Selected 2019 Works

For those seeking one-stop summaries of eligible work for the 2020 awards season, I hope this curated gallery is helpful. Here are a few of my selected published artworks from 2019 for your consideration.

La Palma / Art for the Loteria Grande Card from Lone Boy by John Picacio

‘La Palma’ • Product illustration for the Loteria Grande Card • Client: Lone Boy • February 2019 • Media: Graphite Drawing / Digital Finishes. (Art © 2019 John Picacio.)

'Naked, Stoned, and Stabbed' / Art by John Picacio for Bradley Denton's Wild Cards story

‘Naked, Stoned, and Stabbed’ • Interior illustration for Bradley Denton’s ‘Naked, Stoned, and Stabbed’ • Client: Tor.com • Art Director: Irene Gallo • Editor: George R. R. Martin • October 2019 • Media: Graphite Drawing / Digital Finishes • (Art © 2019 John Picacio.)

'Long Is The Way' / Art by John Picacio for Carrie Vaughn and Sage Walker's Wild Cards story

‘Long Is The Way’ • Interior illustration for Carrie Vaughn and Sage Walker’s ‘Long Is The Way’ • Client: Tor.com • Art Director: Irene Gallo • Editor: George R. R. Martin • May 2019 • Media: Graphite Drawing / Digital Finishes • (Art © 2019 John Picacio.)

'La Cantarita' / Art by John Picacio for the Loteria Grande Card from Lone Boy

‘La Cantarita’ • Product illustration for the Loteria Grande Card • Client: Lone Boy • December 2019 • Media: Graphite Drawing / Digital Finishes. (Art © 2019 John Picacio.)

Art by John Picacio for an interior poster featured in Leigh Bardugo's NINTH HOUSE (Flatiron Books)

Interior poster illustration for Leigh Bardugo’s NINTH HOUSE • Client: Flatiron Books / Macmillan • Art Director: Leigh Bardugo • September 2019 • Media: Graphite Drawing / Digital Finishes. (Art © 2019 John Picacio.)

NINTH HOUSE

Art by John Picacio for Leigh Bardugo's NINTH HOUSE, featuring Galaxy 'Alex' Stern.I envy you.

Most likely, you haven’t read Leigh Bardugo‘s Ninth House yet. Congratulations. That means you have one of 2019’s most gripping reads awaiting you. Meanwhile, I have read it — and that means my favorite read of the year is now in my rear view mirror. But wow — WHAT a book.

This novel is going to be talked about. Oh boy, is it going to be talked about. And emulated. And adored. For many, it will be transformative. For me, it’s one of the finest books I’ve ever been associated with in my two decades-plus of illustrating major novels, alongside Miller’s A Canticle For Leibowitz, Pohl’s Gateway, and GRRM’s A Song of Ice and Fire series.

Unveiled here is my art for a very special promotional poster that will be included FREE in first editions of Ninth House, sold exclusively at Target stores. It features Galaxy ‘Alex’ Stern, lost soul and sole survivor of a horrific homicide who is offered an extraordinary second chance — to attend one of the world’s most elite universities on a full ride. Little does she know she is entering an occult universe of limitless power, secret societies, and the darkest forces imaginable. Wanna get your hands on NINTH HOUSE? Go here to find out how AND see where Leigh is touring. But if you want this limited-run poster with your first-edition book? Then HEADS UP: It will ONLY be available when you buy the book at a Target store, not online.

One more thing — Leigh is one of the rock stars of young adult fantasy, but please be advised that Ninth House is not a young adult book. This one contains some heavy moments for not only younger readers, but probably for some adults as well. Be warned, but for those that enter this world, prepare to be thrilled, as you discover a realm that walks beside you like a shadow.

So — on your marks. Get set. Be ready to haunt your nearest Target store on October 8th.

2019 Original Art Sale

Heads up, Original Art Collectors — here’s a list of some of my prized original artworks available now. First come, first served. I suspect some of these will go very quickly.

Many of you are interested in the Loteria Originals. Eleven of them have already sold at the price range below, and I’m grateful that those belong in the collections they do. ‘La Campana’, ‘El Corazon’, ‘El Pescado’, and ‘El Nopal’ are available. Details below!

I also have my Tyrion Lannister Original Art available for all of you GAME OF THRONES and A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE lovers out there. 🙂

Email me at john (at) johnpicacio (dot) com if you want to score an original for your very own — OR if you have any questions.

Thanks for stopping by. On with the show!

La Campana by John Picacio. Graphite on Illustration Board.(above) LA CAMPANA (The Bell) / Original Final Drawing

Graphite on Strathmore 500 Bristol • 11″ x 18″ (drawing dimension) • 14″ x 21″ (full sheet dimension)

$5500 • Ships FRAMED AND MATTED • Includes free shipping within the continental USA • Please add $100 for shipping outside the continental USA.

To purchase, email john (at) johnpicacio (dot) com with the subject line, “Original Art”. We’ll exchange emails and I’ll give the payment info so that we can finalize the transaction via Paypal.

SOLD! (above) EL CORAZON (The Heart) / Original Final Drawing

Graphite on Strathmore 500 Bristol • 11″ x 18″ (drawing dimension) • 14″ x 21″ (full sheet dimension)

$5000 • Ships flat and unframed • Includes free shipping within the continental USA • Please add $100 for shipping outside the continental USA.

To purchase, email john (at) johnpicacio (dot) com with the subject line, “Original Art”. We’ll exchange emails and I’ll give the payment info so that we can finalize the transaction via Paypal.

SOLD! (above) EL PESCADO (The Fish) / Original Final Drawing

Graphite on Strathmore 500 Bristol • 11″ x 18″ (drawing dimension) • 14″ x 21″ (full sheet dimension)

$5000 • Ships flat and unframed • Includes free shipping within the continental USA • Please add $100 for shipping outside the continental USA.

To purchase, email john (at) johnpicacio (dot) com with the subject line, “Original Art”. We’ll exchange emails and I’ll give the payment info so that we can finalize the transaction via Paypal.


