Shows
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 48 - Building a successful fine art career with Steven Russell BlackBeing a full-time fine artist and illustrator is an aspirational dream for many, and is a reality for Steven Russell Black that he’s created for himself through discipline and mileage. Steven Russell Black is a northern California-based painter who paints surreal figurative work that highlight the beauty in the horrific. He illustrates comic covers, books, and most notably, cards for Magic: the Gathering.In this conversation, Steven shares how his love and prioritization of his craft has brought him to being a full-time artist, the way he uses social media and consistency to build up...
2025-10-2448 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 46 - The Power of Asking For What You Want with Jordan Fuchs of Plastic PizzaHave you ever wondered what it takes to launch an independent brand and immediately get a collab with Johnny Cupcakes? Jordan Fuchs knows, as he’s literally done just that. Jordan Fuchs is the frontman of Plastic Pizza, an art-driven brand with a focus on creativity, imagination, and community. After selling his extensive lego collection to raise money for his brand, in just a few short years he went from having an idea to building a company that delivers cheesy bliss in the form of art toys, limited-edition apparel, pins, stickers, and more. In this conv...
2025-09-0550 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 45 - The Drive to Find Success On Your Own Terms with Joseph Israel Raul BullardIf you’ve ever wondered about the determination and confidence needed to come from humble beginnings and build a successful career in design, look no further than this conversation with Joseph Israel Raul Bullard. Joseph Israel Raul Bullard has cut his teeth doing design work for companies like Hulu and Dell before building his own design studio where he focuses on branding and identity packages for small businesses. He also teaches design to college students both at Austin Community College as well as via his podcast Students of Design.In this frank conversation, Joseph shares his story of...
2025-08-2258 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 44 - How to Build Your Creative Confidence with Diana LingHave you ever wondered what it takes to break into the competitive world of visual development? Vis dev artist Diana Ling knows, as she’s been there and done just that. With credits at studios like Marvel, Paramount, Warner Bros, and Hasbro, Diana Ling is a Los Angeles-based visual development artist who started out as a storyboard revisionist, then took it upon herself to develop the skills necessary to become a visual development artist. In this conversation, Diana shares her journey as she broke into the industry and pursued her passion for painting - even thou...
2025-08-1146 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 43 - Balancing Technology and Humanity with Shane StoverDo you know what MLB, Interstellar, and Avengers: Infinity War all have in common? They all have had fine artist, fabricator, concept artist, and illustrator Shane Stover work on them. Shane Stover started out painting sports legends while still in high school until he graduated college, moved to LA, and then built a career in the film and entertainment industry doing concept art for films like Spiderman: Homecoming, The Dark Knight Rises, and Alien:Romulus, all while nurturing a fine art career that dives into the intersection of humanity and technology.In this c...
2025-07-2551 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 42 - Worldbuilding and writing with Wes Allard of Last Bastion StudiosWhat does Philip Marlowe, Space Godzilla, and Jiujitsu all have in common? They’re all part of the wide lexicon that writer, painter, and toy producer Wes Allard brings into his world of crime and luchador masks. Wes Allard is one of the founders of Last Bastion Studios - a Los Angeles-based art and toy production house that brings comics, toys, and sculptures to life for cool people. Last Bastion Studios also creates their own line of comics and toys, including Wes’ creation Luchador, a hardboiled mashup of crime fiction, lucha libre, and pro-wrestling. In this...
2025-07-1151 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 41 - Making comics and never giving up with Howie NoelIt’s relatively quick to read a graphic novel, but it’s much more time-consuming and difficult to write, draw, ink, and publish one yourself. Howie Noel has done this numerous times, while also balancing a career as an illustrator and caricaturist for an impressive slate of clients. Howie has run successful crowdfunding campaigns to self-publish his graphic novels, maintains a weekly social media output of new comics, and also works for a wide range of clients like T-Mobile, The Pixies, and Cryptozoic. In this conversation, Howie shares his love of noir with Chris and tips f...
2025-06-271h 00
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 40 - Switching industries, valuing your work, and talking money with Julie ParrishThe pervasive myth of the starving artist has scared many people into pursuing careers outside of art, and Julie Parrish was no different. But through tenacity, some strokes of good luck, and a mindset of possibility has led her back into a career in photography and illustration. With a background in scientific illustration, Julie has built up a career spilling over into medical research, photography, illustration, education, and information architecture. In this conversation, Julie shares tons of wisdom for artists of all ages, including the three questions you need to ask yourself to find alignment in...
2025-06-131h 08
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 39 - Building a creative company from scratch with P-A Lesperance of House of GogMany people dream of leaving their dayjob to start a creative company. P-A Lesperance did exactly that, leaving decades of operations work behind to build House of Gog, a Montreal-based premium toy and collectable company that makes high-craftsmanship art statues from some of the world’s coolest artists. An avid collector himself, P-A learned the ins and out of the figurine business running operations at Ubisoft. After leaving to start House of Gog with business partner Hugues Martel of PureArts, P-A has built a sustainable business with intricate, mind-blowing figurines by artists like Pascal Blanché and SKINNER.
2025-05-3052 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 38 - Changing career ladders and creative collaboration with Shih-Wen Lin and Kun-I Chang of Space Rabbit StudiosMany people strive hard to work their way up a career ladder - but what if it’s not the right career ladder for you? Our guests this week, Shih-Wen Lin and Kun-I Chang did just that, and then pivoted to building an independent art studio. Shih-Wen and Kun-I are the artistic duo behind Space Rabbit Studios, a creative studio that brings illustration, animation, photography, and designer toys all under one creative roof. After working their way up the New York advertising career ladder, they took a leap to building out their own studio and their own wor...
2025-05-1654 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 37 - Fostering curiosity through collecting ideas and allies with David MouldIf you've ever been told "go get a real job," you’ll be familiar with how creatives are often devalued in the workforce and society at large. But it is still possible to be creative, have some fun, and have a career, and our guest this week, David Mould, is living proof of that.David has been living in Thailand for the last 20 years and his work has seen him work in many countries around the world. His superpower is taking ideas from one industry and using them in another, while building allies and collaborators along the wa...
2025-05-021h 00
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 36 - Creating for the love of it with Adam Griffin of Thirsty Thursday ToysWith all the allures of fortune and fame, it can be tempting to try and chase trends and do things that will get you noticed. But what does it look like to build something completely for yourself? Adam Griffin has done that with Thirsty Thursday Toys, a YouTube channel where he creates a cocktail in homage to a toy from his collection every Thursday. A teacher by day and a monster mixologist at night, Adam’s love of the color green and kaiju is brought to drinkable life every week for the past four years. In this con...
2025-04-181h 00
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 35 - Being creative vs. being a Creative with 8pmGenerative AI image creation is everywhere, yet there’s still artists out there creating things by hand and building a brand around what they’re making. 8pm is one such artist. Known for his anime-inspired hyper-detailed illustrations and his runaway hit vinyl toy Jimmy, 8pm designs UX flows by day and creates his personal brand by night. In this conversation, 8pm puts on all his various hats as an artist, UX designer, and community builder and together we dive into the difference between being creative and being a creator, the trials and tribulations of making a desig...
