqpg6oU37d1HK-hWigJsjlm0d2pbBJbmyz_lsWjPr6jLCiW4ffp33wCPUG-MDRZJQHgu85BdIQ1-6sCMsfjsx12JmJpm0tRL8t2l0XU5ucrGL6xooT21sLiDwhtDJrv_T0Wap4/s1600/SFS.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743199616608351614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120497365986905446.post-72776800184189563972015-06-13T13:16:00.000-04:002015-07-16T15:29:12.045-04:00Aftermath: Special Edition NYC 2015, also a little con rant<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm54-0lEHJzQZv6fVSgI_CBLAjndpd1s9DZxdx_EOBLR5uIfV6hap7Loh5NT8IBxa08uFnyzufWrUAZWynU4iXPQZqWU-OmpnSIl9oNmOGCibznIursR5u7fPWvnnFVxKu50HqGqKpshE/s1600/11393055_10153172786453855_8895378821749505301_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm54-0lEHJzQZv6fVSgI_CBLAjndpd1s9DZxdx_EOBLR5uIfV6hap7Loh5NT8IBxa08uFnyzufWrUAZWynU4iXPQZqWU-OmpnSIl9oNmOGCibznIursR5u7fPWvnnFVxKu50HqGqKpshE/s320/11393055_10153172786453855_8895378821749505301_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8am is a bit early for full drag, but you do what you gotta do.</td></tr>
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Immediately after getting home from <a href="http://www.theartofpaigey.com/2015/06/aftermath-awesome-con-2015.html" target="_blank">Awesome Con in DC on May 29-31</a>, I had to turn around and get ready for <a href="http://www.specialeditionnyc.com/" target="_blank">Special Edition: NYC</a> the following weekend of June 6-7. A two day show, Special Edition: NYC is the fiesty kid brother of the infamous monster that is <a href="http://newyorkcomiccon.com/" target="_blank">New York Comic Con</a>. It's second year in running, I had heard decent-to-good things about it last year (I did not attend) and figured I'd give it a shot considering it's in my own backyard and I wouldn't have to travel far or upset my normal schedule too much to attend. For having very little in the way of expectations, I was pleasantly surprised with how the show turned out! I made a satisfactory amount of money to justify coming out and saw lots of my friends and fans that I normally only see at NYCC, which is too crazy to be able to talk to anyone longer than 5 minutes at. I'm definitely going to attend next year as well, and add this show to my yearly convention roster.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-shC06NopSwazloADmx6FgkyzdfEBH-X8nL5aFW31mWLTtTJRXMF9UFVrxGG0fsVvDR08_u_ZEu81GbTaAmSm7Sl_mTDnMztfvNR-mRj62QcTrg6io2PNXeFvghmlIhKka5BEPLylxk/s1600/11425426_10153172767583855_6085857412610929404_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-shC06NopSwazloADmx6FgkyzdfEBH-X8nL5aFW31mWLTtTJRXMF9UFVrxGG0fsVvDR08_u_ZEu81GbTaAmSm7Sl_mTDnMztfvNR-mRj62QcTrg6io2PNXeFvghmlIhKka5BEPLylxk/s320/11425426_10153172767583855_6085857412610929404_n.jpg" width="202" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I'm too tired to deal with my hair- out come the wigs. </td></tr>
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I'm very glad the show turned out to be worth my time and money, as setting up on Friday didn't help my abysmal expectations. I had to push my heavy-ass granny cart full of merch and display racks from Williamsburg, Brooklyn all the way up to Pier 94 in Manhattan on 53rd and 12th in the rain. At least I burned a TON of calories on my pedometer. Pier 94 itself didn't really add to my confidence of the event, as it was basically a dingy warehouse on the Hudson River whose entrance was under an overpass, with barely any signage. I was convinced no one would come out and I'd be in a hole yet again, as my previous two shows this year were a one-two-punch of debt and disappointment. Fortunately I was proven wrong by the amazing crowds on Saturday!!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOagd6FcTC8bPTW6sY1cJYCuXfTlMaIZcTRsMaY9Rmov9ZwHlAk7FRY7JnXWteVXPAyXvNGBSQI5XdRbELZH36rEtkOHG1YE0-qQ45H8mkMTMq8ElaADxzGyOuSj8Rb6WHS5NGK_z-rj4/s1600/11424437_10153172632213855_9201070050098967818_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOagd6FcTC8bPTW6sY1cJYCuXfTlMaIZcTRsMaY9Rmov9ZwHlAk7FRY7JnXWteVXPAyXvNGBSQI5XdRbELZH36rEtkOHG1YE0-qQ45H8mkMTMq8ElaADxzGyOuSj8Rb6WHS5NGK_z-rj4/s320/11424437_10153172632213855_9201070050098967818_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonus tip for you ladies: use an old convention lanyard as a zipper pull for those tiny zippers on skirt/dresses/tops!</td></tr>
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Saturday at Special Edition was really crowded which was awesome. Apparently a big reason for this was that it was one of the few (only?) places you could get NYCC tickets after the online tickets sold out in under an hour. There was also a ton of cosplay going on and though I was all the way in the back (something else I was initially displeased about), it actually worked out in my favor because I was right next to the cosplay meetup area and the cafe, so I got a lot of traffic by my table. Almost immediately after I took the curtain off my table Saturday morning people were swarming and buying things. Yessss. This is more like it!! COMMERCE!!!! I even made back table just on Saturday- which for this show especially was a bit steep, but hey that's NYC for you.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fi_22wUa9UpRTOK_pCkH6FpLIMgTwEQ7-QNiWDiCfTTJZ4ebsw_lBwgbvA8sUcZrJiJisQF3GRcUPCmZ00GV44AUWetuy2EPcHpx7Z1FE9iUiqcoIutihXJp-cd3m29C0Kq3g6imc24/s1600/11214071_10153248031313855_8961356215438781073_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fi_22wUa9UpRTOK_pCkH6FpLIMgTwEQ7-QNiWDiCfTTJZ4ebsw_lBwgbvA8sUcZrJiJisQF3GRcUPCmZ00GV44AUWetuy2EPcHpx7Z1FE9iUiqcoIutihXJp-cd3m29C0Kq3g6imc24/s320/11214071_10153248031313855_8961356215438781073_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 'I just made table' smile.</td></tr>
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/3l7wT2tEi5/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">Special Edition is hoppin'! Come on by table O-18! #senyc</a></div>
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A video posted by Paige Pumphrey (@paigey_pumphrey) on <time datetime="2015-06-06T15:27:45+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jun 6, 2015 at 8:27am PDT</time></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJImQ7UbzhpyowkOeWQrgWIsHcBvZxakelLltx5L1HBw4N7pl7vP7fUwW3uqMVcLBUqpH8IxYWxSgoTPGb2WV58vOgRYjQFvW3xNAVCVXu7t4RBZRz_B_R6rZ4hclbFj5PnVzE3evyDos/s1600/11391617_10153174987258855_4971258872230440571_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJImQ7UbzhpyowkOeWQrgWIsHcBvZxakelLltx5L1HBw4N7pl7vP7fUwW3uqMVcLBUqpH8IxYWxSgoTPGb2WV58vOgRYjQFvW3xNAVCVXu7t4RBZRz_B_R6rZ4hclbFj5PnVzE3evyDos/s320/11391617_10153174987258855_4971258872230440571_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IMMA MAWDEL.</td></tr>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>Sunday was a little less crowded, which is fine as it gave me a chance to actually talk to friends who came by. Including some extra special guest stars!!! Like:<br />
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OMG ADAM WARREN!!!! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6ZbAP-oMefe9M-k6U5R19qfqqqsnN5MMGKu7jdDLR6RFf6EXlI2YtVRruBepwOQKKBz8ByFVq0l2QGgBFKXGEaJn68zkCXeuGNYitleWxQwiLTbw3wxNaXvw7-9q1di_vn3cmIPivkc/s1600/11209548_10153175471843855_5912399686032587192_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6ZbAP-oMefe9M-k6U5R19qfqqqsnN5MMGKu7jdDLR6RFf6EXlI2YtVRruBepwOQKKBz8ByFVq0l2QGgBFKXGEaJn68zkCXeuGNYitleWxQwiLTbw3wxNaXvw7-9q1di_vn3cmIPivkc/s320/11209548_10153175471843855_5912399686032587192_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I could barely contain my squee's. ^ o ^ </td></tr>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>OMGGGG!!! A rare, surprise appearance by one of my all-time favorite creators, <a href="http://adamwarrencomics.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Adam Warren</a> of Dirty Pair/Empowered/Gen13 fame, who was also exhibiting!! I haven't seen him since I used to attend Otakon in the early 00's as a cosplayer- I've even got a wall of his original sketches that I commissioned. He was awesome enough to specially come by and see me at my table, as I was running it by myself and didnt really have a chance to escape except to use the bathroom.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQC6xAOgQZxjrugAvK89hxnNghDaDOY3YeaAalTu0RSbPeBG4RPyTNUCxMUqZo4Ohc-Pz0B5tgMZkEl5t7azRrro4A-tHP_5oQJRJky6KPS7-X_nPyCq0dVnyPIlPY_9qWAZLdpKYvAt4/s1600/10401364_10153179005378855_6112420551398935158_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQC6xAOgQZxjrugAvK89hxnNghDaDOY3YeaAalTu0RSbPeBG4RPyTNUCxMUqZo4Ohc-Pz0B5tgMZkEl5t7azRrro4A-tHP_5oQJRJky6KPS7-X_nPyCq0dVnyPIlPY_9qWAZLdpKYvAt4/s320/10401364_10153179005378855_6112420551398935158_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuties bein' cuties!</td></tr>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>I also was lucky enough to catch a moment with the fabulous fashionista <a href="http://bettyfelon.com/" target="_blank">Betty Felon</a> and super sweetheart <a href="http://laurenmoranlikestodraw.com/" target="_blank">Lauren Moran</a>, who I always love seeing- both in person and on the interwebs. <br />
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RXaclhHiyWU6i1QdPn6gp3oIa585hteJQczofm8FCwavSNAHIw6UUiJhMdq6CClVSlrUPfzDwGBGg0luh0vjQKVfVkMUqmqNiNRYy_-qwgUR6ZnTbNj7d_wd2dP5S2i2_jppf3adUeE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-07-15+at+9.16.29+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RXaclhHiyWU6i1QdPn6gp3oIa585hteJQczofm8FCwavSNAHIw6UUiJhMdq6CClVSlrUPfzDwGBGg0luh0vjQKVfVkMUqmqNiNRYy_-qwgUR6ZnTbNj7d_wd2dP5S2i2_jppf3adUeE/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-07-15+at+9.16.29+PM.png" width="319" /></a></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Also, something I would like to address: </span></span></div>
<h1 data-reactid=".1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span data-reactid=".1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1"><span data-reactid=".1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.1.$text0:0:$end:0">If
you work an Artist Alley: PLEASE don't launch into a sales pitch
immediately after someone makes eye contact while idly walking down
the aisle. It's obnoxious and off-putting and will more than likely
scare them off. JUST SAY HI. Maybe even smile. Let them come over on
their own. Quit acting so thirsty!</span></span></span></span></span></h1>
<h1 data-reactid=".1.0.0.0.2.1.0.0">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span data-reactid=".1.0.0.0.2.1.2:$comment-1002318531908618557.2"><span data-reactid=".1.0.0.0.2.1.2:$comment-1002318531908618557.2.$text0:0:$end:0">That
exact tactic made me AVOID artist alley at all cost as a fan back in
the day. Think of all the potential customers/fans being run off! With over 8 years of experience behind an artist alley table, 18 years of attending conventions as a whole and 7+ years of working in sales as my occupation outside of art- believe me when I say this. Invest in decent signage, look presentable and tone down the aggressive sales tactics. At my table </span></span><span data-reactid=".1.0.0.0.2.1.2:$comment-1002322980127394593.2"><span data-reactid=".1.0.0.0.2.1.2:$comment-1002322980127394593.2.$text0:0:$end:0">I
try to talk about everything BUT my art, it's all already there for them to look at. The most I usually say when people have shown an interest in my product is simply stating that yes, this is all my art and that I make most of the products (jewelry, magnets) by hand. And that's mostly because there are people who are new to the convention scene that do not understand that the person sitting behind the table at a con is usually the person who drew the art on the table in front of them. I still get people who think that I'm either some sort of booth babe, or that "The Art of Paigey" is some faceless storefront entity and that I am but an employee in their service. I know, weird- but don't underestimate how ignorant a customer may potentially be. In my experience, the EASIEST way to get people
talking and looking at your stuff is to simply ask them how the shows
been for them. Or ask about their other purchases. Or their costume. Or
their t-shirt. Its basic sales stuff. Ask open ended questions. </span></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><br />Also, don't take it to heart if a person doesn't buy anything at your table. If they're interested in your work but don't have the means to purchase something at that very moment- give them your card. I get a box of at least 500 giveaway postcards per show and plan to hand out every one. All it has is the address of this here website- because from here you can go to literally all of my stores and outlets on social media. The simpler, the better. Yes you give them away for free and yes, that means you may initially feel that it is a waste of money. Really you should look at it as an investment- as you literally never know who will see it later and whether that person will become a fan who then follows your work and buys something at the next show, or contacts you about a commission, or buys a bunch of stuff from your online store. I even go above and beyond and will keep a small stack in my purse so that whenever I go to a cafe, or a bar or some sort of public space that has a spot for local advertising and leave a stack there. If there isn't a spot for this- don't be rude and leave them, then you literally ARE throwing money away because the employees that work there will throw them away and kind of hate you. I've had people at conventions recognize me from cards I've left at donut places, Thai restaurants and dive bars all over the city and it's kinda cool- you get a wider swath of potential customers. Even better, as me and my BFF and frequent convention collaborator <a href="http://littleasiansweatshop.com/" target="_blank">Little Asian Sweatshop</a> have started doing- split a 2-sided postcard with a friend who also shows at conventions (especially if you're near each other or split tables). Double the impact and you save money and paper! </span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">When I quit Joe Kubert School after 2nd year and started working <span class="highlightNode">sales</span>/retail jobs I thought I was making the worst mistake of my life. I worked as a commission-based sales person at a high-end tv and stereo store and then later as a part-time manager at Hot Topic. Strangely enough however all the <span class="highlightNode">sales</span> training and merchandising has actually been a giant boon to me on the <span class="highlightNode">convention</span> floor once I put two-and-two together and started selling something I could actual<span class="text_exposed_show">ly
get behind, being my own artwork and various handmade merch. This is
why I try to make as many different things as I can at different price
points to cater to different customers. I bust my ass to stay relevant
and well-stocked. Yes, conventions are changing. Mainstream attention
means mainstream customers. Do I think there are pro's (and "pro's", yes
with quotes...) who have taken for granted that conventions will always
be the same and thusly the thought of things like market research are
completely alien to them? Abso-friggen-lutely. Evolve or die.</span></span></span></span></h1>
<h1 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="text_exposed_show">My BFF Fenny of <a href="http://littleasiansweatshop.com/" target="_blank">Little Asian Sweatshop</a> had a really great article on <a href="http://popcultureuncovered.com/" target="_blank">Pop Culture Uncovered</a> that basically paraphrases several conversations her and I have had over on my Facebook several times:</span></span><a href="http://popcultureuncovered.com/2014/10/01/adapt-or-die-how-to-earn-money-at-comic-conventions/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Adapt or Die: How to Earn Money at Comic Conventions</span></a></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="text_exposed_show">These are pretty great too:</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="http://198.173.235.195/24hourcomic/24hourcomic2011.html" target="_blank">Stickman’s Tips for Having a Table at a Comic Book Convention</a></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://theblerdgurl.tumblr.com/post/121104481939/25-reasons-why-you-dont-make-any-money-at-comic">25 Reasons Why You Don’t Make Any Money At Comic Cons</a></span></span></span></h1>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Haha, sorry I went a bit on a tear there. Hope all this helps! </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RXaclhHiyWU6i1QdPn6gp3oIa585hteJQczofm8FCwavSNAHIw6UUiJhMdq6CClVSlrUPfzDwGBGg0luh0vjQKVfVkMUqmqNiNRYy_-qwgUR6ZnTbNj7d_wd2dP5S2i2_jppf3adUeE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-07-15+at+9.16.29+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743199616608351614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120497365986905446.post-39892951661665122822015-06-03T13:30:00.000-04:002015-07-15T14:00:12.071-04:00Aftermath: Awesome Con 2015<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGBoHruMOU9aiUCpyoxSGuN7-skSvP-eQN7BuETjHeKX2yoWFsq5RF_KdswEFVY1CXpe-S0aWfFiyOfYRBVleoxMZRdmyqIsHm2sEDHZ8_v6mK4pD66xlC60h-5wNhhBLOucUFZdR_3w/s1600/11350537_10153160325918855_456674256761125038_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGBoHruMOU9aiUCpyoxSGuN7-skSvP-eQN7BuETjHeKX2yoWFsq5RF_KdswEFVY1CXpe-S0aWfFiyOfYRBVleoxMZRdmyqIsHm2sEDHZ8_v6mK4pD66xlC60h-5wNhhBLOucUFZdR_3w/s320/11350537_10153160325918855_456674256761125038_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nooooo!!! Fenny!!!!!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.awesome-con.com/washington-dc/" target="_blank">Awesome Con</a> (May 29-31) in Washington, DC! We've heard so much positivity about this show and have gotten some very professional-looking flyers for it since it's inception a few years ago. With my best friend and frequent partner-in-crime Fenny of <a href="http://littleasiansweatshop.com/" target="_blank">Little Asian Sweatshop</a> living right outside of DC, we figured we'd give AC a shot and see if it's something we'd like to add to our regular convention schedule. This was the first show of 2015 with our regular dream team of pinup goddesses: Fenny of <a href="http://littleasiansweatshop.com/" target="_blank">Little Asian Sweatshop</a>, <a href="http://mariartist.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Maria Danalakis</a> and of course, myself.<br />
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/3R2V-XtEpO/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">AWESOMECON</a></div>
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A video posted by Paige Pumphrey (@paigey_pumphrey) on <time datetime="2015-05-29T20:15:39+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">May 29, 2015 at 1:15pm PDT</time></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBD_MQqQ5V8fqZaih406GE36i6PVrXmg_tatoCe2__I2cQOHu2pqzP9T-_NJp_4WDoPCbPx0tQOpmeMh3-9n57UZh4LmysCMgwkY5y_kdKwxs6-EWOJPwgI_DjzGUVT_NSuOxoWKI76ao/s1600/11180334_10155688029495714_8463395360082948640_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBD_MQqQ5V8fqZaih406GE36i6PVrXmg_tatoCe2__I2cQOHu2pqzP9T-_NJp_4WDoPCbPx0tQOpmeMh3-9n57UZh4LmysCMgwkY5y_kdKwxs6-EWOJPwgI_DjzGUVT_NSuOxoWKI76ao/s320/11180334_10155688029495714_8463395360082948640_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once upon a time 3 little girls went to Starfleet Academy...</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Overall I liked Awesome Con. It wasn't perfect, but the stuff that it got right- especially for a show only a few years old- was stuff that will make it into a great con once it's been around a few years. They really had their shit together. Lots of staff, all very friendly and willing to help. <a href="http://www.theartofpaigey.com/2015/04/aftermath-all-con-dallas-2015.html" target="_blank">Unlike my last show.</a> Lots of room behind the tables as well. Enough room to put on SKITS, because me and my friends are ridiculous. And the three of us donned some classic Star Trek uniforms, of course. I mean both William Shatner AND George Takei were guests there. We HAD to.<br />
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/3UlXyHNEl2/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">Fenny fulfilled her red shirt destiny. 💀</a></div>
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A video posted by Paige Pumphrey (@paigey_pumphrey) on <time datetime="2015-05-30T21:45:04+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">May 30, 2015 at 2:45pm PDT</time></div>
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Haha, yes we are ridiculous.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8eL5jvDHEpysF27kvG78XKZ8_slHbEzsvaeRQ8xqtsjWZAT8-azojcV8xJjfQJnFzmGHbRWF4NKn9RmUSRP5gkgivPAKf8jfHO9h_j0KR9IDX0NO3MpSlY5J4Jh6Rx1ncVV_YaTRNpn4/s1600/11393259_10153159987403855_5783290713341129460_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8eL5jvDHEpysF27kvG78XKZ8_slHbEzsvaeRQ8xqtsjWZAT8-azojcV8xJjfQJnFzmGHbRWF4NKn9RmUSRP5gkgivPAKf8jfHO9h_j0KR9IDX0NO3MpSlY5J4Jh6Rx1ncVV_YaTRNpn4/s320/11393259_10153159987403855_5783290713341129460_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got my bangs specially cut to be a Vulcan that weekend.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There were a few things I wasn't super crazy about. <br />
A big one was realizing I'm not that crazy about DC in general. When I lived in Maryland I used to avoid it like the plague- the traffic is crazy, it's easy to get lost in and it being an older city who's general infrastructure doesn't handle the influx of people coming in and going out. Also after living in NYC for 8 years (woo!) their Metro system compared to the subway is a confusing, high-stakes nightmare. That closes around midnight. Ugh. Now I remember why I never went to the city without an 'adult' to guide me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplHhvHtNS0KTI1JpPtodoSP2SpsWUX703B6Iplh-b1F89Jvh7q3MjmHCcFUZ2vYeNWzk3PGw68E6cG7G8A-osB9AOyHaBClVj7uIPWOThz1OUXtyVFbqFD1LkwJitzPIAh4luGc-v6Qg/s1600/1907396_10155682662000714_9102622088039014501_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplHhvHtNS0KTI1JpPtodoSP2SpsWUX703B6Iplh-b1F89Jvh7q3MjmHCcFUZ2vYeNWzk3PGw68E6cG7G8A-osB9AOyHaBClVj7uIPWOThz1OUXtyVFbqFD1LkwJitzPIAh4luGc-v6Qg/s320/1907396_10155682662000714_9102622088039014501_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After setup on Friday.</td></tr>
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Also it being such a young show, from what I've heard in years previous they have expanded the floor to accommodate bigger crowds every year since the show has been opened. The problem with this however is when you keep expanding the floor, everything gets placed further and further apart. Including attendees. Much like <a href="http://www.theartofpaigey.com/2013/06/aftermath-heroescon-2013.html" target="_blank">the last Heroes Con I attended in '13</a>, the expansion causes even record crowds to appear smaller which leads to less hype, less excitement and less sales on the convention floor. I'd actually rather have a smaller floorplan with more crowding of attendees in the aisles than large swaths of empty floor shining back up at me. But then that's easy for me to say as a mere vendor. So... ::<i>womp womp</i>::. Also? I think the show could stand to be a 2-day versus a 3-day. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7v0I7abxFF1KqY8Gc6Mwtw4xzzWIcEkoxrDqgg4xG4ax7nUUKDdEm5GQMtNn1_C3XlgnFbmmlnoMJUnZWU7H2I3Xhch5X5wYpGpzzYKJewh7NyMSNK_Eh9Gp6obk0xGWt8Bj55gt5MI/s1600/10356322_845179635536991_3462749536777839808_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7v0I7abxFF1KqY8Gc6Mwtw4xzzWIcEkoxrDqgg4xG4ax7nUUKDdEm5GQMtNn1_C3XlgnFbmmlnoMJUnZWU7H2I3Xhch5X5wYpGpzzYKJewh7NyMSNK_Eh9Gp6obk0xGWt8Bj55gt5MI/s320/10356322_845179635536991_3462749536777839808_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We also had Artist Alley neighbors who were a male artist and his wife who insisted on keeping their small 2-3 year old son strapped in a stroller behind the table with headphones and an iPad for almost the entire duration of the show, and when he wasn't watching the ipad he was sleeping in the stroller. Oh and they fed the kid candy. ALLLLL DAY. Which is a total buzzkill, because now we need to watch our volume, watch our language and listen to the kid freak out and cry when the ipad runs out of juice. Fortunately the mom had the sense to stroll the kid away when he started to melt down, but still... ugh. Originally in our layout of our tables we had Fenny next to the family, which if you've ever met Fenny you'd know in a convention setting she is very loud, very boisterous and very potty-mouthed. <a href="http://www.theartofpaigey.com/2014/09/aftermath-baltimore-comic-con-2014.html" target="_blank">Having already witnessed some epic snippiness last year at Baltimore Comic Con over Fenny's volume levels</a>, I had the forethought to switch with her to the furthest table space to avoid further possible conflict. Ever the little adjudicator I am. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWKdR4zquevsGVhtwI-mZMQKj_RXiGun62LeP3RC-H1tadQanEtRwX98NPb__FFTvtW3N5iz5-H0CJXFS9qNU9tTvKUXGUt_7-XrHzJbzI2mhrUDkhKKQeraNa9rB_ECAfUqLIIe_nMs/s1600/11350405_10153160078533855_2839705424421336370_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWKdR4zquevsGVhtwI-mZMQKj_RXiGun62LeP3RC-H1tadQanEtRwX98NPb__FFTvtW3N5iz5-H0CJXFS9qNU9tTvKUXGUt_7-XrHzJbzI2mhrUDkhKKQeraNa9rB_ECAfUqLIIe_nMs/s320/11350405_10153160078533855_2839705424421336370_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found an awesome Uhura and had to get pics with her. <3 comment-3--=""><!--3--><!--3--><!--3--><!--3--><!--3--></3></td></tr>
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Also SAD, my trusty vertical Paigey banner died at this show. I opened it up for the first time after coming back from Dallas and when I pulled it out of the bag about 3-4 little nuts and bolts fell out too that controlled the spring mechanism that brings the vinyl banner back into the base and holds up the support pole. It had a good 4 years and I wanted to get a new one anyways, so now that def has to happen. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiIlBzZA7H66VyfbtgsWfybRI9LWr9WP0rA1WNfqjvyisscq6ZnO878To2iokH4n8LJq9_OGQMy-U8vbViP9dRWkRwffZjmzjHAToULtl_VsP4H4CrbznH7A0Lu6lWeAHXmUyHUtBaBI/s1600/10385415_10155688464105714_8700575174315126847_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiIlBzZA7H66VyfbtgsWfybRI9LWr9WP0rA1WNfqjvyisscq6ZnO878To2iokH4n8LJq9_OGQMy-U8vbViP9dRWkRwffZjmzjHAToULtl_VsP4H4CrbznH7A0Lu6lWeAHXmUyHUtBaBI/s320/10385415_10155688464105714_8700575174315126847_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were also near the ever-awesome Jennifer Rose and Ruby Rinesko as Batman and Batgirl!!!</td></tr>
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Overall I really liked Awesome Con, but I'll probably give it a couple years to come into it's own before I return. My earnings weren't quite enough to validate the trip down, plus a lot of the folks I saw were my regular customers at Baltimore Comic Con, which is a lot easier for me to get to. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
More pics!!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nXeyrIhef6dznF5WcPZzPBr0vF74wTSunHXbJIc9VbEUDfWMhxFMqJOqwhliBef13NaPALRXdhUni-EfpFZrF3EFohBAr6xQnpkNc-Lu8Xy7vfPbv7rfnG_FmvQH1qyiDHHWUVrXyL8/s1600/11014935_10153161888653855_567819590919863720_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nXeyrIhef6dznF5WcPZzPBr0vF74wTSunHXbJIc9VbEUDfWMhxFMqJOqwhliBef13NaPALRXdhUni-EfpFZrF3EFohBAr6xQnpkNc-Lu8Xy7vfPbv7rfnG_FmvQH1qyiDHHWUVrXyL8/s320/11014935_10153161888653855_567819590919863720_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday morning coffee! It's too early for this.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjurS-PZhl5Fs_phPZxB1n9kqZ0QJIF60a_TXOnEto7ZAeqJBFtCwzQaeG2vM6Ibe0Zx31oSLyzutbjOD4Y1OmVwybYpQH3_C60v6N7UwtKZu2ORFnNMdZqvXyBWrOqToGUEcAog6r14/s1600/11216721_10153160032988855_5108440986815852829_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjurS-PZhl5Fs_phPZxB1n9kqZ0QJIF60a_TXOnEto7ZAeqJBFtCwzQaeG2vM6Ibe0Zx31oSLyzutbjOD4Y1OmVwybYpQH3_C60v6N7UwtKZu2ORFnNMdZqvXyBWrOqToGUEcAog6r14/s320/11216721_10153160032988855_5108440986815852829_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Throwing Vulcan gang signs.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv58VHZlTmdR-tM_M2OBvyyafW-R2-UrUzwVwKZB6zOkgTZVrdb6c5N67esAz-C7-O5aLO6cTTZ2mG20r8ZsOQ-hfxppFO0-ZAHZ50uW43-ol_R5O-rfsQaxdrhoFIPE7XmK64_BCpJp8/s1600/11295699_10153160347443855_3865251857090729605_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv58VHZlTmdR-tM_M2OBvyyafW-R2-UrUzwVwKZB6zOkgTZVrdb6c5N67esAz-C7-O5aLO6cTTZ2mG20r8ZsOQ-hfxppFO0-ZAHZ50uW43-ol_R5O-rfsQaxdrhoFIPE7XmK64_BCpJp8/s320/11295699_10153160347443855_3865251857090729605_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OMG it's TIGER MILLIONAIRE!!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEndf3sHi-7FCKs3RCxV3msEDfo32iI1VoQQR3JTQOEf0J4PjRcqQOyhts4_3Iz_KgNc9hrljQVRtN8ISf4aBXwfsgdSa3pwZj7qVXCCwSmN12QsA98XimCNWT2hOg3y6_ibrn5u7yl7A/s1600/11393191_10153161954373855_3563984895477543436_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEndf3sHi-7FCKs3RCxV3msEDfo32iI1VoQQR3JTQOEf0J4PjRcqQOyhts4_3Iz_KgNc9hrljQVRtN8ISf4aBXwfsgdSa3pwZj7qVXCCwSmN12QsA98XimCNWT2hOg3y6_ibrn5u7yl7A/s320/11393191_10153161954373855_3563984895477543436_n.jpg" width="159" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Show mantra.</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743199616608351614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120497365986905446.post-11525145284681086512015-05-22T22:23:00.000-04:002015-05-22T22:23:08.142-04:00Heads up, Cali! I'm coming to Designer Con 2015!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKOjOm_pgGvn79lR42hAzh4hRO_NFqUrV9QYZbzWGMpau61fG05hzMx1GQiy5rwBrwlLoYpzxKmXW7qgptqHBILkfZR4DYzkkNjaG310aPLXvXi_8stxTAxcmL7P_gmCEcXZC6OqKN80/s1600/58739_129696853745330_4409985_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKOjOm_pgGvn79lR42hAzh4hRO_NFqUrV9QYZbzWGMpau61fG05hzMx1GQiy5rwBrwlLoYpzxKmXW7qgptqHBILkfZR4DYzkkNjaG310aPLXvXi_8stxTAxcmL7P_gmCEcXZC6OqKN80/s320/58739_129696853745330_4409985_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So here goes! It looks like I'm gonna do it! If everything fares well,
