5 Things About Comikaze - Artists, Comics, & Cute Things

Ashley A. Woods, illustrator for niobe. she is super kind, and enthusiastic. I think she teared up hearing me speak on my love of art and children ^__^ thank you for representing and making an amazing story~ 

Comikaze is a convention created by Stan Lee where lovers of geek, sci-fi, tech, pop-culture, fantasy, video games, and anime culture could get together and share their interests. Yes, San Diego Comic Con and countless superhero movies (Avengers, Batman, Spiderman...etc) did put geek culture on the map for others to enjoy. Comikaze is a little smaller, with less emphasis on creating a geek and popular-culture community by and for community members. 

This was the fourth annual Comikaze convention, and I've attended the first and fourth year. It's amazing to see how much growth and cohesion a community can have within four years. I can't wait to go next year. Here are some photos from the event:

5 Reasons Why Comikaze & Other Comic Events are Awesome

1) You get to share a joy you have with others.

If you are a parent, you can share your geeky side with your kids, or get to know your child better by sharing in their joys and their world. :)

2) You can discover new interests.

Liking comics and/or anime can lead you to discovering you have an interest in certain video games, sci-fi or fantasy culture. It can be difficult finding venues that cater to specific interests, so these conventions can help you find what you're looking for and explore new joys.

3) You can connect with others.

There was a stronger stigma with geek culture in the past, and I acknowledge that things are getting better. Sometimes it can still feel isolating having the interests you have, and not being able to talk to someone about it. Attending conventions can help find your tribe. This does take some bravery to talk to strangers, though. After a couple conversations, maybe you'll start following each other on Pinterest or Instagram, and become friends in the future. 

4) You can support local artists.

This is important to me. When conventions get really big, it's not easy for local artists to get their art out there any more. Comikaze is still small enough where there's a huge section of the venue allocated for local and small businesses. I think this is important to help promote a healthy artist community.

5) You can fuel creative inspiration.

As a creative individual, seeing what others are making can help guide your creative process. You can ask each other for tips on materials, deals on production, and support each other emotionally and financially. It was awesome seeing artists freely share how they made their work, and resources they had on how to market. I think sharing tools keeps the community strong. 

If you went to Comikaze, did you cosplay? I wore my My Little Pony (MLP) shirt, and noticed lots of Harley Quinns and Deadpools. One day was not enough to walk through the entire venue and enjoy myself. So next year, I hope on going for at least two days.  

On Art004 - JiYoon Jessica Ahn

Introduce yourself. Who are you, and what kind of artist are you? I like to paint in acrylic paints and to draw with compressed charcoals. I like to paint semi-abstractions and Feelingscapes which I call “Felt Memories.”

How did you discover your interests in art? What is your history -with art? I loved picture books as a kid, and one day a Japanese visitor saw my stick figure cartoon and told my mom to encourage me to pursue art. My mom was always making things, usually needlecrafts, so I grew up watching her do a lot of patchwork and embroidery.

What are your favorite media? Are there specific professionals who inspire your work? Acrylic paints on canvas. Sometimes writing ink, too. Let’s see… some of the most inspiring master painters for me currently are Emily Noelle Lambert, Hiroshi Sugito, Giorgio de Chirico, Edward Hopper, and Paul Delvaux.

What goes on in your mind when you're creating? What does your artistic process look like? I get transported into my own Mind. I enjoy the “Flow” and being At One when engaged with creating. I don’t have a set method though, so each painting begins slightly differently. Sometimes I start off with ink drawings, other times I use gesso for a heavier foundation.

Weather Report. 2005. 90.9 × 72.7 cm. Acrylic on canvas.

What does art mean to you? 

Art is a Door Step to experiencing the Inner Realms of me. Art itself is a medium in that sense. It is a portal for me; a way of channeling and accessing something inside.

Zen Clouds. 2006. 53.0 x 45.5 cm. Acrylic on canvas.

Do you think there are biases or stigmas about being an artist? (Ex: There is a link between creativity and mental illness.) What are some that you've experienced? I’m pretty sure there are biases and stigmas for EVERY job on Earth, so yes to the first question. The notion that artists are somehow “different” from the rest of the human fold is a common bias from my observation.

Do you think there are any truths about the stereotypes of being an artist? In this day, much less so I think. Artists these days are more like a production line. The only real thing in what an artist does is the Process itself.

