So we take off tomorrow evening for Colorado and man has it been a busy week so far. I did ALL my regular prints for the con and bagged them. I have some velvet prints and things to do still and they need to be done before we leave. We are only home for a short bit after INATS and then we leave for Anthrocon in Pittsburgh PA. This is going to be perhaps the craziest two weeks of the year.
I ran out of ink we did so much printing that I had to get more overnighted to us. I have a lot of straightening up to do as my mother is staying in our home while we are gone. We like to have the place clean and tidy for guests especially ones doing us a favor. The place has styrofoam bits everywhere as we have gone through over a thousand figurines. We finished last night I think we did about 1800 in all so we have a proper inventory count for the shows. Everything is signed and ready to go. I have a lot of sweeping to do thanks to the little foam bits all over the place. I have to get the pets all ready with spotless cages and short nails and about a million other things. INATS we have been ready for, everything is shipped I am packed. I am just scrambling with Anthrocon and house cleaning.
I will hopefully be working on some Purrsnicketys character designs while I am on the road I want to start another one ASAP upon my return. I need to do some other work for a company I hope to collaborate with. It would be really awesome if it happened but there is a lot of prep work involved so we will see. I have a website to build and design, my to do list is a million miles long. It will all work out OK though. I am doubting you will be hearing from me at INATS it is a trade show and out of respect for my fellow vendors I will not be taking photographs involving booth set ups and what have you, no need to give anyone an unfair advantage of seeing it. I am looking forward to seeing some good friends but firstly I am there to work my butt off, if there is time for anything else great if not great.
The site will remain open for orders ALL orders placed from today June 24-June 30th will ship July 1st, after that normal shipping will resume.
So there you have it! Have a great rest of the week everyone, wish me luck.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Almost
Well we are getting down to the wire here. Thankfully INATS is all taken care of and all we have to do at this point is hope that our packages get there on time. Johnnie and I have been doing figurine inspection every night and we should be finished by tomorrow at the latest.
I ran out of INK!! I was doing prints for Anthrocon and blew through the cartridges and my backups. I blame a clogged ink cartridge for most of the issue. LUCKILY Epson is doing free overnight shipping so I should have it tomorrow. I pretty much need to be packed and ready for anthrocon before I go to INATS as we are only back a few days and after shows like that you feel like you have been hit by a bus.
I have a TON of cleaning to do. My mom is staying with my animals in our home for the time we are gone. This way she can get packages and the pets have someone to hang out with so they don't get lonely. Right now however the house looks like a bomb went off with styrafoam mess and boxes and everything. I have to make it nice for her to stay so that is also on my ever growing to do list.
Today I would like to finish painting Chitters, bag up all of the prints I did get out yesterday and start cleaning. I am going to have to run out and get pet food so they don't run out when we are gone either. So many things go into shows and back to back ones in two very different parts of the country neither of them being out home is a little stressful. We will be OK though.
Well I have some calls to make and some prints to bag so I better get to it.
I ran out of INK!! I was doing prints for Anthrocon and blew through the cartridges and my backups. I blame a clogged ink cartridge for most of the issue. LUCKILY Epson is doing free overnight shipping so I should have it tomorrow. I pretty much need to be packed and ready for anthrocon before I go to INATS as we are only back a few days and after shows like that you feel like you have been hit by a bus.
I have a TON of cleaning to do. My mom is staying with my animals in our home for the time we are gone. This way she can get packages and the pets have someone to hang out with so they don't get lonely. Right now however the house looks like a bomb went off with styrafoam mess and boxes and everything. I have to make it nice for her to stay so that is also on my ever growing to do list.
Today I would like to finish painting Chitters, bag up all of the prints I did get out yesterday and start cleaning. I am going to have to run out and get pet food so they don't run out when we are gone either. So many things go into shows and back to back ones in two very different parts of the country neither of them being out home is a little stressful. We will be OK though.
Well I have some calls to make and some prints to bag so I better get to it.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Painting
So most of the day I have spent refining my character "Chitters" for my graphic novel. Once each one is finalized I am going to be doing a little portrait painting of each one digitally for the website and for the little bio section of the graphic novel itself. I would say I am 30% into Chitters and I really like how she is turning out. I don't know if I will do all eight in a row or not. Johnnie and I will be building the Purrsnicektys website ourselves with a little help from our friends. I want everything with this project to be perfection to the letter so it is going to take AGES.
