Hi folks!
Oh wow, May has certainly been a crazy time. I thought April was quite insane, but most of early May I spent sick in my bed. No formal diagnosis, but something had infected my body, something non-contagious according to all the urgency care tests I took. My lymph nodes, which seem to really take some punches for me, were swollen on my neck and I was basically in a land of chills, body weakness, intense headaches, fever, and suppressed appetite for multiple days. Not COVID! Not any regular respiratory illness! So strange!
There was enough time between WWU Queercon and TCAF that I basically recovered the DAY of my flight to Toronto. I got extremely lucky, and didn’t have to rely on my cane. However, I did also learn I suffer from low blood sugar levels in the morning and HAVE to eat something or I will throw up… thanks red-eyed flights.
As most people know, I went to TCAF mainly to see if I could gamble my way to see Shirahama Kamome. During 2018, I went through a ton of hardships, which I made a zine about at the end of that year. It didn’t cover my suicidal ideation from my full-time contract job (animation for Netflix) and how I actually QUIT the job because of it. And how I left without any job waiting on my lap, no financial security or unemployment, and fell into a deep depression about my artwork and self-worth.
But it’s fun to see that when I went to Japan for the first time with my roommates, I was introduced to Kamome’s work. Witch Hat Atelier just released its second volume, and it was uncertain if it was coming to America. I was desperate for more; I wept, looking at how amazing the art was and how incredibly thoughtful the storytelling was (thank you, scanlators). I kept talking about it on social media for what seemed like screaming.
I returned to Japan later that year, and she held a gallery at the GoFa (Gallery of Fantastic Art) in Shibuya. I was so lucky my trip lined up with it because it was after I had left my animation job and really needed a pick-me-up. It changed my brain chemistry FOREVER. For those wanting a glimpse at the gallery and interested in my particular eye for what I’m looking for while scouring originals… here’s the link:
To say I’m “just a fan” feels like a lie. Kamome’s work gave me a lot of hope in being a full-time cartoonist and that things that I enjoy can be loved by many others as well. When it was announced that it was being translated into English, I’m sure someone remembers that I would religiously ask everyone to preorder their copy and announce when the next volume would be released. It was my “chainsaw man” posting before chainsaw man.
Pre-orders really do matter! It really shows the publisher the interests of their fans and how many of their books they need to be producing! I’ve seen the numbers, and I’ve heard the numbers of copies of books being cut to prioritize other books!!! It’s real! So, thank you to those who picked up a copy and continue to make the book thrive. LOL I’m so happy that it’s successful and continues to be garnering more fans. Just wait until the anime comes out, then there will be EVEN MORE!
There was so so much that happened at TCAF that recapping would be insane. Summary, people were crazy and rude on Saturday, but I got lucky and my pal Zach Clemente, publisher of Bulgilhan Press, offered me his tickets to see her talk on Sunday. On top of that, I won a ticket to get something signed by her and say something to her. It was… really! everything I could have asked for from the trip. I’m grateful for everyone in my life that allowed for this to happen.
So here’s a link to my notes I took at the Sunday talk, and a copy of the notes someone else took at the Saturday panel.
Sunday:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X_fPv6BTc_pqDNwn2CUtr3SduoaEO6GbhFH6Ump6_QY/
Saturday:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gythZxcM-at1KOhJlP6vBpku3zPCcg_6t-mXlX1xQBQ/edit
Being a person with social anxiety, I’m glad I got to meet some people and had some folks invite me to hang out with them. I’m so so grateful.
Thank you to Nur, Kyla, Aria, Juby, Blue, Kay, Zach, Ari for being there and keeping me company. It truly made my week.
JAPAN
It’s!!! happening! June 9th, I take off. I’ll be on Instagram and Tiktok, and I will be updating there with photos and other junk! On top of that, I’m closing on my house soon! Everything is crazy! I’m stressed! I’m so grateful for this opportunity, but now I gotta pack! BOTH MY LUGGAGE AND HOUSE. AHHHHHH.
I have updated the downloads with a new artwork PSD to pick through! Feel free to take a look!
OH ALSO ALSO I will be making a NEW 5.5x8.5 Template soon! I have one that works well with MIXAM, and need to put together a little zip file. More to come.