http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:Tentopet&section=today deviantART RSS for by:Tentopet en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:39:59 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/28016948/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/28016948/ Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:40:57 PDT
It actually works well as a standalone; it follows the story of a 1950's housewife, when "strange things" start happening to her.

We worked our tails off and I hope it shows!

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/27777000/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/27777000/ Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:12:44 PDT
October seems to be my month--I'm back on Madame Xanadu in a couple weeks with issue 16, but before that, I've got a 7-page Madame Xanadu feature in this here House of Mystery Halloween Annual [link] , out yesterday. Hellblazer, Merv Pumpkinhead, and I, Zombie also make a showing.

They even have a Q&A section that shows our old Halloween photos; check out my photo!--> [link]

I LOVE the story...I cried when I read Matt's script. SO IF YOU WANT TO CRY PICK IT UP!

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/27617098/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/27617098/ Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:54:19 PDT
I will be at the MCBA [link] this weekend in Minnesota! So if you're there, come by my table to talk, buy books, or get a quick free sketch!

And hey, you might wanna check out my drawing faces panel, on Saturday from 2-3pm. We're changing it up this time because I'll have special guest, Kevin Maguire-->[link] along with me! Very excited

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/26243903/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/26243903/ Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:59:35 PDT
Whelp, seeing as the Madame Xanadu trade is NOW OUT, I'll be doing some signings! Here's where I'll be the next two Saturdays:

I Want More Comics!
August *1*, 11am-3pm
10355 N. Federal BLVD, Unit C
Westminster, CO 80260
-I'll be drawing free crapsketches, wee! Like this--> [link]

Tattered Cover Bookstore (Colfax Store)
August 8, starting at 3pm
2526 East Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
-This'll be part of "Local Flavor Fest" - a festival celebrating local Colorado businesses. I'll be speaking so come with questions!

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/26090720/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/26090720/ Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:47:51 PDT
The first Madame Xanadu trade (graphic novel) is out both in bookstores and comic book stores!!

240 color pages for $12.99, people. 10 issues. It's history, it's fantasy, it's horror, it's romance. Please request it if it's not in your store; it's good for you, good for me, good for all!

It looks like this --> [link]

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/26015621/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/26015621/ Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:40:02 PDT
Here's my schedule:

THURSDAY
3-4pm - Signing at the DC booth with Richard Friend

FRIDAY
2-3pm - Signing at the DC booth with Richard Friend
5:30-6:30pm - Vertigo Panel, room 5AB
8:30pm - The Eisners!! Matt Wagner and I are presenting

SATURDAY
11am-12pm - Signing at the DC booth with Matt Wagner and Richard Friend

SUNDAY
1:30pm-2:30pm - Signing at the DC booth with Matt Wagner and Richard Friend

Otherwise, I'll be floating around. Please say hi if you see me!

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/25917571/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/25917571/ Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:31:26 PDT and I are ENEMIES! --> [link]

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/25129341/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/25129341/ Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:01:14 PDT
Saturday June 6 at 4pm with Michael Kaluta, and
Sunday June 7 at 11am on my own.

So don't be a stranger

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/24706547/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/24706547/ Mon, 11 May 2009 16:12:05 PDT
Enjoy:

[link]

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/24478889/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/24478889/ Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:36:43 PDT
Here's an interview I did for Bust Magazine; you get to preview some pages!
[link]

I'll post larger versions of them in the near future. BUT MAN CHECK OUT THOSE COLORS!! Bless Matt for writing in a space scene; all's I had to do was draw figures and circles and Little Mermaid-style hair. I am VERY proud of this issue; from the writing to my art to the inking and the coloring, I just think it works great, if I say so myself.

It's actually the last issue of the first MX story arc, and I just think the story pays off very poetically. For those of you who don't know, Mike Kaluta is drawing the next arc, issues 11-15. He's really the only thing people remember of Madame Xanadu back in the day, because he drew amazing covers like this: [link] If you liked the design of MX's home in issues 9 and 10, I have to 'fess up that Kaluta had already started on the design before I got to those issues, so I was lucky enough to just use his ideas for inspiration. I've seen the pages he's been working on and it looks amazing; he does the coolest layouts and details.

The break is a welcome one for me; I was getting really behind and so I've only taken a short break and am working on issue 16 now. I will try to kick some serious butt!! The cool thing about this Madame Xanadu business is that it's all different parts in the past and the story arcs read very separately, as if it's "Tales of Madame Xanadu", so changing artists works quite nicely, making if feel almost mythological.

So in conclusion I will be back with the rest of the team soon and we will make it worth the wait! In the meantime, you've got beautiful art from a comics legend. You can also check out the trade for #1-10, which comes out in July. In sum, the world is full of bubbles and springtime and unlimited bunnies.

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/24117989/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/24117989/ Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:42:39 PDT
[link]

Madame Xanadu is up for Best New Series,
I'm up for Best Cover Artist, against my writer Matt Wagner in the same category,
and Rich Friend and I are up for Best Penciller/Inker Team!
Not to mention Matt's up for Best Writer!

It's been a good day

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/24101509/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/24101509/ Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:59:41 PDT [link] which is the first comics convention we've ever had here in Denver!

