Tag: free swag

Dinner Dates, Dracula Bites, Zine Swap, Monsters And More- MSCA Fall Events

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Hey, gang-

Well, it’s been a busy year for the MSCA, and the last quarter is gonne get even busier. But first here’s what’s happened so far in September…

First up was the Record Swap & Zine Fest at Crosstown Concourse over Labor Day weekend.

The two day event on Saturday and Sunday had numerous record vendors/dealers on the first floor.

Upstairs on the second floor he artists & zine creators were set up.

…and there even was an area where attendees could create their own zines.

I also saw  some familiar faces on the second floor, including local artists Tony Parker, Dale Martin, and Jason Negen.

Dale Martin was set up there both days. Dale had lots of his own original art, prints, comics, and zines for sale.

He was also debuting the new issue of the MSCA zine “The Good, The Bad, and The Sketchy” gaming issue with cover art by Devin Hodges (who was set up on Sunday only).

I purchased several items and enjoyed talking to all the creators and vendors while I was there. I hope to set up there next year with zines and trading cards, and sketchcards, and would love to see an MSCA group table/presence there.

This last Tuesday we got together again at Garibialdi’s Pizza near the U of M. We had another great turnout for this month’s dinner meet-up. We get together the first Tuesday of each month at Garibaldi’s from 6-8pm. Our next one will be October 3rd.

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The main topic of business this month was putting together more issues of the MSCA zine and divying up the issues to participating members and bundles to take to local comic shops around town.

Those zines, along with several comics by local creators, are now available at 901 Comics East (Macon Rd.), and will soon be at all 4 comic shops locations around town- 901 Comics (Cooper/Young), Comics & Collectibles (Poplar Ave.), and The Cellar (Bartlett, Blvd.).

Members at the dinner meeting also worked on their own art or checkec out the new gaming themed zine.

Plus some more work was done on the Vampire/Halloween jam piece which will be on display at the upcoming “Drawing Blood” art show.

We also had some freebies available including some blank sketchcards, which Ron Hicks drew on for the first time.

Sketchcards (or “art cards”) are the size of normal trading cards like baseball cards, but have a surface made for drawing or painting on. The only limits to working on sketchcards are your imagination. You can create your own blanks, buy them at art stores like the Art Center (Union Ave. ), or become an official sketchcard artist for trading card companies.

I ususally have some MSCA blanks available at our Sat-Art-Days and Drink-N-Draw events. I also have some free 3 Stooges, Ultraman, and Halloween/Trick-Or-Treat blanks from RRParks Cards available now, too. Hit me up at one of our events if you’d like some.

I recently sent back 15 sketchcards to Gabe’s Cave (El Dorado, AR), and they recently sent me this sweet banner.

Those cards will be given away on their YouTube channel. This is the second set/series I’ve done for Gabe’s Cave.

After people ask what a sketchcard is, the next question asked is almost always, “What do you do with them when you’re finished..?” Anything you want- trade, gift, donate, sell, hoard, etc. I sell most of mine (at shows online, or retail stores), or have been hired by card companies to be a part of a trading card set.

I’ve got several horror sketchcards that will be a part of theupcoming RRParks Cards Halloween Trick-Or-Treat card set this fall. The Kickstarter for it will be dropping soon.

This is the third Halloween set I’ve done for Richard Parks, andI’ll have some bat base cards and lenticular (or should I say “LINticular” motion cards as part of the set. He was kind enough to send me a bunch of sketchcard blanks and trading card packs to hand out at our MSCA events.

Currently I have several of my official artist returns and personal sketchcards for sale at 901 Comics East in Cordova…

…and more along with a couple sketchcovers at The Cellar in Bartlett. More to come, and I plan on releasing a trading card set with sketchcards next year- “stay tooned!”

For those participating in our Dracula themed art show, “Drawing Blood” here’s some info and dates for you.

The Mid-South Cartoonists Association’s “Drawing Blood” art show begins with an opening reception Friday, October 13, from 5:30 – 8 pm, with a full run from October 27 – November 12, 2023, from noon – 4pm and during shows of “Dracula: The Bloody Truth” at Germantown Community Theater.  We will close out with an MSCA Fest from Noon – 4 pm on Saturday November 18, 2023.

The deadline to turn in your art is the October 3rd dinnier meeting at Garibaldi’s. This art show will run inconjunction with Gremantown Community Theatre’s run of “Dracula: The Bloody Truth” from October 27 – November 12.. The closing reception for the art show and 1 day MSCA mini-con will be in the building behind the theater.

OPENING RECEPTION: Friday, October 13, 2023, from 5:30 – 8pm.SHOW RUN:  October 17 – November 12, 2023, Noon-4pm and during shows at GCT.CLOSING RECEPTION/MSCA FEST!: Saturday November 18, 2023, Noon – 4pm behind GCT (this is also art pick-up day, too).

We’ll have another Drink-N-Draw in October at 901 Comics East.

We’ll also be a part of 901 Comics East’s Halloween Comic Fest the Saturday before Halloween. This is a free event much like Free Comic Book Day. If you’d like to set up with us let me (Lin) or Kevin know. Table space is limited.

