SFAL leaves on the the first day of fall.

*sigh*

So today, this was announced.

"We don't talk too much about all the behind-the-scenes stuff in organizing SFAL, but there were a lot of challenges and this year's show was particularly difficult. It's really a matter of available dates and venues and it has become increasingly hard in KC to get exhibit space at the same time a theater is available and there are enough hotel rooms for exhibitors and attendees. This year we were forced to change our exhibit space AND our dates, which put us opposite the city's long-running ConQuesT in the same hotel; they were gracious and we worked well together, but we felt like we were intruding on their territory, so to speak.

Spring has always been surprisingly crowded for events downtown—we've never been able to rent the Music Hall, for example, for the awards ceremony because it's booked solid with recitals and graduations in May—and with the pending construction of the Hyatt and the completion of the street cars, more and more conventions have been squeezing our dates. The addition of the KCComicon to the city in August along with the annual anime and horror cons—not to mention the World SF Convention in 2016—have made for a crowded genre landscape.

When we learned just before SFAL4 that the organizer of the local Planet Comicon had decided on the sly to move his 2016 show dates from March and secured our traditional dates for the convention center in May, the decision was sort of made for us. Competing for essentially much of the same audience in the same narrow time frame doesn't make any sense: moving to March in THEIR original spot wasn't an option for us because of a lack of hotel rooms (the Big 12 Basketball Tournement happens at that time; it didn't affect the comicon because they draw very few overnight attendees whereas SFAL accounts for over 1000 hotel room nights). Moving to Fall in KC would have brought higher rental prices for a theater and fewer date options (the convention center is a busy place). Because of Planet Comicon's tactic, the negative financial impact on the city, downtown hotels, restaurants, and businesses will be significant, but…that's the way things are."
(Fenners quoted from Facebook entry, 9/23/2015)

Kansas City at one point and time or another, has always had a myriad number of shows, both big and small, with both niche and mass appeal, that wove into each other here and there, only on occasion tripping over each other. Right about the time I really got into doing shows some seven or eight years back, the first rumblings of growth started coming through. Some might say it was also hand in hand with the rise of the popularity of shows like Mythbusters and Big Bang Theory that started the now current nerd/geek culture craze and brought a lot of casual fans along for the ride. It's no coincidence that the rise of Marvel blockbusters, and cross over fandoms from Dr. Who, assorted Anime, and toy collecting started to rise all over again like it was 1985...

Planet Comicon is certainly the current dominant powerhouse draw in the city for all access comic/pop culture, alongside the ever fantastic and growing Anime show NakaKon which has been around for some years now. SFAL was to enter it's fifth year in KC, and KCCC debuted with a strong entrance earlier this year.

Other shows, stalwart, focused, and feisty like ConQuest, FanCon/FreeState, Crypticon, KantCon, Motaku, KC ZineCon and some of the further out recent bretheren like Air Capital Comicon, TopCon, G.A.M.E., and more, have managed to thrive and keep on going because they fill needs that the other bigger shows do not.

Many of the shows moved venues as they grew, as prices changed, and as demand grew. Chances were, it was going to come to a head at some point, and to be honest, over the years recording and writing about many of the shows that I had attended, which include the majority of the aforementioned, it seemed like we were running out of space in more ways than one, but more importantly with the sudden appearance of World Con entering the scene for 2016,... into an area of burnout.

Convention burnout.

Here's why I say this. Chances are, that if you're an artist, writer, cosplayer or a vendor, more shows means more exposure, more chances to network and meet new people, and find new readers and gain customers. If you're an attendee, it means more media stars, more events that allow you to plan for or choose from, more art, toys, books, videos, etc and so on that one could look forward to. Sounds great right? I mean what could be bad about that?

Well, it could lead to the events, as diverse as they are, to be taken for granted, or maybe overlooked as larger shows outmaneuver and attempt to out advertise each other. Or maybe it can lead to lax shows, and dwindling performance. It can happen. It happened to last year's Wizard show in St. Louis. It's happened from time to time to some of the smaller shows here in KC.

