Yes, I know the Daily Misfortune is supposed to be daily, and I've missed a few lately. Sorry about that! Some news: more Misfortune Cookie mini comics sold at the Desert Island comic store, and I gave them my Daily Misfortune and Flip Book to sell. I hope it sells well there!

The Daily Misfortune 64 and online store?

This one was inspired by a girl I met at the Baltimore con who said she went to the same Chinese restaurant all the time and kept getting the same fortunes :) The good thing about The Daily Misfortune: They're always different and new!

Also, I told many people at that convention that I'll be setting up an online store soon. It's in the works! I just need to learn more about it. Someone suggested BigCartel.com and Etsy.com, and a friend sells through facebook somehow. Does anyone else have suggestions? Please feel free to post a comment - anyone can!

Unlucky Numbers/Symbols

At the Baltimore convention, I had at least 2 or 3 people ask what the symbols at the bottom of the Daily Misfortunes were. They're supposed to be the lucky (or unlucky) numbers. It started with just a slight quirky change, as shown on the cover of The Misfortune Cookie:

Here, 13 is definitely an unlucky number, 22 for a "catch 22", then it got odder with the fractions and math symbols like pi, and schwa e is just ridiculous. But as I did more of these, the unlucky symbols kept getting more and more absurd and wacky, not only because I ran out of numbers and symbols, but because I really wanted to make that part creative.

Here, we have the quadratic formula as an unlucky number. I think I have lots of math equations in the numbers because I used to work as a graphic designer for a group called GRIP (Geometry Reasoning and Instructional Practices). Yes, the quadratic formula is algebra. I did some animations about algebra for GRIP too.

Here, we have music notes as an unlucky symbol, just because it's ridiculous and goes with the theme of the misfortune. Not all the numbers/symbols match the misfortunes exactly, though. Usually at least 1 or 2 do. The first number in the sequence is always the number of the comic (if you have the book "Mindy Indy's Daily Misfortune and Flip Book", you'll notice the numbers go up in order.)

Here, I put tiny trees as the last symbol, because Bob Ross always loved "happy little trees." The pictures as unlucky "numbers" started out with me typing using symbol fonts in illustrator (like Zapf Dingbat, etc, for that flower symbol just before the trees), and evolved because I wanted to have specific symbols.

You'll notice that I've changed the words on the Daily Misfortunes to have "Unlucky Numbers" or "Unlucky #s" now to lessen confusion. There may also be only 3 numbers instead of the usual 6 (for lottery purposes), but that's ok, because it's my comic and I can do what I want :P Enjoy!!

Baltimore Comic Con Success!! :D

The Baltimore Comic Con was a super success for mindy indy! I made back my table money and more! The table was $200, and I made $219, so that's pretty darn good for my first big convention :) Especially considering lots of artists don't make their table money back. I'm so glad people like my comics, and appreciate everyone that stopped by my table! Special thanks to anyone that bought anything and/or signed up for the mailing list! I loved meeting new people and talking about my artwork. It was a pretty exhausting weekend, but it was totally worth it :)

I didn't get to see much else of the convention, but you can see a bit more of artist's alley in this picture (taken before the convention opened to the public). I was lucky to get a table on the corner. Oh yeah, and see that huge purple suitcase behind me? I lugged like 70 of my new books from New York on the Megabus in that thing!

Here's my new book, "Mindy Indy's Daily Misfortune and Flip Book!" It's 2 books in one! On the right page is a collection thus far of all the Daily Misfortunes that I've been posting here on mindyindy.com, and on the left is a brand new quirky animation that's a flip book! I spent most of the time for this book drawing the animation. I wanted it to have the same look as the comic, so it's all hand drawn. It involves a giant godzilla-like-pacman-like misfortune cookie eating a city, then trying to eat a spaceship and getting zapped by the ship. At first I wanted it to be a simple animation, but it got more complex as I kept drawing :P Oh and in the picture above, the artist at the table next to me cleared their table early and I took it over :)

My friend Tracy, who helped me out with the table, suggested stacking my books, because people are attracted to vertical things. It was a super great thing to do, because if you just have flat objects, people can't see your stuff until they're already at the table. I even stood up my mini comics too. I think it helped!

