Frozen: Natalie's First Theater Movie

After recording the podcast--while she waited oh so patiently--I took Natalie to see Frozen at AMC Southdale. She had never watched a movie at the theater before, and I hardly ever do anymore, so we were both very excited! Long story short it's a great movie and she had a great time.

We had some time to kill before the previews started so we walked around the mall a bit. Natalie was completely uninterested in the mall Santa, much to my relief. But we did have a chance encounter with a magical elf! In the second incredible coincidence of the day, we ran into my brother and his wife at the Games by James.

Frozen was delightful to the extent that it subverted expectations about what should happen in a Disney princess movie. And of course, since the plot is about two sisters, it hit me right in the dad feels. I'll admit it: I cried. Thanks, Disney.

Light Grey Art Lab Podcast

On Saturday, I visited my pals at Light Grey Art Lab to record a podcast, and today they posted it! It was super fun. We talked about the history of Craftstravaganza, behind-the-scenes secrets, inspiration and motivation. Give your ears an early Christmas gift and listen up!

Also in an amazing coincidence I just learned that some of the Light Grey team were vendors (under a different name) at our very first Craftstravaganza in 2006! Wow! The Twin Cities art community really is a small world and I feel lucky to be a tiny part of it.

Ignite Talk: Passion Projects

I was one of 20 speakers at the 6th Ignite Minneapolis event at the Riverview Theater. Remember when I did my Pecha Kucha Night presentation back in (holy crap) 2009? This is like that. 20 slides, 15 seconds each, for a total 5 minutes of terror.

No actually it was a lot of fun! I used my complimentary +1 ticket to bring along fellow Ignite speaker Micah Vono for moral support. The building was packed. I watched the first ten speakers from the audience, then we split for an intermission, and I got to kick off the second half.

The great audience energy carried me through my whole presentation. I got some applause and some laughter, especially from this slide, which popped up on Twitter a few times. It was an amazing experience. I'm already planning my next talk!

2013 Craft'za

The Craft'za this weekend was amazing. My week started early, filming with Fox 9 morning news on Wednesday, then live early morning spots on Friday with WCCO, and again on the morning of the show! This surely helped spread the word and the building was packed with shoppers all day.

I feel a little guilty that I didn't buy anything for myself except food. But we did buy tons of stuff for our families and finished all of our Christmas shopping! And the food was great: Gastrotruck turkey biscuits and gravy for breakfast, Messy Giuseppe sandwich for lunch, and a Natedog at the end of the day.

One regret: I meant to check out the hidden Bigfoot paintings but by the time I came around they were all gone! I oughta know better; they were even on TV. Celebrity shopper sightings included intrepid reporter MA Rosko (also on the hunt for Bigfoot) and Vincent Stall. And of course I always adore hanging out with our lovely vendors who are all super-stars in my book.

Rock Ink Roll Gallery Show

The original art for my DragonBall Jay-Z comic will be on display at Altered Esthetics during the run of the Rock Ink Roll show. I just dropped off my two framed pages yesterday and flipped through the printed anthology. I didn't make it into that, but when all the print copies are sold, they will release a free ebook version that does include my work!

I will try to attend the gallery opening on November 1. This is the first time that my artwork will be displayed in a (juried) exhibition, so I am excited. And if you don't know, now you know!

Meet & Greet

Craft'za is coming up (25 days away!) and we are in the home stretch for preparation. This Sunday we had our usual artist meet & greet at the venue and brought the kids along.

Jenna was thinking ahead and packed markers for them to color while we talked with our vendors and handed out posters and flyers. Natalie watched these transactions as she worked. When she finished her drawing, she whispered, "I hope someone will take my picture home."

We asked if she wouldn't rather keep it, but no--she saw people taking the poster daddy made, and she wanted someone to take her art too! A new vendor not only accepted but traded her one of his illustrated business cards. It was a proud moment.

"I think that parenthood takes away from you some of whatever is creative. It is very difficult to have children and create at the same time."

--Arnold Lobel