It's fall break here at MICA, the leaves are changing, and the air is crisp. Halloween's around the bend and Thansgiving doesn't seem much further - but I don't like thinking about that, not at all, because time already seems too precious and I've already been so freaking lazy.
Ummm ... Did I mention Andrew Bird is really awesome? Because he is. That was two weeks ago. Yeah.
And hey, guess what happened yesterday. Something horrible happened. Chelsea knows. I put my hand on a hot burner. Yesterday it happened: I came back from the grocery store and I guess George had been making eggs, like right before I walked through the door, and then as I was setting down the bags I thought, hey, is this burner hot? *touch* yes, scaldingly hot. 2nd degree burn hot ... so basically I went to the hospital, and now my hand's wrapped in gauze. (I look like Doug, from that episode where he's trying to impress Patty Mayonaisse by being good at sports, but really, he gets ropeburn. But reeealy, he's good at sit-ups.) It's OK now. Actually, it doesn't hurt much at all, and actually, it's not as bad as it sounds.
So despite this, I went to SPX (Small Press Expo) in Bethesda, where there's all kinds of weird comic-book people and zinesters. It was a good time. Nicholas Gurewitch (PBF) was there; Brian Ralph was there. Supposedly James Kochalka (American Elf, MICA alumnus) was there too, but I didn't look very hard. I got some sweet mini-comics and these OK-ish (but secretly awesome) Scott Pilgrim books (words/art by Brian Lee O'Malley, husband of Hope Larson, author of Salamander Dreams - I just like that they're married and make comics. Maybe no one cares ...) Since I was there for like 9 hours, I also went to a few panels. Jeff Smith (Bone)spoke heartily and humorously. Some paraphrased quotes: "I like Steinbeck. But let's see him draw it!" (-referring to the difficulties of being both author and artist.) Also "Genre is real life, just dressed in more interesting clothing." Also, Zippy-creator Bill Griffith gave this odd slideshow lecture where he basically just read his comic strip outloud. I don't know, it was a good time. MICA had a table, and I heard that all these people were just walking up and being impressed. I will definitely try to make something notable/presentable for next year. *sigh*
--Alex
4 comments:
Good God, Alex, was it your right hand at least? Wow... hope it heals up quickly.
yeah, it was my right hand - although that hasn't stopped me from doing absolutely nothing this weekend. It should be better in a few days.
They just put up the juried undergrad show. I think it's pretty well-rounded and pretty awesome. Now I want to make (fine) art!
Oh Alex your poor hand!
I am the opposite; I like to think about how close Halloween and Thanksgiving is because I can't wait to come home. And I can't wait to see you all.
Illustration IS fine art!! >_> Well, if you think about it as one it can be. Sometimes. *cough*
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