Category: Conventions

My 2016 Hugo Eligible Fan Art

I’ve been contributing artwork to conventions for a really long time. As in, about two decades. Most notably as a CONvergence co-founder, I created the CONvergence mascot characters and over the years have produced a vast majority of the art for the convention. But I like to contribute to other conventions too. It’s just something I do because I love fan-run conventions and I love lending my skills as an artist to make those events a little more special and unique. I never really gave it a lot of thought outside of generally being proud of my work, and enjoying the community’s reactions to it.

So it’s fair to say I was surprised when a good friend suggested to me that these works are eligible for Hugo nomination under the Fan Artist category.

This is a great (if you’ll pardon my pun) illustration of the dichotomy inherent to being a professional artist who is involved with fandom. There’s this whole side of my life as an artist that is absolutely professional—yes, I get paid, under contract, to draw comic books. But then there’s also this significant side of my life producing artwork that is, well, not professional at all. It’s all about being a fan and contributing to fandom. And it honestly, really never occurred to me before that my non-professional works could potentially be significant enough to be recognized.

I understand it’s common for those with Hugo eligible work in a given year to do a post listing it. So this will be me doing that. I’ve never done this before so I hope it’s not too off-base.

Click on any art to see it larger.

CVG 2016 Ad - flat & clean RGB cropped

CONvergence

The theme for CONvergence 2015 was Dystopia. Here is the art I did for the con in 2015.

Programming Guide Covers

I created the covers for the CONvergence 2015 programming guide and pocket programming guide (called “The Grid”; its cover always has a grid theme. It’s possible I’m fond of visual puns.)

CONvergence 2015 Programming Guide CONvergence 2015 Grid

T-Shirt

The CONvergence 2015 T-shirt art references 1984, but with Connie Mark 2, the (slightly evil) little sister of Connie, CONvergence’s mascot.

CONvergence 2015 T-Shirt

Badges

I created the art for three of the four CONvergence 2015 membership badges. (Space intentionally left at the bottom for names to be printed.)

CVG 2015 Reg Badge - 18 LAYERS CVG 2015 Reg Badge - 6-12 LAYERS CVG 2015 Reg Badge - 5 & Under LAYERS

Guest of Honor Badges

Every year I create unique, custom badge art for every CONvergence Guest of Honor. Here are the Guest of Honor badges I made for CONvergence 2015. (Click here to read more about the process behind them.)

CVG 2015 GoH Badge prev - Bryan Thao Worra CVG 2015 GoH Badge prev - Charlotte Fullerton CVG 2015 GoH Badge prev - Gordon Smuder CVG 2015 GoH Badge prev - Lee Harris CVG 2015 GoH Badge prev - Toni Weisskopf CVG 2015 GoH Badge prev - Wesley Chu CVG 2015 GoH Badge prev - Jennifer Ouellette CVG 2015 GoH Badge prev - Chad Frey CVG 2015 GoH Badge prev - Nicole Dubuc

CONvergence 2016 Ad

The ad I created for CONvergence 2016, which will celebrate the great and interesting modes of transportation in science fiction and fantasy. This appeared in the back of the CONvergence 2015 programming guide, and on the CONvergence website. Bonus points if you can name all the vehicles!

CVG 2016 Ad - REV FLAT

CONvergence 2016 Logo and Web Graphic

Every year I create a new custom logo to reflect CONvergence’s theme, and 2015 was no different. The logo and website header graphic must be created a year in advance of the con, so that they can be published in printed materials and go live on the website immediately after the convention. Here is the logo that I created for CONvergence 2016, pictured as part of the website header graphic that I also made.

CVG-2016-Web-Header-A

Rocky Mountain Con

Rocky Mountain Con is a fan-run convention in Denver, CO that serves as a fundraiser for Aurora Rise, a charity established to support victims of the 2012 Aurora Theater Shooting. For their 2015 convention, I created this commemorative artwork for them to sell at their merchandise table, with 100% of the sales going to the con’s charity.

"Rise" Art print, depicting Batman on a building ledge, with the word "RISE" on the side of the building. The sky is red and cloudy.

