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TIME TO PUT
AWAY THE
BANANAS I had such a wonderful time my second year at APE. It's been a year since I seriously started promoting my art at conventions, and looking back on it all I realize just how much I've learned and accomplished, and how many fans I've picked up along the way while spreading my monstrous gospel. Seems like the shows just get better every time! At APE 2010, I sold a lot, talked a lot (not bad for a lone wolf like me...but, as usually happens at cons, I was totally wired with excitement), met many amazing humans and picked up some really kick-ass stuff from other exhibitors. I even drew on a shoe (yes, I had permission). I must thank all of you who came by the Monstark Studios table, for you are simply the best...better than all the rest. Can't wait to unleash my new comic on you guys! With that book, I plan to make the jump to even larger arenas.... I'm very pleased that my sexxxy new print was so popular! Who knew that there were so many freaks like me out there? The new print, Lovebit, is now in the store, and I'll add a couple of new shirts there soon. I am now in the process of lining up more conventions and shows, and I'll be incrementally adding new products to my roster while I work toward my main goal, which is completing my new comic for release in 2011.
I do have some fun photos of my time at APE 2010, and you
can see them all on the Monstark Studios
facebook page. Oh, and one last thing: thanks to all of you who have
added me to your "best of APE 2010" lists, linked to me or mentioned me
in a podcast. I've been getting lots of extra attention that way, and I
really appreciate it! See all Monstark Studios photos -Mark
PREPARATION: APE MONSTARK STUDIOS IS AT APE TABLE #400! I'll be at table #400, near the entrance.
Follow the blood trail (or create your own) right to me! Look for the
big wolfy-headed mask. Give the secret password. Feel the power of
papier mache transformation as you slide the beastly visage over your
head... Please note, if you have been to APE before, the entrance has been moved to the opposite side of the building to allow room for even more exhibitors. It's going to be a great show, and I can't wait to be there! -Mark
BACK FROM SAC I made my first foray into the Sacramento convention scene a couple of weeks ago! The Sac Sci-Fi & Horror Show was lots of fun, and I look forward to doing it again, as well as trying out one or two other shows in the area (see sidebar). The people who stopped by my table were the greatest, and the exhibitors I found time to chat with made the show even more of a pleasure. Other reasons I liked the show: zombies, fangs, Klingons, droids, a guy with Pinhead tattooed on his forearm.... I do have some photos from the show, but I won't upload them until after APE. When I do, they'll be posted on my new facebook page, so go "Like" it, will ya? -Mark
SF ZINE
FEST WAS AMAZING The San Francisco Zine Fest was amazing! ...What, you mean I didn't mention that I would have a table there, and would debut two new books that weekend? Whoops...sorry! Well, for those that did make it out to the Fest, you know how great it was. Nestled in a building at the edge of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, the event was free, dogs were allowed in, and the room was full of (mostly) handmade items and their very talented creators. I'll be there next year, and I hope you will be, too! Thanks to all of you who stopped by the Monstark Studios table to chat with me about my work. You made my weekend a success and a pleasure! It's very important (and so much fun) for me to be able to speak with people directly about the things I create, and your feedback makes the work so worthwhile. Thanks also to the fellow creators, both exhibitors and visitors, who traded zines and other items with me. I love coming back from a show with a pile of goodies in which to wallow.
A few photos were taken (by me and the lovely and
talented Mrs. Thompson):
Oh, and I was very pleased when this brave young woman offered
to wear the mascot wolfy monster head that was part of my table display. Kick ass! I must go back now, into the cave, to prepare for my upcoming shows. Hope to see you there! I mean, at the shows, not at the cave...the cave is booby-trapped, so you should always call first. I will make updates here as I finish my new products in the works. The PROJECTS page has information on what else I have planned, and you can always check the store to see what's new. Until next time! -Mark
WONDERCON
2010 AFTERGLOW
Once again, as usually happens, I was greatly rewarded for venturing out of my cave and bringing my art to the people. 2010 was my first time showing my art at WonderCon, and it won't be my last! Thanks to every one of you who visited my table in the Artists' Alley, you guys made all my hard work worthwhile. I appreciate your support and conversation so much, and I hope to see you at another show in the near future. Artists' Alley held an amazing array of creators, although I was so busy chatting with visitors that I didn't get to look around much. The fellow exhibitors/creative types I did meet (mostly at my table) are great and talented people, so please click through my links page where I'll be listing some of them. A few of my immediate neighbors were Christopher Bennett (adventurous renderings of lovely ladies), Joseph Cotsirilos (the intimate comic "Dent") and Nicolas Caesar, whose Scary Art will give you that B-movie/horror fix you've been searching the catacombs for. Though I do have a decent amount of prints and buttons left, I sold out of sketchbooks and some shirt designs/sizes. I plan to print up some more of each as soon as I am able, and when I do so I'll post an update here. If you signed the mailing list, I'll send out a quick note to let you know I've restocked. Meanwhile, I've listed what I do have available in my store, so check it out! Well, that's it for now. I'll leave you with a few more photos of the Monstark Studios table and me in action. -Mark
PARADE
OF PERSONAS Here are a couple of extra-special photos from recent appearances (WonderCon 2010 and APE 2009) that I just had to share. Enjoy!
