Showing posts with label Library Gigs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Library Gigs. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Month of August Recap

The month of August was a busy one for me starting with my gallery at the Orland Park Library. During this month the library showcased my art, which celebrated my ten years of self-publishing and making cool stuff. You can check out this behind the scenes video:




AUGUST 5 - The first of FOUR conventions I did in August was Comicopolis in Lockport. I always love attending this show because I feel like the show runners know how to really draw in a crowd and they utilize all of the floors. They even took a chance and added outside tables, food trucks, and live entertainment that paid off in a big way for everyone involved. I also shot an episode of Art 2 HEART with Dave and Rene of Instant Press Comics.


AUGUST 11 - The library scheduled a Meet The Artist event where people can show up, look at my gallery, and ask me questions. I had a wonderful time speaking and some close family and friends came out to share the moment with me.



AUGUST 12-13 The second comic show I did was a new one, RETCon Chicago. This two-day show really celebrated a diverse group of comic creators and I was among some of the best in the indie comics scene. I'm really excited for the potential this show has.


AUGUST 14 - I submitted to the Ghost City Comics Competition in the One Page Comic category. I had a great time creating something fun for this competition. It not only challenged me, but it sparked ideas for a future comic. Good luck to all the creatives who entered! Finalists will be announced September 1st.

AUGUST 17 - Hot Topic along with Kevin Smith was having a contest to design a tee-shirt for the upcoming Jay and Silent Bob Reboot film. I'm a huge fan of Kevin Smith and didn't want to miss an opportunity to throw down on this with the potential to be flown out for a walk on role in the movie and some cash. Why not, right? Not sure I can share the piece I did yet but maybe when the judging is over.


AUGUST 19 - The third show I attended was also a new comic show entitled, Fandom Fest. This one took place at the Niles Public Library. I met a lot of families new to comic book shows and had wonderful conversations with author, Lisa Maggiore.



AUGUST 24-27 - The fourth and final show was Wizard World Chicago Comic Con. This was a long four day show. The Thursday and Friday night crowd was pretty sparse. Thankfully I kept busy on the weekend with two Doodle To Drawing workshops. One on Saturday and one on Sunday. It was nice because I had an overhead camera so people can see what I was drawing. This definitely helped drive people to my table and I got to interact even more with the attendees. I ended my show by recording some Art 2 HEART episodes with creators Gavin Smith, Leo Perez, and Jon Lennon.


AUGUST 26 - Also on Saturday night, I had a signing for the Thing Art Book, published by Printed In Blood, at Chicago Comics. I was really excited for this event because I got to see and hold the book for the first time since it was released. (Still waiting on my comp copies.) All the Chicago creators who did something for the book were there including Jim Terry, Angel Onofre, Tom Kelly, and Jonathan LaMantia who helped set up the whole thing. A big thank you to Chicago Comics for having us at the shop and to all the customers who bought a book and got it signed by all of us.



I'd say it was a pretty packed month of making comics, showcasing art, and conventions.  Next up, I go back to teaching at the end of the month. In October, I attend New York Comic Con for the first time! I'm super excited and nervous but really looking forward to it.

Saturday, December 3, 2016

Sketch with an Artist: A Children's Writing and Drawing Program

My last program for the year with the Chicago Public Libraries happens this Monday!


Sketch with an Artist: A Children's Writing and Drawing Program
When: Monday, December 5, 2016 (4:00PM-5:00PM)
Where: Garfield Ridge Branch
              6348 S. Archer Avenue
              Chicago, IL 60638

Description: Join us as we welcome illustrator, Justin Castaneda, as he shows us some basic drawing concepts that you can apply to creating your own book. Attendees will each receive their own blank book to use to create their own illustrated stories.

Monday, September 26, 2016

Justin Castaneda Presents: Doodle to Drawing

I'll be doing two drawing events with the Chicago Public Libraries this week and next. If you're in the area, bring the kiddos! I'll also have a small amount of books to sell after the workshop and Q&A! Here is the info:


Justin Castaneda Presents From Doodle to Drawing 
Chicago area artist and graphic novelist Justin Castaneda brings introduces new artists to the basics of drawing, focusing on the importance of shapes in drawing, how to break your art down into simple shapes, and how to turn a doodle into a work of art. (Ages 8+)

Lincoln Park: Thursday 9/29 6:00pm
1150 W. Fullerton Ave.
1000 E. 73rd St.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Post: Alsip-Merrionette Family Friendly Comic Con


This past weekend, The Alsip-Merrionette Library put on a wonderful free comic con as part of their summer reading program this year. It was a really well put together show and something that has the potential to grow like that of Comic Book Mania at the Elgin library.

I had a blast and sold a few HEART books which always pleases me! I got to hang out with Dave Gruba of Instant Press Comics and the amazing Angel Onofre all day the show. The convention had all kind of things for kids from prize games, a photo booth, and free caricatures. At the end of the con, I donated some books to the library as a thank you for holding the event. I even got to do some #cardBOREDsketches for the box.

Friday, October 3, 2014

Southland Author Fair 2014



I was asked to participate in the Southland Author Fair at the Orland Park Public Library Saturday October 11, from 10am-1pm. We will be in the main lobby of the library talking about the art of comics. I will have several copies of  comics I have worked on including HEART and my newest project with Victor Dandridge, WONDER CARE PRESENTS: THE KINDER GUARDIANS. Hope to see you all there!