Set up my booth 2 hours before opening hours - I really had a good spot this year! I was allocated a corner booth and I was able to have 2 sides open. People were able to see my work from far and from both angles which I think helped a lot. initially, I wanted to create something specifically for MEFCC but just couldn't find the time! So most of the stuff I exhibited and had for sale were work from last year, but I found that this wasn't necessarily a bad thing - I sold them at a discounted price and I actually made more sales than I did last year!
Before the halls (got crowed) were opened to visitors, the exhibitors usually have a walk around to see what's in store at their neighbour's booths and tables. I had just finished setting up everything when James Mulligan (Jimmy), who is a Disney artist stopped by my booth! I was like, OMG I know this face! He said I had some great work on show and we took a picture (but not a great one and I looked such a mess so a smiley was needed to replace my face)! He was sooooo nice to me and I was able to pick up a sweet signed original piece from him (which is getting framed as soon I get myself a frame when I get back)! I also asked how he got into Disney and if he's working on something right now for them - he said he's working on some 'Moana' (disney's upcoming animated feature film) stuff right now, which is sooooo exciting! This was the highlight of the first day for me yay! :D
Friday 8th April - Comic Con day 2
Start of the weekend in Dubai is Friday (Sunday is a work day), so this was the busiest day out of all three days! This was the day when I ran out of my bharatanatyam and kabuki ladies print! They sold out like hot cakes especially my bharatanatyam ladies (my fave one as well tbh - thats why the character made it on my roll up banner)! I received an email after the second day of the con from one of the guys who bought these prints to ask if he can buy more from the series:
I also made some prints of the illustrations from my Malala book, which was quite popular too but a lot of people wanted a larger print, which I didn't have with me, so I told them to email me if they still wanted it and I can ship it to them from the UK. I think next time I'm going to make some large prints to sell because people also asked for this last year as well!
I gained a small handful of followers on my Instagram account from last years comic con and it was really nice of them to come see me again this year. Some actually specifically said that they came there to look for me and wanted a picture with me (which at first I felt embarrassed about because I don't feel like I'm anything yet). I felt so blessed and so honoured, really. The publisher that got in touch with me also came to see me to see how I was doing! I didn't recognise him when he came by but then he said his name and I remembered! I thought he was an older man at first, but after seeing him that day, he's probably still in his 20s!
On this day, I also met a fellow Indonesian artist! He lives in Jakarta and works at an advertising agency there. We had a bit of a chat about art events that happen there and studios/places I could go visit (for when I go later this August). He also gave me some pieces of his work, but I just couldn't accept them for free after all the effort he went through to get his book printed + flight to dubai! So we swapped - I gave him my Alice print and my Game On: Gurlz zine. A lot of things happened on Friday but it would take ages to write and I can't be bothered. Over all, it was another good, long and busy day!
Saturday 9th April - Comic Con day 3
This is the day that people realise its the last day of the con and their last chance to buy things. So visitor number had gone down but still busy (just not as busy as Friday). I sold a few of the larger pieces I had on display (since these were the only ones I had, I told people who were interested in purchasing them to come on the last day if they wanted it - and they did! yaaaaas!). I did most of my shopping on this last day too - I bought some superhero themed cushions (can't wait to get a place of my own and decorate!), some gifts for friends and bro who wanted to come but broke his thumb instead and a print from Des Taylor, who I first met at Thoughtbubble a few years ago but now I feel like I've known him for longer. He's given me the nickname of 'trouble' now because I keep seeing him everywhere haha (but he's also a good friend of my friend). He gave me his really nicely printed, A3 signed print at a discounted price and told me to grab another one for free! I was like are you serious?! and he was dead serious, so I gave him my zine in exchange. He told me I've improved so much with my character drawings, he said he was impressed with the fluidity and how I can really capture the movement of my sports girls, which really means a lot to me!
Minutes before 10pm (closing time) I went back to Jimmy's stall and gifted him with my last zine, so he can have something to remember me by lol! And guess what?! he also gave me a free signed print and a hug in exchange!
This year's MEFCC has been soooooo good, even though I was on my own (had mother by my side last year for moral support haha)! I was less nervous than my first time and I interacted more with the people and made new friends! Hope I can come back next year with better work!
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