(above) EL NOPAL (The Cactus) / Original Final Drawing

Graphite on Strathmore 500 Bristol • 11″ x 18″ (drawing dimension) • 14″ x 21″ (full sheet dimension)

$5000 • Ships flat and unframed • Includes free shipping within the continental USA • Please add $100 for shipping outside the continental USA.

To purchase, email john (at) johnpicacio (dot) com with the subject line, “Original Art”. We’ll exchange emails and I’ll give the payment info so that we can finalize the transaction via Paypal.

(above) TYRION LANNISTER / Original Final Artwork from the award-winning 2012 George R. R. Martin / A Song of Ice and Fire Calendar

Graphite on Strathmore 500 Bristol • 15″ x 20″ (drawing dimension) • 17″ x 22″ (full sheet dimension)

$3500 • Ships flat and unframed • Includes free shipping within the continental USA • Please add $100 for shipping outside the continental USA.

IMG_0543IMG_0539IMG_0546IMG_0545(above) YODA: TEMPERANCE / Original Final Artwork

Graphite and gold acrylic on Strathmore Illustration Board (the gold shimmers across the whole surface, alternating through coppers and bronzes, as light shifts) • 11″ x 17″ (drawing dimension) • 18″ x 24″ (full sheet dimension) • 24.5″ x 30.5″ (framed dimension)

$3500 • Ships FRAMED AND MATTED • Includes free shipping within the continental USA • Please add $100 for shipping outside the continental USA.

To purchase, email john (at) johnpicacio (dot) com with the subject line, “Original Art”. We’ll exchange emails and I’ll give the payment info so that we can finalize the transaction via Paypal.

(above) EVERNIGHT / Original Final Drawing

2019 Chesley Award Finalist!

Graphite on Strathmore 500 Bristol • 15.5″ x 19.5″ (framed dimension)

$2500 • Ships FRAMED AND MATTED • Includes free shipping within the continental USA • Please add $100 for shipping outside the continental USA.

To purchase, email john (at) johnpicacio (dot) com with the subject line, “Original Art”. We’ll exchange emails and I’ll give the payment info so that we can finalize the transaction via Paypal.

Kingdom of the Serpent Art by John Picacio(above) KINGDOM OF THE SERPENT: DESTROYER OF WORLDS / Original Final Drawing for the cover of the Mark Chadbourn novel

Graphite on Strathmore 500 Bristol • 13″ x 18″ (framed dimension)

$2000 • Ships FRAMED AND MATTED • Includes free shipping within the continental USA • Please add $100 for shipping outside the continental USA.

To purchase, email john (at) johnpicacio (dot) com with the subject line, “Original Art”. We’ll exchange emails and I’ll give the payment info so that we can finalize the transaction via Paypal.

X-Men Colossus Art by John Picacio(above) X-MEN: COLOSSUS / Original Final Painting used for the cover of X-MEN: THE RETURN

Greyscale Oils and Acrylics on Crescent Board • 10″ x 14″

$450 • Ships flat and unframed • Includes free shipping within the continental USA • Please add $100 for shipping outside the continental USA.

To purchase, email john (at) johnpicacio (dot) com with the subject line, “Original Art”. We’ll exchange emails and I’ll give the payment info so that we can finalize the transaction via Paypal.

X-Men Nightcrawler Art by John Picacio(above) X-MEN: NIGHTCRAWLER / Original Final Painting used for the cover of X-MEN: THE RETURN

Greyscale Oils and Acrylics on Crescent Board • 7.5″ x 14″

$350 • Ships flat and unframed • Includes free shipping within the continental USA • Please add $100 for shipping outside the continental USA.

To purchase, email john (at) johnpicacio (dot) com with the subject line, “Original Art”. We’ll exchange emails and I’ll give the payment info so that we can finalize the transaction via Paypal.

X-Men Cyclops Art by John Picacio(above) X-MEN: CYCLOPS / Original Final Painting used for the cover of X-MEN: THE RETURN

Greyscale Oils and Acrylics on Crescent Board • 10″ x 10.5″

$350 • Ships flat and unframed • Includes free shipping within the continental USA • Please add $100 for shipping outside the continental USA.

To purchase, email john (at) johnpicacio (dot) com with the subject line, “Original Art”. We’ll exchange emails and I’ll give the payment info so that we can finalize the transaction via Paypal.

Sarek Art by John Picacio(above) SAREK: SPOCK’S FATHER / Original Final Drawing used for the cover of STAR TREK / MYRIAD UNIVERSES: INFINITY’S PRISM

Graphite on Crescent Board • 8.5″ x 11″

$350 • Ships flat and unframed • Includes free shipping within the continental USA • Please add $100 for shipping outside the continental USA.

To purchase, email john (at) johnpicacio (dot) com with the subject line, “Original Art”. We’ll exchange emails and I’ll give the payment info so that we can finalize the transaction via Paypal.

The Andorian Art by John Picacio(above) THE ANDORIAN / Original Final Drawing used for the cover of STAR TREK / MYRIAD UNIVERSES: ECHOES AND REFRACTIONS

Graphite on Crescent Board • 11″ x 15″

$350 • Ships flat and unframed • Includes free shipping within the continental USA • Please add $100 for shipping outside the continental USA.

To purchase, email john (at) johnpicacio (dot) com with the subject line, “Original Art”. We’ll exchange emails and I’ll give the payment info so that we can finalize the transaction via Paypal.

(above) DAVID MARCUS: KIRK’S SON / Original Final Drawing used for the cover of STAR TREK / MYRIAD UNIVERSES: ECHOES AND REFRACTIONS

Graphite on Crescent Board • 11″ x 12″

$250 • Ships flat and unframed • Includes free shipping within the continental USA • Please add $100 for shipping outside the continental USA.

To purchase, email john (at) johnpicacio (dot) com with the subject line, “Original Art”. We’ll exchange emails and I’ll give the payment info so that we can finalize the transaction via Paypal.

(above) VULCAN WOMAN / Original Final Drawing used for the cover of STAR TREK / MYRIAD UNIVERSES: INFINITY’S PRISM

Graphite on Crescent Board • 14″ x 11″

$250 • Ships flat and unframed • Includes free shipping within the continental USA • Please add $100 for shipping outside the continental USA.

