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MIDWEST FURFEST BEST IN SHOW!!
11 years ago
General
GUYS! I WON BEST IN SHOW AT MFF THIS YEAR!!!
This year, with a TON of encouragement from my coworkers, I decided to gather up my courage and attempt to try a few things I've never thought I would be able to do. I decided this year I would make MFF my first convention where not only would I attempt to make it in the Artist Alley, but I would also participate in the Art Show. A few of my coworkers are professional comic artists, and they've been trying to encourage me to set up shop at a few of the cons. I just thought MFF would be a good place for me to start because 1) it's free, 2) it's small, and 3) it's a fandom I feel very comfortable and welcome in. I've always been afraid to enter because I've never really thought I was good enough, either in skill, motivation, or popularity. My anxiety tends to get the better of me, and just when I build myself up with encouragement, something triggers my anxiety and it all crumbles back down again. This time I put on my blinders and tuned out the negativity and ran bull-headed right into the fire.
The first day of the con I entered into the Artist Alley lottery. When 1pm nearly rolled around, I was feeling pretty bummed because they hadn't called me to tell me if I'd gotten in (they said they would). I decided to go down instead and just check for myself, just in case...and it was a good thing I did! They saw me and immediately gave me my number and told me I was picked, and to quickly grab my stuff. In my excitement, I nearly ran all the way back to my friend,
haberdasher 's room to get my things before grabbing my table! I was absolutely giddy from my luck!
Unfortunately, in the entire 6 hours I was there, only one person commissioned from me (thank you
foxieroxie ! I was admittedly terribly anxious the entire time, but I muscled through it and kept telling myself not to compare myself to my neighbors, who were obviously very popular and had fantastic work. Granted, a number of things were working against me (it was only Friday and people were mostly scoping out the artists and budgeting their money, I was stuck in the G-rated room which is apparently not very popular, my neighbors bailed early and left me sitting in a weirdly empty area which apparently scares people, aaaaaand I have Bitchy Resting Face which also seems to scare people), and I had no reason to feel so self-conscious, but hey...it happens to the best of us. I left the Artist Alley thankful for my one commission and the experience, and was quite pleased.
I made a 1:1 print of this painting: http://chatnoir9.tumblr.com/post/97.....ting-i-did-for and submitted it to the art show this year just to sort of test the waters since I've never tried for the art show at MFF before. I honestly would have been happy if it had just sold in auction, but my expectations were pretty low. There were so many great pieces in the art show, I didn't really think mine would stand out at all. I was elated when I saw it had a bid on it! Then on Sunday when I went to sign it off, the woman in charge said, "Oh! Yours was the one that won, right?" I looked at her, confused, and said I didn't know...I didn't think so, or at least no one had mentioned it. She led me to the room to go look and sure enough! There was a plaque in place of where my art piece should have been! Best In Show is voted on by all the con attendees!
Omg you guys! I am SO SO SO thankful and so happy! You guys made me whole YEAR! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I am humbled!
The boost of confidence I gained from this achievement is enough to make me want to move forward with plans for next year. I already had a painting in the works for the art show next year, and what I learned from my one day in the Alley this year will be put to use next year. I plan on entering the lottery for all three days next year, with a much better plan on what to offer. I can't wait to see you all there!
Extra special thanks to haberdasher for being a generous host and letting me use his suite to stash my junk in and change (as well as feeding me donuts and pizza :P I owe you, dude!), 
albino-kitsune for her con knowledge and encouragement, and 
nyil for stopping by my table to harass me. ;P
This year, with a TON of encouragement from my coworkers, I decided to gather up my courage and attempt to try a few things I've never thought I would be able to do. I decided this year I would make MFF my first convention where not only would I attempt to make it in the Artist Alley, but I would also participate in the Art Show. A few of my coworkers are professional comic artists, and they've been trying to encourage me to set up shop at a few of the cons. I just thought MFF would be a good place for me to start because 1) it's free, 2) it's small, and 3) it's a fandom I feel very comfortable and welcome in. I've always been afraid to enter because I've never really thought I was good enough, either in skill, motivation, or popularity. My anxiety tends to get the better of me, and just when I build myself up with encouragement, something triggers my anxiety and it all crumbles back down again. This time I put on my blinders and tuned out the negativity and ran bull-headed right into the fire.
The first day of the con I entered into the Artist Alley lottery. When 1pm nearly rolled around, I was feeling pretty bummed because they hadn't called me to tell me if I'd gotten in (they said they would). I decided to go down instead and just check for myself, just in case...and it was a good thing I did! They saw me and immediately gave me my number and told me I was picked, and to quickly grab my stuff. In my excitement, I nearly ran all the way back to my friend,
haberdasher 's room to get my things before grabbing my table! I was absolutely giddy from my luck!Unfortunately, in the entire 6 hours I was there, only one person commissioned from me (thank you
foxieroxie ! I was admittedly terribly anxious the entire time, but I muscled through it and kept telling myself not to compare myself to my neighbors, who were obviously very popular and had fantastic work. Granted, a number of things were working against me (it was only Friday and people were mostly scoping out the artists and budgeting their money, I was stuck in the G-rated room which is apparently not very popular, my neighbors bailed early and left me sitting in a weirdly empty area which apparently scares people, aaaaaand I have Bitchy Resting Face which also seems to scare people), and I had no reason to feel so self-conscious, but hey...it happens to the best of us. I left the Artist Alley thankful for my one commission and the experience, and was quite pleased.I made a 1:1 print of this painting: http://chatnoir9.tumblr.com/post/97.....ting-i-did-for and submitted it to the art show this year just to sort of test the waters since I've never tried for the art show at MFF before. I honestly would have been happy if it had just sold in auction, but my expectations were pretty low. There were so many great pieces in the art show, I didn't really think mine would stand out at all. I was elated when I saw it had a bid on it! Then on Sunday when I went to sign it off, the woman in charge said, "Oh! Yours was the one that won, right?" I looked at her, confused, and said I didn't know...I didn't think so, or at least no one had mentioned it. She led me to the room to go look and sure enough! There was a plaque in place of where my art piece should have been! Best In Show is voted on by all the con attendees!
Omg you guys! I am SO SO SO thankful and so happy! You guys made me whole YEAR! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I am humbled!
The boost of confidence I gained from this achievement is enough to make me want to move forward with plans for next year. I already had a painting in the works for the art show next year, and what I learned from my one day in the Alley this year will be put to use next year. I plan on entering the lottery for all three days next year, with a much better plan on what to offer. I can't wait to see you all there!
Extra special thanks to
haberdasher for being a generous host and letting me use his suite to stash my junk in and change (as well as feeding me donuts and pizza :P I owe you, dude!), 
albino-kitsune for her con knowledge and encouragement, and 
nyil for stopping by my table to harass me. ;P