Archive for ‘Blog’
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(Above, the great swag I got from the show)
Aotea Centre was busy and full a couple of Sundays ago. It was Mother’s Day. The sun was shining outside, on a beautiful autumn Auckland day, and people were making the most of it by getting out and enjoying it. It was also the day of the inaugural Chromacon event. An Illustration and Comic Art festival being held in the centre of town at the Aotea Centre.
As an exhibitor, I had access to the space early for setup the day prior to the show. Walking through the floor where everyone was setting up, and getting a sneak peak at what was to come, I could already tell it was going to be a great show! There were several spaces that I walked past and my jaw was dropping to the floor. It was cool to see so much talent was being assembled in the same space.
The morning finally arrived, and the early birds were in completing their booth set ups. Soon enough 9am rolled around and the show was officially under way. It probably took about an hour for some real crowds of people to start flowing through, but once the floodgates were opened, that was it. It was busy all day.
I had a great time. People were mentioning to me things like “we had no idea there was all this talent in our own country”. Which I guess just re-enforces the reason why putting on a show like Chromacon was absolutely worth doing. The public were great. I talked to a lot of really nice people. The artists were equally as great. I didn’t get as much time as I had hoped seeing all the different exhibitors, as I was basically stuck manning my own table the whole time. I did manage some quick trips as the show was coming to a close however and some good folks that were there were kind enough to stop by my table as well.
Outside of my comics, by far and away the favourite item I had for sale was my Anchorman print. I’ll throw an image of that up above this blog post. It’s available in my store if you’d like one. As are a couple of the other prints I had available.
Everyone who came through and stopped by my table. Thank you. It was wonderful to talk to everyone. All the artists who I know through social media, and met on the day, it was really great meeting you. Big thanks to Michel, who saved my butt when it came to setting up the booth, and last but not least to Allan and his team for putting on a great show! Apologies to all the artists whom I just didn’t get a chance to go see in person. Hopefully it’s an event I can add to calendar every year!
Thanks for reading,
Marc
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Here’s a summary of the Tool concert I attended last Thursday. Above is a photo I took of them from the BDO 2011, since no one was allowed to take pics at this event.
The night started off with a walk to the venue as it always does. I was surprised that no one else was making the same commute by foot as me. I wondered if the concert the previous night had satisfied most of the fans and if this following show wasn’t going to be anywhere near capacity. I was thankful however that the rain had subsided. The previous night it was still hosing down, which would have made for a miserable walk to the show.
Upon arriving at the venue my thoughts of a half full concert quickly subsided as I saw the mass of bogans decending upon Vector Arena. As always, there was plenty of interest at the merch stall, and people were adding their new tee shirt purchases to the rest of the wardrobe they had on. The easiest way they knew how. Right over the top of the existing clothes.
Seeing as I was venturing to this show alone, I was able to do a fair amount of people watching before, during and after the show. As always, the amount of creativity with facial hair is always surprising at metal shows. Dr Marten boots were in plentiful supply, and you always wonder about how the one girl who wears basic canvas shoes is going to fare in the mosh pit amongst the hundreds of shit kicking boots destined to crush her toes.
Also active were the security for the venue. Who were under advisement that by no means was there to be video recording during the show. They took the rules a little too far however, before the first act had even come on I was being warned about using my phone for just sending a text message. Still, I get the policy, and it was nice to see people actually experiencing the band rather than just focusing on recording a shitty movie version to watch later at home.
First on were Jakob. There were a good pick to warm the crowd up. Heavy enough, and they had a great flow as always. I think I have seen them about two or three times before this evening. Entertaining as always.
Before too long it was time for Tool to take the stage. One by one the band members filter out from backstage to a crowd hungry for some rocking. They open with the song “Hooker with a Penis” which is a good one to kick things off. Straight into it is a good policy for those who want some hard and heavy tracks for the evening. I guess everyone knew they’d be in for some fan favourite tracks when they quickly followed up with the song “Sober”. Perhaps one of Tool’s most well known tracks.