To purchase, email john (at) johnpicacio (dot) com with the subject line, “Original Art”. We’ll exchange emails and I’ll give the payment info so that we can finalize the transaction via Paypal.

(above) JULIAN BASHIR / Original Final Drawing used for the cover of STAR TREK / MYRIAD UNIVERSES: INFINITY’S PRISM

Graphite on Crescent Board • 11″ x 12″

$250 • Ships flat and unframed • Includes free shipping within the continental USA • Please add $100 for shipping outside the continental USA.

To purchase, email john (at) johnpicacio (dot) com with the subject line, “Original Art”. We’ll exchange emails and I’ll give the payment info so that we can finalize the transaction via Paypal.

(above) TEROK NOR / Original Final Drawing used for the covers of the STAR TREK: TEROK NOR trilogy

Graphite on Crescent Board • 14″ x 10.5″

$450 • Ships flat and unframed • Includes free shipping within the continental USA • Please add $100 for shipping outside the continental USA.

To purchase, email john (at) johnpicacio (dot) com with the subject line, “Original Art”. We’ll exchange emails and I’ll give the payment info so that we can finalize the transaction via Paypal.

(above) MOONGLUM / Original Spot Illustration Drawing for ELRIC: THE STEALER OF SOULS

Graphite on Crescent Board • 14″ x 11″

$450 • Ships flat and unframed • Includes free shipping within the continental USA • Please add $100 for shipping outside the continental USA.

To purchase, email john (at) johnpicacio (dot) com with the subject line, “Original Art”. We’ll exchange emails and I’ll give the payment info so that we can finalize the transaction via Paypal.

(above) BURN / Original Spot Illustration Drawing for ELRIC: THE STEALER OF SOULS

Graphite on Crescent Board • 11″ x 14″

$250 • Ships flat and unframed • Includes free shipping within the continental USA • Please add $100 for shipping outside the continental USA.

To purchase, email john (at) johnpicacio (dot) com with the subject line, “Original Art”. We’ll exchange emails and I’ll give the payment info so that we can finalize the transaction via Paypal.

(above) DANCER / Original Spot Illustration Drawing for ELRIC: THE STEALER OF SOULS

Graphite on Crescent Board • 11″ x 14″

$250 • Ships flat and unframed • Includes free shipping within the continental USA • Please add $100 for shipping outside the continental USA.

To purchase, email john (at) johnpicacio (dot) com with the subject line, “Original Art”. We’ll exchange emails and I’ll give the payment info so that we can finalize the transaction via Paypal.

(above) CRUEL FATE / Original Spot Illustration Drawing for ELRIC: THE STEALER OF SOULS

Graphite on Crescent Board • 11″ x 14″

$350 • Ships flat and unframed • Includes free shipping within the continental USA • Please add $100 for shipping outside the continental USA.

To purchase, email john (at) johnpicacio (dot) com with the subject line, “Original Art”. We’ll exchange emails and I’ll give the payment info so that we can finalize the transaction via Paypal.

SOLD! (above) DEMON / Original Spot Illustration Drawing for ELRIC: THE STEALER OF SOULS

Graphite on Crescent Board • 10″ x 10″

$250 • Ships flat and unframed • Includes free shipping within the continental USA • Please add $100 for shipping outside the continental USA.

To purchase, email john (at) johnpicacio (dot) com with the subject line, “Original Art”. We’ll exchange emails and I’ll give the payment info so that we can finalize the transaction via Paypal.

SOLD! (above) MELNIBONE / Original Spot Illustration Drawing for ELRIC: THE STEALER OF SOULS

Graphite on Crescent Board • 11″ x 14″

$450 • Ships flat and unframed • Includes free shipping within the continental USA • Please add $100 for shipping outside the continental USA.

To purchase, email john (at) johnpicacio (dot) com with the subject line, “Original Art”. We’ll exchange emails and I’ll give the payment info so that we can finalize the transaction via Paypal.

SOLD! (above) ELRIC / Original Spot Illustration Drawing for ELRIC: SWORDS AND ROSES

Graphite on Strathmore • 8.5″ x 11″

$200 • Ships flat and unframed • Includes free shipping within the continental USA • Please add $100 for shipping outside the continental USA.

To purchase, email john (at) johnpicacio (dot) com with the subject line, “Original Art”. We’ll exchange emails and I’ll give the payment info so that we can finalize the transaction via Paypal.

Things I Learned At Lightbox Expo 2019

Lightbox Expo 2019* 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.Iris Compiet and Allen Williams at Lightbox Expo 2019* 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.Camilla d'Errico at Lightbox Expo 2019* 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.Robbie Treviño and Justin 'Coro' Kaufman at Lightbox Expo 2019* 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.Robbie Treviño, Gary Villarreal, John Picacio, Camilla d'Errico, and Randall Mackey at Lightbox Expo 2019Congratulations 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.

Worldcon 2019 in Dublin

Andrea Chapela, Sara Felix, John Picacio, Julia Rios, Libia Brenda Castro, and Lauren Snow at the 2019 Hugo Losers Party / The Mexicanx InitiativeI’ve been busy handling some family matters this month, and in the midst of those, I ventured to Dublin for this year’s World Science Fiction Convention. I couldn’t miss it, considering www.mexicanxinitiative.com was a Finalist for the Hugo for Best Related Work. Proud to be part of the fearsome foursome listed for that recognition along with Julia Rios, Libia Brenda Castro, and Pablo Defendini. I’m even prouder to say that Libia is the first Mexican woman to ever be nominated for the Hugo in the 77-year history of Worldcon.

As if that weren’t enough reason — I was also a Hugo Award Finalist for Best Professional Artist. My cousin Adria Gonzales had never attended a Worldcon before last year’s in San Jose, and she was an ace, shadowing me across all of my Guest of Honor appearances and Hugo MC responsibilities, managing me as I juggled balls of fire. This year’s Worldcon was less perilous, and she wanted to be there. Our first major stop was St. Michan’s Church — because I couldn’t resist when I read this was one of Dublin’s most macabre sites, built on the site of an old Norse chapel in 1095. It delivered. The dank limestone walls are apparently ideal for preserving death so we got up-close and personal with their resident mummies.

