{"id":3057,"date":"2011-05-03T22:00:24","date_gmt":"2011-05-04T02:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/?p=3057"},"modified":"2011-05-03T22:00:24","modified_gmt":"2011-05-04T02:00:24","slug":"im-tcaf-bound-yall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/?p=3057","title":{"rendered":"I&#8217;m TCAF-bound, Y&#8217;all!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>You&#8217;re Going<em> Where<\/em>?!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s right, people: I&#8217;m breaking out of my crusty SPX\/Heroes Con-only shell and exhibiting at a <em>new <\/em>(to me) convention this year! I&#8217;d heard nothing but fantastic stuff about the <a href=\"http:\/\/torontocomics.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Toronto Comics Art Festival<\/a> (AKA &#8220;TCAF&#8221;) and so I applied to exhibit this year&#8230; and was incredibly surprised and honored to have been selected for the show. So far, the show&#8217;s been impressively organized and on-the-ball&#8211;something some of its American counterparts could learn from &lt;cough!&gt;&lt;cough!&gt;. For example, they&#8217;ve coordinated with Toronto&#8217;s <em>National Post<\/em> newspaper to do profile\/questionnaires of many of the new exhibitors this year. <a href=\"http:\/\/arts.nationalpost.com\/2011\/05\/02\/toronto-comic-arts-festival-2011-questionnaire-ben-towle\/\" target=\"_blank\">Here&#8217;s mine<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>On May 7 and 8, an eclectic roster of cartoonists, writers,  illustrators, and artists will take over the Toronto Reference Library  for the 2011 edition of the beloved <a href=\"http:\/\/torontocomics.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Toronto Comic Arts Festival<\/a>. For the past two years, the <em>National Post<\/em> has previewed TCAF by running dozens of Q&amp;As with some of the  talent attending the festival; this year, we wanted to spotlight those  exhibiting at the festival for the very first time. What took them so  long?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q: Who are you? Why are you here?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A: I\u2019m Ben Towle. I\u2019ve come for your comics festivals!<br \/>\n<strong><br \/>\nQ: Why have you never been to TCAF before? What\u2019s wrong with you!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A) I guess I\u2019ve jus t been waiting for the proverbial \u201cstars\u201d to line  up. I do a number of comics festivals each year and I had to find a  good year to work TCAF into my schedule. I\u2019d been hearing so many good  things about TCAF that it had just reached a boiling point this year. I  had to take the plunge. B) Lots of stuff. Don\u2019t get me started about my  lower back pain. <em>(more <a href=\"http:\/\/arts.nationalpost.com\/2011\/05\/02\/toronto-comic-arts-festival-2011-questionnaire-ben-towle\/\" target=\"_blank\">here&#8230;<\/a>)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Where&#8217;re You Gonna Be?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The TCAF folks just posted the floor-plan today. I&#8217;ll be on the first floor at<strong> table 129<\/strong>. Please come say Hi!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/uploads\/2011\/05\/Untitled-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"3058\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/?attachment_id=3058\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/uploads\/2011\/05\/Untitled-1.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1000,1190\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Untitled-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/uploads\/2011\/05\/Untitled-1-252x300.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/uploads\/2011\/05\/Untitled-1-860x1024.jpg\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3058\" title=\"Untitled-1\" src=\"http:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/uploads\/2011\/05\/Untitled-1-252x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"252\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/uploads\/2011\/05\/Untitled-1-252x300.jpg 252w, https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/uploads\/2011\/05\/Untitled-1-860x1024.jpg 860w, https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/uploads\/2011\/05\/Untitled-1.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 252px) 100vw, 252px\" \/><\/a>Click through for a bigger pic. That&#8217;s me in red there.<\/p>\n<p>Also, I&#8217;ll be an &#8220;Artist-in-Residence&#8221; for <strong>TCAF: Kids<\/strong> from 12:00-1:00 in the afternoon on Saturday, helping out (hopefully!) aspiring young cartoonists.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>What&#8217;re You Bringing?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Well, new for TCAF, I&#8217;ve got a ton of these 100% absolutely <strong>FREE Oyster War bookmarks<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/uploads\/2011\/03\/hj4gd.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2908\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/?attachment_id=2908\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/uploads\/2011\/03\/hj4gd.