Here's Tracy modeling another new addition to the mindy indy table: Misfortune Cookie Charms! My mom made these tiny cute charms BY HAND out of sculpey! You can put them on your cell phone, key ring, rear-view mirror, and other stuff :)

I had to take a picture of the GIANT box of fortune cookies. I stayed with Tracy in Washington D.C., and there's a super awesome China Town where I got this box of 350 cookies for $15. I wanted to make sure we had enough to last the whole convention, and we certainly did. I have enough left over to last like A YEAR.

Again, thanks everyone for making this convention a big success! And more good news, a spot in artist's alley opened up for the huge New York Comic Con, and I got a half table! Since I did well at Baltimore, I feel more comfortable spending $300 for the table at NYCC. It's the next big step in my career and I'm super excited! To all peeps in Baltimore, it's only a $9 Megabus ride to New York! So please stop by and see me and other spectacular artists and cool stuff at NYCC October 11-14 at the Javits Center in NYC!

No, I won't be at SPX (Small Press Expo). I missed the application deadline, and already have plans that weekend. Maybe next year!

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Baltimore Comic Con THIS WEEKEND! :D

I'm on the Megabus right now for the Baltimore Comic Con tomorrow and Sunday! It's awesome that I can even DO this post right now on the bus - they have wifi! This week I didn't have a chance to post the Daily Misfortunes because I've been super busy with other work and getting my BRAND NEW book out: "Mindy Indy's Daily Misfortune and Flip Book"! I can't even believe I got all 100 printed in time. I had to reformat the size like 3 times, then my first printing option fell through (their printer broke) but I was able to print them at Staples! The 24 hour Staples ALWAYS SAVES MY LIFE!! The books were so heavy I couldn't even drag them all in my huge suitcase at once, so I had to leave some behind, but if I miraculously run out tomorrow I can always print more at another Staples! I'll have pictures later, and will be creating an online store very soon so you can buy it :) Anyway, I'm super excited to be exhibiting at this convention! I'm also very thankful to my great friend Tracy for all her help - without her I probably wouldn't be able to be at the con! If you're in the Baltimore area (or NYC area - Megabus is only $9!!) please make a trip to the Baltimore Comic Con - I heard it's even bigger and better than last year :) I'll be at table A247 in Artist's Alley.

Thank God I didn't miss the Megabus! I came pretty close :/

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TNH animation done!

TNH, the animated short I worked on with Kyle Baker, premiered on MTV Geek recently! (NOTE: There is violence and swearing, so if you're a kid, don't click the links.) It's more of an "adult swim" kind of cartoon. I mainly animated individual characters in Blender, After Effects, and Photoshop. Some scenes I animated are: The funny looking crowd watching the pole dancers, close ups of legs dancing, a LOT of the komodo dragon scenes, the glass shattering with girl screaming, some of the stairs chase scene, the peep driving the car, the baby animals looking with fright, the bunny flying in the air, and the cooked chicken, among others. There's too much to say in one blog post about the process of animating, but please watch and enjoy!

Reddit?

A friend suggested I post my comics on Reddit. It looks like that site just links to this site. I posted yesterday and "mindy indy's Daily Misfortune and other freaking awesome comics!" is already buried on the 5th page. I tried posting again, but it only lets you post a link once. Not sure how it's supposed to work. I'll look into it more later. Trying to get my daily misfortune book together :)

New Misfortune Cookie Page!

The more content I make, the more I need to organize it somehow. People are interested in the daily misfortunes, and I tried to point them to the actual 5 page Misfortune Cookie short comics, but they were buried in my blog. So now, there's a brand new Misfortune Cookie page on this site! Look in the upper right corner, among the other links. Both comics are up there.

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Stoop Postponed :(

The Stoop 2012 event was postponed this weekend due to threat of thunderstorms. They spread the word on Friday, and it didn't even rain a single drop on Saturday! Beautiful weather all day! But that's the way it goes sometimes. I'll let you know what date they change it to if I'm still able to participate. They need to wait for a park permit, so who knows how long that takes. I'm also doing other events, like doing a Cartooning Illustration Demo at Utrecht Brooklyn on Saturday August 25th (536 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205) and the Baltimore Comic Con September 8th & 9th. Hopefully neither of those events will get postponed! They're indoors, so that helps.