this November I will be vending at my *first* West Coast convention: <a class="profileLink" data-gt="{"entity_id":"129696653745350","entity_path":"\/ajax\/pagelet\/generic.php:ProfileTimelineSectionPagelet"}" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=129696653745350" href="https://www.designercon.com/" target="_blank">Designer Con</a>! I'm SO EXCITED! I've had my eye on Designer Con for awhile as a potential West Coast convention to attend. The art scene out there is so much up my alley, plus California in general has stolen so many of my creative friends from NYC. (I'm looking at you, DC Comics...) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-4z38jse-qytAtR0PYiQ7vFfYdZpqpvgtQivLarkdeSNmCffSUtqlQk1zSDP1bpcAavdUy08QhYg2WO2PPWQfwFD9a6js_jIEs9cw5-ulhDeJRGnZ5hyphenhyphenNONHOCHxx2w-ONP_oWfJOCs/s1600/DCon2015dates-940x360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-4z38jse-qytAtR0PYiQ7vFfYdZpqpvgtQivLarkdeSNmCffSUtqlQk1zSDP1bpcAavdUy08QhYg2WO2PPWQfwFD9a6js_jIEs9cw5-ulhDeJRGnZ5hyphenhyphenNONHOCHxx2w-ONP_oWfJOCs/s320/DCon2015dates-940x360.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm going to be sharing a booth with my pal <a class="profileLink" data-gt="{"entity_id":"166686433538628","entity_path":"\/ajax\/pagelet\/generic.php:ProfileTimelineSectionPagelet"}" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=166686433538628" href="http://www.petergoodeart.com/" target="_blank">Peter Goode Art</a> and my husband <a href="http://www.ballsyart.com/" target="_blank">Phil</a> and I will be taking a much deserved vacation the rest of the week, visiting stuff like Disneyland, Universal, Little Tokyo... So many things to check out. I haven't been to LA since I was a little kid, and then it was only because my family had won a trip to Disneyland. I'm excited to go back! Plus bonus: since I'm going at the end of November I'll be getting out of NYC just when the weather has gotten shitty.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSUcUKdJtHT3fvKMVZJ501hO27A0nl71Pjcfc9VaFbq4TjPuy0zsPZcQTlLSrUNZxT9Dj6XMrR2H_UsI661yLt_rgdF-C4FqNNrIdmyccGXwgyQiwC-xHKJUSsB-a9AENL8hI7s-2gWg/s1600/10978619_10205015127311096_7190308051470729497_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSUcUKdJtHT3fvKMVZJ501hO27A0nl71Pjcfc9VaFbq4TjPuy0zsPZcQTlLSrUNZxT9Dj6XMrR2H_UsI661yLt_rgdF-C4FqNNrIdmyccGXwgyQiwC-xHKJUSsB-a9AENL8hI7s-2gWg/s320/10978619_10205015127311096_7190308051470729497_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://petergoodeart.com/" target="_blank">Peter Goode</a> and his creepy awesome monster paintings.</td></tr>
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PLEASE HELP SUPPORT ME this very expensive trip I'll be taking (I've calculated the costs of going and I kind of want to cry...)! Visit me at one of my <a href="http://www.theartofpaigey.com/p/conventions-and-art-shows.html" target="_blank">upcoming convention appearances</a> and buy some of my merch! Not in the area? Check out <a href="http://society6.com/theartofpaigey" target="_blank">my Society 6 store</a>! Or <a href="https://www.stickermule.com/user/1069977929/stickers" target="_blank">my Stickermule marketplace</a>! I might even get <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PaigeyPumphrey" target="_blank">my etsy store</a> restocked one of these days, haha! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743199616608351614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120497365986905446.post-39493502661594194302015-05-20T13:37:00.000-04:002015-07-17T13:58:05.359-04:00New mini print set: 10th and RoseIt was inevitable that in my time doing conventions and fan art that I'd do a spin on Doctor Who, and I finally figured out which rendition I'd do after I saw the episode "The Idiot's Lantern" where the 10th Doctor and Rose Tyler go back to the 50's and get spiffy outfits. I decided to make it a mini print set with a shared background of Rose's foggy London back alley and the TARDIS to unify them. Cuz you know, <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=OTP" target="_blank">OTP</a>. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVIvkQ7hdJZrV9hdU3Kg4ymMnxH48iIlrdZ4WuClDJ36mJPEheyXRoEx1kFOVofSl5b6U4R90Zjd6x1lf4_8HfUTT2BO0wMebFtwWMhAkpCsOcUxvXBbBOciiI-_6EFagB96Zz-rkR4Y/s1600/10thandRose.SideB.web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVIvkQ7hdJZrV9hdU3Kg4ymMnxH48iIlrdZ4WuClDJ36mJPEheyXRoEx1kFOVofSl5b6U4R90Zjd6x1lf4_8HfUTT2BO0wMebFtwWMhAkpCsOcUxvXBbBOciiI-_6EFagB96Zz-rkR4Y/s320/10thandRose.SideB.web.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>
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Reference:</div>
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I'm probably going to do a variant of this set with the Doctor and Rose in their regular street clothes as well at some point down the line.<br />
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Process pics:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rough pencils</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeHMahgqbA7f124gHkLZvXwz3Z9xTlVLo0wxUQ3R1AJJtMaykAHVaIZ1cG4dRlOU4gxM6kCKyBa1JoJIZi5f5ETYasDeLhxJjECrvKPq1KFUIms14fqn7svX6AKY6S65CzABuAIguH70/s1600/11168893_10153057162113855_6413222006637751527_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeHMahgqbA7f124gHkLZvXwz3Z9xTlVLo0wxUQ3R1AJJtMaykAHVaIZ1cG4dRlOU4gxM6kCKyBa1JoJIZi5f5ETYasDeLhxJjECrvKPq1KFUIms14fqn7svX6AKY6S65CzABuAIguH70/s320/11168893_10153057162113855_6413222006637751527_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inks on vellum</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfccSxlJj-hXeVNsNWpbcXmhOauJI8XJx5Sz2ASobe7GSwkt97w12P-JCY2QPK5Aw_batW7DE2wa-mET0aT8QClcvS0jLmKk-T556VCzJSBVsQQE8eBBtsd9POh6AGM8HPBzlAZ8S-ghM/s1600/11425255_10153177393593855_8559323778969511496_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfccSxlJj-hXeVNsNWpbcXmhOauJI8XJx5Sz2ASobe7GSwkt97w12P-JCY2QPK5Aw_batW7DE2wa-mET0aT8QClcvS0jLmKk-T556VCzJSBVsQQE8eBBtsd9POh6AGM8HPBzlAZ8S-ghM/s320/11425255_10153177393593855_8559323778969511496_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scanned inks being colored in Photoshop</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53OFDmoCuskTf7gIai1t_n5sUFsHm1aVew1naVk8PeNU3X0s4FCoQX7hfAKMXXWT8Su9WF6jieo8WkppMhkAZM-oNSKrJ1Kw23qywq2xfLDZzFauZR-agsANCN10PQVli2c_wCeBn5A8/s1600/11403199_10153195817223855_3029588519869258119_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53OFDmoCuskTf7gIai1t_n5sUFsHm1aVew1naVk8PeNU3X0s4FCoQX7hfAKMXXWT8Su9WF6jieo8WkppMhkAZM-oNSKrJ1Kw23qywq2xfLDZzFauZR-agsANCN10PQVli2c_wCeBn5A8/s320/11403199_10153195817223855_3029588519869258119_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost done!!</td></tr>
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Some lucky peeps at Awesome Con and Special Edition got to snag some of the magnets early!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-AYPr_SMHWzXxs4AcrnUdzjVF12O411DoFPzJ7wNA0OJuD_NPaG6G1lkvAbSSD5AnYExTcz58xh9FJ95AUqZtPS-kUcuS6eYiSW5wX5Hui9hsgeUlf29RnQOt8A9gvJsQNFqCNC_46Q/s1600/10632844_10153088911028855_8571535415580408130_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-AYPr_SMHWzXxs4AcrnUdzjVF12O411DoFPzJ7wNA0OJuD_NPaG6G1lkvAbSSD5AnYExTcz58xh9FJ95AUqZtPS-kUcuS6eYiSW5wX5Hui9hsgeUlf29RnQOt8A9gvJsQNFqCNC_46Q/s320/10632844_10153088911028855_8571535415580408130_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEoUSEgeygBySAFZa-aJJxf-JhO4iiiYg9aNKp9JNTysGOcB_aewYqsnBw4VEFi9iFQUw6oK0bizWLaUcNCfdatp5ppqY3EhKMMSFahmeh5OJDdSZeCvSy9iv0c6ofTpzlGAMQQue0aI/s1600/11150940_10153100694703855_6779642239035991422_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEoUSEgeygBySAFZa-aJJxf-JhO4iiiYg9aNKp9JNTysGOcB_aewYqsnBw4VEFi9iFQUw6oK0bizWLaUcNCfdatp5ppqY3EhKMMSFahmeh5OJDdSZeCvSy9iv0c6ofTpzlGAMQQue0aI/s320/11150940_10153100694703855_6779642239035991422_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'll have plenty more at future shows, along with print sets and other goodies. Keep an eye on my <a href="http://www.theartofpaigey.com/p/conventions-and-art-shows.html" target="_blank">Convention Schedule</a> to see where I'll be next.<br />
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Won't be seeing you? You can get the print as a single sheet over at <a href="http://society6.com/product/10th-and-rose_print#1=45" target="_blank">Society 6</a>!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYQM7yoXvKBQfOJU53n85ALMQP4KbF0aE8cbRIalzuZXgLd47t11wJoIuLllQzx3dxBuhb5sXuh5WCd4kxMB9N8SmkyffkDgXwKnXGKaqe6UliL4HXBSDt512FhZywtiGsfBWa-ig4aI/s1600/22014899_9339584-frm715bl01_pm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYQM7yoXvKBQfOJU53n85ALMQP4KbF0aE8cbRIalzuZXgLd47t11wJoIuLllQzx3dxBuhb5sXuh5WCd4kxMB9N8SmkyffkDgXwKnXGKaqe6UliL4HXBSDt512FhZywtiGsfBWa-ig4aI/s320/22014899_9339584-frm715bl01_pm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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I'll also be adding the magnets to my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PaigeyPumphrey" target="_blank">etsy store</a> once I restock!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743199616608351614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120497365986905446.post-73528236085440675802015-04-24T19:38:00.000-04:002015-05-05T07:37:52.911-04:00Princess Kashmir<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Another piece of art that's been floating around in my brain for awhile- a retro-inspired burlesque poster featuring Princess Kashmir from The Simpsons, specifically season 1 episode 10, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0701123/" target="_blank">"Homer's Night Out"</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixk57uIlrWABWOrZF5OS0qV0mds0LF1zow78wyAwBEUcH-fwF88z3KojVqADv4aTzLBuJJuWV2ABLPD5NuY6teIS_GjS5CouYSYJ4hgXbsNwJfgOeZxdX75wHfNxwhEss5_IPAY9lqZw/s1600/PrincessKashmirPoster.web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixk57uIlrWABWOrZF5OS0qV0mds0LF1zow78wyAwBEUcH-fwF88z3KojVqADv4aTzLBuJJuWV2ABLPD5NuY6teIS_GjS5CouYSYJ4hgXbsNwJfgOeZxdX75wHfNxwhEss5_IPAY9lqZw/s1600/PrincessKashmirPoster.web.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
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Last fall was the Every Simpsons Ever marathon on TV and my husband and I watched it pretty rigorously for the first few seasons. I was actually pretty impressed with how I was able to remember so many season 1 episodes word-for-word after not watching them for at least 10 years. (And maybe getting a little misty over the "Moaning Lisa" episode- which reminds me so much of myself as the less-than-perfect 10 year old girl I was when it came out. My parents STILL refer to it when I go into my sensitive artist mode.) </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_gk7aAK45VIMlqpH3L1En2YgvwIBk1J1Ic1fh0l1G4JYfzKomdmdoD8fRh9vLcK5rQLWup6-sNCy9v21DC0oeIo_aFF9gTjXHrS_dbutTOsYj00Bi6KLQfbdxp9xEb_mWlRMEkHevxo/s1600/latest.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_gk7aAK45VIMlqpH3L1En2YgvwIBk1J1Ic1fh0l1G4JYfzKomdmdoD8fRh9vLcK5rQLWup6-sNCy9v21DC0oeIo_aFF9gTjXHrS_dbutTOsYj00Bi6KLQfbdxp9xEb_mWlRMEkHevxo/s1600/latest.png" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Princess Kashmir in Simpsons form</td></tr>
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Progress shots:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR63YuCy9MOf_LV4US1w_HzSbLmuIw7LFl8WrUT6Uf07CUmjsWrUNbK3KfSu5gZ0ftDOumCvx_7giaAK41udMTs8KEx3jH5RPouV_036tXExtusDJtySKcBIyYwUd73SrEigXsxp3cp6A/s1600/10426184_10152948603283855_5447414648363459513_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR63YuCy9MOf_LV4US1w_HzSbLmuIw7LFl8WrUT6Uf07CUmjsWrUNbK3KfSu5gZ0ftDOumCvx_7giaAK41udMTs8KEx3jH5RPouV_036tXExtusDJtySKcBIyYwUd73SrEigXsxp3cp6A/s1600/10426184_10152948603283855_5447414648363459513_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pencils.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-q1KRlyKNGH-FQkXL74sIfadR1PzrYK0eBLADFrO4fzatCke3i2ybFYRJOJzWZ-lMtNtKFWIMGOrZuOrZ3WSoD5QNh-sxUOgwUvUX-qZrL9dEPnu_dcGFxuGKymDIcbhdISlCXVxBlpo/s1600/11133632_10153016111813855_8926830149980030428_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-q1KRlyKNGH-FQkXL74sIfadR1PzrYK0eBLADFrO4fzatCke3i2ybFYRJOJzWZ-lMtNtKFWIMGOrZuOrZ3WSoD5QNh-sxUOgwUvUX-qZrL9dEPnu_dcGFxuGKymDIcbhdISlCXVxBlpo/s1600/11133632_10153016111813855_8926830149980030428_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inks on vellum.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCH2nvDVGwKbOXBn7suVPGJXcBhuVZVkNDedxTF174lmV36q6XzR-dBXaXEcoSy9asIOYlqRQyl0GEvGMjdCCbq1NCChcE5rg6tObfBK0mSNMgUkSH4GC6N3tN-aYuSS4rJ8kR_Q1ciOQ/s1600/11112949_10153016390408855_6789059401356238190_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCH2nvDVGwKbOXBn7suVPGJXcBhuVZVkNDedxTF174lmV36q6XzR-dBXaXEcoSy9asIOYlqRQyl0GEvGMjdCCbq1NCChcE5rg6tObfBK0mSNMgUkSH4GC6N3tN-aYuSS4rJ8kR_Q1ciOQ/s1600/11112949_10153016390408855_6789059401356238190_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inking Gulliver Dark on vellum.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Yyilvp5IljjOCtgXdk-SlQ7Q9s6nwyFexPI69t7W0n0E6fExQ3rmnvgUF5Rh3g5Mv18KS5E1jaLXy_e2RHETDLmLY7ZrloSPSCXLNB5wP8J4bd1jIGcxBid1na2pnwMJ3nZm1U693Iw/s1600/10653494_10153018922633855_7150727944393899923_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Yyilvp5IljjOCtgXdk-SlQ7Q9s6nwyFexPI69t7W0n0E6fExQ3rmnvgUF5Rh3g5Mv18KS5E1jaLXy_e2RHETDLmLY7ZrloSPSCXLNB5wP8J4bd1jIGcxBid1na2pnwMJ3nZm1U693Iw/s1600/10653494_10153018922633855_7150727944393899923_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coloring scanned inks in Photoshop.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDtpY5aRILZqH8oZ4EuAhaU5_gwW04II_ODY2FotysUeHWP7_DymdqOHm1lu0Zw7qjizZgntcP81qemQ3wxNCrkyf1fld2Wq-pMfQTchtMNNt1csQkTrU7TgM-p6prMcCb0AV3qDTVr4/s1600/10987713_10153020654383855_226506030720256557_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDtpY5aRILZqH8oZ4EuAhaU5_gwW04II_ODY2FotysUeHWP7_DymdqOHm1lu0Zw7qjizZgntcP81qemQ3wxNCrkyf1fld2Wq-pMfQTchtMNNt1csQkTrU7TgM-p6prMcCb0AV3qDTVr4/s1600/10987713_10153020654383855_226506030720256557_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More coloring in Photoshop.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYRP0rPKfCPtx5hDPMF7v1zMRDnJdTWna1Ng7pospFn334XWKgoBRGa9hNowIy_9wW3FuJ0Gm6N_HaE7ZJr1MpwobE8VU3wpEfHDzRVSSzOHbLd7MymRvbXtUf2JJyIg90Uv_Sj4fWBQ/s1600/11139451_10153035314998855_1014404331111863880_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYRP0rPKfCPtx5hDPMF7v1zMRDnJdTWna1Ng7pospFn334XWKgoBRGa9hNowIy_9wW3FuJ0Gm6N_HaE7ZJr1MpwobE8VU3wpEfHDzRVSSzOHbLd7MymRvbXtUf2JJyIg90Uv_Sj4fWBQ/s1600/11139451_10153035314998855_1014404331111863880_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poster layouts. Creating text in Illustrator, arranging the poster in Photoshop.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://society6.com/product/princess-kashmir_print#1=45" target="_blank">Want to get a print? You can order one at my Society 6 store!!</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743199616608351614noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120497365986905446.post-7346708413244605182015-04-07T18:01:00.000-04:002015-04-07T18:01:19.499-04:00But That's None of MY Business<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just a fun little piece of art that's part of a series I'm playing with that focuses on emoji's and memes and twists them around in my own style.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhom1prgwd8w_vwRG8Ms_RWAzjk4GzRGlOxC8fceIM8iZ5rL-usnVDUG7O5st_NXF-u8l085KaLP5G7SCqYbGR-dd1KOPATQype9tQ3W1uzQItfN3ZDan12nMd6SMVqj2TSyTP0QW6g3Mk/s1600/kermitgirl.web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhom1prgwd8w_vwRG8Ms_RWAzjk4GzRGlOxC8fceIM8iZ5rL-usnVDUG7O5st_NXF-u8l085KaLP5G7SCqYbGR-dd1KOPATQype9tQ3W1uzQItfN3ZDan12nMd6SMVqj2TSyTP0QW6g3Mk/s1600/kermitgirl.web.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Based on the infamous<a href="http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/but-thats-none-of-my-business"> Kermit sipping tea meme</a> that can be seen around the internet.</div>
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<img height="60%" src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/da4bb4cac29e9fbfa2a55bf41cb5f430/tumblr_inline_n7wn8363Ul1rvu1l8.gif" width="60%" /><br /><br />Like it? Know someone who would? Be sure to check out my <a href="http://society6.com/theartofpaigey" target="_blank">Society 6 store</a> for all kinds of goodies with this art on it!</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://society6.com/theartofpaigey?promo=QQFXKV9XDFQB" target="_blank">****FREE SHIPPING VIA THIS LINK!!!****</a><br />(expires 4/12/15)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFRT9_Dh1imDjh0oXZNLcDDAEwwqIUdMt0-2EKzedVhoKQyOGOS_yVI_r192yNwixmUQx4XltBVtGGOG1NvV_n00NzdBaTcljI5kbRPge7dgehCP1FmkRSuxzI3P1rP2ymC779KYniy4/s1600/Soc6ad.business.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFRT9_Dh1imDjh0oXZNLcDDAEwwqIUdMt0-2EKzedVhoKQyOGOS_yVI_r192yNwixmUQx4XltBVtGGOG1NvV_n00NzdBaTcljI5kbRPge7dgehCP1FmkRSuxzI3P1rP2ymC779KYniy4/s1600/Soc6ad.business.jpg" height="319" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Society6.com/theartofpaigey</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743199616608351614noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120497365986905446.post-12206299641999152742015-04-06T03:52:00.000-04:002015-04-06T15:19:39.561-04:00Aftermath: All-Con Dallas 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRY98DLnZmupCSUVYOmA45bga64CsbKrt66BaOsmyXxMeCm6WYnfqyuL1OaPIVfDX89hiSAQGeb-ketKPZW2f-3awZG6Q6QzZoXYyOXrXI7-j2gg6QDy7HrzxPLGuMz_MKq4ZuqTgp1YE/s1600/1924500_10152968782923855_4591404483491137978_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRY98DLnZmupCSUVYOmA45bga64CsbKrt66BaOsmyXxMeCm6WYnfqyuL1OaPIVfDX89hiSAQGeb-ketKPZW2f-3awZG6Q6QzZoXYyOXrXI7-j2gg6QDy7HrzxPLGuMz_MKq4ZuqTgp1YE/s1600/1924500_10152968782923855_4591404483491137978_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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2015's convention season kicked off in a rather unconventional way with my first trip to Texas EVER and my first time attending <a href="http://all-con.net/">All-Con</a> in Dallas as a vendor. It was super cool of my friend <a href="http://thetaffetadarling.com/">Taffeta Darling</a> to extend the invitation to me as part of an exchange of allowing her to stay at my apartment in Brooklyn last year for the Nerdlesque Festival. So almost like a crazy girl exchange program, this March I flew out to Dallas, Texas. The show I attended: <a href="http://all-con.net/">All-Con</a>, was definitely an experience which I am about to go on AT LENGTH here. Lots of ups and downs. To be fair, there's a TL;DR warning. But first thing's first: All-Con marks my first time traveling alone by airplane- I navigated security and bag check like a full-grown adult! I can do things!! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taffeta Darling as Lady Lobo. Me as myself.</td></tr>
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Okay, the positives! It was great to spend time catching up with old friends and meeting some brand new ones. <a href="http://thetaffetadarling.com/">Taffeta Darling</a> was a great hostess and I really appreciate the invite and extension of her hospitality during my stay. That gal is going places and she is an absolute pleasure to be around. I was trying to get her to come out to <a href="http://www.newyorkcomiccon.com/">New York Comic Con</a> this year but she's already TOO BUSY going to a bunch of other shows where she will be moderating panels, hosting events and wearing some amazingly clever costumes. So there's hopefully next year? I told her the invite was standing. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taffeta Darling: Righteous Babe. Total Goober.</td></tr>
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I also got to see my old pal Soni (aka Agent 13 of Dallas based go-go troupe <a href="http://thepistolettes.com/">The Pistolettes</a>) whom I've known for about 12 years- we met when I was still a cosplayer attending Dragon*Con in the early 00's! It's always a treat to see her and catch up on the latest gossip, drink some drinks and talk some smack. As an added bonus- since I rarely see Soni in her element as she is usually the one visiting me, I attended a panel/dance lesson at the show that was put on by The Pistolettes and was taught some awesome 60's dance moves that even I could follow. Soni even taught us the entirety of 'The Madison' which I still am able to bust out bits and pieces to in the privacy of my own apartment. (I'm not one for dancing.) It's always such a treat to take part in my friend's passions, and Soni's passion for dancing is infectious enough to get even a klutz like me on the floor. I also stayed with Soni at her apartment for a couple days after the con and we had awesome food adventures- my personal faves were <a href="http://steelcitypops.com/">Steel City Pop</a>'s coffee brownie pop and <a href="http://dudesweetchocolate.com/">Dude, Sweet</a> chocolate's Flower Child truffles. Sooo good.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pistolettes room party!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's Madison Time!</td></tr>
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Also burlesque performer <a href="http://blackmariahdallas.squarespace.com/">Black Mariah</a> did a fan dance act based on my Card Queen art at the big burlesque show Saturday night at All-Con. It was AWESOME and the music choice of 'Killer Queen' by Queen was superb! And those fans!! She was so secretive about what she was doing and insistent on me being at the show (with a special seat and everything) that I wasn't sure exactly what to expect- yet then when she came out with the crown on it all came together. I was able to grab a quick snippet of video from it, but didn't want to spend the whole act viewing thru my phone when such an amazing performance is happening live in front of me.<br />
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/0PDkpFNEkg/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">AAAAAHHHHH!!!! @black_mariah did a burlesque routine of my card queen tonight at #AllCon! So awesome!!!</a></div>
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A video posted by Paige Pumphrey (@paigey_pumphrey) on <time datetime="2015-03-15T04:39:20+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 14, 2015 at 9:39pm PDT</time></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My table setup!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAQrdoLHluiRxLHpoSl7R_J8IqCl5qnTv8IChblgNeSAU4bfYbAqRbWDS2oli-kWQdtBn8QFxlk0b1jGeRkHyc1qQhb43mWwrSHodrOqiXC7beAlyP2G__GWAet6PS4aqgLQWpXvjy4Y/s1600/11043094_10152964053508855_5659883164324189025_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAQrdoLHluiRxLHpoSl7R_J8IqCl5qnTv8IChblgNeSAU4bfYbAqRbWDS2oli-kWQdtBn8QFxlk0b1jGeRkHyc1qQhb43mWwrSHodrOqiXC7beAlyP2G__GWAet6PS4aqgLQWpXvjy4Y/s1600/11043094_10152964053508855_5659883164324189025_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My outfit on Thursday! Top and skirt: <a href="http://modemerr.com/">Mode Merr</a>, Hairflower: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleAsianSweatshop?ref=pr_shop_more">Little Asian Sweatshop</a></td></tr>
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There were a lot of new friends that I met as well! Some of my favorites included: <br />~A pair of adorable bright-eyed kids (in their late teens/early 20's) who dressed up as Amy Pond and The Doctor. The Amy Pond girl was so excited about life that it kind of brought out my inner Disney evil queen and I wanted to siphon her boundless energy and use it for my own. Which coming from me is a compliment. </center>
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~A really nice lady who had a massage chair set up and was giving back and neck massages for a mere dollar a minute. I went to her twice over the weekend as I was dealing with a HORRIBLE neck sprain from sleeping weird. She kinda saved me from completely wilding out on people.</center>
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~This little 5 year old boy and his mom who came walking by my table looking at my merch. As the mom was looking down at my merch, the little boy was looking up at me- then gave me some Groucho Marx eyebrows and made kissy noises. Both me and the mom were bemused by the Little Casanova (who looked like the kid from Jerry McGuire- pipsqueak has some charisma) and she came back to tell me the next day that he was talking about me to the family at dinner- about how not just he, but *everyone* thinks I'm pretty and how he's going to *marry* me one day. OMG- my heart can't take it. So adorable. So I'm apparently his first crush ever. He even swung by my table to chat me up again on Sunday and we played with his Transformer and took selfies (that I sent to his mom to print out for him). I even gave him one of my Bettie Page pins (which he insisted on pinning to himself) and his mom says how he treasures it now that they're back home. D'ohhhhhh. :3</center>
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~<a href="http://blazeburlesque.com/">Blaze, the Red Rose of Texas!</a> She's awesome and her Loki costume was amazing and we shared pictures of our pets (she has 3 pugs!). </center>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotties bein' hotties.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDD6SNzS6mY-7830uTvzai8Jw018kiTaQS-7k0YMgX9w4y4uN663eeNxx2hBgiZ3RD29oqR3Fw9cJ5UF4AhyphenhyphenxhaTCmByFSgmX5YsKcBJS2gK8ftW3HxEoxy1EluO9g8eBih_8cp8Us9aY/s1600/10422474_10152969864973855_6579442050148351695_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>~While I was at a room party after the burlesque show with a bunch of the performers, a girl came by with a giant cooler bag of tiny, individually wrapped mason jars full of alcoholic mousses that she had made herself. There was even a list of what flavors she had. And they even came with teeny tiny spoons!! And omg they were DELICIOUS! And even better- she was GIVING them away!! What?? </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got Thin Mint. :d</td></tr>
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~I had these amazingly sweet neighbor girls at the table next to me that I had some very pleasant conversations with and who were adorably concerned when I would arrive at my table late as hell. One of them even drew a picture of me! </center>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I won't lie. I got a little teared up seeing this. Convention Auntie 4-eva.</td></tr>
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Now, for the negatives.</center>
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I didn't make very much money. This is actually one of my worst performing convention tables ever, in my 8 years of vending. While there's fun to be had at shows, for me it's still a job. I spend a lot of time and money to make my merch, rent table space and travel to shows. The most I can usually hope for is to break even on my expenses, and I wasn't even able to do that this time around. For a show that was 4 days long, that is a rough go. Thankfully my room situation was taken care of, because to also eat a hotel room cost would have honestly made me very upset. There also didn't seem to be an overwhelming interest in my merchandise. People would look and say nice things about my art in general, but then when it came to buying stuff most people just said 'thanks' and walked away. And I'm sorry but compliments don't pay my credit card bills. I think the smallish size of the show worked against me- the crowd was very insular, lots of regulars and not a lot of outsiders or casual customers just coming in for the day. Also save for a few pockets of attendees in their 20's-30's, most of the crowd was old school nerds. Like, OLD SCHOOL. The whole geek chic/nerd girl trend hadn't caught on yet down there like it has on the east coast I suppose. Or they were all at <a href="http://walkerstalkercon.com/dallas/">Walker-Stalker Con</a>, which was also going on that weekend and had apparently stolen a lot of All-Con's attendees. All-Con also in my opinion casts it's net of interests too wide and there was a lack of identity to the show. The programming topics ranged from the mildly interesting to the eye-roll inducing to the just... odd. Like "Knitting"? But then I also have to remind myself that I'm actually in the comics industry and have been lucky enough to land in my career choice of being a professional nerd and that at times I do take that personal freedom for granted. Many attendees who come to shows for fun are also more than likely living lives or working in jobs where they aren't able to share their nerdy pursuits with those around them and conventions are their only outlet to talk about and revel in their interests. </center>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1AmLf_niJt9BfcC0rS0avLeqKEpiSGdP4ZYwtXEKrQU0YffRecbeQDG-Z-d_ATAkC-3CISKJ-X4AQoN8ePyocqutqITWAFF78fVqbH9sdoRCwrRJgPiTIsHz4g3gR_78s5uWOCDg-d50/s1600/11080997_10152984129113855_405164955254381920_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1AmLf_niJt9BfcC0rS0avLeqKEpiSGdP4ZYwtXEKrQU0YffRecbeQDG-Z-d_ATAkC-3CISKJ-X4AQoN8ePyocqutqITWAFF78fVqbH9sdoRCwrRJgPiTIsHz4g3gR_78s5uWOCDg-d50/s1600/11080997_10152984129113855_405164955254381920_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not everyone gets to wear this to work.</td></tr>