St. Michan's Mummies

Next, Adria and I headed to the Jameson Distillery. Let it be known that I hate guided tours. We had already endured one at St. Michan’s — and happily, it was actually quite good. I was reluctant to press my luck at the distillery though. Adria ordered each of us a Jameson ‘Our Way’ Old Fashioned. It’s one of the best cocktails I’ve ever had. So good that I returned on three later occasions for these drinks, and when we took the tour, we had the good fortune to have the great Niall Stewart leading our exploration of how Jameson whiskey is made. A master showman and storyteller, he made me want to reinvent how I present my own work in front of audiences. After the tour finished, I talked to Niall and it turned out that his late brother David was a diehard Worldcon fan who dreamed of someday bringing the event to Dublin. Sadly, David died in 2006 — thirteen years before his dream would be realized. Niall recounted with great pride his brother’s love for science fiction and it won’t be forgotten. Here’s to you, David.

Jameson Distillery Chandelier

The next day, I presented my slideshow ‘The Art of John Picacio’ on an Odeon Cinema screen. It was the first day of Worldcon, and all art proceedings were located a full half-mile from the rest of the convention. It was doubtful there would be much of an audience for my afternoon presentation, and indeed, it started with barely a handful of people in the seats. The art looked *really* good on that big screen though, so I began, and with each passing minute — more and more people kept streaming in, until most of the theatre was full. It was terrific, and I’m grateful not only to all that attended but everyone that thronged my Creators Alley table all weekend. Loteria Grande Cards and Posters sold briskly and those sales once again show that what I’m doing with this art series is connecting across borders and oceans. Thank you, everyone — In Loteria We Trust. More coming this fall.

Loteria Grande Cards and Posters by John Picacio

There was a lot to be grateful for at this Worldcon. Thank you to James Bacon and the entire Dublin 2019 staff for all their hard work. Thank you to the Brotherhood Without Banners for always looking out. Thank you to George R. R. Martin, Parris, Raya Golden, Ti Mikkel, and company for crafting a Hugo Losers Party For The Ages. This one was at the Guinness Storehouse. It was off-the-charts and a privilege to be there with friends and peers. Thank you to everyone who nominated me and The Mexicanx Initiative for Hugo Awards this year. CONGRATULATIONS to all of the Finalists and Winners!

2019 Hugo Awards and Losers Party / Andrea Chapela, LIbia Brenda Castro, Lauren Raye Snow, Jeanette Epps, Sara Felix, John Picacio

Above all though — the highlight of this convention for me was my fellow Mexicanx who made the trip. Libia isn’t just a Hugo-nominated Mexican editor, but an editorial force of nature who will impact this field worldwide for decades to come. Ignore her at your own peril. This was her first Hugo nomination and it won’t be her last.

George R. R. Martin and Libia Brenda Castro entering the 2019 Hugo Losers Party

I loved her poise and her cool, as she savored the moment, and the same goes for Andrea Chapela. She’s figuring out who she is, and she has no fear. Of all of us in the Initiative, I think she’s going to have one of the most dominant presences, when it’s all said and done. Artist Lauren Snow hustled like there was no tomorrow, all weekend long. She made connections toward building her art career and that was her goal. There’s a lot of talent in the world, but talent is wasted if it’s not driven, and she is. Sara Felix created much of the branding for Dublin’s Worldcon, co-designed last year’s Hugo Award base, crafted the Lodestar Award and this year’s Special Committee Award, and has found a growing audience for her evolving art. She did all of this, while also serving as President of The Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists (ASFA). This year was her first nomination for Best Fan Artist, and honestly, I don’t think anyone had a stronger overall fan art resumé than Sara. I look forward to her being back in the running next year. And then there was Julia — nominated for three Hugo Awards and one of my favorites because she’s so shrewd. When she talks, I learn things. We didn’t spend much time together at this Worldcon, but there would not have been a Hugo nomination for www.mexicanxinitiative.com without her. Thank you, Julia.

Lastly — thank you to Adria for being there throughout from Dublin through London, and back home. It was epic. 🙂 #JamesonOldFashionedFTW

Signing off now to pack for Lightbox Expo in Pasadena, CA — see you there, Art Friends and Fiends!

(photo credits: Julia Rios, Sara Felix, Libia Brenda, Adria Gonzales, Andrea Chapela, John Picacio)

Mexicanx Initiative at Dublin's Jameson Distillery / 2019

Coming To San Antonio Pop Con!

2019 San Antonio Pop Con GuestsThe 2nd Annual San Antonio Pop Con is almost upon us, happening at the downtown Central Library, this Saturday, February 16th, from 9am-4pm. As you can see above, the roster of artists and authors is EPIC — ranging from legends like Michael Moorcock and Gregory Manchess to bestsellers such as Kelley Armstrong and Shea Serrano, as well as fan favorites Nicky Drayden, Gonzalo Alvarez, C. Robert Cargill, and more.

And yes, I’ll be there too — bringing my latest Loteria Grande Cards, Posters and Prints — and I know many of you have been waiting to get your hands on the new ‘La Musica’ Loteria Grande Cards. I’ll have them in stock at Pop Con along with the debut of the brand-new ‘La Palma’ Grande Card!Loteria Grande Cards by John Picacio (Published by Lone Boy)Many of you have been requesting various giclee prints of my book cover art and Loteria imagery so I’ll have a limited supply of those large prints for sale, along with my limited-run Loteria Posters. Here’s a look at the ones that I plan to have available at Pop Con. Quantities are extremely limited.Artworks by John Picacio.If you see one that you want, I highly recommend that you vouch for it in advance. OR if you see an image on my website, and you want a print of that, please let me know by Thursday, February 14th at 5pm CST, and I’ll make sure you can pick it up at Pop Con. Giclee Prints are printed on thick art paper, sleeved in an archival bag with archival backing board, and signed by me.

