Two Conventions and a Funeral
Let’s throw in a birthday for fun too.
The last 12 days have been an absolute tornado of caffeine, sleep deprived giddiness, too much sugar, lots of hugs, and enough bad portraits to paper a good-sized bedroom.
We started with Calgary Comic Expo in the new BMO Convention Centre where I saw old and new friends, and laughed enough to burn off the food truck fries (that were the best fries I’ve eaten, maybe). The 5-minute Bad Portraits were the big seller, as always, but poster and sticker sales are starting to give them a run for their money.
The new layout of the BMO centre took some getting used to. My neighbours were delightful. Blackwood Dice, Selkie Cove, Sketch Goblin and of course my best con buddy (and great friend) Hollohandcrafted participated in the madness that is Calgary Expo.
Expo is always a good time and we have become a bit of a destination for folks who want to be drawn badly time and time again. (I have one guy who has been drawn by me seven times)
My birthday was a low-key affair with a nice dinner and cake with the kids. Because my birthday is always hovering around the Expo weekend I normally celebrate on a later date and we will again this year too, but it was nice to spend time with my besties.
My step-dad’s celebration of life was what you would expect. Lot’s of love for those of us left behind, tears, laughter and an afternoon spent playing Exploding Kittens (which might be the unexpected thing, but seemed like the right thing).
Then we packed up and headed to Saskatoon for Pop Con. Saskatoon was new for us, so this was an adventure for sure. Luckily, I had my niece as both our hostess and as one of my booth babes to help out with sales. How much fun did we have? Way too much fun. Did we make money?… well we covered expenses and came up with a plan for next year (and for Possessed by Goats). So let’s put that one in the win column.
Now that I’m back home, the whirlwind is settling. There are prints to inventory, stickers to print, and sleep to catch up on. I’m shifting gears toward zine-making and summer projects, with a cup of tea nearby and maybe a cat or two supervising.
Thanks for sticking with me through the chaos. More art, more stories, and (hopefully) fewer funerals coming soon.
Stay weird, stay wonderful,
Kathleen
Possessed by Goats, fueled by fries