Tuesday, September 23, 2014

SPX 2014

I just got back from my favorite comic book show, the SmallPress Expo(SPX).  It's an amazing show featuring some of the best and most innovative work that is being done in comics today.  I always leave there feeling energize and ready to create.  I wish I could take a two week sabbatical from my day job and just work on comics.  Given that The day job has been incredibly busy and I only have three more vacation days left, all of which are spoken for, I don't see that happening.

This is the struggle that I find myself in these days.  I'm having trouble balancing my day job with my creative pursuits.  Throw in keeping my home in order, continue to get my body back into shape, being a good boyfriend, trying to maintain my friendships and looking for lettering work while networking.  All of this leaves me feeling rather frazzled and even more susceptible to depression.  Even though I finished up 75% of the editing changes need for my next self-publishing project, I went to bed feeling a general melancholy.  I have no idea where this sadness came from, but it's been with me all day.  In fact I ended up skipping the gym and sitting in the bathtub, near tears before going to work this morning.  The depression is strong right now, but hopefully I’ll get to the gym tomorrow and 30 minuets on bike along with some lifting will help fight it back some.

How do other creative types deal with this sort of struggle?  If you have both a day job and creative life, please leave a comment how you do or don't maintain the balance. 

Back to SPX. MY girlfriend and I had a wonderful time.  We meet a ton of great creators and got to see some old friends.  I even picked up a few awesome sketches:

One of my SPX favorites Monica Gallagher did both a Frank and a Sadie Doyle from the Thrilling Adventure Hour.  They came out fantastic. *clink*















Dean Trippe drew me an amazing Batman for the last page of my Arkham Asylum sketch book. I had always thought that the last page should be Batman, but never knew who I was going ask to draw it.  I just gave the book to Dean, told him the theme and said draw your favorite Batman villain.  When I came back he gave me the book and explained what he had done. It was perfect.




















On the comic creation front, I’m still working a few lettering gigs, one of which is about to launch and the others are just getting going.  I’ll tell you more once the work is out in the world.  Till then I’m under NDA.

My own work is coming along good.  I have finished all of the writing for my next project and I’m starting the artist search now.  I have a few artists that I would like to work with and I’m waiting to hear back from.  If not them then I’ll have to start putting out some ads.

I also have plans to do some cooking this weekend for my lady.  I should have some pics and the recipe up this coming Monday.

That’s it for now, until next time, keep making things.


T.

2 comments:

  1. Read "I Feel Sick", when you get a chance. I think it will resonate with you

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  2. I know exactly how you feel, and my husband reminds me to "Not beat up his girlfriend" (meaning myself). Of course, that doesn't stop the thoughts from coming on their own... Other than reading hyperbole and a half, sometimes I'll pick one thing and try to finish it, or do something as physical as I can handle. Honestly, sometimes nothing works. But just know that no matter where you are, you have lots of people who care about you and will be there.

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