2015 Spectrum Fantastic Art Live

There used to be the Illustrators Annuals that served as a "yellow pages" of artists for Art Directors to peruse for job offers...now if you want into the Science Fiction/Fantasy art market you need to be published in Spectrum. This is the show/con for that group - a one of a kind show. Make business contacts, meet peers, attend lectures and workshops. Highly recommended

https://spectrumfantasticartlive.com/?page=home

What to Expect at the CCG Booth at the 2015 Lexington Comic & Toy Convention

We will have some guest artists at our booth (3053) during the LCTC this weekend! (All times are subject to change)

Friday - March 13th, 2015 - Show Hours: 6-9pm for VIP Ticket holders

• TBA

Saturday- March 14th, 2015  - Show Hours: 9am VIP 10am - 6pm

• 10:00-11:30 AM - Herald-Leader illustrator Chris Ware (Signing copies of some his cartoon work) Family friendly
• 11:45 -1:00 PM - EKU Video Game Institute Professor George Landon (describing the game development program in Richmond)
• 2:00-3:30 PM -  Sculptor Luke Eldridge (Demo of how to make superhero figures out of pipe cleaners) Great for kids of all ages

Sunday - March 15th, 2015 - Show Hours: 9am VIP 10am - 4pm

• TBA

We will also display/ distribute info about:

• CCG Group activities (past workshops, CCG Themed Life Drawing Sessions (CCG TLD)
• Self Study Educational options
• College and Universities Programs for cartoonists, animators. illustrators, and entertainment design programs

Friends and Members of the CCG setting up at LCTC 2015

Make sure to come out and visit these CCG members and friends at this weekend's Lexington Comic & Toy Convention!

• Justin Stewart - Booth 1003
• Tressa Bowling - Booth 1002
• Kenn Minter - Near Mint Press - Booth 901
• Jenny Stead - Booth 1109
• Sam Greenwell - Booths 707 & 708
• Mark Kidwell - Booth 91
• R D Hall - Booth 603
• Ray Coffman - Quarantine Comics - Booths 1005 & 1006
• Stevie Moore - Studio Spectre - Booth 815
• Billy Tackett - Booth 82
• Chuck Moore - Comic Related - Derby City Con - CompleteSet Booths 1103 and 3002 respectively
• Craig Boldman - Booth 77

And come upstairs to Booth 3053 for the CCG  - we will have info about the group and several guest artists presenting and or demonstrating their work throughout the weekend!

Here is a link to the excellent floor plan page for the LCTC web site - cans search by name to find the folks you want see at the show!

http://www.lexingtoncomiccon.com/floor.html

2015 Lexington Comic & Toy Convention this week!

Get ready folks, because this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (March 13-15th, 2015) at the Lexington Convention Center in downtown Lexington, Kentucky you will be able to meet local and national level comic creators, actors, cosplayers and comics/toy vendors in one place!

This will be the fourth year for this show and if past years are any indicator expect a great pop culture experience! As stated before, prior to this show you had to drive hours to get this level of guests and vendors. Jarrod continues to work very hard to make this show better each year!

http://www.lexingtoncomiccon.com/

10/31/13 - BOO! Scary Stuff: Don't Miss Out on 2013 OSU Festival of Cartoon Art!

It only comes around every three years...no. I'm not talking about Halloween (which is rescheduled this year due to impending storms and high wind) - I am talking about the Ohio State University Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum's Festival of Cartoon Art.

Add to this that this is also the Grand Opening of the new home for the library and museum in the newly renovated and spacious Sullivant Hall! A once in a lifetime event!

The Festival is a triennial event that has been in existence since at least 1983 and consistently brings together an impressive group of guests from academia, comics, syndicated comic strips and illustration (many of whom are members of the National Cartoonists Association or NCS) together to celebrate, discuss and postulate on the topic of comics and cartoon art and creators. We have Curators Lucy Shelton Caswell and now Jenny Robb (along with numerous hard working library/museum staff) to thank for hosting and organizing these incredible festivals, sure to delight even the most worldly comics and cartoon aficionado.

