CONvention season

Yay, it's conventions season...and I'm FINALLY done my exams. XD

SO I wanted to make this post about meeting artists are cons. People tell me this after conventions every year, "I was so nervous when I meet so-and-so he was my fav artist. I was so shy...blah...blah...blah..." or "I'm glad I was finally able to meet you in person. Wish we talking more...want to get to know you...etc...but I was so nervous..."

I was like that too, when I went to my first convention not as an artist but as an attendee I was also really nervous when approaching my fav artists at the artist alley/comic market. In fact, I was so nervous that it took me about 30mins to finally get the courage to go and talk to her..lol and all I did say was ask for her signature...ROFL...I fail...I totally fail...

But you have to understand, artists are people just like you and me...and they get nervous too. I usually can't chill and sleep on the car ride there... (lol this is coming from someone who sleeps ANYWHERE and everywhere) I get nervous thinking about my table setup, meeting people, interacting and selling, taking commissions and all that. I think it's normal to get nervous. The trill of meeting an artist that you've stalked on DA for a year and the excitement of the whole convention can get out of hand really quickly though. If you want to make an impression, have the said person remember you, really remember you, then you need to do your stalking well. XD ROFL

Here is what I do (nowadays) to approach my fav artists...lol but writing out a formula would make me seem like a con-artist/swindler so I'll just list some points.

1.comment on their work - it doesn't have to be compliments, well thought out critiques are just as good, if not better. This gives the artists an impression that you know what you are talking about. Don't dig your own grave and say something like, "I don't like how it's red." Something so thoughtless well only piss off the artist. Also with critiques you have to be careful, since I personally know some artists who don't like being critiqued by people who 'aren't as good as they are'. I can understand if they ARE REALLY GOOD, but other wise they are just bitches at heart.

2.get them talking - ask questions, doesn't have to be about art just random things like..."did you like avatar the movie?" ROFL...ook maybe not that out-of-nowhere, but you get the point. Also do you research/stalking to find out what they are interested in and what is a big BOOBOO. For example, bleach and kat-tun can get me talking for days, while a simple comment of "I think super junior is cool." and my brain will shut down. lol Furthermore, I know some artists who hate being compared, while others love being compared. Likewise, there are artists who love to talk and others who are probably more shy then you and I. Oh...one more thing...don't force it, be yourself...as cheap as that might sound.

3.show respect - maybe help out if there is a chance, don't mess up displays and don't force yourself on them. XD lol jkjk

4.if you get invited out for dinner after the con...then you DID IT!!! BOOYA!!! on to the next hot artist... lol

GOOD LUCK everyone with your stalking!! (and wish me luck with mine too. C: )

***I wrote this post in response to questions/requests I received on DA. However, since I quit, it thought it would be the next best place to post a response. ^_______^