Pink Stitches. 2010. 45.5 x 53.0 cm. Acrylic on canvas.

Have any resources or tricks-of-the-trade to help fellow artists working with your media? Yes. Have a good friend who is a fellow artist and a creative. ARTS Anonymous is one that has been a treasure house of resources and sense of community for me. Once you start using acrylic paints, there is no turning back to oils! I’ve tried that once in my one room studio, but no matter how expensive and non toxic the oil paint claims itself to be, it will still stink like poison.

Face #19. 2006. 39.3 x 54.5 cm. Compressed charcoal and black ink on paper.

If you could give your young artist self or aspiring artists advice, what would it be? 

Your voice matters. Your view point matters. Your message and brushstrokes matter. Learn how to stand your ground without the wings that big corporations entice you with. Guard your Creative Soul. Seek and cherish the friends who are devoted to creating and crafting.

Face #41. 2006. 39.3 x 54.5 cm. Black ink on paper.

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For additional works by Jessica, visit her painting blog: http://jeeyoona.blogspot.kr
Questions & Comments? Email her at: jeeyoona@gmail.com

How Zines Can Help You Heal

Zines have a political history. Many think of feminists or RiotGrrl when the topic of zines arises. They were created to disseminate information to people when the mass culture had limited access to alternative perspectives. Corporations still control a huge amount of media in our lives, so small publications and zine culture can still promote a wider world view for consumers. 

Although currently, most zines at zine fests are creative outlets for artists, every now and then, you will come across a politically-inclined zine. Zines can be powerful and healing. Publishing is not as expensive as it used to be, but it can still be costly. If a person just wants to share their writings or their stories with others, zines can be a more cost-effective way of doing so. 

How Zines Can Help You Heal:

When you come from a community or population that does not have a strong voice, creating media to have your stories heard can help develop empowerment. This is the case for many who choose to use zines and zine culture to share their stories, and the stories of those whose voices have been oppressed in the past. Representation is important, and continues to be a concern and struggle for most minority groups. 

There is a larger cultural norm that is represented in the media, and this includes forms of art, film, and publications. Zines help those with minimal means to have their stories and identities validated and heard. One of the difficult parts of coming from small and underrepresented groups, is that it can feel like you do not exist in the eyes of the greater culture. Zines can help remedy these feelings of being less than.

Attending zine fests can also help promote community. It can be isolating not being able to find others who "get" your story or struggles. Zinesters usually come from life experiences where they were born fighting, and wish to encourage others to speak out on injustices or share their victories over hardships. Solidarity is part of this community, and I am thankful to have discovered and participate in it. 

You can make your own zine to share your story, your creativity, and insights into any cause you are championing. 

These photos are from OC Zine Fest, and it was held in Santa Ana on July 2015. Most of the works are inexpensive, so it's easier for a consumer to support their local artists. I like stickers and they usually range from $1 to $3. Many times artists give them away for free :)

These events usually draw out a younger crowd, around college-aged, and it's a treat when families visit. Some works have mature content, but most works can help inspire creativity in young artists. Exposing children to possibility can help them create a clearer image of how they want to be when they grow up. Conversing with local artists can help encourage success and prepare young artists with the right tools and expectations. 

Fur Babies!

Who doesn't like photos of cats and dogs? They can help alleviate stress, become lifelong companions, and even family. Here are some photos and words on some of these wonderful fur babies. 

(photo in banner) Very cool! Thank you for posting Jasper's photo. He's truly a therapy dog... This three-legged goof helps me understand that things aren't so bad. My lil man.  <3

- Christine Nam

This is yangkong-berry.

He is 3.2 kilograms of furry good warmth at night. a live purring musician in the bathroom. and a sweet licker of my wounds and feels when I'm down.

- Jiyoon Jessica Ahn

Sometimes you just need someone to listen n my dog is one heck of a listener.

- Jessica Song

Jax has been my best friend and constant companion through the most difficult time of my life. I had never owned a pet before her. She makes sure that even through the darkest times, I am never alone.