2025-04-041h 03
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 34 - The battle between original art and fan art with Pancho AbalosFan art is a convention staple, but some say it can stifle your creative voice. Pacho Abalos digs deep and dives into why he focuses now on his original characters and how that sets him apart from the masses.Pancho is an artist and streetwear designer known for his graffiti-inspired styles that blend traditional and digital mediums that bring to life his original characters that also reflect incredibly personal stories and emotions. With a portfolio of clients including Nike, BAIT, and Hatsune Miku, Pancho can be found in conventions across the US and abroad. In this raw c...
2025-03-2152 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 33 - Making independent comics and figures with Ben Seto of Black Sheep PressHave you always had an itch to make your own art, but didn’t know where to start? Award-winning independent comic artist and toy designer Ben Seto will tell you to just do it anyway. Ben is the author and artist behind the Xeric-winning comic series “Usagi Jane and The Skullbunnies.” As an independent artist he produces his own resin figures, has run a successful crowdfunding campaign, and makes his marks at comic conventions through the West Coast. In this candid conversation, Ben talks about how he manages his projects with ADHD, his outlook on doing th...
2025-03-0743 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 32 - How design thinking will change your world with Brian Flynn of Super7Do you know what Japanese soft vinyl, punk rock albums, and shoe catalogs all have in common? Brian Flynn, the founder of Super7 will let you in on the answer - it’s design. From understanding the visual language of punk album covers to building his own design studio and working with clients like Nike, Apple, and The North Face to turning a magazine project into a thriving toy company, Brian Flynn has been making things all his life. In this accessible but deep conversation, Brian shares with us his story and the power of desi...
2025-02-211h 17
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 31 - How to make a movie with Courtney DanielsEver wonder what it takes to make a feature film? What about three of them, with a shoestring budget? Courtney Daniels, not only knows how but wrote a book on it titled Yes You Can - How to Make a Movie for Almost No Money.
The writer and director of What Other Couples Do, Bedroom Story, and It’s Not You, It’s LA (formerly titled This F%*king Town), Courtney is an independent filmmaker living in Los Angeles. She makes character-driven movies that can be found on streaming platforms such as Amazon and Tubi.
In th...
2025-02-071h 00
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 30 - Building a toy company with Trent Slingshot of Hip Hop ToyzFamous musicians can seem out of reach, but after years of promoting and managing artists in Australia, Trent Slingshot of Hip Hop Toyz has built relationships with legends like KRS-One and Wu-Tang.
Trent is a bona fide hustler in all the good ways, and he breaks down his knack for knocking on doors and establishing himself as the go-to-guy when hip hop acts want to visit Australia. While still promoting and managing artists, Trent has also built Hip Hop Toyz, and has gone from making bootleg figures to officially licensed collaborations.
In this conversation, Trent sh...
2025-01-2454 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 29 - Building a designer toy brand with Connor McConnell of Abominable ToysFor many artists, having an immediate sell-out of a product would be amazing. It would be even more amazing to do it in high school. Connor McConnell of Abominable Toys has done just that.
Connor is the co-creator of the yeti characters Chomp and Chomper and the owner of Abominable Toys, which he runs full-time. With licensed collaborations with Bob Ross and Godzilla, toys in Hot Topic, Abominable Toys is slowly taking over the world.
In this conversation, Connor shares how he got started building a toy empire while in high school, how he found a...
2024-12-1359 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 28 - Understanding trends and building a business with Brianna of OnicakesMany folks want to run their art business full-time, but have you run the numbers? In this interview with Brianna, the artist behind Onicake, she does a deep dive into the business side of running a kawaii art business and shares how she got started.
A full-time artist selling enamel pins, ita-bags, plush, and other accessories, Brianna runs Onicake from her home base in Dallas, Texas. You can find her and her adorable creations at conventions throughout the United States and in her online store.
In this conversation, Brianna shares her early entrepreneurial stories and t...
2024-11-291h 14
On Monster Island - a Godzilla and Kaiju PodcastDesignerCon 2024 Recap - Sofubi & Kaiju Toy Pickups!Jake and Jay roadtripped it to Las Vegas for DesignerCon 2024 - and it was an epic trek! Our two daikaiju devotees share their favorite parts of the experience as well as an impressive roster of pickups from Marusan, Marmit, Bullmark, Mondo, Draculazer, Ressinblood, Sad Salesman, Creature Bazaar, and more!
2024-11-211h 25
Origins: A Creative JourneyBONUS EPISODE 2 - DCON 2024 with MONDO's Hector Arce and Peter Santa-MariaAre you in love with Mondo’s toy releases as much as we are? Come check out what Mondo will be bringing to DesignerCon 2024 from the men who make it all happen, Hector Arce and Peter Santa-Maria aka ATTACKPETER.
Hector Arce is the Senior Creative Director of Collectibles and Design at Mondo who basically makes all the toys come to reality. Often taking part in the design, sculpting, and painting of the collectables himself, Hector brings his years of industry experience (like at Legendary Pictures and Gentle Giant, LTD) and his deep passion for the craft into eve...
2024-11-1452 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 27 - The argument for day jobs and creating from your soul with Sean KeetonThe goal for many fine artists is to do it full time, but what might be the argument for having a day job as well? Fine artist, video game art director, and animator, Sean Keeton explores the benefits of keeping the day job while making incredibly personal work.
A Los-Angeles based gallery artist at night and a video game art director and animator during the day, Sean Keeton regularly displays his paintings in galleries across LA and has been featured on multiple iconic billboards in Times Square.
In this conversation, Sean shares his seemingly meteoric r...
2024-11-0648 min
Not Real ArtDesignerCon 2024 Hits the Jackpot: Founder Ben Goretsky Brings Art and Collectibles to Sin CityDesignerCon 2024 Hits the Jackpot: Ben Goretsky Brings Art & Collectibles to Sin CityThey say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but some secrets are too juicy to remain buried in the neon glow of the Strip. In today’s podcast episode, we dive into the exciting world of DesignerCon as it transitions from Anaheim to Las Vegas, where the art world is about to collide with the neon lights and vibrant culture of Sin City. Visionary DesignerCon founder Ben Goretsky joins host Scott “Sourdough” Power to share the inspiration behind this bold move.For more information, please visit http://notrealart.com/designercon-2024
2024-11-0456 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 26 - Balancing vulnerability, social media, art, and capitalism with SkinnerWith the sea of social media hype, the pressures of capitalism, and unprocessed trauma, it’s difficult to not only find your authentic voice, but also make a living doing so. Skinner is a visual artist, writer, filmmaker, installation and muralist, and all-around super monster artist.
With work featured on Adult Swim, murals and paintings in galleries across the world, and music videos for bands like Mastodon and High on Fire, Skinner is a full-time creative force of mayhem and madness - and is also a wildly funny, vulnerable, and thoughtful artist.
