Tag: Memphis comics

“Remember, remember- the 5th of December..?!” – Our Next MSCA Dinner & Art Swap

Up first is a message from MSCA president Kevin L. Williams:

Greetings Digital Doodlers, Ink Slingers, Pencil Pushers, Wordsmiths, Enthusiasts, and whoever retrieved this message from a bottle

DECEMBER DINNER GATHERING AND ART SWAP 

Our next dinner gathering will be Tuesday, December 5th at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave., from 6 – 8 pm.  Bring money for the delicious food, and art for the art swap.  To help for next year:  Set your phone calendars to repeat the first Tuesday of each month as a reminder, and you can also use the attached printable calendar.  There are also attachments of the logo, association information, and the calendar ready to share on social media if you will, please.

HOW THE SWAP WORKS 

Each piece of art brought will be numbered, and a corresponding number dropped in a box.  At 7:30 pm we’ll draw numbers and the number you draw corresponds to the art piece you win!

The submitted art should be yours and can be original art, print, publication, or product.  It does not have to be framed.

EVENTS

If you have any appearances or events to share, please let me know right away so I can get them added to the next MSCA email events list- midsouthcartoonists(at)gmail(dot)com

DRAWING BLOOD Art Show, a bloody success 

HUGE Thanks to our friends at Germantown Community Theater for hosting us again.  Nearly all the artwork sold!  I made it out to the opening night of the play “Dracula: The Bloody Truth” to be on-hand for information about the art and artists, and was able to capture the conversations of a few folks.  Thanks again to Jim Palmer for getting us reconnected with GCT!!  www.gctcomeplay.org

I’ll have the artwork and checks from the show at the December 5 dinner meeting.

The GCT has already invited us back next season!  YAY!

Next up:  Glass Slippers at Theater Memphis!  Information coming soon… 

MSCA Mini-Con “Cartoon Art Festival” @ GCT (Recap)

Again, our dear friends at GCT hosted us this past Saturday in which we set up tables with wares to sell and we had several people show up.  Thank you to Annie Freres at GCT who helped spread the word, and to Good Groceries Mobile Dining and Baker’s Corner 901 for bringing the feed.  It was a fun day.

To those who participated: please feel free to shoot ideas for future events in case we decide to try it again.

MSCA – LIFE AND LEGACY 

It’s been great to see so many new faces join with long-time members at our meetings, shows, and events! I’d like to build on that enthusiasm and get more members engaged with the month-to-month tasks that keep the MSCA going. I’m 51 (OLD by some standards, young by a few others) (LOL) and I know eventually I’d like to step back and let others run the group. Distributing the tasks I do among a committee of other members would be a first step towards giving the MSCA a stronger foundation. If you’re interested in finding out more, let’s talk!

Along those lines, we collected $3/piece to hang art for “Drawing Blood”, and after buying the advertising postcards and business cards we still ended up in the red.  The association has no money (other than what is spent by me and a few others) and am looking for advice from the MSCA members on what you think we can do to raise funds to cover items like the website fees, advertising postcards for the group and shows, receptions, etc?  I would like for the MSCA to be self-sufficient again so nobody has to go broke!

Did I forget anything?  Likely, but looking forward to seeing you all Dec. 5th!

Love, Your one and only,
Kevin Williams,MSCA Prezdent

 

In other MSCA news…

Several MSCA members will have sketchcards in the upcoming 901 Comics Mistery Boxes.

These awesome collector boxes are $99ea and will be out just in time for holiday shopping!

Speaking of shopping- here’s a guide to local comics shops. This Saturday, November 25, 2023 is Small Business Saturday – a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities.

All of our local comic shops and book stores have been very supportive of creators in our area, and many carry comics and art by our own MSCA members. #suportlocal

The MSCA dinner meet-up schedule is above. We’ll be at Garibaldi’s Pizza the first Tuesday of each month from 6-8pm.