Comicfest is actually part of the larger Starfest, a sci-fi con, which in addition to Comicfest includes Gamefest and Horrorfest...basically it's four conventions in one, held at two hotels next door to each other at the Denver Tech Center. You can get a ticket that gets you into all of it, or a discounted one to go just to Comicfest/Gamefest. Please come!! I'll be selling books at a table, and I'll also be doing two panels:

Saturday 5:05pm - Creating Dynamic Faces - I'll be demonstrating how to address things like face angles, expression and variability. Knowing me, I'll probably end up drawing drag queens.

Sunday 2:05pm - Vertigo Panel - Brian Wood and I will answer your questions about our respective titles, how to get published, etc.

I really really really hope you come! Let's make comic conventions a big thing in Colorado!

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/23196076/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/23196076/ Sat, 14 Feb 2009 12:51:24 PST
One cool thing was getting to know Shane Davis, a DC artist who, like me, was discovered by my assistant editor Brandon Montclare. It's more than that--Brandon has basically coached us into our careers...it's like we're his children...so that makes us siblings! Aaaanyway, it was one if those things, like we were instant friends and sorta got each other and I got to point at his art and hear what he had to say about it and it was really rewarding. It's nice to find friends in the "mainstream" world because I feel incredibly socially awkward in it...I appreciate what it all means but that world feels so impenetrable for someone like me!

So yeah, a great trip, and now it's time to buckle down. I have some extremely tight deadlines that will resolve themselves in a month or so. So I'm mostly writing to let you all know that I will not be easy to reach for a while. Not that I ever am, but it'll be worse now and I'm laying this out so I can allow myself not to feel guilty about it! Take care, for me!

--Amy

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/22885835/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/22885835/ Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:05:19 PST
FRIDAY
1-2pm: Signing at DC booth
5:45-6:45pm: Vertigo panel in room 1A14

SATURDAY
12-1pm: Signing at DC booth
2-3pm: Signing at Tokyopop booth with others including Svetlana Chmakova and REM (likely to begin with a Q&A!)

EDIT: SUNDAY
1-2pm: Signing at Tokyopop booth with Svet

I AM SO EXCITED.

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/22579255/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/22579255/ Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:10:06 PST
Just a heads up for those from the Denver/Boulder area: Colorado University has opened an exhibit full of original comics pages...mostly stuff purchased by local comic store owners so it should be really nice stuff...and it's open until February 12. It's at the Boulder campus in the University Memorial Center, near Broadway and Euclid Ave. A couple of my original pages will be featured there including this page: [link]

There's a reception there tomorrow from 4:30-6:30, which I'll be attending, so if you come, please say hi! If you can't make it that day, I'd still definitely check it out...this is a pretty rare find, I think!

Also, they're bringing in ART SPIEGELMAN to speak on Sunday Jan. 25th at 4:30, in the Mackey Auditorium. More info here: [link]

------------------------------------

For those of you who are wondering whether I'll be at NYCC, the answer is an emphatic YES and I'll post more info once I know my schedule! I am indeed excited.

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/21981463/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/21981463/ Sun, 14 Dec 2008 13:39:07 PST [link] in Greenwood Village, from December 17 to January 2, along with fellow local artists Lonnie Allen, Daniel Crosier, Gerhard Kaaihue, Paul Niemiec, John Peters, John Porcellino, Ron Ruelle and Stan Yan. We're having a reception on Saturday, December 20th from 10 am - 1 pm, where we'll be talking to kids and such, and will be demonstrating drawing techniques as well as giving advice on art from attendees.

It'd be great, for those of you who live in the area, if you could make it! I'll be showing some original pencils and inks, as well as printed pages and prints of art I've done. Not to mention you can check out the local comics scene. Should be fun! Click on the above link for the address.

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/21653894/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/21653894/ Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:04:31 PST
So I did an interview on Comic Book Resources recently to talk about this as well as my musings on the project and comics in general; check it out: [link] Here's what I said in response to my approach to the historical element of the story, particularly the clothing:

"What’s funny is that I graduated college and I didn’t go to school for art. I got a degree in social science teaching, and was supposed to go teach history. They didn’t even know that I had an interest in this. I had actually wanted to get a grad degree in something like the history of fashion. And so this ended up being something that I was completely excited about researching for and I think that’s probably why it’s come through. I’m not sure that Matt originally wrote it for the purpose of me showcasing clothing. [laughs]"

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/20428101/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/20428101/ Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:21:16 PDT
-I just did a Newsarama interview about Madame Xanadu, which has pages from issue 3, set in China under Kublai Khan's rule. Issue 3 is out now! Both the cover and the interiors are inked by the fantastic , who is new starting this issue. I loooove what he's doing with it!! Go to this [link] for my interview, and this [link] for my writer Matt's interview.

-There's another interview I did for Tim Lasiuta here: [link]

-AAAAAAANNNNNND I'm finally doing a signing!!! I'll be at Time Warp Comics [link] in Boulder on September 27, from noon to 3 to sign issues 1-4! And I'll be handing out FREE cover prints. PLEASE COME! Click the above link and scroll to the bottom for the address.

