Akumakon 2017
What a great start to the year!
My fifth year painting at Akumakon and it's just getting better and better. I love all you mad hatters who come to me with a challenge, with new and interesting character designs and you who are willing to take a chance on my own experimentation.
I always try to bring you something new, something fresh and unseen and I think this year I surprised myself.
It was a pleasure and a delight to join the ranks of fantastic artists and exhibitors in NUIG this January. Special thanks to the committee who took such great care of me last year and continue to do so, even with two working feet! Thank you Fi, Sharon, Jim and all the fantastic minions who fetched tea all day. Thanks everyone who let me paint on them and until next year...
there's only one thing left to say:
"Kumakon, Bear con, Akumakon, BEST CON!!"
 Venusaur Flower |  Head of the Illuminatti |  That good/evil bear thing |  Fairy tail cat |
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 kingdom hearts |  Tiger |  Card Suits |  magic potion |
 Sun |  Moon |  UV Nyan cat |  Cutie Marks |
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Wowza, what a weekend!! Met some old friends, made some new ones too. Safe to say all the people there over the weekend were colourful, wonderful and inspiring. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment.
A new aspect of my experience was my addition of an assistant this year. I love standing and having the chats and getting sucked into the facepainting will you all but I neglect my duties sometimes. I'm not always able to keep an eye on everything and stock has been known to go walkies... I'd never presume to accuse anyone there this weekend and it may have been purely accidental but it does happen.
My beautiful assistant for the weekend was the wonderful Holly Starr. She has worked with me at circus and festival events but this was her first Con. Over the years I guess the novelty has worn off, not in a bad way, but in a way where I don't suffer a heart attack any time my favorite Animé and Manga characters walk past . Not so much for Holly!! Every few minutes I'd feel a tug or a nudge on my arm as a character she recognised sauntered past in elaborate cosplay. At one stage of the day I thought she's actually hyperventalate!
She was able to take the reigns on Sunday and felt confident enough to share her talents with facepainting and love of all things Animé and translate them into beautiful works of facepaint. Well done, you are a Starr!!
I couldn't imagine a better way to spend 3 days and no better people, Holly, Shredder, Captain America, Rick and all. I will really miss this legendary Convention. I hate seeing so many wonderful events dwindling and blinking out of existance. I do hope, over the net couple years, that more spectacular and wonderful conventions crop up.
Well done Eirtakon team. See you all in the future I hope.
Eirtakon 2016
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Akumakon 2016, 2015 & 2014
I've been across the country many times and am now settled and based in Galway, just outside the city centre. I have felt for a long time that Galway was my heart's home and am happy to say I am now living my dream. I've honestly never been to a more singular, outstanding, friendly and inspiring con than Akumakon and this years was no different. It has been my absolute pleasure to paint some absolutely wonderful people over the past few years.
I was unfortunate enough to trip and fall on Sunday morning at Akumakon 2016 and ended up with a pretty badly fractured and strained ankle. I was coddled and attended to by the volunteers and the staff and after a brief mishap with a bag of rice instead of ice, I settled into a pleasant, if painful, afternoon there.
I just want to say a massive *THANK YOU!!!* to all you lovely people who make it possible. Here's to many more adventures in this wonderful county.
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Q Con 2015
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In all my years working at conventions I have learnt that there is no predictable trend in what people like, what they'll get facepainted and even if anyone will turn up!
Q-con 2014 was a fantastic year for me. I sold out pretty much, made a whole bunch of new and international friends and had a blast of a time.
Q-con 2015 was a whole different story. I don't think I even covered my costs for the weekend. It almost made me give up the convention trade and search for a more reliable career.
Almost.
The redeeming feature this year was my partner in crime at so many of these events: Mr Balloonatic. The man can make anything.
And also the fantastic artist next to me who draws the Bunsen Bunnies comic Strips.
If it wasn't for the uplifting banter from these two I think I would have called it a complete loss.
Thanks guys!!
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pokécon 2015
I was asked at Akumakon to be part of Pokékon 2015. I knew what it was about, that's pretty self explanitory, but I still wasn't prepared.
When did my familliar 151 pokémon
turn into over 700?
I can't memorise that many names and shapes of pokémon!!!! I was well impressed by the kids and adults at the convention giving me a challenge and an education in the conspiracies, lore and doctrine of the world of pokémon. For a small convention it was one of my favorites.
The Sunday fell on the same date as Easter Sunday and attendance was very poor.
Saying that, the Saturday was a Hoot Hoot!
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