Final Day for Madame Isis Sword Contest

Tonight's the night! At the stroke of midnight, January 31, your the chance to be The Keeper of the Sword will be over.

You can own Damali Richard’s Madame Isis shero sword. The Devil’s Candy Store is holding an essay contest that will be judged by L. A. Banks. The winner will receive the Madame Isis sword created by Hollywood armourer, Tony Swatton (a $6,000 value).

Originally to be offered at auction, this gold-plated, gem-encrusted, one-of-a-kind vampire-killing sword will end up in the hands of the Vampire Huntress Legend most deserving fan. The winner will be presented with the Madame Isis sword on Saturday, February 14, 2009 during the Twelve Tribes Convergence Summit in Philadelphia, PA. (You don't have to present at the 12 Tribes Summit to win.)

Please read the contest rules! Unfortunately, this contest is only open to anyone 21 years of age and older. This is a real sword, forged on an anvil.

Vote for WildClaw Theatre

Hey, you three people who read this blog! If you had fun with WildClaw Theatre this year, drop on by the Chicago Reader poll and vote for us in the Theater section. http://media.chicagoreader.com/Best-of-Chicago/2009/ballot/voting/category/performing-arts

Conceptart.org and Massive Black Symposium

Hell, ya. Sweet news for all of you artists out there:

ConceptArt.Org International Art and Design Workshop: DALLAS TEXAS - March 28-31 2009

Stay tuned for registration details and other stuff coming out this week. The Symposium in Seattle last January was inspiring and mind-blowing. Check these videos of past events.

PLUS: The Massive Black Concept Art book is out.

This video of the Seattle Revelations Symposium from last January gives you an idea of what you are in for.

Ray Frenden Rocks

Ray Frenden worked on five of these puppies for Black Tide. Art direction and animation, Motherland. Characters, Ray. Kick ass.

Laurie Hassold

© Laurie Hassold

The amazing sculptures of Laurie Hassold evoke remnants of Elder Gods unearthed at a little known dig site in the Sahara. Go to Bert Green's Fine Art Gallery site to see more of these fully-formed skeletons of alien life. There is also an excellent interview with Laurie in the current edition of Hi Fructose Magazine (Vol. 10).

Packer Schopf Gallery - Talluto and Simon

© Debra Simon "Roost"

Friday, January 9, 6-9PM
Packer Schopf Gallery
942 W. Lake Street
Chicago

Packer Schopf is having a gallery reception for Amy Talluto and Debra Simon. Both are fomr New York and do cool work. Simon actually creates life size Indian Bats which are about 2 feet in length. I want one.

Bookshelf Envy

If you are going to be me a present for my birthday, this will be the one you will buy.

Lynda Barry Seminar 2009

Writing the Unthinkable

I'm on a roll now. 2008 started with an inspirational, ass-kicking symposium with Massive Black's Revelation event in Seattle, Washington. This year's ass-kicker was Lynda Barry's Writing the Unthinkable two-day seminar at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. Lynda was funny, informative, witty and a diligent taskmaster getting us all to write and write and write over two days. The goal was not to critique, but to write. Folks read their work (me too) without fear of attacks and the stuff was pretty magical for first draft, 8 minute, out-of-the-blue prose. It has given my vampire project a needed boost in the writing department. I have been writing dialog and scenes I like, but this has given me the insight (I think) to really get to the heart of the matter in these scenes. A great start to 2009 thanks to the Queen Bee, her badass self, Lynda Barry.


Me and Lynda Barry