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/19522273/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/19522273/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:24:46 PDT
I did a podcast interview [link] with Fanboy Face-Off [link] recently; you should give it a listen! I don't think I've been more comfortable in an interview; we did this in person and chatted a bit beforehand so it was easier to feel like I was just talking, no pressure! We talk a lot about the creative process, which was nice for me to gab on about since it's what I care about day to day! And we also talk about specifics from issue one.

----------------------------------

San Diego Comic Con is almost upon us! I hear they'll actually be giving away free issues of Madame Xanadu #1 Here are the signings I've got scheduled:

Thursday: 10-11am
Friday: 3:30-4:30pm
Saturday: 6-7pm
Sunday: 11am-12pm

These may be subject to change, so make sure you check the schedule at the booth to make sure! I'll be doing all of these alongside my writer, Matt Wagner. Hope to see you!

I think I'm also a part of the Vertigo panel, which'll be on Friday at 4:30-5:30, room 5AB.

Oh, and MX#2 comes out this Wednesday!

So excited!!

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/19418876/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/19418876/ Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:42:50 PDT [link]

Guess that means I can start posting more stuff!

-----------------------------------

I interviewed for a public broadcasting show called "Off the Page" based in Broomfield, CO that will be aired several times this month on Channel 8 in Broomfield, Lakewood, Arvada, Aurora, Golden, Brighton, Thornton, Erie, Wheatridge and Northglenn. To watch on Youtube, click on the links below:

[link]
[link]

I talk mostly about Fool's Gold (it was for a young adult author thing), and then at the end I gab a little about Madame Xanadu.

I've been posting so many interviews lately! I guess they're sorta my own form of journal entries?

SDCC info coming up, I promise! As soon as I know what's going on!

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/19270816/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/19270816/ Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:58:21 PDT
So apparently one of my Madame Xanadu pages made it on the Daily Deviations page today! That's pretty cool--I've never had one of those. I'm totally ecstatic because it spreads the word on my comic Some of you may only read manga and others may not read comics at all, so I thought I'd give you the low-down on Madame Xanadu:


The first issue is out, and each issue is 22 pages long, in color (and of course with words--unlike the samples I've posted here). You can get it at comic book shops, I think for 3 bucks, and if you have trouble finding it, don't be afraid to ask! It's published by Vertigo, which is part of DC Comics, so if they divide their new releases by publisher, that's how you can find it. If you don't know where a comics shop is and you live in the US, Canada, UK or Ireland, you can find out here--> [link] From here on out, you'll get a new issue of Madame Xanadu on the fourth Wednesday of every month.


I also have two graphic novels out of the series Fool's Gold, published by Tokyopop, written and drawn by me, which is a high school drama about an aspiring fashion designer on a crusade against the jerks in her school. This you can find in bookstores as well as comic book shops, typically in the manga section. If it's not there, don't be afraid to ask for them to bring it in; it helps both you AND me and the future of comics made by Americans influenced by manga. I've heard that people have had trouble getting the second volume, which is why I mention this! I worked way too hard on that to let people miss it!

To learn more about me, and see more art, you can visit my website tentopet.com [link]. Even more importantly, my website has a "resources" section that features a lot of tutorials and such. I'm very busy and can't always answer your questions on technique and getting published, but I have spent a great deal of time putting together these resources because people need to be in the know!

My latest resource project has been creating youtube videos [link] where I can demonstrate different techniques I use. Because of my busy schedule, I don't update as often as I like, but you can expect I'll be posting videos explaining various techniques I use, from pencilling, to inking, to coloring and so forth.

Finally, I'll be at San Diego Comic Con at the end of this month and will post my schedule as soon as I know it!

Thanks for stopping by!

--Amy Reeder Hadley

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/19156437/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/19156437/ Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:06:09 PDT
The story gets better each issue, too. We start out in Camelot, then we go to China during Kublai Khan's time (that was WAY hard to research for), then the French Revolution, then late-1800s England, and finally in 1930s New York. At least, that's in the first ten issues.

It's been really tough, like Quantum Leap, how you're put in an environment you're not used to, you struggle, you overcome, and then once you have things figured out, you have to move on to the next time period. But I love the challenge and it keeps my improvement curve up.

I'll be at SDCC, by the way! I'll be sure to post my schedule when I know it.

And also, thanks to for the subscription--wow!! That's gonna help me tons; I've gotten a little overwhelmed with work lately and it seems I can get to stuff much faster with this here subscription!

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/19034204/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/19034204/ Wed, 25 Jun 2008 07:44:02 PDT
It looks like I won't be having a signing this Saturday like I said Apparently there's been a mixup and some stores won't get Madame Xanadu #1 or any of their Wednesday books in time--they'll come out that following Wednesday. I don't know how widespread this is! But I guess these things happen. Let me know if you get a copy!

As I'm sure you know, I'll keep you updated when I reschedule another signing!!

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/19007679/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/19007679/ Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:41:06 PDT

Main link: [link]
iTunes link: [link]

Also, I was interviewed for Worn Fashion Journal (www.wornjournal.com), and they were nice enough to let me scan it for you to see! I talk about my approach to fashion, mostly my own and with Fool's Gold, but also a bit on Madame Xanadu. Historical fashion, baby!-->[link]

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/18862281/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/18862281/ Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:30:36 PDT
So I did this podcast interview with the guys over at Sidebar [link] back in April, and you should check it out!! It's almost an hour long, and I'm sure you'll hear stuff you'd never known before about me--we talk about MX, Fool's Gold, manga v. mainstream comics, how I got into the biz, and they even made me sing in the end. The permanent link to it can be found here-->[link] , but for the next while, I believe you can just click here-->[link] and push play in that top right corner. That player streams the interview so you don't have to wait for it to download.