I normally sell these for $100 to $125, but at Pop Con, they will be available for only $75 each. If you live in the San Antonio metro area, and have been waiting to get your hands on my Loteria merchandise — this is the chance you’ve been waiting for. Apologies that I’m not able to make this offer available for mail-order sales. This is only for sales that are picked up at San Antonio Pop Con this week.

For those that don’t live in the area — don’t worry. I’ll be making the Loteria Grande Cards available online soon, and everyone on the Loteria List will receive the email alert.

See you at Pop Con this Saturday, San Antonio!

 

Selected 2018 Works

For those seeking one-stop summaries of eligible work for the 2018 awards season, I hope this curated gallery is helpful. Here are a few of my selected published artworks from 2018.

'La Musica' Art by John Picacio for his Loteria Grande Card series (Lone Boy)

‘La Musica’ • Product illustration for Loteria • Client: Lone Boy • December 2018 • Media: Graphite Drawing / Digital Finishes. (Art © 2018 John Picacio.)

'La Campana' Art by John Picacio for his Loteria Grande Card series (Lone Boy)

‘La Campana’ • Product illustration for Loteria • Client: Lone Boy • July 2018 • Media: Graphite Drawing / Digital Finishes. (Art © 2018 John Picacio.)

Art © 2018 John Picacio for CONSTANCE VERITY SAVES THE WORLD by A. Lee Martinez (Saga Press)

Cover illustration for A. Lee Martinez’s CONSTANCE VERITY SAVES THE WORLD • Client: Saga Press • Art Director: Michael McCartney• Editor: Joe Monti • July 2018 • Media: Graphite Drawing / Digital Finishes. (Art © 2018 John Picacio.)

Art by John Picacio for the Wild Cards story 'The Flight of Morpho Girl' (Tor.com)

‘The Flight of Morpho Girl’ • Interior illustration for Caroline Spector and Bradley Denton’s ‘The Flight of Morpho Girl’ • Client: Tor.com • Art Director: Irene Gallo • Editor: George R. R. Martin • May 2018 • Media: Graphite Drawing / Digital Finishes • (Art © 2018 John Picacio.)

Cover art by John Picacio for UNCANNY MAGAZINE #25 ('La Valiente')

‘La Valiente’ • Cover illustration for UNCANNY MAGAZINE • November / December 2018 • Media: Graphite Drawing / Digital Finishes. (Art © 2017 John Picacio.)

Art by John Picacio for C. Robert Cargill's WE ARE WHERE THE NIGHTMARES GO AND OTHER STORIES (Harper Voyager)

Cover illustration for C. Robert Cargill’s WE ARE WHERE THE NIGHTMARES GO AND OTHER STORIES • Client: HarperCollins / Harper Voyager • Art Director: Owen Corrigan • Editor: Jennifer Brehl • June 2018 • Media: Graphite Drawing / Digital Finishes. (Art © 2018 John Picacio.)

Art by John Picacio for the Wild Cards story,

‘Fitting In’ • Interior illustration for Max Gladstone’s ‘Fitting In’ • Client: Tor.com • Art Director: Irene Gallo • Editor: George R. R. Martin • October 2018 • Media: Graphite Drawing / Digital Finishes • (Art © 2018 John Picacio.)

Art by John Picacio featured on the cover of A LARGER REALITY / UNA REALIDAD MAS AMPLIA, edited by Libia Brenda Castro (Cumulo de Tesla / Fireside Fiction)

Cover illustration for A LARGER REALITY / UNA REALIDAD MAS AMPLIA • Client: Cumulo de Tesla / Fireside Fiction • Cover Designer: Pablo Defendini • Editor: Libia Brenda Castro • August 2018 • Media: Oil / Acrylic / Mixed Media

INFINITE WORLDS RECEPTION / AUSTIN, TX

ASFA President Sara Felix has done what many thought impossible — created and curated a successful science fiction / fantasy gallery event that’s not located on a coast. The show is called Infinite Worlds and the reception was this past Saturday, November 10th at the Dougherty Arts Center in Austin, TX (sponsored by The Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists (ASFA)).

It will continue to run until Saturday, December 1st, so if you haven’t experienced it yet — SEE IT.

10% of the featured artworks were sold before the reception even opened its doors! And YES, COLLECTORS — almost all of the art on display is for sale. The Dougherty’s receptionists will be happy to direct you to the price list. 🙂 The reception’s attendance was robust. The artist roster is a who’s who of major sf/f artists from rising stars to masters of the field, and many of them attended the reception including Mariana Palova, Vincent Villafranca, Gary Villarreal, Tehani Farr, Priscilla Kim, Lauren Raye Snow, Dianita, Cody Jimenez, Kiri Østergaard Leonard, Mariya Prytula, Melissa Gay, Sara Felix, and yours truly.

My original art for the Wild Cards story ‘Evernight’ by Victor Milán (pictured right) is available for purchase during this show (graphite, 16″x20″, $1200), and my original Loteria art for ‘La Campana’ is also on display, although not for sale at this time.

It’s sometimes said that the middle of the US doesn’t have a big enough population of major artists and hungry collectors to support exhibitions of this caliber. Sara’s Infinite Worlds exhibition might end up being a gamechanger in that regard, especially if this becomes the first of a tradition in one of the most pop-culture savvy cities in America.

Art fans and collectors descend upon ASFA’s Infinite Worlds show in Austin, TX.

ASFA President Sara Felix delivers the opening welcome, with an assist from her daughter Eva.

Art by Tehani Farr, Vanessa Lemen, Francis Vallejo, Lauren Raye Snow, John Jude Palencar, Vincent Villafranca, and the Shiflett Brothers.

Art by Cody Jimenez, Sam Flegal, Ingrid Kallick, Eric Wilkerson, Greg Ruth, Vincent Villafranca, and the Shiflett Brothers.

Artist Cody Jimenez and his daughter. (Cody’s painting sold at the show before the Reception even opened its doors!)

Artist Dianita Ceron.

Detail of Vanessa Lemen’s ‘Time Will Tell’.

Detail of Eric Wilkerson’s ‘Alien Lives Matter’.

Detail of Tehani Farr’s ‘Ayla’.

