Free Sketches

My fiancé and I go to the San Diego Comic-Con every year to see celebrities and to score as much free stuff as possible. I always bring a blank sketchbook in hopes of getting drawings from my favorite comic book artists. However, for the past several years, I’ve come back with zero new ones. Here’s why:

1. I hate standing in line to see artists; the more popular the artist, the longer the line.


2. I refuse to pay for a sketch, although I’ve seen some really nice commissioned sketches.


3. We’re trying to see as many celebrities and score as much free stuff as possible.

I do have some great sketches that I’ve obtained in past years which thrill me to no end. Here's one from Rick Geary:



I have a hang-up where I freeze up when I meet artists that I really respect and admire. I know they are just people, but I’ve always had trouble conveying my admiration for someone’s talent without sounding like an idiot.

I would have the same problem with bands or musicians that I’ve listened to for a long time. If I had the opportunity to meet Nick Cave or Peter Murphy, I’d be like a deer in headlights. How can I relate to them? “So… do you like football?”

Maybe if I became rich and famous and had fans, I’d better understand the dichotomy and get over my discomfort. OK, that’s what I’ll do. Fame and fortune, here I come!