But here is why I think I am wrong.

The greater Kansas City (both sides of the state line) area alone has a population of 1,737,025 people. This part of the midwest has a city that ranks around number 24 in the list of the most populated metropolitan areas. That is not taking into account people that come from the far out towns in the two states, or even from other states nearby like Iowa, Oklahoma, Colorado, Nebraska, Illinois, and Arkansas, that come to the shows we have here in Kansas City.

Now, you're probably asking why am I going on about this? What point do I have?

Well, it's one that beckons hope that many of us can sit back and realize just how lucky, blessed really, we are to have a fundamentally huge array of shows that allow us to celebrate our own unique fandoms and ways of rejoicing in them. I know that today, a fair amount of responses to the above post on Facebook were laced with disappointment, derision, and maybe even frustration, while people out on the West Coast were seemingly the ones most excited, and rightfully so that SFAL was moving.

But it brought out something that made me upset, and truthfully, a bit sad. I know that ultimately, comic or art shows of any kind are attempting to turn a profit, grow, and possibly become career ventures for those that run them if they become successful enough. But, from my own humble place, in helping out with KC FanCon and FreeState, I believe that a passion and love of the genres, the art, and just the overall experience of living in the fandoms, if only for a few hours on a given weekend, is just as important of a service to provide those that attend your shows, as it is to make money putting on that show.

Will the shows that vie for the top spots, or room in a crowded market, remember what makes a show special? Or is the call of the day to push out the competition and winner take all?

I hope not. I'd like to think that if all of the shows were able to work together, maybe SFAL would not have had the inclination to leave, maybe it would not have made a difference. Maybe there's far more to the story than any of us will ever know, and some years down the road, all of this will be an urban legend tale of sorts of when KC was on the verge of becoming what it was grooming to be. A mecca of sorts, for a hell of a lot of pop culture themed events and shows, that put the word "heart" back in the term "heartland".

I wish the Fenners and SFAL 5, much luck, I was a champion of that show ever since a comment was made years ago on the I believe now defunct conceptart.org site, about a show like this happening. I was always truthful in my reviews about the shows on my blog, and have many friends and acquaintances that line my memories from the SFAL shows. I will miss it, and I'd be lying if I said I was not a bit sad and maybe a bit angry. A KC show should stay in KC, but like they say, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Who knows what the future holds?

Well, I'll tell you. It holds a lot of other shows, that will keep on growing. That will bring new fans, new memories, new friendships, and new shows along. You see, it's not the shows that make the fandoms, its the people on both sides of the tables that make the shows.

Here's to 2016, and future friends, untold stories, and new memories to be forged in the heart of KC.

I bid you farewell SFAL, hello to you WorldCon, and welcome back to all the rest of the shows.

Until next time! - Mario, the Artisan Rogue

KC Zine Con

As I had said on the Facebook page... this was a pretty kick ass first show for KC ZineCon.


I managed to get a few good photos in. I met so many interesting people, and right out the gate, ZineCon forged a new and very vocal spot for itself among all the other conventions here in Kansas City.

It's not like any other show that I've been to in this area, and really ZineCon's founders didn't care if they had a show that was or wasn't like the others. I decided to go ahead and do a quick podcast episode about it, but in conjunction with what I'll talk about on there, please check out the images below, and next year, when this show comes around...

If you have a love of people that are voicing independent and unique literary materials...

If you have an appreciation of new angles and viewpoints and publications about issues that are overlooked in mass media...

If you like all that. Get to ZineCon. Just plan on going. Period. Anyway, load up the podcast and check out the pics as I bend your ear with some details of the show.

The promotional show poster, and the entrance to KC ZineCon.

Set up went really quickly, and I shared my table with my talented buddy from Iowa, D Ryan Allen.

The show started to get filled up rather quickly, and soon the room was abound with all kinds of conversations.