In this conversation, get...
2024-11-011h 18
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 25 - Focus and iterative growth with Elliot GarnettEver thought about starting your own creative business? Ever consider the ups and down and personal discipline needed? Elliot Garnett is the mastermind behind Centerpoint Studios, a full-time custom miniature and diorama studio.
Always a showstopper at various conventions around the country with large-scale, table-sized dioramas like Dex’s Diner, Elliot and Centerpoint is known for recreating your favorite sets and characters from a galaxy far, far away.
In this conversation, Elliot shares his journey from drawing on toys with Sharpie to the highly-detailed, intricate figures he sells full-time. Elliot shares a lot of the entr...
2024-10-2554 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyBONUS EPISODE - DCON 2024 with Kevin CaoEver wonder how DesignerCon grew into what it is today? Come meet Kevin Cao, the co-founder of DesignerCon and collector extraordinaire.
In this special episode, Kevin shares his origin story as a collector and entrepreneur, as well as the lowdown on what to expect for this year's DesignerCon for it's first year in Vegas.
From vendors to look out for, the Be@rbrick artist 5-pack making a return, as well as all the good stuff attendees should be aware of in terms of DCON's partnerships with EQL, Trampt, and eVend. Oh yeah, and if you...
2024-10-1841 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 24 - Embracing your uniqueness and finding your voice with Kria LindquistHave you ever thought what it would be like to make art of all your worst moments and hidden traumas? Kria Lindquist got started making art as a means to exorcize her demons, and eventually led her to the path of being a full-time fine artist.
As a visual artist who is a staple at dark art markets across the United States, Kria specializes in dark surrealist figurative illustrations and paintings. Their work is an exploration of the human condition, drawing inspiration from dreams, liminal spaces, gender identity and sexuality, esotericism, and various elements from their own...
2024-10-1146 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 23 - Career success vs creative freedom with Critical Buildz / Asako Sauz and Paul EvangelistaDo you dream of having millions of people wear something you designed? Or working on some of the top anime of all time? What if it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be? The dynamic duo of Asako Sauz and Paul Evangelista have huge credits to their name, but are also setting out on their own to carve their own creative mark on the world.
From designing Xbox controllers to designing footwear for Target, there’s a very likely chance you have seen or own something Asako has helped design. From One Piece to Naruto to Bl...
2024-09-2756 min
Pastrami NationPastrami Nation Podcast- DesignerCon Interview with Ben GoretskyJoin the crew for our DesignerCon interview with Founder Ben Goretsky!
Visit https://www.designercon.com/ for tickets!
2024-09-2643 minOrigins: A Creative JourneyEP 22 - The evolution of an fine art career with Mark Dean VecaWhat does it mean to build a sustainable fine art career? Mark Dean Veca has done just that over the past few decades, working with brands like Nike and The Hundreds as well as legendary rock bands like Pearl Jam, Primus, and Ween.
With a career spanning back to the 90’s, Mark’s recognizable style and killer brush work has been exhibited world-wide. From public art to illustration to fine art, Mark’s origin story is full of evolutionary leaps.
In this conversation, Mark walks us through his career from art school to public art to cand...
2024-09-131h 04
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 21 - Learning how to choose yourself with Michael Lewarne of unmeasuredDo you have what it takes to leave your job or change professions? Michael Lewarne is an architect, coach, and installation artist who understands fear, decision making, and how to choose himself.
With a 30-year career in architecture, Michael has pivoted from designing buildings to helping other architects be better leaders through his company, unmeasured. He’s also supported leaders and creatives of all stripes through his coaching at the altMBA.
In this conversation, Michael shares the ups and the downs and pivots of his lengthy career, what it means to take calculated risks, and of c...
2024-08-301h 06
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 20 - Building an apparel brand with Alex Louie of Story SparkIf you’ve ever wanted to know what it takes to start your own apparel / t-shirt company, this is the episode to listen to. In this episode, we talk with Alex Louie of Story Spark, a graphic designer who built a career as a web designer and since pivoted to co-founding Story Spark.
Alex has a storied background in chemistry, graphic design, and enterprise web design, and has taken bits of all of that to create designs that celebrate the connection between technology and humans.
In this conversation, Alex shares how he got Story Spark off...
2024-08-1644 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 19 - Creativity as problem solving with Andrew Davis of DodecadonutsAndrew Davis is a creative director, marketer, woodworker, and Dungeons & Dragons GM that has rolled (pun intended) all his interests into one Dodecadonuts - where he sells handcrafted donut dice containers.
With over two decades of experience in advertising and design, Andrew shares his journey through the ups and downs of his industry, his pivot towards product design, and how tabletop role-playing games can be amazing labs for personal creative journeys.
In this fun, insightful conversation, Andrew not only shares his love of role-playing games, but also drops tons of great advice on getting through...
2024-08-021h 02
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 18 - Authenticity, creativity, and the merging of art and science with Emma BolzIf you’ve ever struggled with the tension between a job you struggle with and what pulls you with every fiber of your being, you’ll gain a lot from this conversation with Emma Bolz.
Emma is a young designer who brings an incredible amount of thoughtfulness, maturity, and intellectual rigor to the start of her creative journey. She is a fierce advocate for herself and has already honed her intuition around what it means to be authentic and to focus on impactful design solutions to wicked problems.
In this conversation Emma shares about finding her...
2024-07-1953 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 17 - The power of brand and discipline with Chris MazeIf you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a successful career in branding, design, AND illustration, you definitely need to listen to this masterclass with Chris Maze.
Chris masterfully juggles two jobs - his day job as a Creative Director specializing in brand development who works with clients with Levi’s and ASICS, and his night job at an illustrator creating original and pop culture artwork that he brings to conventions and local events.
In this conversation, Chris drops tons of advice for creatives of all points in their career - whether you’re look...
2024-07-0358 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 16 - Being steady and putting in the work with kaNOHave you wondered what it takes to hang in multiple industries ranging from graffiti to animation to toy design to streetwear? kaNO’s done it, and that’s who we’re talking to this week!
kaNO is an art hustler extraordinaire, whose multidisciplinary roles and iconic style takes him around the world with clients ranging from Medicom, Universal, Jordan, DC, Marvel, G-Shock, and the NBA, just to name a few. Raised in NYC and now working in Burbank, kaNO seamlessly weaves back and forth between the world of towering murals, toy design, character design, and streetwear.
In t...
2024-06-241h 05
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 15 - Building new worlds with Fixed Temple ToysIf you’ve ever looked at a project’s deep world building and wondered what inspired it, check out this conversation with Colton Houser of Fixed Temple Toys.
Colton is the mastermind behind the Glorbles, ectoplasmic shape shifting entities bent on taking over the world, and the AOA, the last bastion of human defense against these ectoplasmic, shapeshifting entities that have taken the art toy scene by storm.
