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