Midwest Comic Book Association

MCBA is a fan-run organization that produces two nonprofit comic cons in Saint Paul, MN annually. In 2014, Nick Post, the beloved founder and driving force behind MCBA, passed away unexpectedly. It hit the community very hard. This is a piece of artwork I produced for MCBA’s Spring con to memorialize Nick and to raise money for MCBA’s partner charity.

Nick Post as Kingpin of Comics

Gallifrey One

2015 was kind of a light year for me doing artwork for Gallifrey One, a fan-run Doctor Who convention in LA. I did draw this train sporting the seal of Rassilon, which the con used for the Gallifrey One 2016 (Station 27) ad in their 2015 programming book.

Gallifrey One Ad

JOFcon

Umm… platypus? Fez? Badge art? Yes.

JOFcon Logo

Other Fan Art

This is some other fan art I made in 2015. I put it in the art shows and/or display it in the artist alleys of conventions I attend.

Bat Wolf Art Print Go Team Batgirl! Svengoolie - Framed prev Justice League art print by Christopher Jones Nightwing's Butt WonderBat Print prev

Exclusive Art Print to Benefit Aurora Rise at Rocky Mountain Con 2015

Art Print showing Batman perched on a building ledge with the word "Rise" on the building. Text on image reads, "EXCLUSIVE ART PRINT BY CHRISTOPHER JONES. 100% OF SALES GO TO AURORA RISE, BENEFITING THE VICTIMS OF THE 2012 AURORA THEATER SHOOTING. ROCKY MOUNTAIN CON 2015, $10 AT THE AURORA RISE BOOTH."

I first met up with Aurora Rise at Denver Comic Con 2013, where I did a signing at their table and a sketch for their charity sketch book. I reached out to them to do the same when I returned to Denver Comic Con in 2014, and I’d been looking for an excuse to do a little more ever since. You see, Aurora Rise is this amazing example of how the comics & fan community can be a wonderful, supportive, thriving force for good, even in the face of ugliness and adversity. Since the tragic events of July 20, 2012, Aurora Rise has provided continuing support to those affected. They are a shining presence in the Colorado fan community, and now even have their own convention, which is where I’ll be this weekend – Rocky Mountain Con.

Rocky Mountain Con 2015 is where you can be one of the first to pick up this exclusive 11×17″ art print by me for just $10. All sales (and I mean 100%) will go straight to Aurora Rise to help fund their works. The print will be available at the Aurora Rise booth.

"Rise" Art print, depicting Batman on a building ledge, with the word "RISE" on the side of the building. The sky is red and cloudy.

Additionally, I’ve donated the digital file of the art to Aurora Rise for them to do with as they wish – be it making more prints, posters, or whatever else they want. This print will not be available through my Etsy store or from me at any convention. You will only be able to get it through Aurora Rise.

Returning to Denver

I know Rocky Mountain Con isn’t as big as Denver Comic Con, but I’m really looking forward to it and hoping to get to see some Denver fans.

If you live in the Denver area and are on the fence about going, just know that there are some benefits to smaller conventions, including: shorter lines, easier access to guests, more face time with guests and creators, and a sense of community that you don’t always get at the mega-sized conventions. So I encourage you to give it a shot. Plus I’ll be there! And so will my pal, the puppet extraordinaire behind Transylvania Television and Vermin, Gordon Smuder. (Not to mention this other guy who’s sort of big in comics… you might have heard of him… I think his name is George Perez?)

Rocky Mountain Con 2015 Panels 

Here are the panels I’m scheduled to be on this weekend at Rocky Mountain Con 2015. If I’m not at my table during the con, I’m probably on a panel!

Saturday 11/7

11:00 am – Doctor Who: The Companions (panel room 2 with local cosplayer Erin Card)

4:00 pm – Visual Storytelling (panel room 1 with Chad Hardin)

Sunday 11/8

11:00 am – Professional Comic Book Artist Q & A (Main Stage with Chad Hardin)

Rocky Mountain Con 2015 Sketch Rates & Prints

Sketch - Nightwing Headshot Sketch - Aquaman & Mera Sketch - Composite Superman headshot NYCC 2013 Dickbabs

Yes, I will definitely be doing commission sketches at Rocky Mountain Con.