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I've re-realized how much I'm not a fan of hotel conventions versus my preferred convention center-type shows. I kinda had that feeling at <a href="http://www.theartofpaigey.com/2014/04/aftermath-asbury-park-comicon-2014.html">Asbury Park Comic Con</a> last year, but All-Con sealed it. After spending all day behind my table talking and selling and working my hustle- I've reached my limit. Which when that happens- all I want to do once the vendor room closes down is go home, order food and watch Investigation Discovery. MAYBE get dinner with a drink or two ONE night during the show. But even then- I'll go out with a small group of people I can be frank with. And I'll probably nod off before the check arrives. When I started doing shows as a professional I found I much prefer spending my time behind my table getting to talk to the average congoer and to friends who stop by for quick conversations, versus spending all night at the bar or crammed in someone's hotel room full of people all talking over each other. I find the barrier of the table comforting as opposed to the 360 degrees of vulnerability I feel being at the bar or walking on the floor. At my table I can see people as they approach and mentally prepare myself for conversation. I mean hell- almost everything I've been up to in the past few months leading up to the show is all spread out before me. Which is especially helpful in talking to new people whom I've just met. I feel like I have purpose at a show instead of just floating around looking for someone to talk to. Running a table is already socially exhausting, and then to add the forced socialization aspect of having to pass people in the hotel halls on my way to my room after I'm done for the day adds a level of anxiety I normally don't have to deal with. It's like a work day that doesn't end. It also weirds me out on a privacy level if people know where my room is. If I'm heading back to my room (particularly late at night) I'm always wary of the possibility of being followed, especially if I had gotten a weird vibe from someone at my table earlier that day. By the time I'm headed home at convention center shows there's only the other pro's still packing up and they wanna GTFO as much as I do. I need that separation. A reminder that there's an outside world. Conventions, especially ones in hotels where everyone is hanging out together for the long haul of an extended weekend can get a bit of a snow globey vibe. Or like it's camp. It gets claustrophobic. There will inevitably be drama. And buckle in, because there's no escape until Sunday. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday. #sotired #overit</td></tr>
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The worst thing however about All-Con would have to have been the Nazis. Yeah... Nazis. :\</center>
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/0RzPOapt2Y/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">#Repost @anthonyknighte ・・・ Some please help me with this one :/ #allcon #convention #cosplay #fun #awesome IS THIS A THING NOW? Why is this a thing???????? 😵😱😲😰</a></div>
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A photo posted by Soni (@_glamazon_) on <time datetime="2015-03-16T06:14:20+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 15, 2015 at 11:14pm PDT</time></div>
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This was grabbed off Instagram under the hashtag <a href="https://instagram.com/explore/tags/allcon/">#All-Con</a> by my friend Soni.</center>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcvAxZ6oNeK-LjUlurQ2OWN1tLGi19IPbidK0AC1Sjn8ORihsfBHAVIG0ujV1rfUOFLhAueVUhMhbHVlIHTcRo5UXzVnnWvMrTvJKjIZz08POPMjCVqEuYm99Acmm9d24EC-n3D9UsMg/s1600/nazis-i-hate-these-guys1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcvAxZ6oNeK-LjUlurQ2OWN1tLGi19IPbidK0AC1Sjn8ORihsfBHAVIG0ujV1rfUOFLhAueVUhMhbHVlIHTcRo5UXzVnnWvMrTvJKjIZz08POPMjCVqEuYm99Acmm9d24EC-n3D9UsMg/s1600/nazis-i-hate-these-guys1-1.jpg" height="169" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me too, Indy. Me, too.</td></tr>
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Let me back up. Because this was the big turd in my All-Con punchbowl. So there were a group of about 8-10 Nazi 'cosplayers', all white guys aged 30-60 that wore Nazi and WW1 German uniforms all weekend. They had different ones each day. Like that was basically all they had brought with them in their suitcases. <span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798515716884196:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798515716884196:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798515716884196:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798515716884196:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">They
even had a vending table they were hanging out at and selling replica
weapons. Thing is- the table had NO signage and no cards.</span></span></span></span> Dressing up as a Nazi for a costumed event is pretty incendiary on it's own- but what really did it for me was the lack of context. When I asked around to people I heard that they were supposed to be from Hydra, or Hellboy, or "some obscure anime" or WW2 reenactors. Which is interesting, because no one could give me a straight answer on what exactly they were from. Contextless Nazi's are STILL NAZI'S guys. And actual history > fiction. I never engaged these guys face-to-face because I don't know if I'd be able to handle the answer they would give me if I asked. I'm a lot better arguing with people on paper than in person. Just seeing them hanging out in groups and drinking in their uniforms out in the halls after hours at the show was enough to make me feel uncomfortable. That uneasiness about going back to my room alone I was talking about before? That would have been exponentially worse had I have gotten into it with these guys and then had to squeeze past them in the hallway at 2am by myself. Also I have a bit of history with a local group of teenaged Neo-Nazis in my old neighborhood in Maryland. What started with them having a problem with me and my best friend who was gay- ended in my car getting vandalized and my father's car set on fire in our driveway in the middle of the night. Which could have easily caused an explosion, burned down my family house and maybe killed someone. <span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798530510216050:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798530510216050:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798530510216050:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798530510216050:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">Fortunately it didn't, but the intention was there. And that's a memory I'd rather not confront when I'm at a convention trying to make money, network and attempting to have a good time.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798530510216050:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798530510216050:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798530510216050:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798530510216050:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"> </span></span></span></span></center>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKiUwsVsZWHXKJWye-mUkKLPhXGDD0U6sxc1axZqGX2nt7p2DDp8QOvJIbZXnOHo6HljIqIqC1SV4WAJbm7gV1tKkVztn4OoQVBaqfuXBcznQOlZDA8aH3-kDz5T7rYoFX9JbzApwkGd4/s1600/10438907_10152973051463855_6478302388123745866_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKiUwsVsZWHXKJWye-mUkKLPhXGDD0U6sxc1axZqGX2nt7p2DDp8QOvJIbZXnOHo6HljIqIqC1SV4WAJbm7gV1tKkVztn4OoQVBaqfuXBcznQOlZDA8aH3-kDz5T7rYoFX9JbzApwkGd4/s1600/10438907_10152973051463855_6478302388123745866_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great. So I get to be across from these assholes allll weeeekennnnd.</td></tr>
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<span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798530510216050:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798530510216050:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798530510216050:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798530510216050:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"> </span></span></span></span></center>
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<span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798530510216050:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798530510216050:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798530510216050:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798530510216050:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">Those assholes wanted to
rattle some cages? Get some reactions? Oh, THEY DONE DID IT NOW. Interestingly enough, </span></span></span></span><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798528340216267:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798528340216267:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798528340216267:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798528340216267:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">a lot of people who were regulars/local to the show would complain
amongst themselves or even to the Nazis directly, but no one thought
to complain to staff or take this to social media. It's like I HAD to
say something. And I'm no whistleblower by any stretch. But there's
wrong and there's right and then there's this bullshit. So like any congoer who feels threatened should- I took it to the event staff on Saturday morning after getting myself all riled up Thursday night into Friday. I was hoping like most shows, an attendee complains to staff, it gets taken seriously and something gets done in a timely manner. Because regardless of the situation going on between me and these guys- I still need to get to my table and put in hours so I can hopefully make some money. I don't have time for this nonsense. All-Con already has my money so I gotta hustle. The first lady I went to was an elderly mom-type who had helped direct me to the bathrooms earlier in the weekend. Like I said, as an outsider going into this show only knowing 3 people before stepping through the door- I was hard up for someone trustworthy to express my concerns to. I'm also leery of people who are put in positions of authority but figured she was my best bet. I asked her plainly in my most composed soccer mom voice, "Soooo… What's the deal with the guys in Nazi uniforms?". And acting somewhat surprised at my concern, she said "Oh they're war reenactors." My eyes narrow and shoot back, "Yeah, but they're <i>NAZIS</i>." Granted I'm still polite, but you could tell I'm starting to get my swerve on. "Oh well, actually- they were World War 1 Germans yesterday…", she replies matter-of-factly. Oh. <i>Oh.</i> So they were <i>pre-</i>Nazis yesterday, as opposed to the Swastika'd the fuck out members of the Fascist party that they are today? Cuz holy shit dude, I saw some of them on Saturday morning after I unsuccessfully tried to find a proper cup of coffee (good fucking luck) all hanging out in the hotel lobby with medals and swastikas and jackboots and all the trimmings. Like nothing's nothing. At like 9am. <i>Guten morgen</i>, assholes. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798528340216267:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798528340216267:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798528340216267:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798528340216267:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9ngTT3u1DXupbQmSXeztjJmq6X2DbDVGdQF-KMOVvi1v7z6GzID8bHef1D5TbWYwVlfpXLAQqExhf9GdrGh40hzgrrQ8V7SSSeOMgZky92iIVKAVVpbSWWCXnJPcPYq7HDnKIIkVJ9o/s1600/10997468_10152972557378855_5151198305075344771_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9ngTT3u1DXupbQmSXeztjJmq6X2DbDVGdQF-KMOVvi1v7z6GzID8bHef1D5TbWYwVlfpXLAQqExhf9GdrGh40hzgrrQ8V7SSSeOMgZky92iIVKAVVpbSWWCXnJPcPYq7HDnKIIkVJ9o/s1600/10997468_10152972557378855_5151198305075344771_n.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at this asshole.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2znmoYBVW96omW1Hw_AtKlSwSdtCOZG4Ux4m_Dte2G_2K72RCnvEaceSHu5WrDGG2d7Q1yg-JZoU-6nyYURXBornxA1sVQx4qwdaqhp6L0IjySTQhPc6F6JmXNMtuHxaA94pAiae70k/s1600/1510721_10152973053733855_5016904763382000568_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2znmoYBVW96omW1Hw_AtKlSwSdtCOZG4Ux4m_Dte2G_2K72RCnvEaceSHu5WrDGG2d7Q1yg-JZoU-6nyYURXBornxA1sVQx4qwdaqhp6L0IjySTQhPc6F6JmXNMtuHxaA94pAiae70k/s1600/1510721_10152973053733855_5016904763382000568_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These guys too.<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"> I couldn't get a decent shot of their uniforms because I didn't want to engage them.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798528340216267:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798528340216267:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798528340216267:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798528340216267:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"> And this is also why my neck was killing me all weekend. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798528340216267:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798528340216267:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798528340216267:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798528340216267:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798528340216267:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798528340216267:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798528340216267:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798528340216267:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">The lady can tell I'm not going to let this go and decides to pull rank. Or lack thereof. She tells me that she is merely a volunteer and has no power in the situation. So she suggests I either look for an actual staffer in a yellow vest or fill out a comment card. The buck has been passed. I indignantly grab about 20 comment cards, shove them in my pocket and proceed to spend even more time away from my table looking for a yellow vest. Any convention worth their salt would have had that lady call up a staffer on a walkie and have them come to me, but I guess we just do stuff differently on the east coast. So I finally locate a staffer, a female about my age (maybe younger) sitting behind the registration desk against the back wall, arms folded, not looking like she'll be particularly receptive to my plight either. To be honest (and probably mean, but she was really unpleasant so whatever)- she was a textbook example of a <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=legbeard">legbeard</a>. A grumpy, acerbic woman who has no business interacting with the public. I get her attention and politely tell her I would like to lodge a complaint about the guys in the Nazi uniforms. That they make me feel like I am not in a <i>safe space</i> and that I am <i>triggered</i>. You know- all the buzzwords that conventions should maybe pay attention to. Especially from their female attendees. And having already been passed off once by a representative of the show, I'm starting to feel a bit incensed. So the girl, who by body language alone obviously has made it clear that I am merely inconveniencing her good time, first states that they are most likely from an 'obscure anime'. So I'm getting nerd-checked instead helped. Great. Like, lady--- I <i>WORK</i> IN MANGA.</span></span></span></span> I don't give a shiiiiiit. Like oh- <i>I'm sorry</i>. I thought they were the Nazi's from ACTUAL HISTORY. Haha, my bad. Carry on. She then asks if I've talked to them, like I should go and <i>ask</i> the Nazi's why they're Nazis. And I say no, that's why I'm coming to you- I don't feel safe talking to them, especially alone. We then start to get into an argument about freedom of speech, but I cut her off and ask if she's actually going to do anything about this or is she just trying to wear me down. She directs me to the comment cards and assures me that they read them every night of the show. I tell her I already have 20 and walk away. <span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798534043549030:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798534043549030:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798534043549030:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798534043549030:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">At this point my rage is incandescent. After
I complained to All-Con staff about the Nazis to no avail, I still had to go
get ready for my table. I headed to my room and blasted the Dicks (an
old queer punk band with lots of anti skinhead songs) and put on my
Wonder Woman costume and was like 'is this my life now'? </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglk7PJTGszd36_cO5NoKKEp2HLbQcM6q1p3TXKDCX5k1mYzpNORyJJvHdauUB8_89butZJ8bZKIn9tLy_UFF1PKoNld-Hshz-o_efeymxMKXldWfFm4gf6_tdWWdhYeixxNG3Z4SAe_00/s1600/wonderwomancircle10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglk7PJTGszd36_cO5NoKKEp2HLbQcM6q1p3TXKDCX5k1mYzpNORyJJvHdauUB8_89butZJ8bZKIn9tLy_UFF1PKoNld-Hshz-o_efeymxMKXldWfFm4gf6_tdWWdhYeixxNG3Z4SAe_00/s1600/wonderwomancircle10.jpg" height="320" width="202" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My life now, apparently.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At my table I then proceeded to pen my angry letter through into Sunday, dropping it off in the comment box before I left.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798512916884476:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798512916884476:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798512916884476:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798512916884476:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6MQNxLM7I_Bir2Mdl0tpyNfU20hThwC4K2SGhQsMbMPl3QBe37FsG6BVL75JIfr5aonEV4QrZPYc-q8r3ZXChTfiLMUQ9x2T9aKFSBUcKCwDJzRZnHej2bsXfjwr5O2pKmrNxP6lmUiY/s1600/1510427_10152972591803855_521829816685790389_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span id="goog_671057836"></span><span id="goog_671057837"></span><span id="goog_671057838"></span><span id="goog_671057839"></span><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798512916884476:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798512916884476:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798512916884476:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798512916884476:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798620636873704:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798620636873704:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798620636873704:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798620636873704:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798620636873704:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$0:0">They
have the right to believe what they want, but as a paying attendee of a
private ticketed event I have just as much of a right to complain to
the con staffers about my personal safety. And if there
is to be nothing done about this ty</span></span><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798620636873704:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798620636873704:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798620636873704:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$0:0">pe
of presence at a convention, that's cool then I'm going to exercise MY first
amendment rights of putting these assholes on blast and making sure
everyone knows what goes down at a particular show. I have NEVER seen this type of thing go down at an east coast show. Because what I think
most of us can all agree on is that Nazis are dicks and we can show our
distaste of this by simply not endorsing the conventions that condone this
behavior. Hopefully then those cons will fall to the wayside. </span></span></span></span></span></span><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798625373539897:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798625373539897:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798625373539897:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798625373539897:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">I
actually have no problem with them wearing their Nazi shit in their
home or at whatever reenactment events these guys go to. Whatever, it's a
free country. But that doesn't mean they are free from backlash and
consequences when they are out at events where people are not in on the joke. There's a time and a place and it's far the fuck away from
me.</span></span></span></span><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798625373539897:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798625373539897:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798625373539897:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798625373539897:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"> Plus c'mon- there's frigging <i>kids</i> around. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798625373539897:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798625373539897:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798625373539897:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798625373539897:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798625373539897:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798625373539897:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798625373539897:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798625373539897:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br />During this entire time at the actual show I kept this whole silent war between me and these guys under wraps on social media because I knew as soon as I posted about these guys my phone would </span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798625373539897:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798625373539897:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798625373539897:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".9j.1:3:1:$comment798401130228988_798625373539897:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">E</span></span></span></span> • X • P • L • O • D • E with notifications. Half of why I've waited a month to write my con report was to let everything that happened process. Plus seriously, this is a LONG ASS ENTRY and kept putting it off.<span class="st"></span><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script> So, after the show I go to my friend Soni's apt for the final leg of my Dallas trip to hang out with her. She's had some run-ins with these Nazi's as well at past All-Cons- the guy in the top, reposted pic from Instagram actually bought her drinks and followed her around like a lovestruck puppy. Granted Soni also has way more patience than I and was able to decimate him (even make him cry!) with the power of conversation- and found out that yes, indeed- there is no context to their uniforms. They're just Nazi's. And now that guy tries to hang out with Soni and her burlesque crew at All-Con like they're friends. He actually tried sidling up to the group on Saturday night and Soni had to lure me away from the group like an angry dog. Which was probably a good call on her part because I was drunk, tired and wearing my Wonder Woman outfit. But late on Sunday after we had gotten to her place, Soni and I find the pic of that guy on Instagram hashtag for All-Con and Soni reposts it and it goes into her Facebook feed. So Monday afternoon and over 200 comments later, Soni and I are glued to her couch in our pj's and hunched over our phones clicking away on tiny keyboards like we're in some wacky cosplay version of All the President's Men. "Put it up on the big board!", Soni joked. Add to that a repost of the guy's pic to another Facebook cosplay group that yielded another 400+ comments and it became clear we weren't going anywhere for awhile. It was some intense shit for a couple hours. There were some WORDS. People got blocked. Which also reinforced my feelings of not properly addressing this whole situation until I was at home with my computer and a proper keyboard and the ability to open several windows at a time.<br />
<br />
Fortunately it seems that we actually got the attention of All-Con and they issued a statement to Soni via Facebook:<br />
<br />
<span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><i><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$0:0">"Unfortunately I cannot respond to your thread as your FaceBook settings do not allow non-friends to comment.</span><br data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$3:0" /><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$4:0">ALL-CON
staff found the uniforms as disturbing as the public did. Our rules
have never addressed the possibility of such an outrage as we've</span></span></i><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><i><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$0:0">
never had anyone as thoughtless (uncaring?) as to don a purposely
offensive 'costume / uniform'. As tacky as it was, we had no rules
against it.</span><br data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$3:0" /><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$4:0">While
we may have been bitten once, we won't be twice. This condition in
general is being addressed specifically in a new 'Uniforms Policy', and
to prevent slight modifications to attire disqualifying them as true
'uniforms' we are adding a clause to our Harassment Policy to include
purposely inflammatory or 'offensive to event staff' costumes or
clothing to be a condition for ejection from the event. This will allow
any top-level event staff to handle a similar situation based on event
standard vs. any perceived community standards.</span><br data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$7:0" /><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$8:0">Any historical reenactment groups will need to apply directly to the convention for approval.</span><br data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$11:0" /><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$12:0">ALL-CON's
fairly open rules has allowed some amazing creativity that have been
astounded by and enjoy. Unfortunately, there's always someone who just
doesn't get it and has to come along and spoil the fun. </span><br data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$15:0" /><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$16:0">We
are very embarrassed that this has happened at our fandom friendly
event and no not believe that 'offensive dressing' is a fandom we care
to support.</span><br data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$19:0" /><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$20:0">If you would please pass along my comments to your thread, I would be deeply appreciate.</span></i></span></span></span></span></span><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$24:0">~Todd Carlton</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$text0:0:$26:0">Content Manager, </span><a class="" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$range0:0" dir="ltr" href="http://all-con.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ALL-CON.net</a><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153047324295081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$0:0"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
So... there's that. Ideally it would have been nice to have had something happen at the actual show- I wouldn't even say have those guys ejected from the convention. Merely asking them to go and change into something else would have been more than sufficient. There's been plenty of cases where a woman wears a costume too revealing and they are asked to cover up/change immediately. So
apparently the female body is more offensive than fascism and genocide.