MSCA dinner meetings are open to the public and all ages are welcome. If you aren’t old enough to drive yourself to Garibaldi’s then have a parent attend with you. It’s free to attend, but be sure to bring a few bucks to order off the menu and some art to work on and/or share. The December 5th meet-up/art swap is the last MSCA event for 2023.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

“MSCA Mini-Con…I’ll Drink-n-Draw To That!” – Our Next Two Events

This fall has been very busy for the MSCA, November continues to be, and next year is shaping up to be even busier..!

We recently had our monthly dinner meeting at Garibaldi’s Pizza this past Tuesday and had a great turnout.

This comimg Wednesday, November 15th is our next Drink-N-Draw at 901 Comics East out on Macon Road in Cordova. This is the last D-N-D for 2023. Bring your sketchbook, tablet, or comic pages, or other art projetcs to work on.

The drawing event is free to attend and open to the public, but bring a few bucks to order a beverage and/or something to eat. Beer, sodas, water, chips, cookies, pizza and more will be available for purchace at the bar with no name.

We’ll also have addtional art supplies available for anyone needing them or who just want to try something new- including markers, blank sketchcards, and more.

901 Comics East is located at 8551 Macon Rd. in Cordova, TN 38018. We’ll be hanging out and drawing in the back gaming/bar area.

There are lots of local creator comic books and art available for purchace at this Cordova comic shop, including ones by our own MSCA members…with more coming.

That following Saturday, November 18th from noon-4pm we’ll be out at Germantown Community Theatre for our MSCA mini-con. The free festival event will be in the rehersal hall behind the theater. Members of the MSCA will be selling their comics, zines, prints, original art and more as we celebrate the closing of our “Drawing Blood” art show at GCT.

 

The “Drawing Blood” art show can be seen duing theater business hours though this Sunday, November 12th. The art show and mini-con are both free and open to the public.

Any MSCA members who would like to do this BYOT (bring your own table) con event should arrive at the GCT rehearsal space by 10:30am for set up. Those who participated in the art show will have first choice on set-up spaces. Germantown Community Theatre is located at 3037 Forest Hill Irene RD., Germantown, TN 38138.

Oh, and our last group event for 2023 will be our December dinner gathering on Tuesday, December 5th from 6-8pm at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave. by the University of Memphis. During the dinner event we will be holding our annual MSCA member art swap. Bring a print, sketch, or other piece of original art to trade with other members. We’ll be drawing names to see the picking order.

We be meeting the first Tuesday of each month from 6-8pm again at Garibaldi’s Pizza in 2024.

Hope that you can join us.

 

“Drank & Drew” – Our Latest MSCA Drink-N-Draw At 901 Comics East

This week we had our lastest MSCA Drink-N-Draw at 901 Comics East on Macon Road.

We had another great turnout from some of our MSCA regular suspects…

Lin (me),

Eric,

Devin,

Kevin,

…and Jason.

Plus a couple of new faces including Lee…

…and Ben.

Our next MSCA Drink-N-Draw will be Wednesday, November 15th from 6-8pm at 901 Comics East.

But before the D-N-D we’ve got Halloween Comic Fest on Saturday, October 28th from noon-4pm. It’s like Free Comic Book Day, but for Halloween! MSCA members will be set up, there will be free comics and candy, a costume contest, and a 20% off sale.

Our Drink-N-Draws are free and open to the public, but bring a few bucks if you’d like to buy a beverage (beer, sodas, water), pizza, or any snacks.

We hope to see your face there!

901 Comics East
8551 Macon Rd, Cordova, TN 38018
Phone: (901) 249-7959

“One, one more day- ah, ah, ah..!” – Dinner Meeting And Art Show Deadline Tuesday, October 3rd

From MSCA President, Kevin L. WIlliams:

Hi, all you beautiful digital doodlers, ink slingers, wordsmiths, pencil pushers, and enthusiasts!

Plenty of news to read about the MSCA.  Let me know if there are questions, please.

 

FOOOOOOD! COMICS! YOU & ME!