This was the only photo I managed to get of some of the people that had picked up Issue #4 of Pagan Zoetrope.

 Between KCCC and ZineCon, I have sold just around thirty eight issues of the initial first run of seventy issues. That is the fastest I've ever managed to sell any of the issues. 

I and Ryan spent a good portion of the show pitching sales and working on some artwork of our own.

 The beat of this show was just awesome for being able to connect with people and get conversations in. It had a wonderful woven social atmosphere that reminded me of the first Spectrum Fantastic Art Live some four years ago.

A lot of people I recognized showed up and mingled in the crowd. This guy though. That look could only mean one thing. "I'll meet you at the bike racks after school" or "I'm too sexy for this shirt.". C.W. Cooke always looks like he means business.

I talked it up a bit with local toymaker and all around awesome guy, Just. Here one of his incredibly kick ass custom action figures holds the miniature comic I created for him a the show.

 Just runs this great site, and how his and my path had not crossed, is beyond me. I hope to review some of his creations at a later date via my Rogue Hobbyist site.

I so wish that I had gotten more of a chance to talk to the creators and others that attended the show.

Overwhelming is probably the the one word I could use that really takes a swipe at the information and production of this fledgling show. I know that there were some moments that I felt a bit out of my comfort zone, and I loved every minute of it.

All good things come to an end, and thankfully a good portion of the attendees and publishers helped out at show's end.

As I drove off from the show that ran eight hours, I was so worn out, and yet endlessly inspired.

And so the show came to an end. Hope you all enjoyed the pictures, descriptions, and if you attended, that you had a great time at the show. I know I did, and am looking forward to next year!

Until next time, be kind to your fellow beings, support your local artists, and I'll see you next time! - Mario, the Artisan Rogue

KCCC 2015 - KC gets another convention.

For those that don't know, KCCC is the newest convention to take root in the KC area. Joining a roster that includes Planet Comicon, Naka Kon, Spectrum Fantastic Art Live, Conquest, Crypticon, FreeCon/FreeState, and many others I know I am forgetting at the moment, the coming year of 2016 will be one of the fullest schedules I've ever seen, especially when WorldCon and a rumored Star Trek convention roll into town next year.

As many of you know, I was off of the comic scene for a while, doing other types of art shows here and there, and keeping even a low profile at KC Fancons, and really only doing Spectrum shows. I finally got my head together on my art, and decided to get back into the comic push with this show.

So how did KCCC go?

Setup: Day Zero

First off, I don't blame KCCC for this, but the guy at Bartle Hall that thought he'd be funny and turn off the A/C on the first day during set up? I think I mirror a lot of sentiments when I say I hate you and all of your ancestors for doing that (and I'd say a lot more, but I have kids that read this blog).

Bartle Hall in general is not one of my favorite places just because they know they are the main game in town if you want to have a show downtown in KC. That said, the building itself is a great venue, and even the oppressive humidity didn't wear down people too badly.

I was very glad we could drive in and almost up to the tables.

It didn't take me too long to set up, maybe about an hour. So I spent the rest of the time wandering around, timing how long it took me to get from one end to the other, trying to figure out how a convention attendee might go about it after coming up the escalator.

The layout seemed promising from what I'd seen in the map provided to people in the show, and when I saw it in person, it seemed easy to navigate.

You could drive an 88 Lincoln through the space they allotted for people to use as walkways. Strollers and outlandish cosplays were not an issue.

The super spiffy and coveted cosplay award shields.

I really wanted a birds eye view of it all so I climbed up onto my truck for this shot.

So after making sure everything was locked down as best I could and set up right, I left for the evening to go back and charge some batteries, and finish packing up some art reproductions.

Day One

I don't even know why I am calling this a separate day, as I got maybe two and a half hours of sleep that evening. Not because I was nervous, but because I still had a few last minute things to get done. And each one I finished reminded me of yet one more thing I had to take/finish.