Full Figure: $80 for the first character + $60 for each additional character

Head Sketch (shoulders & up): $60 or $40 with a current student ID

If you would like to send me your  sketch request ahead of time, putting you first on my list, please email it to chris@christopherjonesart.com as soon as possible with the subject, “ROCKY MOUNTAIN CON SKETCH REQUEST”.

I will also have all of my prints available for purchase. You can preview all of them in my Etsy store.

Free Mini-Prints!

As with all my convention appearances, I’ll have free buttons and mini-prints for anyone at Rocky Mountain Con who shows me they like my Facebook page or follows me on Twitter.

Showing all 3 mini-prints and button

Christopher Jones at New York Comic Con 2015 (Artist Alley D9)

Map to find Christopher Jones at Artist Alley D9 at NYCC 2015

This is my fourth year at New York Comic Con and I can’t tell you how much it’s become one of my very favorite conventions. I love the (huge) Artists Alley that darn near feels like its own separate comic con, I have nothing but praise for how well ReedPOP has treated me over the years, and the cosplay is simply amazing! It is SO FUN to see East Coast fans!

I am a Featured Guest at New York Comic Con this year and I will be at Artist Alley Booth D9 all 4 days! Click here to add me to your show planner. The New York Comic Con show planner is really nifty, by the way.

Joining me once again at the con will be booth babe cosplay personality Mr. J! He’s generally happy to take photos with anybody and may even have something special for kids – what a clown!

1911833_724598914244373_6655108900929753270_n

 Mr. J takes a bow Mr. J Glad to meet ya!
(Photo credits:  Bryan Humphrey, Garret Born)
10632568_724208834283381_4432949454316136775_n
 

I have a new FREE convention exclusive mini-print for Facebook and Twitter followers!

Wonder Woman Flying her invisible jet mini-print

Just show me that you follow me on twitter or like my facebook page to claim yours! And I’ll still have a limited supply of the ever popular Fastest Man Alive Flash mini-prints, Disco Nightwing mini-prints, and Batman buttons free for followers if you would rather pick up one of those. Remember, these are convention-exclusive freebies. The only way to get one of these items to find me at a convention!

Showing all 3 mini-prints and button

Young Justice Fans! On Saturday at 8:20pm EST (after Artists Alley closes) we will have a Young Justice cosplay & fan meet-up! So come join me and fellow fans for a casual meet-up of cosplayers and fans of Young Justice at New York Comic Con! We may not have a panel at NYCC, but Young Justice fandom is alive and well, and I hope to see a lot of you there.

Map for NYCC 2015 Young Justice meet-up

You may also want to join the NYCC 2015 Young Justice Meet-Up Facebook Event.

I will be doing commission sketches during New York Comic Con, but I expect my sketch list to fill up FAST, so if you’re hoping to get a sketch from me, try to stop by my Artist Alley table as early as possible.

All of my convention sketches are black ink on 9×12″ bristol. I will also draw on sketch covers and in sketchbooks, and on …other things… by request. Payment due when you pick up the completed sketch.

New York Comic Con 2015 Sketch Rates 

Full Figure: $100 for the first character + $80 for each additional character

Head Sketch (shoulders & up): $60 or $40 with a current student ID

NYCC 2013 Dickbabs 475293_512571245447142_898319650_o NYCC 2012 Miss Martian CCE 2013 Joker
If you would like to send me your NYCC sketch request ahead of time, putting you first on my list, please email it to chris@christopherjonesart.com with the subject, “NYCC SKETCH REQUEST”.

I will also have all of my prints available during New York Comic Con, at the usual reduced convention prices:

11×17″ Color Prints: $20 each or 3 for $50

8.5″x11″ Color Prints:  $10 each

8.5″x11″ Black & White Prints:  $5 each

You can see my selection of prints in My Etsy Store. Here are all the new prints I have since last year’s New York Comic Con:
Justice League art print by Christopher Jones

I did this Justice League print to commemorate the Justice League Reunion at New York Comic Con this year. Find more information about that HERE.

Bat Wolf Art Print

Mostly I love drawing Batman’s cape draped over stuff. But also, Doctor Who. Am I right?

The Sixth Doctor - REV prev Doctor Who - Hartnell Color prev

I also created a small 6th Doctor print, and updated my small 1st Doctor print with a splash of color.

Go Team Batgirl!