If you missed the deadline for the main forum registration, don't despair,  you can still join in this year events by attending the academic conference or by getting ala carte tickets (cheap $5) to some of the individual programs!! Here is a complete list of programs and events

• Academic conference Thursday and Friday
• Library Grand Opening: Friday eventing
• Jeff Smith and Paul Pope talk:  Friday evening - ticketed event
• Jaime and Gilbert Hernandez talk : Saturday evening  - ticketed event
• Billy Ireland Cartoon Museum exhibits  - two ongoing shows in the new museum space
• Youth and Teen programs

If you have never heard of this comics and cartoon mecca in Ohio...you have missing out on an incredible treasure - here is an excerpt from their website regarding their history:

The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum was established in 1977 in two converted classrooms in the Journalism Building with the founding gift of artwork and papers of alumnus Milton Caniff. Its collections of original art and manuscripts have been built primarily through gifts-in-kind. The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum is now the largest and most comprehensive academic research facility documenting printed cartoon art. Administratively it is part... read more. 

Contact info:

The Ohio State University Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum
Sullivant Hall, 1813 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43210-1393
Telephone: (614) 292-0538
Fax: (614) 292-9101

10/27/13 - October 2013 CCG Meeting/Worskhop & FREE TLD

This Sunday at the Beaumont Branch of the Lexington Public Library we will be having a formal meeting for the first time in several months! Please come out and join us - should be a lot of fun! Free and open to the any interested parties (children under 14 should be accompanied by an adult).
Facebook event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/244341589051694/?ref=2&ref_dashboard_filter=calendar&source=1

Times: 1:30-4:30 pm (TLD only from 2:30-4:30pm, approximate times)

Location: Large conference room, Beaumont Branch of Lexington Public Library
 
Meeting Topics: 
Current events, share recent works, CCG publications, independent distribution network, upcoming events: OSU Billy Ireland Comics Museum and Library grand re-opening and 2013 Festival of Comic Art (including talk with the Hernandez Brothers), 2014 Lexington Comic & Toy Con, Bob McLeod Comic Art Workshops in March, 2014 (right before and after the LC&TC) link to 2012 workshop with Bob.

Workshop Topics: 
Ghost tryout story from Dark Horse Comics, prep to complete a sample 4-page story, including reference drawing/photography for Ghost Character (Themed Life Drawing session*), luxury SUV and warehouse district (location sessions)

Notes:
Our first formal meeting in several months - new and old members - or just the curious are welcome to attend. FREE "Ghost" Themed Life Drawing session.

*Drawing session will start around 2:30 pm - all artists are welcome and may attend just that portion of the CCG meeting if they like.

9/29/13 - CCG Themed Life Drawing (TLD) - Long Pose - Sultan's Harem

Continuing in our initiative (see the CCG TLD tab) to create more diverse drawing and learning opportunities for all artists - The Lexington KY Comic Creators Group  (CCG) is hosting a Themed Life Drawing (TLD)  event with  the cooperation and support of the UK Community Arts program this Sunday, September 29th from 1-4pm. The event will be held in one the studios on the 2nd floor of the Reynolds Building #1.  (Follow the posted signs or call ahead for exact details.)


Long Pose - Sultan's Harem Theme - UK Reynolds Building - Sunday S9/29/13 - 1-4pm - All Mediums Welcome*
* Mediums that will be SAFE in an enclosed space

2011, Jonathan Gilpin,
Pitt Markers size?

Date: Sunday 9/29/13 1pm-4pm
Location: UK Reynolds Building #1, drawing or painting studio 2nd floor

Cost: $ 8-7 adults, $5 students

Format: clothed, 10 minutes of short exploratory poses, 5 minute setup, 2-1/2 hour pose with three 5 minute breaks - long pose drawing, painting or sculpture  - possible extension of pose for 2nd session if there is support, photos taken with model's approval and willingness to share with host

Theme: Sultan's boudoir, model in belly dancer costume, hookah, large potted palms, candles, Persian rugs, pillows, tapestries, fainting couch, Moorish pattern screens, lighting, soundtrack

Budget: model fees: $45, props $:0-45

Technical Assistance: prop collection, lighting, audio - Teresas, Melissa, Farhad, Mike, Matt Cooper
Contacts: Tony Roccanova, Jonathan Gilpin

Updcoming CCG TLDs:
I propose these two days** and possibly two costume/themes: (note both will be clothed modeling sessions, based upon the models preferences- and appropriate for !4+ years of age artists)

