Posted in: Comics, NYCC | Tagged: Comics, entertainment, NYCC

Two Hours Spent On The Other Side Of The Booth At NYCC '15

Published Tue, 13 Oct 2015 15:00:29 -0500

By Ale Bodden

There are some times when luck is not on our sides while lining up at NYCC and it does not matter for how long you might have lined up: you might not make it in. But for once it worked on my favor. While I barely got the chance to roam around the Exhibit Hall or Artist Alley, I was able to experience Artist Alley in a new light, behind a booth.

An artist friend had a live demo, and since I was locked out of a panel I was able to cover her booth for a couple of hours. Let me tell you: it was an amazing experience. While I have always dreamt of being able to have a table as an artist on my favorite place in the universe, Artist Alley—and now it is a huge goal I must achieve!

It is amazing to meet new people from that side. I could not get over how fascinating it is to be able to see how I probably look while roaming the floors of Artist Alley: bright faces, eyes that cannot look at yours because they are so consumed with the art behind you, shy hi's and coy questions. Wonderful people coming to just ask about the art or the process behind it or just to ask for permission to cosplay a character you have created. I was not the artist and I was in cloud nine! It is very sweet seeing lovely artists giving you advice, or flashing reassuring smiles when you do not know how to act or feel nervous.

Artist Alley is not just the best place in the universe, but the place with the sweetest people (attendees, crew/staff, artists, and exhibitors alike) roaming its aisles. If you, like me, dream of one day sitting there: keep working hard, bring your art for portfolio reviews, ask other artists for advice. Trust me, you will not regret it and you will love being part of that big family. It has been one of the best experiences I have had in seven years of attending NYCC.

Ale Bodden is a freelance artist and writer. It is her third year attending NYCC with Bleeding Cool. You can follow her art-ventures through twitter at: @Nerdy_Faery, or through IG: @NerdyFaery.

Ale Bodden is a freelance artist and writer. It is her third year attending NYCC with Bleeding Cool. You can follow her art-ventures through twitter at: @Nerdy_Faery, or through IG: @NerdyFaery.

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