Yay. Either way, at least something is now being done about this and I was able to facilitate a convention's change for the better. Will I return to see these changes carried through? Not likely. I love my Texas friends but they can come visit me in NYC next time. Also considering my other choice for an away convention- <a href="http://www.monsterpalooza.com/spring/">Monsterpalooza</a> in Anaheim is two weeks after All-Con, I'd much rather take my chances out in California next year. <br />
<span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153044566825081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153044566825081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153044566825081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153044566825081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br />Thank you for reading this GIANT blog entry. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNm-ftqWbKUoWlbcs8UCC15WSO8CNcdnLgeqdYRI5xV48CKzM5PoOx1ggK8wZ725xVsEuef8YSOAWXpkL-jbeB-nG3p3S4IWQ3tgbssKdJB1tuuF588V2R20h20UUsmheXF8XKkiuF080/s1600/enhanced-buzz-11641-1271182419-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNm-ftqWbKUoWlbcs8UCC15WSO8CNcdnLgeqdYRI5xV48CKzM5PoOx1ggK8wZ725xVsEuef8YSOAWXpkL-jbeB-nG3p3S4IWQ3tgbssKdJB1tuuF588V2R20h20UUsmheXF8XKkiuF080/s1600/enhanced-buzz-11641-1271182419-2.jpg" height="320" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UPDATE!!!!! Monday 4/6/15, 3pm!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153044566825081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153044566825081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153044566825081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153044566825081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">A friend found and sent me better pics of the Nazi group that were taken Saturday morning at the All-Con photobooth- so now you CAN get some good, long looks at these guys.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153044566825081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153044566825081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153044566825081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153044566825081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims2gvaPN0n_qzvOfoyP5byUKk9jelHNgEV_JIqXzaH_Zeh0Pi2pMMyyIUR-ykjKjJ6uRUSaSXV5TZ-4Ii0LVL1sKWw0TEIT7N7sFxXFGb4McM-l03oUW-sWjYhK8_FaSx045MAjCb9vM/s1600/11117354_10205948610247028_985902945_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims2gvaPN0n_qzvOfoyP5byUKk9jelHNgEV_JIqXzaH_Zeh0Pi2pMMyyIUR-ykjKjJ6uRUSaSXV5TZ-4Ii0LVL1sKWw0TEIT7N7sFxXFGb4McM-l03oUW-sWjYhK8_FaSx045MAjCb9vM/s1600/11117354_10205948610247028_985902945_n.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhOyBW5_kGj0bQU_vo6W2S6u0kTIu5DUe5Hlwj4syI9vCW7sNE5s6-msf3e7zRnw1DFU5P_PhQdsIO5Ie2-7Lhp9Sc7qqY2_Ni7Y1ZPgPD9tYMVI2rZk-Z6cvATSOzVNrj6BRVGVp9dw/s1600/11128631_10205948609767016_1939819152_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhOyBW5_kGj0bQU_vo6W2S6u0kTIu5DUe5Hlwj4syI9vCW7sNE5s6-msf3e7zRnw1DFU5P_PhQdsIO5Ie2-7Lhp9Sc7qqY2_Ni7Y1ZPgPD9tYMVI2rZk-Z6cvATSOzVNrj6BRVGVp9dw/s1600/11128631_10205948609767016_1939819152_n.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDISuWx4nfseco_JEAi_sKKhDagiCgOVl_erYC9nyAeoBmvaHn5QnoHtnlTwNzBWk9sLcHXjhTSUbce8Cm-U_qZRJET7UljyduDiySX7-PgcS6VQM3ZKICYuuQ0acZELkU41BVsj0hsts/s1600/11131881_10205948610367031_865694465_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDISuWx4nfseco_JEAi_sKKhDagiCgOVl_erYC9nyAeoBmvaHn5QnoHtnlTwNzBWk9sLcHXjhTSUbce8Cm-U_qZRJET7UljyduDiySX7-PgcS6VQM3ZKICYuuQ0acZELkU41BVsj0hsts/s1600/11131881_10205948610367031_865694465_n.jpg" height="320" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really? Even a Nazi gold prop?? Ugh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxmL5jiHj4iF-iakPWSBxtL5DeOi8YEI92gGIYRtZN55ohIx3ng18WSMyAB_r_Egh1GC063wD2n9HOro_EY7WoclBL89tB_HehZGFJXOvlkZydDe7WefQdkQ1f1mV_zHNnUdL02ipNyY/s1600/11132012_10205948611927070_702417822_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxmL5jiHj4iF-iakPWSBxtL5DeOi8YEI92gGIYRtZN55ohIx3ng18WSMyAB_r_Egh1GC063wD2n9HOro_EY7WoclBL89tB_HehZGFJXOvlkZydDe7WefQdkQ1f1mV_zHNnUdL02ipNyY/s1600/11132012_10205948611927070_702417822_n.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mBdqnFgKiwGJsQjxmONv0iRPo8ZoWaLi9XD4h4b0D1Xr2Xr2K33qkqkMd3uX5GEUxul8g3_VpY1hGEG78uqr8iZSwAx7MeOkDxZoC9S41r_cCVMG3Qihe2UJsftbeVA4uhJPDj2q62I/s1600/11136785_10205948610127025_28732767_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mBdqnFgKiwGJsQjxmONv0iRPo8ZoWaLi9XD4h4b0D1Xr2Xr2K33qkqkMd3uX5GEUxul8g3_VpY1hGEG78uqr8iZSwAx7MeOkDxZoC9S41r_cCVMG3Qihe2UJsftbeVA4uhJPDj2q62I/s1600/11136785_10205948610127025_28732767_n.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153044566825081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153044566825081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153044566825081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment10153044425460081_10153044566825081:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">Would YOU feel safe at a show with these guys walking around??</span></span></span></span>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743199616608351614noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120497365986905446.post-32100915696374303562015-02-07T20:48:00.002-05:002015-02-08T00:38:50.340-05:00Gearing up for ALL-CON in Dallas!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtrbmYPmApbNfTRmVHnnr1sGINEBfsollBjz3ihywOq_Z6ahBKNayy5lr6m1498K3FdeKn-AfPywFxrNGf3PJd1Fr2YiQWbAH1Y9QNLcnMxn7Ya1OOl6qTSyhF3DE2JjXGNz5vzNY46k/s1600/10922544_756352134450507_7586159231196828586_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtrbmYPmApbNfTRmVHnnr1sGINEBfsollBjz3ihywOq_Z6ahBKNayy5lr6m1498K3FdeKn-AfPywFxrNGf3PJd1Fr2YiQWbAH1Y9QNLcnMxn7Ya1OOl6qTSyhF3DE2JjXGNz5vzNY46k/s1600/10922544_756352134450507_7586159231196828586_n.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Holy crap you guys! My 2015 convention schedule is starting up even earlier than usual: next month (March 12-15) I will be in Dallas, Texas for <a href="http://all-con.org/">All-Con</a>! This marks my first convention outside of the east coast as well as my first time visiting the state of Texas! How exciting! Thanks to my pal <a href="http://thetaffetadarling.com/">Taffeta Darling</a> for hosting me during this show. I'm pumped to meet all my new friends and fans- and how lucky you guys are that are attending- you've got the first pick of all my new merch, including new prints, jewelry and accessories! I'm still trying to figure out what to wear as well, considering this is a new state and a new convention- most of the folks attending haven't been keen to my antics, so what's old is new again! I'm thinking definitely my Wonder Woman and The Baroness outfits are coming out to play (especially with my awesome new foundation garments) and I seriously can't wait to take a break from this craptastic North East weather.<br />
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Here's some of the 5x7" print sets I'll have, $5 each!<br /><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 358px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/y0QkM2tEtK/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_top">A video posted by Paige Pumphrey (@paigey_pumphrey)</a> on <time datetime="2015-02-07T22:21:59+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 7, 2015 at 2:21pm PST</time></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcr_PcWWRsyjG1iz9wP0Q-TQtWmpr58p9L7SbaImg0UAv9XHtVmCihHqGHsYW4YpWLU1TG39-VxjVEX79VQFWLO7v3RR_zgAbPtzO3wvzI49EcauC_ZtnaNL3CcpyzDUpMd4dy_s4v3gI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-02-07+at+8.11.44+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcr_PcWWRsyjG1iz9wP0Q-TQtWmpr58p9L7SbaImg0UAv9XHtVmCihHqGHsYW4YpWLU1TG39-VxjVEX79VQFWLO7v3RR_zgAbPtzO3wvzI49EcauC_ZtnaNL3CcpyzDUpMd4dy_s4v3gI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-02-07+at+8.11.44+PM.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6"x11" Sailor Mermaid print sets!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXRJXn8WiJdjT7XJJIH27XnyIjZapVMs5mTZvke5aHsWTwTIvQ-RaofTstECstvDnGk9JULuE7lfF_JdSxNknWbKyVCnrGAsT4z26Hytip-cgUzc9nzs7V7us-gZLcy3hDXm0-4DzAEE/s1600/10350353_10152879942713855_207173422077205791_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXRJXn8WiJdjT7XJJIH27XnyIjZapVMs5mTZvke5aHsWTwTIvQ-RaofTstECstvDnGk9JULuE7lfF_JdSxNknWbKyVCnrGAsT4z26Hytip-cgUzc9nzs7V7us-gZLcy3hDXm0-4DzAEE/s1600/10350353_10152879942713855_207173422077205791_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SO MANY BRACELETS YOU GUYS. And new pendants!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZvA9rbkZn4w7cWiOmaJ9FgglIANfl3oKKrWVY_jyEKmOc3_5tOfsVUxyi4K1c7r7grRuIohIWilPvMU5OYYfYxV1PFWah1yS63xxwjMCLrazq1tSZg9uBEM0mT_qYJqV1rW0tdvUE5s/s1600/10959767_10152880804098855_5738691760417781815_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZvA9rbkZn4w7cWiOmaJ9FgglIANfl3oKKrWVY_jyEKmOc3_5tOfsVUxyi4K1c7r7grRuIohIWilPvMU5OYYfYxV1PFWah1yS63xxwjMCLrazq1tSZg9uBEM0mT_qYJqV1rW0tdvUE5s/s1600/10959767_10152880804098855_5738691760417781815_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even MORE bracelets!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwikSXvesHC3-VJd2aONdoVgs4N4v7eGu6kirs2tNYtaMCcnDFRQzd8e8h0goN5pCCiMA8b33uUcCgXD5J5gKHjTKpV3MCcPkjRvbglN6zcC1oUVfI9uOoZb9HBA0GaWCr0yjZ2oFwkEM/s1600/10983149_10152895822383855_5746881193374629578_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwikSXvesHC3-VJd2aONdoVgs4N4v7eGu6kirs2tNYtaMCcnDFRQzd8e8h0goN5pCCiMA8b33uUcCgXD5J5gKHjTKpV3MCcPkjRvbglN6zcC1oUVfI9uOoZb9HBA0GaWCr0yjZ2oFwkEM/s1600/10983149_10152895822383855_5746881193374629578_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NEW 8.5x11" prints- Pee-Wee, Heathers and The Marbles!</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743199616608351614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120497365986905446.post-40845667866838392222015-01-13T23:32:00.000-05:002015-01-13T23:32:06.317-05:00Early 2015 Art Dump (2014's Leftovers)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
HAPPY NEW YEAR! It's 2015- welcome to the future!! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_LYhntvukbtKEwsjQN942CEnA1pVqyeGZMTWbjQSKvv7FcV4zsWmsGHW0Vx5-GXrzEjPnk8RWjcY2MQ1oiTg5Xt2Sb1YyYggTgAzK885Ojl245W_CsIcfzshuv7uWIBLY9nJXufAy5o/s1600/BlogPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_LYhntvukbtKEwsjQN942CEnA1pVqyeGZMTWbjQSKvv7FcV4zsWmsGHW0Vx5-GXrzEjPnk8RWjcY2MQ1oiTg5Xt2Sb1YyYggTgAzK885Ojl245W_CsIcfzshuv7uWIBLY9nJXufAy5o/s1600/BlogPic.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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With such a crazy busy convention schedule this past year- I found myself starting a lot of art but not necessarily finishing things. Or doing inks and colors on vellum for art shows but then never going back and finishing the digital versions of my pieces, which is where I usually fully realize the scope of my piece and can make it available as a print, magnets or other merch. With the quiet time right after the holidays I usually find myself arriving home from travels itching to have some quiet days to really get into some art before my day job and my clients have a chance to assign me projects. So here's a bunch of art I started in 2014 but didn't really get a chance to properly ink and color until now in January 2015. </div>
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Enjoy!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWgBy9nFZCAtfad1Lw0zYiyxC9A1Vb2magCLp5A7BHP_yN6RnQPL47kIkzllv9i9zrOku3BQHeNUwPAERMhfo72bkFBr49Xc7_0zmXGCIHI2dtY6yYgiZm6SZ0iVofpoE-AZcaHWQCug/s1600/FrancescaYetch.web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWgBy9nFZCAtfad1Lw0zYiyxC9A1Vb2magCLp5A7BHP_yN6RnQPL47kIkzllv9i9zrOku3BQHeNUwPAERMhfo72bkFBr49Xc7_0zmXGCIHI2dtY6yYgiZm6SZ0iVofpoE-AZcaHWQCug/s1600/FrancescaYetch.web.jpg" height="320" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Francesca & Yetch from Mad Monster Party</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dvSmna01InvERAMpntD3UbYRK8RLmPS4x3SFVkyPhKxdup7pJGxhhBUOGxaNDYVX3U-3DGzUn6bjM2RxiXlmuyxH_xQURNcijZnrEuntjMjwE4R-OdQcgfbbgM-8JXjmqjY3SUUGLOk/s1600/ConnieRaymondMarble.web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dvSmna01InvERAMpntD3UbYRK8RLmPS4x3SFVkyPhKxdup7pJGxhhBUOGxaNDYVX3U-3DGzUn6bjM2RxiXlmuyxH_xQURNcijZnrEuntjMjwE4R-OdQcgfbbgM-8JXjmqjY3SUUGLOk/s1600/ConnieRaymondMarble.web.jpg" height="320" width="274" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connie & Raymond Marble from Pink Flamingos</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgSXHxKLFLwIPF5L0lM-7iOQLRBKbNZvYy2uj6y1RqyT-UqsTrugHpPbkcOMh2ncxRtpKvR-rnXHGo32D4K24kpbgAN4feKXz256TVga14vPM3X5ObFK8JcNcmM7NFH28Evg6hlhXXiA/s1600/Heathers.web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgSXHxKLFLwIPF5L0lM-7iOQLRBKbNZvYy2uj6y1RqyT-UqsTrugHpPbkcOMh2ncxRtpKvR-rnXHGo32D4K24kpbgAN4feKXz256TVga14vPM3X5ObFK8JcNcmM7NFH28Evg6hlhXXiA/s1600/Heathers.web.jpg" height="320" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Veronica Sawyer from Heathers</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdgL0Y0dR_pYroYjS-r4p4WeWSgsa6SrEsfloBzZ8xVVk_TqoFpl7UdnC4WfAstqKsxFAxupz7EHpnmVdA-fs_wWo99pO0u01MOxnoOPKCAeF-VhTuieJtTI5rDOYCOOFLMS14EQvxKg/s1600/kitty.web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdgL0Y0dR_pYroYjS-r4p4WeWSgsa6SrEsfloBzZ8xVVk_TqoFpl7UdnC4WfAstqKsxFAxupz7EHpnmVdA-fs_wWo99pO0u01MOxnoOPKCAeF-VhTuieJtTI5rDOYCOOFLMS14EQvxKg/s1600/kitty.web.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitty Pryde</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7nQNe5NB36jtNufDflarMWc50frN3OqfQM63NuDVNSdOq1CbUw0PnaBh1pzhfg66i5uDXY6dysob7-i9qZA64_vfduCT-BnNJDI7m08or0CAT680BYYIWOVVJWG3ExRSEtHUELHeLXM/s1600/illyana.web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7nQNe5NB36jtNufDflarMWc50frN3OqfQM63NuDVNSdOq1CbUw0PnaBh1pzhfg66i5uDXY6dysob7-i9qZA64_vfduCT-BnNJDI7m08or0CAT680BYYIWOVVJWG3ExRSEtHUELHeLXM/s1600/illyana.web.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illyana Rasputin</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743199616608351614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120497365986905446.post-53971349634655814552014-12-31T13:40:00.000-05:002015-01-04T13:44:00.137-05:00Fall and Holidays, 2014<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8-5kBYQKEnL6-hhd34ozHIc4kpwUOcuuEhHIBnD-YyO-B19QrFS8RyEgAWWKKecTsZkFy9CQjaZjCVtHC6KLIMqv2Lkj1dX0YhGVZdS2_HUth44KsCvA6Z0WUF00vzDO6uK9WsBe3eY/s1600/604107_10152675217463855_3023472862827943531_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8-5kBYQKEnL6-hhd34ozHIc4kpwUOcuuEhHIBnD-YyO-B19QrFS8RyEgAWWKKecTsZkFy9CQjaZjCVtHC6KLIMqv2Lkj1dX0YhGVZdS2_HUth44KsCvA6Z0WUF00vzDO6uK9WsBe3eY/s1600/604107_10152675217463855_3023472862827943531_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me on my 34th birthday! I drank whiskey, got the meat sweats and went to bed at a reasonable time!</td></tr>
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Haha, WHOOPS. Looks like time got away from me and I haven't updated my
blog in a while. Fortunately you guys didn't miss too much excitement-
my last show of the year was NYCC and after that I kinda crashed for a
month after some supreme burnout, so there hasn't been much new artwork,
either. There were a few birthdays, Halloween and of course the
holidays to enjoy, and strangely enough I found myself just busy enough to just go ahead and live life for a little bit. I know, WEIRD.<br />
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Halloween! Actually going out this year, I just grabbed stuff out of my closet to be a waitress. My
wardrobe has actually become ridiculous enough to have several costume
options right at my fingertips. I'm kinda proud of this fact.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2_Ncc2BjYWOe7NbfcHuYVFNhf5X-zbwFs8r5ixAfqLVMcarHdo8wODK3j7EKALV1xrIerJ3LZoiw1phHT4w81ozElwla_sVpguiXThDpe6w4Z0lb3-HnPnjZWIcjM-TkcNy2h09kv-I/s1600/10154999_10152676731698855_1581842100853368802_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2_Ncc2BjYWOe7NbfcHuYVFNhf5X-zbwFs8r5ixAfqLVMcarHdo8wODK3j7EKALV1xrIerJ3LZoiw1phHT4w81ozElwla_sVpguiXThDpe6w4Z0lb3-HnPnjZWIcjM-TkcNy2h09kv-I/s1600/10154999_10152676731698855_1581842100853368802_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Smoking or non?"</td></tr>
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I got a NEW TATTOO!! A super-cool, super-badass old school scorpion on my left, inner forearm by Hunter Spanks, one of my favorite tattoo artists. I got it because I'm a Scorpio and I need more tattoos of animals and stuff to balance out all these pinups, haha. So this is number 18! You can check Hunter out at Have Fun Be Lucky in Baltimore, Md. I love it! The colors are crazy and it's so super bold. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvZ-6e2nLkZzUB1whhO1l5Lzc4HYodFMzvsbV7mUaSU81gFm15LkqkErbH4_loekOD4cDgJ8qE9hEiH02Ih6YWOvUvVr9yLo7Zb6Zci1SoJVETULo_VGAk8vbX_JeNHwynrEwUoEyfA4/s1600/10614360_10152689680253855_1686626451758599312_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvZ-6e2nLkZzUB1whhO1l5Lzc4HYodFMzvsbV7mUaSU81gFm15LkqkErbH4_loekOD4cDgJ8qE9hEiH02Ih6YWOvUvVr9yLo7Zb6Zci1SoJVETULo_VGAk8vbX_JeNHwynrEwUoEyfA4/s1600/10614360_10152689680253855_1686626451758599312_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FEEL MY STING!</td></tr>
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My NYC BFF Christy's twin sister Megan (who I used to work at Hot Topic with back in the dizzay) had a surprise baby shower! It was gothy and Edgar Allen Poe-themed! It was great to see a bunch of my Maryland pals all at once!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydTEZPQxmlubO-Xi9sCFl9oA8zIQ8MW69ufyj68bpOScsQxb_ZmrXJSwFNNkF1Qx5JleRDIykUrXe0XPjNWt3uk6AFy8A3Ei5muZaUneemydq9vxDERxFlzcOlleUsgQNPofzOeuXLwI/s1600/10801668_10152691509013855_7101950749213790912_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydTEZPQxmlubO-Xi9sCFl9oA8zIQ8MW69ufyj68bpOScsQxb_ZmrXJSwFNNkF1Qx5JleRDIykUrXe0XPjNWt3uk6AFy8A3Ei5muZaUneemydq9vxDERxFlzcOlleUsgQNPofzOeuXLwI/s1600/10801668_10152691509013855_7101950749213790912_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obligatory bathroom selfie, of course!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBCYmeroBUdQXf6xUCf_v2pvNuxG1WXw2bi9lu5cDLfDM2hyYXXSI-r77HjbXv0lh5haZ2VJhrsJ1NzycmPkuHDUOxCsmxgG4Fm55ukx8bQnAW4p2nFpWLd0FpZa_i_-KyeQ0yqXvQzQ/s1600/1526396_10152691609818855_6477132264391728688_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBCYmeroBUdQXf6xUCf_v2pvNuxG1WXw2bi9lu5cDLfDM2hyYXXSI-r77HjbXv0lh5haZ2VJhrsJ1NzycmPkuHDUOxCsmxgG4Fm55ukx8bQnAW4p2nFpWLd0FpZa_i_-KyeQ0yqXvQzQ/s1600/1526396_10152691609818855_6477132264391728688_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My two bibs I made at the bib-making station! Dracula and Wolfman themed!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwPyE6Mdvb4EPKJ5ZLkYYkkJybDMeen7OnKKUOksu6wYaMy3pK7jjRGfaVF4tUSFbKm6i61Wzoil2y8gtD4cYzdKeq8q3qG-CPjb6_5QAavXC82eBmKswHm9QZ8Sc7uoqqSoaX6LRZ84/s1600/10600557_10152691559888855_3169750447889951411_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwPyE6Mdvb4EPKJ5ZLkYYkkJybDMeen7OnKKUOksu6wYaMy3pK7jjRGfaVF4tUSFbKm6i61Wzoil2y8gtD4cYzdKeq8q3qG-CPjb6_5QAavXC82eBmKswHm9QZ8Sc7uoqqSoaX6LRZ84/s1600/10600557_10152691559888855_3169750447889951411_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such the little over-achiever. I'm was determined to make those fabric paints my bitch.</td></tr>
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For my birthday present to myself, I *finally* ordered the <a href="http://www.whatkatiedid.com/en_us/product/532/morticia-waist-training-steel-boned-underbust-corset">What Katie Did Morticia underbust corset</a> I had been eyeing for the better part of the year. And OMG it's AMAAAAAZING. I seriously can't wait to wear this at conventions with my costumes. Who needs dieting? (I kid, I started doing yoga after Thanksgiving...)</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHzhbqM6PUgYLVd6iKkL5UlJ7NfqRUTWD6A_6FHL7q_h3VeUdRwPdnKAa3g8aXi7jTzGq_aA9ThBS2_CaMgVPa__KmJFQ7yyeIg3L1U8CP0Y-07pY1i7Xncs-_0kaD06C_7uzz0ryjeU/s1600/1688298_10152743139923855_8816147870848001990_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHzhbqM6PUgYLVd6iKkL5UlJ7NfqRUTWD6A_6FHL7q_h3VeUdRwPdnKAa3g8aXi7jTzGq_aA9ThBS2_CaMgVPa__KmJFQ7yyeIg3L1U8CP0Y-07pY1i7Xncs-_0kaD06C_7uzz0ryjeU/s1600/1688298_10152743139923855_8816147870848001990_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OOTD from when I went out for a friend's birthday in Dec</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".16.1:3:1:$comment10152742970578855_10152744651443855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".16.1:3:1:$comment10152742970578855_10152744651443855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".16.1:3:1:$comment10152742970578855_10152744651443855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SjYSkPXRTWj_SWUk0LcD4dkV_Z5WT0A3HjnpzaoFwzgsXU8SnDzYDgoop62hYg7VbPHpoWhjlcACFEBAloc6wjvshB1Nw1lvgM_SgqrKejpFiQMN73uuAdYQ2DLEKqdkL6edOlYEUQY/s1600/10424983_10152742970578855_3279136996437414455_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SjYSkPXRTWj_SWUk0LcD4dkV_Z5WT0A3HjnpzaoFwzgsXU8SnDzYDgoop62hYg7VbPHpoWhjlcACFEBAloc6wjvshB1Nw1lvgM_SgqrKejpFiQMN73uuAdYQ2DLEKqdkL6edOlYEUQY/s1600/10424983_10152742970578855_3279136996437414455_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had it SUPER tight laced, but then had to loosen it as I wasn't able to sit forward enough to do my makeup properly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".16.1:3:1:$comment10152742970578855_10152744651443855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".16.1:3:1:$comment10152742970578855_10152744651443855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".16.1:3:1:$comment10152742970578855_10152744651443855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"> REAL QUICK CORSET TALK: I
don't screw with overbusts. They can't contain me, haha. I almost
always prefer underbusts because then I can just wear my normal bras,
plus they push everything up adding to how crazy the waist-hip-bust
ratio looks. If you get a shorter one that doesn't come down far on your
hips I've noticed that the more you sit in it, the more it gets pushed
up under your boobs and you can't get it back down again unless you take
it off and re-lace it. Which can lead to an uncomfortable skewering
feeling as the boning goes up into your underboob, which happened at
NYCC in my Marilyn outfit by the end of the day. The What Katie Did one I
wore however has much lower hips (called 'gored hips'...) which seem to
keep it in place better and actually helps with containing the stomach
bulge that I've noticed in other corsets where the lower gut protrudes
out because it's been squeezed out with no here to go. </span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".16.1:3:1:$comment10152742970578855_10152744674783855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".16.1:3:1:$comment10152742970578855_10152744674783855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".16.1:3:1:$comment10152742970578855_10152744674783855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">This
Morticia corset is amazing, I read a lot of reviews (all great) and
could tell when I got it that it was of a higher craftsmanship than most
of my other corsets. It's HEAVY. They're def an investment. I justified
that it would take all the dresses and outfits I already have and make
them look better- you can wear this on top of or underneath clothing
easily. </span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".16.1:3:1:$comment10152742970578855_10152744678893855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".16.1:3:1:$comment10152742970578855_10152744678893855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".16.1:3:1:$comment10152742970578855_10152744678893855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">I
wear the Spanx hi-cut underwear underneath it if I'm wearing it under
clothes. I read that it's better for you and the corset to have
something between it and your skin while wearing. Keeps it cleaner,
causes less irritation and friction. </span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".16.1:3:1:$comment10152742970578855_10152744683428855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".16.1:3:1:$comment10152742970578855_10152744683428855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".16.1:3:1:$comment10152742970578855_10152744683428855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">And if I'm not wearing pantyhose I'll put some Spanx bike short things on over top to help with chub rub, and </span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".16.1:3:1:$comment10152742970578855_10152744685723855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".16.1:3:1:$comment10152742970578855_10152744685723855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".16.1:3:1:$comment10152742970578855_10152744685723855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">it smooths out the seams of the corset if you're wearing it under clothes. </span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".16.1:3:1:$comment10152742970578855_10152744686893855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".16.1:3:1:$comment10152742970578855_10152744686893855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".16.1:3:1:$comment10152742970578855_10152744686893855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">I'm actually not as crazy as some of the people who's blogs I've read about corsets. </span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".16.1:3:1:$comment10152742970578855_10152744688763855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".16.1:3:1:$comment10152742970578855_10152744688763855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".16.1:3:1:$comment10152742970578855_10152744688763855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">I'm
still amazed my burlesque friends can dance around in them. I can
barely make it up steps without getting gaspy. And going to the bathroom in one
is a skill that takes a year or two to master.</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1_HIlf8UFw62bY75JDl8fmPSjz0Lgt3N4v7PiYbsN-csWJp5_o5302mkVZXHNMf7kFQBJxJvvINLkLd8FZ8W4DyiDSzF5qsVaOgass946S587mDVBAf44tYi9-e7WHZhe504GFsjq1I/s1600/10848844_10152771377068855_6760602441372044422_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1_HIlf8UFw62bY75JDl8fmPSjz0Lgt3N4v7PiYbsN-csWJp5_o5302mkVZXHNMf7kFQBJxJvvINLkLd8FZ8W4DyiDSzF5qsVaOgass946S587mDVBAf44tYi9-e7WHZhe504GFsjq1I/s1600/10848844_10152771377068855_6760602441372044422_o.jpg" height="229" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
