Froyo

MICE

Just found out a few days ago that I'll be exhibiting at MICE (Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo) this Saturday, Sept. 24th. If you're in the area, definitely come check it out!

SPX 2011 Interview

Here's a link to an interview that I did at SPX. Don't know if the interviewer interpreted what I said as I had intended, but what can you do. Wasn't saying that I don't care about comic book artists not getting credit for stuff they post online.

http://comicsforge.com/2011/09/whitney-taylor-small-press-expo-2011-interview/

Reflections on 'Of Boyfriends Past'

So, just wrapped up 'Of Boyfriends Past'. I had originally said that there were 8 but there were actually 6...the other two must have been imaginary. Anyhow, I've gotten a pretty good response from them, probably because many have been there before. We've been jerks, people have been jerks to us, the time and place have been wrong, one person liked the other more than that person liked them, physical chemistry but no friendship, more friendship than chemistry, etc. Since the comics were written from my perspective, they were obviously my interpretation of what happened; I'm sure some of my ex's might have seen them differently. Some of the relationships deserved 8 panels, while others were more complicated and definitely deserved more than that, but I stuck to my initial guidelines. I think that all of my relationships were learning experiences and had to happen to get to where I am today. This project helped me realize that.

Now on to other things...

Of Boyfriends Past #6

SPX 2011 Recap

Selling comics!

Just got back from the Small Press Expo in Bethesda, Maryland this weekend, and my head is still spinning. Two hours before I left for the show, I was fretting about not getting my shipment of Watermelon in, which had just been printed. Luckily it arrived just before I left for the airport. Whew.

The show was insanely awesome. The quality of work there was unbelievable and at times intimidating. Here I was, selling my humble minicomics, alongside some of the greatest comic book artists in the business. But I guess you have to start out somehow. As I was saying to a friend, selling your crap at a comicon or any type of festival is the ultimate egotistical act. You're essentially saying "This is ME! MY stuff is different from the others! Buy MY stuff!" At the same time it is ego crushing, as you sit (or stand) there and have people judge you and your most personal stuff and either take it or leave it. Regardless of whether you do well or not though, I think it's a good experience.

Anyhow, back to SPX. I met a host of people and reconnected with others I had met at previous cons, including fellow cartoonists, press, publishers, and of course the public. To name a few, I had the pleasure of meeting the ladies from Pizza Island (if you don't know who they are look them up!), tabled close to Keith Knight, briefly talked to Jessica Abel, and worked up the courage to approach Roz Chast at the bar after a few whiskies. I also traded comics with a lot of other people and definitely spent to much money. Oops.

Tabling is frickin' exhausting, as you're essentially hobnobbing for 8 or so hours at a time. Luckily my boyfriend Tony came to help me out. It was his first time at a comicon, so I think it was a bit of a culturally transformative experience for him. "It's like a gathering of all the people who weren't cool in high school. I bet I'm the only former football player in here," he said. Probably true. I think he got into it though, as he started making some pretty funny comics of his own (see below).

Tony's tribute to 7-11

I think the best part was talking to the public. The crowd was pretty diverse, with people of different ages, races, professions, and localities. It makes me happy for the future of comic book fandom.

Overall this experience makes me want to become a better cartoonist. I'm committed to it.

Dylan Williams

My next post will cover the awesomeness that was SPX, but I want to touch on something else first. This weekend the independent comic book community lost a cherished member. Dylan Williams, founder of Sparkplug Comics, lost his life to cancer at the age of 39. To give you a background on Sparkplug, it is a small publishing and distribution company based in Portland, OR that promotes independent works from various comic book artists. Sparkplug is unique in that it seeks out many underrepresented artists and looks for a diversity of work. Dylan had a unique eye and appreciation for lesser known talents with a different type of story to tell.

I first wrote to Sparkplug in 2008, when I sent them my first minicomic Reality Televisionary. I wasn't expecting to hear anything back, but received a lovely note from intern Austin English who told me that I didn't know how good my figure drawing was, but that I needed to "complete my work". At first I didn't know what this meant, but learned that I needed to do more shading and coloring to polish the look. Some of the best advice I received.

Since then, I've sent Sparkplug my comics regularly and had the pleasure of meeting Dylan a few times. Last year at MOCCA Fest in NYC, I visited the Sparkplug table with the hope of buying some comics and giving them a copy of my latest minicomic. When I went to hand Dylan my comic, he said "You don't have to buy stuff anymore. Let's trade. I'm a fan of your work". That must have made my comicon. It felt great to be appreciated by someone who I respected so much.

Dylan had been battling cancer for a few years and seemed to be OK, but announced to his Facebook friends about a month and a half ago that he was battling cancer again. I sent my condolences and rallied with the indie comic book community to support him and help him pay his medical bills by buying from Sparkplug. The amount of solidarity in the community was heartwarming. I went to SPX this weekend and felt sad that he wasn't behind the Sparkplug booth as usual. When I got home at midnight last night and checked my Facebook, I noticed from Austin English's post that something was wrong. I later found out that Dylan had passed.

I never knew you that well Dylan, but I want to thank you for all the work you have done for the comic book community. I'm sad that you won't be around to do more and keep building a body of comics for your company. And personally, I'm honored to have met you and received your support. My condolences for your family.

I urge you to continue to support Sparkplug: http://www.sparkplugcomicbooks.com/

Thanks again.

Whit

SPX

I'll be selling my comics at the Small Press Expo in Bethesda, Maryland this weekend. I'm expecting to get in fresh new copies of Watermelon today and will be selling them for the first time at the show! So excited. If you happen to be in the area come visit. I'll be at table F12.

Also, pretty cool poster right? Designed by Craig Thompson.

Of Boyfriends Past #5

Jerry