Yay! On the way to the show super early, and the heat was already in full effect.

I managed to squeeze everything into the cab of my truck (I love my truck) the day prior for set up, so all I brought on this day was spare D Cell batteries and my large fan. I think if memory serves me right, I got there about 8:30 am or so.

I quickly got my setup all finished up, and sat down and attempted to cool off with the aid of a battery powered fan. Do enough outdoor art shows and these become your lifeline.

The show wasn't even open yet and I saw this great cosplay of Hiro and Baymax. This kid got so much attention and it looked like he was having a blast during the show.

He was already zipping around the show being all super cool.

Good number of vendors came to this show, including one that had a table set up (see right below) that looked like the cool kid in the neighborhood's room. I think we all knew one kid like that, whose parents must have worked for Mattel and Nintendo? Who ALSO had the Blue Max racing bmx, and... and... had a refridgerator STOCKED with Pizza Rolls* and pouches of Capri Sun of flavors not even available to the public!?...

(ahem)

So this vendor had a lot of cool stuff on display...

It's probably a good thing I didn't get away from my table that much as one toy vendor had LOADS of my childhood memories laid out as toys to buy.

R2 units ran joyously all over this show. I am a huge Astromech fanboy, and loved that no matter who was around one, they always had smiles while interacting with them. Younger fans at the shows literally just watched mesmerized as these little guys trooped around.

The Cosplayers and other build groups were relegated to further back in the area, across from where the media guests were located.

I realized suddenly that I was across from Scribe. THE Scribe. The "Super Bad Ass Muralist and official Children's Mercy Illustrator" Scribe.

I actually never took the time to realize the name on the booth across from me, and I have to say that Scribe is seriously one of the most laid back and humble guys I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Any of you long time readers know I have often praised his work across the KC metro area in the past, and taken crazy photos in front of them.

Another fellow whom I'd only known through Facebook was the super talented Rikk Wolf of Incognito Cinema Warriors XP, whom I finally had a chance to meet on Friday. Hilarious and very down to earth guy that it seems I have a lot in common with, not the least of was our common ground in voice over work.

When I had down time, and I got to sit in the "oh so comfortable" convention chairs Bartle Hall provided, I worked on this opus of a work.

I got a LOT further on my "Dark Invader" illustration, and I hope to have that finished by the end of October. I brought my total hours invested in it from 68 hours to just around 89 by the time this weekend was over. It's further along than it looks above, the entire left arm and all of the facial tentacles are done.

The very talented Amber Stone was to my right. Artist alley at least where we were located never really got more densely packed than what you see here.

(Left) Longtime friends Amber and Tom stopped by for a bit which was a great surprise. (Right) Two great Star Trek cosplays.

This was my favorite cosplay on Friday. I have this Ant Lucia art print framed at home, and this cosplayer did it wonderfully!

By the way, if any of you readers recognize these cosplayers and know the names, please let me know so I can credit them on here! I totally forgot to ask people their names at the show.

Day Two

So Friday turned out to be not so bad sales wise, but the crowd had a funny pulse to it, where I could not get a rhythm to sell to. But I figured I was also a bit rusty and the crowd didn't have a rush, so I expected likewise on Saturday.

Wonderful Elvira, Cobra Trooper, and Viper cosplays.

From what I understand, this Tony Stark 3D printed most of his cosplay. I wish I'd known that when I talked to him. And loved this Green Ranger outfit. It looked pretty screen accurate to me.

Darth Vader and R2 posed for quite a while with people taking pictures just in front of my booth. It was then that I realized I had not seen as many Storm Troopers as I normally do. The insets on the side were a commission I got to do an orange dragon reading a book in a nook.

There was also a stage set up not that far from me, and I got pics above of Hector Casanova, Arie Munroe, and Brandi Stone working on art.

