After having passed on participating in both NakaKon and Planet Comicon earlier this year, I set up a table at KC FanCon #40 at a show featuring Jeremy Haun, and the fellows from 86′d, Nick Perry and Bill Hook. I was so burned out from all the bigger shows at the end of last year, and as I wrote out in my last post, timing, finances, and mental fatigue were all working against me. So, sometimes, all one can do is reset one’s mind and jump back in, hopefully a bit smarter, and a bit better organized.
Craig Klotz really does help keep the comic spirit alive with these more intimate local shows. For me, it's always a joy to be involved with helping produce this show, as it gives me a chance to connect with people and fellow vendors and artists.
For those of you that have just started reading my updates on here, my second comic show I ever attended was a FanCon some years ago. I had heard about it right after I did my first Planet Comicon. I’d always been into comics and drawn them in some fashion, but never taken it upon myself to GO to one. I remember that my first experience with Planet was pretty hectic, I was hilariously unprepared, and really didn’t know much about anything about the show. My buddy Rick Stasi (who I had worked with, and who by chance found out he had done work on issue #96 of one of my all time favorite DC titles, Warlord), was actually the reason I took the first step towards attending comic shows, and introducing me to some other major players in comics like Paul Kupperberg, Bruce Jones, and Bernie Wrightson over the years. But after being so unprepared for the giant experience of Planet, I had to recollect mentally, and FanCon came along for me to be able to do at the right time.
First debut of my poetry and children's books, as well as a small sampling of all of my other works.
After I had done one of Craig’s shows, I presented him with an idea to try and create a new idea to get more exposure for both the show and my own beginning comic persona (the Artisan Rogue), and I cannot thank him enough for letting me take a chance at creating some boxes with original art on them for the shows. Literally hundreds of boxes later (that is not an exaggeration, I was working on a side project that I will reveal at a later date that floored me with how much art I had really created and the weird evolution and variations that permeate the line… more on that later), and I still am having a lot of fun working on them, and thankfully, many of you have either started messaging me or posting up ideas for new box art.
First, I want to thank all of you that stopped by to visit, to ask for art, buy art, have me sign stuff (that feeling will never get old, and thank you, all of you, that don’t just throw my books away. 
), and for giving me the honor of reviewing your portfolios and artwork. ALL of that, means the world to me, more than many of you probably know. It’s what keeps me going, like now, at 3am, doing a web update. It’s what keeps me going when I am looking at a blank sheet of comic layout board, or trying to iron out a storyline. So, like I promised many of you, here are your photos online now. If you want the full unedited versions of your photos, (this goes for anyone whose photo I used in any update), feel free to ask for the original image if you’d like one. Just e-mail me at mario (at) mariomora.net.
These three charming young ladies were very kind and super friendly. I hope you enjoy your new art reproductions!
(left) An 11th box was produced at this show, a second "the Maxx" box, upon request. If you see me at any show, I usually have a few boxes on hand for commissions. $20 for black and white, $30 for color. It's not just any old sketch! You get a box that helps you carry all your loot around! (right) Mega Man box and it's new owner."
Venom, Rocket Raccoon, and Hellboy were the next ones to go.
Then Boba Fett and Johnny the Homicidal Maniac went next. (I forgot how much I really loved reading JtHM until I did this box).)
And then Leonardo and Voltron went to the same home, a mighty team indeed to defend this couple's comics!
And then the first Maxx box and the Goon went off into the world to right the wrongs of comic collection disorganization.
Thank you again to all of you that were so kind enough to give me your thoughts on my efforts and for supporting FanCon. Keep the ideas and suggestions coming, and I’ll keep doing these as long as you all keep coming to the shows. Deal?
I did manage to work on some character concept art while I was there for Gauge and the Emerald Children. I’m hoping to have that book done and out as well by FanCon#42, and to those who expressed interest in Zora Nebula and the Galaxy 5, yes, that story is coming along as well, and thanks to some conversations at the show, I have a whole new direction for the feel of the world to pursue that I had not really considered.
These might be some of the first digital concept color works I'll finish over the next few weeks.
To continue an earlier thought about how many bits of box art I had created, I often, probably like so many other artists might, wonder where my art ends up. I guess I always had this insecurity for years that if people were willing to pay for my stuff, I always thought someday I would find an original painting of mine or something in a trash bin after people got tired of it. I mean, I myself am an avid collector of many things, including art and comics, and I know I can be a bit OCD about my stuff and value many things just because of memories, not necessarily monetary factors.
To be honest, I can remember just about every bit of art I have ever created. Not the actual works, really, but when I see any work I have done, I can tell you odd things like how a pen nib was broken, or I ran out of ink, or how I was feeling that day. Every ink mark, every brush stroke, and every idea that falls out of my head is because I want to take my memories, or that moment of inspiration and put it down on paper.
So to see this come across Twitter earlier today gave me all kinds of “the FEELS” when I saw it.
"You like me, right now, you like me!" - Sally Field, when she won her first Oscar in 1980 for her role in Norma Rae. Yes, for all my Billy Mayes ways at shows, when someone, ANYONE thinks things I create are cool, I get all giddy and feel like Sally Field.
So, we come to the end of another update. But I have more coming up this month. Many more things to touch on! Until next time, listen to your inner child, support your local artists and businesses, be kind to your fellow beings, and I’ll see you next time! – Mario, the Artisan Rogue