In other news we are almost 50% through ALL of the figurines and hope to have it completed by this weekend. We are getting things ready to ship out for INATS as well as managing delivers and the like.
My propanels came today!!! I haven't even opened them yet but I am sure they are AWESOME. I will be debuting them at Antrocon in a few weeks. I hope to have at least this Purr portrait completed by Anthrocon.
In other news we are almost 50% through ALL of the figurines and hope to have it completed by this weekend. We are getting things ready to ship out for INATS as well as managing delivers and the like.
My propanels came today!!! I haven't even opened them yet but I am sure they are AWESOME. I will be debuting them at Antrocon in a few weeks. I hope to have at least this Purr portrait completed by Anthrocon.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
EBAY auction
Hi Everyone,
Today I am just getting everything ready for INATS. Not too exciting, just packing and planning.
I AM however having a bargain EBAY auction for a Chessie figurine. He is only .10!! I was going to list him for a penny but for some odd reason EBAY kept changing it so I said oh well it is still a DIME. It is signed by me, you can bid here: http://ping.fm/hJwkD
Today I am just getting everything ready for INATS. Not too exciting, just packing and planning.
I AM however having a bargain EBAY auction for a Chessie figurine. He is only .10!! I was going to list him for a penny but for some odd reason EBAY kept changing it so I said oh well it is still a DIME. It is signed by me, you can bid here: http://ping.fm/hJwkD
Monday, June 15, 2009
Vampires and circus freaks
So last night was the premiere of the HBO hit series True Blood based on the amazing Charlaine Harris books. They do deviate from the book but it is still AWESOME!! I am so in heart with the shape shifter on the show it is just silly. Johnnie and I watched the new episode last night and I think it is going to be a good season! I am excited also to be able to meet Charlaine Harris at DragonCon this year. I have read all 9 of the published books so far and they are awesome.
Next week we leave for INATS so we are wrapping up preparations for that and get stuff ready for anthrocon this week. Instead of painting a bunch of "furry" art I have been in the background developing my graphic novel including character design and fleshing out the story and basic story boarding. It is going to be a pretty immense undertaking considering I have never worked on a comic in my life. But I am not following the rules (when have I ever) I am going to be looking to have 2 new websites designed and we are working on a million other things as well.
I have been looking a lot lately at turn of the century side show posters as inspiration for some of the art for an upcoming project and that has been a lot of fun. Things up in the air have reached a new level of insanity.
Everything is good on the way to being pretty kick ass.
Have a great day everyone.
Next week we leave for INATS so we are wrapping up preparations for that and get stuff ready for anthrocon this week. Instead of painting a bunch of "furry" art I have been in the background developing my graphic novel including character design and fleshing out the story and basic story boarding. It is going to be a pretty immense undertaking considering I have never worked on a comic in my life. But I am not following the rules (when have I ever) I am going to be looking to have 2 new websites designed and we are working on a million other things as well.
I have been looking a lot lately at turn of the century side show posters as inspiration for some of the art for an upcoming project and that has been a lot of fun. Things up in the air have reached a new level of insanity.
Everything is good on the way to being pretty kick ass.
Have a great day everyone.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Dickens Characters
Call me mean or whatever you like but I have had it up to here with people I like to call "Dickens Characters." They are the aspiring artists with their hands out saying "Please sir can I have some more?" Now before you lynch me about not wanting to help a fellow artist hear me out.
I am more then happy to help out an artist, ANY artist be it a peer or someone looking to get into the biz. I am sure many of you can attest to that, BUT and this is a HUGE mega font BUT.. there is a RIGHT way to go about it and a WRONG way to go about it.
Let me tell you something, asking for help is OK if you do it the right way. BE POLITE! You are basically asking for a favor. Be specific or be prepared to be deleted. A LOT of us get these emails and they never introduce themselves properly and ask questions so general that they would take HOURS to answer. Most of us don’t have hours to answer these sort of things. Here is a right and a wrong way to do this:
WRONG:
Hello,
My name is Mary and I am an aspiring artist. Can you tell me everything you need to know about the industry? How go you get licensing? I want XYZ...Thanx
What I hear:
Hi My name is Mary and I am too lazy to research anything for myself GIMMIE.