In this inspiring conversation, Colton shares the origins of Glorbles, the power of support networks, and the fundamental need for artists to just “send it.”
Fixed Templ...
2024-06-0658 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 14 - Building a Creative Community and Career with Ari Bean ThingsIf you’ve ever wondered how to get started streaming your art and building a community, come listen to the blueprint that Ari Bean Things shares in this fun and lively conversation.
Ari is a multidisciplinary artist who makes her living crafting, illustrating, and streaming her process on Twitch. In this conversation, Ari shares her journey through engineering, music, and visual art, and how the pandemic was a huge shift that ended up totally reimagining her career path.
In this conversation, Ari shares how she’s been able to grow a steady audience and offers tons...
2024-05-2453 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 13- The Power of Community and Optimism with Hyperactive Monkey’s Jerome LuIf you’ve ever thought about making your own toy, or trying to break into the toy industry, you’ve got to listen to this conversation with the creator of Hyperactive Monkey, Jerome Lu.
Jerome works by day for clients like Hasbro, Super7, Nice Kicks, and Spin Master, and builds the world of Hyperactive Monkey at night. He shares his origin story: from being rejected from animation programs to getting into toy design to working on the Star Wars franchise to how his journey is like the Fast and the Furious films.
In this conversation Jero...
2024-05-1059 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP12 - Writing Legendary Characters with Tom DeFalcoIf you’ve read any Marvel comics in the 90’s, there is a strong likelihood that you’re familiar with Tom DeFalco, one of Marvel’s longest running editors-in-chief. Besides helping Hasbro launch the GI Joe mythos of the 80’s, he’s also written stories for Spider-Man, Archie, the Fantastic Four, Wolverine, Thor..and the list goes on and on and on.
Every writer (and creative) needs to listen to this conversation with Tom as shares with us how he broke in (and how to do so now), how to write great characters, and what it means to be a profe...
2024-04-261h 14
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 11 - Choosing Your Environment with Susel AlemanEver feel like someplace else might suit you better? What does it take to move countries twice before finding the place that feels right for you? Find out in this conversation with industrial designer and visual development artist Susel Aleman.
Susel Aleman didn’t start taking art seriously until she was in high school. After graduating college in Cuba, she moved to France to pursue her Masters, and she’s since moved to the United States where she is a practicing industrial designer building pedagogical toys, and moonlights as a visual development artist and illustrator. Susel shares some...
2024-04-1252 minOrigins: A Creative JourneyEP 10 - Professional Artist Masterclass with Stephen SilverIf you’ve ever wanted to draw faster or learn what it takes to make it in the animation industry, this conversation with character designer and academy founder Stephen Silver is a must-listen.
Stephen Silver has worked with some of the biggest animation studios in the world as a lead character designer developing the style for shows such as Scooby-Doo, Kim Possible, and Danny Phantom. He’s also the founder of the Silver Drawing Academy, where he teaches both aspiring professionals and hobbyists.
This is a masterclass on getting your foot in the door from someo...
2024-03-291h 03Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 09 - Chasing rejection to find success with The Obanoth / Hannah WebbIf you've ever told yourself "You're not ready" for an opportunity, you've got to listen to this conversation with illustrator, muralist, and acrylic painter The Obanoth.
The Obanoth, aka Hannah Webb, is a full-time artist with a huge social media following and multiple brand sponsorships. Her instantly-recognizable work is a staple at DesignerCon, and in this interview she shares her scrappy mindset that leads her to "chase the No's" as a pass to getting to the "yes's."
Hannah breaks down some crucial nuance around considering opportunities, especially when you're getting started, as well as how...
2024-03-151h 11
Origins: A Creative JourneyEP 08 - Charting Your Own Course - Margarita Monet of Edge of ParadiseHow do you weave together a background in theater, visual art, costume design, and music to chart your own course as a certified rockstar? Find out in this conversation with Margarita Monet, the singer/pianist behind the cinematic rock act Edge of Paradise.
Margarita Monet and Edge of Paradise have released three albums and toured over 25 countries, building a supportive fan base through killer riffs, cinematic stage shows, and lots and lots of hard work.
Margarita shares her take on getting through setbacks and mistakes, how to build self-trust in one's creative vision, and how...
2024-03-0146 minOrigins: A Creative JourneyEP 07 - Courage and Resilience as a Multi-hyphenate Creator with Ruby RothWhat does it look like to shed an identity after building up a public persona for a decade and getting on CNN, Fox, and the Today show?
Ruby Roth won awards as a best-selling children's book author-illustrator, then made a major pivot into figurative art that alienated her past audience. Ruby's origin story is one of courage and resilience in the face of algorithmic fallout and angry parents.
She is also releasing Boss Inside: A Reclamation of the Feminine, an illustrator memoir that covers 2016-2020 as she reclaimed her life, creativity, art, sexuality, and relationship...
2024-02-1656 minOrigins: A Creative JourneyEP 06 - Making Monsters with Mile High SofubiRecorded originally the week before DCON 2023, we're excited to bring you this convo with Paul Schiola, the sofubi man himself behind Mile High Sofubi.
Paul shares about the blood, sweat, and tears that (literally) goes into making toys for many of DesignerCon's creators, and his year-long journey of creative problem-solving to be the first soft vinyl toy factory based in the United States.
Paul shares how monster movies and model kits led him to become the backbone of the modern neo-sofubi boom we're seeing today.
Paul's Links:
Instagram...
2024-02-1040 minOrigins: A Creative JourneyEp 05 - Envisioning Innovation - Mike PellWe are honored to share this conversation with author, envisioneer, innovator, and futurist, Mike Pell.
Mike Pell's origin story spans from design to creating the pdf (yes, the file type) to building and leading The Microsoft Garage - Microsoft's worldwide innovation program.
Mike brings his incredible insights into innovating, problem-solving, and merging creativity into all aspects of life into this fantastic conversation that every creative leader needs to listen to.
Mike's Links:
Mike's Website: mike-pell.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepell/
Visualizing Business (his newest...
2024-01-2546 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyEp 04 - Resilience Through Changing Industries - Phil MucciWe are super excited to share this conversation with an award-winning, multidisciplinary creator Phil Mucci of Diabolik, LLC.
Phil's origin story weaves through multiple industries from billboards in Times Square to music videos with Metallica to horror films to comic books. He shares stories of having his work stolen, and the tolls that success can have on one's personal life.
Along the way, we dive into keeping one's course true among shifting industry tides, turning having work stolen into a positive experience, and how to avoid boxing your own creativity in.
Enjoy!
2024-01-121h 00Origins: A Creative JourneyEp 2 - Authentic Inspiration and Creativity - Wonder Goblin / James SizemoreWe are super excited to share this conversation with one of the greatest influences in the modern sofubi scene - James Sizemore of Wonder Goblin Toys and Vinyl Wonder Paint.
James has changed the landscape for soft vinyl toy painters by making an affordable, accessible paint that opened the doors to many customizers/painters that was previously closed to many.