The band were on point. Tight as fuck. It’s always fun to just pick a band member and watch them for a sustained amount of time. There is so much going on to distract you from the band themselves, it’s cool to give them some real focus here and there. As usual, the music was accompanied by strange but compelling visuals. The crowd were well into it too. With the rocking out I was doing, I was quickly reminded that I’m a battered and bruised old man these days. My hips were fucked, and by the time we reached the intermission part of the show, I was ready to escape to the side of the floor and watch while supporting myself against the guard rail.
Before we reached the intermission point the band played their song Lateralus. I’m always impressed with how that song works live. It’s truly something special. Probably my favourite track from the night. It has this big rolling effect where it keeps escalating. Eventually by the end of the song, people are in their zone. Setting up the second half of the concert perfectly.
The Intermission gave me time to do some more people watching. Particularly impressive was a pretty young girl who fearlessly flirted and talked to just about every metal guy in the vicinity. I don’t think she was at the show with anyone, so she casually was just involving everyone around her in her experience. These singles males were happy to appease her attention deficit disorder for a time. She even got away with pulling a dude’s dreads, he pulled around kinda half pissed before she exclaimed “I LOVE YOUR DREADS DUDE!”. Ahh to be young and good looking. You can get away with everything. Later during the show the had mounted the shoulders of some dude and head banging during the end of another killer track. She was entertaining to say the least.
Before Tool finished up the show. Maynard made mention of the fact that if any of us had a “Time Machine” we might be able to travel forward a few hours to wish Drummer Danny Carey a happy birthday. He eventually admitted we’d might as well sing the song there now. A lot of the crowd kinda coughed and bumbled through his name though, and Maynard rhetorically asks after “You don’t even know his fucking name do you?”
Stinkfist finishes off the concert in fine form. Eventually the band bows out, and we’re left to slowly slumber out of Vector Arena listening to Katy Perry (what the fuck?) while we slide across the floor occasionally banging into the sweaty guy wiped out from the mosh pit. As always I leave slightly worse for wear and smelling of Bourbon and Cola. However everyone had a great time. Band put on a great show, What more could you ask for?
Setlist here.
Thanks for reading.
Marc
Yo! A reminder, today Chromacon is being held in Auckland’s Aotea Centre from 9am until 5pm. Yesterday was a lovely Autumnal day, so we’re hoping for the same today. If you’re in Auckland and looking for something to do, come swing by. Here’s the best part, Admission to this event is FREE.
After I set up my stall I had a quick look around at some of the other exhibitors. There are some amazing artists who are in this event. It’s very cool to see.
If you do come by, make sure you come by my booth (F4) and say “hello” to me.
Thanks for Reading!
Marc
Here’s another print I’ll be releasing at Chromacon this Sunday. Clearly I dig Wes Anderson films, as this is the second drawing of mine based on one of his films. In this case the Royal Tenenbaums.
When approaching these drawings I wanted some clearly defined characters and his movies do that really well. I went with Margot and Richie for the print because I like them as characters, and I liked their arc in the film.
As always too, Wes’ characters always looking really interesting, so they were fun to draw as well. I did a small sketch of Margot in my sketch book before I carried on with the art. I liked it enough that I thought I would share it with you all.
Hey, Chromacon is this weekend! I’d best get to showing you another print I’ll have available for sale there. This one is a familiar one. As it recently appeared in the comic. I liked the comic so much I decided I’d make a few of these available as a print. I’ve also turned this into a vinyl sticker…it’s kinda cool.
Anyway, the show is this weekend. I’m pretty excited about it. I’ve spent a lot of time preparing for it, so it’ll be nice to get there and see everyone.
Hope to see you there!
Thanks for reading,
Marc
Here is my second Digital Print that I’ll have available at Chromacon in a couple of weeks time. Mallrats is a fun movie. It makes me laugh a lot. Mostly because Brodie has very astute observations about Superman’s love life and is always concerned about children around escalators.
If you’d like one, you can always hit me up via email and I’ll get one to you before the show. Or you can come visit me in person at the show.
