A staple at any good anime or comic convention? An Artist Alley!
I recently attended Middle Tennessee Anime Convention - or MTAC - this past weekend. MTAC was my first convention and this was my eighth time attending. Yet as the con drew closer and closer, I found myself not excited at all, which is strange for me. I figured I'd get excited once I was actually in the hotel and in the con environment. But when the time came...I was severely underwhelmed. Now, there were a few problems with MTAC this time around which I won't get into with this entry, but the environment of being around all my fellow nerds and cosplayers should have gotten me properly hyped! I spent the entire convention feeling like I was just floating around a hot, crowded, sea.
In the past, I used to perform parapara at the convention, as well as helping run some teaching panels or some of my friends' panels. One year I was part of the fashion show, and another year, I volunteered. So maybe it was the fact that I was obligated to do nothing that made me feel this way. The more I thought about it, the more this felt right. I was so familiar with MTAC that just attending was no longer exciting. While I will probably never do volunteering or the fashion show again, I'm open to the idea of performing again if my teammates feel the same way. But the chances of that are slim. So what else is there to do?
As an artist, I've always been my worst critic. I always feel like I'm not good enough. Yet as I cruised through the hallway, through Artist Alley, I saw a few tables of art where I thought...and how do I say this without sounding stuck up or rude...I thought that I could do that, too. I felt that my art could maybe stand next to some of these artists' works. And so, I decided that I am going to apply for Artist Alley at next year's MTAC!
Of course, this means a lot of planning has to be done.
Firstly, I have to figure out a name for myself. A brand, if you will. Unfortunately, I have the habit of choosing a different name for every social media site I join. And even more unfortunately, the name I chose for both my deviantArt account and my art tumblr (though the former can be changed for a price and the latter for free) is "halcyonwh0re." It's a cute name, but not exactly something family friendly. I feel I could put it on a business card as a way to contact me, but not the first thing you see when you would see my booth, does that make sense? I don't feel "worthy" of just using my name, I feel that's something only the very well-known get to do. Also, I noticed that only one person at MTAC's AA did this. I've been leaning towards "Melty Bunny," which is why I chose to name my blog this. A little bit of cohesion, at least? I already have a logo and a business card mocked up if I do decide to use this.
Secondly, I have to decide what sorts of items I would like to sell. Prints of various sizes and commissions are obvious, but what else? I need to choose things that can be quickly produced for not so much money. I was thinking about stickers - everyone loves stickers! I also thought about making either phone charms or keychains using Shrinky Dink paper and a sealant, though I haven't looked up the costs yet. I looked at the price of a button maker and...eek. Although it could be a very good investment if I do make the cut. Buttons are usually very good sellers as well. I should know, I've bought enough. Then there are things that are not so quickly produceable, like plush toys. I know I can make some, but they take a while and they also aren't mass produceable like prints and buttons could be. I could always make one or two. I saw one person doing a giveaway of a handmade plush with a purchase from their booth, I could always do that! (I already have a Pikachu plush in the works!)
Thirdly is the easiest and hardest part - the art. As someone with depression, I can't always control when I'll feel like I can handle things. Sometimes I just can't handle looking at my own art. And that's something I'm going to have to overcome, not only to create a portfolio to be considered, but to create all the works necessary to sell. Then, there's appeal. I know what I like. I know other people like what I like. I like drawing what I like. But, for example, even though I like Super Mario Brothers I might not do art of it because it's not my most favorite. Other people, however, would probably really love Mario art because it's such a classic. Now, I don't mean I'm going to go completely out of my comfort zone and draw things I hate just because it's popular (cough, HonestuckFreeNightvale, cough), but it means I should open my mind and really think about what I should be drawing and how it would be received. Another thing I need to think about is original art, as most anime conventions at least require you to have a certain percentage of your work be non-fanart. I have many fashion pieces in mind as well as some body positivity ideas, but I feel like there's more I could be doing!
I have a lot to think about and do, and unfortunately I have no idea when the deadline is! Luckily, the thought of sharing my art with others and getting experience and exposure - not only at MTAC but at other conventions - seems to be getting my creative juices flowing. Even if they reject me, I'm still going to keep trying. Wish me luck, and feel free to share any tips or experiences you may have!!
~Bunny
Firstly, I have to figure out a name for myself. A brand, if you will. Unfortunately, I have the habit of choosing a different name for every social media site I join. And even more unfortunately, the name I chose for both my deviantArt account and my art tumblr (though the former can be changed for a price and the latter for free) is "halcyonwh0re." It's a cute name, but not exactly something family friendly. I feel I could put it on a business card as a way to contact me, but not the first thing you see when you would see my booth, does that make sense? I don't feel "worthy" of just using my name, I feel that's something only the very well-known get to do. Also, I noticed that only one person at MTAC's AA did this. I've been leaning towards "Melty Bunny," which is why I chose to name my blog this. A little bit of cohesion, at least? I already have a logo and a business card mocked up if I do decide to use this.
Secondly, I have to decide what sorts of items I would like to sell. Prints of various sizes and commissions are obvious, but what else? I need to choose things that can be quickly produced for not so much money. I was thinking about stickers - everyone loves stickers! I also thought about making either phone charms or keychains using Shrinky Dink paper and a sealant, though I haven't looked up the costs yet. I looked at the price of a button maker and...eek. Although it could be a very good investment if I do make the cut. Buttons are usually very good sellers as well. I should know, I've bought enough. Then there are things that are not so quickly produceable, like plush toys. I know I can make some, but they take a while and they also aren't mass produceable like prints and buttons could be. I could always make one or two. I saw one person doing a giveaway of a handmade plush with a purchase from their booth, I could always do that! (I already have a Pikachu plush in the works!)
Thirdly is the easiest and hardest part - the art. As someone with depression, I can't always control when I'll feel like I can handle things. Sometimes I just can't handle looking at my own art. And that's something I'm going to have to overcome, not only to create a portfolio to be considered, but to create all the works necessary to sell. Then, there's appeal. I know what I like. I know other people like what I like. I like drawing what I like. But, for example, even though I like Super Mario Brothers I might not do art of it because it's not my most favorite. Other people, however, would probably really love Mario art because it's such a classic. Now, I don't mean I'm going to go completely out of my comfort zone and draw things I hate just because it's popular (cough, HonestuckFreeNightvale, cough), but it means I should open my mind and really think about what I should be drawing and how it would be received. Another thing I need to think about is original art, as most anime conventions at least require you to have a certain percentage of your work be non-fanart. I have many fashion pieces in mind as well as some body positivity ideas, but I feel like there's more I could be doing!
I have a lot to think about and do, and unfortunately I have no idea when the deadline is! Luckily, the thought of sharing my art with others and getting experience and exposure - not only at MTAC but at other conventions - seems to be getting my creative juices flowing. Even if they reject me, I'm still going to keep trying. Wish me luck, and feel free to share any tips or experiences you may have!!
~Bunny
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