With the holidays queued up, Phil and I started work on our second annual holiday card that we send to friends, family and clients! We started this tradition last year after receiving cards from other cartoonist that were drawing their own cards as well. It's a good little end-of-the-year reminder that we exist to people, even if we only see some folks a few times a year at shows and the like. This years was way more of a seamless collaboration than last year's, with my drawing the pencils for the 20's cartoon Phil and I, and Phil drawing in everything else, including the sled, Loki and the colors. This year we sent out almost 100 cards! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrrKrGa_SbbrDSOXIXNDR4_oeXyEyTKtzWY_X2YLOTWNAFCKMyN2aygMqmzD91AX9zMPRBROjaE3Ogk6T8Nf_6R7WyB6xq3I4vPyPDtjHfnUarwYDYeQz3l5w-s-uMYf9Y9pPZfA-9JE/s1600/10846477_10152757325383855_60330760998524199_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrrKrGa_SbbrDSOXIXNDR4_oeXyEyTKtzWY_X2YLOTWNAFCKMyN2aygMqmzD91AX9zMPRBROjaE3Ogk6T8Nf_6R7WyB6xq3I4vPyPDtjHfnUarwYDYeQz3l5w-s-uMYf9Y9pPZfA-9JE/s1600/10846477_10152757325383855_60330760998524199_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phil and I at a Christmas party</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqlCKYDp0lcTZIBXciecCSncLmy_2O7wJMEt-QIUCAbpzvmySI92RI0EbBhX3rlAv4NkBfArtciXB6Yqz_UyswRRH19fmasQgf3zABmJibo6sADyqXiieEQNwPCwnaJizxDopsLL4wPM/s1600/10445504_10152757489018855_6293121552241414049_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqlCKYDp0lcTZIBXciecCSncLmy_2O7wJMEt-QIUCAbpzvmySI92RI0EbBhX3rlAv4NkBfArtciXB6Yqz_UyswRRH19fmasQgf3zABmJibo6sADyqXiieEQNwPCwnaJizxDopsLL4wPM/s1600/10445504_10152757489018855_6293121552241414049_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why are bathrooms always so nicely lit? A question for the ages!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
And then we packed our bags for Christmas family time in both Baltimore for my family and Perryville, Missouri for Phil's family!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dOB04ib3VIh9BQ59pXnEvhyMSbDEqw_3Bc0zXEOzw2TE0XhPassXYozNu4w1pC3b_bJXr7yce3g9QsM_fBYEYEnAek-t711BxXSGC2pRS6QjsgBZX6v2OoGBZnIsRsm3T9N3n3V0EZk/s1600/1524614_10152780009623855_4641348619522304195_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dOB04ib3VIh9BQ59pXnEvhyMSbDEqw_3Bc0zXEOzw2TE0XhPassXYozNu4w1pC3b_bJXr7yce3g9QsM_fBYEYEnAek-t711BxXSGC2pRS6QjsgBZX6v2OoGBZnIsRsm3T9N3n3V0EZk/s1600/1524614_10152780009623855_4641348619522304195_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging with my nephew Fionn, showing off our Pumphrey good looks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLrrIAIXCJfcwIaIetVAtaTbLtzo8S0X5MKnEZDqglNScWnzhZdJapPDqPr86stJkThOh4a3_ee6U0FWWsgBjsisWYiG_MSaw3knAkyrdYDdb-JmOyB41Tf7hO-yKBm1cAjadPJ9M2hE/s1600/10410855_10152779924248855_3109863567559444387_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLrrIAIXCJfcwIaIetVAtaTbLtzo8S0X5MKnEZDqglNScWnzhZdJapPDqPr86stJkThOh4a3_ee6U0FWWsgBjsisWYiG_MSaw3knAkyrdYDdb-JmOyB41Tf7hO-yKBm1cAjadPJ9M2hE/s1600/10410855_10152779924248855_3109863567559444387_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp","is_intentional":"1"}">Sampling the <a href="http://thesmokingswine.com/">Smoking Swine</a> menu at <a href="http://www.smokehousebaltimore.com/">The Smokehouse in Baltimore</a>- burnt end brisket, elote corn, duck fat green beans, hush puppies, catfish in the back.</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWszVqU4yszDnE5XBAXUtealWvk4MCSv4FAkBP2DmRYSNCtf4Je2P2TqYFU_xCYEt3oUWcX2hD5G604smQk0_9sXdcQJ1yiJl99bB8IMJH-LwSGkzZrlwSoqdnqrFsx0TES-J8dbTO7VA/s1600/10885369_10203282328569514_2360402007405133338_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWszVqU4yszDnE5XBAXUtealWvk4MCSv4FAkBP2DmRYSNCtf4Je2P2TqYFU_xCYEt3oUWcX2hD5G604smQk0_9sXdcQJ1yiJl99bB8IMJH-LwSGkzZrlwSoqdnqrFsx0TES-J8dbTO7VA/s1600/10885369_10203282328569514_2360402007405133338_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a long day of traveling, Phil and I made it to Perryville in one piece.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOn47UgqosqfRaMZ0yjZf1OdM6BEWearV-bGO_D0kzbJzIOroKsyI4uZZa0UCk5_PUIXpA1_z3KO6i4nulnMp1aKNj6ozqDd_wV9dnSqoEAum5ck2-SubJabMtegNndDKFe9iJ4bNI3M/s1600/10885545_10152785475523855_5003947594058912728_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOn47UgqosqfRaMZ0yjZf1OdM6BEWearV-bGO_D0kzbJzIOroKsyI4uZZa0UCk5_PUIXpA1_z3KO6i4nulnMp1aKNj6ozqDd_wV9dnSqoEAum5ck2-SubJabMtegNndDKFe9iJ4bNI3M/s1600/10885545_10152785475523855_5003947594058912728_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome X-Mas present from my in-laws- RAINBOW KNIVES OMG!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwC8uH-0J2e031lP1QdFQt9FwiIwRSdLkIgLL9L1yXwiPC_rvbD0uf5lvyJpDkB-4cxx052D5vtAnvc1velb56AwNzwA_X0wYB7psIzWdXPO3JM4SP4-hJaYwgeDvm0WKrKXDWKrPgaI/s1600/10350344_10152790587068855_9182530381168570678_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwC8uH-0J2e031lP1QdFQt9FwiIwRSdLkIgLL9L1yXwiPC_rvbD0uf5lvyJpDkB-4cxx052D5vtAnvc1velb56AwNzwA_X0wYB7psIzWdXPO3JM4SP4-hJaYwgeDvm0WKrKXDWKrPgaI/s1600/10350344_10152790587068855_9182530381168570678_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balsman kids-and-spouses dinner!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXmbeP8fhXbGvmDFqEDeUOKpbM84YQD1LUWBOyCqnLCles_5d1anKFusWwuUeqxzpO76rPS6dnhZXmE4bq1XAZF8feU9fOssrHuFNfs3RutvwkRZPaCFSISbCVeMP3XqdFObL49UTuW0/s1600/10881522_10152791610513855_3931595907074014604_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXmbeP8fhXbGvmDFqEDeUOKpbM84YQD1LUWBOyCqnLCles_5d1anKFusWwuUeqxzpO76rPS6dnhZXmE4bq1XAZF8feU9fOssrHuFNfs3RutvwkRZPaCFSISbCVeMP3XqdFObL49UTuW0/s1600/10881522_10152791610513855_3931595907074014604_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ladies of House Balsman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzt3mXniPQDXtTsUfN0Ga_udU_KTNzNNoK7YrimcFTI1fmFd-cIDL6j7nsGhFYewfg5MNT71QHFpNavol9syvu84sMibm77Rt0YM56Uli4iMY8yVedwBUR6WfCjSSFhrcV1dx3Hfsu1s/s1600/10885173_10203306276928208_3346026269232554657_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzt3mXniPQDXtTsUfN0Ga_udU_KTNzNNoK7YrimcFTI1fmFd-cIDL6j7nsGhFYewfg5MNT71QHFpNavol9syvu84sMibm77Rt0YM56Uli4iMY8yVedwBUR6WfCjSSFhrcV1dx3Hfsu1s/s1600/10885173_10203306276928208_3346026269232554657_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My niece actually took an interest in my process of making Shrink plastic magnets. I'm not a kid person, but this was pretty fun.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZ2LMXGMFDMDmpVluEdJReZ-b1HcZ7EC5L8ZH4EkGkFKOSNtMBsjP1O0-jgQ3Y-GqsUU3kUzv9B5RLqRlVpRiE2Ay1W7mOmQlF46CZdmJvf8yQp3b3_HK3a1zIRP8BW9ZPP7Jm_muWys/s1600/10885173_10152812116563855_6735379435366580120_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZ2LMXGMFDMDmpVluEdJReZ-b1HcZ7EC5L8ZH4EkGkFKOSNtMBsjP1O0-jgQ3Y-GqsUU3kUzv9B5RLqRlVpRiE2Ay1W7mOmQlF46CZdmJvf8yQp3b3_HK3a1zIRP8BW9ZPP7Jm_muWys/s1600/10885173_10152812116563855_6735379435366580120_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Years! Back home, drinking tea and watching Deadwood. Aaaaahhhhh.... ^___^</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743199616608351614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120497365986905446.post-22586247719522520392014-10-25T23:57:00.000-04:002014-11-17T23:57:30.404-05:00Aftermath: NYCC 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
OMG, New York Comic Con... My last show of the season and most definitely my busiest, craziest and 'chew-you-up-and-spit-you-out'-iest. This 4-day behemoth of nerd and pop culture (Oct 9-12) was the site of our lovely 10x10 shared booth #2875 on the Exhibitor floor, that I shared with partners-in-crime <a href="http://www.littleasiansweatshop.com/">Little Asian Sweatshop</a> and <a href="http://mariartist.blogspot.com/">Maria Danalakis</a>. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1bxs9y4E5QZ_nI3MC96xnjlGPfh-9-yurSpbOk-QuTrhK0qG54TIR_-qdagqe-jxBAEG5fyD8pXcdZthQ9EMyAS5wzbD9ujSKd456xMHV1RM9hNMYgy3aWiLReg5cBKLI45CsE-HeL4/s1600/1909618_10152628901348855_8283084504565023787_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1bxs9y4E5QZ_nI3MC96xnjlGPfh-9-yurSpbOk-QuTrhK0qG54TIR_-qdagqe-jxBAEG5fyD8pXcdZthQ9EMyAS5wzbD9ujSKd456xMHV1RM9hNMYgy3aWiLReg5cBKLI45CsE-HeL4/s1600/1909618_10152628901348855_8283084504565023787_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got my <a href="http://natalie-dormers-smirk.tumblr.com/">Natalie Dormer smirk</a> on!</td></tr>
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I came in to start setting up Tuesday by bringing our tables and chairs,
because on the Exhibitor floor you are only buying space. You can rent
tables and chairs from the convention center, but you will be charged an
arm and a leg for them. I just went ahead and bought some fold away tables at Home Depot. Still cheaper. Wednesday all three of us came in and brought
our merch and started setting up our booth. We have also started realizing the amazingness of TARPS! We can set up all our stuff and just leave it on the table if it's covered! Before, we used to take everything and put it under the table, then every morning of the show put it back where it was. It was a huge pain. Not anymore, tarps are where it's at!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjDikJDE-N9Iq1LOcT5o3f2bhsIO1KFNVVowKxlnIIL5oGOjqnwVPC5fhA3l6xvSMyWK-FvBBEMBsX9ZpiH1swioqpg_8EJCRPr7o_JHM5w_EG7RCWSexC83vwY-GE0B5r_nYwoTD2m4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-11+at+3.06.54+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjDikJDE-N9Iq1LOcT5o3f2bhsIO1KFNVVowKxlnIIL5oGOjqnwVPC5fhA3l6xvSMyWK-FvBBEMBsX9ZpiH1swioqpg_8EJCRPr7o_JHM5w_EG7RCWSexC83vwY-GE0B5r_nYwoTD2m4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-11+at+3.06.54+PM.png" height="186" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each different color was a price group. Dark blue where we were was the 'cheap seats', but still was almost 2 grand for just a 10x10 space.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37I05b_hPcXawjDZI6WJVS-lW77sh4hTDSh9yM2Cry3_C28KMrJSitcPnckZ4kMft9KDUzbdWCPRvJMZ3OkN2mxhou-eY4u-tEpqG5Oyf66wh7Wu8oIS1m1EcaeufgQp1m2JFjm_VY8Y/s1600/1384222_10152622347513855_2154408867729545181_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37I05b_hPcXawjDZI6WJVS-lW77sh4hTDSh9yM2Cry3_C28KMrJSitcPnckZ4kMft9KDUzbdWCPRvJMZ3OkN2mxhou-eY4u-tEpqG5Oyf66wh7Wu8oIS1m1EcaeufgQp1m2JFjm_VY8Y/s1600/1384222_10152622347513855_2154408867729545181_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuesday's load-in, all by myself! 2 tables, 2 chairs!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHdFrnZLL8pcKSf1S86YE-30c0XF3ev7UVFHO9Q95LWzZhlz1lV7ejaLxsoBK8i9quDxidOph7T_9lGhNCVhT28ERjJw6Ar36zFvT25xiwH4i9ccIAo8Rj2Kdq9zKslsVGLg0c9FzfCE/s1600/10665360_10152626192313855_9196779706027579694_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHdFrnZLL8pcKSf1S86YE-30c0XF3ev7UVFHO9Q95LWzZhlz1lV7ejaLxsoBK8i9quDxidOph7T_9lGhNCVhT28ERjJw6Ar36zFvT25xiwH4i9ccIAo8Rj2Kdq9zKslsVGLg0c9FzfCE/s1600/10665360_10152626192313855_9196779706027579694_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wednesday's setup! Home for the next 4 days!</td></tr>
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Thursday was crazy. I don't know if it was that Johnny-Come-Lately ticket holders could only get that day because they're not used to the INSANITY that NYCC has become or what. (Seriously people, start paying attention.) But Thursday was literally like a Saturday at any other show, but spread over about 4 football fields and consistently busy. We were NOT expecting that, especially with what little we knew about traffic on the main floor. Most of my experience on the main floor of NYCC has been in passing (save for 2010 when I shared a booth), passing and weaving and trying to get from point A to point B in one piece. But behind the safety of 'Fort Booth' we at least could stand in our own personal bubbles and take in the crazy crowd flows and people watch. And of course, network and make money! The crowds were so crazy on Thursday that almost half of mine and Fenny's giveaway promo postcards were GONE. And we got A THOUSAND of them, each! <span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".21.1:3:1:$comment10152705772588855_10152705801178855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".21.1:3:1:$comment10152705772588855_10152705801178855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".21.1:3:1:$comment10152705772588855_10152705801178855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">Fenny and I were thinking we'd have to run to Staples in Midtown and run off some Xeroxes before they close. Which would have suuuuucked. And then
this is how smart and awesome my husband is: while at home, he found a local print shop that can make us actual postcards and then suggested Fenny and I get 1 card
with both our graphics on either side. See, we had both been giving out
individual cards. At the same events, where we're usually standing right next to each other. If we have one card for the both of us- twice as many cards to go
around. Duhhhhh, me. </span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".21.1:3:1:$comment10152705772588855_10152705802803855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".21.1:3:1:$comment10152705772588855_10152705802803855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".21.1:3:1:$comment10152705772588855_10152705802803855:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0">Which
is good, because with rush fees we had to shell out like $430 for them.
A mistake we won't make again. Plus now- double exposure for our
brands!</span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVWsr0wqtwFl7M3i1spS66lBT_lWCRKyimDBdwivXSwio0ZsrR-pNhuthhovDhJB_xeXitLMF1WLrzJ1VwQ-yZLZcItKL1K5uRY_XgmG0EFUQ8cIHtFxiTmA34Di2jHQwF_pErEvls7A/s1600/10639670_10152628984623855_6745324097167890736_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVWsr0wqtwFl7M3i1spS66lBT_lWCRKyimDBdwivXSwio0ZsrR-pNhuthhovDhJB_xeXitLMF1WLrzJ1VwQ-yZLZcItKL1K5uRY_XgmG0EFUQ8cIHtFxiTmA34Di2jHQwF_pErEvls7A/s1600/10639670_10152628984623855_6745324097167890736_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our view from the booth of the far left wall of the main exhibit hall</td></tr>
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Since all 3 of us girls love to dress up for shows but wanted to wear different stuff but still match in some weird way, we decided each of our days would have a theme. Thursday was TRAVEL! I was a Stewardess, Fenny was a Star Trek OS ensign and Maria was a sailor! So by air, by space and by sea!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD77kxZirKHiYMBnHC8mjp2GRdSOazjBQpvC0bKVlpCsvIKDcXAO-mq0LEgt0nr4vQSf6hSSkAzRkCfMWVl-zy_O1K2BsHiL2hda-s9RnaAy1ZBCMZS0LoeDR5-PA7I60tIwsjR21SMHc/s1600/10710612_10152628207318855_7032445893755148547_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD77kxZirKHiYMBnHC8mjp2GRdSOazjBQpvC0bKVlpCsvIKDcXAO-mq0LEgt0nr4vQSf6hSSkAzRkCfMWVl-zy_O1K2BsHiL2hda-s9RnaAy1ZBCMZS0LoeDR5-PA7I60tIwsjR21SMHc/s1600/10710612_10152628207318855_7032445893755148547_n.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">We are now beginning our descent into NYCC. Please return your trays to their upright position</span></span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOYcmrr0Sy-uUkquh9vaz3WpDvqT5O3ON9u-MADozU3Tsbv7HtsYNgOs09pLo1daIZfcuqRe7-lzWkoz7GYH56i1zWH4HpcZWXdWaPYW6v147zjP4vSLUOKbbYdkowhLcPiYP-TW_drA/s1600/10454453_10154735522550714_2192798577785073281_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOYcmrr0Sy-uUkquh9vaz3WpDvqT5O3ON9u-MADozU3Tsbv7HtsYNgOs09pLo1daIZfcuqRe7-lzWkoz7GYH56i1zWH4HpcZWXdWaPYW6v147zjP4vSLUOKbbYdkowhLcPiYP-TW_drA/s1600/10454453_10154735522550714_2192798577785073281_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think the addition of my beehive wig really adds to it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
With the crowds as crazy as they were, there were also no announcements being made for the exhibitor floor closing at 7pm. Actually as far as I could tell there weren't any announcements at all on the exhibitor floor. So at 7, the floors were still full of attendees and potential customers. I mean it's not like all of the people on the floor are just going to "poof", go away right as the clock strikes 7. So they *finally* got con staff to go down each aisle and herd the attendees down towards the exits around 7:30. Which sucked because we were trying to get down to the Rawr! Burlesque show in Dumbo, Brooklyn at 8 and totally missed it. Boo. Oh well, we got burritos.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUpZBfFIrhCG4CY_0U5aaBnv5geSc4oY3Fd8VVTLjV_mnCmECpBEDAwkr8FgOTAM6KpZvHD6oUdLJJSsvb5ulaFk2bxy_VivWyW6eYuphG7I3KQdP6Ag1kICJJGZOT92CqpumivDkFgg/s1600/1521537_10153395235535200_7758821760702861166_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUpZBfFIrhCG4CY_0U5aaBnv5geSc4oY3Fd8VVTLjV_mnCmECpBEDAwkr8FgOTAM6KpZvHD6oUdLJJSsvb5ulaFk2bxy_VivWyW6eYuphG7I3KQdP6Ag1kICJJGZOT92CqpumivDkFgg/s1600/1521537_10153395235535200_7758821760702861166_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aw! Maria's sisters came by to wish us luck!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Then came FRIDAY!! We were already BEAT just from Thursday. We took a car service from my apartment in Williamsburg, Brooklyn to the Javits Center all the way over on the Hudson in Manhattan. Traffic was crazy. Today's dress-up theme was FORMAL FRIDAY. Fenny and I bagged our outfits to put on at the show, because they were redonk and we were going to again attempt to go out after the show.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAT46BTnvrWLNyaX3SN3kklc46A5cKgJIEC1-UAwbcWvKoP7GvNeFlXtGWkeHEV3JhdJMV3SkINmdP0_V-isoOW1TfiITHQStlwYK3I1jx9-b1QiTFC3SSzUqW_F72FitcmsH33Lk4JA/s1600/10665061_541749725955362_4908069658321450193_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAT46BTnvrWLNyaX3SN3kklc46A5cKgJIEC1-UAwbcWvKoP7GvNeFlXtGWkeHEV3JhdJMV3SkINmdP0_V-isoOW1TfiITHQStlwYK3I1jx9-b1QiTFC3SSzUqW_F72FitcmsH33Lk4JA/s1600/10665061_541749725955362_4908069658321450193_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still kicking! Let's do this!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I was Andy Warhol Marilyn Monroe, much like I was at <a href="http://www.theartofpaigey.com/2010/11/dr-sketchys-presents-factory.html">Dr. Sketchy's Factory Party</a> way back when. I went without my glasses, so most people I know were indistinguishable blobs until they came within 6 feet of me. Fenny wore her wedding dress with Chun-Li hair buns and Maria was proper dainty lady. It was busy Friday but almost not as crazy as Thursday, which was weird. It was still busy enough though. Marilyn was a bit much to wear for vending a show as intense as NYCC, it's really a drinking and partying costume. In a well-lit bar. The restrictive dress, lashes, gloves and blue fur stole are fine for 3-4 hours, but a 9 hour workday and you wanna rip everything off and go screaming naked down the aisles. As the day progressed you could see my wig slide further back on my head, haha. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7MIqKvDCXLaFFjrRkzm_CP8gQcuy3VE2_Zl-U-dLlENQziGmcFvvsjVLEF7n-Qy8xgegduVlWZbLEwhptQ2bibcXLRR8Ys_OkWv0PKRvWQi9tS5I0R-OZ6EqppD22PSfJAYWXqPX0Kg/s1600/10421452_10152642771768855_8634861902752378271_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7MIqKvDCXLaFFjrRkzm_CP8gQcuy3VE2_Zl-U-dLlENQziGmcFvvsjVLEF7n-Qy8xgegduVlWZbLEwhptQ2bibcXLRR8Ys_OkWv0PKRvWQi9tS5I0R-OZ6EqppD22PSfJAYWXqPX0Kg/s1600/10421452_10152642771768855_8634861902752378271_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marilyn!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgpnuFxFtbLKB2Pgcn1OcgeFuYtbvDaFQwf8lPeMXM7gEs8KhmOUcEhs2XfW8fRpQ0cfVaBpISA2Tq_jChAq6zmIqh_kJcddh73_ZzwXnTBYWxmq5sGpGn0EyFyZwj1n0lXx7Js8hN10/s1600/10583934_10152631515458855_264085569378440625_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgpnuFxFtbLKB2Pgcn1OcgeFuYtbvDaFQwf8lPeMXM7gEs8KhmOUcEhs2XfW8fRpQ0cfVaBpISA2Tq_jChAq6zmIqh_kJcddh73_ZzwXnTBYWxmq5sGpGn0EyFyZwj1n0lXx7Js8hN10/s1600/10583934_10152631515458855_264085569378440625_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Formal Friday Booth Selfie!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-YdR-c4WteocTX8QJCgwuuT5boxAoY6EXzfu7kWL3KGV9Jeca5eu9LzjZ9QitAzseWTcEH9BqUgOnX1Vd92SKmmj0rz-XWPLANthp5N0ETMJlwqsYBdy3he_aJ_H2ivOY5OpyZxxTN0/s1600/10710810_10152631061233855_815356262409429973_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-YdR-c4WteocTX8QJCgwuuT5boxAoY6EXzfu7kWL3KGV9Jeca5eu9LzjZ9QitAzseWTcEH9BqUgOnX1Vd92SKmmj0rz-XWPLANthp5N0ETMJlwqsYBdy3he_aJ_H2ivOY5OpyZxxTN0/s1600/10710810_10152631061233855_815356262409429973_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Marilyn.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHQQ7fJzq_XCs5wyWbMHTBsbQ8nGF8EjDFZWWXLEJi-qxe7XemF1n2IwuboHAMAJEaW2xWbupL0Bd9BtrKaUJB9h7SsRtyvP-InmCJBL4SUQQSAR4yfSHUKkiwrbQas8MG-F4NjAgxoI/s1600/10712921_541749832622018_4490223509050486524_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHQQ7fJzq_XCs5wyWbMHTBsbQ8nGF8EjDFZWWXLEJi-qxe7XemF1n2IwuboHAMAJEaW2xWbupL0Bd9BtrKaUJB9h7SsRtyvP-InmCJBL4SUQQSAR4yfSHUKkiwrbQas8MG-F4NjAgxoI/s1600/10712921_541749832622018_4490223509050486524_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our booth, looking slightly more disheveled.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
After the show on Friday we went and saw the opening of <a href="http://oneshotgallery.net/daughters-of-the-atom">Daughters of the Atom</a>, an X-Men tribute art show at One-Shot Gallery, which is in St. Marks Comics in the East Village. I had done a <a href="http://www.theartofpaigey.com/2014/07/bi-coastal-my-art-is-in-both-image.html">Ladytron piece for this gallery over the summer</a> for an Image Comics tribute show.<br />
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<a href="http://payload235.cargocollective.com/1/14/464451/7006374/daughters_banner_1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://payload235.cargocollective.com/1/14/464451/7006374/daughters_banner_1200.jpg" height="73" width="320" /></a></div>
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I did two pieces this go around- Illyana Rasputin, aka Magik and her best friend Kitty Pryde, aka Shadowcat. You can see more about my pieces (including purchasing information) and the rest of the pieces in the show at the <a href="http://oneshotgallery.net/daughters-of-the-atom">online gallery</a>! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkWL00J_Y_vq8qnbtmjLIRaFiJbVwiSHoyXFZWL5VsJm6CIxD5uo8SxJKBgBNIMLuyy3jG9g9kGVodbruU5Y2NXAG5_dHgBLITXbRH1E9qj674QGxcAM_TSrfAoE2CdXvyEOxFA2Z5LQ/s1600/Paigey_Illyana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkWL00J_Y_vq8qnbtmjLIRaFiJbVwiSHoyXFZWL5VsJm6CIxD5uo8SxJKBgBNIMLuyy3jG9g9kGVodbruU5Y2NXAG5_dHgBLITXbRH1E9qj674QGxcAM_TSrfAoE2CdXvyEOxFA2Z5LQ/s1600/Paigey_Illyana.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illyana</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSO-xs6E8Chsor9Cd2mV35ujJPLrKOcRxh96ldiJej1v-w2znsErmKIGjTqlKEsIVCpi7I9wW5yYyIjGEuOMxCKAZVM4XRS7vK7Pv6n2UpUE7W9XMLN-SaW_sTpibcElkRZO6KqICYXdQ/s1600/Paigey_Kitty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSO-xs6E8Chsor9Cd2mV35ujJPLrKOcRxh96ldiJej1v-w2znsErmKIGjTqlKEsIVCpi7I9wW5yYyIjGEuOMxCKAZVM4XRS7vK7Pv6n2UpUE7W9XMLN-SaW_sTpibcElkRZO6KqICYXdQ/s1600/Paigey_Kitty.jpg" height="320" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitty and her dragon Lockheed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cL9k0eCXnU6E09yMiQZu5YVIhEDPDpKj_PaiG9DBk0w96wl9xs-fy3Tqrr6ZijEIqiNgmR0EqO57ANYebkgw24cfBaEFh14TztljzW8Qq30PbqkjulyfDu9ACWyWO8va3jt__UyusXE/s1600/10521734_10152632281493855_8420352589901483573_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cL9k0eCXnU6E09yMiQZu5YVIhEDPDpKj_PaiG9DBk0w96wl9xs-fy3Tqrr6ZijEIqiNgmR0EqO57ANYebkgw24cfBaEFh14TztljzW8Qq30PbqkjulyfDu9ACWyWO8va3jt__UyusXE/s1600/10521734_10152632281493855_8420352589901483573_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me at the opening, I'm so tired. </td></tr>
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We were already pretty over everything by the time Saturday rolled around. Commuting to the show was awful. The trains were all screwed up by my house so we had to take a car and it was raining like crazy. Getting in was a cattle call. I had a mild freakout. It was a rough start. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aS82tGN8wW4FtYtw75JaKHO1WT9OzmmHcIw1rnYRyAdiY4lFZTsrOirI4vDgEb-FMc5Hy8u0Ny6_W43IUSWX2vswMbSnm03P4lyeoibfOlKZb1Q2OhqkRK6pY5XJDudHmQW8kARLKMo/s1600/10712771_4716134557200_6735444971221007872_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aS82tGN8wW4FtYtw75JaKHO1WT9OzmmHcIw1rnYRyAdiY4lFZTsrOirI4vDgEb-FMc5Hy8u0Ny6_W43IUSWX2vswMbSnm03P4lyeoibfOlKZb1Q2OhqkRK6pY5XJDudHmQW8kARLKMo/s1600/10712771_4716134557200_6735444971221007872_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"A Joe in a Pit of SNAKES!"</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Our theme today was 'Retro G.I.Joe and Cobra'! Fenny and I reprised our roles as Office Baroness and Cobra HR Manager and were joined by tablemate Maria as G.I. Jane and special guest star cosplay buddie Val as "Shirley from the Crimson Guard division".<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWkwGkX9YyyqY1sE1_ceuy7EG4Do-7drIy2VXhS2QBA5ygLxAH89N_HpalD-HRgwHjeA1iOxjvj0US-PAx6DYCFCPWcm65tR80YCn52lMMXD9LuNC7LbsQdu7Cb6lleoPf2uIWyn9zzc/s1600/10687162_10152635307863855_266683951245354665_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWkwGkX9YyyqY1sE1_ceuy7EG4Do-7drIy2VXhS2QBA5ygLxAH89N_HpalD-HRgwHjeA1iOxjvj0US-PAx6DYCFCPWcm65tR80YCn52lMMXD9LuNC7LbsQdu7Cb6lleoPf2uIWyn9zzc/s1600/10687162_10152635307863855_266683951245354665_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and the Boss. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VFKrw9hGypNDqZTJ75H1G5Z3cvlNqRfmPkdKM8RO3sp5N9iAvGgt_cWyeWqihHt76AkaXyvnqxK0KN8HrXz1ky1UWPnPvrzV5U6ihabgPWjNjbTE4-QtLAu2KJlAEvl0UbUgN_VNMv0/s1600/10343530_10152634066858855_3401305178820190775_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VFKrw9hGypNDqZTJ75H1G5Z3cvlNqRfmPkdKM8RO3sp5N9iAvGgt_cWyeWqihHt76AkaXyvnqxK0KN8HrXz1ky1UWPnPvrzV5U6ihabgPWjNjbTE4-QtLAu2KJlAEvl0UbUgN_VNMv0/s1600/10343530_10152634066858855_3401305178820190775_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was a grumpy Baroness- my hair curled up in the rain.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdB-uMTgYzGNmA_2BMRbPkv3dgOE11kxpyanxgDyNxq0ZeOZIpDWwOwDRpepnS-ny70zj-Po2C3XbznItCtmcIt3NLlLf29PW8cP2kO6rTf9PiOV0F1107mr19B0-O5B_CrK2XNXJoQOI/s1600/10440929_10152769028468094_7432982431297858229_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdB-uMTgYzGNmA_2BMRbPkv3dgOE11kxpyanxgDyNxq0ZeOZIpDWwOwDRpepnS-ny70zj-Po2C3XbznItCtmcIt3NLlLf29PW8cP2kO6rTf9PiOV0F1107mr19B0-O5B_CrK2XNXJoQOI/s1600/10440929_10152769028468094_7432982431297858229_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maria was adorably earnest as G.I.Jane.</td></tr>
