San Diego Comic-Con 2013

I can't believe it has already been more than a year since last year's San Diego Comic-Con. This year's Comic-Con International was so much fun just like every year before. And despite the outrageous crowds both inside and out, the excitement and energy of all the fans were felt everywhere. 

 Just for Comic-Con, the City of San Diego changed their trolley signs to the fictional language, Dothraki, from HBO's Game of Thrones. This trolley stop used to be 'Gaslamp Quarter' but has been changed to 'Vaes Dothrak', the city of the Dothraki people.

A view outside from my trolley window of the Gaslamp Quarter which is directly across from the Convention Center.

Me upstairs in the Sails Pavilion of the Convention Center.

A look inside the Convention with a hall lined with Game of Thrones banners.

Looking outside the Comic-Con with a view of Petco Park.

At the IDW Publishing booth: IDW rotating sign with a picture of Dodge from Joe Hill's Locke & Key comic book series; Carlos admiring the G.I. Joe Cobra: The Last Laugh deluxe hardcover.

Inside the Con: The Hasbro booth with the My Little Pony sign above.

Also, I have to admit that this particular Comic-Con was a bit more special than others. It was the first time I submitted my paper dolls for display at their art show. I was quite proud to be able to show my paper dolls at the Con and especially proud to have Carlos and our kids there with me while I put up my display. 

Comic-Con Art Show: Me and my paper dolls after set-up.

I'm glad to see that my paper dolls received some love from Comic-Con attendees. By the end of the 4-day Comic-Con, all my business cards were gone and I sold 6 out of 11 paper dolls. Funny thing about this whole art display process was the fact that I was told by one of the art show representatives that most buyers preferred not to have their art framed and they recommended that we didn't frame our art. So I was a bit relieved that I did prepare a mix of framed and unframed paper dolls. However, after picking up my unsold paper dolls, I realized that those dolls not framed were the ones not sold - definitely something to think about for next year's art show.

This year's Comic-Con was also a great year in terms of having a good many of my pretend boyfriends making appearances at the panels. Unfortunately, I did not see any of them at the panels because I could not fathom waiting in line for at least 8 hours to get a glimpse of them. Sorry boys! 

Here's a look at my pretend-boyfriends-of-the-moment at the Comic-Con:

• Tom Hiddleston

Tom Hiddleston stole the thunder from everything buzz worthy in Hall H by taking the stage as his 'Thor' character Loki; later Tom was all smiles while attending an autograph signing for his upcoming movie Thor: The Dark World.

• Michael Fassbender

Michael Fassbender wore an animal mask from the upcoming Lionsgate horror movie You're Next to the X-Men: Days of Future Past panel.

• Kit Harington

Kit Harington 'Jon Snow' walks on-stage for the Game of Thrones Friday panel. Hot damn!

• Andrew Garfield

Andrew Garfield donned his Spiderman costume for the Hall H crowd for the Amazing Spiderman 2 panel.

And once again, one of my favorite things to do while at the Con is looking at all the awesome costumes.

Science Ninja Team Gatchaman: Costumed fans of Jo, the Condor, and Jun, the Swan.

Star Wars Bounty Hunters: Boba Fett & Bossk

Old school Cylons from 1980s Battlestar Galactica.

The Horse Head Mask was seen everywhere throughout this year's Comic Con.

Comic-Con fan dressed in an awesome costume with wheelchair inspired by Madame Suliman from Hayao Miyazaki's Howl's Moving Castle.

Masters of the Universe He-Man and She-Ra.

Nintendo's Princesses: Daisy and Peach.

A Tale of Two Links: Goron (Fire) Tunic Link and Green Tunic Link from Nintendo's Legend of Zelda.

Semi-Justice League Reunion, in attendance: Wonder Woman, Flash, Batgirl, and Aquaman.

Not your typical Classic X-Men with Jean Grey, Wolverine, and Rogue.

Just a couple of mutants hanging out: Cyclops and Mystique.

 Marveltastic Costumes: Black Cat, Bullseye, and Electro.

Most of all, I love finding something special at and around the small press booths and artist alley...

At the Last Gasp booth: In love with interesting book covers.

I bought this beautifully illustrated book for the boys called Curiosities: An Illustrated History of Ancestral Oddity by Mike Yamada and Victoria Ying of Los Angeles-based design studio Extracurricular Activities. I was able to meet Mike and Victoria at their booth and they were both happy to sign their book for me.

I bought for myself this absolutely whimsical art print "Message in the bottle" by Patara of Vuduberi. She was a pleasure to meet and she signed my print as well.

And cheers again to another great Comic-Con year! Can't wait for next year!

(Sources: Boba Fett & Bossk, Cyclops & Mystique, Nintendo, Marvel, DC Comics, Battlestar Galactica, Masters of the Universe, Howl's Moving Castle, Gatchaman, Andrew Garfield/Splash News/Renegade Cinema, Getty Images)

My Paper Dolls for the 2013 Comic Con Art Show

The 2013 San Diego Comic Con is less than a week away and I am very happy that I've finished all the paper dolls that I wanted to make for the art show. Art set-up is this Wednesday, July 17th at the San Diego Convention Center Sails Pavilion. 

Below are my paper dolls that I will be displaying at the Art Show. In addition to my finished dolls, I wanted to share again the inspirations behind their creations. Enjoy!

MERMAID PAPER DOLLS

Mermaid Paper Doll #81 - Seaweed and Waves

My "Seaweed and Waves" mermaid was influenced by the ocean itself. I wanted her to reflect the rhythmic flow of the seaweeds undulating back and forth among the ocean waves.

