There has been much to do since IX, which is why my IX 2024 is several weeks late. Much to do, AND it now takes time to Shade and Glaze my images, so it is a double blow to getting posts up quickly after events.
Now that IX 2024 has come and gone and I have had some time to think about it, it was, of course, amazing. Save for last year (which was 110% the fault of my car having a catastrophic unrecoverable event), every year at IX is simply the best. It is a time for celebration, community, fellowship, and art love. You have to go to one to know what I mean. It is a long show, but it also flies by, so there is a bittersweet aspect to it. It is so wonderful, but the moments do fall through your fingers. It was wonderful to see so many friends and familiar faces. IX is usually my last event of the year, and it is such a great completion of the convention year. I feel like I should be saying more, but if you know, you know, and if you haven't attended, you truly owe it to yourself to attend one year, even if you only attend and don't show. Here are some photos from IX 2024.
The Google Works building is where it all happens (except the Showcase, which is at the Double Tree).
They are in the midst of doing some major updates and renovations to the building. We saw just a little bit of their work while at the show, but they had displays of what they planned to do, and it was all very impressive. They will be bringing a lot to the building and the community.
My booth this year. IX is the one place I can bring the entire Grand Bazaar.
All of my available with were on display, as well as prints, MtG APs, books, and more were with me this year.
Not to mention the rug and chairs!
I tried to do a better job getting photos of the show this year. Here is a photo from the first floor.
Here is the second floor where I was set up.
Peaking out from the Grand Bazaar at the rest of the second floor.
I took part in the first of two Magic the Gathering artist proof drawing sessions.
I was seated at a table with Donato Giancola, which, you know, is super cool. It was surreal to be sitting there as peers doing parallel play as we drew, painted, and talked. FUN TIMES!!!
The Ancient Carp I did during the session - SOLD
The Festering Mummy I did during the session -
AVAILABLE!
The artist jam session returned this year, and there was some serious rocking to be had.
Here are some additional photos from the first floor of IX this year.
The Showcase was amazing, as always, and there was so much great art and excitement in the room.
AND there was Destro with an actual (mini) HISS tank! Grant Cooley killed it with the costume this year!
So, more photos from the second floor.
And some photos from the fourth floor.
A little salivating raccoon on an artist proof.
All good things must come to an end.
After helping others, I was in a mad dash to get packed up and out of the way as the walls came down.
Where there was once IX on the second floor, there is now only space...
...as with the first floor.
A new tradition has been to get dinner together at a great Asian restaurant around the corner from the hotel. They can take a massive crowd, and we chair-hop to chat with everyone.
Another amazing year, the 17th IX, to be exact. Here is to 17 more! We are already looking ahead to IX 18 in 2025. I hope to see you there!
That's all for another exciting Wednesday on the blog. See you back here on Friday! Until then...