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As far as Saturday went, it was pretty busy. By lunchtime we had all made back our table costs, so yay! Most of it was a blur. I know Fenny and I went home and stuffed delivery nachos in our faces over the stove. We were also in bed by 10:00- because we're all about that rock and roll lifestyle, amirite??</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxxb-1WHkFOZnn2urCk9t8bJvLvinlyQjWWmsRq3hog4VqdVg4MLfISyQubxh2kX54UZIe803S_YI7LDdXybJ5pYO4dOkQOJUQHDU3Aq3T01Zs0n0mIvm0uMg2lncphsAxMHhm-16eXc/s1600/1912252_10152635168323855_4738539211863894093_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxxb-1WHkFOZnn2urCk9t8bJvLvinlyQjWWmsRq3hog4VqdVg4MLfISyQubxh2kX54UZIe803S_YI7LDdXybJ5pYO4dOkQOJUQHDU3Aq3T01Zs0n0mIvm0uMg2lncphsAxMHhm-16eXc/s1600/1912252_10152635168323855_4738539211863894093_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gone without a trace.</td></tr>
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Sunday's theme was "We're SO TIRED!" Nothing fancy, just us and our normal clothes. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspxMo7xv5w4unY0xBSisCi_0Tjls0znFXqzCrEoZl2fWZuZlayIG_vqOe-6LXGJYMsxcKK85cZlrUDv47wxFhmttMehrbVSZ7DnawnU8utedZTwCPA3C2H1mHGMNPeOyNo-kk5G_bzQA/s1600/10686623_10152805127609301_4188007981921445674_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspxMo7xv5w4unY0xBSisCi_0Tjls0znFXqzCrEoZl2fWZuZlayIG_vqOe-6LXGJYMsxcKK85cZlrUDv47wxFhmttMehrbVSZ7DnawnU8utedZTwCPA3C2H1mHGMNPeOyNo-kk5G_bzQA/s1600/10686623_10152805127609301_4188007981921445674_n.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casual Sunday!</td></tr>
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All three of us did awesome this year! It took me about a week to recover and a day of bed rest just to catch up on sleep! I just want to say thank you to
everyone who came by our table over the weekend. My body may have been
chewed up and spit out, but my heart is over the moon seeing all your
lovely faces. Let's do it all again next year, because it's going to
take me that long to forget how bad my calves hurt at the end of the show.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743199616608351614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120497365986905446.post-45362292992944074092014-10-06T12:01:00.000-04:002014-10-21T12:47:59.406-04:00Aftermath: Monster Mania Con 29 (2014)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.monstermania.net/">Monster Mania Convention</a> in Hunt Valley, Md (Oct 3-5) was a bit of an experiment in seeing how well horror movie fans would receive my artwork and merchandise. I plan to attend my first West Coast show in California next year- <a href="http://www.monsterpalooza.com/spring/">Monsterpalooza</a>, and don't want to spend upwards of a couple thousand dollars on a trip out to Cali if people weren't receptive. Fortunately the folks met at Monster Mania were perhaps some of the most overwhelmingly pleasant fans I have had the pleasure to meet. Even covered in fake blood and brandishing plastic chainsaws. ;) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBAkkPlir1LmzDdliOkoNzrmYtQsamC2zufDAa77WTs5cjn9tcbefQj_s3ySRs8p7NbFwZcBiUKHri8tkmr_u6Dkc6H0px8qPR_sQhuQMtIwb3z4NqPePtueEs_erWs95p31uohzQdI4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-14+at+8.12.23+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBAkkPlir1LmzDdliOkoNzrmYtQsamC2zufDAa77WTs5cjn9tcbefQj_s3ySRs8p7NbFwZcBiUKHri8tkmr_u6Dkc6H0px8qPR_sQhuQMtIwb3z4NqPePtueEs_erWs95p31uohzQdI4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-14+at+8.12.23+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBAkkPlir1LmzDdliOkoNzrmYtQsamC2zufDAa77WTs5cjn9tcbefQj_s3ySRs8p7NbFwZcBiUKHri8tkmr_u6Dkc6H0px8qPR_sQhuQMtIwb3z4NqPePtueEs_erWs95p31uohzQdI4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-14+at+8.12.23+PM.png" height="320" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Friday as a gothy pop-art pinup.<br />
!? fascinator by <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/JanineBasil">Janine Basil</a></td></tr>
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Monster Mania is another show in Maryland where I can save boku bucks traveling down by bus, staying at my parents house and borrowing my mom's car. My partner-in-crime Fenny of <a href="http://www.littleasiansweatshop.com/">Little Asian Sweatshop</a> joined me Friday and Saturday of the show and we split a 6' table between the two of us. It's an intimate hotel convention, at the old Hunt Valley Inn up in Cockeysville (about a 40 minute drive from my parents house). I'm actually pretty familiar with the hotel because of conventions I attended as a fan many years ago and for conferences when I used to sell tvs and stereos back in the day. There are actually 3 Monster Mania shows a year- two in NJ and one in Md. Everyone kept saying the spring show in NJ is way bigger and crazier and how we should come back and do that one. While this is a possibility- attending a show in NJ means getting a hotel room and meals out and that is a GIANT chunk out of our profits. So maybe, but not likely anytime soon. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8zCoYwt6NEHCMYyTobIExUUafiefx6OyhwoZVsXfaObbVj8Qqxi_g5eNP6Jolb8Sfi0dyRHH0WaldIJ0E1EhEc9PXjA6ej7f5qFj93XXPphJhcYr69HkyV9osNECGQCJePTRzY9HXSM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-14+at+8.12.46+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8zCoYwt6NEHCMYyTobIExUUafiefx6OyhwoZVsXfaObbVj8Qqxi_g5eNP6Jolb8Sfi0dyRHH0WaldIJ0E1EhEc9PXjA6ej7f5qFj93XXPphJhcYr69HkyV9osNECGQCJePTRzY9HXSM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-14+at+8.12.46+PM.png" height="319" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All set up!</td></tr>
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I had planned on creating more horror/monster themed artwork to sell specifically for MM, but time constraints and a crazy busy schedule between <a href="http://www.theartofpaigey.com/2014/09/aftermath-baltimore-comic-con-2014.html">Baltimore Comic Con</a>, this and NYCC along with my dayjob was simply too much. Fortunately I had a little bit of monster art to draw people in- but interestingly enough it was mostly my superhero stuff that was the hot seller. I think because there wasn't a lot of that there- so it stood out from the rest of the vendors. Goes to show- even when vending at a specialty event, bring *everything* with you. Within reason, of course. Monster Mania being the weekend before NYCC, which is my biggest show of the year- I was actually afraid I might sell out of stuff and not have time to make more during the week. Oh!, but what a problem to have, amirite? My inventory definitely did take a hit from MM, but I still had a satisfactory amount to bring for NYCC. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWnXQE8HSA3SAPn2A39w3o83vbUev31Hl4UXCBxDmtlTDyXHKZ4dlWlzd30wLnSSlBP4hl-EODdSsUo17tke21RtbXvkhwZ0-UaWrxa4TaK9kSBqmh7dSon6xkM4dfutQKbN2maMmc5Q/s1600/10710762_10152613377683855_6719699516718871775_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWnXQE8HSA3SAPn2A39w3o83vbUev31Hl4UXCBxDmtlTDyXHKZ4dlWlzd30wLnSSlBP4hl-EODdSsUo17tke21RtbXvkhwZ0-UaWrxa4TaK9kSBqmh7dSon6xkM4dfutQKbN2maMmc5Q/s1600/10710762_10152613377683855_6719699516718871775_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Francesca and the Monster's Mate</td></tr>
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We had a
ton of fun selling at our table! We dressed up every day of the show-
including what is possibly our most obscure cosplay to date- me as
Francesca and Fenny as the Monster's Mate/ Phyllis Diller from
Rankin/Bass's 1967 special <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061931/">Mad Monster Party?</a> (The ? is part of the
title...) I don't recall anyone at the show being able to tell who we
were supposed to be- not that that is surprising. I only actually saw
MMP? for the first time about a year ago. Everyone LOVED our outfits
though. Leave it to us to wear something from a kid's Halloween special from the 60's to the blood-and-guts show.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzvpEi5qU-eFt-R7gLc1jwQL78i86QQfbF4fajCUyrBHuV2JcXR_6Ubtcg8YHAk-agpMN-YHzcopKcdVS-_63HPjsafEfz1OhJetTXXUHp3rXxEadbDVWjwG1Ev5LL_rJSr0Fil6X4P8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-14+at+8.12.11+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzvpEi5qU-eFt-R7gLc1jwQL78i86QQfbF4fajCUyrBHuV2JcXR_6Ubtcg8YHAk-agpMN-YHzcopKcdVS-_63HPjsafEfz1OhJetTXXUHp3rXxEadbDVWjwG1Ev5LL_rJSr0Fil6X4P8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-14+at+8.12.11+PM.png" height="287" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The actual Francesca and Monster's Mate Animagic puppets</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWHbJGG8mxPm0WvAW8-tE4Y1hEObQOmgYBM9-jecriuGHkB7wnwn4_D4F8BxsPa0ea4UJc11v-Ai2zB7NuMOm6NwXiwqJW2I3Qfzei9DZi8PHPA2VuByzLSqiToT1X26LYLYP88KBrhI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-14+at+8.13.00+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWHbJGG8mxPm0WvAW8-tE4Y1hEObQOmgYBM9-jecriuGHkB7wnwn4_D4F8BxsPa0ea4UJc11v-Ai2zB7NuMOm6NwXiwqJW2I3Qfzei9DZi8PHPA2VuByzLSqiToT1X26LYLYP88KBrhI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-14+at+8.13.00+PM.png" height="320" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fenny of course was TOTALLY into it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-WsPCdR_0lMl3bu2UB3ljErG08BmxKiFsiZQ-R-BQc-lStSRyCu7TbZAndwCBrsxumsbIm3_hKHhgg5gy5kC0aL02vgxN438MN569w0agrbqvkvT3CRJa83nfNvDSapIKk7NonqgoRs/s1600/10250264_10152613339588855_1102650953548442450_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-WsPCdR_0lMl3bu2UB3ljErG08BmxKiFsiZQ-R-BQc-lStSRyCu7TbZAndwCBrsxumsbIm3_hKHhgg5gy5kC0aL02vgxN438MN569w0agrbqvkvT3CRJa83nfNvDSapIKk7NonqgoRs/s1600/10250264_10152613339588855_1102650953548442450_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really, really into it.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvaLQf-E4Y9zLh9Wm1Dj9nH-Wl4MmfWU9dZjzOs4RvQsxuB1Yb8EoDvjKfnz5UhHPBcdRY4j_ZyD5RUmKV0TJGhL-f8yPqOp_lnazsMT0T93Ksm4li0hYeqvIjmEg5F8ecRY6SeeL4qs/s1600/10653764_10152613681273855_7373061084741408957_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvaLQf-E4Y9zLh9Wm1Dj9nH-Wl4MmfWU9dZjzOs4RvQsxuB1Yb8EoDvjKfnz5UhHPBcdRY4j_ZyD5RUmKV0TJGhL-f8yPqOp_lnazsMT0T93Ksm4li0hYeqvIjmEg5F8ecRY6SeeL4qs/s1600/10653764_10152613681273855_7373061084741408957_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got my Francesca dress from <a href="http://www.pinupgirlclothing.com/lorelei-dress-in-dark-green.html">Pin-Up Girl</a> and my wig from <a href="http://fifimahonys.com/">Fifi Mahony's</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJp7F4Wu-FSv-JMyetEk2g_EK9XmqCAnjiqcFHdq4aBOUxE0glIM8b-HJhDi7L61DFJgw-wiww1xzzRRGUDVziESBtSBkLS6JwL8UB76Uy-DPTqxn__2LvZbB2UmQ07NLtuo2bS-HtmfY/s1600/10639722_10152613832408855_7551866181671987018_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJp7F4Wu-FSv-JMyetEk2g_EK9XmqCAnjiqcFHdq4aBOUxE0glIM8b-HJhDi7L61DFJgw-wiww1xzzRRGUDVziESBtSBkLS6JwL8UB76Uy-DPTqxn__2LvZbB2UmQ07NLtuo2bS-HtmfY/s1600/10639722_10152613832408855_7551866181671987018_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These guys were GREAT!!! Frigging HUGE and scary!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OCi1v7G7RWOZqOkEg9UboJ9WHGsjjPXZwIsMeQkl63BNW3XeQlw-DM-MJPKSkdY8sk0UIZ8OvAE_9445aEFWyIFC82abzXCoMmmQDDiwBwdA9iLGpE3ocQYoOMaG40xwQZj3z9qs1Qs/s1600/10723216_824483100905224_967101144_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OCi1v7G7RWOZqOkEg9UboJ9WHGsjjPXZwIsMeQkl63BNW3XeQlw-DM-MJPKSkdY8sk0UIZ8OvAE_9445aEFWyIFC82abzXCoMmmQDDiwBwdA9iLGpE3ocQYoOMaG40xwQZj3z9qs1Qs/s1600/10723216_824483100905224_967101144_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They were total sweethearts when I asked for a picture. It's not everyday I feel teeny-tiny.<br />
Jason is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/keith.thomas.186?fref=ts">Keith</a>. Leatherface is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lance.allen.520">Lance</a>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4WKVoU5dxa9fHVxjnCApqxKSnb6prvmBywlaCwPfLmj7dW2INyGjr5QzyLa0u6cBgoyRahQF-1nznwxVJhUx4YWgGMAYxS8IytrsRpp1nKT2J-fLxtAAbXI8L3nH4qog_KRtj-2MWj0/s1600/FrancescaHairReference.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4WKVoU5dxa9fHVxjnCApqxKSnb6prvmBywlaCwPfLmj7dW2INyGjr5QzyLa0u6cBgoyRahQF-1nznwxVJhUx4YWgGMAYxS8IytrsRpp1nKT2J-fLxtAAbXI8L3nH4qog_KRtj-2MWj0/s1600/FrancescaHairReference.jpg" height="320" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the reference I sent Fifi's for my wig.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Speaking
of kid stuff- and now I'm not judging as much as I'm making an observation
of the weekend- I must say: I saw A LOT of small, crying children at
this show. Now I'm not a parent (nor do I have any plans to be one
anytime soon) but speaking as a former child, I can completely
understand where these kids are coming from with bawling their eyes out.
Now I'm all for kids having some amount of fear for things in their
lives. It sparks the imagination and may feed creative endeavors down
the road. Myself, for example: I used to be TERRIFIED of skeletons. To
the point that I could not watch any Indiana Jones movies or the second
half of Goonies. Nor could I ride Pirates of the Caribbean without
hiding my eyes until I heard singing. I was also afraid of Judge Doom
from Roger Rabbit, The Greedy from Raggedy Ann and Andy and mere
commercials from Nightmare on Elm Street would give me nightmares for
weeks. I left the theater during The Burbs. Shoot, I even covered my
eyes during the Aliens riff at the end of Spaceballs. I didn't really
get a grip on my fears until junior high, when I started learning about
serial killers and REAL monsters in the world. And now? I'm writing <a href="http://www.theartofpaigey.com/p/pearly-whites.html">my eventual magnum opus comic</a> about demons, murderers and vampires and watch true
crime shows on the daily. <a href="http://www.theartofpaigey.com/p/wedding.html">My own wedding was covered in skeletons.</a> I
love me some monsters, and the movies I just mentioned are some of my
all-time favorites now. All the stuff I was afraid of though, was under
controlled circumstances. Movies can be watched beforehand so warnings
are issued to cover your eyes. Ultimately, they can be turned off.
Bringing your kid to a horror convention, you can't control that environment. You
don't know what's around every corner, you don't know what's going to be
on display. People jump out. People wear costumes- some amazingly
terrifying and gory and relish in being in character. And it's really
pretty selfish to think that everyone else at the show who is there to celebrate movies that are rated PG-13, R and worse- should have to take into account the fact that you brought an emotionally unprepared 7 year old girl in a princess Elsa costume. Get a sitter, it's cheaper than therapy in the long run. </div>
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Ok, maybe I did start judging a bit there. 9_9;</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnPSKnY0apkIUgcsbSyANAveKrvXQG9hshKzC8gzrvYtSpGOzQ_n2ilJQhkT6ayN4LDmwrGMjxwVp35WVPlbpP_hla2rVGtriHcMJjDYbqk8Zh0w71NUw64shGyvW-71EQsaGYuoTLVw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-14+at+8.13.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnPSKnY0apkIUgcsbSyANAveKrvXQG9hshKzC8gzrvYtSpGOzQ_n2ilJQhkT6ayN4LDmwrGMjxwVp35WVPlbpP_hla2rVGtriHcMJjDYbqk8Zh0w71NUw64shGyvW-71EQsaGYuoTLVw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-14+at+8.13.42+PM.png" height="317" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So tired on Sunday. -___-;</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Overall, MM was a very profitable show- I would def like to do it again, schedule permitting. There was a great party atmosphere, especially on Saturday as the vending room was winding down and most of the convention goers were obviously visiting the bar and starting to ramp up their room parties. How funny just a few weeks ago <a href="http://www.theartofpaigey.com/2014/09/aftermath-baltimore-comic-con-2014.html">we were being shushed at our table at Baltimore Comic Con</a> when <i>at MM *we* were the quiet, reserved ones</i>(!!!). And Monsterpalooza out in California is def going to happen, which i am super super excited about. ::starts saving money::</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743199616608351614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120497365986905446.post-28456950174008497622014-09-20T12:52:00.000-04:002014-10-18T13:15:03.706-04:00Aftermath: Baltimore Comic Con 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yay! Another <a href="http://baltimorecomiccon.com/">Baltimore Comic Con</a> (9/5-7) for the books!! This year marked my *8th* year vending at conventions! This was also the first year Baltimore Comic Con opened up it's doors on Friday- which omg made setting up the table and getting myself prepared for the show SO MUCH EASIER. This year I was set up in Artist Alley with my BFF <a href="http://www.littleasiansweatshop.com/">Little Asian Sweatshop</a>- we each had one full table and our widest selection of products yet. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDVTtLUjJqQE2yBv7_r5xMYvds0IQ1dnxCWEmfQ3NrxhMEt7KyNK8zq-mkJHTVr8Kd6fLEKiGlMRITLEV_9djpmfZaqI3COKFdZnKiOvzWys8z01nuhFK2rHuWsOuznODxYTFJJFULsg/s1600/10649571_10152560524043855_3005095082395804597_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDVTtLUjJqQE2yBv7_r5xMYvds0IQ1dnxCWEmfQ3NrxhMEt7KyNK8zq-mkJHTVr8Kd6fLEKiGlMRITLEV_9djpmfZaqI3COKFdZnKiOvzWys8z01nuhFK2rHuWsOuznODxYTFJJFULsg/s1600/10649571_10152560524043855_3005095082395804597_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Fenny as the Cobra typing pool</td></tr>
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Weee! Here's a quick little video of my table!</div>
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="2" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px none; box-shadow: 0px 0px 1px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5), 0px 1px 10px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlOKC6ej-teoi1OzbOrjMj6JZ8rd4gIpOILHXHQ6x2vMM8fvBnhU4FOplei-jn4FjtBinSRF7meGZnaPdl5364158HDQSNdb7KSn_881mPrJvg2ZMFRmt1sqjGAJBbFPjkUojHFFevAo/s1600/12279_10152561341778855_2353845867952542979_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; position: relative; top: 15px;">Loading</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlOKC6ej-teoi1OzbOrjMj6JZ8rd4gIpOILHXHQ6x2vMM8fvBnhU4FOplei-jn4FjtBinSRF7meGZnaPdl5364158HDQSNdb7KSn_881mPrJvg2ZMFRmt1sqjGAJBbFPjkUojHFFevAo/s1600/12279_10152561341778855_2353845867952542979_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Woo! Finally got my act together at Baltimore Comic Con!</a></div>
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/slBH-dNEmN/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_top"> View on Instagram</a></div>
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Every other year with it being a two-day show it's an absolute mess trying to get up to the show with all of my merch, half dressed in costume, all before 10am when the doors open and gads of people start filing through because it's also the BIGGEST day of the show. It was a welcome addition to have the extra day to take my time setting up and even bring my con outfit and makeup to the show separately so I wouldn't get all sweaty and bust a seam setting up. It's actually become my new thing that I do on setup days and at shows that require crazy prep the morning of. I'm really surprised I haven't started doing it sooner.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5H-ftlPBzjSe0-kRZ8RtwTAe3c-V9SMEmeudb3mqrc_0mLBA5Murs5MXL7yB0BfTvgIe12ixIDBtelDYwFzawlVSwsL3gHzZ5ts91rKlbDyVsHVj05itNAbF6q60zA-21O5EmrLkGvU/s1600/10649534_10152558696798855_950562790822978810_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5H-ftlPBzjSe0-kRZ8RtwTAe3c-V9SMEmeudb3mqrc_0mLBA5Murs5MXL7yB0BfTvgIe12ixIDBtelDYwFzawlVSwsL3gHzZ5ts91rKlbDyVsHVj05itNAbF6q60zA-21O5EmrLkGvU/s1600/10649534_10152558696798855_950562790822978810_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tactical error in parking on Friday- 3 trips to the car in 100+ heat.<br />
BUT SO MANY CALORIES BURNED. </td></tr>
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This year's Baltimore Comic Con continues to become more and more of a successful endeavor for me every year, with this being my most prosperous yet. I think the combination of having done it so many years in a row, along with it being my hometown show- so many of my friends from various stages of my life come out to see me and say hello and support me with purchases and kind words. It is so appreciated. There are no fans like Baltimore fans- once you've earned their favor they will continue to support you every year you make yourself available to them.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Zikl2vUDrIRejwNf2F635XdU0Iaz2x60qyXvXfKZvzLCdHb0Q8Sf_YUXslFqewZ54bXMfh12W2inb-WEE7PZYu3ju9Aw7bQU66dAX5SUw923A-Jqf3pZCgAxfwZwxgWAgkwtKhRdEqs/s1600/10606211_833064133392266_1313923103904960808_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Zikl2vUDrIRejwNf2F635XdU0Iaz2x60qyXvXfKZvzLCdHb0Q8Sf_YUXslFqewZ54bXMfh12W2inb-WEE7PZYu3ju9Aw7bQU66dAX5SUw923A-Jqf3pZCgAxfwZwxgWAgkwtKhRdEqs/s1600/10606211_833064133392266_1313923103904960808_n.jpg" height="320" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Retro COBRA office ladies!</td></tr>
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Saturday was our big day where we finally got to wear our retro Cobra typing pool costumes and they were very well received.We've even inspired a few friends to join in, so hopefully in the future we'll see more snarky (or should I say SNAKEY?) office ladies.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harvey Awards mixer? Or Cobra recruitment meet-and-greet?</td></tr>
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Saturday night my husband Phil and I attended the Harvey Awards dinner- he and his team at <a href="http://kodanshacomics.com/">Kodansha Comics</a> (where I also work <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=au%3APumphrey%2C+Paige.&qt=hot_author">my day job as a manga letterer</a>) were nominated for Best American Edition of Foreign Material for the Attack on Titan manga. Everyone else at Kodansha had already been down in Baltimore for Otakon one month previous, so Phil attended on the team's behalf. The dinner and awards ceremony were great fun, my only gripe was that after a full day of working the show in an uncomfortable outfit- I may have gotten a bit snippy with people (mostly my ever loving and patient husband). Plus actual industry parties with big wigs and editors and old comics guard tend to make me nervous. This is why I don't typically do afterparties. I'm much more comfortable socializing in a 'work' setting like my table.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlOKC6ej-teoi1OzbOrjMj6JZ8rd4gIpOILHXHQ6x2vMM8fvBnhU4FOplei-jn4FjtBinSRF7meGZnaPdl5364158HDQSNdb7KSn_881mPrJvg2ZMFRmt1sqjGAJBbFPjkUojHFFevAo/s1600/12279_10152561341778855_2353845867952542979_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlOKC6ej-teoi1OzbOrjMj6JZ8rd4gIpOILHXHQ6x2vMM8fvBnhU4FOplei-jn4FjtBinSRF7meGZnaPdl5364158HDQSNdb7KSn_881mPrJvg2ZMFRmt1sqjGAJBbFPjkUojHFFevAo/s1600/12279_10152561341778855_2353845867952542979_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phil and I at the Harvey Awards dinner</td></tr>
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**And excitement! They won! Yay!!**</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkw7VCMOcv9BtDjPAzz-ly334B1GuVtCkoYObmH2GdDxf3wF_TK26de8iVysvcTXVHAeBpE-APy6ybewdo6dAmNLtU5vltH7eUaFQ3NvnVlkknanHKEKoCV2eXuuLj4E1HKik4k4IbETU/s1600/10514667_10152561444453855_8893971360213001704_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkw7VCMOcv9BtDjPAzz-ly334B1GuVtCkoYObmH2GdDxf3wF_TK26de8iVysvcTXVHAeBpE-APy6ybewdo6dAmNLtU5vltH7eUaFQ3NvnVlkknanHKEKoCV2eXuuLj4E1HKik4k4IbETU/s1600/10514667_10152561444453855_8893971360213001704_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay!</td></tr>
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Sunday was another crazy day- maybe even crazier than Saturday. So many friends and fans came by to say hello. Baltimore truly is one of my favorite shows of the year. I also have to say a special shout to the Friends of Humanity from the 90's X-Men cartoon cosplayers. I literally laughed so hard I cried when I saw them. And they were IN CHARACTER!!! Shouting 'NO MORE MUTANTS!' in that ridiculous redneck accent from the show. If only they had a Graydon Creed with them in a red suit. It was SO GREAT. You guys have NO IDEA how much my husband and I quote from the X-Men cartoon.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPdFalDM4YiLpwNzIPg5jqVKOom2-kvx6DFn-Q2Qwks7Vw5Rfdh-gNJMSaB3P9AAnpbP1qe5273M1m-YeQOfWxo0ts7wPj4SQz6-McF8hh6T4ESPwhwLBit5Wif10DGCzhsDjO9MjVKE/s1600/10626625_10154612407965714_151827600814462170_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPdFalDM4YiLpwNzIPg5jqVKOom2-kvx6DFn-Q2Qwks7Vw5Rfdh-gNJMSaB3P9AAnpbP1qe5273M1m-YeQOfWxo0ts7wPj4SQz6-McF8hh6T4ESPwhwLBit5Wif10DGCzhsDjO9MjVKE/s1600/10626625_10154612407965714_151827600814462170_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IMHO, best cosplay all weekend. I cried laughing.</td></tr>
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And now for an amusing story:<br />
