WONDER-CON 2015

Tommy & Skeletor (?), BFF!

"Fairy Dust" Gays & Disney panel discussion. Some... colorful types there.
What am I doing here? I mean, other than being gay and having blue hair, why the fuck am I on this panel?
One of my favorite former students (in the middle), and her friend (on the left. because obviously that's me on the right. duh.)

Some notes to gather my thoughts, even though that gigantic scary drag queen did most of the talking.

Jotted quotes from the discussion. And other impressions.

This is actually completely true: my friend Angela and I used to sing this horrible song when we were in high school, referring to any guy who identified too much with Disney, because that meant GAY. I was still in the closet then, and a total hypocrite. Angela doesn't remember this song, but I SWEAR it's true. Somewhere there's a VHS home video tape of her singing it. We were terrible people back then, but now we are ANGELS and never say or do anything mean.



My WonderCon purchases. Adorable blue ram & Ghostface from the Scream movies. BFF!

ORIGINAL ART : "Art Friends Are the Best"


     Received a really cool envelope from a friend, highly-decorated with special postal stamps and such. Inside was a print of Little Nemo-inspired artwork my friend had done recently, and a nice little note about inspiring each other artistically.
     So I did this drawing last night, and plan to put it in the mail as a lil' thank you.
     Long live snail mail and spontaneous art!

ORIGINAL ART : "The Curse of Lopez"

"The Curse of Lopez"
by Tommy Kovac
Ink on illustration board
     I'm experimenting with "illustration board," which is very thick and sturdy, and therefor seems more like a real piece of "art" when you're done with it. I used my regular ZIG markers and Sakura fine liners on this. I'm practicing for a commission piece I'll be doing soon, thinking I'll use illustration board for it. Now that I've inked this, I'm going to try watercolor over it, and see how it looks. If it gets ruined, well... Then I'll know not to try that again.

MY WONDERCON 2015 SCHEDULE



PRE-WONDERCON:

 Thursday, April 2nd, I'll be participating in this (FREE!) pre-WonderCon event at Chapman University, and selling & signing my books:
April 2, 6-8pm, Argyros Forum, room 119A
(Flyer artwork by Ross Loehman)
4/2/2015 UPDATE: Here's the final version of the Salon flyer:
AT WONDERCON:
Saturday, April 4th, I'll be signing from 5pm-6:30pm at booth #809 (Prism Comics).
Then at 7pm that same day I'm participating on this panel:
Fairy Dust: LGBTQ Disney Fandom - Saturday, April 4, 2015, 7:00p.m. – 8:00p.m., Anaheim Convention Center Room 211
Disney is popular around the world.  And Disney characters, films, comics, media and theme parks are especially popular among the LGBTQ community.  Young or old, LGBTQ folk identify with the stories, characters, the fantasy and the imagination. Since you are next door to the “Happiest Place on Earth” join Prism Comics and Disney fans as they explore why the queer community loves all things Disney. Panelists include Dusty Sage (Founder and CEO of MiceChat.com), Tommy Kovac (Skelebunnies, Wonderland), Momma (Anaheim Gay Days; expert on Disney Parks and Disneyana), Jimmy Sherfy (Disney Cosplayer and Animation Enthusiast), Sarah Sterling (Disney Fandom YouTuber, Feminism and Queer Studies Specialist), Joseph Titizian (Disney Historian and Featured Blog Writer) and Barry V (Disney Cosplayer and Animation Enthusiast). Moderated by Ted Abenheim (Prism Comics Board Member).   
     It's kind of a funny topic, because LOTS of people are obsessed with Disney, not just the gays. And I do NOT love "all things Disney." I hate that goddamn Little Mermaid, I hate the "Disney Princess" cult, I find "Finding Nemo" to be a big bland yawn, Cinderella is a passive twat, and I dislike musicals in general. But I think the Prism organizers know this, and have invited me anyway. So I will politely bring my rotten little contrary attitude to the table.
     Here's some Disney I DO love: The original animated "Alice In Wonderland," the Alice In Wonderland ride, the Haunted Mansion ride, Mary Poppins, the movie "Return To Oz," "Sleeping Beauty," the Peter Pan ride, and adorable animated squirrels and bunnies.