Our next dinner gathering will be Tuesday October 3rd from 6 – 8pm at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, by the University of Memphis!

The event is free and open to the public, but bring a few bucks for food money to order off the menu (great salads, sandwhiches, pizza, and pasta). Also feel free to bring  some of your art to show and share, or work on. There’s always napkind to doodle on, too!

A friend who had passed away had a few comics to spread around, so I’ll bring those to find new homes. Be sure to check out our freebies table for other items as well.

This dinner meeting will be the deadline for the MSCA “Drawing Funny” art show this month.

OCTOBER EVENTS

See the very, very bottom list of information for  even more events!  If I’m forgetting anything, please let me know for the next newsletter:

10/3 – Dinner Gathering, (Dracula Art Due) – Garibaldi’s Pizza 3530 Walker Ave.
10/13 – Drawing Blood Opening Reception – Germantown Community Theater.
10/18 – Drink-N-Draw 901 Comics East (Cordova).
10/27 – 11/12 – Dracula: The Bloody Truth play at Germantown Community Theater with Drawing Blood still in the lobby.
10/28 – MSCA Halloween Comic Fest Day at 901 Comics East.

DRAWING  BLOOD
The art for the next show will be due this night, too.  Time to wrap it up and get it done (Kevin!).  Planning to hang at 1pm on Wednesday, October 11th.

Fellow members, please share the images and information (below) to your social media and make the Friday The 13th opening reception a big deal, and be sure to get folks (you, too) to come see the show Oct 27th – Nov 12th.

November 18th will be a mini-MSCA Fest in the rehearsal hall – there are 3 table spaces now available – let me know if you want it!  First come, first serve..!

DRAWING BLOOD: COPY/PASTE TEXT FOR SOCIAL MEDIA

(Addyourweblinks to your post, too!): 

This October, Friday 13th, from 5:30 – 8pm, come have a scary good time and see my art with the Mid-South Cartoonists Association at Germantown Community Theater titled “Drawing Blood: The Art Show That Bites.”The show will run alongside the performance of “Dracula: The Bloody Truth” from October 27 – November 12. There will be a closing reception on November 18 from Noon – 4pm.Costumes are encouraged and welcome to all events (nothing too big during the play of course).Drinks and snacks available from the theater.Come support the arts with me!www.midsouthcartoonists.orgwww.gctcomeplay.orgLink to the play:https://ci.ovationtix.com/35186/production/1155552

###

 

HALLOWEEN FEST 901 COMICS EAST

The MSCA will be participating in Halloween Comic Fest at 901 Comics East (Macon Road) on Saturday, October 28th from noon-4pm.✏️🎃

Free comics, candy, and more! Come in costume or dress as yourself. Members of the Mid-South Cartoonists Association will be on hand selling their latest zines, comics, and art. If you love Free Comic Book Day, you’re gonna love Halloween Comic Fest, too!If you’d like to be a part of this event space is free but limited (gallery room, gaming area, and front covered patio area if weather permits) so please let us know if you’d like to set up. Shop opens at 10am for set up.

Don’t forget, many MSCA member comics and art are always available for sale at 901 Comics East – as well as copies of our latest “The Good, The Bad, And The Sketchy” zine.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tuesday, October 3, 6pm, MSCA Dinner Gathering, Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave

Friday, October 13, 5:30 – 8pm, MSCA Opening Reception for DRAWING BLOOD, Germantown Community Theater.

Friday, October 13 – 18 Monster Market, Medicine Factory, 85 Virginia Ave W, Memphis, TN 38106

Saturday, October 14, Dr Wacky Science Show at Germantown Community Theater (Drawing Blood will be visible in the lobby during that time).

Wednesday, October 18, 6 – 8 pm, Drink-N-Draw, 901 Comics East, 8551 Macon Road

October 27 – November 12, DRAWING BLOOD Art Show, Germantown Community Theater, 3037 Forest Hill Irene Rd.

