A Book Signing and What's Been Going On- Patreon Newsletter April 31st (Patreon)

Where's the Early Access?

I apologize for the lack of early access videos- and I wanted to explain what's going on behind the scenes!

Due to working on several larger projects- many of which have taken several weeks of work- I haven't been reviewing as many art supplies.  These longer projects will become videos eventually, but I'm producing fewer videos overall due to the amount of time dedicated to producing individual videos.  I've shared peeks at these projects- one of which I can't share in full until after the Festival in late May, and another is waiting on the bookmarks to come in so I can wrap up the final footage and start editing.  I'm working on comic pages again, and while I'm working on a Chapter 9 Vlog (or maybe series of vlogs), due to the nature of the project, that's a long time coming.

I have two classes this coming up that will generate tutorials- a How to Draw Kawaii Art class and a watercolor bookmark class, and I will spend this upcoming week prepping for those.  I probably won't have much Early Access to share until I get more of these things wrapped up, but I hope yall will look forward to these larger projects I've been working on and these tutorials!  I think the wait is worth it!

On a less upbeat note, I've also lost several days to really bad migraines.  These seem to happen every time I do a show (even a signing) or finish a bigger project.  These lost days usually would be spent working on reviews, as I like to alternate between doing Big Watercolor Thing/Review/Craft Fair or Show/Class.  I'm seeing a neurologist and have since I moved back to Louisiana, and it's just an ongoing process of trying out different things and finding something that works for me. 

Book Signing at Cavalier House Books

On Saturday, we drove to Denham Springs to celebrate Independent Bookstore day at Cavalier House Books, an independent bookstore with a huge collection of Louisiana books.

I think most indie comic artists probably don't have the opportunity to do signings- it can be challenging to get stores even to carry our books, let alone invite us to spend time getting to know potential readers.

I'd spent a good chunk of time preparing for my signing last week- when not busy painting comic pages.  I folded dozens of micro mini-comics to giveaway, selected a particularly Lilliputian outfit, and tried to plan a small and tasteful display that would also be eye-catching.

I have done a whole other official signing at the Louisiana Book Festival.  I almost always offer to sign and dedicate books at shows, so the idea of doing an event specifically a signing is unusual for me.

Sadly for the signing, the weather was pretty awful on Saturday, so not many people came by to say hi.

It wasn't all doom and gloom though.  Driving up to Denham Springs allowed us to talk to one of the owners of Cavalier House about wholesale possibilities for some of my Louisiana merch.

I'd really like to branch out into working with distributors and doing more wholesale sales, as I feel like in a lot of ways, I've hit the ceiling for how much money I can earn.  Youtube, teaching, in-person sales require a lot of time and a personal touch, and learning about art licensing and distribution would allow me to make more money from my art.  I haven't had much luck over the years with online sales, but having more places carry my postcards, prints, and stickers in person might help.

Upcoming Classes:

I'm teaching a class on drawing Kawaii Art with Ascension Parish Public Library this Saturday!  This is a new class for me, although I have plenty of existing classes on drawing faces, facial expressions, drawing cartoony art, and even drawing chibi art that I can pull from.  I'm putting together some new materials and hope to release a video tutorial and the class with templates for Patrons.Then on the following Tuesdsay, I'm teaching a watercolor bookmark class.  I think we're going to do galaxies!  I wanted to create a watercolor class that's fairly easy for kids to paint along with and would be appealing to all kinds of young artists.  I plan on recording a tutorial for this as part of my Stashbuster series. 

Not only am I turning those classes into tutorials, but I'm also working on a Vlog about prepping for two very different types of classes!  

Backer Exclusive and Early Access:

Luling Fete Show Recap: https://www.patreon.com/posts/early-access-82238987

Tips for Selling at Craft Fairs and Events- Food Truck Friday: https://www.patreon.com/posts/early-access-for-82239164

New to the Public:

Tuesday, April 25th: Can't Live Without Them! My Favorite Art Studio Supplies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaUzj_CZpEU&t=408s

Saturday, April 29th: Essential Art Studio Supplies on a Budget- Dollar Tree/ 5Below/Walmart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhOnD6Xh9eU&t=2386s