As James shares his origin story, we dive into his process, how he determines what he makes into toys, visions of demons, the problem with ego, and his take on business and running the only...
2024-01-1149 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyEp 1 - Creativity Explained - John S. CouchWelcome to the first episode of Origins: A Creative Journey.
We are honored and so excited to bring you this conversation with John S. Couch, a multidisciplinary artist, designer, author, and creative director.
John's origin story is a masterclass in creativity. Join us as he breaks down some common misperceptions about art and creativity, society's obsession with utility over happiness, the need for fearlessness, the early days of Wired, a simple (yet difficult) reframe that all artists need to make, and the power of creating a creative habit.
Do yourself a favor and...
2024-01-1152 minOrigins: A Creative JourneyEp 3 - The Intersection of Entrepreneurship & Art - Mr. Cookie / Michael CookToday we are excited to share the origin story of Mr. Cookie aka Michael Cook.
Michael is an artist and tech entrepreneur seeking to empower freelancers and creators to better leverage their networks and relationships in a world shifting into a gig economy.
In this conversation, Michael shares with us how an early internship shaped how he thinks about marketing, building relationships with others, how the recession inspired him to build a tech company, how to enroll people in a creative vision, and the need to be a creative problem-solver.
This is conversation...
2024-01-1143 min
Pixelated Geek - PodcastsBinary System Podcast #390 – Lore Olympus episode 256 and 257, DesignerCon and Doctor WhoHappy last-podcast-before-Christmas! On this week’s Lore Olympus recap we were absolutely gobsmacked that a certain someone gave Apollo a verbal smack upside the head because it was the LAST person we expected. Merry Christmas to us! We finished up with a spoiler-free squee about Doctor Who (Elizabeth’s not caught up yet but Kathryn said the...
The post Binary System Podcast #390 – Lore Olympus episode 256 and 257, DesignerCon and Doctor Who first appeared on Pixelated Geek.
2023-12-2134 min
Binary System Podcast ArchiveBinary System Podcast #390 – Lore Olympus episode 256 and 257, DesignerCon and Doctor WhoThis episode broadcast on Wednesday December 20, the original podcast post is here: https://pixelatedgeek.com/2023/12/binary-system-podcast-390-lore-olympus-episode-256-and-257-designercon-and-doctor-who/
Happy last-podcast-before-Christmas! On this week’s Lore Olympus recap we were absolutely gobsmacked that a certain someone gave Apollo a verbal smack upside the head because it was the LAST person we expected. Merry Christmas to us!
We finished up with a spoiler-free squee about Doctor Who (Elizabeth’s not caught up yet but Kathryn said the second Tennant episode was brilliant), a quick debriefing of DesignerCon (including how fun Amtrak is if you can find the...
2023-12-2034 min
Parks and ConsDesignerCon, 2023 This time, we return to the Anaheim Convention Center for DesignerCon, 2023! Listen in and enjoy! Please, consider joining The Parks and Cons Crew, https://www.patreon.com/ParksAndCons!
2023-12-191h 05Podcasts – Parks and ConsDesignerCon, 2023 This time, we return to the Anaheim Convention Center for DesignerCon, 2023! Listen in and enjoy! Please, consider joining The Parks and Cons Crew, https://www.patreon.com/ParksAndCons!
2023-12-191h 05
FanboyNationDesignerCon Founder, Ben Goretsky Talks About the 18th Annual EventDesignerCon returns for its 18th Annual events from the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA, running from December 15-17, 2023. We were thrilled to speak with Ben Goretsky about DesignerCon, how things have evolved from a collector convention to a full blown designer event with talent around the world as well as Vinny growing up and becoming Vincent.
The 2023 convention will welcome 600 vendors and over 350 artists and designers for a diverse array of programming and products, including the return of DCON fan-favorites: MEDICOM TOY, Tokidoki, POPMART, SHEIN X, MightyJaxx, How2Work, Good Smile, 3DRetro and many more.
2023-12-1214 min
Englishman In San DiegoDesignerCon 2023: In Conversation with Ben GoretskyDesignerCon 2023: In Conversation with Ben Goretski
The Convention Collective's Senior Editor Dan Berry talks to DCon's founder Ben Goretsky, about the superstar highlights of the show for 2023 and what massive changes are coming to DesignerCon in 2024 - including news of a new location for the show...
2023-12-1111 min
Origins: A Creative JourneyOrigins-TrailerComing on December 15th, 2023 - Origins: A Creative Journey
2023-11-2901 min
Pastrami NationInterview with DesignerCon Founder Ben GoretskyWelcome to a special interview from Pastrami Nation!
Today, Pastrami Nation's Editor and Co-Founder Nolan Smith speaks to the Founder of DesignerCon, Ben Goretsky!
Designercon takes place Dec 15th-17th in Anaheim, head over to designercon.com to get your tickets today!
2023-11-2211 min
Not Real ArtDesignerCon 2022: An Exclusive Look at the Annual Art and Design EventLove design in all its forms? Then you’ll want to join us for today’s episode, which features an in-depth look at DesignerCon (DCON), an annual art and design convention in Anaheim, California. Combining collectible toys and designer goods with underground art, this year’s convention included over 700 vendors, custom art shows, and live demonstrations galore. At booth 1221, NOT REAL ART’s parent organization, Crewest Studio, took part in the festivities, joined by longtime friends Man One, Anne Martin of Sugar Press Art, and Javie Lopez and OneSaints from Graffiti the City.In this week’s ep...
2022-12-201h 10
Adventures In DesignWhat Was Different About Designercon 2022? With Founder Ben GoretskyNotable changes that took place at Designercon 2022 with DCON founder Ben Goretsky. Brickey breaks down how to how to take your business and customers into web3 and should your studio do dcon next year? To hear part two of today's episode and 1600 other episodes, join the Circle of Trust today at https://aid.network/
2022-12-0633 min
On Monster Island - a Godzilla and Kaiju PodcastThe Mysterians (1957) Review + DesignerCon 2022 Top 10 Kaiju Toys!Our duo of daikaiju devotees, "The Tattooed Titan of Tokusatsu" Jacob Walsh and "The Mayor of Toku Toy Town" Jay Key, return to bash the 1957 Toho sci-fi classic, The Mysterians, with a hatred not seen since War of the God Monsters. Maybe they just don't share that same love of primary colors, large underwear, and repetitive explosions? But, in an effort to save the episode, the tandem go through Jay's DesignerCon Top 10 and highlight the efforts from some of our favorites: Rocom Toys, Max Toy Co, Mondo, and many more.
But that's not all! They tackle recent k...
2022-12-021h 24
Parks and ConsDesignerCon 2022This time, we are at DesignerCon for a weekend filled with toy art! Listen in and enjoy! Please, consider joining The Parks and Cons Crew, https://www.patreon.com/ParksAndCons!
