ABQ Zinefest 2018
This is nothing like finding a renewed sense of creativity and motivation. My experience going to and participating in ABQ zinefest was just that type of awaking for me. Not only was the drive down amazing and filled with scenic views of rolling hills,painterly skies and cotton ball clouds, the companionship and fun was immensely heart warming and very much needed. We laughed and sang old school music and snored and star gazed thousands of miles of night sky. I’m always anxious and a bit nervous before any show but for some reason or maybe because I was traveling so far away I was doubly so. I slept a couple of hours in the car but didn’t get much sleep before the zinfest. I was also staying with zine maker hosts for the first time and I’ll be honest, you just never know if you are going to be paired with someone cool or not so cool. Thank goodness my hosts Cris and Dina are amazing and wonderful people. The Albuquerque zine community is freaking stellar. So generous and welcoming.Everyone was all smiles from the time I asked about parking to where I could find my table, I was greeted with so much enthusiasm that it almost made me do a double take. So awesome. The town itself is comfy and sleepy but I could feel the creative buzz in the air. From the red rocks to small puffs of grass dotting the mountains and the adobe style homes in the outlying areas, I felt a nice sense of community with confidence and sure of who they were and who there were not. Every conversation I had the folks look me in the eye and share some small part of themselves so easily and laughed with me so relaxed and joyous. I haven’t had a get away with artists and makers like this in awhile. So many questions about my work, genuine questions about myself and why I make the art work that I do and even more about who I am as just a person. ABQ zinefest gave me a tremendous amount of stuff to chew on and alot of stuff to make me smile and just filled up my creative bucket big time.
The drive home was strange in that it rained for a bit and then warmed up a ton but we knew that the Grand Canyon would be a cool pit stop and boy it did not disappoint! The views are amazing and the air thin. The sunset was one that needs reverence. We got lost a bit driving down to ABQ and on our way out of the Grand Canyon park but the company made it an adventure for sure.
Big shout out to Breena, Cheryl and Lawrence for all the driving and talking to keep me awake when I drove. The stories and jokes will keep me chuckling to myself for a long time. Props to Cris and Dina for being amazing people and hosts along with their puppies Emiliano and Choco. Huge thank you and respect to the organizers of ABQ zinefest Marya and Liza and all the volunteers and workers at 3 sisters kitchen. The fest was wonderfully well run. Thank you to all the folks who stopped by may table to chat and support. You will never know how much the time spent means to me.
Hope to see Albuquerque again and maybe I’ll hang out a bit longer. Here are some photos and plus more on my flickr page.https://www.flickr.com/photos/storm1sky/albums/72157702037210474