For goodness sake use proper english. L8ter and all that nonsense makes me think you are very unprofessional and ergo not worth my time. Also if the answer can be found on my website it irks the CRAP out of me when I get an email about it. OR they clearly have no idea who I am or what I do but want something anyway.
How to get licensing. God if I had a nickel...
Look licensing happens one of two ways. You approach them or they approach you. There isn't some magical thing that happens here. If you are going to approach them you better have a website or minimally an online portfolio of something they can look at. A proper business email helps. Don't send unsolicited images in emails they end up right in the trash. Make sure the email goes to the right department. Don't bog down poor customer service people who will then have to redirect your email (or just trash it) Oh and do some research. LOOK at the company you are approaching, don't just email them because Amy Brown has so and so with them. Take a good look at the images they have. If your work isn't up to the skill level of the other artists don't bother. I have seen a lot of people who need a real reality check in this arena lately. It is a good thing to have lofty aspirations, they are great motivators but please stay rooted in reality about your skill level and subject matter or you are in for a world of hurt.
Also be prepared to hear the word no. Sometimes we have industry things we are professionally bound to keep to ourselves. Nothing personal but that is the way it is.
Also sometimes we just don't want to share our uber exclusive supplier or what have you, with a perfect stranger.
Also we don't have ALL the answers.
The Right way:
Hello Ash,
My name is Mary and I am an aspiring fairy artist. I was wondering if you would tell me where you purchase your paint supplies?
or how you got a specific effect, etc etc...
THIS is a more specific question! This I can handle! Send these! Also addressing it to me at least makes me think you minimally took the time to change my name on a form letter. Say THANK YOU. Be polite and respectful you will get a lot further this way I promise you. If you met me at a show, say so I may remember you. Ditto for LJ or something else. Anything that makes you more familiar is better.
I guess that is it from me for today.
I am more then happy to help out an artist, ANY artist be it a peer or someone looking to get into the biz. I am sure many of you can attest to that, BUT and this is a HUGE mega font BUT.. there is a RIGHT way to go about it and a WRONG way to go about it.
Let me tell you something, asking for help is OK if you do it the right way. BE POLITE! You are basically asking for a favor. Be specific or be prepared to be deleted. A LOT of us get these emails and they never introduce themselves properly and ask questions so general that they would take HOURS to answer. Most of us don’t have hours to answer these sort of things. Here is a right and a wrong way to do this:
WRONG:
Hello,
My name is Mary and I am an aspiring artist. Can you tell me everything you need to know about the industry? How go you get licensing? I want XYZ...Thanx
What I hear:
Hi My name is Mary and I am too lazy to research anything for myself GIMMIE.
For goodness sake use proper english. L8ter and all that nonsense makes me think you are very unprofessional and ergo not worth my time. Also if the answer can be found on my website it irks the CRAP out of me when I get an email about it. OR they clearly have no idea who I am or what I do but want something anyway.
How to get licensing. God if I had a nickel...
Look licensing happens one of two ways. You approach them or they approach you. There isn't some magical thing that happens here. If you are going to approach them you better have a website or minimally an online portfolio of something they can look at. A proper business email helps. Don't send unsolicited images in emails they end up right in the trash. Make sure the email goes to the right department. Don't bog down poor customer service people who will then have to redirect your email (or just trash it) Oh and do some research. LOOK at the company you are approaching, don't just email them because Amy Brown has so and so with them. Take a good look at the images they have. If your work isn't up to the skill level of the other artists don't bother. I have seen a lot of people who need a real reality check in this arena lately. It is a good thing to have lofty aspirations, they are great motivators but please stay rooted in reality about your skill level and subject matter or you are in for a world of hurt.
Also be prepared to hear the word no. Sometimes we have industry things we are professionally bound to keep to ourselves. Nothing personal but that is the way it is.
Also sometimes we just don't want to share our uber exclusive supplier or what have you, with a perfect stranger.
Also we don't have ALL the answers.
The Right way:
Hello Ash,
My name is Mary and I am an aspiring fairy artist. I was wondering if you would tell me where you purchase your paint supplies?
or how you got a specific effect, etc etc...