2022-11-2536 minPodcasts – Parks and ConsDesignerCon 2022This time, we are at DesignerCon for a weekend filled with toy art! Listen in and enjoy! Please, consider joining The Parks and Cons Crew, https://www.patreon.com/ParksAndCons!
2022-11-2536 min
Parks and ConsDesignerCon 2021This time, we return to the Anaheim Convention Center for DesignerCon 2021. After 719 days away, DCon comes roaring back and delivers a fantastic weekend of toy art; and we'll discuss our experiences. Listen in and enjoy! Please, consider joining The Parks and Cons Crew, https://www.patreon.com/ParksAndCons!
2021-11-1558 minPodcasts – Parks and ConsDesignerCon 2021This time, we return to the Anaheim Convention Center for DesignerCon 2021. After 719 days away, DCon comes roaring back and delivers a fantastic weekend of toy art; and we'll discuss our experiences. Listen in and enjoy! Please, consider joining The Parks and Cons Crew, https://www.patreon.com/ParksAndCons!
2021-11-1558 minBinary System Podcast ArchiveBinary System Podcast #202 - WTNV# 159 "Cat Show"Original broadcast date December 5, 2019. The original podcast post is here: https://pixelatedgeek.com/2019/12/binary-system-podcast-202-wtnv-159-cat-show/
Night Vale’s annual Cat Show is here and there’s really no competition because everybody knows Khoshekh is THE BEST CAT EVER. (Though one of the competitors is named Dumpster and we’ve gotta admit that’s a cool name for a cat.)
Listen in as we gleefully recap all the havoc, followed up by some quick thoughts on the newest season of The Crown, Martin Scorsese’s Irishman, and the wrap up of the November Dragonfall Drawing Challenge...
2021-08-2321 minBinary System Podcast ArchiveBinary System Podcast #201 - WTNV# 158 "The War For Time"Original broadcast date November 28, 2019. The original podcast post is here: https://pixelatedgeek.com/2019/11/binary-system-podcast-201-wtnv-158-the-war-for-time/
The three-part Night Vale story of cryogenics and robots comes to a close this week, with an ending that was surprising, abrupt, and intensely creepy. We loved it. (Probably goes without saying but just in case SPOILERS AHOY!)
After the recap we debriefed on this year's DesignerCon, and the final few days of Kathryn's #DragonFall drawing challenge.
This week's outro music is a clip from Asset House by Six Umbrellas. https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Six_Umbrellas/Private...
2021-08-2216 minBinary System Podcast ArchiveBinary System Podcast #153 - WTNV #138 "Harvest Time"Original broadcast date November 22, 2018. The original podcast post is here: https://pixelatedgeek.com/2018/11/binary-system-podcast-153-wtnv-138-harvest-time/
Okay, try to guess what all these things have in common: nights getting longer (and whether that's good or bad), mayonnaise, eating contests, studying (or not) for the PSAT, how annoying autoplay is on Youtube, the change of venue for DesignerCon, that time Kathryn was in the Barnes and Noble parking lot with Hannah and thought the car was rolling forward, and the correct order of C.S. Lewis's Narnia books.
Give up? They're all the topics we talked...
2021-08-0730 minBinary System Podcast ArchiveBinary System Podcast #104 - ALL the conventions (well, two of them anyway)Original broadcast date November 16, 2017. The original podcast post is here: https://pixelatedgeek.com/2017/11/binary-system-podcast-104-all-the-conventions-well-two-of-them-anyway/
That's right, this past weekend Binary System went to ALL the conventions! And by all we mean some. Well, two. But they were really good ones!
Listen in as we debrief on the awesome cosplay and panels at NC Comicon: Bull City http://nccomicon.com/bull-city/, and the fantastic art at DesignerCon 2017! https://www.designercon.com/
The NC Comiccon: Bull City photo gallery is here. https://pixelatedgeek.com/2017/11/photo-gallery-nc-comicon-bull-city/
The DesignerCon 2017 photo gallery is here. https...
2021-07-3038 min
Not Real ArtDesignerCon 2019 with Mark Brickey from Adventures in DesignDesignerCon is one of the undisputed highlights of the art calendar, and the event is growing from strength to strength. Not Real Art Gallery and Man One were both repping in booths at the trade show. Mark Brickey, a dear friend of ours and host of Adventures in Design Podcast, was there on our behalf to interview some of the biggest and brightest stars of the art world. He interviews our very own Man One, who, as we know is one of the realest OGs out there. He has been making art for more than 20 years, and his commitment to...
2020-03-101h 05
On the Mic with Tim DrakeEpisode 175 - Holidays, DesignerCon, and HiatusHappy Holidays, Everybody! This episode is being recorded and released on Christmas Eve and will be the final episode of 2019.
Our annual Christmas and New Year episodes were unfortunately not able to be recorded this year. A lot of changes have happend over the past few years and this year we sadly couldn't put it together. But that doesn't mean I don't have plenty to talk about.
At the end of November I spent the weekend in Anahiem at DesignerCon 2019. This was our first time visiting DesignerCon and it quickly became one of our favorite co...
2019-12-2539 min
Merch Minds PodcastMerch Minds Podcast - Episode 142: Discussing Licensing Agreements and DesignerCon with Ken ReilEvery episode is a special episode, but this episode is extra special. This week my father Ken Reil stops by, and we discuss licensing agreements and DesignerCon. We had the opportunity to attend DesignerCon in Anaheim a few weeks ago, and we recap our experience. Ken also drops some valuable nuggets on how to succeed on Merch by Amazon. We're very fortunate that Ken has connections with the staff at Merch by Amazon, and he's always sharing what he can with the community. Ken drops some hints on what's coming in 2020. I was always very...
2019-12-1258 min
Mach 5 MediaDCON-DesignerCon shenanigans with Samawesome day at DesignerCon
MEARONE
SAM-THENVMBER13
ANGELONCE
GOOPMASSTA
ERWIN PAPA
GONDEK
+ MORE
2019-12-0426 min
The Grand GeekeryTiger-Man on the Prowl: DesignerCon 2019We had a blast at DesignerCon in Anaheim this year. Tiger-Man hunts down some amazing creators for interviews! Enjoy!
The post Tiger-Man on the Prowl: DesignerCon 2019 appeared first on The Grand Geek Gathering.
2019-11-2600 min
Cold As Ice with Ben Baller & JimmyBoiEP 32 - NEVER COMPARING DOGS TO KIDS: RIP Brenda Bullock aka Mamacide & Harry Morton, LegoLand, DesignerCon, BB Action Figure, Fan Questions & moreHis name is Ben Baller, not Ben Humble & today he’s here to discuss: Parent/Teacher Conferences, not comparing dogs to children, the differences of his kids, Taking the family to LegoLand in San Diego, RIP Brenda Bullock aka Momacide, saying a prayer for @urban.siko, The After Life, Hanging with QWorldstar’s son, running into fans, DesignerCon, Seeing KD, Ben Baller Did The Chain Figure, RIP Harry Morton, The Seahawks W, Tyler Lockett sending a signed jersey, The Niners, Award Shows, Fan Questions Submitted to Apple Podcasts, wanting to interview more women & a whole lot more. This episode is n...
