Wizard World St. Louis 2014
Last weekend, April 4-6, the America’s Center Convention Complex held the St. Louis Comic Con, Wizard World
Thousands of people arrived to participate in the festivities. There was something for everyone, whether you're interested in comics, movies, TV shows, anime/manga, etc. Many came dressed up to cosplay as their favorite characters. Others came to browse the many comic book and merchandise booths.
There were also many different events scheduled throughout the day that visitors could enjoy. These included learning how to create comics on an ipad, a professional zombie make-up demo, spotlight cosplayers and fan films, and much more.
For an extra fee visitors could meet and receive an autograph and/or a photo with any of the celebrity guests who arrived for the event. Guests included William Shatner, Adam West, The Walking Dead's Emily Kinney and Jon Bernthal, Boondock Saints' Sean Patrick Flanery and David Della Rocco, Doctor Who's Matt Smith, and many more.
In addtion to all the comics and actors, visitors could find many artists who set up their own booth along Artist Alley. Along the rows of booths, visitors could purchase autographed prints and originals from the artists themselves. Artists could be found sketching/painting/inking and just perfecting their craft while attendees watched. Many were happy to stop and discuss their art and pass out some tips of the trade.
We caught up with a few artists who were generous enough to share a few moments of their time with us.
Corey Knaebel
The Indiana-native is a freelance comic book artist specializing in digital art. He has done work for Big Dog Ink, Zenescope, Shadow Studios and SlickForce Studios.
He also recently developed his own comic, "Chance of Reiyn". -Wizard World
Knaebel shares his work and the processes that a digital artist goes through to create and publish his work. He also shares some advice for aspiring artists on how to branch out and share their art with more people.
Cotact info:
rayartz@wowway.com
Eric Ninaltowski
California resident, Ninaltowski currently works on sketch card series for Upper Deck, Rittenhouse and Cryptozoic Enterainment, but he got his start working on the graphic novel: Hand of the Morningstar, published by Zondervan.
Ninaltowski received his associates degree in illustration at the Delaware College of Art and Design. He accepts commisions and is constantly working on improving his artistic abilities. -Wizard World
Ninaltowski shares some advice for aspiring artists and how his interest in drawing came to be.
Contact info:
Tony Moy
Residing in Chicago, Moy's focus is mainly mixed media. He has done work for comics like X-Files, Dungeons and Dragons, Transfusion and Memory Collectors. -Wizard World
Moy discusses his decision to branch out into watercolor. He shares advice with aspiring artists and reminds them to always challenge themselves and improvement is never easy but you should never give up.
Contact info:
Instagram: tony_moy
Twitter: Dreamflux
(I apologize for the background noise in the videos. Due to conflicts of time with my work schedule I was unable to obtain a camera and mic from the campus Mass Comm. department)