I do love that there are Fix It Felix cosplayers that actually walk around with Artist Alley helpful tools like scissors and the like. On that note, how cool is it that Nintendo has agreed to let Mario show up in the forthcoming Wreck It Ralph 2?

Even more cosplays. I'm not going to pretend I know who the two on the left are, but I thought the lady on the right did a killer version of Merida.

This. Family. Rocks.

Saturday allowed me to get a bit more visiting in, and was great fun all around. I made a lot more business and freelance connections this day than either Friday or Sunday which was something I'd not anticipated on doing.

I also talked up FreeState like crazy to all that would listen, as well as showering the praise on Spectrum (I told you I always talk about and support the shows I do Shena Wolf. ;D). But in general it gives me a chance to name drop all the other shows as well.

So after a heck of a long day, with back pain, foot pain, and a very hoarse voice, I went back home to rest and prepare for the third day.

Day Three

By day three I was pathetically dragging myself awake. So this is 40 years old huh? Wonderful. But I told myself, "Suck it up because it's time to make the donuts."

Three things that rocked Friday. This legit "Man with No Name" cosplay. Then having some of the Attack on Titan cosplayers start playing popular movie themes behind me next to the live art stage. And doing this quick sketch of Dart Feld for a fellow NakaKon artist.

The creative community as large and spanning as it is, can suddenly be so small, as I found out the pin up artist Steve Baier that was next to Rick Stasi (who was the table artist directly behind me), was from the same area of Iowa as another artist friend of mine, whom we had in common friendship. And on the right, my friend Sara here showing off my latest issue of PZ.

Some of the other very awesome cosplays I managed to get quick photos of, including a great take on "Zatana" by Rae of the cosplay duo Super Sirens. The only one I missed out on was the Elsa I saw on Saturday I think... maybe it was Sunday. What day is today?!

All good things end, and Artist Alley quickly vacated. I found the guys that were rolling Hulk off into the distance too funny not to photograph. It really looked like they were ushering out a large drunk frat guy that maybe got left behind by his bros.

One last shot as I drove off.

So off I drove to seek food in the form of sushi, and think about my sore feet, contemplate what the universe is up to, you know, all the things that go through our minds after a weekend of fun barrels headfirst into cubicle Monday.

I got the goods...

I got a few cool things but not as much as I'd like to have. But there will be future shows, and chances for me to track down some people to get their books and art.

Here though is a a quick overview of what I picked up.

I picked up a lot of great bits of artwork from the show... a book and art reproductions from the likes of Stone, Stasi, Voth, and Baier.

and two kick ass figurines from Scribe...

That he was kind enough to sign. (Left) My lanyard collection for comic/anime conventions is growing again.

Final Thoughts: Pros and Cons (<-- No pun intended.)

So here's what some of my thoughts are as far as positives:

1. Just around 10,000 people attended the show, not bad at all for the first time out.
2. Even with that many people, the convention still had a laid back feel.
3. The Shield awards were amazing.
4. The media guests, especially scoring Pam Grier and Sean Astin, were pretty good.
5. Kids play area.
6. GIVING AWAY 15 comics to all kids on Sunday that were under 15 years old?! As a reward for staying late that day? Brilliant marketing move guys, and great way to introduce kids to new titles. Really cool! 
7. WIDE walkways in artist alley.
8. I lost track after late Saturday, but of the 467 people that I managed to talk to while at my booth and I managed to ask them, 232 of them were attending a comic show for the first time (this includes Scribe and his family, whom are some of the coolest people ever). Almost 160 of them had young kids and were so happy that there were areas and things for kids to mess with.
9. A few of the volunteers were genuinely good and were visible, this was mainly Setup day and Sunday.
10. (Thank you Steve Baier for pointing this out.) A great big wide pool of talented and very skilled artists of all calibers that were in attendance. That was one of the best things about this show!