2019-11-2550 min
The HYPE Report2020 GRAMMY Nominations, Colin Kaepernick's NFL Workout and MoreThis week's topics include: 2020 GRAMMY Nominations, Colin Kaepernick's NFL workout, an exclusive look into DesignerCon 2019 and the latest adidas x Star Wars collection. Mikey sits down with Editors Felson Sajonas, Robert Marshall, Keith Estiler and Music Coordinator Patrick Johnson to discuss this week's latest news.
As always, thank you for tuning into HYPEBEAST Radio and The HYPE Report. You can subscribe to our channel on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Please don't forget to leave a comment or review. Feel free to reach out to our host, Mikey Dabb on Instagram or Twitter @MikeyDabb.
2019-11-2333 min
Clean Break with Matt GondekClean Break - Episode 85 - Designercon 2019Episode 85 - Ben and Kevin of DesignerCon DesignerCon is the annual Art and Toy convention that smashes together collectible toys, customs, plush, designer apparel and much more. Matt talks w/ Ben and Kevin the coordinators of the expo about it's background, what to expect this year, and advice for artists vending at the expo. IG: @designercon
2019-11-181h 14Clean Break with Matt GondekClean Break - Episode 85 - Designercon 2019Episode 85 - Ben and Kevin of DesignerCon DesignerCon is the annual Art and Toy convention that smashes together collectible toys, customs, plush, designer apparel and much more. Matt talks w/ Ben and Kevin the coordinators of the expo about it's background, what to expect this year, and advice for artists vending at the expo. IG: @designercon
2019-11-181h 14
Not Real ArtAll About DesignerCon 2019 with Ben GoretskyOur guest today for the show is the one and only Ben Goretsky! Ben is the brains behind 3D Retro and DesignerCon, and today we will talking all about DesignerCon 2019! Ben gives us some insight into just how sleep-deprived and excited he is and we talk about the somewhat controversial but ultimately wonderful move to Anaheim from Pasadena. We talk about what's new, VIP tickets and why this year's event is going to be an all-round kick-ass time! Ben explains some of the great initiatives that are coming to light in 2019 and bringing back some galleries and exhibitions from exile...
2019-11-051h 22
Marsham Toy HourMarsham Toy Hour: Season 4 Ep 28 - DesignerCon 2019This week, George wears the hosting hat and the producer of DesignerCon, Ben Goretsky, joins the show. Ben gives us a sneak peek at next month's DesignerCon and answers some listener questions.
DesignerCon website - https://www.designercon.com/
DesignerCon Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/designercon/
2019-10-211h 21
Not Real ArtEp. 56: IP Attorney + Photographer, Joshua WattlesToday on the show we have Joshua Wattles, artist, photographer and lawyer for the creative arts! Formerly Advisor-in-Chief to DeviantArt, we chat with Joshua about his career in film, music and his creative pursuits alongside all of these. We discuss current issues of privacy and the advent of GDPR, how these new laws translate across the world in different ways and what this means for the global creative community. The conversation covers the rise of DeviantArt and how it preceded many of the communities and social networks that dominate today's landscape, setting the standard for a lot of the norms...
2019-07-191h 19
Not Real ArtEp. 035: Special Edition | Surprise Guest HostOn the show today we are welcoming Heidi Johnson of Hijinx PR in Los Angeles. Man One is unfortunately missing in action today but never fear, we still have a great, free-wheeling show for all of you dedicated listeners out there! First off we chat about the upcoming DesignerCon, which we are super excited about and hear from Heidi about how she is involved and what to expect. From there we look at some of the other conventions Heidi helps organize and she also gives us some great stories from a recent trip to Chicago for an event remembering the...
2018-12-1948 min
????????????????Episode 62. One Lightsaber w/ Cisco!This week Cisco is in the host seat as Alex is giving back to the community teaching the youth of America Comedy.
Cisco & Steve talk about the Boba Fett movie officially being shelved. We discuss what we might like to see in future Star Wars TV series and possible stand alone films. John Williams is on the mend and we take a look at the new Hasbro Star Wars The Black Series Mace Windu figure.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
This week Cisco & Steve spotlight the latest episode of the new STARWARS.COM web series "OUR STAR WARS STORIES" The show introduces fans...
2018-11-2547 min
The STS GuysThe STS Guys - Episode 61: DesignerCon ShenanigansThis week the guys talk about their first all STS Guys road trip to sunny Anaheim, California for DesignerCon! The guys talk about their experiences at the convention, the layout and the ultimate adventure of getting into the Funko booth. Special guest this week Ian Doge of IanDoge.com. This is an episode you do not want to miss, so sit down, shut up and enjoy this week's episode of The STS Guys.
Check out The STS Guys:
► Instagram :: https://www.instagram.com/stsguys
► Twitter :: http://www.twitter.com/stsguys
► YouTube :: http://www.stsguys.online
► Online :: http://www.stsguys.com
2018-11-251h 10
Black Series Rebels#62. One Lightsaber w/ Cisco!This week Cisco is in the host seat as Alex is giving back to the community teaching the youth of America Comedy.Cisco & Steve talk about the Boba Fett movie officially being shelved. We discuss what we might like to see in future Star Wars TV series and possible stand alone films. John Williams is on the mend and we take a look at the new Hasbro Star Wars The Black Series Mace Windu figure.COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHTThis week Cisco & Steve spotlight the latest episode of the new STARWARS.COM web series "OUR STAR WARS STORIES" The show introduces fans to...
2018-11-2446 min
Con-Tinuation Ep 27: DesignerConThe Grand Geeks run around DCon asking about the REAL villain of Toy Story! Who is it?! Find out!
The post Con-Tinuation Ep 27: DesignerCon appeared first on The Grand Geek Gathering.
2018-11-2107 min
Full FrontalDesignerCon 2018 - Camilla d'Errico in conversation with Dan Berry (17th November 2018)DesignerCon 2018 - Camilla d'Errico in conversation with Dan Berry (17th November 2018)
DesignerCon 2018 has taken over the Anaheim Convention Center this weekend(16th-18th November 2018)with an expanded show, including a Preview Night on the Friday - this really has demonstrated the appeal and draw of this unique show, bringing together some of the countries most talented creatives, with artists, sculptors, innovators and storytellers showcasing their work.
One of these incredibly talented people is artist Camilla d'Errico who brought to the show her new book MERMAIDS AND OTHER SEA CREATURES, a wonderfully rendered all-ages book which has been a labour of...
2018-11-1910 min
Englishman In San DiegoDesignerCon 2018 - Camilla d'Errico in conversation with Dan Berry (17th November 2018)DesignerCon 2018 - Camilla d'Errico in conversation with Dan Berry (17th November 2018)
DesignerCon 2018 has taken over the Anaheim Convention Center this weekend(16th-18th November 2018)with an expanded show, including a Preview Night on the Friday - this really has demonstrated the appeal and draw of this unique show, bringing together some of the countries most talented creatives, with artists, sculptors, innovators and storytellers showcasing their work.
