Coming off of another Comic Con I am reminded about the importance of table dynamics on the convention floor. Do I stand out, make a statement with my set up and attract interested people?Every year I re-evaluate my set up. Am I representing my brand in an authentic manner, is there a hierarchy of importance on the table, how visible is everything, what are peoples reaction, where do they look when they come upon my table.In Artist Alley in San Diego we have a 4' x 24" space to work with. It is very tight. So how the space is utilized on the table, in back of my chair as well as under the table is crucial.Here is a great post I came across by the WebComic Alliance that offers some great advice.
LESSONS LEARNED
Experiences are going to be good and bad depending on your perspective, but if we focus on the lessons learned we can always view it through a positive lens. Every San Diego Comic Convention since my first in 1974 has taught me something. In the beginning Comic Con was all about fans appreciating comics and the creators behind the art of these stories. Writers, artists, publishers, merchandisers, all gathered for this large show and tell of popular art culture, to be seen as well as trade and sell their products. Comic Con grew on this simple premise.
The film and television industries were always present at the event but more on the fringes. Over the last decade the tables have turned and promotions for the large media conglomerates have taken center stage, literally. This has changed the fan base. Serious collectors that flocked to the event are becoming rare. I was elated to see Mr. Katz, one of my best patrons stop by the booth. When I asked why he had not been to the Con in nine years he waved his hand toward the FOX and Warner Brothers islands and said, "I could do without all this."
Ric Meyers (writer and presenter of the Kung Fu extravaganza at Comic Con) mentioned "the artists and merchandisers are being pushed towards the walls, and disappearing into them." Many of my favorite artists do not come to Con anymore because it is too expensive.
This year a group of Pixar artists started an event called “Tr!ckster” across the street from Con in response to what they consider an impersonal giant. It's fascinating that a group of artists who make their livings strapped to a corporate entity are putting together alternate events to Comic Con. This highlights the dilemma I see in the corporate world all the time. Artists become addicted to the salaries they receive working for industry, yet yearn for independence. The challenge is you have very little time to do your own work once you are locked into that system.
The shining light in all this is that your fans, your patrons and collectors will stick with you wherever you are. Some of my collectors who I met at Comic Con years ago stopped by to see me and purchased art (one is the Batgirl painting above that I worked on at the booth). I love my supporters, they make the trip to San Diego worth while. Also seeing my artist friends at this event is enjoyable.There are other conventions popping up around the U.S. I was speaking with Arnie and Cathy Fenner about Spectrum Live to be held next May in Kansas City. It is an event that is focused on the artist. I will be there with a booth and as well as presenting an Artist As Brand workshop! Yes, stay tuned, Spectrum and Artist As Brand are aligning.What did I learn this year? Comic Con is becoming less of a place to sell and more of a venue to promote. The big question is if it's worth it? That being said my Crescoptiscope from The Visions of Vespertina was a hit and brought many curious eyes to the booth. I wish you could have all seen it in action. Had to be there!
For those of you who could not make it to San Diego, I have a few Masters of Science Fiction and Fantasy Art left. See some of the bookhere. I am in it with Brom, Kinuko Craft, Dan Dos Santos, Donato, Charles Vess, Stephan Martiniere, James Gurney, and more. It is an awesome collection, with insightful commentary by the artists. $25.00, shipping included. You can purchase it at Amazon for the same price but mine comes signed.
To your art empire,
Greg
Mark Murphy is a champion of the artist. He publishes books about them "Murphy Design", makes films about them "Scribble" , and creates shows for them "Survey Select".
Now it is time to celebrate Mr. Murphy!
There is an opening of his one man show, “Plug Me”this Friday at Subtext. Opening reception April 15 6PM—10PM at 2479 Kettner Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92101
I asked Mark some questions about his vision, art process, and promotional tactics for Plug Me.
How long have you been creating your own art pieces?
The creative pursuit began in my sketchbooks. Crude meanderings that celebrated the concept of everything living have eyes to see. And it was my sincere attempt to better understand the artists I work with and a tireless process to uncover an individualistic voice.
Tell me something about the evolution of this work over the years?The work began in sketchbooks sent to me by Don Kilpatrick in 2006. I started by putting an ink pen to paper, focused on line quality and continued on the theme mentioned above. Most times, the pen meandered, unrehearsed to find a cast of nebulous characters that could be built upon time and time again. The work is all about taking chances and trying something new each day—typically at night after the graphics and publishing is completed. I think the work started evolving in December of last year, as I decided to incorporate different printing and keylining techniques and incorporate them into the mix.