And the negatives, offered as points to hopefully improve:

1. Not enough good "Henchmen", barely saw any during the show, and the ones I did weren't helpful. They were shopping. If you're going to volunteer for a show, do your job and don't be a moron and take advantage of the good people running the show.
2. Even with that many people, the convention had a laid back feel...is also a not so great thing. Many many cosplayers and attendees never made it back to where a good portion of the people in artist alley were. I can tell you this because I had people that attended the show looking for me that never found me. I was at the end of an aisle, and had a large display. Some people that finally found me said that directions were hard to find, and none of them knew about the cosplay section way in the back. 
3. Hall E, found out about that on Saturday, and even then, never knew when exactly to go.
4. Why no floor map, or even standees like in a Mall with "You are here." graphics? I've seen people get turned around in a Wal-Mart. Imagine adding kids, wayward friends, the excitement, and sensory overload of a convention. And yeah sure, you could say well it's available on the phone... no. People need that for taking pictures and pushing the social media aspect of it out to others not there at the show. Don't make people waste battery power looking up an online or emailed map.
5. The panels from what I heard, were a bit underwhelming in some cases but not because of the media guests, which if you want staying power from that end for the people in attendance, this has got to be improved.

In the end, it was worth it to see Mr. Sean Astin post this on Twitter.

I really really regret not having made it back there to meet him. Sean Astin is just all out awesome in my book.

So in a nutshell, KCCC delivered. They did make a hell of a first outing. Not too many shows I've heard of can boast of that. The real challenge is going to be over the next few years. Is a huge initial showcase going to raise expectations for the second year?

And to recap, how in 2016 will the public these shows are aimed at, react? Yes the economy is on the mend, but can KC hold up under the weight of 4 to 5 larger shows, and a myriad run of smaller shows? Is the new influx of first timers that attended KCCC a sign of new collectors and customers in the community?

If anything is certain, with the coming offerings of Disney/Lucasfilm/Marvel/Pixar about to unleash in a gigantic way at the end of 2015 into all of 2016, and more and more fandoms crossing over into various shows... it's anyone's and everyone's game.

It's certainly one heck of a good time to be into pop culture here in the Kansas City area. And I have a feeling 2016 will be one for the record books that will be talked about for years to come.

Until next time, thanks for reading, support your local artists, be kind to your fellow beings, and I'll see you next time! - Mario. the Artisan Rogue

 
*The more you know: In the year 1968, Jeno Paulucci took an old egg roll machine and started turning out his own unique invention: pizza rolls. The rest is tired gamer/drunk college student history.

The countdown to KCCC setup.

This is the inaugural year of the new comic convention KCCC.

As soon as I get off of work, I'm heading over to do what is probably one of my most refined table setups I've ever done for a show.

I can only imagine what's going through the heads of the people running this show, as I prepare to figure out what I am going to be encountering as I try and sell my books and artwork. 

I'll have some images up later tonight if I can. The show set up hours are until 9pm, so I'm hoping that gives me enough time to get some good shots of the floor set up.

My graphic novel, issue 4 of Pagan Zoetrope, and a lot of new artwork will all be at the show. I think I'm jazzed and nervous at the same time.

- Mario, the Artisan Rogue

Spectrum 2015

(Left) Banners up along the streetways in downtown KC. (Right) Unloading stuff in the front of Bartle Hall.

I don't even know where to begin.

Seriously. Where does one begin with a show like Spectrum Fantastic Art Live that moved into it's fourth year and came out swinging with it's usual visual majesty and band of incredibly skilled artisans in one hand, and in the other, a seemingly new found scrappiness and almost intimately profound round of punkish attitude brought on by new faces, a host of new far traveling and local attendees, and future show hopefuls.

I know last year I was worried. I am an idiot.

It appeared to me that last year, maybe some of the magic, some of the electricity had started to lower. That the show might not come back for a fourth year. I only know the Fenners marginally, but I do not doubt that they do all they can to pull out all the stops to get this show on track. I and so many others that attend and display at this show know how just monumental putting on a show like this can be logistically and how taxing it can be on one's well being and sanity. Thank you both, Mr. and Mrs. Fenner (I know I thanked you after the show in person when we spoke about the geographic variety of people that came to the show), and I hope that KC continues to be host to SFAL for many many more years to come.

