Day1: The drive
It wasn't bad this year, left friday midmorning. 4 and a half hours later, arrived in Seattle right before every one got off work, traffic was light. Finding the hotel was actually pretty easy for this "crazed country rebel" 4 turns and we are at the hotel. So much for getting lost in the "big city". After checked in Wyatt and I crossed the street to go check in at the con and grab all the badges. They wouldn't allow Wyatt on the floor during move in, so I had to return a short while later to give the con floor a walk through. Bumped into Philip Tan almost immediately, one of the nicest guys you'd ever meet. Met up with the newest member of "the Sketch Crew" Ben 1314 Hansen I walked the show floor again with him and his fiance Jolene. Hooked up later with the T-man and his wife Lani, for Pizza. And then turned in for the night.
Day2: ECCC day1
I had a well laid out battle plan this year. Heidi my wife was standing by David Finch's table and when they announced that the con was open all she had to do was walk up and get me a Cap sketch in my Avengers hardcover. My side of the plan went a little to well, Brian the guy in charge of the Hero Initiative booth allowed me to get on Whilce Portacio sketch list before the doors opened. It might have helped that I was waving a very large bill in front of him as my donation to Hero. I had enough time to walk past Philip Tans booth and do the same thing. And was back at "the Sketch Crew" table for the doors to open. My First sketch of the day was, can you believe it, IronMan. Gee I wonder why. Did some sketching, sold some prints, pimped out "The Dependents" to any body that past the table. Rantz showed up and heckled me before he hit the road back home. That wimp could only make it for 1 day. I think first day sales has to go to Harrison He brought a booth babe with him that just happen to be on the cover of his sketchbook. Sneaky man real sneaky.
I would have to say the day went really well. The low point for me would have to be missing my 5yr old daughter enter her first costume contest. Now when the guest where first announced the actress from Smallville who plays Supergirl was suppose to be there. The minute Gwendolyn found that out she pulled out her Supergirl trade paperback, and had it on her night stand for about 3 months. Not wanting to forget it, for the show. Do to a scheduling problem, the actress was replaced for the con. Gwendolyn was a little disapointed, but got over it. Her costume of chose for the con, Yep, Supergirl. My wife had taught her to run on to the stage with one arm out like she was flying and then do a twirl, and strike a pose with her hands on her hips. And she nailed it. The crowd went wild, and got even louder for her when they announced that her name was Gwen Stacy.
I had to watch all this on video replay once I got home. My proudest moment. Was the contest ran a little long. And the judges didn't hand out awards until the convention was already over so I was able to make it over just in time. Now the judges are The Defuser, Fat Momma, and Miss Limelight from the Who wants to be a superhero show. The Defuser says he plays the part of Simon Cowl (joking about it the whole time) in the judging and he doesn't judge on cuteness. But Fat Momma and Miss Limelight tag teamed him and thy had a unanimous vote for my daughter, Supergirl, as the winner of the Rising Star category. When Gwendolyn when up to get her prize, she did the pose again, and even got the Defuser to do it too. I was a very proud dad.
ECCC: day2
Thing went smooth on day to no complaints. Got some really good portfolio reviews. I was able to go give my good friend, Buffy and DC inker, Andy Owens some grief a couple of times. I was able to talk with the amazingly talented Chris Malidore acouple of times. I would have to say though that the highlight of my day was not the possible job offers from 2 of my reviews. It was Wyatt breaking out of his shell and showing off his portfolio. Now I mentioned my wife getting a sketch from David Finch, well she was talking to him about Wyatt the whole time he was drawing. Finch asked to review Wyatts portfolio on Sunday Morning. It's funny, I tell him to go tighter on the pencils, does he listen, kinda. But David tells him go tighter and he comes back to my table and starts a sketch and goes tighter with the pencils. Kids. Heidi stopped back by Davids table later and thanked him for the review, Finch tells her, we have a amazing kid. Wow thanks.
Late Sunday night, I met back up with Ben Hansen at a bar. Ben was hanging out with Brian from the Hero's booth, Heidi and her husband from the SpaceGoat productions (a artist rep company that was one of my good reviews) and Jason Metcalf who under contract with SpaceGoat. Great bunch of people, a lot of fun to hangout with. Slept like baby after 3 beers (yes I'm a lightweight).
Day4:
Hit the road about 1 pm, got home at 5:30. Had a blast.

Go here to checkout the artwork I picked up at the show [link]

Go here to see Gwendolyn as supergirl [link]