Detail of Sara Felix’s ‘Geodes In Space’. (Sara’s piece also sold at the show before the Reception even began.)

Artist Priscilla Kim in a staring contest with my original Loteria art for ‘La Campana’.

Check out Sara Felix’s photo gallery for more views of the exhibition!

Worldcon 76: The End Is The Beginning

Last week, I stood centerstage at Worldcon 76‘s Opening Ceremonies with my fellow Mexicanx, locked arms in ‘X’ formations, reading a statement condemning the inhumane treatment of immigrants and families at the border. We banded together, strangers united by a desire to share our visions, to give our all, to do more than we can do ourselves, and maybe change this world for the better. It was a historic moment, still rippling, still resonating. It marked the arrival of The Mexicanx Initiative’s founding assembly. We stepped across that stage as individuals, and walked off together as family, bonded by hope, eager to add new color and shape to the tapestry of modern science fiction and fantasy.

It was my first official act as Worldcon’s Artist Guest of Honor — becoming only the third Worldcon GoH to ever be a Hugo Awards Master of Ceremonies in the same year (Connie Willis and David Gerrold are the others). More on those Hugos later….

• TUESDAY the 14th: The opening act of my Worldcon week was not a Worldcon happening, but it was a big one, as George R. R. Martin and I shared the stage for a benefit live conversation at The Fox Theatre for Locus Magazine. SF in SF‘s Rina Weisman produced the event, and she did an incredible job. It was billed as a talk between George and me, and we ended up giving the fans a 2-1/2 hour event complete with signed books, signed prints, a lot of laughs, new insights, candid responses, and a wide-ranging Q&A. He and I have done this type of event before, but never in a theatre this beautiful, in front of an audience this big. It was a joy to see how much the fans appreciated it.

• WEDNESDAY the 15th: Setting up an Art Show and a Dealers Booth at the same time is not recommended, but it needed to be done. It wasn’t the last time I had to be in multiple places at once. ‘Twas a tough task, not made easier by union guys who argued amongst themselves and weren’t ready for exhibitors to set up during scheduled hours. I’m pro-union, but unfortunately, there was a rotten foreman apple in this CC bunch, making trouble for his own union teammates and the rest of us. Exhibitors did their best with the time remaining. I lost at least two hours of setup, waiting for just a simple table to be delivered, and I was far from alone in being delayed. This was not Worldcon 76’s fault. Dealers Room head Angela Jones-Parker and her team were terrific under the circumstances. Thank you, Angela!!

• THURSDAY the 16th: Had to set up an GoH Art Show and a Dealers Booth in a very limited slot of time, thanks to Wednesday’s hijinks. Could not have done it without my cousin Adria Gonzales, who was amazing throughout the entire show. It was her first Worldcon. She was a dynamo, start to finish. I had 19 minutes to set up my Dealers Booth from scratch before doors opened to the public, and when they did, I signed and sold Loteria Grande Cards and Posters so fast for four hours that I didn’t have time to put the money in my pocket, instead letting it cascade in piles on the floor of my booth. The aftermath looked like a Colombian drug deal gone bad.

Adria is a professional corporate accountant, and when she finally finished setting up my Art Show and walked into my booth, she was NOT pleased at the sight of all that money on the floor. 😉 From then on, she became my booth assistant and things ran just as fast, and a LOT more smoothly. That said — THANK YOU, Worldcon 76, for mobbing my tables for five days. It was a dream to see all of you, to sign hundreds of your badges and programs, to take selfies with you, to shake your hands, and to hand you full-color slices of Loteria Karma all day long.

After The Mexicanx Initiative’s baptism-by-greenscreen-and-stagelights at Opening Ceremonies, all of us Mexicanx marched to The M.I. Reception, coordinated by ASFA President Sara Felix, with assistance from Diane Osborne, Christine Doyle, Linda Wenzelburger, and Rina Weisman. Mr. “Mexicanity” himself — Hector Gonzalez Hernandez — prepared an ASTONISHING feast for us, featuring the best carnitas I’ve ever had, along with seven different salsas, including one called ‘Dracarys’ made with Trinidad Scorpion chilis (or was it Carolina Reapers?). Either way — no one died that night. GRRM himself graced the Mexicanx with an extended visit even though the room was sweltering. Wave after wave of sponsors arrived. The Mexicanx partied and bonded. It was an amazing night of food, friendship, and revelry.

From there, I went up six floors to the Darwin’s Children Party, hosted by Tom Rodgers and author Greg Bear. They’re developing a pitch for a major television series based on Bear’s Nebula Award-winning Darwin’s Radio. I created some concept art for it and the work adorned the walls of the suite. The room was packed as fans picked the concept art they liked best from the choices on the wall for the main character of Stella. People were passionate about their choices, and I think that bodes well for this show’s future. I signed all of the posters. It was a blast. Congrats, Tom and Greg.

• FRIDAY the 17th: I was one of the panelists on ‘New Ancestral Myths’ with Mimi Mondal, Jeannette Ng, and J.C. Cervantes. My M.I. sister Raquel Castro moderated and she did a great job. I heard a lot of positive comments and I’m glad it went well. After that, I almost lost my voice hosting ‘Loteria’ at Callahans’ Place with no microphone available, but a quick-footed tech named Kludge finally found one, or else I probably would have shredded my vocal cords long before Sunday arrived. (Thanks, Kludge.) I think this was the most Loteria players I’ve hosted in a single room since I hosted nearly 200 players at a DragonCon. It was so much fun. I signed a ton of Loteria Grande Cards and Posters that day (and a lot of convention t-shirts), and by 5pm, it was time for the Chesley Awards.

This year, I was up for a Chesley Award for Best Interior Illustration, but lost to Gregory Manchess. That category was STACKED and anyone could have won, but Greg richly deserved it for his work on Above The Timberline, one of my favorite 2017 releases. He’s one of my all-time favorite illustrators and this was his first Chesley Award (which is about 15 years overdue). It was terrific to see him win.