I've been meaning to tell you guys how much I LOVE these podcasters, by the way. They get some great names in there, they know what they're talking about, they're people people and made me feel so comfortable, and it's just all-around entertaining, too. Great to listen to while drawing, I tell ya! Check out their two-part interview of Frank Quitely [link] [link] , for instance.

I'm...uh...a little embarrassed about my singing performance but I was crazy-nervous! Here's some songs I did with my college band in case you're curious of what I normally sound like (non-classical style):
[link]
[link]
[link]
[link]

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/18822528/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/18822528/ Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:35:09 PDT
I'll be doing a signing at Time Warp Comics in Boulder, CO ([link] <--click on the link and you can find the address at the bottom). It'll be Saturday, the 28th from 12-3. Hope to see you there!

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/18472303/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/18472303/ Sat, 24 May 2008 00:31:33 PDT [link]), which is next Saturday, May 31, from 10am to 6pm, at First Unitarian Church in Denver. From what I understand, it's all about self-published magazines and comics and was pretty well attended last year! I'm not self published...but let's hope they like me anyway! I'll be selling copies of Fool's Gold 1 and 2 and *might* be showing off some pages from Madame Xanadu I didn't buy another box of FG books to sell so if you're wanting that, you might wanna come early! I've got around 10-15 of each only!

Eeeenyway, and I'm doing a workshop on drawing faces from 2:20 to 3:20! I do these with a laptop and projector and I'll basically go over whatever people want, whether it's the basics, or face angles, or expressions, or character design. So stop by, say hi, and ask me questions

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/18401548/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/18401548/ Mon, 19 May 2008 15:34:52 PDT [link]

One thing in particular that I wanted to highlight because I finally figured out how to articulate this:

"I have to say, though, that not only female creators can create comics that women enjoy. In my opinon, some male creators seem to get women better that most women creators do. I think that’s an important thing to recognize, because we’ll sometimes hear complaints about men creating comics for women, and how women should be doing it. It’s important for women to have opportunities in the industry, but I also think having men create these is a step forward. Normally it’s the other way around, that women embrace things geared more toward men, whereas the reverse is associated with some sort of shame. We’ve got to change that!"

Also, I did a podcast interview while at NYCC: [link]

I didn't know it was out, so today I went a-lookin' and found it! This happened to be one of those rare occasions where I was able to compose my thoughts, so I hope you'll give it a listen

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/18355540/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/18355540/ Fri, 16 May 2008 17:37:36 PDT
So, a 7-page preview of Madame Xanadu is apparently hanging out in the backs of several Vertigo books this month. That includes the following that are out this week:

100 Bullets #91
DMZ #31
Un-Men #10
Young Liars #3

You can also download it at [link] , and I don't know if it's my Adobe Reader or not, but I have to change the viewing size to see it right. You should just go and check out the printed version!

Also, for those in Denver, I'll be posting more info later, but I'll be participating in this year's Denver Zine Fest, which is on May 31st. It's free to get in, there are comics and comics creators, self-published magazines and stuff, I'll be doing a workshop on drawing faces, and I'll have a few FG books to sell. So it'd be great to see you there!

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/18013959/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/18013959/ Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:22:59 PDT
I've never been to Canada!

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/17851715/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/17851715/ Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:05:00 PDT
FRIDAY
4-5pm: Vertigo Panel, room 1E08
5:30-6:30pm: Writing for Manga, Tokyopop booth

SATURDAY
3-4pm: Signing, DC booth

SUNDAY
11-12pm: Humor and Manga, Tokyopop booth
12-1pm: Storytelling and Manga, Tokyopop booth

Hope to see you there!

I'll be going to Calgary Expo the following weekend, and I'll be sure to post any schedule news of that by next week!

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/17597018/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/17597018/ Sun, 30 Mar 2008 20:39:20 PDT
]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/17149932/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/17149932/ Sun, 02 Mar 2008 13:37:12 PST [link]

With the level of detail it's been taking me to draw Madame Xanadu, it's been impossible for me to keep up with the deadlines, so it's so nice that I've got such a great inker (understatement) that I can put my trust in! When I saw his stuff, I actually told Brandon that he was way too good. It's seems like inking my stuff would be a waste of time, but he is actually really enthused!

As a side note, I'm having my husband type this, because I'm having some wrist problems right now. So if I should have written you back and haven't, I'm really sorry! Hope you're all doing well. I really can't wait for you guys to see what I have been working on; it's been tough keeping it all to myself. I'm really giving my all to this project. You wouldn't believe how many things I've had to learn how to draw, and yet I want it to look like I've been drawing it my whole life. It's things as seemingly simple as trees, to things as hard as recreating points in history that I can't seem to find reference films for. But I can't think of any other project that would be so conducive to improvement. It's like a crash course in art! So like I said, I really can't wait until you guys see this.