Who can choose just one Batgirl? Not me.

Svengoolie - Framed prev

This was a piece of art I did in homage to late night horror host, Svengoolie, of whom I’m a big fan. I was able to gift a copy to him at C2E2 eatlier this year, and the print can now be seen hanging on the set. I nerd out about that a lot. If it’s your thing, you can learn more about it HERE.

11242897_10152759523481372_1437973553_o Nightwing's Butt WonderBat Print prev

I drew all of those because reasons. Also, here are some new Young Justice black & white prints:

Young Justice - Superboy prev Aqualad print - prev Miss Martian print- prev

And lastly, because I kept getting requests for this, I finally made some prints out of that Gargoyles mashup art I did for CONvergence 2014. Goliath as Nightwing and Demona as (badass) Counselor Troi.

Goliath as Nightwing prevDemona as Troi prev

Again, you can find a full selection of my prints, including more Young Justice and Doctor Who prints, on my Etsy store.

Also, because con food is expensive and I know a lot of my fans are at the con on a budget, I’ll have granola bars available at my table for anyone who asks for one. That’s right – free, healthy(ish) snacks! And definitely NOT engineered by the Reach or Lexcorp, if you were concerned. While supplies last.

New this year, I will also have a cosplay repair kit with sewing stuff, different sorts of tape, contact cement, and other misc. cosplay repair items. Just ask if you need to use it.

Lastly, just to cover a few other questions I often get on twitter:

  • Autographs are always free and I’ll sign anything you bring me. (Check out my guide to asking for signatures and drawings at conventions!)
  • I do not charge for photos and I am happy to take a photo with anyone who asks!
  • I’m happy to do interviews, podcasts, snippets, goofy stuff, and whatever any day but Sunday, but the earlier you can drop by, the better!
  • I will draw any cannon character ship kissing if asked. I will draw any two characters together doing non-romantic/sexual things, regardless of whether it’s cannon or not.

I think that about wraps up my New York Comic Con post. Whew! I really am looking forward to meeting lots of fans over the four days of the con! Come say hello! Marvel at the new Steven Universe t-shirt I just got. Sing a duet with me. Get some free candy. Buy some art. Artist Alley table D9! See you there!

Justice League Reunion at New York Comic Con 2015

DCAU FANS! If you’re going to New York Comic Con, this is your year!!!!! There is a Justice League Animated Series reunion happening! The voice talent behind the series will be doing a panel, including A LIVE TABLE READ, and they will all be meeting fans and signing autographs for the duration of the convention!

Justice League Reunion at NYCC 2015 Informational Graphic

If this doesn’t get you excited, I’m not sure what’s wrong with you.

Oh, also, I made a new art print to mark the occasion.

Anyway, without further adieu, here’s everything you need to know about the New York Comic Con 2015 Justice League Reunion!

 

Twitter

You’ll want to follow the Twitter account @JLReunion for up-to-the-minute coverage, not to mention Justice League fun stuff leading up to and during the NYCC 2015 Justice League reunion!

Also, follow and tweet under the hashtag #JLNYCC for everything Justice League Reunion related! (Don’t forget to also add the official New York Comic Con hashtag, #NYCC!)

Oh, and make sure you’re following the voice cast while you’re at it! Their Twitter handles are @georgenewbern, @Maria_CB@phillamarr@RealKevinConroy, and @susaneisenberg1.

 

Reunion Panel

Promotional Image for Justice League Reunion Panel at NYCC

The Adventure Continues: A Justice League Reunion Event – Fri. October 9, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM, Empire Stage 1-E

The league is back! For the first time in over a decade, the founding members of the acclaimed series Justice League will reunite at NYCC! Join Batman (Kevin Conroy), Wonder Woman (Susan Eisenberg), Superman (George Newbern), Green Lantern (Phil LaMarr), Hawkgirl (Maria Canals-Barrera), Martian Manhunter (Carl Lumbly) and legendary Voice Director Andrea Romano as they reminisce about their fondest memories from the show, answer questions from the Fans, perform a live table read from an original JL script and more. The Watchtower is calling – we’ll see you there!