Saturday, October 28, 12-4pm, Halloween Comic Fest, 901 Comics East, 8551 Macon Road

Tuesday, November 7, 6pm, MSCA Dinner Gathering, Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave

Friday, November 10 – Sunday, November 12, Memphis Comic And Fantasy Con, Holiday Inn U of M, 3700 Central Ave, Memphis

Wednesday, November 15, 6 – 8 pm, Drink-N-Draw, 901 Comics East, 8551 Macon Road

Saturday, November 18, Closing Reception/MSCA-GCT Mini Con, Germantown Community Theater, 3037 Forest Hill Irene Rd. (Times TBD)

Tuesday, December 5, 6pm, MSCA Dinner Gathering, Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave (Walt Disney’s Birthday, too, BTW). MSCA Art Swap – bring some art to swap with other members, same as we did last year. That was fun.

And, of course, the 2024 Glass Slippers art show this summer at Theatre Memphis…

~Kev de Prez

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

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

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.

“got blood?” – Time To Drink-N-Draw

Hey gang-

Just a quick reminder that our next MSCA Drink-N-Draw event will be this Wednesday night from 6-8pm at 901 Comics East on Macon Rd. out in Cordova. The ‘bar with no name‘ will be open and serving up beer, sodas, snacks, and more.

This will also be the night that Bad Dog Comics! will be hosting their creators meeting, so there should be lots of local comics creators in attendance in the gaming area at 901 Comics East on Wednesday night.

Speaking of local creators, many of ther comics are represented and for sale at 901 Comics East.

Even some former locals like Mike Norton.

901 Comics even has art books to help those just starting out in creating comics and manga.

I’ve got several of my one of a kind sketchcards for sale near the front counter.

Each are hand drawn in pencils, markers, and pens and many of them are done on my own custom blanks, or on MSCA sketchcard blanks. If you’d like a few blanks for free to draw on hit me up at any of our MSCA events, or just stop by the comic shop on days when I’m there (Mon-Thur). We also have free art supplies to use at our Drink-N-Draw and Satartday events at 901.

You can snag some MSCA postcards or stickers at the comic shop, and at the Drink-N-Draw I’ll have the Halloween jam piece Dale started at the last dinner meeting if anyone would like to add to it. Will also have it at the next dinner meet-up at Garibaldi’s Pizza. It’ll be used in an upcoming MSCA zine and featured at the “Drawing Blood” art show at Germantown Community Theatre.

Here’s some news from our MSCA president Kevin L. Williams about the upcoming art show…

Hi, all,
We’re expected to have another fantastic art show with all the spaces now filled at the Germantown Community Theater!
Don’t forget to come see the show Oct 17 – Nov 12 Dracula: The Bloody Truth, the art show Drawing Blood will run alongside the play.
Don’t forget to check out everything happening at Germantown Community Theater!  www.gctcomeplay.org  or  https://www.gctcomeplay.org/season-52/
More details about the art show:
The opening reception is Friday, October 13, 2023, from 5:30 – 8pm (costumes welcome and encouraged).
The show runs October 17 – November 12, 2023, and available for viewing anytime the box office is open and before or after shows.
A closing reception and mini MSCA Fest will be on Saturday, November 18, from Noon – 4pm, again costumes are welcome and encouraged.
Spaces for the closing reception/MSCA Fest is claimed first by those in the art show, but a list has been started for those who wish to have a space – just email me and say you would like a space.
I’m excited!  It is going to be a great event!
Be Safe, Be Happy, Be Well!Your Pals,Kevin L. Williams& Muley the MuleKevin L. Williams ProductionsPO Box 770397Memphis, TN 38177
And before I get out of here I want to wish 901 Comics East a happy 2nd anniversary and invite you all out to thier birthday celebration and in-store signing appearance with special guest Jerry Bingham next Saturday, August 19th.
The store opens at 10am and the festivities will start at 10:30am. There will be a 20% off sale and more specials available, as well as the bar being open! 901 Comics East is loacted at 8551 Macon Rd, Cordova, TN 38018.
Hope to see you all there!
Lin

“Spamalittle and Drawalot” – Our Latest MSCA Art Show and Sat-Art-Day Events

It been a very busy (and wet) couple of weeks here for our merry band of cartoonists, but overall it was a lot of fun.