Rich's DA account:

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/16292054/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/16292054/ Sun, 06 Jan 2008 19:12:11 PST
Jan 11--I'm going to be speaking and then signing at 7pm at the Tattered Cover Bookstore on Colfax Avenue in Denver. Click here for more information: [link] Make sure you remember it's the Colfax store; it'd be a shame to miss you because you went to the one on 16th Street or something!

Jan 19--I'm doing yet another signing at the Loveland (Colorado) Barnes & Noble at 2pm. Be there or be square! Click here for the address: [link]

Jan 25-27--I'm a guest at Phoenix Comicon!! I'll have a table and will be signing and selling books, and I'm doing two panels: one on drawing guys v. drawing girls on Saturday at 11am, and the other on screentoning on Sunday at 11am. Hope I see you there!

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/15593152/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/15593152/ Sun, 02 Dec 2007 21:19:57 PST [link]

And TP's put up a preview of the first chapter of volume 2! Read it here: [link]

Also, I'll be attending New York Anime Festival on December 7-9 to promote Fool's Gold!! For those in the area, you must come and say hi and get an early copy of FG2! I'll be doing a whole bunch of things--signings, panels, and all-around goofing off, and when it comes closer to time for the convention, I'll edit this journal and post where I'll be and when. YAY!

EDIT: Here's my schedule thus far at New York (check at the booth to confirm!):

Saturday, December 8:

11:00-12:00 at the TP booth
Breaking Into Manga: advice on how to break into manga

6:00-7:00 at the TP booth
Fantasy and Manga: explore fantastical creatures and otherwordly realms.


Sunday, December 9:

10:00-11:00 at the Manga Panel Room
Creator Spotlight

11:00 a.m.-12:00 at the TP booth
December title launch event


2:00-3:00 at the TP booth
Writing for Manga: manga writers share insights on crafting compelling manga stories.

See you there!

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/15455976/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/15455976/ Sat, 10 Nov 2007 22:16:30 PST

Trying to put some stuff together for the release of FG2 (comes out December 11); you'll be hearing a little more from me this month!

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/15180751/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/15180751/ Mon, 22 Oct 2007 21:56:45 PDT [link]

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/14305808/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/14305808/ Thu, 23 Aug 2007 15:10:13 PDT [link]

All about me and Madame Xanadu and stuff. Enjoy!

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Back from SDCC, and the announcement is out: I'm going to be drawing Madame Xanadu, a new series for Vertigo, with Matt Wagner as the writer. I'll be doing pencils and inks; we're working on finding a colorist. If you pretty much read manga and don't venture out much, let me just explain that this means I'm now a teeny fish in a huuuuge pond, and I'm verrrry happy!! They plan on making the series ongoing, although Matt and I are signed on for the first ten issues, the first issue coming out likely in Spring 2008.

I don't want to talk tooooo much about the story because that sort of thing needs to be approved before I say anything! But I'm safe in saying I get to draw lots of time periods, and it involves two immortal characters (Madame Xanadu and Phantom Stranger) from the DC Universe and how their relationship has developed from the past to the present. But it's not something where you have to know all the background on the characters to enjoy the story or anything. It's meant to stand alone.

You can learn more about it in an interview Matt Wagner did with Newsarama-->[link] And I'll let you know when my interview's out.

Check out my gallery for the promo image!

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/13964090/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/13964090/ Tue, 31 Jul 2007 23:26:58 PDT
I don't want to talk tooooo much about the story because that sort of thing needs to be approved before I say anything! But I'm safe in saying I get to draw lots of time periods, and it involves two immortal characters (Madame Xanadu and Phantom Stranger) from the DC Universe and how their relationship has developed from the past to the present. But it's not something where you have to know all the background on the characters to enjoy the story or anything. It's meant to stand alone.

You can learn more about it in an interview Matt Wagner did with Newsarama-->[link] And I'll let you know when my interview's out.

Check out my gallery for the promo image!

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/13742239/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/13742239/ Sun, 15 Jul 2007 08:49:32 PDT
Thursday 11:00-12:00--Breaking Into Manga Panel
Friday 11:00-12:00--Group Signing (dunno who else will be there)
Friday 2:00-3:00--Fashion and Manga Panel

I'd also like to know: who's coming? Let me know, so that if you come up and say, "Hey, I'm so-and-so," I can totally know what you're talking about LOL!

And I'll be done with Fool's Gold volume 2 right before I leave for said convention!! I'm so excited! It'll be done well ahead of time, which is a cool feeling.

When I get back, I'll have an announcement to tell you all In fact, if you're in the right place at the right time at SDCC, you might end up hearing it! Hoo hoo hoo!

Enjoy your summer!

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/12237996/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/12237996/ Sun, 18 Mar 2007 20:24:55 PDT [link]

Made it two years ago, at a time when I was losing hope that I'd ever get a book deal with Tokyopop. I'd been an office temp for a year and a half, had a bachelor's degree, lived with my parents, and I just felt so STUPID when people would ask me what I was up to. "Uh, well, I have a teaching degree, but I'm actually trying to become a comic book artist." You could feel the awkwardness as they tried to pretend like they didn't think that was the most immature, lofty thing ever. Most people didn't even know I DREW, since drawing hadn't been a big part of my life, so this explains just how random saying "I want to be a comic book artist" sounds.