Sunday was a cluster of seeing SO MANY FRIENDS that at one point I think we had about 10+ people from various stations of our lives hanging out around our table. It was exciting to see so many people and when Fenny especially sees someone she loves she explodes with unbridled squealy happiness. There was no doubt for that :45-hour that our table was the place to be. It was such a rag-tag gaggle of cosplayers, pinup girls, tattoo artists and punk rockers hanging out with us and having such a good time enjoying each other's company that we actually had to be SHUSHED by an AA neighbor 5 tables down. Which he did so indignantly we initially thought he was joking. No one could be THAT lame, right? But really- dude is 5 tables down from us on the same side. Clearly we're all having a good time. It's a comic show, not a wake. Instead of coming around front and politely asking Fenny or I like people if we can turn down our volume, he goes around behind 5 other AA tables, pops his head out from behind my vertical banner and hisses at us all to 'stop screaming because he keeps thinking someone is hurt!' Because he thinks he'll have to run over here and give us all mouth-to-mouth? I honestly don't know. Fenny and I initially thought he was kidding, he was being so melodramatic about it. My friend badass tattoo artist <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hrspanks">Hunter Spanks</a> was like 'Holy shit that dude was SO SERIOUS- and I thought tattoo shows had DRAMA! This is GREAT!' Once our pals started to dissipate and Fenny and I were left alone to our tables I kept noticing every time the dude passed our table he would give us a massive stink eye. To which I, in my DILIGAF best- smile and wave back to him with a 'yeah- stop screaming we're so loud, wokka wokka!' Because if he's going to act like a joke then I'm going to treat him like a joke. Fenny couldn't have been happier- she LIVES for people having a problem with her. She loves it almost as much as praise. And if he actually had the balls to say anything to us afterwards (which he didn't) there were SO MANY WAYS we could have played it. There was the standard 'Really? We thought you were joking!' route- where dude has to admit he is a lamoid who can't handle anyone else having fun. Especially since his table? From the looks of it- NOT so much the place to be. (I think someone might have been jealousssss...) There was also my topical favorite- which was 'Excuse me but are you trying to SILENCE MY FEMALE VOICE?' Because yeah, hot button issue of sexism in comics and at conventions. Ready the pitchforks.</div>
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Overall, it reminded me way too much of this episode of<br />
Always Sunny in Philadelphia:<br />
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Either way, that dude was lame and we are awesome.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743199616608351614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120497365986905446.post-45580973261806110392014-09-12T01:47:00.001-04:002014-09-17T10:56:23.957-04:00The Art of Paigey! On the Stagey!<div style="text-align: center;">
OMGGGG you guys!! I'm getting a burlesque tribute show!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnUjlilNDDCCTNiHbUsSVtsfcH0DRj23O3ANF0rBRrNA3kobo7dRXcwyyWieJZdZmYvlChpi7lHzWx-hiNrq-icHERSSo3bKjK4Ul78BzKh0t4jxuRf6EA5eYnOefaSE2A3JsPejl8l4/s1600/PaigeyBurlesquePoster.websmall..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnUjlilNDDCCTNiHbUsSVtsfcH0DRj23O3ANF0rBRrNA3kobo7dRXcwyyWieJZdZmYvlChpi7lHzWx-hiNrq-icHERSSo3bKjK4Ul78BzKh0t4jxuRf6EA5eYnOefaSE2A3JsPejl8l4/s1600/PaigeyBurlesquePoster.websmall..jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
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Thanks to <a href="http://kitastcyr.com/">Kita St. Cyr</a>, my artwork will be coming to LIFE on the stage of the <a href="http://geminiandscorpio.com/">Gemini and Scorpio loft</a> in Brooklyn next month!! I am SO excited!! She's been talking about doing this for YEARS (ever since we both worked at the tshirt company after I first moved to NYC) and then blew up my phone last month with a string of texts telling me she had a venue, a date and a string of amazing performers all set to bring my drawings to life. To say I am overwhelmed is an understatement. Phil was all "This might be too much stimulation for even YOUR ego..." Haha, which is true- it's hard not to get at least a little bit of a swollen head with all these talented and beautiful women all wanting to dress up as my artistic creations and interpretations. Other than the performers list and what piece they plan to an act inspired by, I am just as much of a spectator as anyone else. (Also in case there was any confusion- NO I AM NOT DANCING. Trust me- you do not want to see that.) There will be a raffle with a prize bag of Paigey stuff to the winner as well as a small selection of my merch for sale at the show.<br />
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<a href="http://paigeyonstagey.bpt.me/">Get your tickets here! </a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/629678813819356">Facebook invite here! </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJIRRwEPbFbI_4AItpFmEv6B_17jYVaI6hXiW0hihuLsPrAmDaBVJ-PHQMvWPmK0dLT7BYzwT8GNUNb6pvQOojKYmzBPF8jLd0EPE-fIQmME1XtsiL-Km3DHH8wfJT9sYLXMnfR2iSrk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-09-17+at+10.53.46+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJIRRwEPbFbI_4AItpFmEv6B_17jYVaI6hXiW0hihuLsPrAmDaBVJ-PHQMvWPmK0dLT7BYzwT8GNUNb6pvQOojKYmzBPF8jLd0EPE-fIQmME1XtsiL-Km3DHH8wfJT9sYLXMnfR2iSrk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-09-17+at+10.53.46+AM.png" height="318" width="320" /></a></div>
<span data-reactid=".1g.0.0.0.0.0.0.1.0.0.0.0.1.2:1"><span data-reactid=".1g.0.0.0.0.0.0.1.0.0.0.0.1.2:1.0">Omg lookit the ARMY OF HOTTIES that have amassed in my honor! </span></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".1g.0.0.0.0.0.0.1.0.0.0.0.1.2:1"><span data-reactid=".1g.0.0.0.0.0.0.1.0.0.0.0.1.2:1.0"> </span>Kita<span data-reactid=".1g.0.0.0.0.0.0.1.0.0.0.0.1.2:1.2"> is the Nick Fury of Burlesque for creating this line-up of all-stars!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSK5PGDsDGh_CvnpuwCsg4EUDnhCEMn_awBV-6mpYBhOiHTV9OfbRGaSXIahXXzzFAYmBqxjW1xkKlwHpcXxnRtmCb9tzbpSw6jJnkQHw-x7bKxAPSEr_ZV_vDNnxDjrgQFsCByO-n450/s1600/1379516_10151899242858855_1387579661_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSK5PGDsDGh_CvnpuwCsg4EUDnhCEMn_awBV-6mpYBhOiHTV9OfbRGaSXIahXXzzFAYmBqxjW1xkKlwHpcXxnRtmCb9tzbpSw6jJnkQHw-x7bKxAPSEr_ZV_vDNnxDjrgQFsCByO-n450/s1600/1379516_10151899242858855_1387579661_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Kita!</td></tr>
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I seriously can't wait to see this show happen!! And already in the midst of so much else going on with both Monster Mania and NYCC happening before and after!! What a week this will be! ::collapses::Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743199616608351614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120497365986905446.post-80639482049978157392014-09-01T16:55:00.000-04:002014-09-01T16:56:54.841-04:00Baltimore Comic Con 2014 prep!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorYBns2dPLlr_i7EVPlNMI_olscH-D6FR0DKtUwnC8RZcSPl4DzQBBG0n6xdkcKdZRiQCjZn04dAOj-QxNe73U5IqIHmB7wt67v1VGiYIzRAXeR-bNvZuVSW3loNjI74rk10bvqWV-Go/s1600/1939840_10152702605770864_5197668313267676712_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorYBns2dPLlr_i7EVPlNMI_olscH-D6FR0DKtUwnC8RZcSPl4DzQBBG0n6xdkcKdZRiQCjZn04dAOj-QxNe73U5IqIHmB7wt67v1VGiYIzRAXeR-bNvZuVSW3loNjI74rk10bvqWV-Go/s1600/1939840_10152702605770864_5197668313267676712_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://baltimorecomiccon.com/">Baltimore Comic Con 2014</a> is steadily approaching!! September 5th-7th at the Baltimore Convention Center! This is the first year it's a 3 day convention! How exciting! This marks my *8th* year attending conventions on a professional level!! Me and my BFF Fenny of <a href="http://www.littleasiansweatshop.com/">Little Asian Sweatshop</a> will be at Artist Alley tables 205-206! I hope to see you there! ^_^<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jZFPZVH2gYbhw5dXrS5SsymfC_REoPUWbP8TmrZBDhQlHPf2mQ8fPGjlS_o6J-dJh7KDfCWAtAWRs5QeAhDp3X_mNURck0jeC0soHeJZnJFWJm4SELupTznNrNBmWAYEuZda8x5rHdI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-22+at+1.10.13+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jZFPZVH2gYbhw5dXrS5SsymfC_REoPUWbP8TmrZBDhQlHPf2mQ8fPGjlS_o6J-dJh7KDfCWAtAWRs5QeAhDp3X_mNURck0jeC0soHeJZnJFWJm4SELupTznNrNBmWAYEuZda8x5rHdI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-22+at+1.10.13+AM.png" height="320" width="261" /></a></div>
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Here's a preview of some of the *NEW STUFF* I'll have available!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wondy & Supey-G magnet sets! $10 for the pair!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wondy & Supey-G mini print sets! $5!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVLSKdvc0ckVYFQImtZQzHcqWIVpMH8kwn3q6gv7dtT_IkY5vw2u_0C9YoUaXj9ILIYKq0AE3vCXPe-VbIJzT2-Rqfw_0C4ibhoqrTOkv97ieqJ-MESD3MRsf22hkZIlpCsZcB6SlP-Q/s1600/1932351_10152522619573855_7166246964585012218_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVLSKdvc0ckVYFQImtZQzHcqWIVpMH8kwn3q6gv7dtT_IkY5vw2u_0C9YoUaXj9ILIYKq0AE3vCXPe-VbIJzT2-Rqfw_0C4ibhoqrTOkv97ieqJ-MESD3MRsf22hkZIlpCsZcB6SlP-Q/s1600/1932351_10152522619573855_7166246964585012218_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NEW STICKERS! $5 each or 2 for $8!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha40RzyttGwwwCI20kwsLLj9a272C0c2XXCYNMdmQg37TO0b64MQpz4r8mONBfU6ahTA2TN_55TOUa-feF4PijyhCLPz-g3TbXfTefYWdvnV2lF2PkKBP7kLEKdlX76caNBuLtOyvDSww/s1600/10336588_10152419643393855_6260007831256128943_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha40RzyttGwwwCI20kwsLLj9a272C0c2XXCYNMdmQg37TO0b64MQpz4r8mONBfU6ahTA2TN_55TOUa-feF4PijyhCLPz-g3TbXfTefYWdvnV2lF2PkKBP7kLEKdlX76caNBuLtOyvDSww/s1600/10336588_10152419643393855_6260007831256128943_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sailor Moon cameo bracelets! $15!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXNWi1VbFFTmSIaAPA927B4-cArr0a3Eaw38YficWzsHlQ_bUmFZger_zlyXt8ojWlS8WWdhgpUeQhp021s-_BqarYbxwYOSwYRez1yAG3ZP4npuvw7e21J1y_-hdQz6q0n2Q5cVvb1E/s1600/10474215_10152524925533855_7194362190021198949_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXNWi1VbFFTmSIaAPA927B4-cArr0a3Eaw38YficWzsHlQ_bUmFZger_zlyXt8ojWlS8WWdhgpUeQhp021s-_BqarYbxwYOSwYRez1yAG3ZP4npuvw7e21J1y_-hdQz6q0n2Q5cVvb1E/s1600/10474215_10152524925533855_7194362190021198949_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UTZ hearts BOH prints! $5!<!--3--></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743199616608351614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120497365986905446.post-19205085207289719462014-08-15T17:53:00.001-04:002014-08-15T19:08:08.148-04:00Process: Making shrink plastic magnets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One of the things that I try to do when I sell stuff at my convention tables and online store is have a wide variety of items at different price points, so anyone who wants a piece of my artwork can walk away with something. Shoot, even if you're broke you can still walk away with a killer postcard with my website on it- for future reference when you're *not* broke. ::nudge:: ;) I also make it a point to put my art on not only prints and pieces of frame-able art, but also on products which become part of the customer's life that they can take with them on their day. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDh-Uka6LBFt89-pFpUOPFnkfZ9XKQYAsUGDg5jcuJ2Zf_7-pxZzvVv0T2JI5WkP550lvJxr9MIdDag5vqScvLqKxzFuzlfqzFaNe_e65DTFJnS7MVD-f-ZNolGmsT6BLO99aKnkmmEKc/s1600/935137_10151581085543855_1603565490_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDh-Uka6LBFt89-pFpUOPFnkfZ9XKQYAsUGDg5jcuJ2Zf_7-pxZzvVv0T2JI5WkP550lvJxr9MIdDag5vqScvLqKxzFuzlfqzFaNe_e65DTFJnS7MVD-f-ZNolGmsT6BLO99aKnkmmEKc/s1600/935137_10151581085543855_1603565490_n.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A magnetic front door is a great place to take inventory on finished packs as I make them.</td></tr>
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A staple of my merchandise selection for the past few years has been my magnet sets. I usually package them in 2 character sets for $10 each and they are cut, cooked and assembled by me in my 'free time'. I've been messing around with shrink plastic since I was a kid playing with Shrinky-Dinks in the 80s. My mom, a retired seamstress- even helped me as a small child sell my first Shrinky-Dink jewelry (under the eponymous banner of 'Paige's Cute Things') when she would go to sewing shows. I distinctly remember my mom handing me over my earnings afterward and getting a jolt of greedy excitement. It was just a few bucks but that satisfying feeling of receiving money for something I enjoyed doing was something I would chase for the better part of my life.</div>
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I rediscovered the awesomeness of shrink plastic a few years ago after I started selling my work at conventions. Looking for new ways to present myself, I came across <a href="http://www.paper-paper.com/shrink.html">printable blank sheets of shrink plastic paper</a> and went to town creating jewelry such as necklaces and brooches. One of my first pieces of jewelry, my roller derby girl necklace, landed me <a href="http://www.fracturemag.com/derby/arts/paigey">my first interview</a> and <a href="http://www.fracturemag.com/derby/reviews/paigey-roller-derby-necklace">product review</a> on a roller derby blog. <a href="http://www.theartofpaigey.com/2010/01/space-girl-necklaces-at-oscars-and-b-in.html">I even sent a giant shipment to the gift lounge of the Oscars back in 2009</a> to be touched by and given away to real, live *famous people*. <a href="http://www.theartofpaigey.com/2010/03/paigey-at-oscars-gift-lounge.html">It was pretty neat.</a> Aside from jewelry, I also sold them as magnets- but it being the early days of conventions I didn't know what I was doing. Instead of packaging the magnets as sets I would have them all loose on a giant magnet board I clumsily propped up on my table, which would get knocked into and pushed off the table as customers would grab the magnets they wanted. It was a bit of a mess. Especially in-between shows when I had to put them away stacked in tupperware containers where unprotected they could chip and break. But still they sold well, even better than the shrink jewelry- I think because they are something EVERYONE can use and appreciate. Shoot I even know people with kids who like to play with them on the fridge while sitting on their kitchen floor.<br />
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I've had some concern from well-meaning but misguided people in my life who don't understand why I would want to tell my 'secrets' of how I make my products. Honestly, there's a few reasons for this. Making these magnets and other shrink plastic accessories is one of my more labor-intensive processes of creating merch. If anyone else is crazy and determined enough to get themselves elbow-deep into doing all the things I have to do to make these then by all means- go for it. I just ask that you are as generous with your processes as I have been with mine and perhaps we can all learn from each other. Also I am not threatened by other people having similar merch as me- since I believe people are buying my magnets and merch because it's features my artwork, not simply because it is a magnet or a bracelet, etc. I mean really, if you're that hard up for magnets just to have magnets- there are plenty of places you can get some for way cheaper. I also wanted to share my processes so that people can see exactly how much work goes into making them- this is one of my products which is almost 100% assembled by me, all I buy are the blank sheets, magnets and packaging materials. Some products like my stickers (<a href="http://stickermule.com/">Stickermule</a>), prints (<a href="http://overnightprints.com/">Overnight Prints</a>) and artbooks (<a href="http://lulu.com/">lulu</a>) I pay to be produced by an outside company who then sends me the product that I sell. Though if I *did* have a print shop of my own I'd be a very happy girl, haha. Really though it's just nice to be appreciated for the hard work I do making the products I sell and hopefully this will educate people on my processes, whether they are simply curious as to how I make all this stuff or want to try their hand at making their own shrink plastic creations. </div>
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My process:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT49KyaAofZO0zK2bRBaHxYonYn-a-AnBhzR4mSThBZHU0GXA8yY66fCPwfnbT9DbJ1ObY2T5rbNP_RsuxUD9Ub1hMWn78RD0_5hnNvW7Pn__pkSdjAk1ty6EK1mDieQue2_72QgDSLuM/s1600/10612979_10152504685583855_6565209041135756078_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT49KyaAofZO0zK2bRBaHxYonYn-a-AnBhzR4mSThBZHU0GXA8yY66fCPwfnbT9DbJ1ObY2T5rbNP_RsuxUD9Ub1hMWn78RD0_5hnNvW7Pn__pkSdjAk1ty6EK1mDieQue2_72QgDSLuM/s1600/10612979_10152504685583855_6565209041135756078_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 1: print </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowgOfqEeCZOKFObD3m8mS6PB08wf1w8JwftGMq3WzZaZKZRar404tucLDeK-0pHD3VMr_NAU5stECNe1ER342q9EzUZaMpwD-Kcx2DcntlxAOg02iRXZmWiG9p-PjGWdEOijkMtyLB6w/s1600/10348447_10152493389683855_9053959904253941433_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowgOfqEeCZOKFObD3m8mS6PB08wf1w8JwftGMq3WzZaZKZRar404tucLDeK-0pHD3VMr_NAU5stECNe1ER342q9EzUZaMpwD-Kcx2DcntlxAOg02iRXZmWiG9p-PjGWdEOijkMtyLB6w/s1600/10348447_10152493389683855_9053959904253941433_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 2: cut</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 3: cook</td></tr>
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Bonus video:</div>
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="448" scrolling="no" src="//instagram.com/p/dNYWfSNEl8/embed/" width="350"></iframe></center>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnRaF1oQqy7dT700I_hg0MAF18-b-sRdeA7oHrfnQB69tyrOXnEU6vtInOgKxi_RMi3beR7khI9MWNeaapMiBrDnNaGClduHpf9KLeX0Fr7J5Q4v4M_l7-wNkeORuZhc3WahI8L4yLTs/s1600/10464008_10152446077728855_4965449303784245109_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnRaF1oQqy7dT700I_hg0MAF18-b-sRdeA7oHrfnQB69tyrOXnEU6vtInOgKxi_RMi3beR7khI9MWNeaapMiBrDnNaGClduHpf9KLeX0Fr7J5Q4v4M_l7-wNkeORuZhc3WahI8L4yLTs/s1600/10464008_10152446077728855_4965449303784245109_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 4: spray</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Rs2p9R8TEswCDO6rC9hyphenhyphenzzDm3CdiLHfa3AbHXOg2gsai65EsEvhTsmSpob9Qr6F3RlIR3re_IQLD0njcqk6UJGUvcuC4FUi5Ykbbtm6gLGSVcUw1G3VHpkiuK_L99WvrkRqBv83B3jI/s1600/10330334_10152448101838855_7780196197199296828_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Rs2p9R8TEswCDO6rC9hyphenhyphenzzDm3CdiLHfa3AbHXOg2gsai65EsEvhTsmSpob9Qr6F3RlIR3re_IQLD0njcqk6UJGUvcuC4FUi5Ykbbtm6gLGSVcUw1G3VHpkiuK_L99WvrkRqBv83B3jI/s1600/10330334_10152448101838855_7780196197199296828_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 5: glue</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpEPXwEjd9fUawdAshqqL3gasxuOT3OIlIIUvT2pWUAk8OlieURNgWn-gEy_8gn7ul6y51vWb9UmUKy95OzlIkIlfIlJREA863hPzbi0EP5yNr1n9c9Gbpv7YPre3aZNuKs2kT1fH2wM/s1600/10527308_10152454380568855_913296179905133151_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpEPXwEjd9fUawdAshqqL3gasxuOT3OIlIIUvT2pWUAk8OlieURNgWn-gEy_8gn7ul6y51vWb9UmUKy95OzlIkIlfIlJREA863hPzbi0EP5yNr1n9c9Gbpv7YPre3aZNuKs2kT1fH2wM/s1600/10527308_10152454380568855_913296179905133151_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 6: attach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibk9CvYiyOXZDA1f94zcAp0Hxgv18t6DH9Jeh6mSs6AGvYnXghIP81hnjPCcDDF-mCkJOCQYC_51e709vJM-mkE5oYIoZ7Qv7y4si84iik9gVpmY3t7VpLr6L6_K1s53BC5vFH0QWv4bg/s1600/10446645_10152454648843855_7834733353518523343_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibk9CvYiyOXZDA1f94zcAp0Hxgv18t6DH9Jeh6mSs6AGvYnXghIP81hnjPCcDDF-mCkJOCQYC_51e709vJM-mkE5oYIoZ7Qv7y4si84iik9gVpmY3t7VpLr6L6_K1s53BC5vFH0QWv4bg/s1600/10446645_10152454648843855_7834733353518523343_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 7: wrap</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-CS0XvNpkhjUKeQT2dcO6R1X48dIHMOyiP9wNcFlYhbfrgb1gSZ-elDh3b7jPFsMbSyI0yB2Hm5xW7vzy0IK3SdyTgG8na08k88Js8CDIHrHiAN4E34gXxJj8xkqpXrTHXI3gClYR54/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-11+at+5.33.55+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-CS0XvNpkhjUKeQT2dcO6R1X48dIHMOyiP9wNcFlYhbfrgb1gSZ-elDh3b7jPFsMbSyI0yB2Hm5xW7vzy0IK3SdyTgG8na08k88Js8CDIHrHiAN4E34gXxJj8xkqpXrTHXI3gClYR54/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-11+at+5.33.55+PM.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 8: admire</td></tr>
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If you want to get some of my magnets for your own, check out <a href="http://www.theartofpaigey.com/p/conventions-and-art-shows.html">my convention schedule</a> to see if I'm coming to your town! If I'm not, or you're a hermit like me- be sure to check out <a href="http://paigeypumphrey.etsy.com/">my etsy store</a>!</div>
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<script src="https://www.etsy.com/assets/js/etsy_mini_shop.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">new Etsy.Mini(5640115,'gallery',2,4,0,'https://www.etsy.com');</script></center>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743199616608351614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120497365986905446.post-65152753548758590122014-08-04T17:40:00.001-04:002014-08-05T07:54:03.225-04:00Aftermath: Visionary Tattoo Arts Festival 2014<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtX0rCPICswlLgtF8wQTBMei2Z1ZxCsHpEvYsdm50-jhLBHNthjBhblEzFPw6Sw9gZewvP17NY_8EWiaeejaGpWdaZibQDsLsEsIXEuVrDD5Y0h3bNqEUPwrHDRI1fMvrKNtZxo-5xxwo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-04+at+5.14.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtX0rCPICswlLgtF8wQTBMei2Z1ZxCsHpEvYsdm50-jhLBHNthjBhblEzFPw6Sw9gZewvP17NY_8EWiaeejaGpWdaZibQDsLsEsIXEuVrDD5Y0h3bNqEUPwrHDRI1fMvrKNtZxo-5xxwo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-04+at+5.14.06+PM.png" height="317" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My art on the lanyards! Pretty neat!</td></tr>
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Last weekend (7/25-27) was the 2014 <a href="http://njtattoofest.com/">Visionary Tattoo Arts Festival</a> in Asbury Park, NJ! This was my second year attending the show and I definitely had some mixed feelings this year. Like last year, I did all of the art and branding and in return got hooked up with vending space at the show. I invited my best friend Fenny of <a href="http://littleasiansweatshop.com/">Little Asian Sweatshop</a> to come out with me and was hoping for a repeat of the insane success I had at last year's show. Which is kind of the thing about conventions and vending, you really have no idea year-to-year how it's going to pan out. The spot I had last year next to the entrance had been bought out, so I
was given a more Artist Alley-style set up of a long row of tables (3 6'
tables- an 18' super table!) in the corner by the stage. From my perspective on the floor it definitely didn't seem as busy this year as last year- the weather
wasn't as nice and the upper deck was unaccessible to the show due to
construction, so the main floor was crowded with artists and vendors. Fenny and I also busted out our new Victorian swimsuits for the affair, with ridiculous poof-ball hats to boot. They were a hit and we will be absolutely be wearing these to more shows in the future. We're already planning a spooky rendition to wear to <a href="http://www.monstermania.net/MMC29_Guests.html">Monster Mania</a> this fall, which will include skull makeup, 'RMS Titanic' labels on our hat bands and ribcage corsets. I am super excited. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29WKwxMYb4oyVWWIFh5ko_4gTE_KNCx-efgV3tEy-zco-CRepjNcLsIkHB4vaNN4_PthjD_DLON-Ug-YJ7XBQtlBQiv2cjGd5zrm_MH4RxqOl0XHNTwgmiymnq5KcH3CLUcvq_RJkwNI/s1600/Paigey+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29WKwxMYb4oyVWWIFh5ko_4gTE_KNCx-efgV3tEy-zco-CRepjNcLsIkHB4vaNN4_PthjD_DLON-Ug-YJ7XBQtlBQiv2cjGd5zrm_MH4RxqOl0XHNTwgmiymnq5KcH3CLUcvq_RJkwNI/s1600/Paigey+1.jpg" height="259" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy <a href="http://andreatarr.com/">andreatarr.com</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TnqfpPCu-vMAr6gTupC9YKueggw9G5-cLT-ByXUp8syV20oCoDXeFamZQYyXFkVK-SZBGxPVCQMSkIwkS-gDBuQ0xUELSNRD8pCQrAAlQKxkpfTcTfaqZiEj7QhLJhve9eVzn4v52LA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-04+at+5.13.44+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TnqfpPCu-vMAr6gTupC9YKueggw9G5-cLT-ByXUp8syV20oCoDXeFamZQYyXFkVK-SZBGxPVCQMSkIwkS-gDBuQ0xUELSNRD8pCQrAAlQKxkpfTcTfaqZiEj7QhLJhve9eVzn4v52LA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-04+at+5.13.44+PM.png" height="320" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our 18' SUPER TABLE! So much stuff!</td></tr>