THIS is a more specific question! This I can handle! Send these! Also addressing it to me at least makes me think you minimally took the time to change my name on a form letter. Say THANK YOU. Be polite and respectful you will get a lot further this way I promise you. If you met me at a show, say so I may remember you. Ditto for LJ or something else. Anything that makes you more familiar is better.
I guess that is it from me for today.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Hummingbird Waltz
Hummingbird Waltz is complete. It is another digital piece. You really can't appreciate the detail on this on the web the prints are stunning. Prints are available on the website. I am going to focus now on doing art for Anthrocon so expect some things from me soon.
NJ fantasy faire was nice. I will post about it later as I have a lot to do today.
Have a great day!
Friday, June 5, 2009
New Jersey Fantasy Faire
This weekend I will be at the :
FANTASY FAIRE
A Festival of Medieval Arts and Folkife
June 6 & 7, 2009 10am to 5pm
Here's What's Happening Each Day
Performances and Demonstrations Including
A Childrens Theater
Storytelling
Authentic Dancing
Historical Groups
Wandering Minstrels
Demonstrations of Medieval Combat
Free Crafts For Children
An Interactive Theater Adventure
A Revelry
A Grand Tournament
The Faire hosts merchants offering a variety
of unique products. I will be there with our tent chock full of goodies. This is our LAST outdoor faire until September so we are bringing EVERYTHING.
Food and refreshments will be available for purchase.
The Fantasy Faire is included in the
price of admission to WheatonArts.
Adults $10 Senior Adults $9 Students $7
Children five and under are free.
Here is the address: WheatonArts 1501 Glasstown Road, Millville, NJ 08332
Right now I am washing sleeping bags and packing up for the show, the car gets loaded tonight and I leave about 5 am Saturday. I should be able to do a video blog on Sunday evening to let you all know how it went.
After I get back we only have two weeks until we go to INATS west and Anthrocon. Busy busy
Have a great weekend everyone and hope to see you at the show.
FANTASY FAIRE
A Festival of Medieval Arts and Folkife
June 6 & 7, 2009 10am to 5pm
Here's What's Happening Each Day
Performances and Demonstrations Including
A Childrens Theater
Storytelling
Authentic Dancing
Historical Groups
Wandering Minstrels
Demonstrations of Medieval Combat
Free Crafts For Children
An Interactive Theater Adventure
A Revelry
A Grand Tournament
The Faire hosts merchants offering a variety
of unique products. I will be there with our tent chock full of goodies. This is our LAST outdoor faire until September so we are bringing EVERYTHING.
Food and refreshments will be available for purchase.
The Fantasy Faire is included in the
price of admission to WheatonArts.
Adults $10 Senior Adults $9 Students $7
Children five and under are free.
Here is the address: WheatonArts 1501 Glasstown Road, Millville, NJ 08332
Right now I am washing sleeping bags and packing up for the show, the car gets loaded tonight and I leave about 5 am Saturday. I should be able to do a video blog on Sunday evening to let you all know how it went.
After I get back we only have two weeks until we go to INATS west and Anthrocon. Busy busy
Have a great weekend everyone and hope to see you at the show.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
2010 Calendar and more
Johnnie has put the finishing touches on my 2010 Calendar! It is titled Creatures of Whimsy and features a lot of my newer art. It is only 20.00 and is full colored. I am not stocking this physically at home as we just don't have room! Here is the link: http://ping.fm/f6Dem
Yesterday I had to set up my printers again and print print print for Fantasy Faire this weekend. I am all finished, all I have to do is bag everything today when I get back from some appointments. I have some big prints to do and other then that I am set for fantasy faire. I am hoping my pen software is coming today so I can finish Hummingbird Waltz in time.
I am also starting some pieces for Anthrocon. That is only a few days after Inats West and we will be going from Denver to Pittsburgh PA! I have two weeks from fantasy faire to get ready for INATS and Anthrocon. Everything is ordered for INATS I just need for it to get here so I can ship it ASAP. Anthrocon is another monster entirely. I am hoping to make enough to get myself some Propanels. man those things are pricey!
Today is the LAST day of the buy two get one free sale. It includes all prints, in stock figurines and candles (everything of equal or lesser value of course!) All you have to do is buy the stuff you want to PAY for and then in the check out notes section add your free selections. If you forget no worries you can always send me an email at ash@ashevans.com
Lots going on over here. We are working to improve our packaging and retail shopping experience. Next show season we are in for some BIG changes.
