So Cal Comic Con

[Elveen]

So I had a great time hanging out with Ramses and Aram for a bit this weekend at the So Cal Comic Con. It was a pretty good little show, and talk to those dudes was for sure a highlight for me.

2 big questions.....
#1) how many bags of comics DID Ramses actually buy? WOW
#2) How did Aram get his sweet matted Clayton Crane print on the airplane with him?

[Aram]

So I had a great time hanging out with Ramses and Aram for a bit this weekend at the So Cal Comic Con. It was a pretty good little show, and talk to those dudes was for sure a highlight for me.

2 big questions.....
#1) how many bags of comics DID Ramses actually buy? WOW
#2) How did Aram get his sweet matted Clayton Crane print on the airplane with him?

#1) (I'm not sure but..) I thought he said he had 4 or so already before he handed you a 5th to hold.. so 5+?

#2) I was hanging out with Clayton and Jesse the CGC guy while Clayton was working on a piece for him at the end and I ended up giving it to Jesse since I knew he'd appreciate it and I really didn't want to try to figure out the plane since I had a feeling it would not end well. Though I liked it.. It was really nothing since thanks to you I was able to submit a Commission for that Harby Blank cover.

I was pretty much expecting to be disappointed with this big trip for a little show, but it ended up being totally worth it. I spent at least 4-5 hours hanging out with Clayton at his booth, chatting and watching him work. That was totally priceless.

Not to mention actually being able to submit a commission at the end. It really is insane how he paints every commission. He does not sketch because he wants people to feel like they are getting something substantial and "real" for their money. The dedication to quality and the patience of this man is really astonishing. He essentially never stops working. I watched him sign probably 100+ times and I'd say over 80 of those he still had his paints and brush in the other hand, would pause for a moment, sign and then pick up right where he was at.

The entire time, though he kept focused on his work, he never once ignored a single person. Though he would keep working while people stood there, He gave everyone attention when they spoke, was completely friendly and talked while working, while never missing a beat. I have to say he was the most approachable and friendly artist I have ever met, especially considering his workload. I really think this is quite possibly the hardest working guy in the industry and he seems to take his time on everything and take it personal. Even down to signing the left over prints for the con raffle (which by the way they seemingly made and sold on their own without any compensation to him, not cool in my opinion), he was a trooper though and kindheartedly signed the entire stack of probably 40-50+ with the same care that he took on every other signature that day.

[lorddunlow]

It really is insane how he paints every commission. He does not sketch because he wants people to feel like they are getting something substantial and "real" for their money. The dedication to quality and the patience of this man is really astonishing. He essentially never stops working. I watched him sign probably 100+ times and I'd say over 80 of those he still had his paints and brush in the other hand, would pause for a moment, sign and then pick up right where he was at.

I agree. The short time I talked to him to ask for my commission and when I picked it up, he constantly had his palette and brushes in his hands, and he was working on a commission every time I looked over at his booth. When I was waiting in line to ask for the commission, he signed a comic for a guy, and he literally went from talking while doing brush strokes on a Carnage painting, and fluidly took a pen and signed it, followed up by a few more brush strokes on the commission. It was strange.

[Ramses818]

Sorry I didnt answer sooner but it is vacation time for me..lol. All in all I finished my little trip with 8 bags and 9 prints! The total amount of the comics? Around 600. What can I say I love my hobby!

On the subject of Mr. Crain...I can not praise him enough! Just what everyone else said. He signed so often. He even signed 10 books for me to give away in my free views in the coming weeks. I too enjoyed chewing his ear quite a bit. He asked my opinion on Rai and the future verse in Valiant. He was very thoughtful and even brought up some very cool things like Quantum stacking. Look it up on you tube. Very neat. He really wanted to know what we liked about Valiant and asked about some history of Rai which took so much prodding for me to talk about..lol.

As always cool to hang out with Elveen and Aram. I was very glad I made the trip I had never been at a small show (except for Vegas) before this. While I had fun digging through the stuff it was mostly the people the people that made this trip.