Mermaid Paper Doll #82 - Ghost Ship Maiden

"Ghost Ship Maiden" was inspired by the eerie scene of a sunken ship and its ruins resting at the bottom of the quiet ocean floor. I like to imagine that she acquired her look from gathering different parts from the shipwreck.

Mermaid Paper Doll #83 - Sagittarius

My "Sagittarius" mermaid was based on another design of mine that I made during a brief business venture with two of my sisters. We had a small t-shirt graphic business called "Three Sweet Yams" and each of us created a different line of t-shirt designs for both women and children. My line included little cute lady faces representing the twelve zodiac signs. The picture above shows exactly my "Sagittarius" lady face screen printed on a baby t-shirt. The baby wearing the shirt is my niece Elisa back when she was less than one years old.

My Sagittarius design was one of my favorites and I thought I'd create a mermaid version to celebrate it. 

Mermaid Paper Doll #84 - Watercolor Tattoo

"Watercolor Tattoo" mermaid was inspired by the tattoo art of Slovakian artist Ivana Belakova, as well as, my friend Jenn and her new tattoo by Belakova. Before Jenn got her new tattoo, she showed me various photos of Belakova's tattoo art and I thought her art was very stunning and reminded me a lot of watercolor paintings. 

I made this mermaid as a forethought of Jenn and her future Belakova tattoo since I made my mermaid before Jenn got her tattoo. However, I did include photos of her (first three tattoo photos above) after she got inked. The last three photos are other examples of tattoo designs by Belakova.

Mermaid Paper Doll #85 - Steampunk Sally

"Steampunk Sally" mermaid was influenced by the highly eclectic and historical fashion style of Steampunk. Steampunk fashion is kind of the perfect blend of old world style (usually around the 19th century) and modern innovation. In addition, I really appreciate the elaborate accessories that go into a great Steampunk outfit so I put a lot detail into "Sally's" jewelry and other accessories.

Mermaid Paper Doll #86 - Blue Winter Roses "An Ode to Lyanna Stark"

"Blue Winter Roses" was highly inspired by Lyanna Stark, a character from the book series "A Song of Ice and Fire" (or others know it by the HBO television show "Game of Thrones") by George R.R. Martin. She was described as beautiful with dark hair, grey eyes, and a long face that characterized the Stark family. She was fond of the blue winter roses that grew in her homeland Winterfell. Also, Lyanna was the younger sister of Lord Eddard Stark and her early death in the story is surrounded by a lot theories and mysteries. 

As a huge fan, I am one of those believers that Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen (pictured above) were in love and from their love produced a son, Jon Snow. I like to think that at the center of "A Song of Ice and Fire" is a doomed, but epic love story between Lyanna (Ice) and Rhaegar (Fire). I wanted to express this idea of Lyanna and Rhaegar's tragic love through my "Blue Winter Roses" Mermaid.

BEBE PAPER DOLLS

Bebe Paper Doll #22 - Bebe on Fire "An Ode to Katniss Everdeen"

"Bebe on Fire" was based on Katniss Everdeen, the main character in the book series "The Hunger Games", who appears in a key scene wearing a gown of flames. Of course, I was inspired by the actress Jennifer Lawrence's gown from the movie and from the descriptions presented in the book itself.

Bebe Paper Doll #23 - Kimono Anime

"Kimono Anime" is my Special Edition Bebe Paper Doll made especially around the same time as the San Diego Comic Con. She is made multi-jointed for more movability and anime action. Also, "Kimono Anime" is based on the ever popular manga drawings of girls in their kimonos.

Bebe Paper Doll #24 - Princess Bebe the Swan

Bebe Paper Doll#24 "Princess Bebe the Swan" is clearly based on the Japanese anime character Jun the Swan of "Gatchaman" and the American adaption "G-Force: Guardians of Space" where she was called Princess. As a kid, I was a big fan of the awesome bird helmets! This Bebe Paper Doll is also double-jointed for more movability.

CENTAUR PAPER DOLLS

Centaur Paper Doll #4 - French Country

I started making my Centaur paper dolls last year when my oldest son, Paco, asked me to create one. "French Country" is just my fourth Centaur paper doll made and I thought it would be fun to showcase one at the art show. My half-horse, half-lady doll was inspired by the warm, romantic, and rustic-look of a french countryside...at least that's how I imagine how a french countryside would appear.

TRUE BLOOD ERIC NORTHMAN PAPER DOLL

Eric Paper Doll - Black Long Sleeve Shirt

I started making my Eric Northman Paper Dolls back when HBO's "True Blood" Season 2 came out. At the time, I was very enamoured with Alexander Skarsgard's Eric Northman. He was definitely one of my pretend boyfriends during that period. But as time went on and I lost interest with "True Blood" especially during Season 4, I stopped making my Eric Paper Dolls. But I decided for this year's Comic Con Art Show, I would make one especially for it. This Eric Paper Doll is wearing his usual all-black clothing.

All my paper dolls will be up for auction during the Comic Con and any paper dolls not sold will be added to my Etsy shop Rock Paper Tekla. Thanks, again, for stopping by and I look forward to sharing my time at this year's San Diego Comic Con in a later blog post!

(Sources: Seaweed 1, Shipwreck, Steampunk Gown1, Steampunk Gown2, French Countryside, The Hunger Games, HBO's True Blood, Ivana Tattoo Art, Lyanna Stark, Lyanna and Rhaegar, Gatchaman, Kimono Girl1, Kimono Girl2)