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 who are 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 Wyntercon V, using black panels to assemble a vertical display, and investing in a banner. I also had an art portfolio that people could leaf through. Again, the many lovely comments I received that weekend 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 rainy weather conditions did make exhibiting artwork a little bit challenging at times! I had a lot of fun at the Sports Park, and it was great opportunity to say hello again to regular attendees, as well as introducing myself to traders who were new to exhibiting at Wyntercon.
In the Summer of 2020, the Wyntercon organisers announced that Wyntercon VII had been cancelled. Everyone, including myself, quietly accepted that it was the right course of action, and we all looked forward to better times when this amazing event could take place again.
I hadn’t been to the Winter Garden ( a Grade II listed building and entertainment venue) for several years, so it was wonderful news that Wyntercon VIII was to be held where this event originally started back in 2014. With many other creatives, I exhibited in the newly refurbished Floral Hall, and it felt great to be back! Like many others, I still felt the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, and took personal precautions to protect myself and others, but ultimately, it was fantastic to see the Wyntercon community again after two years apart.
Fast forward to last weekend, and I feel like I levelled up! I showcased my Japanese calligraphy hanging scrolls, offered a variety of new products, including my first colouring art book, and also directed people to this website (that was published a few months back). Each Wyntercon event is a learning curve, so it’s nice to look back on photos of how far I've come.
As always, I am thankful to all those who support me as an artist. Many thanks to all the organisers, volunteers and visitors who make this event so special and friendly, so I'll end this blog post on Wyntercon's marvellous and memorable motto…
" It doesn't matter what world you come from, you're welcome in ours. "
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