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Much like at <a href="http://www.theartofpaigey.com/2014/05/aftermath-baltimore-tattoo-arts.html">Baltimore Tattoo Convention earlier this year</a>, the attendees also seemed to be more interested in looking and hanging out rather than buying stuff. There was an overall attitude to the crowd this year that kind of rubbed me the wrong way- like 60% of the people attending had no interests in anything. Guys that were 'too cool' to get excited about stuff. Indignant boyfriends who got annoyed if their girlfriends stopped to look at our table. Lots of teenagers who obviously spent their whole 'allowance' getting to the show so they have a place to hang out with their friends all day unsupervised. People were also being, for lack of a better word- cheap. Like agonizing over purchases that were less than $5. And people trying to haggle over single item purchases right as they came to the table. And believe me, I'm all about value and deals at my table- if you engage me in healthy conversation and build a rapport with me and then end up buying a few items- I will most likely throw an extra few buttons or a sticker or other goodies in your bag. But to just roll up and demand an item clearly marked as $18 be $15? I'm sorry, but no. Also with my attempting to make vending at conventions a viable portion of my career, I need to take a serious look at the numbers and economics of this endeavor. I keep records of how much I sell and break that down into what I would consider an hourly rate. Shows with especially long hours like tattoo shows eat into that rate as there are longer lulls in sales and an overall lack of urgency when compared to shows with shorter hours. If at the end of the day I don't reach a certain monetary goal with my table, I may as well pack it in. There comes a point where if I do not make back my expenses such as travel, hotel and table costs then I am hemorrhaging money and would actually be making more money staying at home. Which is actually what ended up happening on Sunday at Visionary, plus Fenny and I were going to drive all the way back to Maryland and wanted to beat beach traffic.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_gE-oTbw3b7XBmtRdI0EdoC3DUpTTnLUheZL8hZZQBe3Tt7qSTyPKc_cyw1kx3MYnMcnMiuZTxPZMND94KhXUmET9eDENhJZk3AGvYtxoauJmuEpCv8cr-z6eaA36Et4SLB5dOuBM40/s1600/Paigey+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_gE-oTbw3b7XBmtRdI0EdoC3DUpTTnLUheZL8hZZQBe3Tt7qSTyPKc_cyw1kx3MYnMcnMiuZTxPZMND94KhXUmET9eDENhJZk3AGvYtxoauJmuEpCv8cr-z6eaA36Et4SLB5dOuBM40/s1600/Paigey+2.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy <a href="http://andreatarr.com/">andreatarr.com</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluErE8ahGnED738np5NGu4ba8iB8-jymXMen1CtQ5C1ivI0K5wD1Cw9k-93vQdR5RlnJaV-03djDRqW16o8Zo7jZbVxdrJRVjdMrVdrF7YSndkcHS-5gfnbXRZUX278Tb_DjXpesW37g/s1600/Paigey+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluErE8ahGnED738np5NGu4ba8iB8-jymXMen1CtQ5C1ivI0K5wD1Cw9k-93vQdR5RlnJaV-03djDRqW16o8Zo7jZbVxdrJRVjdMrVdrF7YSndkcHS-5gfnbXRZUX278Tb_DjXpesW37g/s1600/Paigey+3.jpg" height="267" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy <a href="http://andreatarr.com/">andreatarr.com</a></td></tr>
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I got a lot of the reseller assumptions as well- where people literally do not realize that I drew and made all the merch I sell until I tell them. And for every person I tell, I'm sure there's another 3 people at least that I don't explain myself to who just assume I just get all my merch from somewhere and flip it. Which can be frustrating, especially when I've already invested a lot of myself into maintaining a table and all the merch upon it. While most people are out getting blasted on Friday/Saturday nights- I'm at home drawing and cutting and making in preparation for shows like this. Maybe it's that I'm used to working comic shows for so long- when the attendees are all nerds who by nature are obsessive they tend to come in to a show with an understanding of how conventions work (like artist alley is where artists are...) and with a clear set agenda that includes making purchases. Even the most jaded fan is still a fan of *something*.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DzLgFdH0dNiuQ7pbRN1-IQb708VywLju-JqVCY_82IzkEuN9XYJpPKqR55gjOF-iWiYWilG6beS05ROchUBb7H2IYMmUkw0UqKCDuY0ohtxtQP-F23b-TbgBJ49z2rqjKaATjFFm3i4/s1600/AP-Tattoo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DzLgFdH0dNiuQ7pbRN1-IQb708VywLju-JqVCY_82IzkEuN9XYJpPKqR55gjOF-iWiYWilG6beS05ROchUBb7H2IYMmUkw0UqKCDuY0ohtxtQP-F23b-TbgBJ49z2rqjKaATjFFm3i4/s1600/AP-Tattoo-1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://www.youdontknowjersey.com/2014/07/got-ink-visionary-tattoo-arts-festival-in-asbury-park-photo-gallery/#%21prettyPhoto">youdontknowjersey.com</a></td></tr>
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With all of that however I will say there were some very nice people that I met at the show as well as people from last year who were kind enough to swing by and say hello. I discussed portrait commissions with some potential clients and hopefully will see that come into fruition in the coming months. I also greatly appreciate all of you who came by and bought stuff or made my day go by a little easier with some engaging conversation. Also I liked the hotel we stayed at- <a href="http://www.asburyempress.com/">The Empress</a> and the area around it on the boardwalk that I had the chance to visit- especially the crepe and Korean taco stands. My only gripe about the hotel was the price (hella pricey for what it was...) and there was no little store in the hotel (only a vending machine- which sold snacks, soda, Alka-seltzer and condoms. <i>No water.</i> WTF?). But the balcony was delightful- GREAT people watching. Especially on a Saturday night- we must have seen at least 3 separate people get busted and hauled off in cop cars, it was great. My husband and I plan on taking an actual trip FOR FUN down to Asbury soon so I can actually enjoy everything there without thinking about work. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLK_RKHyj-2OhoBIpXdSog6gKSW98nZPZFD39rW2GJ6j4sNOrguOS2lc19XIihwofexI3HOovlrsIaouXu_oGFaYojiDX_Y1Fo5rLZzKBvKcS68wA5Ta1mQFTGBEDnoqQth0B2TUyBPc/s1600/AP-Tattoo-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLK_RKHyj-2OhoBIpXdSog6gKSW98nZPZFD39rW2GJ6j4sNOrguOS2lc19XIihwofexI3HOovlrsIaouXu_oGFaYojiDX_Y1Fo5rLZzKBvKcS68wA5Ta1mQFTGBEDnoqQth0B2TUyBPc/s1600/AP-Tattoo-10.jpg" height="206" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://www.youdontknowjersey.com/2014/07/got-ink-visionary-tattoo-arts-festival-in-asbury-park-photo-gallery/#%21prettyPhoto">youdontknowjersey.com</a></td></tr>
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So with this in mind I may have to rethink my venture into tattoo shows- I gave it a shot and it has it's ups and downs but for as expensive a venture as it is to do these, it may not be entirely worth the risk. It seems my true home as it always was is among the nerds. Also those 12+ hour days kinda destroy me. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyg8p8zEPTUw7rPpGx7N_9DxT7O0x_RKow05VeucwbEnDdnaGz_RbW-1nlNyrOpZ_1N-tmDpuKskkMf76nhFFat0keWatLr-jO7F5-N1TSrfapquZURTDAVVlGmjDRc3Q1Xg9hyphenhyphen9nxdHY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-04+at+5.14.18+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyg8p8zEPTUw7rPpGx7N_9DxT7O0x_RKow05VeucwbEnDdnaGz_RbW-1nlNyrOpZ_1N-tmDpuKskkMf76nhFFat0keWatLr-jO7F5-N1TSrfapquZURTDAVVlGmjDRc3Q1Xg9hyphenhyphen9nxdHY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-04+at+5.14.18+PM.png" height="320" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743199616608351614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120497365986905446.post-77571065741947744592014-07-12T14:29:00.000-04:002014-07-12T14:29:50.684-04:00Bi-Coastal! My art is in both Image Comics and Sailor Moon tribute shows this month! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-B-J_pRHMCix734d6QY553AghdNaI74FKw8VzV5KWJyicFgXFT0l1W6Xs2Bk2m_aIYilZ6PiSXq8Q5GJptOA7EwFe163l4F5WtZEryTOr6s4HpdIAPY5lek47taHLKvSrEi_GFMNsqs/s1600/Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-B-J_pRHMCix734d6QY553AghdNaI74FKw8VzV5KWJyicFgXFT0l1W6Xs2Bk2m_aIYilZ6PiSXq8Q5GJptOA7EwFe163l4F5WtZEryTOr6s4HpdIAPY5lek47taHLKvSrEi_GFMNsqs/s1600/Blog.jpg" height="317" width="320" /></a></div>
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Two group art shows opened up this month, one in Los Angeles and another right here in New York City. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4zmawGYZA-s8FlQnmmuQZDAMY9EH_IolvFJqt-tcCXDKHDtw1r0UyEJ7XxNlV5jL5uL-pINFh3EYzhCDyGnIFILdXEHSYPAO7I8SfdvdUAO-v_HIvl3ZsSP96I27E6ID5gzkhlIFCRc/s1600/983623_624756900952545_28617822_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4zmawGYZA-s8FlQnmmuQZDAMY9EH_IolvFJqt-tcCXDKHDtw1r0UyEJ7XxNlV5jL5uL-pINFh3EYzhCDyGnIFILdXEHSYPAO7I8SfdvdUAO-v_HIvl3ZsSP96I27E6ID5gzkhlIFCRc/s1600/983623_624756900952545_28617822_n.jpg" height="118" width="320" /></a></div>
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Out in LA, the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MoonCrisis2014">Moon Crisis 2014 Sailor Moon tribute show</a> opened at the Rothick Art Haus to a massive crowd of cosplayers and fans.<a href="http://www.laweekly.com/slideshow/moon-crisis-a-sailor-moon-tribute-art-show-41658688/"> LA Weekly</a> has some amazing photos from the event. I unfortunately couldn't make it to the show as trips to LA are expensive, but if you are in the area there will be a second opening for the show on August 9th, and then the show continues running until August 30th.After that, you will be able to purchase a print of your own from my <a href="http://society6.com/theartofpaigey">Society 6 pag</a>e or through me directly at my <a href="http://www.theartofpaigey.com/p/conventions-and-art-shows.html">upcoming convention appearances</a>.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://mooncrisis2014.myshopify.com/collections/moon-crisis-a-sailor-moon-tribute-art-show">The entire show is also on sale to the public, as you can see here.</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdusoLiQGIrmdWpAYUhGKHjm61wgG2IRDziz_WbRVNnSPkdl6vF8juiHB3YTrF4IY4xgiACOSH6oYgyUtczyKLGUYOlib5zoKUTD3DpS_RcWxGwT486ecBm4p-oQVdLniSTIXdya-GUt8/s1600/9867042.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdusoLiQGIrmdWpAYUhGKHjm61wgG2IRDziz_WbRVNnSPkdl6vF8juiHB3YTrF4IY4xgiACOSH6oYgyUtczyKLGUYOlib5zoKUTD3DpS_RcWxGwT486ecBm4p-oQVdLniSTIXdya-GUt8/s1600/9867042.0.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see my piece all the way to the left on the end.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Sailor Moon poster!</td></tr>
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Back here in New York City, I'm also taking part in <a href="http://oneshotgallery.net/From-Spawn-to-Saga">One-Shot Gallery's From Spawn to Saga: Image Comics at 22</a> show. The micro gallery is in <a href="http://www.stmarkscomics.com/">St. Mark's Comics</a> in the East Village, NYC- one of my most favorite neighborhoods in the world. My Ladytron piece is available for sale either at the store or over the internet via the online gallery.<br /><br /> </div>
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<a href="http://comicsalliance.com/one-shot-gallerys-image-comics-tribute-show-features-art-inspired-by-spawn-wildc-a-t-s-saga-and-more/?trackback=fbshare_top">Comics Alliance even gave the show a little shout-out!</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743199616608351614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120497365986905446.post-9034370248141485362014-07-03T06:00:00.000-04:002014-07-03T09:15:17.041-04:00Things I Love Thursday: Dressing Up and Artist Alley tables<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming soon: Fenny and I as the 60's Cobra Typing Pool of Evil</td></tr>
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My partner-in-crime Fenny (of <a href="http://littleasiansweatshop.com/">Little Asian Sweatshop</a>) and I have started a habit of dressing up in matching outfits at conventions we work, because we are total dorks and LOVE wearing thematically appropriate outfits. We both LOVE dressing up. It's one of the things that brought us together in the early years of our friendship, as we met through the cosplay culture of anime and comic conventions in the late 90's. We both lived in Maryland at the time and went to many conventions in the mid Atlantic, but only attended as cosplayers/fans as opposed to working. It was fun and crazy and we'd wear 3 different costumes a day and pose for pictures and party party party. And as a total goody-two-shoes all through my adolescent years, it was like going from Dawn Weiner to Party Monster over the span of a weekend. My John Hughes moment of the girl dressed for prom having the slow descent down the staircase to show how hot no one knew she was was for me coming down the hotel escalator at Katsucon '00 dressed in a vinyl catsuit as my childhood hero The Baroness from G.I.Joe. Random nerds threw themselves before me and pledged allegiance. Dudes ran up to their hotel rooms to find their Cobra tshirt they KNOW they packed. Friends that knew me didn't recognize me. I had so many people stop me for pictures it was like I was on the red carpet. It was bonkers. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first cosplay- Pikachu at Otakon 1998.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Subsequent costumes followed.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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During this time I was attending and then graduated from the Kubert School where I was studying to pursue my lifelong dream of being a comic book artist, so attending conventions suddenly shifted from being a fun place to hang out in a crazy outfit while blitzed out of your mind to a veritable job fair-meets-minefield full of potential coworkers, mentors and bosses. And there were the opinions my heroes- people whose creations I had been following since childhood to worry about. So thinking I could have my cake and eat it too, I would wear a costume and try to schlep my portfolio around to different creators for advice and editors for jobs. It didn't work out very well. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dragon*Con 03 Fenny and I were 5th Element Stewardesses</td></tr>
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Portfolio reviews on a convention floor are tough enough on their own, but add a vinyl catsuit and a water bottle full of not-so-secret vodka to the mix and you will become a very sweaty, anxious, distracting mess. It still hadn't occurred to me at the time to just say screw it and get my own table to sell my wares and share my work. Get people to come to me instead. Cuz yeah, walking around for portfolio reviews as a young artist is a soul-crushing experience. You're waiting in lines, during a busy show where a lot of people are around you having fun, only to have your best and brightest works be torn down within minutes by a tired, irritable corporate servant looking for someone worthy (ie: safe or a sure bet) of spending the company's money. Which was never me. So I would keep drawing my weird punk rock characters and pinup girls and work my cliche Generation X slacker jobs- barista at an internet cafe, courier, tv/stereo salesperson, Tower Records store artist (the BEST) and Hot Topic manager. And go to conventions where I'd sink a crazy amount of money into costumes that I'd wear for a few hours then never see again. It was ludicrous. I wish I could go back in time and shake myself until the connection of costumes, conventions and retail would light up in my dulled 20's brain sooner. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">D*C 03, Fenny and I as poppy and mushroom fairies</td></tr>
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I mean eventually it did happen, but I had to really get my life sorted before I had the courage to just put myself out there on an Artist Alley table. I had gone into a full depression in my life outside of conventions and was in an absolute rut personally and professionally. I suffered abuse, had my heart broken and made some really bad choices. Fortunately through a very tumultuous 2004-2007 I was able to get rid of my toxic friends (except Fenny of course, who's awesome), start dating my now-husband Phil Balsman and move to New York City to get an actual art/design related day job. These changes all had profound impacts on me. You can read all about that struggle <a href="http://www.theartofpaigey.com/2012/04/milestones.html">HERE</a>. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXnKqJzcSa80y0AeRsVNA_3bcr39ogbC3uelmny3V6Wgud0rjI2hICbnVUkLNwUtr_qznh6T4bMS6tYV_sRFExtNR_7XQqDf3e4drH4wZfrEIZvkliz9KzmWu2atL31pgIs9M328ecPg/s1600/486061_10150786745508855_140235449_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXnKqJzcSa80y0AeRsVNA_3bcr39ogbC3uelmny3V6Wgud0rjI2hICbnVUkLNwUtr_qznh6T4bMS6tYV_sRFExtNR_7XQqDf3e4drH4wZfrEIZvkliz9KzmWu2atL31pgIs9M328ecPg/s1600/486061_10150786745508855_140235449_n.jpg" height="320" width="181" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HOODIE OF SADNESS</td></tr>
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As I was preparing to get my life together I started to take a step back from cosplay and started focusing more on the pinup aesthetic in both my art and my lifestyle. I also started getting attention for my art outside of the comic and convention culture via roller derby bout posters. I finally was starting to get recognition and realized I didn't necessarily need the approval of the editor reviewing portfolios. To be honest the lofty teenage pipedream of drawing X-Men as a monthly book kinda died years ago. I have friends from college who draw on monthly books. Once you see how a job like that can just grind you into the ground it looks a lot less appealing for a slacker like me. I'd much rather do a comic at my own pace. So instead my newfound artistic outlet of roller derby took me out of obscurity in the comic world and put me in the spotlight of the aging punk/tattoo/DIY/ counterculture, which is full of people all are trying to scrape by and figure out how to just get paid enough to survive doing the silly crap we love to do. This boost of confidence from an audience that was very receptive to my work was what I needed my first time selling at Baltimore Comic Con 2007, after I had moved to NYC the spring before. I was so afraid of failure I didn't tell anyone I was coming down for the show. I was terrified my toxic friends would show up and sabotage my hard work. All I had was prints and no other merch. It was very bare bones. I wore JEANS at the table and sat most of the time (which is UNHEARD of nowadays with me...). I don't remember how much I made or any real solid details but I do recall it being an overwhelmingly positive experience. Enough that I've been going to conventions in a professional capacity ever since. As I went to more and more shows I started using my sales and merchandising training from all my past retail jobs and started applying that to selling stuff I actually could stand behind with full confidence: my own artwork. Every convention is an exercise in trial-and-error, but they most
especially were those first 2-3 years. Awkward merch on precarious
displays. Too many things of stuff no one wants to buy. Overly
complicated signage. You learn something every show you go to. Even the
bad ones. Especially the bad ones. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first table- Baltimore Comic Con 07. I had no idea what I was doing.</td></tr>
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Around this time in my mid-late 20's I was coming into my own physically with quite a bit of a LADY shape. Surprising enough, for most it's a shock that I didn't always look the outrageously curvaceous way I do now. I was a very late bloomer. In 2004 I was going to hip-hop concerts and had no tattoos and was wearing knitted beanies in the summertime like a doofus. At one point I had a super corporate job where I forced myself to dress like a Sunday school teacher. I've gone through a lot of phases. I wasn't cosplaying at all by 2005, but me being me I needed an outlet to
wear what I want. Too many hoodies will depress a person. I missed
feeling and looking like a lady. I also had started getting to know about some other people in Baltimore (outside of the veritable noose that was my circle of friends at the time) via roller derby, and through friends-of-friends encountered Stacey Barich, founder of A<a href="http://atomiccheesecakestudios.com/">tomic Cheesecake Studios</a>. Fortunately through Stacey's photography studio I was introduced to pinup and midcentury fashion, and started incorporating nicer, more structured clothing into my wardrobe that was made to accentuate my body. I looked like a cartoon! I looked like MY cartoons!! But other than conventions, where can I even wear stuff like this and not get made fun of or harassed? Still living in suburban Maryland I didn't want to pull up at the fratty college bar and do a shooter in a tiny hat and corset. Or wear vintage fur and gloves to go over and pick up weed. Not having outlets for awesome outfits was driving me crazy. It wasn't until I moved to NYC that I felt comfortable dressing how I wanted to, because EVERYTHING in NYC is so crazy all the time that it's really not that big of a deal. I started going to events like burlesque shows and art openings where eccentric dress is actually rewarded with compliments and not with drunk rednecks screaming at you from across parking lots. NYC is truly a place where eccentrics like me can run free in their native habitat. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2008-2013's ensembles and costumes. A slippery slope indeed.</td></tr>
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Once I started running my own tables and got a pleasant reception about my work, my confidence boosted. This might be a surprise to those of you who have met me in person, but I'm kinda socially awkward. Daresay a bit of a wallflower. At actual social events, I tend to stick to the sidelines. Without the visual aid of my artwork and merch, it's kinda hard to tell the average person what it is I do all day. I've watched people's eyes glaze over as I explain how <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=au%3APumphrey%2C+Paige.&qt=hot_author">I letter manga for my dayjob.</a> That doesn't happen nearly as much at conventions I'm vending at. The Artist Alley table I stand behind and the silly outfits I wear are my sword and my shield. I've said before in a <a href="http://www.theartofpaigey.com/2010/08/aftermath-baltimore-comic-con-2010.html">previous entry on here </a>and I've said it a zillion times over since, I'm like one of those deep sea fish with the dangly light- I bring people to my table with my big, bright ensembles and sparkling personality then chomp down on them with the concept that I drew (and now SELL) all the artwork in front of me on the table. Some people are actually shocked. "You drew all this stuff?", they say. And it's like yeah, dude I frickin' hustle. As fun as this all is, it's still WORK. I'm my own booth babe. (I actually found a tshirt that says that.) Wearing outfits and getting dressed for conventions makes people happy to see me and that's a nice feeling. It's hard to be in a bad mood while wearing a fantastical outfit and surrounded by positivity and excitement. And especially with the more costumey-spin I've been doing with my convention outfits- it's a way to show my love for a character or property in my own way and on my own terms. Especially superheroes. Like I love both Wonder Woman and Power Girl. I see a lot of myself in them. But as much as I love them, I really don't want to run around with my ass hanging out. Hence why I made them both retro ensembles that evoke the character without having to wear a lycra jumpsuit. That's where being an artist comes in handy. Most of the characters I draw wear what I would wear. My art imitates my life and my life imitates my art. Those costumes (seen in the above collage) are literally items just hanging out in my closet. My Power Girl dress is my *wedding dress*! And then it just makes it awesomer to encounter people who really feel what I'm doing. If I'm gonna go through all the trouble of stepping away from my art and leaving the comfort of my house and getting myself hyped up to talk to people for hours upon hours with no break then goddammit I'm gonna at least look cute and make money. Haha.<br />
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So the original reason I wanted to post this! Fenny and I are dressing up as an evil 60's Cobra typing pool! It's like Mad Men-meets-G.I.Joe! It's basically all stuff from my closet!! Yay! So I'm dressing up of course as The Baroness (revisiting one of my 'classic cosplays') and Fenny is being the HR manager! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXaeDgrzXarLidC5DcVpoYgCt8kjYBU9bKYPasTpiHSRxR1k_e-T0R7s5tT9HI-r-G-Gpnxb5xcyahSk5BwGDCdU1WaDNz4bEhKLG_Gq9TSaBzK3UM30EgIL6x8zPbuipcemMbLKxAJ8/s1600/baronessme-1.web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5tl4Va8b3fiGrkuPkAJZshH7TqhtNuQF-5w2yn94lu5BW24FXLJTVs8b7KW2CYm31M0wmVQDuAW_1oc-gFA97dyiPHzxeo-ggAn6h3YC5CEyC8TJJSarGn4Z3cqP0LqHxhGEI4AYRyQ/s1600/baronessme-1.web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5tl4Va8b3fiGrkuPkAJZshH7TqhtNuQF-5w2yn94lu5BW24FXLJTVs8b7KW2CYm31M0wmVQDuAW_1oc-gFA97dyiPHzxeo-ggAn6h3YC5CEyC8TJJSarGn4Z3cqP0LqHxhGEI4AYRyQ/s1600/baronessme-1.web.jpg" height="320" width="165" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's basically just me with a Cobra patch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgey5kRRdEGE_AwpWGOjGRwXzM-D_Fj3K9CdutuMO2D3NB8OSv70xq8l_CPBmFMYkLbP6dAz37LSQoD4agM7i9TsUw8XrmOxVgwnzMiWt_bA1c_nFh3C1swhACnYyK5jvy17aQeOeNuynA/s1600/CobraFenny.web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgey5kRRdEGE_AwpWGOjGRwXzM-D_Fj3K9CdutuMO2D3NB8OSv70xq8l_CPBmFMYkLbP6dAz37LSQoD4agM7i9TsUw8XrmOxVgwnzMiWt_bA1c_nFh3C1swhACnYyK5jvy17aQeOeNuynA/s1600/CobraFenny.web.jpg" height="320" width="153" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fenny's gonna look ADORABLE.</td></tr>
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Other outfits Fenny and I are doing:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXhM94pXzUi9qZgnG3T9lHNj5n7mhFvvW7ozkA7AqBpIK2GxkwxraCijMPkcP-Rg0i5uWDI42j6hWTNd74nYOOwigm7IlvzFehn1cbl7n9BdHtcfQRSug1jAVwdl7TeQvplOYC6Bu8RQ/s1600/10270721_10152329917833855_7259805440165393003_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXhM94pXzUi9qZgnG3T9lHNj5n7mhFvvW7ozkA7AqBpIK2GxkwxraCijMPkcP-Rg0i5uWDI42j6hWTNd74nYOOwigm7IlvzFehn1cbl7n9BdHtcfQRSug1jAVwdl7TeQvplOYC6Bu8RQ/s1600/10270721_10152329917833855_7259805440165393003_n.jpg" height="286" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Monster's Mate (aka Phyllis Dyller) and Francesca from Mad Monster Party for Monster Mania in October</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSMNVi7C7_9AG5YWXz42cSNmopnpUyvKvtKqJyxvqx57Hvk0xUs0VogbtkK13Ta7vpSr7mGSGwM0NbhSCvhkC9qoiUg2BMQcroGnaNGRbn6CdrCejthbwJdkD2o0yT27RZw43PQKAID4/s1600/AuxIOTW_RetroscopeSwim1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSMNVi7C7_9AG5YWXz42cSNmopnpUyvKvtKqJyxvqx57Hvk0xUs0VogbtkK13Ta7vpSr7mGSGwM0NbhSCvhkC9qoiUg2BMQcroGnaNGRbn6CdrCejthbwJdkD2o0yT27RZw43PQKAID4/s1600/AuxIOTW_RetroscopeSwim1.jpg" height="233" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victorian swimmer ladies at Visionary Tattoo Arts Festival in July!</td></tr>
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