Hello and welcome to my website! I hope you enjoy reading my second blog post!
Last weekend, I exhibited and traded at Wyntercon IX. For those of you not familiar, Wyntercon is a registered charity based in Eastbourne, UK, which hosts a two-day comic convention each year. This family friendly event has something for everyone. From creative and educational workshops, guest meet and greets, photo opportunities, cosplay competitions and so much more, Wyntercon welcomes people of all ages, and celebrates all things fantasy and sci-fi.
The organisers and trustees are passionate about providing a platform for people to discover their skills and passions. I can certainly say hand on heart that they have provided this platform to me since 2017.
Wyntercon IV was my first ever time at a comic convention, and it was also my first opportunity exhibiting and trading as an artist. The event was hosted in a large, big top tent in Princes Park, and I showcased many framed ink and watercolour drawings, along with a few printed postcards. I was a little nervous at the time, but everyone made me feel so welcome, and as soon as it opened to the public, I made my first sale!
I enjoyed the experience very much, so I was quick to book my place for the following year. Learning from other fellow traders and artists, I upgraded my table set up for Wynteron V, using Songmic cube panels to assemble a vertical display to exhibit A4 sized prints, along with more watercolour postcards. I also had a portfolio that people could leaf through. Again, I received a positive response, and many lovely comments spurred me on to keep creating.
In 2019, East Sussex College sponsored Wyntercon VI, which was held at their Sports Park. As much as the big top tent was a great venue, the weather conditions did make exhibiting artwork a little bit challenging at times! I had a lot of fun, and it was great opportunity to say hello to regular attendees, as well as introduce myself to traders who were new to exhibiting at Wyntercon.
As many know, in the Summer of 2020, the Wyntercon organisers announced that Wyntercon VII had been cancelled. For the obvious reasons of course. Everyone, including me, quietly accepted that it was the right course of action, and we all looked to better times for when this amazing event could take place again.
I hadn’t been to the Winter Gardens for several years, so it was wonderful news that Wyntercon VIII was to be held where this event originally started back in 2014. This convention was now to be held in the newly refurbished Winter Garden, and the new exhibition halls located in the adjoining Welcome Building. It felt great to be back, but like many others, I still felt the consequences of the pandemic, and took personal precautions to protect myself and others. Despite this, I was happy to be back, and greet those I hadn’t seen in over two years.
Fast forward to last weekend, and I feel like I levelled up like a Pokemon! I showcased my Japanese calligraphy hanging scrolls, offered a variety of new products, including my first colouring art book, and also directed people to my new-ish website (that was only published a few months back). Each Wyntercon event for any trader is a learning curve, so it’s nice to take stock and look at any progress made.
As always, I am thankful to all those who support me as an artist. Thank you to all the organiser, volunteers and visitors who make this event so special and friendly, so I will end of Wyntercon’s memorable motto that sums up who they are…
" It doesn't matter what world you come from, you're welcome in ours. "