Founders' Park in Anaheim

     On the first Saturday of each month, there's an open house at Founders' Park, which is right behind Anaheim High School. Anthony and Mom & Aunt Wanda and I took the tour of the Mother Colony House (very rustic), and the super-beautiful Victorian Woelke-Stoffel house. I want to live in that house dammit.
     Here are some pictures...
This "surveyor's cabinet" in the Colony House is the SHIT, right? 
Look at this adorable corner shelf in the Colony House! So fancy!
Mrs. Clementine Langenberger, whose black eyes stare balefully from the wall in the Colony House.
Why does this creepy doll in the Colony House look more like a tiny lady than a baby?
In the Victorian Woelke-Stoffel House, everything is, like, WAY fancy. Look at this awesome fireplace mantel!!! 
A beautifully carved set of nesting tables, nestled in a corner. (See what I did there?)
Victorians were like, "Bitch, we'll put tassels on ANYTHING."
Victorians will not rest until there are a MILLION tassels.
David Smythe, whose portrait hangs upstairs in the Woelke-Stoffel House, and whose trailing mustaches and peculiar hair streak haunt us to this day...
This is a pretty nice fireplace and mantel, but I like the first one better. This is Plain Jane compared to it.
Ladies, would you like some fans? Why, yes, they ARE ostrich feathers.
Look at that lampshade! It's super nice, you guys. Do NOT rough-house anywhere near it.
Another beautiful piece of German wood-carving.
I just really liked this painting upstairs in the Woelke-Stoffel House.
Peacock feathers! They add Victorian finery to any room.
May I have another serving of Victorian peacock feathers? Yes, you may. Right this way, sir.
This dear little silver water pitcher tilts to facilitate pouring. So genteel!
Pictures hung with medallions and rope and yes, TASSELS.
I'll just sit here and chat for a while. And idly flick the tassels on the curtains.
Love this Victorian wallpaper!
I love THIS Victorian wallpaper, too. Everything should be covered in it. Even cars, and dumpsters.


COMICS

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Currently in the works:
Smells Like Library, written & illustrated by Tommy Kovac
Check it out: HERE.

 The Royal Historian of Oz
Written by Tommy Kovac, illustrated by Andy Hirsch
Graphic novel published by SLG Publishing, Inc.

Wonderland
Written by Tommy Kovac, illustrated by Sonny Liew
Hardcover full-color graphic novel published by Disney Press

Skelebunnies- the Complete Collection
Written & illustrated by Tommy Kovac
Graphic novel published by SLG Publishing, Inc.

Stitch- 10th Anniversary Edition
Written & illustrated by Tommy Kovac
Graphic novel published by SLG Publishing, Inc.

Autumn 
Written & illustrated by Tommy Kovac
Five 24-page single issues
Published by SLG Publishing, Inc.

ORIGINAL ART : Mask Quartet


     I ordered some "Sakura" pens, per the recommendation of an artistically talented student I work with, and for some reason the first thing I was inspired to draw with them were some vaguely Polynesian tribal masks.
     I looked at nothing for reference, so they probably don't really look Polynesian at all.
     I love the way these pens feel, though. Nice fine line, no bleeding, solid black pigment archival quality ink. :)

ORIGINAL ART : "Satan"

     My Aunt Wanda gave me a sewing machine for Christmas, because I've mentioned several times how I think it would be fun to have one, and be able to create weird things with it. So I created a weird thing yesterday and this morning. His name is Satan. Not as in the One and Only Satan, his name just happens to be that, too. Like how plenty of guys are named Jesus, but it doesn't mean they're all the Son of God.     

Satan from the front. He's furry and black, with ribbon arms.

Closeup. (You can never go wrong with rick-rack.)

And what's this fabulousness on his backside?
Green leopard print fuck yeah!