IlluxCon 2010

I have just finished enjoying IlluxCon 2010 in Altoona, Pennsylvania (http://www.illuxcon.com/). This was its third year and my third time to attend. An amazing array of high-power artists in the fantasy world. I was impressed by their talent, genuine humility, and interest in others. Definitely raised my perspective once again of what I can do with my art.

I started out by attending the marvelous exhibit at DC's Smithsonian exhibit, "Telling Stories: Norman Rockwell from the Collections of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg" (http://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/archive/2010/rockwell/). Artwork to catch your breath, make you guffaw, and even bring a tear or two. What power he had to influence lives. Whether it was the real world or not, it was the world we wanted to have, and the world many of us would love to return to.

Then to Altoona, where I got to jog the hills and learn much. The demos were most impressive but I spent too much money--prints, books, the hat, the tee shirt. Belt-tightening time at the Yocum house for a while, now. But it was worth it.

Most impressive: The book, "The Legend of Steel Bashaw" by Petar Meseldzija (http://www.fleskpublications.com/publications/petar-meseldzija/). Wow. Petar signed it at the IlluxCon showcase. The artwork is breathtaking. Once again, an impetus to upgrade my work several notches. Excellent!

Next: Illustration Master Class (http://illustrationmasterclass.com/) Many of the artists at IlluxCon also teach at IMC. A tough but marvelous time. Looking forward to it.

Web Site Renovation Completed

I finished updating my Web site, glad to have it with a modern look and modern technology. It includes an RSS link to this blog and extensive use of CSS, as well as updates to my resume' and background pages.

More importantly, it includes recent works and gallery shows, with references to the Illustration Master class and Studio Incamminati. Very good; glad to have it done. I believe it to be a major improvement.

Prep for Studio Incamminati

I just ordered the materials I need for the Advanced Painting for New and Returning Students program at Studio Incamminati in Philadelphia, PA. I gave up traditional oil paints years ago in favor of water miscable oils. This class strongly encourages using traditional tools, so I refreshed my stock. I've been told, most recently at the Illustration Master Class (a fantastic class, by the way), that I'm doing well in my paintings but I'm being limited by water-based tools. Now we'll see. I strongly value the health benefits of water based, but if oil based are that much better, I'll switch.