**If you have other ideas for themes or venues - please tell me! Would like to get these happening on a monthly basis - next up would be October (Halloween Theme) and November (Thanksgiving, Football, or Pilgrim Theme)

---

CCG Themed Life Drawing - Dark Horse Comics Ghost 

December 2012, Katie as Ghost,
photo by Mike Burrell

Date: Sunday 10/27/13, 2:30 -4:30pm
Location: Beaumont Branch, Lexington Public Library

Cost: Free Event
Format: clothed, short poses, 1 min -15 min, drawing and sketching
Theme: Comic Book character portrayal with Katie as Ghost (tie into try out script Ghost script from Dark Horse Comics or aspiring comic artists?) fan, lights

Budget: model fees: $30 ( costume, $0 (already made/assembled)
Contacts: Jonathan Gilpin

---

CCG Themed Life Drawing - Dark Horse Comics Ghost 

2013, Jonathan Gilpin,
india ink and wash, 19" x 25"

Date: Sunday, 11/17/13 evening (exact time TBA)
Location: TBD (Jonathan to host)

Cost: $ 8-7 adults, $5 students

Format:  clothed 1, 2, 5, 10, 15 minute poses, 30 minute poses, 45-60 minute pose sketching and drawing

Theme: Movie Re-enactment of Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! Katie as lead Femme Fatale

Budget: model fees: $45, costume: $0 (already made/assembled)

Props: 60's era stuff, motorcycle, switchblade, tire chains, male motorcycle gang member victim for Katie to hold down {John Howard?}
Contacts: Jonathan Gilpin

---

If you are interested in modeling, drawing, or helping with staging, makeup, cosutming or props please contact me!

Email (lexkyccg"at"gmail"dot" com), phone (859) 276-5528 or text message me Jonathan Gilpin (859) 699-8640. Also watch our facebook page (or join our private group), CCG Coordinators's events on my facebook page and listings on The Lexington Drawing & Painting Group on meetup.com for more info and further artistic opportunities!

---

UDPATE: 10/28/13 Long Pose - Sultan's Harem Theme

2013, Mike Burrell, media?, size?

Here a few images from the Harem Boudoir TLD from a few weeks back:

We ended up having about a 2-hour long pose. The abundance of textures and surfaces was quite challenging!

Looking forward to our next long pose! As an artist you definitely need to strategize your approach differently than from shorter poses. If we extend the poses even longer to allow sculptors to join the session then that changes it even more!

Link to meetup.com group gallery:

http://www.meetup.com/The-Lexington-Drawing-and-Painting-Group/photos/17797042/#292324122

5/24/12 - Heroes Con 2013

Great Comic Convention coming up next month! Heroes Con June 7-9 in Charlotte NC! Classy show that focuses on the creators! Great line up of guests and quality programming! Met Shawn Crystal there back in 2007 - he was presenting for SCAD at Heroes Con's great "how to" line up!

http://www.heroesonline.com/heroescon/

1/4/13 - January CCG Meeting/Workshop Sunday the 27th

Out with the Old and in with the New!

Happy New Year! 

Let's hope the Mayans are right (this time) about thirteen being a lucky number! We will be having a full three hour CCG meeting/workshop this month! New and old are welcome, and as always all meeting are free and open to the public. Children under 16 should be accompanied by an adult.

Location: Large Conference Room, Beaumont Branch, Lexington Public Library, 3080 Fieldstone Way, Lexington, KY 40513

Tell everyone you are coming on Facebook!

January 27th 2013 CCG Meeting/Workshop - Tentative Agenda:

Community Announcements -

• The Lexington Drawing and Painting Group on MeetUp - a new collaborative venture with other area arts groups. Another way to get the word out about local arts events, classes and opportunities! Think of it as arts clearing house. Might be the virtual start for a Student Art League in this area! Last month we co-hosted a Themed Life Drawing (TLD) event: Zoe from the Firefly/Serenity universe of Joss Whedon! 
• Lexington Comic & Toy Convention is a multimedia show highlighting mainstream comics - coming March 16 & 17 in downtown Lexington. Do we want to get a table? Do we want to have something (mini comic anthology or group sketchbook) ready for then? Do we want to present, as in a panel? Do we want to set up a talk/demo/workshop with one the pro guests coming to Lexington? 
• SPACE (Small Press and Alternative Comic Expo) is geared to the independent comics producer and consumer - coming up April 13 & 14 in Columbus OH. Another great opportunity to set up at a table and promote the CCG, collective work and individual work by the members!

