#nekocon24

[magicalearthquakedeer]

📷: @unlimitedlightworks 🍃🐉 🍃 Archon Venti cosplay by unknown cosplayer. #nekocon #nekocon24 #nekocon2022 #archonventi #archoncosplay #genshinimpactcosplay #genshinimpactcosplayer #genshinimpact #photoeveryday #videogamecosplay #ventiedit #venti #venticosplay #ventifanart #cosplayphotography #cosplayphoto #cosplayphotos #wings (at Nekocon) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClmP-BWPcHt/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#nekocon #nekocon24 #nekocon2022 #archonventi #archoncosplay #genshinimpactcosplay #genshinimpactcosplayer #genshinimpact #photoeveryday #videogamecosplay #ventiedit #venti #venticosplay #ventifanart #cosplayphotography #cosplayphoto #cosplayphotos #wings

[paintingdragonfeathers]

Whew! Survived Nekocon 2022! But no rest for the wicked—I immediately went home to finish packing things for the movers this weekend. Then I can get back to creating AAAARRRRTT.

Thank you everyone who stopped by the Painting Dragon Feathers booth in the artist alley and either taking home some art or signing up for commissions, and thank you everyone who came to the “Dragons, Cryptids, and Dinos, OH MY!” Panel. While it was only my second time ever vending at Nekocon, and my first ever pro-row booth, it was one of my most successful conventions to date! And thank you cosplayers for showing off your craft!

Special shoutout to my stellar friends and booth beard for all their help manning the booth and keeping us all sane over the weekend.

I also had a chance to meet some new faces and make some new friends. And I had a humbling interaction with a particular congoer—a young man approached my booth and said he came to the con specifically to see ME and my work after seeing it on social media.

This is already heartening as it’s proof my social media posts don’t end up yeeted into the void, lol.

Anyway, this young artist came seeking advice on how to pursue a career in the arts as he heads off to college. Now, I’ve looked out for and helped newbies and first-timers in artist alleys over the years, but this is the first time someone made a pilgrimage to talk to me. I can remember when I was in his shoes, and now with close to a decade of experience between college and cons, I had a split-section realization of “Oh crap…I’m an ADULT ARTIST and can offer this kind of advice.”

So, I didn’t sugar coat it—I was frank that I was very fortunate to have a foundation of supportive friends and family to pursue the arts in school, and as a career I’m at the point where it’s still feast or famine, but I encouraged him that perseverance is key. A lot of times something worth doing is a long gambit and requires patience since stuff rarely happens overnight. A typical rule of thumb I go by is for small businesses of most ilks (including creative work) they tend to either gain traction or “fail” between 4-6 years. Fun fact, until the pandemic hit and set EVERYONE on the planet back, I started gaining traction as a professional artist at years 5-6 of Painting Dragon Feathers. It’s good to be ambitious, and it’s healthy to be pragmatic; I’ve seen so many talented writers and artists flounder because they lack a lick of business sense and don’t know how to apply their skills. And that a lot of skills, whether creative or business-y, can be learned.

I told him that there are so many resources—books, online groups, etc.—that can help him make connections, study artistic principles, and learn the trade to make life as an artist easier. And when he showed me some samples of his art, I could tell based on his expressive line work and composition that he has the creative chops. I recommended him which digital art programs (something he asked about) and tools best emulate traditional media, yet emphasized that it is just a tool, and that you still need to know the principles of art—shading, hue, tone, composition, etc.—whether you’re picking up a paintbrush or a stylus.

All in all, I count myself blessed that I have had excellent guidance and mentors myself over the years from bigger, “adultier” artists, and that if I can hand down some of those sparks and advice to make younger artists coming after me walk a smoother path while I’m still learning and bushwhacking the road for myself, then I’m doing something right at the end of the day. I have no doubt that that young gentleman is gonna go on and create cool stuff.

Go forth and make cool things young artists. The world needs them, and you never know who’s watching your work. And my digital mailbox and art booths are open if you want some wisdom too. ;)

#nekocon #nekocon2022 #nekocon24 #convention #anime #animeconvention #artist #artistalley #cosplay #cosplayparade #costume #fursuit #furry #lifeadvice #paintingdragonfeathers

[magicalearthquakedeer]

Last🤺 hall shots from nekocon. . . . . . #nekocon #nekocon24 #nekocon2022 #swordartonline #swordartonlinecosplay #asunayuuki #asunayuukicosplay #asunaxkirito #lovelivecosplay #daganronpa #genshinimpactcosplay #chainsawmancosplay #yelancosplay #nahidagenshin #yomiyacosplay #cynocosplay (at Hampton Roads Convention Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClzMHN9PEiA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#nekocon #nekocon24 #nekocon2022 #swordartonline #swordartonlinecosplay #asunayuuki #asunayuukicosplay #asunaxkirito #lovelivecosplay #daganronpa #genshinimpactcosplay #chainsawmancosplay #yelancosplay #nahidagenshin #yomiyacosplay #cynocosplay

[magicalearthquakedeer]

Lumine as cosplayed by @gremlin_waifu.cos from the series Genshin impact 📸 @unlimitedlightworks #genshinimpactcosplay #cosplayphotography #luminecosplay #genshinimpactcosplay #swordfighting #larpcostume #nekocon #nekocon24 #nekocon2022 (at Colliseum Central, Hampton, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cloq2UxrGff/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#genshinimpactcosplay #cosplayphotography #luminecosplay #swordfighting #larpcostume #nekocon #nekocon24 #nekocon2022

[magicalearthquakedeer]

✌️@bucciaratiobsession ‘s cosplay of the murderer Kobemi holding Pochita from Chainsawman. 🌊 @unlimitedlightworks The song relates only to these temp watermarks. #nekocon #nekocon24 #nekocon2022 #chainsawman #chainsawmancosplay #kobenihigashiyama #kobenicosplay #pochita #cosplayphotography #cosplay https://www.instagram.com/p/ClkkSgosB5J/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#nekocon #nekocon24 #nekocon2022 #chainsawman #chainsawmancosplay #kobenihigashiyama #kobenicosplay #pochita #cosplayphotography #cosplay

[magicalearthquakedeer]

A hall shot of @lavendarstarfruit cosplaying Gorou from genshin impact #nekocon24 #goroucosplay #cosplayphotography https://www.instagram.com/p/Clfo90JuyNA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#nekocon24 #goroucosplay #cosplayphotography

[magicalearthquakedeer]

Today I am sharing with you this composited Lumine cosplay edit. Lumine was my starter so the character really resonates with me. cosplayer: @shikitohru wings: @freepnglogos photog: @unlimitedlightworks #nekocon #nekocon24 #genshinimpactcosplay #luminecosplay #genshinimpactedit (at NekoCon) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClZElGZLl8_/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#nekocon #nekocon24 #genshinimpactcosplay #luminecosplay #genshinimpactedit