And if you get a chance, stop by the Monster Market. It’s back in-person but for one week only!

Dinner And Zines- Next Tuesday, September 5th

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First up- dinner meeting details and zine news from recent birthday boy and MSCA Prez Kevin L. Williams…

Hi, everyone, especially the digital doodlers, ink slingers, pencil pushers, wordsmiths, and enthusiasts,

Next Tuesday, September 5, 2023, is our dinner gathering.  Hopefully, folks are still in town as the day before is Labor Day!

We gather at 6pm at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN.  Bring money for delicious food, bring art to show, bring a friend…

I’ll be there a little early to meet up with Dale Martin and help get some binding underway for the next issue of The Good, The Bad, and The Sketchy, featuring a cover by Devin Hodges!  If you want to help and have a long-reach stapler, bring it.  CLICK HERE to see what I’m talking about.

At that dinner meeting we’ll be a month away from the art due date of our next big artshow, “Drawing Blood!”  If you’re participating, be ready to bring it to the October 3 dinner meeting!

Be Safe, Be Happy, Be Well!Your Pals,Kevin L. Williams& Muley the Mule

In other local news…

Crosstown Concourse
Saturday, September 2, 2023
Sunday, September 3, 2023
Record Swap: 10 am – 5 pm
Zine Fest: 10 am – 2 pm
Tickets: Free and open to the public

This is a two-day event, on Saturday, September 2, and Sunday, September 3.

Calling all music lovers, record collectors, zinesters, artists, punks, poets, and weirdos!

Memphis Listening Lab/WYXR’s Record Swap and Crosstown Arts’ eighth annual Zine Fest are coming together for one awesome event in the Crosstown Concourse Central Atrium!

Shop from records, CDs, cassettes, and other music-related merch and memorabilia curated by Memphis Listening Lab on the first floor of the Central Atrium. WYXR will be selling tees and other radio station merch.

On the second floor of the Central Atrium, Crosstown Arts will host its annual Zine Fest where guests can shop for zines created by local makers.

Haven’t made a zine? No problem! We’ll have a free zine-making table! There will also be a DIY zine-making station each day of the fest with demonstrations and supplies to help you get started on making your very own zine! Just bring your ideas! Think Memphis, music, literature, punk, DIY, handmade prints, photographs, whatever you want!

This event is FREE and ALL AGES so bring your friends and family!

More MSCA news…

We recently had another great Satartday at 901 Comics.

“Stay Tooned!‘ for info on our next Satartday. They[re free and open to the public- and we have free art supplies for everyone to use including paper, sketchcards, markers, pencils, and more.

Our next MSCA Drink-N-Draw will be Wednesday, October 18th at 901 Comics East from 6-8pm.

That will be followed up by the Halloween Comic Fest at 901 Comics East on Saturday, October 28th from noon-4pm. Think Free Comic Book Day but with a Halloween twist.

Artist/author and now Arkansas resident Jerry Bingham was recently in the M-town for an in-store appearance/signing at 901 Comics East on August 19th. I was able to talk toons with Jerry and get my “Batman: Son Of The Demon” graphic novel signed.

Next 901 East comic guest will be local creator and ad-man Charles Marshall on October 14th.

Some congrats are in order- on August 5th at the FedEx Forum two of our MSCA members graduated from the University of Memphis.

 

Nick Workman not only completed her masters, but was the only one in her MBA class to graduate with a 4.0GPA..!

And Kevin Thorn completed was awarded his PHD and is now “Dr. Nuggethead”!
Congrats to both of our Brainiacs.

And belated birthday wishes to our own Kevin L. Williams who has a  birhtday earlier this month!

Some sad news…

Arleen Sorkin, original voice actress and inspiration for Harley Quinn, has passed away August 24 at the age of 67 f rom multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system.

Arleen, who made her TV debut as an extra on “Saturday Night Live” in 1982, achieved major recognition when she joined the cast of the popular soap opera “Days of Our Lives” in 1984. Her portrayal of Calliope Jones Bradford earned her two nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress at the Daytime Emmy Awards. Sorkin would go on to reprise the role on several occasions, leaving a lasting impression on fans. In 1992, Arleen Sorkin ventured into the world of voice acting, taking on the role of Dr. Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn in the animated series “Batman: The Animated Series” after inspiring Paul Dini to create the character while he home sick watching “Days Of Our Lives”- as well as helping to inspire many future episode storylines. Arleen’s wise-cracking and charismatic portrayal of the Joker’s henchwoman resonated with audiences. That led to invitations for future episodes and voiceovers in video game adaptations featuring Harley. She was married to Christopher Llyod– the writer/producer (not actor/Doc Brown).

This week I’ve had a few folks reach out to me on local artist Mitch Foust’s recent passing (August 25). He and I had our falling out years ago, and only spoke in passing a few times at local conventions. We’d worked together with A.G. Howard and Greg Cravens for many years back in the late ‘80s and ‘90s and I do still have a lot of good memories. That’s me, Mitch, and A.G. at the 1992 Memphis Fantasy Con in Memphis.

