I've been to cons over the years but only for as long as it took to make the rounds, show my portfolio and get out of there. This year was the first time I really went to promote my comic, make some connections, find new leads, and actually ENJOY the event, which I did immensely.

I spent the entire day at Javitz on Saturday the 7th of Feb and a good chunk of the night networking at an Indie Creators after party which went better than I expected.

The con had a great vibe and people were polite and friendly all over regardless of how packed it was. Everyone was carrying a bag of some sort so bumping was common and not once did anyone come out of their face with some "Yo, you bumped me bullshit."

Now if that was a rap concert half the room would've broken out in gunfire.




I handed out more samplers than I thought I would and that really put me on a high. I felt accomplished in that respect. I networked my ass off and made the rounds and met some new people and was more confident than at previous cons where I'd just focus on portfolio reviews and shun the rest. I went tin there to get my geek on and have a good time and damn if I didn't. Nine hours on my feet carrying one helluva heavy bag and still it was great. I saw so much and this time was able to process it without being overwhelmed, which can easily happen your first time at Comic Con.

The place is an eyegasm for sure. Lots of celebs walking around like Aaron Douglas and Mirina Sirtis, Peter Mayhew, Lou Ferrigno, Michael Buffer, Joss Whedon,and a few others whose names escape me. If you're a fan of novels there were a ton of novelists there signing books and more comic artists than you can shake a stick at. Some old timers too like Carmine Infantino, and my old instructor Irwin Hasen (who is too old to remember me lol). Some new jacks were there like JG Jones and Phil Jimenez but I mostly just checked out artwork and kept it moving. I don't do autographs because I think its stupid and pointless. What am I gonna do with someone's signature?







It's funny, no one gets starstruck by comic artists unless you're at a con. To me, I admire a lot of the guys working there but its their art I care about, not them per se. A lot of talent at the con for sure.

Tons of people in costume on Saturday as it was costume contest day so that's always good for a laugh, but some of those people really made amazing costumes. Wish I had taken more shots but I was focused on handing out samples and hand shaking and networking so I left it up to memory to catalogue the good ones.

The people attending were really nice and that makes all the difference. Very polite, no shovers or nasty attitudes.







It felt nice hanging out with people who enjoy similar things. Felt comfortable. No one judges you there and all is accepted; from blue hair to weighing 350-400 lbs,its all god at the con. Social triggers don't apply there and people can be themselves without fear of ridicule of judgment by those who have no right to even open their mouths.

I loved talking my niece with me on Sunday. We had a great time running around with my cousin Tai shopping for shirts (and a knife I bought) and checking out all the crazy toys from Japan and all over. The food was crazy expensive so we brought our own or ran out to McD's. $5 for a can of soda is wallet rape.

I look forward to going to another one and am glad I stayed to soak up the whole thing. It's a great place with so many vendors and stars and artists and products on display. We saw new video games, new movies, new gadgets, comics, toys, shirts...man it was a mindful for sure.

I'll cherish this memory of the time I took my niece to her first comic con and I know my lil sister was there with me every step of the way.

I hope some worthwhile connections grow out of the experience.

Conjurer

Not a lot of ambiguity in this one. I got the idea a few days ago at close to one in the morning and started sketching even though I don't do late nights much anymore. The idea hit me hard, I liked the image and went right for it figuring I'd better not take a chance and lose the muse by assuming it would be around in the morning.

I suppose that mindset can be applied to life.

This is pretty much what I saw in my head while watching an episode of Legend of The Seeker, a fantasy tv series on the CW.

I wanted to try a different approach to coloring and inking. I chose to ink only the outline and build up the details with digital paint. Which, by the way, is still painting regardless of what the nostalgic snobs have to say about Photoshop. I paint with pixels and it has just as much merit as oils or acrylics or watercolors.

The tools don't matter so long as you create, fuck the elitists. They're usually the same ones who manage to churn out one painting every six months from their "personal pain".

And by the way, for you non art types, most of the fine artists I've met in my travels are as full of shit as you imagine them to be once they get going about the soul of their work and what they were trying to say.

People who tell you they're deep...are anything but, just like guys that tell you how tough they are wind up being the biggest pussies you ever met. Real knows real on sight and no explanation is necessary.

The next 20-30-something artist that catches an attitude with you because you "didn't get" what they were trying to say in their piece probably had nothing to say and just slapped a bunch of expensive oils on a canvas with the mindset that o layman would dare question the art before them for fear of looking foolish. It's An Emperor's New Clothes kind of thing with some fine artists. You're looking at a canvas of bullshit and know it deep down but society has you believing "poor anatomy" and "poor color use" automatically means "abstract and profound".

Strip away the Hollywood / Soho bullshit people. If you like what you see, that's it. If it invokes an emotional response then its art. If it needs cue cards then its horse shit wrapped in a gold bow.

Some motherfuckers out there just can't draw but want to seem deep and talented and blessed so they get drunk, or stoned, or coked up and hit a canvas with the supplies their parents gave them the money for.

I used to work in a gallery in Soho and saw some of the biggest pieces of shit sold for thousands of dollars because the cue card taped to the wall made the wine drinkers feel wise.

It's no sour grapes, it's just real. Most art experts are anything but. Do-ers do, others teach or sell.

I do.

The Truth

Two kids; Jimmy and Bobby, were hanging out. Jimmy told Bobby "If you wanna get money out of your family just go up to them and say, I know all about it!"

"Everyone has secrets, so even if you pretend to know them, they'll do anything to keep them hidden and give you money to stay quiet. Try it out, it works!"

So Bobby figured why not? and went home to give it a shot.

He went to his sister and said; "Sis, I know ALL about it!"

And she became very nervous. "Please, don't tell mom! Here, I'll give you five bucks to stay quiet!"

Bobby was very pleased. So he decided to go on and make more cash.

He went to his mother; "Mom, I know ALL about it!"

She became very nervous; "Please, don't tell your father! Here's ten dollars to stay quiet!"

Bobby was elated. He decided to try it again.

He went to his father; "Dad, I know ALL about it!"

His father actually had no idea what the boy was talking about but figured it was something he'd forgotten. "Don't tell your mom, son! Here's twenty bucks! Mums the word!"

Outside, Bobby was counting his cash and was delighted with himself. Then he saw the mailman and figured why not? I could always use more money.

So he went to the mailman and said "i know ALL about it!"

A look of shock crossed the mailman's face, then...a huge smile followed and he grabbed Bobby and hugged him tight.

"Oh SON, finally you know the truth!"

Respectfully,
P. Hernandez

Be sure to check out my artwork at
www.goofeesnax.com