ISCA and Past Conventions

This week is the start of the yearly convention for the International Society Of Caricature Aritsts (or ISCA). It's been a long while since I've attended (2013 to be exact), but I have fond memories of attending. Typically the location moves around the US and I generally don't have the money to travel and attend. However, people come from all over the world to compete and collaborate and draw ridiculous caricatures.

My first year there I was so anxious to prove myself. I walked into the giant open room in the convention center and started seeing all these faces I'd seen online; people who's work I had been admiring from the glow of my desktop computer. Now here they were, right in front of me. I wanted to show them what I could do. I wanted them to look at the work I was doing and see someone who was pushing themselves artistically. I've become far less concerned with that over the years but the feeling was so strong then.

The week was a blur of goofing off, drinking, and drawing the goofiest drawings I could muster. I felt like I had made some friends. And the art... lifechanging. The art was taped to the outer edge of the walls. Every artist had their own section taped off and it was nothing short of an artistic awakening. The ridiculous poses and bodytypes, the styles and color; I wanted to absorb everything I could.

Seeing everyone posting this year has made me realize that next year I'm coming back. I need that infusion again and I'd love to see some faces I haven't seen in a while. Until then, enjoy a couple images from my past walls.