I think I was pretty dang lucky to get my break, but I'm doing my best to live up to it, and to surpass people's expectations. It's not always easy to feel thankful when you feel so inadequate and overwhelmed. But that's life and I'd trade emotional stability and free time for this job anyday!

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/11998290/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/11998290/ Wed, 28 Feb 2007 09:28:09 PST
THE ANNOUNCEMENT:

I've been having a lot of questions as to when Fool's Gold volume 2 is coming out. And I HATE to say it, but it's not coming out until December. Sorry!!! I realize the first volume came out last July, and the plan was to have the next out the following July, which to me already sounded pretty late.

THE LONG STORY (YOU CAN SKIP THIS):

It's a combination of my own fault as well as some organizational stuff going on with TOKYOPOP. They've signed a distribution deal with Harper Collins (which is great), and among other things, that means they have to plan ahead much more than they've done in the past. They have to commit to release dates a year in advance.

TP books are due for print about three months before their release. This doesn't just mean the artists have to be done--it means editors need to edit, production has to work on it, and all sorts of stuff that I can't even begin to comprehend. Last year, I turned my book in a couple weeks before that deadline, which was definitely cutting it close, and my editor Lillian and many others did a wonderful job nonetheless of taking care of it before it was due for print.

Things have changed, though, and they need more time nowadays. They are taking on more projects, but not many more employees. I didn't realize this, and while I would've loved to have had my book done way ahead of time, my motivation wasn't so great because I knew I got away with not being on time before. I am a slow artist in the first place, and can't leave well enough alone until I'm absolutely satisfied with it. But even aside from this, I DID slack off. Especially at the beginning. And I can't tell you how sorry I am for this! Working at home and turning something you love in to work is...weird, to say the least, but I feel like I'm finally wrapping my head around that concept.

So I still had plans to finish barely on time for my release in July, but Lillian had to plan ahead and come up with a release date she was confident I could make, which is why my book will now be out in December. I'll be done pretty far ahead of time--I need to be done with the bulk of it by May--and the good thing is, this means it's going to be a pretty quality book. It won't be rushed to the printer.

Now, I wish I could console you by saying that this'll just make the releases of books 2 and 3 really close together, but that's probably not going to be the case. I've got a project I'm doing in between, something I'll tell you about in the summer (please don't ask me in the meantime). But at any rate, it still means you're gonna get a whole lot of sequential art from Amy, and it's something I'm really excited about!

When I'm done with that, I plan on doing books 3 and 4 in a year's time, and then the series will be over! I promise I will continue to do the best I know how and make this series really something. I can't wait for you to read book 2--if it's any consolation, a LOT happens, or at least it seems that way to me. There's a lot of drama, and it's much more complicated than the first book.

SO IN SUM:

I sincerely apologize for this delay in book 2. And I really WANT to apologize, because I do feel a sense of responsibility for the people who read book 1. Please know that the guilt I feel only means I'll do whatever I can to make it up, which means drawing my butt off from here on out. I hope you'll see a lot from me in years to come.

Please don't blame TOKYOPOP for this; if you want to rant at somebody, rant at me. Or learn from me--I know that if I had followed every one of my deadlines to the letter, I'd probably have my book out in July.

--Amy

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/11428778/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/11428778/ Sat, 13 Jan 2007 23:25:20 PST

As far as panels go, I'm gonna have three in a row (whew!) on Sunday the 28th (of January). The first one is at 11 am--it's my face angles/expressions panel, then at 12:30 I'm joining the lovely for some lovely talk about working for TOKYOPOP (or I'm sure just whatever you feel like asking us), and THEN at 2:00 I'm doing a screentoning panel, all about applying screentones, and the art thereof.

Hope to meet some of you!

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/10587382/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/10587382/ Wed, 01 Nov 2006 21:06:08 PST
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My husband:
My twin:
Website: [link]
LiveJournal: [link]
Rising Stars Webring: [link]

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/10369831/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/10369831/ Thu, 19 Oct 2006 08:12:35 PDT
Wee, okay, so I'm a guest at a convention in Salt Lake City called Anime Banzai--> [link] and it's coming up on October 20 and 21! I don't think I've even MET anyone online from Utah, but JUST IN CASE! Here's what I'll be doing:

Friday:
7pm: Opening Ceremonies/Greet Guests
9pm: Making Manga Panel--I just basically go through what I do to make comics, talking about processes, techniques, and tools! Lotsa visuals, and I'm hoping for time at the end for everyone else to share what THEY do to make comics, ya know, exchanging info!

Saturday:
10am: Meet the Guests Q&A
1pm: Getting into the Manga Industry--I'm talking here about what my story of getting in was, other people's stories, tips for improving, companies you can approach and how, and hey, I'll even talk about contracts because that's pretty important! Mostly, I want to leave time for questions, so yeah.

Besides that, I'll have a table in the artists alley and I'll be selling my books, signed with sketches in them! I unfortunately don't have time to make other artwork to sell Oh well! But you can definitely come over, talk, look over some pencils and inks for book 2, that sorta stuff.