“Plug Me” is a collection of one-of-a-kind block and letterpress originals, as well as a showing of drawings and watercolors. What is the concept of the show exactly?“Plug Me” is a thematic show that features a whimsical response to the rate of change experienced by all life based on political, socio, economic, religious and environmental effects. Or “a spewing of a force so strong that it is knocking our planet off of its axis.” “Plug Me” is also a term of endearment for the exhibit that invites the insertion of a stopper directly into the problem to stop the leakage.Sizes range from 2” square to 16.” Smaller work was created for this show at Subtext in San Diego to encourage interest from new collectors. There are 42 framed pieces and many print experiments packaged with a letterpress header card and inserted into a poly bay with certificate of authenticity.The block prints were created by carving one non-rehearsed image out of the block and applying the finished image over colored block areas that I had previously prepared with brightly mixed inks. Between you and I, there were over 80 carvings and at least half were scrapped. All of the final pieces in the exhibit are unique pieces or 1/1 artist proofs.
Please share some details about the process of making the block and letterpress originals.Patience and slow cutting strokes with the carving tool for the block prints, whether linoleum, Staedtler carving blocks or wood. With letterpress working with others is great, as it speeds the process, clean up and helps out with the machinery, as it takes time to get to know the press you are working on. I utilized old Vandercooks in Cleveland at Zygote Press with Cathie Bleck and Detroit at the College for Creative Studies with Don Kilpatrick.
What type of materials do you use, papers, inks, etc.?All archival art making materials with found materials. Rives BFK White, 250 gm is a great paper for watercolor, dies and letterpress or block printing—thick and a premium quality paper. I love the way this paper responds to any level of moisture, pressure or ink color.Inks are water and oil based from Daniel Smith. (Dense colors that often take some getting used too). Koh-I-Noor Rapidiograph pens, high-quality brushes, M. Graham & Co. cadmium based Artists’ Watercolors, Neutral pH Adhesive by Lineco and Japanese colored ink pens (filled with liquid ink and flows out of a acrylic brush pen) and Japanese metallic watercolor trays too. For scraps of ephemera, old matchbooks, comics, prayer cards, deeds, notes and whatever I can get my hands on in my “save and use later” box of miscellaneous materials. The framing company, which I thought was a good one, Custom Frame Solutions. Enter the sizes, and they have been turning around large quantities in 5 days. Crazy.Here is a coupon if you are interested: http://www.curebit.com/o/d/5tMot
Are you promoting your show in any new ways that other artists can learn from?Twenty years of promoting and it is hard to keep up to be honest. Facebook events used to be a sure thing but everyone is going “LIKE” crazy these days since the advent of Google tracking “LIKES” for indexing rank. Twitter and Tweet Deck are 2 powerful tools that artists typically do not utilize enough. Syndication of a controlled sampling of images on Facebook, Twitter, and media outlets—Lee Joseph Public Relations, San Diego Tribune, AI-AP, Sezio, Society6, FecalFace, Ninthlink, Greg Spalenka, friends Tweeting and Facebooking and non-stop updates with the gallery, Subtext—they do a great job too. Last but not least the blog in combination with email blasts. Try to do 2-3 articles on the blog per month about the show with one major email blast to 32k worldwide with 280 to specific media contacts. In short, a planned distribution of information over 3 months to friends, local media contacts, email list, Facebook event pages, Tweets, TweetDeck Syndication, Linked In posts, and personal invitations through the mail.This is my first solo show at Subtext and I am applying the same strategy that has evolved over the past 20 years. Does it work? Hopefully, I get it right this time out.
Any other cool events you are creating/attending after this one?Yes, I participate at Comic-Con in San Diego each year, booth No. 4833 and have worked on printing over 500 unique prints thus far and have planned a series of letterpress zines and unique artist items and books. During the event, an exhibition at Noel-Baza Fine Art Gallery in San Diego, July 28 through end of August featuring 36 fine artists from around the world in a thematic exhibition entitled, “Lucid Dreams.” Working on finishing my second fine art documentary in time for Comic-Con too.If you can make it to the San Diego area this Friday or for the duration of the show, check it out! I bow to your Art Spirit, Mark. You are an inspiration to us all.PeaceGreg
Two free interactive opportunities for creatives to learn about the status of their art community and hear what you can do to make it more profitable for yourself.1. FREE- San Diego Artists take this Survey.2. FREE- This Tuesday, August 17th at 5:30 PM (PST) join me, and fine art publishing expert, event creator and champion of the arts, Mark Murphy, as well as sculptor of the fine and popular arts, Alfred Paredes (Alfred is an Artist As Brand graduate) for a conversation on artist empowerment and sustainability. We will talk about what has been learned from the survey and how to live abundantly from your talent. The call is about 45 minutes long. Questions at the end.Call this number: 1 (917) 522-2999Phone participant PIN: 907313#Not FREE, BUT PRICELESS! Turn your talent into gold.Sign up for the San Diego workshop.Peace and ProsperityGreg
Steam Punk was big this year.