My heart goes out to all his family and friends. I know they are hurting, and was glas to see so many people recalling positive experiences at cons and their appreciation of his art. He was very popular in the Sci-fi/fantasy community, did dozens of comic and book cover art, was a co-creator/publisher of “The Last Generation” comic book series, and co-founded The Wild Hare/Animated Jack’s retail stores in Memphis. I haven’t heard an exact cause of death, but 59 is way too young to leave this world.

Here are the visitation and funeral arrangements details:
Jerry Michell Foust Obituary – Memphis, TN (dignitymemorial.com)

Hope yo see you all this next Tuesday night at Garibaldi’s.

Drink, Draw, Eat, Repeat…Our Upcoming Monthly MSCA Events

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Hey, gang- lots of opportuniities for you to attend an MSCA event over the next few weeks.

First up is the Sat-Art-Day at 901 Comics East out on Macon Road in Cordova.

We’ll be meeting in the back gallery room this Saturday, April 22nd from 10am – 2pm. This is a free/open to the public drawing event. Bring your latest art project to work on or sketchbook to draw in.

We’ll also have art supplies available for anyone who needs them- lots of markers, pens, pencils, paper, and more will be on hand.

All ages are welcome, but if you aren’t old enough to drive yourself to the event, have a parent bring you and hang out as well.

The following Wednesday, April 26th, we’ll have our next Drink-N-Draw at 901 Comics East.

It’s another free and open to the public drawing event, but if you’d like a beer (on tap or in cans), soda, water, chips, or pizza those all will be available for purchase fro 901’s “Bar With No Name“.

Again, we’ll be meeting in the back gallery room, but there’s plenty of room in the baming area and at the bar.

Then on Tuesday, May 2nd we’ll have our monthly dinner meet-up at Garibaldi’s Pizza near the U of M.  We’ll be there from 6-8pm in the bog dining room on the right.

You don’t have to be a member to attend any of our events like this or the ones at 901 Comics East, but you might want to bring a sketchbook and a few bucks to order off the menu.

Lots of great pizza, pasta, salads, and beverages available. We always meet on the first Tuesday of each month, but will pass on the July meeting which lands on the 4th.

Not one of our monthly meetings, but one of the upcoming events we’ll be a part of is the innagural Memphis Public Libraries Comic Con at the main library on Poplar Avenue. We’ll have an MSCA promo table at the evernt, and several of our members will have their own tables there as well.

The library comic con will have specialo guests artist and former MSCA member Mike Norton and comic writing legend (and “The Suicide Squad” movie star) “Uncle” John Ostrander.

It happens on May 6th, which is also Free Comic Book Day so the library will be giving away loads of comics, trade paperbacks, and graphic novels. Free Comic Book Day is the best day of the year, where comics from publishers like DC Comics and Marvel Comics are given away absolutely free to people at local comic shops. The comics aren’t free to the retailers, so if you can afford to buy something at one of the shops please do. Many stores will be having sales and other rewards for purching items that day.

All comic shops in the Memphis area (Comics & Collectibles/Poplar Ave., The Cellar/Barlett Blvd., 901 Comics/Cooper-Young, and 901 Comics East/Macon Rd.) participate in FCBD. To find a comic shop in your area check out FCBD’s comic shop locator here.

901 Comics East will have the Red Power Ranger, Steve Cordenas, in-store for a signing on FCBD. Steve stars in the recent “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always” which is currently showing on Netflix.

And don’t forget that MSCA member Peter Melonas currently has a one-man art show at Theatre Memphis in conjunction with their play “Sherlock’s Last Case“.

Oh, and while you’re at it, be sure to mark on your calendar our next group art show at Germantown Community Theatre – “Drawing Blood“. It will be a Halloween/Horror themed art show with bite this Oct/Nov.

Hope to see you there!

Our upcoming May Drink-N-Draw…

…and our June Sat-Art-Day.

MSCA January Happenings – 2023

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Well, after 35 years of drawing funny in the mid-south, we’re ready to do it some more next year!

MSCA MONTHLY DINNER MEET-UP AT GARIBALDI’S PIZZA

Our 35th anniversary year was packed with MSCA and member events (art shows, library display, dinners, etc.) and we started off the new year right with our first dinner meet up of 2023 onTuesday, January 3rd from 6-8pm at Garibaldi’s Pizza’s U of M location. It’s just off Walker near the Highland Strip and Southern, and across from the Tiger Book Store. We had another great turnout for this month’s dinner.

The dinner meetings are always free and open to the public, but you may want to bring a few extra bucks to order something off the menu to eat and/or drink. If you have kids who are interested in cartooning, if you are a kid and want to learn from some comics professionals, or are just a kid at heart and love cartooning then stop on by. FREE parking!

Be sure to bring a parent and/or a friend along, too. We don’t teach classes at the dinners (that’s a separate event), but we do freely share tips, tricks, techniques, and sources. (Be sure to check out our links page for more helpful info!)

Also, if you attend be sure to bring some of your latest work to show around (sketchbooks, portfolios, works in progress, printed pieces, etc.) and don’t be afraid to show them to members, or share any promos you may have to hand out. We usually have a freebie table for those items so feel free to add to them or pick up some to take home.