• SATURDAY the 18th: Adria said on Friday, “You’re gonna be almost sold out by Sunday at this rate.” She was prophetic. Saturday was bonkers at my Dealers Booth, and again, I thank you, Worldcon, for swarming my booth and scoring your personal pieces of Loteria karma. It was one of the most successful single days I’ve ever had in any dealers room, at any con. Meanwhile in the Art Show, my ‘El Arbol’ original sold, along with several other works. I signed autographs for five solid hours, and then moderated a killer panel called “The Artist / Author: The New Wave of Storytellers”. I was joined by Hugo Fan Artist Finalist Grace P. Fong, newly-minted Chesley Winner Greg Manchess, Robbie Trevino, and Mariana Palova. They were all terrific and I think that panel could have gone for another hour, and still been compelling. I did a back-to-back straight into my GoH slideshow called “Art and Soul” and it was very well-attended. Thanks, Worldcon!

Met up with Lucasfilm Executive Fiction Editor Jennifer Heddle for dinner, along with my Hugo Ceremony Directors Jessica Guggenheim and Randall Shepherd, plus Ryan Guggenheim, and Adria. It was terrific being with Jen, since the 2002 Worldcon in San Jose was the place where we first bonded with our own personal ‘Rat Pack’ of up-and-comers sixteen years earlier (shoutout to the mighty Lou Anders who appeared at his Worldcon in years, and it was AWESOME to see him).

That night, there were amazing parties everywhere, and instead I went back to my room to prepare for the Hugo Ceremony. The irony of being a Worldcon Guest of Honor and yet missing all the Saturday night parties was not lost on me.

• SUNDAY the 19th: It was a hard day. A lot of things beyond my control went wrong. In short, I ended up with almost no time to rehearse onstage. No time to coordinate with tech and work out the kinks for one of the biggest nights of my life, with my whole industry watching. I had a brief talk with Stage Manager Michael Rafferty and said, “We’re gonna have to trust each other’s talent.” My co-Directors, Randy and Jessica, worked tirelessly to update the script, making revisions as breaking developments swirled around us, all the way ’til the last minute. They were incredible.

Four minutes before showtime, I walked past Robert Silverberg backstage. He was calmly lounging in purple shadow, when he looked up and said, “You’ve always been your own boss. No need to change now.” Right words, right time. Took my mark at the curtain. Waited for countdown. Voice of Ghod said my name. Boom. GO.

I always forget how applause makes me feel like I’m underwater. I knew I was going to ‘X-up’ centerstage in salute to my Mexicanx brothers and sisters, but from there, every word of my opening address was blank page. Unscripted. Pulled from the bright stagelights, the infinite sea of faces, the inky black, that primetime moment you can’t calculate no matter how hard you try. It’s right there in front of your eyes, beyond the dazzle, if you can stop your heart from exploding out of your chest. All of those struggling years, building to arrive at that moment….I remembered that kid who so desperately wanted to be a part of this business….that guy who appeared at his first Worldcon a mere twenty-one years ago. And he led me through the darkness, like he always does — because I’m still that guy. I still want it as bad as I did when I worked on my first book cover, when I resigned from architecture to be the person I am full-time, seventeen years ago. I don’t remember everything I said up there — it just comes out — and no, I don’t want to watch the video and find out. Once is enough. 🙂

I do know I have now become a drinking meme because I’m apparently partial to the phrase, “Let’s keep this moving along.” Many humans damaged their livers Sunday night, pounding the sauce every time I uttered that, which rumors say is a lot. I do know I said that I would keep the Hugos running like a freight train so I could get us to the parties. I’ve been in those front rows as a Hugo Finalist, and I know how it feels to sit through a long, drawn-out ceremony. It’s hard. Worldcon is my extended family. You don’t treat your family to hardship if it’s in your power, and that night, it was in my power. So I did what I do, and I took us all somewhere we haven’t been before — or at least somewhere we haven’t been in a very long time.

We started the Hugos at 8:15pm that night, and we ended at 10pm — under two hours — even while carrying the most categories a Ceremony has ever had, proving we have room for inclusion — and then some — and yet still deliver my industry to its parties at a decent hour.

This year, the Hugo Awards faced one of its most important opportunities in years, with the awarding of Worldcon’s first Young Adult Book Award, recognizing that mammoth fellowship of readers and creators who are the future of Worldcons-to-come. Those fans and pros do not know what to think of Worldcon’s YA category at this point, and who can blame them. I was proud to see three things happen Sunday night that I hope that audience recognizes as a bridge of welcome. I positioned the YA category as the penultimate award, putting the two Best Novel categories together at the end of the night as they should be. I asked Felicia Day to award this inaugural recognition because her visibility and ambassadorship boost Worldcon’s credibility with those readers. Finally, two objets d’art were presented to winner Nnedi Okorafor — one hand-crafted in wood and resin by ASFA President Sara Felix, as well as a plaque. Today’s YA readers are the future of Worldcon, so that our sons and daughters might still have a Worldcon tradition to enjoy. Let’s hope Dublin 2019 and New Zealand 2020 show the future lifeblood of Worldcon the same respect — if not more — that the con expects for itself today.

Congratulations to Nora Jemisin on a history-making three-peat in the Best Novel category. I loved her speech. (And yeah, I think Bob got it wrong, regarding this.) She was great. She understood the moment. She was the moment because of her great novels, not just because of great acceptance speeches. Totally right on. Honored to witness it. Nora’s work and ongoing legacy will stand the test of time.

With that, I called ‘recess’ and the 2018 Hugo Awards Ceremony was over. Parris and George R.R. Martin soon commenced another EPIC Hugo Losers’ Party at San Jose’s Glass House. It was stellar, complete with chocolate fountains, terrific cocktails, and giant dancing robots. I received a cryptic text near midnight, requesting me to stay near the stage where GRRM addressed the house, as he does at every Losers’ Party. He announced the only Alfie Award Winner of the night, and look out, gente — it was me. For those who don’t know what an Alfie is, it’s George’s award tradition created in response to troll attacks upon the Hugos. The Alfies are named afer the legendary Alfred Bester and were awarded in 2015 and 2016, but none in 2017.