Oh and if you haven't already please sign up for my mailing list! I do exclusive sales and my list knows everything first!! You can sign up at http://www.ashevans.com
Have a great day everyone!
Yesterday I had to set up my printers again and print print print for Fantasy Faire this weekend. I am all finished, all I have to do is bag everything today when I get back from some appointments. I have some big prints to do and other then that I am set for fantasy faire. I am hoping my pen software is coming today so I can finish Hummingbird Waltz in time.
I am also starting some pieces for Anthrocon. That is only a few days after Inats West and we will be going from Denver to Pittsburgh PA! I have two weeks from fantasy faire to get ready for INATS and Anthrocon. Everything is ordered for INATS I just need for it to get here so I can ship it ASAP. Anthrocon is another monster entirely. I am hoping to make enough to get myself some Propanels. man those things are pricey!
Today is the LAST day of the buy two get one free sale. It includes all prints, in stock figurines and candles (everything of equal or lesser value of course!) All you have to do is buy the stuff you want to PAY for and then in the check out notes section add your free selections. If you forget no worries you can always send me an email at ash@ashevans.com
Lots going on over here. We are working to improve our packaging and retail shopping experience. Next show season we are in for some BIG changes.
Oh and if you haven't already please sign up for my mailing list! I do exclusive sales and my list knows everything first!! You can sign up at http://www.ashevans.com
Have a great day everyone!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
NJ Fantasy Faire
Hi Everyone,
It has been a rough few weeks. Very stressful. With the figurines in customs being examined (at our cost of course) and the Mac committing suicide just "one of those days" had stretched into like two weeks.
I am missing software to my computer which is just SO odd because it is ALL in the same place except for a few errant disks. Of course what I am missing I desperately need. Cintiq is sending me another disk for my pen tablet. Today I get to track down my printer software and Painter X is no place to be found. It is just strange because I make a point of keeping it all in one place. I just don't understand.
The figurines have passed examination though we have yet to hear what the price of the fee is. They are moving to Baltimore today and they SHOULD be calling to schedule a delivery. I could have them by the end of the week. Who knows at this point I have been told that several times.
Well I can't finish my Hummingbird waltz because my tablet won't work until I get another disk. I haven't had much time to paint as we are dealing with a lot of things here restoring the computer, dealing with customs and shows etc. Its all crazy right now.
Anyway this weekend we will be at the NJ Fantasy Faire at the Wheaton Arts Center in southern NJ Saturday and Sunday from 10-5 each day. If you are wanting to purchase candles I highly suggest you do it now before we take these to the show. I am not getting anymore in for the rest of the summer as the candle fairy doesn't like to ship in the heat.
We will have new greeting card images and all sorts of goodies at the show including big prints and minis. A few framed prints as well. Hope to see you there!
It has been a rough few weeks. Very stressful. With the figurines in customs being examined (at our cost of course) and the Mac committing suicide just "one of those days" had stretched into like two weeks.
I am missing software to my computer which is just SO odd because it is ALL in the same place except for a few errant disks. Of course what I am missing I desperately need. Cintiq is sending me another disk for my pen tablet. Today I get to track down my printer software and Painter X is no place to be found. It is just strange because I make a point of keeping it all in one place. I just don't understand.
The figurines have passed examination though we have yet to hear what the price of the fee is. They are moving to Baltimore today and they SHOULD be calling to schedule a delivery. I could have them by the end of the week. Who knows at this point I have been told that several times.
Well I can't finish my Hummingbird waltz because my tablet won't work until I get another disk. I haven't had much time to paint as we are dealing with a lot of things here restoring the computer, dealing with customs and shows etc. Its all crazy right now.
Anyway this weekend we will be at the NJ Fantasy Faire at the Wheaton Arts Center in southern NJ Saturday and Sunday from 10-5 each day. If you are wanting to purchase candles I highly suggest you do it now before we take these to the show. I am not getting anymore in for the rest of the summer as the candle fairy doesn't like to ship in the heat.
We will have new greeting card images and all sorts of goodies at the show including big prints and minis. A few framed prints as well. Hope to see you there!
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