The open studios are also amazing as most of the people actually live within their space so you get a real feeling of how their work comes about and how much of themselves are in it. A lot of them also lay out wine and snacks as well. Always good.
I was a little worried about my next stop at Springcon 2012, a "comic book celebration" held at the Minnesota state Fairgrounds on the weekend of may 19th-20th. Most of the "creators" (it said that on my badge) were independent comic book artists and as an artist without a comic book I feared being chased from the place by plastic light sabers and sonic screwdrivers. I wasn't though. I saw loads of said light sabers and screwdrivers but the people wielding them were some of the nicest I have ever met at any show.
Although I didn't have an actual comic book the paper cuts and other prints went down well and it is always nice to actually have Batman come up to you (because he never calls or writes anymore) and take a look at your work. Also, where else are you going to find two brothers standing a clear foot in height taller than everyone anyway, dressed in Darlek and Tardis inspired attire?!
Not only did this show and such people as my table neighbour JP Pollard (the creator of "Thomas Vs The Monsters" -hit the link, go read the the comic then come back) inspire me to finish a comic book project I have been working on for a while now (by "working on" I mean "started, never finished, have done nothing with for about a year") but I am also trying to plan out a few more Conventions. I have my eye on one in Chicago in 2013. Taking this show on the road!