Thanks for reading,
Marc
Hey everyone,
As a way of keeping the art going, I’ve been doing some drawing for fun. Homages to some of my favourite films, interpreting them in my comic art style. It’s something that I had been thinking about ever since I did one of Sam Shakusky from the film Moonrise Kingdom. That piece was well received, and I wanted to do some more in the same vein.
I’m going to make them available for sale as digital prints. So if you’re a fan of the pieces, or of the films, and want some art representing on your wall, this might be a good way of doing it!
I’m going to have as many of these as I can done in time for the Chromacon show that I am attending. So if you’d like to buy one from me in person. Cool! If you are geographically challenged from Auckland, New Zealand, or you would like one straight away, well that is what the internet is for!
Since I started with Moonrise Kingdom, I’ll make that the first print available. You can purchase here.
Also, if you have any pieces you’d like to see my take on, leave the suggestion for me in the comments section. I won’t promise anything, but if it strikes me as something cool, I’ll give it a go!
Cheers!
Hey all,
Here is an update for you. I’ve been working hard. Not on comics for the site, not yet…but they’re coming.
Instead I have been getting some stuff sorted out for a new show that is happening here in Auckland spot lighting local artists, comic creators, illustrators – called Chromacon. The show is happening on the 12th of May, so make sure to mark that down in your calendars. Check out the Chromacon website, there is some amazing talent that has been organised for this show. It’s very exciting! It’s happening right in the middle of the city, at the Aotea Centre, so it’ll be nice and easy to get to. I’m truly excited to be a part of this show, and hopefully it is the first of many. Please come out and support what will be a fantastic showing of local talent!
On my side of things. I am trying to organise reprints of older comics. I’m creating some new digital prints that I will have for sale, both online and at the show. I’ll have some new stickers available. It is going to be fun. I’m excited to show off some of these prints I have been making. I’ll show some very soon right here on the site. On top of that, I’ve been enjoying the new digital prints thing so much, that I will be seeking suggestions for subject matter on what I might draw next for the next print. I’ll put the call out soon.
I recently got back from Christchurch. I did a quick day down there, and caught up on how the city was going. It was good to see where it currently is. It’s got me thinking about how I’ll interpret it next for the next batch of stories. I put some photos up on my Flickr, if you are interested in seeing some pics of where the city is at.
Finally, I uploaded a free ActionMan Adam Wallpaper for your computer. If you feel like you need some Canadian Kraft Dinner action representing on your desktop, notebook, tablet, whatever, you may download it.
Over the holidays I drew Batman on my iPad, you know because I wanted to. It was just a fun thing to throw down quickly. I can’t even remember what the situation was that I decided to draw this. I wish I had a better story to share. Ha ha.
Anyway, I thought I would share it.
Hey all,
So anyone who frequents the site will clearly see there has been no activity here for some time. I’m well over due for an explanation here. I’ve just been putting it off. I’m very sorry about that. So what happened?
Well I took a Christmas break to recharge. I starting planning out new ideas for where to take Adam. I’m still excited to tell these stories, so they’ll keep coming so long as I’m excited to draw them. Right after New Years I lost a close family member. It was unexpected. Threw everyone out. It was pretty tough, and I can honestly say the grieving/healing period is still ongoing. It basically really put me off my art game. I just didn’t feel like being very creative at all during this time.
The good news is, I have started drawing again. I’m drawing some fun things that I plan to offer at my online store soon and that I’ll have available at a show I’m doing later this year. I’m using these pieces to get myself back into it, and enjoy drawing again. It’s working too. I’m really starting to get excited about art again.
This weekend I’ll be in Christchurch to have a look around. I’m hoping that will help kick start some drawing ideas. As always I’ll be snapping lots of pictures, so I can accurately reflect the changes going on in the city. It should really help me tell some of the new stories coming up in the comic.
Things will resume as normal soon. I just wanted to explain why nothing has been happening here for a while.
Hope all is well in your world.
Thanks for reading,
Marc