Dec

2D FESTIVAL REPORT 2009

Well, here it is; my 2D report.

As opposed to the previous event i attended in 2008, this year i was asked to participate in some workshops on the days leading up to the actual Saturday. Safe to say i met some very talented kids (along with some teeny girls who had an unusual fascination with Hugh Jackman's Wolverine). We were all treated like royalty (which is a dramatic change from how i'm usually treated like a boxcar hobo)

Some of the 2D guests who were also participating in workshops; myself (w/deep-fried ice cream), Rufus Dayglo, D'Israeli, Bryan Talbot, Bridgeen Gillespie, Garry Leach and 2D organiser David Campbell. Photo by Bridgeen Gillespie.

On Friday morning Mike Collins and myself had a talk about our work for Classical Comics. Mike's A Christmas Carol has been gathering praise from all corners and it was very flattering to contribute to a talk with him. We covered many aspects of trying to adapt classical literature into a graphic novel format and we showed examples of pages and the process by which they come together (i ended up using a lot of the 'process' images from this very blog)

Mike showing his pencilled pages from 'A Christmas Carol'.

Mike discussing his work for Classical Comics


Myself, talking about my 'Frankenstein' graphic novel and the 'Sweeney Todd' project i'm currently in the middle of.

Mike and myself having a laugh. God only knows what about. Probably laughing at something i drew. Thanks to D'Israeli for the above photos

After more workshops, the event moved to Sandino's where a couple of panels were set up. Not really sure why, but i was asked to host both of them. Probably because of my talent for rambling nonsense. The first panel; The State of Comic Art' was something i was interested in discussing and hearing the other artist's opinion on how mainstream art has changed over the years, the impact of technology on art, etc, was all really interesting. To me, at least.

'The State of Comic Art' panel with myself, D'Israeli, Rufus Dayglo, Mike Collins and Andie Tong. Photo by Bridgeen Gillespie.


After that was an 'Eclectic Micks present Homegrown Heroes' panel. A ramshackle panel to match the ramshackle podcast we did a while back. Seriously though, it was a good laugh; myself and fellow Micks Mooney, Roche and Sliney got a say along with Phil Barrett, Bridgeen Gillespie and Deirdre de Barra. We covered all things Irish-comics related. As best as i can remember i was a bit pessimistic regarding an Irish comics 'industy' but there were plenty of folk there to argue with me, and do a good job too. It was nice to have a whole panel to discuss the comic scene in Ireland, so fair play to Dave for organizing it.

The full Eclectic Micks panel; Myself, Stephen Mooney, Will Sliney, Nick Roche, Deirdre de Barra, Bridgeen Gillespie and Phil Barrett.


More talking. And laughing, it seems.


Nick flexes his patented charm


Mooney and Moojoo (Mooney Jr) share a chuckle





















Mooney and myself debate serious life issues. And comics. All above photos by D'Isreali.



Of course, 2D isn't 2D without all the Open-Day shenanigans. Here are some photos robbed from Facebook. Most likely from Ciaran Flanagan or Bridgeen Gillespie.








I took some photos of sketches i did over the day; i'll post them during the week.

EDIT: How could i forget! A HUGE thanks to organiser David Campbell and all his crew who really took care of all of us who attended the festival. Thanks guys!
Dec.