No matter how many conventions I go to, how many lists I make, or how far I try to start in advance, I always seem to spend the night before I leave for a convention frantically running around trying to do more things than there is time to do! Preparing for ReaperCon 2018 has been no exception. In some ways I’m decently prepped, but there are several things I would very much liked to have done that I didn’t manage, and it’s all been a bit more annoying than usual because I have an issue with my hip that flared up on the weekend.
Those who’ve seen the giant duffle bag I pack for shows often comment on how excessive it is. But have a look at what I’m bringing just for classes that I’m teaching, and I think you’ll get an idea of why I need such a big piece of luggage! And this pile doesn’t even include the class handouts, since Reaper is kind enough to print those for us. (And I appreciate the savings of luggage weight every bit as much as the savings in printer toner and paper!) And since all the classes I am teaching this year use the same paint colours, it’s less paint than I would normally bring as well. This is only for three classes. I normally teach four (or five or six at some conventions), but with the extra duties of judging and other activities at ReaperCon this year, I thought I’d better go a little lighter.
Many of the artists I know have spent the past couple of weeks frantically painting entries to enter in the contest. I will have to content myself with entering the ReaperCon 2018 Sophie that I featured in my last post and something painted earlier this year. I have been spending my time writing a handout for my newest class topic – Painted Ladies. I’ve also painted several demonstration figures to help people who attend the class see points more quickly and easily. My other class topic is something I’ve taught before, but as part of a longer workshop style class, so I’ve had to spend some time condensing down the information to just the topic of faces and expressions, and I painted a few more example figures for that, as well. So my travel case and my display area of artist row are going to look a little paltry next to the treasures most of the artists will have, but that’s usually how I roll. :->
I am really looking forward to the convention this year! I’m excited about the new venue. It’s a lot more fun to have the convention areas directly attached to the hotel, and both are spiffy and new. But mostly what I’m excited about is the opportunity to spend time with good friends. My most consistent regret about conventions is that there just isn’t enough time to spend with everyone that I’d like to! But I will try to be at my spot in artist alley as much as I can when not busy with other duties, so please feel welcome to stop by and say hi or ask me some painting questions.
The down side of traveling to conventions is that I’ll miss these three crazies, my cats. Except it’s sort of an upside, too, because they are troublesome creatures and sometimes I get more peaceful sleep away from home than at home! ;->
Bird with a Brush 