Con Report: Anime Weekend Atlanta 2010

It’s that time again! Convention report time!

Personal Stuffs

AWA has been one of the old mainstays for me in days gone by. It was the very first convention I ever attended, the very first Artist Alley I ever sold in. I always get nostalgic when I go to this con. I had many folks who had seen me at past AWA’s  (and from this year’s DragonCon) stop by to show their support and say hello. That made me feel so special and my thanks go out to everyone who came by to see me!

Check out Fev’s amazing
craftsmanship!

I left the con with some amazingly cool swag! I am the proud owner of a lovingly crafted Assassin’s belt created by the multi-talent Fev, who sculpted it herself! (You can see her creative process here). My boyfriend also gifted me with a book I’d been drooling over ever since I spotted it in the Dealer’s Room, the Granado Espada Visual Guide!

For those who don’t know it, Granado Espada (or Sword of the New World) is an MMO which is an alternate history of the settlement of ‘the New World’ mixed with fantasy elements. As such, the character designs and settings are influenced by 18th century flair with the extravagant stylization of anime and video game design! You can preview the book here to see what I’m talking about. It is GORGEOUS and I intend to use it as a springboard for inspiration for my own characters’ wardrobes.

It’s BACON!

Where would a con be without amazing costumes? You can see my photo album here!  And now my mini cosplay awards!

Most Creative – A young lady who cosplayed the art book version of a character from Trinity Blood.


Most Original – Taokaka, the creepy cat character from the BlazBlue fighting game that NOBODY cosplays.


Most Humorous – The guy dressed up as bacon! He tortured us all with bacon cravings every time he walked by in the Alley.

The Business Stuff

Despite the positive experience with meeting old friends at this con, I had a terrible selling year here compared to last year, where I made twice as much. I did, however, do better in the art show, no doubt thanks to the art show’s new location at the front of the room.  I barely broke even this time around and I have decided I will no longer be selling in the Alley at this convention.

I’ve made this decision for multiple reasons, mainly the fact that I feel I have outgrown the Alley. While other artists charge $15 for two 8×10’s, I’m selling a single 8×10 print for just as much. While I had very meticulously hand-crafted leather carved masks for $45 at the cheapest, there was another table selling plastic ones for $20. Meanwhile, other artists were selling quick commission sketches for $5 a piece, something which I simply cannot do.

I feel this Alley caters to a younger audience with a limited budget while my art appeals to a more mature audience with a larger income. I’m planning to try for Dealer’s Room next year and if that doesn’t pan out, I’ll probably be showing up only to put my work in the Art Show and to visit with friends.

I just feel too old for this con. I don’t have the enthusiasm for anime as I used to in college and would rather just watch it in the comfort of my own home cozied up with tea and a few close friends.  For this reason, I have a feeling I won’t be attending any anime conventions unless I can make Dealer’s Room, and even then, I am not sure I’ll do well there either.  I just don’t have the energy for it anymore, especially when it seems anime conventions don’t bring in a decent consistent profit for me.

Maybe it’s my style? (I am very non-anime) Maybe I just can’t compete unless I bring prices down? (Something I am unwilling to do).  Either way, I feel this is a natural part of my business evolution and while I give a very fond farewell to anime cons, I am looking forward to spreading my roots to other events that are catered more to my interests.

C’est la vie!

PS
I sold not a ONE of my X of Swords prints at AWA! Since I can’t sell them elsewhere, I’m having a sale. Check it out! Help me get rid of them as I can’t sell them legally elsewhere. Only a very limited number available!

4 comments

  1. Kaysha (Eldanis) says:

    Gah, I’m SO sorry to hear you didn’t do well in the alley – apparently that was the case for almost everybody, though. I think you should definitely try for the dealer’s room… there’s a different psychology about different locations, and I think people would be more likely to see your work for the honestly higher-caliber thing it is. Also good grief, $5 commissions? That’s nuts.
    Do you do any comic-type cons? I don’t do as well at those, but you might: average price points are higher (your prices wouldn’t stick out at all), and people tend to go for more grown-up and less anime style work.

    But I ramble. It was really really awesome to talk to you more than I have before, since I’ve admired you for so long. I’m still flaily about getting to trade with you. I wish you the very best, and I hope your book takes off!

  2. Kaysha (Eldanis) says:

    Gah, I’m SO sorry to hear you didn’t do well in the alley – apparently that was the case for almost everybody, though. I think you should definitely try for the dealer’s room… there’s a different psychology about different locations, and I think people would be more likely to see your work for the honestly higher-caliber thing it is. Also good grief, $5 commissions? That’s nuts.
    Do you do any comic-type cons? I don’t do as well at those, but you might: average price points are higher (your prices wouldn’t stick out at all), and people tend to go for more grown-up and less anime style work.

    But I ramble. It was really really awesome to talk to you more than I have before, since I’ve admired you for so long. I’m still flaily about getting to trade with you. I wish you the very best, and I hope your book takes off!

  3. Kaysha (Eldanis) says:

    Gah, I’m SO sorry to hear you didn’t do well in the alley – apparently that was the case for almost everybody, though. I think you should definitely try for the dealer’s room… there’s a different psychology about different locations, and I think people would be more likely to see your work for the honestly higher-caliber thing it is. Also good grief, $5 commissions? That’s nuts.
    Do you do any comic-type cons? I don’t do as well at those, but you might: average price points are higher (your prices wouldn’t stick out at all), and people tend to go for more grown-up and less anime style work.

    But I ramble. It was really really awesome to talk to you more than I have before, since I’ve admired you for so long. I’m still flaily about getting to trade with you. I wish you the very best, and I hope your book takes off!

  4. Ang says:

    Actually Atlanta Comic Con will be my first ever comic dedicated con! I’m curious to know how it will work out for me, as the closest type of con I’ve done to it is DragonCon. I wholeheartedly agree about the concept of people having different mindsets when they go into different rooms. Something just screams ‘cheap!’ when you enter the artist alley, and that is a crying shame!

    I’m clueless as to how much AWA Dealer’s Room costs, but here’s hoping it will be worth the no doubt more expensive price! It will be sad not to be in the same room as cool people like you, though! Hopefully I’ll bump into you again. It was very nice to meet you this year!:) I’ve got your Byakuya squirreled away in my collection along with Fev’s wonderful Renji!

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