Educational Activities -

• Comics project - Work on/show work for Dark Horse Comics Ghost Script (will everyone have something ready by then - or do we start the process at the meeting? Who needs some help getting started? Does everyone have an idea of how to work from a script? If not let me know - I have lot's of how to material that may give you some ideas. 
• Themed Life Drawing - if we can pull it together (model and costume) my idea is to have a real life "Ghost" that we can all use for making a character sheet/model sheet for Ghost. This is what you use as a guide for drawing your characters - serves to keep you consistent in your depiction of the costume and character likeness. 

Networking Opportunities -

• Business Card Swap - learn more about each other and how to get and keep in contact 
• Sample or Tear Sheet Exchange - cartoonists, illustrators, caricature artists, storyboard artists, entertainment design artists - show us your skills! 
• Mini Comic/Zine Trade - from xeroxed miniature comics to oversize full color magazines - mini comics are short run publications - likely 1000 copies or less (does not describe size or page count ). If you have 'em - bring 'em! Trade, barter or sell to our assemblage!

10/7/12 - 24-Hour Comics Day & Halloween Comics Fest - What a Combo!!

Wanted to alert/remind folks about these two October comics events. These will likely be hosted in comics stores and art schools all around the nation, as well as Louisville, Cincinnati, Nashville, Huntington, Columbus and Lexington.

What I like to do is post a master listing of what's being done locally and regionally on the CCG blog! So if you know of events in your area please send me the scoop and I will post it for all to see!

24-Hour Comic Book Day - can be shortened to a 4-Hour event or I have even heard of it being a 24-Day Comic event. Please follow the above link or visit Scott McCloud's site to understand the history of this challenge Scott made with his colleagues and friends  Steve Bissette and Neil Gaiman. The most important part is MAKING COMICS and breaking out of the inue of  thinking - to the state of doing! You can do this alone or with a group - but as Nike is fond of saying "Just Do It!" Then share it....

Here is a link to the official event locator: http://www.24hourcomicsday.com/content.aspx?page_id=2702&club_id=448232

Halloween ComicFest (Free Comic Book Day II) - This year we get a second FCBD! Because of Halloween and new comics day both falling on a Wednesday the ever thoughtful l Diamond Distributors came up with this new version to help promote sales in October. This is a chance not only to pick up free comics made for this event, but also for LOCAL creators to distribute (with the approval of the shops) their mini comics and other products. For COSPLAYERS this is a chance to strut their costuming prowess and compete in best Halloween Costume contests!! For artists this can then become a costumed life drawing event....the opportunities just continue to bloom!

Here is the link to the official event locator: http://www.halloweencomicfest.com/storelocator

As you now no doubt see these two events can feed into one another - as you share your comics made one week the following week as your own mini comic! Happy cartooning to all!

Stephen R Bissette - Comic Art Workshop - September 25th 2012

The CCG will be hosting a series of  comics storytelling presentations by Stephen R Bissette  at the NKU METS Center on Tuesday September 25th, 2012 from  9:15 am - 5:45 pm. On site registration begins at 9:00 am.

Facebook event here:
http://www.facebook.com/events/453613618011698/

Online registration here:
http://ccgstephenrbissetteseminar-eorg.eventbrite.com/

Here is the latest info on the content of those presentations . Contact CCG Coordinator for more info or to register. Space will be limited! :-)

1. Stephen R. Bissette: Horror Comics, Ghost Stories & Storytelling Staples

The Award-winning SWAMP THING artist, creator of TYRANT, and co-creator/editor/publisher of TABOO offers an illustrated lecture offering an overview of his career, his approach to storytelling, and some basics of the comics medium. Includes illustrated readings from two of Bissette's comics-format ghost stories and his serialized "day in the life of a dinosaur" graphic novel TYRANT.(All ages)

2. Stephen R. Bissette: Basics of Comics Storytelling

Using examples of his own work on comics like SWAMP THING, TYRANT, and self-contained short comics stories, the Award-winning vet SWAMP THING and TYRANT artist and Center for Cartoon Studies instructor discusses his philosophy of visual storytelling and step-by-step analysis of his process. Includes illustrated readings from SWAMP THING and TYRANT. (All ages)