Yay!

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My husband:
My twin:
Website: [link]
LiveJournal: [link]
Rising Stars Webring: [link]

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/10270213/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/10270213/ Tue, 03 Oct 2006 11:19:52 PDT
Facial expression and angles
When: Saturday, 11 am to 1 pm
Where: Aspen Amphitheater
Okay, I think most of you have an idea on what character designs you like and what your style is with faces, so I'm taking it to the next level: talking about how those faces change, both with drawing them at different angles, as well as facial expressions--the range of individual features and how to combine those to make unique expressions. I'll be demonstrating some, with a drawing tablet since I'll have a computer projector, and you'll be drawing too! I'm going to pick a guy and a girl to model for us, and we'll be using what we've learned to draw them in our style at different angles and expressions. Think about if you'd be interested in modeling--it doesn't mean you have to LOOK like a model or anything; we're just using features that are unique to you and figuring out how to move those when drawing. And if you model you get a free copy of my comic book Fool's Gold! I'll even sign it and draw a little picture. And hey if you don't like it you can sell it on eBay. So prease don't be shy

Using Screentones
When: Saturday, 3 pm to 4 pm
Where: Aspen Amphitheater
This one has two parts. First, there's HOW to tone. I only touch lightly on toning by hand with zipatones, because not many people do that anymore and I have limited experience in it as well. But I erase lots of toning MYTHS (and believe me you may have heard a lot of them and not even realized), and demonstrate how you can tone something that's legitimate for print in Photoshop and ComicWorks, and I show Manga Studio but honestly haven't had time to learn the program. But I hear that there's a whole PANEL on Manga Studio, at 2 pm on Sunday, so there ya go! I know I'll be there. Anyway, for the second part, I'll be talking about the ART of screentoning. It'll be all about the composition and storytelling that goes along with it, and how to dispel some bad habits I've seen like...everywhere. Yay!

I'll also be doing an artist meet-and-greet on Sunday, wee!

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My husband:
My twin:
Website: [link]
LiveJournal: [link]
Rising Stars Webring: [link]

]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/9681479/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/9681479/ Thu, 10 Aug 2006 17:52:18 PDT
1. August 12 (this Saturday!) at 3:00 pm at the Westminster Waldenbooks
2. August 26 (the day after my 26th birthday!) at 7:00 pm at the Colfax Avenue Tattered Cover (previously known as the Cherry Creek Tattered Cover but they moved)--you can find more information here-->[link]

BTW, I've been pretty bad about getting back to people ever since Otakon...please don't feel neglected--I just have a lot of catching up to do!

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My husband:
My twin:
Website: [link]
LiveJournal: [link]
Rising Stars Webring: [link] ]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/9575369/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/9575369/ Wed, 02 Aug 2006 20:14:01 PDT
And if you miss me, I'll also be on a TP panel on Saturday at *9am* so don't forget it's EARLY, ladies and gents! And it may or may not be on the programs they pass out, since the scheduling for this was somewhat last minute, which is why I tell you this now

EDIT: I found out some more information!! I'll be having a signing on Saturday at 4pm at the TP booth, and I have another signing, but I don't know when it is yet because we had to reschedule it. So if you can't make it to the Saturday one, please stop by and find out when the other one is! And also, apparently the TP panel on Saturday is their industry panel, and there's one on Sunday at 1:30 that's the creator panel. Unfortunately, and I are flying out right before then, so we won't even BE there on Sunday! They're trying to figure something out--it might mean that the industry panel will also serve as a creator panel for me and Bettina. I dunno. Another thing you are DEFINITELY welcome to ask the TP booth! It's okay; they don't bite!

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My husband:
My twin:
Website: [link]
LiveJournal: [link]
Rising Stars Webring: [link] ]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/9425367/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/9425367/ Wed, 19 Jul 2006 10:34:46 PDT
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My husband:
My twin:
Website: [link]
LiveJournal: [link]
Rising Stars Webring: [link] ]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/9341464/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/9341464/ Tue, 11 Jul 2006 21:08:43 PDT [link] and guess what? I have learned that almost every Barnes & Noble in the country will be having that cardboard bookshelf thingie with a four-foot-tall Fool's Gold image on it! So that means multiple copies of my book, but they may or may not be in on time. Here's a [link] to the image. Hey, you could even see if you could convince them to give the bookshelf to you once they're done with it! I know I will

Edit: Oh! And here's a [link] to an interview I did with Christ Arrant for Publishers Weekly. Yay!

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My husband:
My twin:
Website: [link]
LiveJournal: [link]
Rising Stars Webring: [link] ]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/9219416/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/9219416/ Thu, 29 Jun 2006 09:43:04 PDT And for those of you who aren't coming, my book comes out July 11!!! If your local bookstore doesn't have it by then, scold them! Or...you could just politely ask them to have it in You can even check the inventory of your local Borders stores online here: [link]

I will also be going to Comicon and Otakon Yay! Lotsa fun for me this summer!!!