 

Justice League Art Print

Wonder Woman voice actress Susan Eisenberg asked me on Twitter if I’d be interested in creating an art print to mark the occasion of the New York Comic Con 2015 Justice League Reunion. I don’t think I can quite communicate to you the enthusiasm with which I immediately began sketching. You see, that I drew a handful of Justice League Adventures comics is almost irrelevant next to what a MASSIVE FANBOY I am about the Justice League animated series. So, creating this art was a huge honor. I hope you like it, and that if you do, you take home a copy for yourself.

Justice League art print by Christopher Jones

I’ll have it available all 4 days (or until I run out!) at the usual convention price of $20. After the convention, it will join the rest of my prints on my Etsy store for $30. You’ll find me at New York Comic Con Artist Alley table D9. Here’s a map:

Map to find Christopher Jones at Artist Alley D9 at NYCC 2015

 

Voice Cast/Crew Signings

The original voice cast and crew are doing signings ALL WEEKEND! You should have no trouble meeting these fantastic, talented people and getting all your Justice League swag – including that Justice League print – signed!

Here are all their signing schedules in one handy place for your reference, with links so you can easily add them to NYCC’s My Show Planner.

Andrea Romano (Voice Director)

Carl Lumbly (Martian Manhunter)

George Newbern (Superman)

Kevin Conroy (Batman)

Maria Canals-Barrera (Hawkgirl)

Phil LaMarr (Green Lantern)

Susan Eisenberg (Wonder Woman)

Christopher Jones at Geek.Kon 2015!

Geek.Kon

I’m on the road to Geek.Kon in Madison, WI this morning! This is my second year as a guest at this fun little multi-genre Wisconsin convention. I had a great time last year meeting all the great fans at Geek.Kon, and am excited to be back again. This year should be even more epic as my friends and comics collaborators Greg Weisman and Mark Stegbauer will both be guests as well!

I will be at my table in the Dealers Room unless I’m on a panel (in which case, come to my panel!) Here’s my full Geek.Kon 2015 schedule:

Friday

3:00pm – Dealers Room Opens

5:00 to 5:50pm – Opening Ceremonies – Wisconsin Room

8:00 to 8:50pm – From Batman to Young Justice: The Comic Art of Christopher Jones, Green Bay/Milwaukee Room

9:00 to 9:50pm – Tales of Con Horror (18+), Mendota Room

Saturday

10:00am – Dealers Room Opens

10:00 to 10:50pm – Diversity in Animation and Comic Books, La Crosse Room

6:00 to 6:50pm – Young Justice Panel, Green Bay/Milwaukee Room

Sunday

10:00am – Dealers Room Opens

12:00 to 12:50pm – Gargoyles is Super Cool, Geneva Room

3:00 to 3:50pm – Closing Ceremonies, Wisconsin Room

Oh and exciting news! I have a couple new $5 black and white Young Justice prints unveiling this weekend! Feast your eyes on Miss Martian and Aqualad (or, better yet, bring them home!)

Aqualad print - prev Miss Martian print- prev

 

Of course, I’ll have the rest of my prints available for purchase as well, including this year’s new favorites…

Nightwing’s Butt! ($5)

Nightwing's Butt

Go Team Batgirl! ($20)

Go Team Batgirl!

And, of course, Bat Wolf! ($20)

Bat Wolf Art Print

 

You can check out the rest of the prints I’ll have available in my Etsy store, or else just stop by my table in the Geek.Kon Dealers Room. Which reminds me, don’t forget to show me that you follow me on twitter or you like my Facebook page to get your FREE mini-print!

Wonder Woman Flying her invisible jet mini-print

Lastly, Ever since Greg Weisman (creator of Disney’s Gargoyles and was co-producer of the Young Justice) and I worked on the Young Justice comic book together, we look for any opportunity to appear at a convention together or work on a new project together. I created a promotional poster as a stretch goal for Greg’s kickstarter to produce a full-cast audio adaptation of the first novel in Greg’s Rain of the Ghosts series.

Rain of the Ghosts - Kickstarter RGB prev

For the first time, I’ll have 11″x17″ full color hardcopy versions of my Rain of the Ghosts print available for sale for the special Geek.Kon price of just $5 – so be sure to pick one up and get it signed by both Greg and me!

Okay ‘Sconie geeks! See you at Geek.Kon!