#ctnx2016

woo! I feel like I JUST got back, but it’s been a solid week since I returned home from my annual travel adventure.

CTNx was so much fun as always. Kudos for the organizers involved for making things slightly less agonizing for attendees. Other than the blackout caused by fluke rain, I think the set up was a step in the right direction this year.

I was able to see a few inspirational panels/workshops. I really appreciated hearing Claire Keane talk about authenticity in her work. It was really interesting to hear her point of view on maintaining that aspect in personal work (sketches and even her latest book: Little Big Girl) as well as with client work (vis dev for Rapunzel)

It was super awesome to sit and hear Peter De Seve talk to William Joyce about his inspirations and journey. I posted a photo from their talk and I felt so lucky to have Bill look through my instagram feed too. Generous of him to do so, I’ll have to just keep posting more work there!

The Bancroft Bros. hit it out of the park with their chat with “TV Game Changers” Alex Hirsh, Rebecca Sugar, Butch Hartman, Craig Mccracken, and Lauren Faust. Large panels like that can sometimes be lacking in actual insight. But the Bros. knew what questions to ask to insight actionable advice rather than just running through highlight reels of each artist’s career.

So many amazing speakers to hear this year! But as always the real reason I make it a point to get to CTNx each year is my Oatley Academy Family. Without them I wouldn’t be able to make it through a crazy weekend like that. I’m always astonished at how fun and effortless my interactions are with fellow OA students. It’s almost unnatural for me to feel so comfortable with people so quickly, so it is definitely a fun time for me.

I was super overwhelmed by all the chaotic-ness of the first day of the expo. Coming down from the previous day- emotional OA day with the Fam and Brian McDonald (too much awesome to even sum up right now)- mixed with the chaotic nature that is the expo hall, I thought I might not be able to maintain the rest of the weekend.

But of course after that first night I was whisked away by some OA people to get food and had great enlightening conversations about my work and process and the year I’ve had. Jessie Kate Patterson was so generous to talk to me over some dinner and really dig deep which is amazing of her. Then later on Tegan Clancy took a look at my work and gave me a few things to consider. After hearing my “big sisters” advice and insight I didn’t feel like I needed to show my portfolio around anywhere else the rest of the weekend. Which was great actually. I could just enjoy everything going on from there out. I felt much more relaxed.