Sunday, July 29, 2007

07.29.07

so, normally I would have a ton of pictures posted up here of all the things I'm up to, but I decided to ditch the Bum Squad Djz yacht party to head down to the San Diego Comic Convention. So Brad from Skullcandy needed a camera to take pics of the party so I gave him my little one that I normally take around with me in my pocket, so it kind of sucks I don't have too many pics from the Con, but I am really glad that I went, because I had a really great time. It took forever for me to drive out from OC, but it was really cool, because when I arrived I just happened to run into Krk Ryden and hid brother Mark Ryden . KRK and Mark are both incredible artists. I've known KRK for quite some time and it was really great seeing him there. He actually has a show coming up in a couple of months in So. Cal that sounds pretty impressive and should have some pretty awesome special guests in attendance.

After my brief meeting with KRK and Mark I met up with Jeremy Kove of Munson Industries and Mars-1 . I've been familiar with Mars's work for a while now, but I've never met him before, so it was really cool of Jeremy to introduce us. After a while we went out to grab lunch with Gary from destructo where I ended up grabbing a ten dollar grilled cheese sandwich that was actually worth ten dollars, yeah it was that good.

Well after that I went over to the Con and wandered around for a bit. I found James Kyson Lee after his Heroes panel discussion signing autographs for fans. I dropped off a print for him of the photo I shot for Altra a while back and then went back to wandering. I found some pretty great things out at the Con and spoke with tons of rad people. I met up with artist Mark Nagata at his booth for Max toy co his new toy company. It's pretty rad. I love talking with Mark. He is such a rad and positive guy. it's guys like him that make me think that some day there will be new Jumbo Machinder toys that will be released, and done right. Not like those lame oversized vinyl monstrosities that people try to pass off as jumbos. But anyway Mark has tons of amazing things going on for him coming up soon. I still remember the first time I met Mark, it was a couple of years ago at Comic Con, it was when he was over at Super 7 and it was there first year at the Con. I was a subscriber from the very beginning, and loved the mag. Mark and I sat an talked about toys for far too long, and by the end of the conversation he had sold me a pretty sweet Kanegon painting that I didn't pay enough for,a rad Gurion figure, and a Red Baron bootleg that I really wanted. This year, I didn't bring as much loot with me, but so I had to be much more conservative with my shopping.

I went over to meet with James Kyson Lee after his Heroes panel to find him swarmed by fans. Kids were really tripping out it was awesome. . I dropped off a bunch of the images I shot of him from the Altra magazine photoshoot then bounced out so he could do his thing.

I was rolling around checking out a bunch of stuff when I came across the Lasp Gasp booth, then it dawned on me why Mark and KRK were at the con. Mark was doing a signing for his latest release Bunnies and Bees micro portfolio set 3.











The set is pretty amazing and has fourteen prints in it. It was a pretty good deal, so I had to pick one up.


Charles Burns has to be one of my favorite artists. I've been looking for some of his work for a very long time. I've got a few of his book plates as well as a few other nick knacks here and there. So wandering the show I happened to stumbled upon this little gem at over at Picture Box Inc. booth. That I was really happy to pickup along with a Mignola Hellboy print right before I left Comic Con was really awesome and I had a really good time checking out all the stuff and meeting up with everyone. Being out there makes me think about all the rad stuff out there. So many great artists and great artwork. I'm going to have start saving for next year. After the Con I went out and met up with Brad from Skullcandy who decided to be too cool for Comic Con went out on the Bum Squad Djz yacht party. If Brad could have his way, he would only eat Inn and Out and ice cream... seriously