2023 was the first full year that we operated as a business and it has been an adventure. I honestly don't know what to say, except "Thank you"
Everyone's support of our endeavor has been so essential to us getting our footing in the beginning. We are grateful to all the people who cheered us on, bought our merch and shared our posts and art with their friends and family. It really bolsters our confidence to keep pushing forward.
We did a decent amount of conventions and events this year, considering we had no prior experience. We're happy to have been accepted with our mostly original artwork, since we weren't sure how far we'd go without a lot of fanart.
Quel Aside: I personally was so happy to see so many of my old con friends again after so long. And they all seemed really happy to see me too~<3 I hope I run into even more friends at future cons.
Some of my other favorite interactions this year was hearing people say somethings like:
"Welcome!" (when we mention it is our first show)
"I'm glad to see you at this event"
"I remember you from this other show"
"My friend bought this for me at a different show"
"I can't wait to see you next year"
We got complimented so much on our art, even when people didn't buy much it felt like they really liked our style. It just makes me want to lean in even more. We're only just getting started.
~
To be honest all of this started because we wanted to make more art and get our work out there more to share with other like-minded people with similar tastes. This past year has really shown how difficult it has become to just be an artist. Hell, even just existing in general has become a challenge. Even with starting this new business the both of us still have day jobs to have to juggle in between all of this.
We wanted to be able to make the kind of art that we love without having to fundamentally change who we are and diminish our passions and love for our craft in order to 'reach a wider audience'. You can't do that working at a big studio, or making only merch that is popular and with 'wide appeal'. I feel like you lose a bit of something in the artwork that way. And with how 'generative/artificial int. art' has become pervasive in our social media culture, it feels like a downright attack.
It's never been easy. But we knew this. Even with all the new struggles and obstacles that crop up we keep on creating. We can't stop making art. It's part of who we are. So we'll keep on pushing through all the challenges and difficulties. Because doing this is important and worth it to us.
Last year had a lot of positive and fun things but it also was pretty challenging and we had a lot of our doubts and setbacks. But we acknowledge and move on. I think we got off pretty well all things considered. A lot of our stumbles we will learn from moving forward.
~
If there's anything this year has told me is that we cannot give up. No matter how bleak things can seem sometimes. No matter how many others are 'doing the same thing' as us, or how many things backfire, or events deny or waitlist us. We're still unique in our own way and what we bring into this world through our art is valuable. Success is measured differently for everyone, and for us I think this first year was victorious.
Our very own @kingrhapsody has brought this beautiful piece of art to Life! ⚡️ Just in time for the spookiest season~ 🎃 Featuring his characters: Briar as the bride of Frankenstein and Damakos as Dr. Frankenstein 👻
Thank you again for everyone who came to see us at FlameCon last weekend! We had a blast and can't wait to see you next year for FlameCon X, ten years strong! 🔥⭐💜
HAPPY PRIDE~! 🏳️🌈 We hope you had an excellent Pride Month so far! 🏳️⚧️ Happy to say we'll be seeing you at the biggest LGBTQIA+ convention there is: FlameCon! 🔥 Come find us on August 12-13 at the Times Square Sheraton in NYC 💜
@voltie is the awesome merchant, won't you come check out our wares? 😘
Awesome-Con 2023 Artist Alley table E16! 💜
And don't forget our Awesome-Con stamp rally! Teaming up with other wonderful artists, collect all our stamps and get a FR33 PRIZE! Please check out our previous post for more info~
*fast talking disclaimer voice* 🔖 No purchase necessary, but appreciated. Ask for a stamp card and visit each booth to get a stamp. Whichever booth gives the last stamp will give you a prize!
Whoa, whoa, whoa, what is this? A sneak peek at some fanart we'll have at Awesome-Con in DC? WHICH STARTS TOMORROW? 😱😆 You'll just have to come to the Artist Alley table E16 to see it all~! 💜
