This past weekend my husband and I went to Crypticon in Seattle and had an absolute blast. Bought lots of stuff from the artist alley and ate overpriced hotel food.
The big reason I wanted to go was to finally meet Voltaire.
I've been listening to his music for, damn, about half my life now? He's picked me up when I've been down, made me laugh when I'm depressed and just been a fountain of inspiration.
One of the creators I looked at and went "You can make it doing your own thing online!"
So he had a panel that I sat in on, but at first I couldn't find it so I went down stairs to do something else. Then I pass him on the stairs and was too starstruck to even do anything.
I waited a minute then went to see where he went and found the panel room. (Which wasn't on the con pamphlet, but was on the website and handwritten in pencil by the room.)
After his panel, I basically took my shot and asked him if he had a minute. We stepped outside and I just gushed about how he inspired me. But also, about how he gave me some good advice 14 years ago.
I don't have the full message chain since (understandably) it looks like Voltaire nuked his Facebook. So I only have this partial screenshot of when it happened. (MLP Facebook plug-in and all.)
Essentially, Voltaire made a post about cleaning his apartment and listening to his music. Teenage me, feeling cocky and not expecting a response, said something along the lines of "How self centered!"
He, to my shock, responded, saying that if you don't love your work, why make it?
We had a talk and at the end it really stuck me that you, as an artist, are making art you want to enjoy and putting it out into the world.
As a teenager, I did not like my work. I'm 30 now, and it took me a long time to like my own stuff. But I'm finally far enough along in my artist journey that I totally get cleaning and jamming to your own music. I composed for a few years and my own stuff still gets stuck in my head and is on my playlists.
So, I finally got to relay to Voltaire, in person, how he gave me a good spanking on Facebook 14 years ago and it really helped me out.
We had a nice talk about art, growing as an artist, being self critical, and loving your work. He even talked about his kid for a bit where it seems like he gave similar advice. He had to go, since I kinda caught him at a weird time. But he shook my hand, put a hand on my shoulder, and it was like being blessed.
And... of course, I forgot to ask for a photo. We were just having a real talk and I got so wrapped up in it.
But, three hours later, I saw he had a table! He said "Hey again!" And I apologized for basically jumping him after the panel since I didn't want to lose my chance. He joked how he'd probably poof into smoke right after the panel since I wanted to see him.
Funny enough, during his panel, he talked about going to a con as a kid and being too shy to talk to his idol Ray Harryhausen. I sat in the audience, biting my lip thinking "Buddy, just wait."
We talked a bit more, but I mainly opened the door for my husband to chat with him. While I spent my teen years angrily jamming to "Almost Human" while pushing carts at my Publix job, my husband found Voltaire in the last year through his Gothic Homemaking videos.
They chatted, we bought a CD and I asked Voltaire for a picture! I thought he'd pose with me while my husband took a pic, but did a selfie!
After this, he asked my husband to join in, and to make sure we got the doll in the shot.
We're all naturally smiling here since he joked about his chest being so open. 😊
So yeah! I finally got to meet one of my idols. Still feels surreal? This guy I've been listening to for well over a decade who inspired me and got me through rough times is... in front of me?
A very special day! Who knows when our paths will cross again, Voltaire...
Probably Crypticon next year 😇