3. Stephen R. Bissette: Stories on Storytelling

Using some of his most recent comics and short story creations, Award-winning cartoonist (SWAMP THING), writer (ALIENS: TRIBES), and editor/publisher (TABOO) Stephen R. Bissette workshops his own process of storytelling, specifically citing more introspective "story on story" devices, techniques, and dissection of process, including the use of dreams, pop culture artifacts, and more. Includes readings from recent stories, including "Tenderfoot," "Secrets & Lies, Windows & Wounds" and "Copper." (Adult audiences; ages 16 and up)

4. Area Premiere - Independent Documentary film "Cartoon College", (76 min , 2012, NR)

In the summer of 2007 filmmakers Josh Melrod and Tara Wray left New York City for the wilds of Vermont to begin shooting CARTOON COLLEGE. They spent the next three years following the lives of a few unique students at the Center for Cartoon Studies, the nation's premiere institution of higher learning for aspiring literary cartoonists and graphic novelists. Along the way they interviewed some of the most famous names in independent comics, including Lynda Barry, Charles Burns, Kim Deitch, Scott McCloud, Francoise Mouly, R. Sikoryak, Art Spiegelman, and Chris Ware, among others, in addition to traveling across the country to meet comic book store owners, museum curators, convention goers, critics, librarians, college professors, and fans to find out what it takes to make it in the world of indie comics. (With live intro and closing by Stephen R. Bissette, CSC Faculty)

Working Schedule:

Time	Location	Description	Notes:
9:00 am	Lobby	Arrival & Set up
9:00 - 9:30 am	Lobby	Registration and check in
9:30 - 9:45 am	Auditorium	Introduction and Welcome (TBA)
9:45 - 11:15 am	Auditorium	Presentation #1: SBR
11:15 - 11:30 am		Break
11:30 am - 1:00 pm	Auditorium	Presentation #2 SBR
End of Morning Session and All Ages presentations
1:00 - 2:30 pm		Lunch break
2:30 -4:00 pm	Auditorium	Presentation #3 SBR
4:00 - 4:10 pm		Break
4:10 - 4:20 pm	Auditorium	Introduction to Film by SBR
4:20 - 5:30pm	Auditorium	Cartoon College Documentary screening
5:30 - 5:45 pm	Auditorium	Q&A
5:45 pm		Dismissal
5:45 - 6:00 pm		Take down & departure

7/4/12 - Editorial: Independance Day #236

Benjamin Franklin is often quoted as saying:
"Those who would give up Essential Liberty
to purchase a little Temporary Safety,
deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

1776-2012: 236 Years of Freedom and Justice for All
Today we celebrate Independence Day - what does that mean to you?

Are we as free today as our forefather's were on that joyous day 236 years ago? Do we (you and I) work to make our country stronger, braver, with greater justice and even more freedom?

Have we (collectively as a society, and individually as citizens) preserved what some of our fathers, mothers, grandparents, great-grandparents, and on back - have DIED to protect and establish?

For those of us who have never been called to serve our country in time of need - how do we give back? Is this a time of need?

How do we continue and improve on the legacy of being a citizen in what is arguably, still the greatest country in the world (no offense to all our brothers and sisters across the planet - but this is still the place I CHOOSE to call home)? So once you realize how much we all have and the sense of gratitude washes over you, you start to wonder: how do we give back?

http://www.foundingfatherquotes.com/

6/26/12 - Larry Hama Sequential Art Seminar July 1st Louisville KY

Larry Hama is the 20011/2012 Artist in Residence at
the Asian/Pacific/American Institute of NYU

Larry Hama Seminar in Louisville Revisits Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art Lecture from 2011

Louisville KY June 26, 2012- Noted comics writer, artist and editor Larry Hama will be presenting at Kentucky School of Art, Spalding University campus this coming Sunday, July 1st.

The lecture will cover the same material Mr Hama presented at NYC's MoCCA Museum. Mr Hama has worked in the comics industry for over thirty years and has lectured widely in higher education - including a week long series of talks on storytelling for the Moscow School of Film. This lecture should appeal to comic fans, artists and writers, cartoonists, animators and film students.

This seminar will explore the process of getting the narrative onto the page clearly in a self-evident sequence of pictures. Main visual points of reference will be “Wally Wood’s 22 Panels” and GI Joe: A Real American Hero #21, “Silent Interlude.” There will be a frame-by-frame deconstruction and analysis of “Silent Interlude,” an exploration of techniques, and a Q & A.

