So let's start putting down some ideas at the Otakon board to let staff know how we can possibly deal with what happened and how to prevent this from occurring at future Otakons as well as other conventions.

We definitely want to prevent them setting a precedent that others can follow suit and try the same thing. Let's not get too stressed out and think reasonably .




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I normally start these off with thank-yous, name drops, and tales of fun. But I'm going to open up with a little vitriol this year.


What can you really say about people who are only driven by money? People who only measure success by numbers and braggadocio and snub more abstract senses such as quality over quantity, morals, or just plain respect cannot be reached, I feel.

For the 10 years I've been doing this artist alley job, all of us have had our differences, arguments, make-ups, and lessons learned. We've discussed our plans, strategies, and shared our knowledge with others as time has progressed. This Otakon, we saw it all slapped in our face.

I'll be blunt. You know who you are. You probably still come by my page. The two of you are an utter disgrace to our alley. We take our work serious while we try to have a little fun in the social aspect of it all, but it's ruined when the likes of you take advantage of all the unwritten rules of fucking RESPECT we've had all this time. Hell, there are many an artist I've shared alleys with whom I do not like or really care for in any way, but they've always respected boundaries and business. They're still professional. At least more so than scum such as yourselves.

This flooding of our alleys with bland, emotionless, mass produced shit art will go one of two ways. Our alleys will turn into dull pathways filled with the vomit of your burn/dodged art, or people will realise that the less variety they have will have to either turn to the likes of the rest of us for something new OR just leave the alley altogether. And I'm sure the latter doesn't weigh at all on your shoulders since, hey, you made a killing right? I could go on and on about how you may or the rest of us even may say it's all what the people are buying and not what you're selling. And yes, that does play a heavy hand in it. But at the same time you're cheapening this tradition for the rest of us who care about the time and dedication we pay into the quality of our work.

I haven't much left to say other than enjoy it while it lasts. Have fun moving up in the world of white-collar crime. Enjoy corrupting your family members and friends in the process. You don't really have any friends left in the alleys , as if you care. Last, but not least, you're backstabbing , treacherous, assholes who at the very least deserve to have every dollar shaken from you that you've swindled out of previous cons. If you make it through your day with no respect from peers, by all means do so.


So now that ugliness is out, let's get to the good people:


(and apologies to anyone I am forgetting) Are all awesome people I love to spend time with on the road at one point or another and all seem to collide at Otakon. And thus it's my favourite con of the year, hands down. Only drawback is the horrid homesickness I feel on the side and at the time I have to leave. I wish it was at least a week long so I could spend more time socialising with friends post-con and just see the sites of the place I miss so much.

Thanks to all who came by to talk, recognised the work, and especially those who all bought a print. Special thanks to the art show buyer for the Yoko print, and a special thanks to the gentleman who spotted the I-no print as his background and felt he should support the artist having had the picture so long. That's respect for an artist that stays with you long after the money's spent

Jason, if you read this, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers and I'm very sorry I couldn't see you at this tragic time.

Till AWA in September, take care




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