First up was our “Spamalittle: Knights Of The Drawing Table” art show reception at Germantown Community Theatre on Friday night.

This is the second art show that the MSCA has exhibited in the lobby of GCT, and apparently we’ll be back for another next season.

GCT will be announcing their next season on March 9th, and we’ll be announcing that show shortly after.

This art show featured “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” inspired artwork on display (and for sale) by our members.

Lots of great takes on that epic Monty Python movie! You can see more pics by heading on over to the MSCA Facebook page.

We also got to enjoy a live performance of “Find Your Grail” by Sir Muley and Annie Freres who performs as ‘The Lady Of The Lake“). This video can also be seen on our Facebook page.

I really enjoyed catching up with A.G. Howard. We talked about many of our misdaventures togeher back in our airbrush days, and some of our recent health scares and brushes with death..! Yeah, it’s been a scary few years for many of us, but always great to still be able to get together for events like this.

The cold rain and scary weather around the midsouth kept the attendance down a bit, but definitely not the sales! Several of the show’s pieces were sold that night, and two were sold before we even got set up for the reception. Heck, the show hasn’t even officially opened yet and it’s been one of our most successful ones yet.

Thanks to Kevin Williams and DaMarco Randle for hanging the art show and setting up the refreshments table for the reception. And thanks to everyone who participated in the show, braved the bad weather, and bought art. Big thanks to the staff and volunteers at GCT for having us back out again, and again.

You can check out the show for yourself at the theater during their normal box office business hours and during Spamalot performances.

The Spamalittle art show runs in conjunction with their production of “Spamalot The Musical” March 3-19 at GCT – 3037 Forest Hill Irene Rd.👑

9014537447:Box Office    9014537444:Main  Box Office:office@gctcomeplay.org

The next morning many of us were drawn together for our latest Sat-Art-Day at 901 Comics East out on Macon Road.

It was another full house for our latest sketchy Saturday in the back gallery room at 901 Comics’ Cordova location. We were surrounded by a lot of comic art on the walls – including some original comic book pages from”The Walking Dead“.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had some of our regular attendees, as well as some new faces there. Was great to have Izzy and Timothy join us this time, and I hope they can make it back for future Sat-Art-Days and other MSCA  events.

Many folks brought their own stuff to draw with/on, but we also provided extra art supplies such as markers, pencils, pens, paper, and sketchcards for anyone who needed them.

And they were put to good use.

Like the night before at the art show reception, it was cold and wet outside, but warm, dry, and a lot of fun inside. We only heard the occasional bit of rain hitting the roof while we sketched.

The only rules we have other than have fun and be respectful of your felllow artists is that if you’re not old enough to drive yourself to the comic shop, you need to have a parent or guardian come with you.

They’re welcome to sit and draw as well, play a game in the gaming area, or hang out and watch some TV at the bar.

The shop serves beer on tap and in cans, but you don’t have to just drink beer. 901’s “Bar With No Name” also serves sodas, bottled water, snacks, and personal sized pizzas.

We’ll be back out at 901 for another Sat-Art-Day on March 25th, as well as another Drink-N-Draw event on March 15th, the Wednesday before St. Patrick’s Day.

901 Comics (both locations) also sells many locally created comics including several comics series made by MSCA members.

One of those Memphis made comics is “Stoned Ninja“.

It (and others) are published by 901’s Shannon Merritt and his own Bad Dog Comics Publishing.

And speaking of  Stoned Ninja, the creative team behind it will teach you what they know about making comics all while enjoying a beer at Crosstown Brewery (1264 Concourse Avenue, Crosstown Concourse) on March 23rd from 6-8pm.

Join writer Gabe DeRanzo and the MSCA’s own Greg Cravens (The Buckets, Hubris, Shoney Bear) as they teach the next class in Crosstown’s Creative Juices sereies- which are instuctional classes for the creative 901.

