I am currently writing this on Sunday the sixteenth of October, on the Virgin trains, from Oxenhome to Euston, London. I would be describing the beauty of the spectacular Lake District, but thanks to Richard Branson I have not got a window.
We got into the Lake District on Friday evening, walked from Oxenhome to the epicentre of the festival, the high street. From there we found Westmorlend shopping centre, where we would be selling our comics, carrying out our workshop and I would draw cartoon portraits. We decorated our stall with an improvised tent pole system that was attatched to the table. Then added balloons with prints on them, that I had designed and printed, along with signs that I had drawn myself. Then we walked to the once brewery, now arts centre, that served as an information point for comic artists, and anyone who was involved in the fest. We got our dinner and sat down. Many people were there some people we knew some we didn't. Even the likes of Mick McMahon, Bryan Talbot (the organiser of the festival), Joe Kelly were there. Who are legendary in the growing world of comics, We settled down with our friend Ed Ilya and his wife Viola, to have some dinner. We chatted on what we were currently working on, presently Joe Kelly sat down to talk and eat with us, as he is working on his newest comic KID SAVAGE with Ilya. I gave him one of my comics and networked.
The next day, we set up the rest of my stall, then rushed off to see some of the festival while we could, I gave some comics to some established artist and writers, to promote what I do. Then bought some of their books in return, and sometimes even got a discount. My Father and I also attended a talk by Mick McMahon, who is one of the most acclaimed British comic book artists. Not only did I learn the history of his comic career, I also realised, you didn't just have to work as a comic artist, you could also work on films, video games, animation, the works.
We then rushed off to the shopping centre, so my father could start his Golden Thread Workshop (the same stencil workshop he had given at the Hastings academy, and could start selling my comics as well as drawing portraits. It is often wise to have a little activity for the audience to do in some way, to attract their attention, and encourage them to purchase your comics, like a workshop. the Golden Thread Project is going to be a comic and event that illustrates the history of English and Amercian folk songs, and how they are linked, it will be an anthology of strips by artists, hopefully we will have an exhibition, at the Cecil Sharp House. The day went well I think, the kids enjoyed the workshop; making comics about folksongs like 'Lady Isabel and the Elfknight' or the 'cruel brother'. I sold some comics and drew some portraits, made quite a bit of money. This trip to the lakes advanced me in my career as a comic, because I found out why its important to go to festivals, the different types of comic artists, found out the different paths you can take in your career, and I did a lot of networking, which hopefully will come in handy one day.
this has been a piece of writing to prove I went to LICAF for my school
ORSON COUPLAND, OCT '16