Don’t forget to bring something to draw with, or be shy to ask to borrow a pen or pencil. Spontaneous sketching often happens during these events, and it’s always encouraged.

It doesn’t matter what hand (or foot) you draw with, what/who you sketch, or what you doodle on – sketchbook, notebook, sketchcard, sketchcover, jam piece, or even a napkin. There’s always plenty of those around.

This month I had some of our members do sketches for the press promo pizza boxes I’m working on, so thanks to everyone who drew one for me. I’m going to be putting them together this weekend and out to the local news media soon.

Thanks to the staff at Garibaldi’s for letting us gather there each month (and the pizza boxes). It was great to finally get back to meeting in person again last year, and we look forward to being back there in the big room again throughout 2023!

Garibaldi’s Pizza
3530 Walker Ave
Memphis, TN 38111

(901) 327-6111
www.garibaldispizza.com

MSCA DRINK-N-DRAW

This month we’ll be experiencing our very first MSCA Drink-N-Draw event hosted by 901 Comics East out in Cordova on Wednesday, January 18th from 6-8pm. We’ve been known to drink and draw at our dinner meetings, and at con-related drink-n-draws, but this is officially our first! 901 Comics East now has a bar, gallery space, and gaming area. We are looking to make this a quarterly event at the friendly neighborhood comic shop.

The bar serves beer on tap and in cans- including some local brews. If you don’t drink beer, there are sodas, water, and some individual pizzas and snack items. So bring your art supplies and a few bucks to order something to drink/eat while you draw, and a designated driver. There is no theme or no real rules (other than 21 or older if you plan to drink beer), so feel free to draw or work on whatever art you’d like. ✏️🍺

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

Take Germantown Pkwy. to Macon (Malco and Whataburger), go about a half mile up and after the post office take the left at the 3-way stop, and then a right at the next 4-way between the school and apartments. Continue on Macon about another block or two, continuing straight after the 3-way stop at Dexter. The comic shop will be on the right in the shopping center next to the Pit Stop food truck court (the Greenline runs behind the shopping center).

There are several locally created comics for sale at 901 Comics as well!

MSCA SKETCHY SATURDAY

Later this month on Saturday, January 28th the MSCA will be hosting our first “Sketchy Saturday” at 901 Comics East from 10am until 2pm. It’s going to be a free hands-on workshop.

If anyone is interested in joining in on creating some sketchcards and sketchcovers please stop on by. I’ll have plenty of sketchcard blanks and a few sketchcover comics to share while they last, but if you need any 901 sells some blank sketchcovers, too. 

I’ll have some markers to use and extra Bristol paper to play on if anyone needs them or wants to learn how to color with markers. I’ll have a mix of Copics, Letraset, Prismacolor, and Sharpies on hand, plus some extra pencils, Pigma Micron and Gelly Roll pens, and other art supplies.

Please feel free to bring any supplies you’d like to use and/or your own sketchbook to work in. I’ll have some card sleeves for finished cards ((901 sells packs of 100), and we’ll have some art books for folks to look through for those who might need some inspiration and/or reference. We’ll be in a comic shop so that should help with getting inspiration, too!

Some of you may remember many of our members getting together at Bookstar on Poplar, Adam Shaw’s studio on Broad Ave., Michaels in Olive Branch, and other locations when we’d get together to just hang out, draw, and have fun together. If you’re not interested in drawing on sketchcards or sketchcovers, do come on by and like I said bring a sketchbook or other art project to work on with us. 

As with the drink-n-draw event, if this goes well we’ll look at doing more “Sketchy Saturday” type of events in 2023. We’d like to keep these casual and more of a social sharing of ideas and techniques than an actual art class, but if anyone would like to host/teach a class or if there is something you think would work as a project just give me (Lin Workman) or MSCA president Kevin Williams a yell- midsouthcartoonist(at)gmail(dot)com.

These gatherings are to encourage setting aside time to draw, being social/networking, and sharing ideas, news, and techniques with others. Hopefully it will give us some additional meet-up opportunities for anyone who can’t make our monthly dinner ones at Garibaldi’s. 

Kev  sends out an email reminder before events so be sure to join the mailing list. I try to post heads up online on social media and our site here, but here’s the 2023 dinner schedule if you need it.

Our podcast Drawing Funny is now in it’s third season and we’ll have a few more episodes dropping in January, including the 50th episode- “stay tooned!”

And if you’d like more info on the MSCA and/or how to become a member, either check out our ABOUT US page, shoot Kev an email, click the player above, or stop by an event and ask us in person.

I hope you can attend one or all of our 2023 events- we’d love to have you join us!
Lin

New “Drawing Funny” Podcast Episode From A Couple Couch Potato Podpeople

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Calling all podpeople– a new “Drawing Funny” podcast episode is available !

You can listen in the player above, online directly at www.drawingfunny.com, or most podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple, and others.

Show notes: For this episode of Drawing Funny I take a trip to our couch to have a comics conversation with my wife and live-in I.T. person- Nicki Workman (with special guest appearance by our cat Jarael). This is a follow up to my Episode 47 – “Back To Basics”.

