* Bobby Chiu and Jim Demonakos know what the hell they’re doing. Together with Nancy Cho, their advisors and volunteers, they just spearheaded the first Lightbox Expo — the most high-octane, smoothly-oiled convention debut I’ve ever seen. It was all about the art and the artists, with the kind of underwriting I’ve never seen for an art event (Weta, Pixar, Dreamworks, Sony, Netflix, etc.). Take a bow, Bobby, Jim, and ALL OF YOU.

* The next time you spot ‘The Artist / Author’ panel scheduled at Lightbox Expo? Highlight that one and get in line EARLY because this past Saturday at 10am, that line ran almost the entire length of the building!! Thanks to all who came out. I had a blast moderating mega-talents Armand Baltazar, Greg Manchess, Mia Araujo, and Iain McCaig. Hopefully Lightbox does this one again next year!

* All conventions should have vast VIP rooms with giant white leather couches and refreshments. (Bless you, Lightbox.)

* I now know how to correctly pronounce Iris Compiet‘s name. And you can too. 🙂 EEDris COHM-peet (that ‘r’ sound is very subtle….roll gently) We did a panel together and this weekend was the first time we’ve crossed paths in person. Terrific presence.* Camilla d’Errico is a genius. She’s not only one of the reigning queens of pop surrealism (knew that), but she understands branding and art marketing backwards and forwards. When she talks, take notes.* My booth neighbor Jason Chan is a good dude. We both thank the ghostly presence of Justin ‘Coro’ Kaufman for his generosity. “Looks like you guys can go double-wide.”

* Robbie Treviño (pictured left with Coro Kaufman) can devour a plate of food at terrifying speed. This man is a beast and one of my favorite rising star artists. I scored a copy of his NUMINOUS book and I love what he’s doing.* It is impossible not to like Te Hu. There should be more in the world, but there can be only one.

* One of my favorite draughtsman anywhere, Gary Villarreal, has visions toward becoming a mural artist. San Antonio building owners — get this man on speed-dial and fly him in, so we can be one of the first with a GV urban masterpiece.

* I need to start listening to Jason Seiler’s ‘Face The Truth’ podcast. Good times doing a panel with him at Lightbox.

* ArtStation is mobilizing some amazing education, outreach, and community building. Need to get up-to-speed with the new things Daniel Wade and Randall Mackey are up to. Pictured here left to right: Robbie Treviño, Gary Villarreal, me, Camilla d’Errico, and Randall.Congratulations again to Bobby, Jim, Nancy and team. This show’s success was seismic and will ripple for a long while to come. The joy and energy in that building were palpable all weekend, and there were so many things ‘done right’ — a historic weekend for sf/f art.