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1536,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;MB300&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1300114513&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"hj4gd\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/uploads\/2011\/03\/hj4gd-225x300.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/uploads\/2011\/03\/hj4gd-768x1024.jpg\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2908\" title=\"hj4gd\" src=\"http:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/uploads\/2011\/03\/hj4gd-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/uploads\/2011\/03\/hj4gd-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/uploads\/2011\/03\/hj4gd-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/uploads\/2011\/03\/hj4gd.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a>I&#8217;ll leave a bunch at the free table (assuming there is one), but please do come by and pick a few up.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;ll also have my usual wares: <em><strong>Amelia Earhart &#8211; This Broad Ocean<\/strong><\/em><strong>, <em>Midnight Sun<\/em>, <em>Snooker<\/em>,<\/strong> and<strong> <em>Farewell, Georgia<\/em><\/strong>. An interesting thing to note, though, is that this will be the Canadian convention debut for the Eisner-nominated <em>Amelia Earhart: This Broad Ocean<\/em>&#8211;a book which takes place entirely<em> in<\/em> Canada: first in Trepassey, Newfoundland, then later in Halifax. (Did I mention it&#8217;s nominated for an Eisner award? Just checking.) Also: unless there are some copies hiding in the corners of the SLG warehouse somewhere, I&#8217;m pretty sure the five copies I&#8217;ll have of <em>Farewell, Georgia<\/em> are the very last copies around. If you want one, you best get your behind to Canada ASAP!<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m also bringing a bunch of <strong>original artwork<\/strong> for sale:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/uploads\/2011\/05\/IMG_20110430_155215.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"3059\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/?attachment_id=3059\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/uploads\/2011\/05\/IMG_20110430_155215.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1000,1262\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_20110430_155215\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/uploads\/2011\/05\/IMG_20110430_155215-237x300.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/uploads\/2011\/05\/IMG_20110430_155215-811x1024.jpg\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3059\" title=\"IMG_20110430_155215\" src=\"http:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/uploads\/2011\/05\/IMG_20110430_155215-237x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"237\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/uploads\/2011\/05\/IMG_20110430_155215-237x300.jpg 237w, https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/uploads\/2011\/05\/IMG_20110430_155215-811x1024.jpg 811w, https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/uploads\/2011\/05\/IMG_20110430_155215.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 237px) 100vw, 237px\" \/><\/a>I&#8217;m not entirely sure this setup is going to work (I really should have gotten a <em>six<\/em>&#8211;rather than <em>three<\/em>&#8211;foot table), but hopefully I&#8217;ll be able to set up this original art display behind me at my table. I&#8217;ll basically have <a href=\"http:\/\/benzilla.storenvy.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">most of the stuff I&#8217;ve currently got for sale at my StoreEnvy<\/a>, plus a bunch of original pages from <a href=\"http:\/\/oysterwar.tumblr.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Oyster War<\/a>. As with conventions past, I&#8217;ll likely be cranking out <a href=\"http:\/\/benzilla.storenvy.com\/collections\/14858-superhero-mini-pinups\" target=\"_blank\">$10 superhero mini-pinups<\/a> as well&#8211;either pre-done or by request.<\/p>\n<p>Come see me up north, people!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You&#8217;re Going Where?! That&#8217;s right, people: I&#8217;m breaking out of my crusty SPX\/Heroes Con-only shell and exhibiting at a new (to me) convention this year! I&#8217;d heard nothing but fantastic stuff about the Toronto Comics Art Festival (AKA &#8220;TCAF&#8221;) and so I applied to exhibit this year&#8230; and was incredibly surprised and honored to have &hellip; <\/p>\n<p><a class=\"more-link btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/?p=3057\">Continue reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"footnotes":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[21,45,23,22,26],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p46veT-Nj","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3057"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3057"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3057\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3063,"href":"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3057\/revisions\/3063"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3057"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3057"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benzilla.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3057"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}