While on our way home from the MSCA December dinner meet-up this month I told Nicki about a couple conversations with some fellow local creators recently. They had asked for my advice on their art and projects. Well, even though I do a podcast that offers advice on just about every episode (and even multiple times on each of those episodes), after my many failures and less than stellar art career I’ve been questioning my art expertise when it comes to giving advice. I asked her is she thought I was qualified, and that conversation led to this episode which includes some very good advice by her.

Not just on creating art, but some of the business basics of being creative for a living, as well as her life in corporate America, and reasons for continuing her education at this point in her life. Was happy to catch her on break between semesters to get her to share her thoughts. I’m super proud of her being able to juggle a full time day job and work trips while attending grad school online and keeping a 4.0 GPA at the same time. She’s in the home stretch for her MBA!

I also have some local MSCA news about upcoming dinner meetings (next one is Tuesday, January 3rd), current and upcoming art shows and plays around town, as well as some news about the first ever MSCA Drink-N-Draw (Wed. 1/18/23) and Sketchy Saturday (1/18/23) at 901 Comics East (8551 Macon Rd, Cordova, TN 38018).

I actually edited some of this episode sitting at 901’s bar while watching some of the World Cup highlights after work, and also back on my couch with Lena supervising me.

I plan on being back with another DF episode before the end of the year, and recording my 50th episode around the first of the year.

Also, as stated in the episode, we recently had our last MSCA dinner meet-up for 2022. We’ll be back at Garibaldi’s Pizza on Tuesday, January 3rd from 6-8pm.

It has been great to be able to meet back in person again, and we had another great turnout with a good mix of old familiar faces and new!

Some sketchy things happened during dinner, including our “semi-annual” holiday art swap.

Members brought art pieces to swap with each other by drawing numbers out of a hat.

There were also more freebies available for attendees and restaurant staff to take home for the holidays.

Thanks to the staff at Garibaldi’s for letting us gather there each month. Look forward to being there in 2023!

Garibaldi’s Pizza
3530 Walker Ave
Memphis, TN 38111

(901) 327-6111
www.garibaldispizza.com

Lin

New “Drawing Funny” Podcast Episode Available- Plus A Short Bonus Episode!

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Hey, gang- I’m back to start off Season 3 of the “Drawing Funny” podcast with a new full length episode, as well as a short bonus episode, too!

Episode 47 – “Back To Basics”

Show notes: Well, I’m back to basics on comics and cartooning with this episode of Drawing Funny. After a couple conversations with some new comic creators, I wanted to share some more thoughts I have on creating comics with you the listening audience. Trust me, they’re very basic, but knowing the basics of creating comic books is something I feel can be often overlooked by those new to writing, drawing, printing, and promoting comics (and themselves).

This is a bit of a follow up for Episode 40 – “Where Do I Begin?”.

I also share some local MSCA news about upcoming dinner meetings, current art shows, and plays around town, as well as some very sad Bat-news about the passing of Kevin Conroy– the iconic voice of Batman for 30yrs. Plus I send out some congrats to Joe Stuber on his Comic Book Central podcast’s 9th Anniversary!

Run time: 1hr 4min 42sec

 

MSCA Membership Info – Join Now For Free!

Show notes: So, just what is the MSCA, and how can you join..? Find out in this bonus mini-episode. It should answer all your questions about our the history or our sketchy group and how to be a part of it, but if not there’s plenty of contact info included and ways how you can get those questions answered by me or the MSCA’s prez Kevin L. Williams.

Run time: 10min

You can listen by clicking on the podcast players here, download and subscribe wherever you like to listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify, Anchor, etc.), or go directly to the show’s website- www.drawingfunny.com

If you’d like to be a guest on the podcast, please let me know at podcast(at)drawingfunny(dot)com or mention it to me at any MSCA event. We can record live, or online over Zoom. I’d love to talk toons with you, and would like to start recording roundtable discussions with members next year. I also would like to hear any thoughts you have on the podcast, plus have you share any art related news you may have about the industry, any art shows or conventions you may know of, and any personal projects you may want to promote.

BTW-  our pandemic inspired podcast just turned 2 years old in October!

 

Oh, I mention it in the recent episodes of the podcast, but don’t forget that the next MSCA dinner meet-up (and last one for 2022) will be Tuesday, December 6th from 6-8pm at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Avenue near the U of M (www.garibaldispizza.com). We’ll be doing an art swap, have some more freebies to snag, and are looking forward to sharing some exciting news about a few upcoming events in the mid-south.

Keep an eye out for an email from Kevin soon about all the details on the last dinner meeting and art swap, and info on how you can be a part of these new upcoming events in 2023. They’re shaping up to be a lot of fun.

If you’re not on the MSCA email list, contact Kev here- midsouthcartoonists(at)gmail(dot)com, and feel free to download the dinner calendar and MSCA info graphic and share on social media. Oh, and I’m working on putting together an events calendar for this website- should be up between Thanksgiving and the next dinner at Garibaldi’s…fingers crossed!

I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving. Stay safe, stay tooned, and keep drawing funny!

