Gen Con 2024 Recap

For many reasons, Gen Con is my biggest show of the year. It has the most attendees, vendors, artists, and activities, and it is in the largest convention center and city of any show I do in a year. It also costs the most to attend and to be a part of. Gen Con has been good to me over the years. There have been rocky spots and some bumpy years, but we keep coming back to Gen Con. It is also the show I feel like I worked the hardest while at the show as well as preparing for it. I am still processing this year's show. I feel like I am spending more time thinking about how shows perform, what worked, what didn't work, and what I can do differently moving forward in ways I never did before COVID-19. While I think this is primarily due to my complete focus on the Grand Bazaar, which is my creation and not that of my clients, I also think I am looking at conventions differently - which is all a good thing.

And here we are at Gen Con 2024. This year was my best Gen Con to date. Saleswise, it was the best I have had as it surpassed my record last year. Emotionally, it was my best as well, but this has a lot to do with winning the Doug Kovacs award at the Gen Con Art Show awards. This award has a history and a story to it, and I am not really prepared to go into it here. Let me just say it means a great deal to me (like, REALLY A LOT), and I share this award with many other great artists. It is just really, really special when the universe taps you on the shoulder and gives you a nod. Many thanks to all the judges, Barbara Fisher and, of course, Wayne Reynolds.

A HUGE thanks to all who came by the booth this year. It was great to share the Grand Bazaar with you. I am not sure that the couple will ever see this, but you walked away saying that I was giving you the 'hard sale.' That is not something I do or like. I was letting you know that the item you were interested in has been selling out at events that I have done this year and, at the time, was tracking that way at Gen Con. I just wanted you to know the reality of the situation. I am sorry if I offended you, but I was just trying to be honest and to help you find what you were looking for. Moving on... It was SO wonderful to see so many friends and familiar faces this year! Many that I haven't seen since before COVID. I wish that we had more time together, but hopefully, this means we will cross paths again soon.

But as I said before, I am still processing the convention. I have some early takeaways, but I am sure more will become clear as I move further from the event and continue to ponder and ruminate on things. For now, enjoy these photos from Gen Con 2024 and some additional thoughts!

My Gen Con 2024 booth.

While every show is different... and the same, I enjoy the subtle tweaks I can make at each show to refine the Grand Bazaar a little bit more each time. I was thrilled with how the booth turned out this year.

For once, I was able to walk around a little bit before the con started.

I was able to see this big mech, and I walked to almost the far end of the vendor hall.

The rest of the time, I was in my booth.

This was what greeted me when I arrived at the vendor hall on Thursday morning.

While this photo was taken Thursday, crowds like this are normally reserved for Saturday.

The crowds remained like this for the entire weekend.

No one can say that the Art Show wasn't well attended.

I *MAY* have signed a few Ancient Carp cards for the one and only Matthew Schneider!

Some of the sketches I did on the back of Magic proofs.

I finally got to see the Lego Aarakocra in person. I can not wait to get one of my own. And to make it even better, it comes with a little kitty familair!

Got a chance to talk with Brian Pitre at the booth, and he gave me this awesome sticker.

As mentioned before, I was honored with the Doug Kovacs Award,

The excellent Jacob Walker made the award this year, which made it all even better!

And finally, the man himself, Wayne Renolds, who chose me for this year's award.

This was as close to the balloon sculpture as I got this year. The gnomes turned out to be wearable and paraded around at one point. At least I got to see the photos and videos.

What an amazing and creative group of humans. I am so proud of all of them!

So wonderful to be able to be a part of this group.

And finally, what went up must come down.

Another Gen Con in the books!

Remember to trust the process and be in the moment as much as you can.

That is all for another exciting Wednesday on the blog. See you back here on Friday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability, head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Gen Con THIS WEEK! And Surprises!

We are mere days away from the best four days in gaming, and I wanted to share some of the surprises I have in store for those attending Gen Con. Starting Thursday, you can find me in the Gen Con Art Show at booth 17 in Indianapolis, IN. In addition to everything related to The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia, I will also have concept art and illustrations from my work on seasons 4 and 5 of Angel AND a slew of new Magic the Gathering artist proofs adorned with color art. So, let's get to it!

Come see me at Art Show booth 17!