- Ray Valee

He was a very loving and communicative cat, I meowed to him and he meowed back. He loved to play and fight too and often brought home all sorts of things as gifts: small dead animals, underwear, branches, leaves, basically anything he liked he brought to us after his strolls. He always greeted me meowing while walking in my direction after hearing me opening the gates and then walked with me curling my legs until I got inside, took off my shoes and gave him a little love troking my feet on his back and belly. He was a great company in my life and I consider having another cat in the future as it is my favorite pet.

- Ivan Barreto

Örkki (the orc) is a dog.

- Tomi Viktor Varjonvmmi

This is my dog Kai. He's not very smart but he is soft and cuddly, which is fine by me.

- Sid Tsai

This is Nala. She lives at dad's place but is loved equally by all of the family, no matter how far we live. Happily I live really close, so I go for walks and cuddles pretty often. She calms me down, and helps me remember there are purely good things in this world too.

- Emmi Eriikka

This is Sampa, she judges me often and swears up and down that humans are crazy. She is my everything <3

- Sadi Thann

This is Dozer. He was a stray someone abandoned when we were having sub zero temps. Ours now!

- Don Ostrom

Buddha. The coolest cat ever!

- Don Ostrom

And last but not least, Bruno, who thinks he's a badass, but loves to cuddle for naps.

- Don Ostrom

Henry. I didnt want him, he was pathetic, tiny (4lbs) and terrified. Now he's healthy (15lbs), happy and we're inseparable.

- Rand Melvin

Sargent Pepper. The dog Henry replaced. 120 lbs of love and joy. No dog is a better lapdog than Sarge was.

- Rand Melvin

On Art003 - Dino Perez

I've been attending Santa Ana's art walk for the past three months (with a fellow artist partner in crime), and have met some wonderfully talented and humble creatives. Dino Perez is one of them. You can see him chatting it up with attendees, smiling, and freely sharing stories on his process and inspirations. 

There was this one piece that caught my attention:

I kept looking at it at Dino's booth, and asked myself, "What does it remind me of? Why do I like it so much?"

And then it hit me: The Little Prince! 

We shared a mutual love for The Little Prince, and I appreciated the honesty and genuineness Of Dino's story (I might have jumped once or twice after finding another adult who enjoys this book as much as me). Dino read this book as a child, and has gone back to it over time as an adult. He shared that,

"There are some things that stay with you." 

He also shared one chapter that especially resonated with him. It was about an adult who collected stars and was visited by the Little Prince. The Prince asked about the stars, but the adult was busy collecting and checking his inventory of things. The adult had no idea what he possessed, and was focused on accumulating things instead of experiencing them. 

Dino wholeheartedly spoke on how this has stayed with him and has shaped his perspectives in life. I appreciate his work because he weaves optimism and joy that children naturally have into his process. He also layers a darkness and color palette that brings the work balance. We ended our conversation agreeing on many things. We agreed that it's rare and difficult for many of us adults to keep our inner children alive, and we agreed that there is a beauty in creating work that reflects the humanity and playfulness that life gives us.

“For the travelers the stars are guides.

For others they are nothing but tiny lights. “ 

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Thank you for the conversation, and thank you for the art, Dino. I look forward to seeing you and your work at the next art walk. 

Titles of work:

• "Happy Valentine's" acrylic paint on wood panel - Winter 2015

• Day of the Dead 2014 edition of hand painted wooden coffins and framed paintings on wood 

• "Dream Chasing" acrylic paint, ink, and wood burning - Winter 2015

• "When You Will Not Open Your Eyes" acrylic paint on wood panel, Fall - 2014

For more of Dino's work:

Instagram DinoPerez

Etsy | DinoPerez

Santa Ana Art Walk 

On Art 002 - Paul Iannucilli

paul iannucilli, artist, poet, infj

Paul Iannucilli is a wondrously curious poet-writer, and I'm lucky to have scooped up an artist statement before he takes off onto big things in life.  

Paul Iannucilli's Artist Statement:

Stories have been around as long as there have been living things. All of us have them, and all of us tell them. From Neanderthal cave paintings to a cancerous cell; from the drunken musings of poets to the loud mouthed polemic of politicians, these are all stories. I am of a mind that these stories define us. Our society tells us a story of how to appropriately behave, philosophy tells us a story of what is right and wrong, corporations tell us a story of what is cool, or what we need, a romantic partner shares their story with us and informs us on how to share our own with them; this is intimacy. Also important are the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves. If a person tells him or herself that they are a loser, then eventually they are going to start to believe it.