Lin

“Drawing Funny” Hit The Road For Free Comic Book Day 2022

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There’s a new “Drawing Funny” podcast episode available for download- Ep.41: “FCBD Multitude Of Madness”. This episode chronicles mine and Nicki’s Free Comic Book Day adventures around Memphis last weekend.

Saturday, May 7th was Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) 2022. The annual event happens on the first Saturday in May of each year and is a way for the comics industry and retailers to thank their customers, introduce new readers to comics, and a chance to celebrate comics.

The re’s a huge selection of comics to choose from each year. The comics are free for folks visiting the shops, but not free for the retailers (they pay the costs of each comic).

Each participating retailer has certain rules for the free comics, and/or offer sales and in-store creator signings and additional events.

Folks are definitely encouraged to wear a cool comic tee and/or cosplay as their favorite comic characters.

Not every retailer participates, but most around the mid-south area do, including Comics & Collectibles, The Cellar, and 901 Comics, as well as Jupiter Comics out in Moscow, TN.

Nicki and I hit three of the comic shops in the M-town. We stopped at Comics & Collectibles, The Cellar, and 901 Comics East.

We got our free comics while picking up our hold box comics. Did some additional shopping  and chatting with friends. Thankfully the shops all sell comic boxes- helped hauling stuff out to the car!

For the podcast we talked with local comic creators Dale Martin, Brad and Skoot Starnes, Matt Bowers, Gabe DeRanzo, and Janet and Martheus Antone Wade about their current and upcoming projects such as The Dragon Templar, Fathom, Memphis, Stoned Ninja, Shinobi: Ninja Princess and Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa comics. (Sorry for some of the poor audio quality- I explain the cause in this episode.)

901 Comics East had local creators Gabe, Matt, Antone, Janet, Anakin- as well as John Martin and Richard Fields at their shop for an in-store signing appearance. Unfortunately we had to run to the DeSoto Malco and didn’t get a chance to talk to John or Richard, and we missed getting to chat with MSCA member and “Stoned Ninja” artist Greg Cravens who hadn’t made it up from the Puppy Palooza at the Crosstown Concourse.

When we got down to Southaven we caught Doctor Strange And The Multiverse Of Madness and towards the end of the podcast give some non-spoiler thoughts on this latest Marvel movie.

We loved the new seating at the theater, but don’t understand why folks will pay $15 for a seat and and insist on being on their phones during the movie…ugh.

Oh, while at 901 Comics we got some sad news news of the passing of legendary comic creator George Pérez. Nicki and I discuss our George encounters and memories of him. He was not only a great creator of comics, but a fan and cheerleader of the fandom- and a super sweet guy.

I hope you got out to enjoy Free Comic Book Day. Definitely mark your calendars for next year!

Stay well, stay tooned, and keep drawing funny!
Lin

 www.freecomicbookday.com

 

“Same Bat-Time, Same Bat-Channel!”- MSCA Dinner Meeting And FCBD This Week

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Attention, Citizens..!

Lots of comic action happening this week in Memphis, so gas up your batmobile and dry clean your capes.

First up is our MSCA monthly dinner meeting at the U of M Garibaldi’s Pizza on Tuesday, May 3rd. We meet up  the 1st Tuesday of each month at 7pm in the big room.

I’d like to get a few member interviews so if you’d like to be on an upcoming “Drawing Funny” podcast episode I’ll be there a bit early so hit me up. Would love to talk toon with ya.

Bring whatever art you’ve been working on, favorite art book/comic or recent art tool purchase to show, or some promo swag to hand out. Also, feel free to bring a friend or family member, and be sure to bring a few bucks to order off the menu. You and your stomach will be glad you did! The meeting/meet-up is casual and open to the public. I’ll have some MSCA freebies with me, too.

Speaking of freebies…this weekend, it’s BACK! Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) 2022 is on Saturday, May 7 at local comic shops across the country and around the world. Check with your local comic shop to see ig/how they are participating, and if there are any requirements/restrictions. Here in the M-town all our local comic shops are participating- Comics & Collectibles, The Cellar, both locations of 901 Comics, and Jupiter Comics out near Moscow, TN.

The midtown/Cooper-Young 901 Comics location will be having a special in store signing appearance by legendary Ghost Rider artist Javier Saltares. Doors open at 9am! First personalized signature is free and $5 for every signature after. CGC witnessed signatures are $10 each. Sketch pricing depends on size and content.

That same day out east in their Cordova location (8551 Macon Rd, Cordova, TN 38018), 901 Comics will be having several local creators in-store which includes some of our MSCA members. Slide by from 10 AM – 7 PM and say hi to Jetta/Shinobi creators Martheus & Janet Wade, the Stoned Ninja team Gabriel DeRanzo and Greg Cravens, Matt Bowers the creator of the Memphis comic, artist and inker extraordinaire John Martin, and Richard Fields creator of Lucy! They will also have a 20% off sale that day.

Don’t forget that the  “Stoned Ninja” Kickstarter still has a few days left. It has lots of great tiers and incentives, and you can back this current comics campaign for as little as a dollar!

If you go out to 901 Comics East or to the MSCA dinner meeting see about getting Gabe or Greg to do a sketchcover for you.