Schedule: 

• 9:30-10am - late registration and check in
• 10 - noon - 1st half of presentation
• 12-1pm - lunch break (delivery or brown bag - can eat inside or outside in pavilion)
• 1-2:30 - 2nd half of presentation
• 2:30-3pm - Q&A

Seminar cost: $20 or $15 for Derby City Comic Con guests with proof of attendance. $10 for KSA students or Faculty. Cash only at door. Credit card use only for advance registration - email for assistance.

Lunch: Please sign up for a lunch delivery at registration or bring a lunch. We can eat inside or outside the library at one the picnic pavilions. We will only have one hour so we advise you plan to stay on campus for lunch.

Location: Library Lecture Lounge, Spalding University Kentucky School of Art • 845 South.Third Street, Louisville, KY 40203,  phone( 502).618.4600.

Contact: J. Gilpin, Coordinator, Lexington KY Comic Creators Group. email: lexkyccg@gmail.com, phone: (859) 276-5528, web: http://lexkyccg.blogspot.com.

Facebook event link: http://www.facebook.com/events/337440002977753/ 

This event would not be possible without the kind help of Kentucky School of Art (thanks Skylar, Kasey and Kelly!), Derby City Comic Con (thanks to Eric), Louisville Cartoonist Society (Ted, Rene and Phil -mucho gracias) and of course, the main man: Larry Hama!

6/21/12 - Brave Themed Life Drawing in Morning - Movie Tavern in Evening

'BRAVE' THEMED LIFE DRAWING Saturday June 23rd, 2012 9a - 12p UK Reynold Building Room 202B. Disney's "Brave" (Scottish Animated Epic) Themed Life Drawing session - $5 for artists. Will have at least one model in costume from movie (Medira - young red haired lead character). Get warmed up the Movie Tavern Event (Drink and Draw) later that night. Contact Ccg Coordinator at lexkyccg@gmail.com or call 276-5528 for more info! :-) Artists can work in pencil, pen, ink, watercolor or even oils. Pose lengths will be 1 min, 5min, 10 min, 20 min, and maybe one or two longer poses as time, energy and heat allow :-) Looking for extra models - artists come in costume and draw for free! (email to confirm)! Friends who can volunteer time as models, hlelpers or bring props are encouraged to do so! Email for more info about what we need.... This should be a lot of fun and really helpful for creating art/illustration based on fantasy characters but having some real world reference! Facebook event:

http://www.facebook.com/events/401671809869269/?notif_t=plan_user_invited

6/7/12 - Sculpting Resources

Sculpting is an art and science of it's own. But the sculpture can be used as reference for comic artists and illustrators (often used by James Gurney for paleo art). Maquettes have been produced for years as a sort of 3-D model sheet for animators. Locally we have Sam Greenwell who produces sculptures for both toy makers and finished pieces for comic companies.

With WonderFest (see earlier post) still on my mind I would like to post a few links for those interested in learning more and seeing how some contemporary sculptors work:

Tony Cipriano - http://characterdesignnotes.blogspot.com/2012/03/sculping-maquette-with-tony-cipriano.html
John Brown -  http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/store/category/99/
David Silva - http://creative-beast.com/

5/25/12 - WonderFest - This weekend in Louisville!

WonderFest is this weekend in Louisville! Today and tomorrow, May 26th & 27th. Surprisingly, a lot folks aren't aware of this little gem and it's been going on for more than twenty years! If you like kit models of your favorite horror/science fiction/fantasy characters then you will love WF! If you are interested in dinosaurs and movie monsters you will love WF! If you want to meet fellow artists like William Stout (cartoonists, movie production design, theme park design, illustrator, ecologist, muralist), Jay Liesten (local comics inker), David Silva (dinosaur sculptor),and Frank Dietz (animator, illustrator, caricaturist) - you will love WonderFest! Tons of dealer tables for kits, painted sculpture, art books, and sculpting/casting suppliles!

Info below from their website:

WonderFest 2012Saturday May 26th & Sunday May 27th  •  Show hours are 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. both days
To be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 830 Phillips Lane, Louisville, KY 40209.

