BCAF -- MLK Day, 2018

Entry into BCAF 2018 

Well, hello again! Yes, yes, I know that it has been about forever. Or nearly 3 years, which is almost the same, depending on your life span. While I knew when I started that I would probably not be a regular blogger, I also never intended to let so much time lapse in between posts, but, well, life. I've updated some details on the main sidebar, and updated reading lists and sites to visit will come soon. If you are interested in more up-to-date details you can always follow me on Instagram (@ninaevezeininger). Now on to the post:

A few arty things have happened since 2018 rolled in and I thought to restart this ol' blog, the Black Comix Arts Festival (BCAF) would be a good way to go. This year was the festival's fourth year but I am ashamed to admit I didn't know it was a thing until I was tipped off by Red Letter Day Zine. Boy, am I glad I was! The event, sponsored by the NORCALMLK and the San Francisco Public Library was full of incredibly talented and nice folks, great artwork and yes, comics. 

As much as I would have liked to, I wasn't able to talk to or purchase work from everybody. Here are a few of my highlights:

   business card of Paul Lewin

postcards from ZeeCee Art and Swag Patrol Comic

The first table I stopped at was that of Lawrence Lindell. If anything was wrong with your day, you would feel a hundred times better leaving his booth with the above note that he was kindly giving away for free. To everyone. Love always wins.

Next, I found myself drawn to the artwork of Marcus D. Newsome. The way he incorporates graffiti and other street art into the backdrops of his comic Lightening Strike is phenomenal. He also makes sure his story is relate-able, whatever walk of life the viewer is from. The digital version of this comic was also incredibly well done. Newsome himself was very kind, signing my comic in gold and even doing a quick sketch inside!

I had a great time chatting with Matt Silady, chair of the California College of the Arts MFA in Comic Arts program. He can make anyone feel like they're the next great comic artist. The MFA students in the program are very talented and I'm happy to have gotten a copy of the 2015 anthology. I chose it over the 2016 anthology mainly because of the work of Bex Freund, seen in the second photo above. The MFA program also has a comic to promote it, which is, to state the obvious, spot on and charmingly creative (and a great read while consume a lunch of veggie burger and chips). 

My last stop before heading home to the aforementioned veggie burger was Smurphy Graphics Cartoons & Illustrations. The human in charge of Smurphy Graphics, Murphy Milburn, has a collection of comics done in the single-sheet-book format and they are wonderful. This book structure is the one I begin my Introduction to Bookbinding workshops with because I think it's versatile and also a great warm-up/starter structure for those just beginning their bookbinding adventures. Sometimes there will be students disappointed that there 'isn't more to it'...I think Mr. Milburn's work begs to differ. Each of these mini comics is a self-contained world, a story with a beginning, middle, and end. They show how off how much can be done with a simple format and some creative energy.

Here's to seeing these artists and more of their great work at future comic & zine fests!

Views from SF ZineFest 2012

I had the honor of spending this weekend vending at the SF ZineFest. It was great, as usual, my fellow vendors were friendly and the visitors were wonderful. 

This year I had a full table, with a lot more items to sell, and I also lead a workshop so, I was pretty busy and hardly had a chance to leave my table. Here are some shots of the views I had from behind my table.

Of course, what I saw most was my own table and wares. I used some old books to display items this time around.

Vending to my left was Annie Yu of Curbside Treasure. I love Annie, and she makes great stationary sets and zines. Her bubbly personality makes her a great co-vendor throughout the long days.

Just across the aisle was Monstark. Their monster images are a bit disturbing while also being well executed and fun. Their wolf head was also a great conversation starter.

Of course, how could I could home without getting some zines for myself? I got a pretty large stack, stay tuned this month as I read through them all and review them.

Making Summary

I had to make a last minute trip back to Connecticut earlier this month and so I haven't been able to blog for a while. Before I left, I took 2 classes on bookmaking. Here's a brief summary of what I did.

First, I took a short course from Jennie Hinchcliff of Red Letter Day Zine on basic bookmaking, so I could brush up on my zine making skills. 

There was shredded money, Michigan map and bingo card paper, so we broke out the stamps and made some single sheet books.

Next, I took an altered board books class with Courtney Cerruti. We started out with regular old children's board books and, with the handy help of gesso, acrylic paint, rubber stamps, washi tape, words and glue, turned them into books of our own creation.

SF Zine Fest: Day 2

Annnie Yu of Curbsidetreasure and her zine, Paper Suitcase

I know this post is a couple days late but yesterday was my husband's birthday so I took some time off for those festivities before posting about the second awesome day of SF Zine Fest.

It was another successful day for me but I was also able to sneak away, check out and buy some of the goodies at other vendors' tables. Tonight I'm posting about all the awesome things I picked up.

This bike illustration was the first item I bought. It's by Brooke Appler and it had been calling to me since the day before. It's just so quaint and, well, I do love my bike.

At the end of the day I traded one of my bookmarks for this lovely one by Jennie Yim. She also makes great prints.

I shared a table with the ever energetic Yumico and I traded for this zine at the end of the day.

My table neighbor was Stephanie of NerdJerk. After spending 2 days in such close proximity, I really couldn't help loving her and her stuff. Besides this wicked awesome calculator phone case I also bought a Polaroid barrette and a crocheted Nintendo character for my little brother.

After staring them down from across the aisle, I finally caved and bought these bookmarks, zine and comic from the collective Crazy Apple Studios. So fun!

Just one table down from mine was Laurie Coughlin of Motomouth Press. I know Laurie from the San Francisco Center for the Book and I'm always charmed by her personality and her work. Instead of cards, this time I got this cute little donut book, D is for Donut.

Making Friends by Odd Fauna

Parade by Odd Fauna

Odd Fauna had many amazing things including beasts sculptures and shadow boxes. I had to contain myself and I left with just these two little accordion style books. They are adorably morbid and I love it!

I have a T-shirt obsession and I was hoping I might find a great one at SF Zine Fest. I was not let down when I stopped by the Monkey and Seal table and saw this great shirt combining two of my favorite things, unicorns and narwhals.

The Wind to My Sails by Jennifer Parks

Spread from They Met in a Dream

Unicorn puking a rainbow wallet

I was wishing I lived in Portland when I stopped by the Pony Club Gallery table. The illustrations for everything were fun and inspiring and the unicorn wallet was so amazing that my husband took it from me!

All in all, I had a great time at the SF Zine Fest and I can't wait to be back next year!