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My husband:
My twin:
Website: [link]
LiveJournal: [link]
Rising Stars Webring: [link] ]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/9081665/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/9081665/ Thu, 15 Jun 2006 21:28:21 PDT [link]

Hey, and don't forget that Fool's Gold comes out July 11!!! So soooooon! And if you're going to Anime Expo, there's a good chance you'll get it even earlier

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My husband:
My twin:
Website: [link]
LiveJournal: [link]
Rising Stars Webring: [link] ]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/8328811/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/8328811/ Fri, 31 Mar 2006 23:41:16 PST [link]

My pal made it! Yaaaaaaay! A couple other people I know made it, but I don't know if they have DA accounts. Congrats to all, though!! So very exciting

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My TOKYOPOP series "Fool's Gold" is online, or at least the first HALF the book is! That's 90 pages, folks! So if you started late, or haven't started reading, here's the [link]

And for the rest of the book (or all of it, if you don't want to spoil the story) is due out this July!! Yay

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My husband:
My twin:
LiveJournal: [link]
Rising Stars Webring: [link] ]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/7521386/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/7521386/ Thu, 09 Mar 2006 08:57:08 PST [link]

I'm super swamped right now; otherwise I'd research all the people's DA accounts and provide them. I do know at least that is on that list, and his entry made me cry many tears and he rocks. If you know of other accounts, please feel free to post them for others' viewing pleasure!

Oh, and I do apologize for being so bad about posting art. Not a very active account; I know! But this is ONLY because you're gonna get a motherload of artwork from me at your local bookstore. So please don't hate me!

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My TOKYOPOP series "Fool's Gold" is online, or at least the first HALF the book is! That's 90 pages, folks! So if you started late, or haven't started reading, here's the [link]

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My husband:
My twin:
LiveJournal: [link]
Rising Stars Webring: [link] ]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/7226949/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/7226949/ Mon, 05 Dec 2005 07:48:37 PST [link]

It was up a few days ago but they were missing a page so I didn't want to announce until it was all up! So if you already read it and wouldn't mind giving it another go, please do! If not, and you happened to be confused by the fact that Penny's talking to people at a cafeteria and suddenly she's at her home talking to her dad, there was a page in between those two scenes! I promise I tell stories better than that!!

As far as the cover goes, it's still the not-final version; in fact they've changed the color combo completely and it's purple! It looks super cool, actually. I'll post a pic of the original and a link to what they did with it once they give me an official JPEG. Sorry I haven't posted much art lately!!


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My husband:
My twin:
LiveJournal: [link]
Rising Stars Webring: [link]
(I'm in Rising Stars of Manga vol 4) ]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/6921557/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/6921557/ Mon, 31 Oct 2005 23:59:20 PST [link]

Hope you like it!!! Just so you know, the cover text's VERY not final. It was this random sketch I did before I knew what the cover would look like, even in color scheme. So don't worry; that'll change! And I'll post a bigger version of the cover here when things like text and possibly the sidebar ooze on over from TP's design department. Can't wait to see what they come up with!


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My husband:
My twin:
LiveJournal: [link]
Rising Stars Webring: [link]
(I'm in Rising Stars of Manga vol 4) ]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/5856323/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/5856323/ Thu, 25 Aug 2005 09:49:34 PDT
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Info on my TOKYOPOP book deal:

The title of my series is "Fool's Gold". It's a high school drama, about an aspiring fashion designer and her crusade against the jerks in her school. I don't want to give much more away than that! But I WILL say that the themes in the story include love, deceit, fashion, labels, growing up, and the uncertainty of human nature. I'm terribly excited about this series!!!!!!!!!! Yay!!!!!!!!!!! I'm enjoying it, and I hope you all will, too.

Most of the recent drawings in my gallery are of characters in my story, so check them out! I hope to update with sneak peaks here and there as well.

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My husband:
My twin:
LiveJournal: [link]
Rising Stars Webring: [link]
(I'm in Rising Stars of Manga vol 4) ]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/5788938/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/5788938/ Wed, 29 Jun 2005 07:44:35 PDT


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My husband:
My twin:
LiveJournal: [link]
Rising Stars Webring: [link]
(I'm in Rising Stars of Manga vol 4) ]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/5734255/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/5734255/ Thu, 23 Jun 2005 13:04:52 PDT [link]


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My husband:
My twin:
Rising Stars Webring: [link]
(I'm in Rising Stars of Manga vol 4) ]]> ~Tentopet http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/5629167/ http://Tentopet.deviantart.com/journal/5629167/ Tue, 14 Jun 2005 17:00:51 PDT

EDIT: For you Pseudome-ers, Pinkchan has created a refugee forum at [link] until [link] comes back from the dead!!

Sorry I haven't had any drawings up lately! I know there are a few who've added me to their watch list, and they haven't even had any updates from me!!! So sad; I like to please people. And plus, I'd like to get rid of that hideous picture that's up as the latest picture in my gallery! 'Twas funny at first, but my goodness! So anyway, I'll see what I can do. I'm a bit busy, but I swear it won't be empty like this forever!!!

Oh, and is anyone going to Anime Expo in Anaheim in June/July?? I'm going! Yay! I shall beeeee there!!!!! I don't have a table, though, and I don't THINK I'm in any panels.

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My husband:
My twin:
Rising Stars Webring: [link] ]]> ~Tentopet