They’ll be throwing out lots of comic knowlege, and knowing Greg- probably a lot of ninja star stickers as well.

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Everyone in the class will get:

  • A written breakdown of The Process, spelling out the steps and the order in which they have to be taken
  • A full size comic book practice page that you classroom creators will pencil your own dialogue, characters, and action into.
  • One beer will be included in ticket price for those of legal drinking age. Must present ID at the bar to get your beer. Minimum age for this class is 13 years old.

TIckets are $30.00ea and can be purchased through eventbrite by cliking here.

Our next upcoming MSCA event is the monthly dinner meet-up at Garibaldi’s Pizza on Walker Ave. near the U of M on Tuesday, March 7th from 6-8pm.✏️🍕

The meeting is casual, free, and open to the public. Do feel free to bring your sketchbook, tablet, or other drawing supplies if you like, as well as any promo items you might want to share with the group. Plus bring a few bucks to order off the menu if you’d like anything to eat or drink. Like the Sat-Art-Days, any age or skill level is welcome to join us, just bring a parent with you if you can’t drive yourself there. We meet on the 1st Tuesday of the month (except for the 4th of July this summer).

And be sure to “Stay Tooned” for the next episode of the Drawing Funny Podcast which will be dropping later this week….which reminds me- I need to record it!

Later,

Lin

A Month Of Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Art Events!

June is going to be a busy month! Here are some of the events happening in and around the mid-south…

This weekend is a double birthday celebration for Memphis comics. On Saturday it’s the 36th anniversary of Comics & Collectibles over off Poplar (between Colonial and Perkins).

That same day, 901 Comics is celebrating it’s 6th anniversary of their midtown location at Cooper/Young.

The following Tuesday, June 7th is our next MSCA dinner meeting at Garibaldi’s Pizza over near the U of M. We’ll be getting together from 7-8:30pm, but feel free to slide by a bit earlier if you’d like- and bring your sketchbook or anything you’ve been working on lately.

That next weekend has a lot happening! Up in Metropolis, IL is the 44th annual Superman Celebration. This year they are celebrating the 50th anniversary of being the official home of Superman. It’s about a 3hr drive from Memphis and is located just across the Ohio River from Paducah, KY.

Back here in Memphis, the Anime Blues Con will be going on downtown at the convention center.

That Sunday, June 12th– 901 Comics East in Cordova will be having an in-store appearance by Red Ranger Jason Faunt.

Towards the end of the month it’s time for the Memphis Crafts & Drafts Festival Summer Market at the Crosstown Concourse.

Oh, and today is a couple of MSCA member birthdays. Happiest of birthdays to Mr. J himself- Chris Jowers.

Also, happy birthday to my wife and MSCA webmaster Nicki Workman! We’re both off today and are looking forward to doing breakfast and then getting out to take some pics.

We just celebrated our 12th engagement anniversary over the weekend. We got engaged at the 2010 Phoenix Comic Con. Love ya, Babe!

Oh, and happy (or unhappy) birthday to Oscar the Grouch who shares a June 1st birthday with Chris and Nicki!

Hope you all are able to get out and enjoy these events. If you know of any others please give me a yell.

Lin

 

Comics & Collectibles
4730 Poplar Avenue #2
Memphis, TN 38117
901-683-7171
memphiscomics.com

901 Comics (East)
8551 Macon Rd,
Cordova, TN 38018
(901) 249-7959
901 Comics (Cooper/Young)
2162 Young Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 421-8819
901-comics.business.site
Crosstown Concourse
1350 Concourse Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 203.-8300

Anime Blues Con
Renasant Convention Center (downtown)
255 N Main St.
Memphis, TN 38103
Metropolis Superman Celebration
Metropolis, IL 62960
618-524-2714
office@metropolischamber.com
Garibaldi’s Pizza
3530 Walker Ave
Memphis, TN 38111
(901) 327-6111

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

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