Made up stories tell us who we are as well. When we relate to, or empathize, with a character or characters, that informs us of who we are as individuals in a very pertinent and real way. You yourself are the embodiment of a beautiful and unique story that gets to have fun and interact with everyone else’s unique story. Some people are much better at telling stories; they are able to see, and tap into, and express these wonderful qualities that all of us share. They find these common threads and express them in ways most anyone can relate to. This is why I tell stories. It is the loudest expression of my humanity that I can think of. It allows me to relate to the world, other people, and myself. It lets me tell someone that they aren’t alone. It lets me see that neither am I. The poem I am including is part of my story it is my hope that you will be able to find some of your own in it as well. Thank you for sharing with me.

Little Boy Flies Across the Moon

When one is a performer

in a traveling circus sideshow

one can learn all sorts of things:

How to properly take care of animals,

or how to do a back flip in a clown suit

while drowning in cheap whiskey,

or even in some cases, how to fly.

 

By starlight and red fire glow

they gather, after the performance.

Crying away their pasts;

never forgetting them entirely.

Always there are reminders of what has been lost;

a scent, an accent, the turn of a mouth.

Little Boy drinks alone, in a pile of hay near the elephant pen.

And he drinks it all in.

Strongman’s raucous laughter and

Tarot Reader’s bitter tears and foul language,

curses hurled in Hungarian,

her native language from a life

lived long ago.

 

Little Boy flew tonight, across the trapeze

and the safety net waiting below.

He has flown all over the world.

Always finding the waiting arms to grasp him,

and then eager to pass him off to another.

Little Boy has flown for many reasons.

Money, sheer joy, bowel shaking terror,

and even for something as silly as love,

though it turned out to be the end instead.

Which all the cheap whiskey burn,

and cotton candy sweetness on his tongue

cannot ever replace.

 

The moon is big and silver and bright.

Winking down on Strongman, and Tarot Reader,

and all the rest of them.

It is taunting Little Boy.

It is calling his name in high and crystal tones.

Clear and ringing in Little Boy’s brain.

He wants it, the silver moon.

He wants to soar across its face,

across the dunes and craters.

He wants the silver light to burn right through him.

He wants to be free of the trapeze

and the ever present safety net.

Little Boy wants to let go of the bar

and fly free, across the face of the moon. 

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To follow Paul and his future works visit: 

• https://pauliannucilli.wordpress.com/ <<< READ HIS STUFF <3
• https://www.facebook.com/paulianwrites <<<LIKE HIS PAGE <3

photo credit for forest image: Kristin Mullinax, the gentle INFP, photo credit for awesome shot of Paul: Rowan Fluttertree from Seattle :), moon wallpaper: Google search, will gladly attribute if source is identified.

On Art 001 - Hoa Han

Hoa's background, and the art he makes:

Born in Vietnam and raised in LA since about the age of 4. I attended Art Center College of Design, where I received my Bachelors Degree in Entertainment Design. I have been working since as a Concept artist in the advertising and marketing field.  Being a concept artist I tend to make art that most people do not get to see. My job involves generating sketches and the pre-visualization of what a game idea or a web site may possibly look  like. Images can range from character design , environmental background art, and scene illustrations to help a client see the grand scheme or the world. As for my personal work I tend to lean towards fan pop art and fantasy just because it's really fun to create. 

What the best and worst things about being an artist? 

The best thing about being an artist is really simple, I get paid to do what I love. It is a great outlet to translate your thoughts and expressions into something visual which could be shared with others. The worst thing would have to be friends constantly asking to have something created that goes to no general purpose. I enjoy drawing and painting, but I like living life as well. 

What does it mean to make art? 

Pretty deep question. To me it means just expressing your personality through your work. This can range from any form of artistry whether it be pottery, wood working, or a few strokes on a canvas. As long as the artist has a thought in what they are putting out.

What do you think the benefits of art are?

Art can have great benefits to the person creating it. Personally I find it to be very therapeutic. It allows me to put on mental blinders where I am able to fully lose myself in the process.  Leaving out the stresses from the day or perhaps the ones to come. Art is just a great outlet for anyone really to freely express themselves. Art can also benefit the observer as well. For myself  being the observer helps inspire me to keep creating new work. 

