Artists Alley Information Thread

Selling at Cons is best during the...

Spring	11.6%	[ 83 ]
Summer	30.3%	[ 217 ]
Fall	7.0%	[ 50 ]
Winter	5.3%	[ 38 ]
Any time!	45.7%	[ 327 ]
Total Votes:			[ 715 ]

[Seijaku_Ishida]

That sounds like a very weird rule. O.o

[Boy-R0R0]

panels

[Sakura Alchemist]

i thought it was Kodack that you weren't allowed to use? did they change it to anything with words on the back? ?A?

[[Kako]]

InstantOatmeal - of course.

I've run into a few conventions that won't allow any prints with a company name or logo on the back. I really don't understand it, myself...

[InstantOatmeal]

"Kako"

InstantOatmeal - of course.

Sweet, because my friend and I are half-jumping into the whole AA thing with very little to compare to and *no* feedback.

Mine isn't a particular piece, but rather a question of "is my style and composition anything that anyone would be interested in?" All except one of these pics I plan on trying to make prints of soon: http://instantoatmeal.sheezyart.com/art/browse/

Also, your username is VERY difficult to figure out how to "quote" on Gaia, Kako. XD

[Fiammetta Rey]

I'm living with false hope

And my eyes just want to see a ray of light

I'm gonna find it in my fairy tale...

I don't think I'm ready for AA...

I've been told that if your art skills aren't amazing, funny art can make up for it, and a good personality/confidence can make up for anything even if you suck as badly as I do... well...

Skill, Humor, and Personality/confidence are all in the negatives for me. This isn't the right place to go into it... only years of therapy can fix me. Then after that, I'd finally be willing to study art/writing/whatever as soon as I figure out what I want to do (instead of going along with what everyone else seems to like thinking if they like it and I don't there's something wrong with me).

So not only should I cancel my AA table... I think I should probably jump out of a window, too...

[Seijaku_Ishida]

D: Don't talk like that, Starre....

You'll do fine at the AA.

[Nyawyn]

note: this may be just my personal take on it and others may completely disagree and thats totally ok. Also note ive gotten really similiar speeches directed AT me myself.

I don't think anyone is ever truly "ready" for their first AA. the experience as a whole can be fairly overwhelming when taking into all the planning and arrangements, producing artwork, pricing, getting equipment together, etc it just bowls you over, and even with all the great planning, you still can easily feel caught off guard.

Here's the thing, you should do the artist alley regardless, if only to chalk it up to a learning experience. Hearing what to expect and actually experiencing it are two totally different things. If you walk away with anything from it, walk away with an idea of what to expect next time, a list of what works and what doesn't, and try to make a few contacts with both artists and attendees.

draw or write, or produce whatever it is YOU want to produce, the enjoyment will show through. Dont go into it expecting to make some huge profit. Go into it to just have fun. Go into it to make some new friends, Go into it, expecting to know 100 % more about the artist alley experience than you did before. Note your mistakes, reevaluate, and learn from them.

In short, go ahead with your alley plans, because it'll be good for you.

[InstantOatmeal]

Starre: If you don't do it now, when are you ever going to bring yourself to do it? Live life while you're still young and eager to try new things! ...not that old people can't try new things, but they tend to do it with less vigor and more crotchetiness.

[Konbanwa_megami]

If you ever get a chance to attend a smaller con it's way easier to start out in the artist alley. There won't be as much competition and not as overwhelming.

I'm sad that you think that way about yourself, I tend to be really shy and recently I've tried to push myself out of that and I feel a lot more confident about myself. Just focus on the good things about you and not the bad.

Maybe having another artist with you to share a table would help a lot. It would cut back on your losses should you happen to not do so well and you'd have someone there so you can get food.

[Seijaku_Ishida]

I'm really shy too. XD A lot of artists I know are not the most social of creatures, but some things are worth pushing past insecurities.

[Adhara]

I think the hardest part for a lot of people is the interaction with the customer. I try to remember to say hello and smile to everyone that stops by. But if you feel awkward just sitting there hoping for someone to stop by, work on a new piece. It gives your hands something to do and your mind something to concentrate on. ^^

I did Otakon as my first AA back in 2005. I went with some friends, and they certainly made me feel less awkward about things. If you're going by yourself, talk to your table neighbors. They aren't going to bite, and they may even be as nervous as you!

Just go for it as a learning experience. Everyone starts out small, and is at the mercy of the customers' whims. So if you go with the aim of hanging out in the AA, everything else will be a bonus and you'll end up having a much better time.