WONDERCON 2010 APPROACHES April 2-4, 2010 |
WonderCon It's hard to believe that WonderCon 2010 is only a week away! I've been working—nose to the grindstone, feet to the fire, an assortment of body parts placed near various other destructive elements—to create new goodies for this marvelous convention. I am finally screen printing my own t-shirts, and I'll sell them for the first time at WonderCon! After the convention they will be available in my store. This will be my first appearance at WonderCon, and I'll be located in the Artists' Alley at table #AA084. Along with the t-shirts, I'll have prints and buttons and some free stuff...and if I can dig up any remaining sketchbooks, I'll bring those too. Hope to see you there! -Mark
APE 2009
VERDICT: KICK ASS APE (Alternative Press Expo) was for me an amazing experience, and a success in many ways. 2009 was Monstark Studios' first year at APE, and not only did I sell a bunch of prints, I got to discuss my art with a ton of great people! At the same time, I was able to promote my upcoming comic project (watch the "projects" link above for updates). I would like to thank everyone who bought prints, asked for a sketch, or just dropped by to discuss the finer points of my art with me. I'm so pleased that you made an attempt to understand what I'm doing. You guys kick so much ass, and made the weekend nothing but fun. The APE 2009 convention hall held a pack of brilliant creators. Exhibitors Mike Rios ("War is Gay"), Matt Runkle ("Runx Tales") and Funchicken ("Unlovable" and a million zines) were the nicest neighbors I could have asked for, and I wish I'd had more time to peruse their stuff while at the show. I'm fortunate to have met/traded wares with other great talents as well, including Dave Correia (twisted, exquisitely detailed nightmares...and BART!), Matt Ocasio ("The Matter"...sworn enemy of junky, vapid media), Helen Parson ("Strawberry Ghost"...finely rendered fever-dreams that will leave you wondering) and Michael Manomivibul (beautiful illustrations plumbing murky depths...wish I'd got one of his books).
If you missed APE this year, do make plans to check it out next year. There's enough neat stuff to see that it could easily turn into a two-day affair! Meanwhile, you can visit the wonderful humans I mentioned above, also listed in the contact/links section. -Mark
DEMENTIONS RUMINATIONS The Dementions show at the Eclectix Gallery turned out to be even better than I had imagined. I made an appearance at the opening reception, and in person the artwork is spectacular. The show (which includes two of my pieces) runs through November 29. Don't forget to spend some time in the Eclectix store, it abounds with artly/weird/cool stuff! Thanks to Patricia Zemanek for creating such a neat space there. Special thanks to amazing artist Sean Chappell, who recently plugged me/monstark.com on his own site. Sean is also in Dementions, and his pieces are some of my favorites in the show. Go have a look for yourself! -Mark
DEMENTIONS FLYER I've received the flyer for the
Dementions
art show: -Mark
OCTOBER EVENTS OK...I've been in hiding long enough! I will soon be appearing at two upcoming events in the San Francisco Bay Area...over one wild 'n' crazy weekend! Oct. 16, 2009, 7-10pm | Eclectix gallery Oct. 17-18, 2009 | Alternative Press Expo (APE) Hope to see you there! E-mail me if you have any questions. -Mark
NEW STUFF Lots of new stuff available! Monstark Studios now offers prints, t-shirts and sketchbooks. Be sure to have a look at my art site (see the "monster-boy" link on the links page) as well!
BACK FROM SUPER-CON 2008 Monstark Studios has settled back into its cave after appearing at Super-Con 2008. I would like to thank everyone who dropped by the Monstark Studios table to buy something, ask for a sketch, do an interview/video, or just to say hello and view my artwork. You guys are the bee's knees! A special note of appreciation goes to Chris, who rescued my Pig-Man drawing...you're one cool cat. Thanks again. Monstark Studios has some new merchandise that's the cat's pajamas. That's in the store, and should be up soon for anyone who missed the convention. -Mark
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