Stoop Prep

I've been preparing my new teaching routine for The Stoop tomorrow. Just a reminder:

The Stoop 2012: A Free Celebration of Arts, Music and Life August 11, 2012 from 2pm - 7pm Ft. Greene Park Myrtle Ave between N. Portland Ave and Washington Park (300 Myrtle Ave - if an address is needed for GPS) Brooklyn, NY, 11201

Hope to see you there!

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The Stoop 2012

Mindy indy is participating in another fun-filled event this Saturday! I'll be teaching people of all ages how to draw comics at The Stoop 2012 in Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn this Saturday August 11th from 2-7pm. The Stoop will feature live performances, DJs, games, activities, interactive arts stations, live art and many prizes, such as DJ101 class courtesy of Scratch DJ Academy, several fitness classes courtesy of Triomph Fitness, Health & Wellness, Dance Class passes from Mark Morris Dance Co., Hair care products from Doris of NY, passes to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and more.

The Stoop is brought to you by an awesome group called FOKUS (Fighting Obstacles Knowing Ultimate Success). Atiba Edwards started the group at the college I went to (University of Michigan) and I did a few events with the group back in the day - I did caricatures of people in U of M's diag. Years passed, we fell out of touch (as happens with college peeps), and one day Atiba walks into the art supply store I work at in Brooklyn! It's so random and great to reconnect with people like that! Glad to be involved with FOKUS again.

Here's more about the event:

For the fifth year in a row, FOKUS will present The Stoop, a celebration of art, music and life. This fun and free event will be held on August 11, 2012 in Fort Greene Park (Myrtle Ave and N. Portland Ave) in Brooklyn, NY from 2-7pm and is designed for folks of all ages!

Stoops are known for being a place for people to gather, relax, share stories and have a good time. This event mimics that by bringing together artists and the community into one space for a fun celebration in the park.

The event is currently sponsored by New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, New York State Council on the Arts, Brooklyn Arts Council, IZZE Sparkling Juice, Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership, Scratch DJ Academy, Triomph Fitness, Health & Wellness, Soul Of Brooklyn, MoCADA, MAChO, Montana Colors and Xmental Inc.

If you are interested in being a STOOP 2012 volunteer, please contact Atiba T. Edwards, The Stoop program director, at thestoop2012@gmail.com.

The Stoop 2012: A Free Celebration of Arts, Music and Life August 11, 2012 from 2pm - 7pm Ft. Greene Park Myrtle Ave between N. Portland Ave and Washington Park (300 Myrtle Ave - if an address is needed for GPS) Brooklyn, NY, 11201

Music all day by: DJ Polarity

Performances by: ScienZe Brooklyn Steppers Marching Band Ayodele Alli Nyendo Arts

Interactive Art Stations: Vinyl Artwork w/ Scratch DJ Academy Live Mural w/ Xmental Inc. Cooking Demo w/ Myrtle Eats Fresh Comic Design w/ Mindy Steffen Terracotta Pot Painting w/ Anna The Bumble Bee of FOKUS HIP-HOP Jeopardy w/ FOKUS Cru T-Shirt Design w/ FOKUS Cru

Games & Activities: Obstacle Course w/ MAChO Bean-Bag Toss Tournament Tug-Of-War Egg Race Hula Hoops OGO Sport Games Connect 4 and other Board Game Tournaments & MORE

Directions: via Train B/Q/R to Dekalb Ave 2/3/4/5 to Nevins St. G to Fulton St C to Lafayette St

via Bus B54 to Myrtle Ave-N. Portland B57 / B62 / B69 to Park Ave-N Portland St.

via Car Take Flatbush Ave Extension and turn right onto Myrtle Ave Take Vanderbilt Ave and turn left onto Myrtle Ave From Manhattan Bridge: Continue onto Flatbush Extension then turn left onto Myrtle Ave. From Brooklyn Bridge: Turn left onto Tillary St then turn right onto Flatbush Ext. and turn left onto Myrtle Ave

That's all from the facebook event.