Show set up in the main display area, Friday midday.

I was set up in artist alley, which was one room over from the larger booth display room. The show was now in another area of Bartle Hall, and while the setup at first really a bit of a surprise to me, it turned out in my opinion to have been not only one of the most efficient floor layouts, but it also increased the sense of community and was a bit more welcoming.

I'm getting this down to a science, but still working to make sure I don't come off looking like a flea market. This next year, I will be only doing a few sizes to make my display function better.

The crowds were great all three days, with the apex being on Saturday. I got to catch up with so many old friends and colleagues, meet a lot of new people, and just live in the element I love most. Being at shows. This beats about most any other aspect of day to day happenings for me. Almost.

You see, I was informed that Brom had passed by my table (when I was visiting with Paul Bonner) and had taken a closer view of Tank Girl. As I made my way back to my table, I was told of it, and I rushed out of Artist Alley to say hello to both he and Laurie Lee (and congratulate her on her winning the silver in the Institutional Works category at the awards Saturday night).

I want to state now, that between the three of them, Bonner, Laurie, and Brom, I had more than a mild sense of...

"my god..., what the hell am I doing at this show..."

But then I remembered. I'm trying to be the kind of artists that they and so many others at the show are, as I evolve and grow in my career as an illustrator.

After that, my mood was just as high as it could be, I was joking and speaking to people, wheeling and dealing, and letting my inner Billy Mayes out on the people that would come by my table. I was pleasantly surprised that my sales turned out as good as they did, but what the best part was, was connecting with new people, telling road stories about meeting/encountering big name players like Eric Basaldua and Tommy Castillo early in my con experiences, or talking to people about my creative processes, that Copic markers are reusable, and getting to see some really great portfolios from so many of you all that just graduated and came to SFAL from,... geez, you all came from Hawaii, Canada, Colorado, Florida, Maine, Chicago... so soooo many places.

Worked on some personal sketches during the show, for inclusion in a sketchbook compilation for next year.

This year SFAL had worked out a deal with Conquest (the other convention that was going on in town, that was having it's 46 year in running) and was playing host to George R. R. Martin (of Game of Thrones fame). I think it worked out really well, and new interest was kindled across the two sets of attendees.

The only cosplay I saw all weekend from my table and it was stunning. I didn't get good video of this cosplay, but her acting, and animatronic head were stunning.

Rain hit all weekend long, which might have been a bit of a downer for some. But it kept temperatures down, and personally, I love how saturated the cityscape of KC looked covered by a blanket of moody gray clouds.

Sitting out side across from the Alamo cinema house, enjoying some food and watching it rain.

This year the SFAL awards were held at the Folly Theatre right next to Bartle Hall.

Nice place, but oh man, the incline on the seating was STEEP!

The audience was treated to some great acts that did Cirque de Soleil sort of routines.

I really love the Midland, and I think this theatre was smaller, but I liked it because I felt a lot closer to the stage.

The high hanging ones were my personal favorite.

The show as a whole had this vibe, this electricity that harkened back to the first year. Maybe my mood was just off last year, maybe I just needed a refresher course in appreciation. It will rarely get as awe inspiring or just talent and skill laden as it does at Spectrum. If you've not been to this show. Go. Next year. You won't regret it. I promise.

Now, I can also show you some sweet items I picked up and some incredible creative people I got to know while at the show.

Bruce D Mitchell's card and sticker. This man makes killer art in the form of  helmets and masks... just do yourself a favor and keep an eye on this guy. Seriously one of the coolest dudes at the show.

Matt Tisdale makes some just surreal and haunting imagery. I was glad I was able to catch up to him at show's end and get these four art reproductions. Such a humble fellow whose enormous talent just keeps getting better.