One of these incredibly talented people is artist Camilla d'Errico who brought to the show her new book MERMAIDS AND OTHER SEA CREATURES, a wonderfully rendered all-ages book which has been a labour of...
2018-11-1810 min
The Hall H Show – The Voice of Independent CreatorsEp 52: Gmonik - (DesignerCon 2017)Painter. Sculptor. Street art muralist. Gmonik, a San Diego, CA based artist is all that and more. Aaron Nabus here and on this final Hall H Show edition of our interviews from last year's DesignerCon 2017, we had the honor of spending some time getting to know Gmonik. Though this wasn't the first time we had met him. He has established himself as a creative force in the local San Diego art community and we would occasionally see him and his partner in crime, Danielle at various events. Unlike other booths at DesignerCon, their...
2018-11-1722 minThe Hall H Show – The Voice of Independent CreatorsEp 51: Andy Lorenzana (Watermoon Studios) - (DesignerCon 2017)Exclusive collectible products, inspired by roots, culture, art and music. That is the tagline of Watermoon Studios, which is owned and operated by Andy Lorenzana, an artist and designer from San Diego, CA. His custom "Barrel Man" line of collectibles is all about taking something old and familiar, especially if you are Filipino and giving it a unique pop culture spin. This is definitely evident with the many influences in his art work such as of A Tribe Called Quest, Marvel, Star Wars and even Lapu-Lapu, considered by many to be the first Filipino hero...
2018-11-1720 minThe Hall H Show – The Voice of Independent CreatorsEp. 50: David White (Mecha Zone) - (DesignerCon 2017)We hope you've been enjoying our DesignerCon 2017 interviews. One thing that we've noticed at DesignerCon is the growing presence of 3D printed art. How fortunate for us that David White, the owner of Mecha Zone and the creator of the Mechanauts and Predanauts 3D printed line of toys, spent some time out of his busy day at last year's DesignerCon to talk about his passion for this growing medium. We enjoyed this conversation with him and look forward to seeing him again at this year's DesignerCon 2018, which takes place in Anaheim, CA, November 16-18, 2018.
2018-11-1742 minThe Hall H Show – The Voice of Independent CreatorsEp. 49: Lori Herbst (DesignerCon 2017)We continue our travel back into the past with our next DesignerCon 2017 interview with Stockton, CA based artist, Lori Herbst. Lori uses various mediums including assorted textiles, vinyl upholstery, and stencil backgrounds to create photo realistic sewn portraits. We were impressed with the variety of pop culture references that she uses for inspiration. From creations based on Johnny Depp's Ed Wood and Mike Colter's Luke Cage to the Dick Van Dyke show, her artwork has been purchased and enjoyed by many people around the world. It was a pleasure to have her on...
2018-11-1720 minThe Hall H Show – The Voice of Independent CreatorsEp. 48: Tony Tran and Selena Lin (DesignerCon 2017)Hey there fellow nerds, geeks and supporters of independent creators! We are excited to attend this year's DesignerCon 2018 which will take place in Anaheim, CA, November 16-18, 2018. If you are no stranger to the Hall H Show, you'll know that DesignerCon is one of our favorite conventions since it's basically one mega artist alley. Episodes 48 through 52 will showcase a few interviews that we did last year at DesignerCon 2017. First up is Tony Tran, a returning guest and is someone we look forward to seeing every year since he is constantly evolving.
2018-11-1721 min
Working SundayLA Working Artists 2: Build Your BrandTwo stories of people finding a tiny little niche ... and building a hugely successful business.
Our first guest turned a part time passion project into the largest art market of it’s kind in the world – DesignerCon. Our second guest launched a super niche (and kind of bizarre) art product on a shoestring budget.
This season of Working Sunday does a deep dive into what it takes (and means) to build an authentic, personal brand – that can blow up.
From Pasadena to Culver City – from Melrose to Long Beach –
Welcome to the world of LA Working Artists.
Show Guests:
• Ben Goretsky of...
2018-11-1600 min
Black Series Rebels#22 ft. Tracy Tubera: No Sleep Till DesignerConEpisode 22 ft. Tracy Tubera is here and we are getting HYPED on that new TV spot! Plus all the awesome stuff we are cooking up for DesignerCon has got us sleeeeepy!--------------------------------2:43 - HYPE: A New Last Jedi TV spot!12:00 - NEWS- KK on The Star Wars Show- International Poster- Black Series Porgs- New Picture of The Last Jedi's Kelly Marie TranINTERVIEW W/ Tracy TuberaCheck out Tracy: http://www.tracytubera.com---------------------------Now Available on iTunes: http://apple.co/2rj55oBWebsite: http://www.blackseriesrebels.comSupport our channel: https://www.blackseriesrebels.com/shop/Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BlkSeriesRebelsFollow Alex Backes...
2017-11-061h 04The Hall H Show – The Voice of Independent CreatorsEp. 6: DesignerCon 2016 (Recap)Episode 6 of The Hall H Show podcast features hosts, Aaron Nabus and Alex Benedicto recap DesignerCon 2016 which took place in Pasadena, CA. Besides DesignerCon (one of our favorite conventions to attend), we will also talk a bit about Nuke the Fridge (which we checked out on our way to DesignerCon), give our top three cons of the year and then give some DesignerCon and end of the year shout outs! Music by The Passion HiFi www.thepassionhifi.com. #HallHShow #ArtistsAssemble
2017-01-0148 min
The Hall H Show – The Voice of Independent CreatorsEp. 5: Tony Tran (ClayNext) – DesignerCon 2016Episode 5 of The Hall H Show podcast features Tony Tran (ClayNext), a clay sculptor. Tony joins the Hall H team, Aaron Nabus and Alex Benedicto, at DesignerCon 2016 which took place in Pasadena, CA. We talk about a lot of random things like Play-doh, his Kickstarter campaign for his Tranimated bases (which can be used as a starting point to build your own clay sculptures), Dragon Ball Z, Lost, The Walking Dead, In-n-Out Burger, Hip Hop, Kanye West, Gary Vaynerchuck, Jiro Dreams of Sushi, Ramen, Tofu, Power Rangers, Ghost in the Shell and more. There are...
2016-12-291h 02
The Nerd LysEpisode 47 - Ze MarshanIn this episode, we discuss our anniversary trip to Sedona, plans to go to Star Wars: Season of the Force, and the amazing book "The Martian" by Andy Weir. We are going to be selling a limited edition print called "Adventure is Out There" at DesignerCon in Pasadena, CA on Nov 21st-22nd. The print design (inspired by our Pixar Up cosplay) was created by Fannie Lam (@graymako on Instagram). She is an amazing graphic designer and budding toy customizer. The print will be 5"x7", limited to an edition of 50 at a price of $10. The print will...
2015-11-181h 15