Just returned from another whirlwind San Diego Comic Con. Planning and running a booth for this event is a lot of work. I learn something new every year and will be sharing some booth insights soon. One thing is for sure, Comic Con is about images. Art and stories come to life in millions of different ways here, but sometimes it is the people emulating existing popular art icons or creating their own that become the show. Here are a some fun ones that came to my booth or were hovering nearby.
The super heroes were young...
and not so young.
They were different colors...
Did I mention Steam Punk was big this year?
Then of course there are the artists and creative types of all kinds. Here are a few...
Chatting with the amazing Rick Meyers
The incomparable Barron Storey with Claire Mckean
Mistress of the art spirit, Tara McPherson.
Comic Con is full of revelations, curiosities and inspiration galore. More about Comic Con in my next post. Come visit next year.
Peace and artist empowerment
Greg
Greg Spalenka
In this high tech world it can be easy to forget the importance of human connection. An infant and mother understand this crucial bonding, and as we grow this personal connection to touch and intimacy never really leaves us. In life our relationship to others reflects how successful we are at communicating our passions, desires, ideas. Union is key.
In business and commerce this facet of interconnectivity is called networking. In art networking we endear ourselves to our peers, fans and patrons to help build our art empires. Our supporters become the mortar between the bricks. I am always on the lookout for alignments, new connections and venues where I can meet extraordinary individuals. I contacted Peter Clothier whom I learned about through his lecture at LCAD. Though we initially met online which culminated in an interview of him for my Blog we also recently had a lovely lunch together. It is truly wonderful to meet like minded souls in person! We realized our viewpoints were deeper than expected and are now talking about collaborating on some workshops.
Mark Murphy whom I just interviewed is another alignment with who I am collaborating with. Roxana my wife and I are part of his Survey Select exhibition opening this Thursday, and I am presenting an Artist As Brand workshop in San Diego in conjunction with the show.
Two fantastic networking opportunities are coming to California. The Illustration Conference is this week in Los Angeles! Artists are coming from all over the US to this event. I will be there networking and meeting awesome new people. Who else is going?
How about the largest event for popular art culture in America?! The San Diego Comic Con is held next week July 21-25. I will be there at my booth 5553 and moderating an Artist As Brand panel discussion Friday 23, 6:00-7:00 RM 8, with Arnie Fenner, Mark Murphy, Ciruelo, Tara McPherson, Donato. My new Flowers of Fortune limited edition art card set and scratch off game premiers at Comic Con too, (and at FlowerFortune.com on July 21) where you can win one of my giclee prints, other printed items, and up to $1000.00.
Events like Comic Con increase your fans and patrons. 125,000 people move through the doors of this convention in five days. Imagine if only one in every one thousand people stopped by your booth. Being a part of this event for over 20 years has taught me the value of growing your support group in venues like this.
Some people will argue that it costs too much to be a part of these gatherings. All promotion has a price. This is an investment in yourself.
Events like these are important to the artist for exposure, new ideas, inspiration, sales, support, and new connections. Like the mother and her new baby, union and bonding with your peers and your buyers will bring you closer together. Technology has it's place, but remember the importance of face to face.
To artist empowerment,
Greg
Brendan Monroe (detail)
I have known Mark now for many years, watching him rise as a graphic designer, publisher of fine art books, event designer, artist, and now film maker. The one thing that has always stood out for me about Mark is his commitment to championing the artist. He is always ready to raise that flag and wave it for someone he believes has a uniqueperception.Mark is putting together a huge exhibition called Survey Select (Private opening July 15) with 55 artists from around the world. It's really more of a multi-media event as the show is only one part of the festivities. I am presenting anArtist As Brand Workshop at the gallery space/museum in San Diego, with Mark, Roxana, and other possible guests. It will be awesome!Mark took a moment during count down to the opening of Survey Select to answer some questions about his inspiration and what he loves!GS : Tell me why you love what you do.Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio puts you in the state of mind to get things done. Grey weather for most of the year encouraged me to discover space that allowed creative freedom. My life long mission has been to collaborate with creative minded clients, archive living artists and create inspired exhibitions for the public. Oh yeah, I love to design for clients, book publishing and film industries.
