From comics to books to live podcast tapings, this was my year in Geekdom.
2018 was crazy for being a geek and here are the highlights of various events I attended, participated in or covered for different media sites, as well as some of my digital drawings. Lots of fun and I look forward to 2019.
As the year comes to a close, here is a look back at some of my creative, professional and personal high points of 2015.
Summerstage is a New York institution, every year throughout the five boroughs, the NY Parks Department presents free concerts and performances for the people in all five boroughs, with Central Park’s Ramsey Field as the main stage. The headliner for that day was Big daddy Kane and let me tell you the crowd got hyped when the Symphony started and then went on to lose its mind as he brought out the entire Juice crew to perform it. What makes this moment so special is that to the crowds knowledge the Symphony had never been preformed live.
One of the the biggest publishers in the comic book industry packed up and moved to California. As I haven’t worked there in over 15 years it didn’t affect me outside of the people that I’m still friends with, but I still had to go to the place where it all started for me as an intern at Milestone.
The folks at BlackSci-Fi.com needed help covering events in New York. Some emails and a phone call later I was helping them cover the world of Blerds here in NY. My first full article Black Fantastic 2015 Afrofuturism Comes to Harlem can be found on their website.
For all the details of this event click here.
For my full reports again go to BlackSci-Fi.com or click on the Comic Con links for Thursday/Friday and Saturday/Sunday
Leading up to the opening of The Force Awakens I did another article for the good peoples at BlackSci-Fi.com about the New York Jedi, a stage combat troupe. For a bit of research I was able to watch them perform during NY Winterfest held at Resorts World Casino, as well as get to hear Nichelle Nichols, the original Lt. Uhura from Star Trek, speak about her time on the show and advice for young folk starting out as an entertainer. To learn more about the NY Jedi, read my article The Force is Strong with The New York Jedi.
And speaking of The Force Awakens, I wanted to love it, I truly did. Yeah it was fun, but it was just ok. I am disappointed not because it was bad, but because after 30 plus years, it wasn’t as great as most of us had hoped. Hopefully the nostalgia of the original movies has been expunged and J.J. can move on to making new stories with these new characters.
I normally don’t step in front of the camera but over this year I had to, as I ran into these talented individuals. From left to right; author Suzan-Lori Parks, Brewmaster Garrett Oliver, author/activist Junot Díaz, and Master Chef Marcus Samuelsson.
On the personal front of this years events, my mother had open heart surgery to fix an artery which helps her heart pump better, many thanks to the Doctors and Staff at Mount Sanai Hospital for their excellent work.
I also got my hands on an IPad, which has helped me be a shitload more productive in my creative life, conducting interviews and having more of a presence online. The new logo was mostly done with Adobe Draw.
Lastly, I found someone crazy enough to say yes to spending the rest of their life with me and getting all my stuff when I die, so I know now that Unicorns are real.
Happy New Year, follow me on twitter @GCarmona3 and look for more in 2016. Live long, and prosper in the New Year.
Last night I attended the launch party of the Brooklyn Defender, a specialty beer made for New York Comic Con by Brooklyn Brewery. The party was co-hosted by New York Comic Con, BB Brew Master Garrett Oliver, and Comic Book Artist Khary Randolph, the designer of this years Defender. On tap were the usual fair of beers, free capes, glasses and cosplay. 
Artist from last weeks Drink and Draw were encouraged to share their interpretation of the Defender and I was blessed to have my art adorn the walls of the party. Scroll down for a better look of the finished works.
Thanks to NY Comic Con, Brooklyn Brewery, Garrett Oliver and most of all to Khary for creating a cool ass character.
Last night was Drink and Draw NYC, a positive space where artists can come together and sketch a live model. Created and run by comic book artist Khary Randolph, last nights D&D had the distinction of being the 6th anniversary of the get together and also the unveiling of Brooklyn Brewery’s New York Comic Con specialty beer, The Brooklyn Defender.
Each year, Brooklyn Brewery picks a comic book artist to design the look of the character for their bottle and this time the call went out to D&D’s very own Khary. To celebrate, Brooklyn Brewery was gracious enough to provide us with free samples of their specialty brew.
And I doubt it is necessary to state that when you offer folks free beer they will show up. Artists were asked to share their work based on model Atallah Divines cosplay of the character. The artwork will be on display at Brooklyn Brewery’s official launch party for the Defender next week. Also, I just got word that I will have two pieces on display based on these sketches, if you’re unable to attend the party look for the final versions here, next week.
Again thanks to Brooklyn Brewery for the beer, as well as Khary Randolph and the souls of Drink and Draw NYC for helping me to stay creative. Here’s to more beer and more art.
Due to technical issues it took me a minute to scan and post some of my favorite sketches from this months Drink and Draw NYC. 
If you’ve been reading my past blogs, then you know that Drink and Draw NYC is a monthly gathering of artists here in New York’s Lower East Side, were we get a chance to work on our live drawing skills in a less academic atmosphere. Organized by professional comicbook artist Khary Randolph.
Our model for this session was brought back from last summers popular Harley Davidson edition of Drink and Draw, the statuesque Sweet Lorraine, creator of Shades of Burlesque, an all Black burlesque show here in NYC. 
If you missed the Drink and Draw, check her page for her local performances. 
And I must reiterate the importance of being able to draw from a live model. The ability to quickly translate what you see to the page is a critical skill that must be utilized. The value of going out in a setting like a Drink and Draw, is that it allows you to see how another artist approaches the same subject, be it perspective or choice of area to focus on. You might want to get the whole model on the page, look over and see that someone is working on just her face or her feet, and make you think that might be something to try next time. Working under a time constraint can help in training your eye to see the primary shapes and angles to tackle in forming your overall drawing.
Interested, check the group page on Facebook for more information. Here’s to seeing you and your art next month.
Every month at Mary O’s in the Lower East Side of NYC, a bunch of artist get together at this cool local pub for shit talking, drinks and drawing.
Generally the night starts off with some quick 2 or 5 minute warm up sketches, followed by a couple of 10 minute poses and a 20 minute pose before a model break and costume change to do another round of poses.
I am sure I have stated this before, but it is important enough to repeat. As an artist live model drawing is essential to an artists growth and creativity.
Organized by comic book artist Khary Randolph and featuring a rotating assortment of models, this months model was the fabulous Taneisha Shaw. For more information visit the Facebook page, Drink and Draw NYC.
Go forth and draw, after you check out my stuff.
Found sketches from two different Drink and Draws from earlier this year. Its good to clean up.
This past week I attended my local Drink and Draw. Celebrating 5 years, this months model was the incredible Apathy Angel. If you’ve never used a live model for your art fix that. This sketch was 20 minute pose, I spent 5-6 minutes just trying to work the angles. Got to draw more live models.