If you could give advice to people thinking of exploring art, but are hesitant to, what would it be? 

To that I would say just give it a try. It does not hurt to be creative. From my experience I have found many people want to become artists, but are doubtful of their abilities.  With patience and constant practice anyone can become a great artist.  I would also advise that art is very subjective; you just have to find your niche.  For those who dive into the art world, develop  a thick skin. Criticism is everywhere--you just have to listen to the ones that will help benefit your art. 

How can we contact you or find awesome works you've created? 

I have a site people can check out, as well as a Society6 portal. 

  http://www.hoahan.com

  http://society6.com/hoadraws

Feel free to email Hoa at Hoadraws@gmail.com

On Art 000 - Bill LaBrie

POEM: THE BLANK PAGE IS A LIE DETECTOR

The blank page is a lie detector
More strict than we’ve ever known.
When you compose or blather on,
Your inner truth is shown.

Stop short of telling everything
And they’ll know it in the end:
Too cowardly to share the tale
Of what you did back then.

©2014 Bill LaBrie

Boonie: Can I bug you about writing a blurb and how you do art? I'm curious about your creative process and how art has helped you heal. Do you think there's a stigma associated with being an artist? Why or why not?

I think depression -- at least sub-clinical depression -- is oftentimes the result of falling into one's self. It's a deep sort of loneliness where all one can see is oneself. One of the worst kinds of torture is the isolation chamber, after all. 

When you make art -- whatever it is -- you're projecting something of yourself on to the world around you. That can be affirming. C.S. Lewis has that line about why we read: So we know we're not alone. I think that's why we write/paint/sculpt/perform as well. 

My work with Release The Fear has further convinced me of the healing power of the arts. We have these kids--participants from horrible backgrounds--whose lives are often transformed by a few hours of encouragement and a couple more with a blank canvas. It's happened in hundreds or even thousands of cases.

There will always be a stigma that comes with being an artist among certain people, but to me that bespeaks a certain poverty. It's saying that we are so desperate as animals that we can't do anything for its own sake, and that everything we do must be justified in terms of utility. It's a slippery slope, I find, since by that reasoning most of us ourselves can't be justified. I guess I see love itself as the ultimate axiom that needs no justification, and art is a sort of path towards realizing love. 

Thanks!

These lovely photos are from Bill's Instagram. :)

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About Bill

Bill's MBTI preference is ENTP and he is awesomesauce. I consider him as authentic as it can get. He's an encouraging fellow artist, lifting others in the community, and I hope his works are shared with more. Thank you, Bill.

More of Bill's lovely writings:

 BillLaBrie.com: I Question Your Questioning

Like Bill on FaceBook:

Bill LaBrie Writes

Follow him on Instagram:

http://instagram.com/billlabrie

The Mental Mind [Poem by Marcus Mercado]

Anime Death Squad

Hangout Season 3

I thank Marcus for his transparency, and words. Art can offer an emotional outlet for many creative souls. If you'd like to check out more of this fellow geek and artist's shenanigans, you're in luck! He's a YouTube partner.

Anime Death Squad with Nortrodamus & Friends

Marcus' MBTI preference is ENFP, and he's got a soft spot for warm fuzzies and geeking out with other geeks. 

You think that you're the only one who lives in deep despair, but there are those who think like us and hardly even care.

You try to find out the reason why you act this way so much, but there are so many questions out there that you can only clutch.

Even though the road is dangerous, it's dangerous in your mind, but you keep on trying to escape it even in the ends of time.

But you're finally at the breaking point and it's not a very good sight, but your fighting for a little something, something that is right.

- The Mental Mind  by Marcus Mercado

Age 16 or 17

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When asked about the importance of writing, and life his at the time, Marcus replied: 

"I felt like no one understood me, just knew what buttons to push and not to push. The teachers tried their hardest to understand me but they always give up because they had other students to deal with. I felted sad and anger and no one that I could talk to at my level, so I got so bored and tired and no one understanding me I made that poem, half of the teachers were impressed and tried harder to get to know me and the other half... Let's just say they wanted to keep their distance away from me and from their students."

What advice would you give your teenage self? Would you change anything you did in high school if you could?

Personally, I would punch some common sense on my younger self for being a little unruly brat and a big hug and tell him that everything is alright and that he would get so many friends if he because more friendly to others.

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