ADJ Design’s Antonio and Tamika Johnson, the creators of the novic Bluff City Blues will be at Bookstock Memphis Area Authors’ Festival on Saturday, May 7th from 11 am to 3 PM at Benjamin L Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave.

It’s free and family friendly- live music, food trucks and more!

Over the weekend I finished up the Star Wars display at the Hernando library. It’s been a while since Nicki and I have done a display in their west lobby. This one is to celebrate May The Fourth and Revenge Of The Fifth (or Sixth) and features some of our personal collection.

I found some stuff I was looking for, but there’s at least a few boxes of stuff I can’t find- mostly my original Star Wars action figures (blue and red Snaggletooth figure and original dozen) and some of the large dolls… I mostly just found Power Of The Force figures. They’re here somewhere either in my closet or Nicki’s. I’m sure I’ll run across them when I’m not looking.
If you’re in the Hernando, MS area and dig Star Wars and/or collecting stuffs please slide by and check the display out. It will be up for the month of May, and they are open Monday-Saturday. I tried to do a little from each trilogy, cartoons, games, novels and comics, and even added a Darth Vader sketchcard I did from my first Star Wars gig I did for Topps.
Nicki and I got together because of Star Wars and having mutual friends who dug it, too. It’s the first movie I not only remember seeing in the theater (the opening crawl/space battle🤯), but is also the only trilogy (OT) I know exactly where I originally saw them in Memphis. Unfortunately all three theaters no longer exist.
Oh, you can see (and buy) more of my sketchcards at The Cellar out in Bartlett, Tn. Check them out if you’re there for Free Comic Book Day. Lots of freebie MSCA swag to be had as well.
Hope to see you this weekend around the M-Town!
Lin

“Priced To Sell- Or Sit..?” – New Drawing Funny Podcast Episode

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New “Drawing Funny” episode is available- listen online here or most anywhere  you like to download podcasts.

“How much is that art in the window?” In this solo episode I discuss pricing and selling– or not selling my art, and what some folks have thought about the prices I charge and if my work is worth the cost. I’ve talked before about how I got into drawing funny for a living and how I’ve set up at conventions and art shows, but really haven’t mentioned why I charge what I do for my sketchcards, sketchcovers, paintings, prints, tees and more. I also talk a bit more on how I create my own art, where I’ve sold it over the years, and what expenses I’ve experienced. Plus if you’ve wondered what exactly is a sketchcard and/or a sketchcover, wanted to know how to get into doing them, or how much they pay- I talk about that as well.

I don’t have all the answers by a long shot, but if you’re struggling with what to charge for your work maybe this will help you understand art pricing and some possible avenues for selling and buying art. If you have any ideas or stories on selling art and/or how you price things, please give me a yell at podcast (at) drawingfunny (dot) com. I’d love to hear from you.

Shameless plug alert: Lonnie Easterling and I have several of my hand drawn sketchcards and a few sketchcovers available for sale at a comic shop here in Memphis- The Cellar. There are both official artist returns cards from companies like Topps, Breygent, Cryptozoic, and RRParks Cards and personal sketch cards drawn on my own custom blanks- with more to come after the holidays. If you’re interested in buying any of these please contact the shop. I don’t do commission work so this is the only way to currently purchase/collect any of my art from me.

Oh, and if you stop by The Cellar in person be sure to snag some free Drawing Funny podcast and MSCA swag. Lots of buttons and stickers are available while they last, plus they make great stocking stuffers!

The Cellar: Tabletop Games & Comics
2737 Bartlett Blvd
Bartlett, TN 38134
(901) 382-8623
If you like to shop online, be sure to check out MSCA member Antonio Johnson and ADJ Designs’ merch on his website. Lots of hats, tees, hoodies, art prints and more are available.
You can also order a copy of the novic book “Bluff City Blues” on their website, or at Comics and Collectibles on Poplar Avenue.
Merry Christmas- stay warm and stay tooned!
Lin (and Lex)

Drawn Together- Next MSCA Meeting In Person

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It’s finally happening!

Only one week until our first in-person monthly MSCA meeting– in over a year and a half!

Tuesday, August 3rd- 6pm in Overton Park Formal Gardens.

Below is all the info from the MSCA President Kevin L. Williams:

Dear Ink Slingers, Digital Doodlers, Pencil Pushers, and Word Doctors,

IN PERSON GATHERING

The first IN PERSON gathering will be in the Overton Park Formal Gardens, Tuesday, August 3, 2021, at 6:30 pm!!  Bring your own chair, your own food and drink, artwork to share (I plan to have a table for us to put items on).  This area is under some trees and flowers, it’s wide-open so we can spread out.

CLICK HERE for directions. You can park in the road behind the Levitt Shell.

RULES: 

If you are fully vaccinated, masks are optional but not required.
If you are NOT fully vaccinated, masks are required.
We trust you to make the decisions that are safer for you AND our members, so do what is right and don’t be “that guy.”

You might want to bring some mosquito spray just in case…

RAIN OPTION:

If it rains, we’ll use Zoom* to gather and visit.

Future gatherings in person will be in the gardens of the Woodruff-Fontain House Museum, with more details to come!

