📝This archived post is originally from my old comics focused Wordpress blog from 2011-2019. That site was a space to publicly commit to learning the art and craft of cartooning and self-publishing. These posts are full of a naive enthusiasm that though at times embarrassing, I'm proud of. I hope you find them useful in some way.❤️

During the last week that I’ve spent back in Pittsburgh, I’ve been repeatedly reminded by how invigorating its community of creators has been for me in my growth as a cartoonist. It’s a great place filled with some truly hard working creators. One of the things that bums me out the most about not having been in Pittsburgh this past fall was not being able to attend the 2nd Annual Zine Fair. With a roster of exhibitors as juicy as the one that they organized, the event was bound to be a blast. Hopefully, the timing of the 2013 zine fair is conducive to me trekking down to the city.

For now though, I’d like to share a couple of photographs taken by Anna Lee Fields. pittsburgh-zine-fair-11

pghzinefair-117-2114536582-o pghzinefairdouble-107-2114581968-opghzinefairdouble-114-2114582101-o pghzinefairdouble-105-2114581911-o pghzinefairdouble-104-2114581918-o

If you’d like to see more photos from this gathering, hop on over to the Zine Fair’s site.

While I missed the Zine Fair, I can assure you that I won’t be missing the upcoming DRAWING POWER event on April 20th.tumblr_mjkc0soOX91s7s0rao1_1280

Drawing Power will be a one day event celebrating and exploring the small press and self-publishing comics and zine community of Pittsburgh and its connection to the larger world. If you’re interested in the nitty gritty details, check ‘em out below.

Saturday, April 20th 10am-5pm Carnegie Museum of Art Theater (lower level) 4400 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Moderators will be Bill Boichel from Copacetic Comics and Caitlin McGurk from the Billy Ireland Collection at OSU.

Schedule 10:00-10:30am: Meet & Greet; tabling 10:30-11:15am: Panel 1 11:30-12:15pm: Boulet presentation 12:15-1:00pm: Big Feminist But presentation 1:15-2:00pm: John Porcellino presentation 2:15-3:00pm: Panel 2 3:15-4:00pm: Dash Shaw presentation 4:15-5:00pm: Panel 3

Panel 1: The Pittsburgh Scene, Bill Boichel moderator Andy Scott Nate McDonough Lizzee Solomon Paulette Poullet

Panel 2: Self-Publishing, Caitlin McGurk moderator Ramsey Beyer John Porcellino Bill Boichel Rachel Masilamani

Panel 3: A Career in Comics, Caitlin McGurk moderator Jim Rugg Ed Piskor Frank Santoro Dash Shaw

There will be tables packed with locally produced zines and books for both perusal and sale, as well as new releases from the out-of-town artist guests and a selection from around the world. Carnegie_Museum_of_Art_Pittsburgh

On a different note, I would like to share a youtube channel that I’ve been watching recently, offtheLeftEye.

Sometimes we get too caught up in our own minds, concerned with how we compare ourselves to others. Those trains of thought often wind up hurting us. If you’ve ever grappled with your ego, you might enjoy the following by offtheLeftEye. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tDW3NELAvVU