Well. gang- our first MSCA Drink-N-Draw and Sketchy Saturday events were a success, and a whole lot of fun!
Back in the day, several of us MSCA’ers would get together at Bookstar, Adam Shaw’s studio, Michaels, and other locations to draw together. It was usually on a weekend morning or an evening during the week. Other than our montly dinner meetings, in the last few years we had kind of gotten away from those gatherings, and the pandemic put a hold on all in-person meet-ups and forced us to try to keep in touch through social media and Zoom calls. Finally in 2022 we were able to start meeting back at Garibaldi’s Pizza for our 35th anniversary year, and we’ve started off 2023 by meeting at 901 Comics East.
On Wednesday, January 18th we held our first Drink-N-Draw, and on Saturday, January 28th we got together for our first Sat-Art-Day at 901- Sketchy Saturday.
For the Drink-N-Draw, I stayed after work and got the gallery room at the back of the comic shop set up with art supplies including sketchcard blanks, Bristol paper, and a variety of pencils, pens, markers, and more for attending artists to use and experiment with.
Unfortunately, about 10- 15min before we got started a severe thunderstorm moved in and the lights started to flicker. 5min before the event the power went out and stayed out..!
Luckily we had several light sources and other devices with us, so between them and the emergency lights we were able to have the event happen- even in the darkened shop.
It was a bit tricky, but we were all already there, and it was stormy outide, so we made the best of it.
901 Comics East’s “bar with no name” serves not only domestic and local beers in cans and on tap, but sodas, bottled water, personal pizzas, and snacks as well. Since the power was out, we had to pass on the pizza.
And of course, just as we were wrapping up…the power came back on! Seriously, about 5min after we started packing up for the night.
Thankfully we didn’t have any power outage issues for the Sketchy Saturday event today, and only some light rain!
This was another chance for local artists to get together, draw, share tips/techniques, exchange thoughts on the comic industry, give others a heads up on upcoming events, try different art materials, but most importantly meet others in our area who draw funny, too!
Again, we had a great turnout for this Sat-Art-Day. By my count we had 10 (plus me) today, and about 8 total on Wednesday for the Drink-N-Draw. Definitely a great mix of new folks and longtime MSCA members. Honestly, it almost became standing room only!
There were enough seats for everyone to sit and work, but next time we may have to spill out into the gaming area as well.
I was able to finish the Beeker sketchcard I started on the Drink-N-Draw night and get another one with the Sweedish Chef started today.
A new artist in town, Eman Casallos, actually knocked out all four of these while he was there, and he even showed up a bit late..! He recently moved to Memphis from the Phillipines and is a freelance comic artist who has worked for Dynamite. This guy is talented and FAST!
Artist Jake Bostain was another artist attendee, and that’s his comic above. Jason Negan brought his clip on light just in case..!
Artist/art teacher Katie Jones used some paint pens on stretched canvases for an upcoming charity art show.
Everyone was asking when we were going to be doing this again. I honestly only expected maybe a couple artists, but obviously I was wrong and folks are interested in getting together to draw like this.
We’ll definitely be scheduling more events like these at 901 Comics East. “Stay Tooned!”
Our next event is our monthly dinner meet-up at Garibaldi’s Pizza on Walker Ave. near the U of M and Tiger Bookstore. We’ll be there on Tuesday, February 7th, from 6-8pm. Like the events at 901 Comics East, the meeting is free to attend and open to the public.
Just bring a few bucks to order off the menu if you’d like to enjoy some pizza, pasta, sandwich, salad, or beverage. We get together to talk toons and draw funny, so feel free to bring along a sketchbook, pick up a blank sketchcard, or even snag a napkin to draw on. We also usually have some freebies for folks to take home.
We’ll have some art show promos to hand out to anyone who’d like some to help spread the word about our upcoming art show “Spamalittle: Knights Of The Drawing Table” at Germantown Community Theatre. The deadline for turning in art for this show will be at this dinner meeting since we will be hanging the show before the next meet-up. Just see MSCA president Kevin L. Williams to hand off your art for the show in March. You can also email Kev at midsouthcartoonists(at)gmail(dot)com to join our mailing list and stay informed on all our event and member news such as the opening reception for this Monty Python inspired art show, future Sat-Art-Days, and upcoming conventions and Free Comic Book Day (Saturday, May 6, 2023).
Thanks to 901 Comics East for hosting our two latest events, thanks to everyone who attended, and thanks to Vicky Neyman for getting us all the extra art supplies. They definitely came in handy and will be used for future MSCA events! If you have an idea for an event let us know.
Oh, and don’t forget that 901 Comics (East and Midtown) sells several locally created comics, including some by our own MSCA members.
Lin
901 Comics East
8551 Macon Rd, Cordova, TN 38018
(901) 249-7959
www.901-comics.business.site
On Facebook – 901 Comics East/901 Games East