Be Safe, Be Happy, Be Well!
Your Pals,
Kevin L. Williams
& Muley the Mule

*(You can email Kevin at midsouthcartoonists (at) gmail (dot) com for the Zoom link and/or to join the MSCA mailing list.)

Going into 2022 we are planning on being back at our usual monthly meeting joint- the U of M area Garibaldi’s Pizza. We’ll be meeting there on Walker Ave. the 1st Tuesday of each month- if all goes well! March 5, 2020 was the last time we all met there…wow!

There are a few other events happening around our area, and some within driving distance. Before heading out, be sure to check out our “Drawing Funny” Con Survival Guide episode for tips on attending and setting up at conventions and other events.

This week/weekend is the annual Superman Celebration in Metropolis, IL – July 30-August 1. The town festival is usually the second weekend in June, but like many events, it had to be cancelled in 2020 and moved this year because of COVID. It’s only about 3hrs north of Memphis, across the Ohio River from Paducah, KY.

Lots of artists, writers, celebs, events, vendors, costumes, and corndogs- plus a \S/uper-Museum and statues! Click here to see the full schedule.

‘INSIDE THE WALT DISNEY ARCHIVES’

July 23, 2021 – January 2, 2022. Graceland Exhibition Center, 3717 Elvis Presley Blvd. in Memphis, TN (just behind the Elvis Presley’s Memphis complex).

Elvis Week (Aug. 11-17) here in Memphis is just around the corner, but this 10,000-square-foot traveling  exhibit features Disney props, costumes and more will be in the M-town through January 2nd.

Tickets: $15 (adult); $8 (child, 5-10); free (4 and under). A $50 “Passport” allows a holder to visit the exhibit as often as he or she wants to during the six months. “VIP” tickets and other options also are available.

Numerous events will be held at Graceland in connection with the exhibit. For a full calendar and for tickets and other information, visit graceland.com/exhibition-center.

Comics & Collectibles has announced their plans for Free Comic Book Day, which is normally the 1st Saturday in May. It’s been pushed back to the middle of next month, and there’s a lot happening around town to celebrate this annual comics holiday.

Here are the details from C&Cs for this year’s FCBD…

Annual FREE COMIC BOOK DAY is Saturday August 14, 2021!
Due to the pandemic, this year will be a little different than previous events. Please see below…
1. MASK REQUIRED. No exceptions. This applies to ALL customers, including vaccinated individuals and children. Masks will not be provided, so don’t forget to bring your own. This is to protect everyone including those with weakened immune systems, our St. Jude patient customers, and children that are not old enough to be vaccinated. We appreciate your cooperation.
2. LIMITED NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS INSIDE THE STORE AT ONCE. We will have an employee at the entrance monitoring the number of customers in the shop, so there may be a wait to enter.
3. 20% OFF STOREWIDE – excludes, Sideshow Collectibles, new comics and previously discounted merchandise.
4. MINIMUM PURCHASE OF of $5 (before tax) required to obtain Free Comic Book Day books. Limit one copy of each book per person that makes a $5 or more purchase.
(Previous FCBD comics.)

901 COMICS EAST GRAND OPENING!!

SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2021 @ 10 AM CDT

FCBD will also see 901 Comics opening a 2nd location out in Cordova near the Wolfchase area- 8551 Macon Rd, Cordova, TN 38018. They have special guests Denys Cowan (Sat/14) scheduled for the grand opening (EDIT: Denys has had to cancel and the Grand Opening had been pushed back a week- will be doing FCBD both weekends), David Yost (Blue Power Ranger) on Sunday, August 15th from 12 PM – 4 PM, and more guest signings to appear later in the month.

They also have done some recent remodeling to their original Cooper-Young location. You can still find our MSCA zine, Watusi zines by Dale Martin, and Stoned Ninja comics by Greg Cravens there.

A new con has thrown its hat into the ring here in the Mid-South. The Covington Comic Con will be on FCBD- August 14th in Covington, TN. Bluff City Batman and his Batmobile as well as Eric’s Secret Stash toys/collectibles will be there.

Speaking of hats, congrats to our own Kevin “Nuggethead” Thorn. He’s wearing another hat around Hernando, MS moving forward. Kevin was recently appointed to the Hernando Planning Commission by newly elected Mayor Chip Johnson. Kevin will be helping the mayor and board of aldermen with the future growth of Hernando, which is the county seat for DeSoto County.

I (Lin Workman) recently just finished up some more ULTRAMAN sketchcards for RRParks Cards. These are the second batch I’ve done for this card set, and they will be randomly inserted in the card packs.

You can see my first set and some step-by-steps on my site- linworkman.com. I’ve got Zorro and Halloween/horror sketchcards on the drawing table next. I’ll have artist returns available for sale for each set.

I’ve got some of my Ultraman and other artist’s returns for sale at The Cellar over in Bartlett, TN. There are some sketchcovers for sale there as well.

Be sure to snag some swag while you’re there. Free stickers and buttons are available while they last.

Also, they carry copies of our MSCA Zine. You can also purchase some at Comics & Collectibles and 901 Comics in town and pick up some of the free swag, too.

That’s all for now- stay safe, stay hydrated, and stay tooned!

Lin