Admission Costs:

Adults:  $25 for 1-day, $33 for 2-day ticket
Ages 4 to 12:  $8 for 1-day  $11 for 2-day ticket
Ages 3 and under:  Free
Early Bird Admission (gets you in 2 hours early at 8 a.m. Saturday):  $55 2-day ticket

WonderFest admissions can only be purchased at the door; no advance tickets are available. We do not accept credit cards.

5/7/12 - Rundown of March Events - LCTC & McLeod Workshop

Illustrator Sal Villagran (left) at the CCG Table

March 2012 was very busy month near the end. The CCG set up at the very first Lexington Comic& Toy Convention. This was a pleasure to see and be part of - we now have a quality mid size comic show in our own hometown!

Thanks to Jarrod Greer and his many helpers for completing the trifecta (obligatory horse racing lingo for Kentucky folks). We now have three excellent comic shows within easy driving distance:  first, two years ago there was the Cincinnati Comic Expo (Andrew Satterfield and Matt Bredestege)
 and then last year Eric Bannister and his crew of merry elves pulled off a stellar start for the Louisville based Derby City Comic Con.

Thanks to Wizards of the Coast illustrator Sal Villagran for keeping me company at our table for a good part of the show.

 Thanks to everyone who stopped by and signed up for the CCG email list. Please email me if you have not been added. It was nice meeting some of of our newer members who have not attended a meeting yet - hope to have one soon!

Bob presented novel insights about Grapic Storytelling
and Inking during the one day workshop

Bob is a great teacher and demonstrated an
 amazing control over the tools of his trade!

One of the reasons this abundance of quality comic conventions in our area is so exciting for the CCG is that it brings comics industry professionals to our back door and opens possibilities for talks and workshops!.

Bob McLeod and I have been talking about something like this since we met in 2007 at the Baltimore Comic Con. But our group is just not big enough or have enough resources to cover complete travel costs - but thanks to Bob being invited to the LCTC a major hurdle was cleared for us.

Our next education event will be a presentation by Larry Hama in Louisville on Sunday July 1st. Our host venue will be the Kentucky School Of Art (thanks to Skylar Smith).

5/2/12 - Free Comic Book Day 2012 - Local Events

Saturday May 5th, 2012
What Is Free Comic Book Day?

Free Comic Book Day is a single day - the first Saturday in May each year - when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely FREE* to anyone who comes into their stores. *Check with your local shop for their participation and rules.

Watch this space as we try and compile a regional list of events and participating stores! Information is as accurate as possible but may be subject to change.  Please note: quantities are limited for free comics! 

Central Kentucky Free Comic Book Day Events

Danville

• Comic Cosmos - 1560 Hustonville Rd # 101, Danville, KY 40422-2460 - (859) 236-3031 Hours 11a- -11p. Sidewalk sale, store-wide sale and blood drive!

Lexington

• A+ Comics - 123 Southland Drive, Lexington KY 40503 - (859) 276-1118 Special appearance by the Ghostbusters - call for info about sales and specials.

• Collectibles Etc,115 N Locust Hill Dr #106, Lexington, Kentucky  -  (859) 269-663  Call for information about specials and sales. Action Lab makes a store appearance.

•  Heroes Realm, 1624 Old Paris Road, Lexington KY 40505 - (859) 268-0097  Call for information about sales.

• Joseph Beth Booksellers - 161 Lexington Green Circle, Lexington, KY 40503 - (859) 273-2911 Call for info about specials.

• The Comic Interlude -393 Waller Ave # 10, Lexington, KY 40504-2914 - (859) 231-9237     - We'll be open 10Am to 7:30PM,- All Shelf books (single issues) will be 30% Off,- All Trade paperbacks will be 30% Off,- All Hardcovers will be 30$- All backstock issues will be 75% off, - And all toys will be 15% off
• Half Price Books - 2321 Sir Barton Way, Lexington, KY 40509 - (859) 264-0848  Call for information about sales.

• Quarantine Comics FCBD All-Day Live Art-A-Thon! (multiple locations)

Live art! Two chances to see artists draw and paint live! All are welcome and commissions are available.

3pm -6pm  - Collectibles, Etc.,115 N Locust Hill Dr #106, Lexington, KY, (859) 269-6633

6pm -10pm - Movie Tavern, 133 North Locust Hill Drive,Lexington, KY 40509-1532, (859) 266-4645