ShortRun Seattle, 2023

If you want all the details, you need to keep an eye on ShortRun's link. The show happens every year in early November. There were great events, talks, and just a bunch of wonderful creative people at the show. Thunder, lightning and a downpour turned into a beautiful autumn day, the bright yellow trees around the Seattle Center fountain sparkling in the sun, and as the sun set, the winter lights came on. 

This report leads off with the beautiful railing art across from the Fisher plaza, detailing the history of the Duwamish people's area. There are 85 panels in the metal sequence, making it a very large and durable comic book.

BE SURE TO SCROLL TO THE END OF THE PHOTOS to see the beautiful Hmong regalia. I'd seen Hmong people strolling around the area all day, and only at the last minute discovered they had an exhibit in the Seattle Center Armory. They were gracious enough to give me a chance to get a few photos, even in the middle of their busy takedown.

The evening before, Fantagraphics Bookstore presented the usual author party, that's always such a treat at ShortRun. For more details, and even some interviews, including with the delightful people pictured below, check out the ShortRun episode of my podcast, A Bazillion Ghost Stories.

An Old Mural in Bremerton, and Misery Whip

I went back to Bremerton for a friend's son's party, and stopped in to get some shots of a mural I helped on in 2001. I was amazed it still existed.

First of all, let me show you a photo of Jack Moriarty's band, Misery Whip. They were wonderful. I'm not necessarily fond of country, but when it's done well, I enjoy it. I've been watching Jack play since his guitar was bigger than him. He plays the pedal steel, too. The band is really something. The lead-in band was Jack Habegger's Celebrity Telethon, which was - well, if I can describe it - kind of like if Laurel Canyon went HARD rock. I really enjoyed those guys. 

Then we'll have the mural photos. I expected the colors in the deer mural to fade to autumn, because we'd been running out of paint as we got to the right side of the art. But somebody's been doing more green trees on it, which is just fine. I was amazed to see any of it was left. The street kids originally suggested the deer, and the bear, and the two cubs, which they named Frick and Frack. I think the stream is new, too.

Appropriately, the homeless of Bremerton seem to treat the area around the murals as a forest sanctuary. Yeah, there's a lot of tagging, but what the street kids can't reach, still remains. It looks cool and pleasant. Enjoy.

Bremerton Zine Fest 2023

 Weird and hot, in a city park, but satisfying, and promising more for the future - that's the Bremerton Zine Fest. I was later at Pat Moriarity's art gallery show, also in Bremerton, at the Ridgeline cafe (no photos posted of a gallery show, of course). But photos of a few friends are included at the bottom of this post. It was really nice to see Pat again, and David Lasky - both long-time colleagues and dear friends. 

Got to talk to the Parks people, the Zine Fest organizers, and the Bremerton mayor, about maybe hooking up with SquatchConPA, so the two shows support each other and each other's communities. You know me - Little Miss GoBetween.

This really should be a better report, with more and better labeling, but it was 91 degrees Fahrenheit all day in that field, and hot for the rest of the evening, and the brain don't do so good in the heat. Every time I regret moving up to Clallam Bay, because it's so far away from my friends and industry, the weather reminds me of why it was a good idea.

I'll do a better job in the podcast. I'll add that link as soon as it goes active.

Olympic Collectibles Expo 2023

JD Sweet always puts on a nice little show at the Kitsap Mall. For some reason, it doesn't feel so exposed as so many mall shows do. I think it's because it concentrates in the central hallway, and the tables all come with fitted black floor-length covers. It gives it a concentrated, connected feeling. So here are some of the vendors and tables. 

There are two shows a year, one in April and one in November. Plenty of free parking at the Kitsap Mall. A nice little show, and one that adds to the world of comicons out here on the west end of Washington State.

You can see the artwork I did in thanks for SpankyLoco at Olympic Collectibles Expo, 2023 | Donna Barr on Patreon

SpankyLoco, presenting me with a print I admired. 

Melanie Kohn, the voice of Peanuts Lucy.

Comic.Rat, a good guy!