You may remember that earlier this year at Pensacon, I made available, for the very first time, several of my pieces from my Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. In addition to the remaining pieces, which I will have with me at Gen Con, I will be bringing a bunch of concepts from seasons 4 and 5 of Angel. These will be bundled in sets so that you can get all of the art related to a particular monster or stage of concepting. ALL of these became monsters you can see on the show, and I have talked about and shared about them all before here on the blog. These are one-of-a-kind items that are part of the Buffyverse and should not be missed. But if you do miss out, I still have more art tucked away for a future event.

Concept art and illustrations from seasons 4 and 5 of Angel!

Artist proofs! I have created a number of new color art proofs, which include several cards that are getting the color art treatment for the first time. In addition, I have three Breaching Little Hippocamps and an exclusive 4-up Ancient Carp that is created using four proofs to make one image. The 4-up Ancient Carp comes framed and ready to display. I had so much fun making all of these and learned a lot doing them. But after making so many of them, it will be good to have a little break from them at Gen Con... where I will likely be drawing and sketching all weekend.

Salazating Gremlins in their first color art proof!

The perennial favorite that is the Gudul Lurker.

The Shimmerwing Chimera is also getting its first color art proof!

I can't do an event without an Ancient Carp.

As a special treat, I have THREE Breaching Little Hippocamps!

We wanted to do something fun and special as I near the end of available proofs.

And finally, as a Gen Con exclusive, I have a 4-up Ancient Carp that includes FOUR proofs to make one large image. This will be the ONLY ONE I will likely ever do - especially as I am nearing the end of my original printing of proofs.

Here are a pair of images of the 4-up in its frame. Ready to hang or sit out on a surface, the Ancient Carp is ready for any display choice.

I will also have some proofs from previous events that I have done this year. I have shared all of these on the blog already, but I wanted to include them as they will be available at the show as well.

Shifting Shadow

Loathsome Catoblepas

Coveted Peacock

A fully painted Beholder on a Shifting Shadow

Bribe Taker

It has been a lot of work to get ready for this year's Gen Con, but hopefully, it will be worth it in the end. And again, you can find me at booth 17 in the Gen Con Art Show! I hope to see you there!

As a reminder, find me at booth 17 in the Art Show!

That is all for another exciting Monday on the blog. I will see you back here after Gen Con! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability, head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Gen Con is NEXT WEEK!

Gen Con is finally here, and I hope you are ready for the best four days in gaming. I will be returning to the Gen Con Art Show starting August 1st through August 4th in Indianapolis, IN. This is the big one for a lot of us, and it is certainly the biggest event that I attend each year. I have been in the art show since 2011 and except for 2020 (virtual) and 2021 (still wasn't ready for events with people), I have been present every year. 

I will be debuting a lot of new art from the Grand Bazaar at the show this year, color MtG artist proofs, and a few surprises. If you subscribe to my newsletter, you have seen most of the new art from the Grand Bazaar already. As always, look for the red walls!

My Gen Con booth in 2023.

It will not be this grand this year (I will be back to a normal 4-panel booth), but I will have all the monsters with me!

If you found me last year it will be extremely easy to find me this year as I am one booth closer to the main exhibitor floor of Gen Con. If you are facing the art show, I am in the left frontmost corner on the inside of the isle. Like I said, look for the red walls, and you will find me. Here are some maps for those who like maps.

I will see you at booth 17 of the Gen Con art show!

I know, that the previous map has a lot of clutter going on, so here is a clearer map that you can use. Booth 17 is practically facing out into the main hall of Gen Con. I am sure I will have loads of fun people watching to do and a good view of the action and excitement that is Gen Con. I won't be able to participate in any of it, but I will be able to see it. So that counts.

Booth 17 for all your monster and Grand Bazaar needs!

Okay, still can't find me? Well, here is one more map that really shows you where I am at. Just head to the corner of the Gen Con art show and you will find me. Here is the entire map of the art show so that you can see where all your favorite artists are set up!

Just behind booth 1, you will find me!

I hope to see you in Indianapolis!

That's all for another exciting Wednesday on the blog. See you back here on Friday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability, head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

2024 Convention Annoucment!

I am thrilled to annouce that I will be returning to Gen Con in 2024! I will see you Indianapolis for the best four days in gaming August 1-4, 2024. Gen Con is one of my main events of the year and has been for over a decade. It is a lot of work, and now that I know I am in the show, planning begins NOW.

Gen Con calls and we will answer that call.

My Gen Con booth in 2023.

It will not be this grand this year (I will be back to a normal 4 panel booth), but I will have all the monsters with me!

That is all for another Thursday on the blog. See you back here tomorrow! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability, head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com