Matt Furie featured in the next Scribble Film
GS : Tell me a little about your "Scribble" documentary.Scribble.08 was filmed in 2003 capturing the heart and soul of the Southern California art movement. It was more than a film, it was a historic moment that needed to be captured on film, as the Clayton Brothers were inspiring a new generation of artists that included Jeff Soto, Martha Rich and Camille Rose Garcia. Scribble.08 was filmed with DV cams with friends piled into a Jeep fighting through 8 hours of highway traffic over the course of 2 weeks. TenStories backed me with editing support and MANUOK scored a great soundtrack. The public response has been great and the film has been featured at the Kent Film Festival in CT, DocuWest in CO and New Film Director’s in NY. Volume two is in production featuring Souther Salazar, Mark Todd, Esther Pearl Watson, Matt Furie, Shawn Barber, Kelsey Brookes and many others.
GS : You have an awesome art exhibition, "Survey Select" opening July 15th in San Diego with artists from around the planet. What was the inspiration for this show and what makes it different from your other venues?“Survey Select” is an exhibition that celebrates Narrative Art and 55 fine artists from around the world. The exhibition is a modern day salon that introduces the public to visual storytelling, critical writing, live performance, films and a workshops held in the space over 8 weeks from July 15-Sept 5. “Survey Select” looks to inspire new thinking in the world of contemporary art by establishing a select grouping of talented artists free of intellectual labeling.
Beautiful Loosers, Scribble.08 and 7 films featured during double feature film nights
What makes “Survey Select” is uniquely different from past exhibitions, “Heaven and Hell,” “Dialogue,” “SuperHero” and Miami Art Basel exhibitions, because it is a museum installation that features a conceptual space that houses art, educational materials, films and supporting artists who specialize in fragrance, interior, creative writing and musical design. Eight weeks provides everyone the opportunity to travel to San Diego and participate in the exhibition.
Traveling artists featured at workshops and Survey Select receptions
GS : You will be on my panel with Arnie Fenner, Ciruelo, Tara McPherson, Donatoduring this coming Comic Con (Friday, 23, 6:00-7:00PM. Room 8 ) for a discussion about artist empowerment and sustainability. How do you define artistic empowerment?Artistic empowerment starts with invitation and continues with purposeful exchange. For me, sustainability comes from public and private support. The art world is riddled with folks who look to make investment or turn on an investment, and for me it is more about soulful exchange. The honorable exchange is to archive living artists in books, films, exhibitions and critical essays. You never know what you are onto, and history beyond my years will be the final judge. (You can see more in my personal manifesto).
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Scott Daniel Ellison : Shawn Barber : Mark Todd
GS : I am presenting an Artist As Brand workshop at your gallery in August in alignment with your exhibition. How would you define a brand? Do you consider yourself a brand?
Brand is a notion for the complete package that starts at the core of who you are. If it is applied to a product, it is the essence of a product, and if it is a person, it is about where you come from and what you are about. Brand is really a corporate word for “soul.” Yes, I am a lifestyle kind of an artist. It is all encompassing, all moments of each day, the opportunity to exercise the left and the right side of my brain. I think I am much better at the creative side.
Tasha Kusama : Miss Van
GS : What do you feel artists will gain by taking this course?The course will help me take a moment to reflect on the process and progress of my career and offer a concentrated moment to enhance and focus. I look forward to the opportunity to take a moment for myself, which typically, almost never happens. For artists, I believe that the course will help redirect focus and assist in the narrative of their personal pursuits. Very important facts when it comes to explaining what it is that you do to others, especially museums, collectors and galleries.
Mark Todd featured in the next Scribble Documentary
GS : Any last pearls of wisdom?
Pursue your inner creative at all times. Take a moment to enjoy.
Thanks Mark! I will see you soon at your opening ofSurvey Select, at Comic Con and for my Artist As Brand workshop!
To empowerment and prosperity,
Greg
Learn the secrets to creating your own unique art empire.Bring clarity to your life, art and prosperity.
See what participants are saying about the Artist As Brand Workshop Here.
With Mark Murphy and the “Survey Select” Art ExhibitionAugust 20, 21, 22 Fri-Sun 10AM- 8PMWonderbread Factory 171 14th St. San Diego, CA. 92101
With Special Guest Lectures by art publisher/producer/film maker Mark Murphy, writer and art critic Peter Clothier, social media master & botanical perfumer Roxana Villa and more.
Please read the REGISTER page before signing up.
Learn more about Artist As Brand on the ABOUTpage.
Tuition- $295.00
Students- $250.00