D. Ryan Allen I met some years back and became fast friends with. This guy loves art. I mean loves it, all aspects about it, and brings this appreciation of underground zines and old school D&D aesthetics to his work.

Newly added SFAL Grand Master (congrats man, seriously!) Scott Gustafson work here. Some bookmarks, and an original from him of a top hat wearing beagle! This man is everything that is right about art, and bringing children's stories to life.

Paul Bonner is a gem of a man, and an artisan of a caliber that defies definition. One could take hours to look at his renderings, and never be bored. Paul, if you are reading this (hope you had safe travels back home), thank you again for the stunning original in my book, and to answer your question, yes, I'll be back at SFAL next year indeed.

Now that's just a small small offering off all of the cool and impressive offerings that were at the show. So much I didn't have money for. If I win the lottery between now and next year, I will make a lot of artists very very happy people next year.

Finally, as the show drew to a close on a damp and drizzly Sunday evening, and I went for a walk at a park afterwards to reflect and collect my thoughts and experiences.

Is it just me, or is Missouri looking a bit more like something out of Jurassic Park more and more everyday?

I sincerely hope this show keeps happening. That it keeps growing exponentially. That more and more people hear about it. And that more and more come out to it, and talk, learn, absorb, and create.

We have a huge number of conventions coming up in 2016... NakaKon and Planet are on two different weekends again, KCCC will hopefully be in it's second year, Crypticon and possibly KC FanCon will be going strong, Conquest will have a companion sci fi fest in the Hugo Award bearing World Con coming to KC as well. And there are rumors of a large Star Trek show happening as well.

SFAL4 "Class of" 2015 photo. I am the face in the red circle.

That's all next year. For now, I'm really, really still stoked about this not nearly long enough weekend and all that transpired during it.

But Memorial weekend heralds a special place in my heart coming from a military family. And today, my thoughts went to that, with many military friends and family lost in the line of duty, and many of the creative people we'd lost this past year.

I'm sure I'll bring up more later in other posts. I'll be adding art repros of Tank Girl to my store very soon, and where and what show I'll be doing coming up. See ya next time!

 - Mario, the Artisan Rogue

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Allen Williams is a formidable and incredible artist, a colleague, and is dealing with a health issue of frightening proportions.

On February 23rd, 2015, Award-winning Illustrator, Concept Artist, Writer, Husband and Father of two Allen Williams posted on Facebook:

"I feel a little like I'm naming Voldemort here but...I need to say I have recently been diagnosed with HPV related squamous cell carcinoma.  The two-month cure will surely be hard, but it will be the cure that causes difficulty, not the actual disease...somehow, I just have to get through this gate of fire."

Physically, Allen is hanging in there.  But as he predicted, it's the cure that is causing difficulty.  As well as fighting cancer, he and his wife Vicki are having to battle insurance companies to pay their hospital bills.  And it is not a fight they are winning.

The price tag for surviving the cancer lodged in his neck is $50,000.  It includes a tonsilectomy, radiation and chemotherapy.  An ER visit for an unexpected fever and a dangerously low white blood cell count. Out-of-pocket expenses for a speech therapist for Allen's 'swallow exercises' so he doesn't lose the ability to eat.  The list goes on and on.




In his Facebook posting, Allen said, "I spend most of my days drawing and painting and I've included everyone in that aspect of my life.  I would feel somehow dishonest if I didn't share this as well."

Now, Allen needs your help to get him through this ordeal and back to his drawing board, without his having to haul a debt the size of a small house with him.

As an artist and human being, Allen Williams is beloved.  He has given so much of his art, inspiration, friendship, and time to us all.  Let's return the favor and help him now when he and his family need it most.

Strength and honor,
Iain McCaig, Karla Ortiz, Christian and Andrea Alzmann.
http://www.gofundme.com/gateoffire?fb_action_ids=10206151596924614&fb_action_types=og.shares&fb_ref=m_d_ty