I can honestly say this 2018 Alfie means as much to me as any recognition I’ve ever received. This one is a commemoration of my Mexicanx brothers and sisters and they celebrated it onstage as I accepted it. They danced with the trophy. Took selfies with it. Ghod only knows what else they did with it that night, but it was an incredible knighting by one of our most beloved, legendary creators, validating them all within the Worldcon fold — as if anything is now possible for them — which it is.

Worldcons are magical happenings. There’s nothing quite like them.

I know.

My Mexicanx brothers and sisters now know it too, after that night, after this amazing week.

Love you, Worldcon. This was one of the single greatest experiences of my entire life.

Thanks to Kevin Roche, Andy Trembley, Christine Doyle, Cindy Scott, Kathryn Duval, Diane Osborne, Ric and Debbie Bretschneider, Sara Felix, Linda Wenzelburger, Rina Weisman, Kerry Kuhn, Angela Jones-Parker, Elayne Pelz, Nancy Alegria, the O’Hallorans, Chris Castro, Debi Chowdhury, Randy Smith, Lisa Hertel, Jerome Scott, Sandra Childress, Chuck Serface, Lori Buschbaum, and all of the tireless volunteers who make Worldcons happen. Thank you again to my incredible Hugo Ceremony co-Directors, Jessica Guggenheim and Randall Shepherd (and Michael Rafferty)!!! Thank you to Pablo Defendini, Meg Frank, Julia Rios, Fireside Magazine, Will Frank, Liza Trombi, Francesca Myman, Lenore Gallegos, Elias Gallegos, and Ti Mikkel.

And finally, all love to The Mexicanx Initiative, the great Parris McBride Martin, GRRM, and my cousin Adria Gonzales.

(Photos by Adria Gonzales, Rick Canfield, Jose Luis Zarate, Debi Chowdhury, Tom Rodgers, Bronwyn Lake, Liz Gorinsky, Gabriela Damian Miravete, Raquel Castro, Lauren Snow, Jeremy Brett.)

#Xup

Constellation Nebraska

Memo to sf/f pros and fans: DO NOT SLEEP ON NEBRASKA.

I was the Artist Guest of Honor at Constellation 9 in Lincoln, Nebraska this past weekend. It’s a small sf/f convention — the kind that pulls a modest 350-person attendance and serves a ‘big tent’ approach to fandom, celebrating art, books, films, TV, anime, gaming, cosplay and more. However, in all of my years of attending conventions, I’ve never seen a show with bigger heart. How big are we talking here?

Big enough to take The Mexicanx Initiative‘s $4333 remaining distance toward its $15,000 Assistance Fund goal and CRUSH IT in a single, unrelenting, hellacious Saturday Night Charity Auction.

That’s right.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED for The Mexicanx Initiative’s Assistance Fund — we reached our $15,000 goal this past Saturday night, thanks to everyone who gave in recent weeks and finished off by the incredible sf/f fandom of Constellation Nebraska, who believe in an American dream where all cultures are represented and welcomed. Shoutouts to Nanci H., Sam S., Nate W., Theron, Brian H., and the greatness of Dylan N. of NebrasKon (pictured upper right), who offered to shave his head AND his beard in order to raise money for The Initiative, generating a thunderous roar from the approving mob, reportedly causing onlookers to pass out. It was an epic night, hosted by John Pershing and Richard Graham, and by the end of the three-hour fever dream, Constellation Nebraska generated a whopping, record-setting $4,444, which brought the Mexicanx Initiative’s Assistance Fund total to $15,121!

And Nebraska wasn’t done — on Sunday, more contributions arrived, bringing The Mexicanx Initiative’s Assistance Fund total to $15,304.19 — $4,627.19 of that coming from the hearts, souls, and hairlines of the legendary Nebraskan people. Every dollar of that will benefit the 50 Mexicanx all-star pros and fans attending Worldcon 76 this summer.

This was Constellation’s ninth convention. I think this event has room to grow. They’ve got a great facility and great core leadership. I’ve seen my art on countless convention t-shirts over the years, but I’ve never seen one cooler than Constellation 9’s. I will wear it proudly. Thank you to Rod, Jodie, Jeff, Terri, Patricia(!!), Ray(!!), Mary, Noel, Carrie, Nate, Tom, Justin, Leia Buns, and of course, Nanci, for everything you did. It was a terrific weekend, and I look forward to seeing this convention become bigger and better in its next ten years.

In Loteria We Trust.

Dream On

I’m back in studio after spending most of this past week in the Bay Area. I did several rounds of outreach talks and presentations at San Jose State University, discussing sf/f art, career paths, The Mexicanx Initiative, Worldcon 76, and more. The kids were passionate and amazing. SJSU has an incredible Mexican-American Studies program and cultural heritage emphasis, and last year when I was asked to be Worldcon’s Artist Guest of Honor, I knew I wanted to reach out to this university because of their excellence in those departments. SJSU is also located within a few minutes’ walk from the site of this year’s Worldcon. As expected, there was a fantastic range of racial diversity, but I was especially glad to see so many DREAMers and Mexicanx in the audiences. I hope to see them again when they attend their first Worldcon and first Hugo Awards Ceremony this August.

Thank you to Kathryn Blackmer Reyes, Vanessa Fernández, Julia Curry, Andrew Blanton, Lily Pinedo Gangai, Marcos Pizarro, Sonja Daniels, Bonnie Sugiyama, and everyone who made my visit possible. Kathryn did incredible work, championing and arranging this endeavor. It would not have happened without her leadership. And again — MUCHAS GRACIAS to all of the students who were so incredible all week long.

After the SJSU appearances, I did a Loteria Game Night and Poster Signing at Borderlands Books in San Francisco. Thank you to everyone who came to play on a rainy night, and especially to Alan Beatts and Jude Feldman for hosting. I know many of the friends that night will be attending Worldcon this summer and I can’t wait to see them again.

California Dreaming

I’ll be in the Bay Area this month — talking art, process, Game of Thrones, Loteria, The Mexicanx Initiative, World Science Fiction Convention, and how to live the life you most want. Here’s where you can find me.

WEDNESDAY • MARCH 14TH

Daytime: Student-Only Appearances at San Jose State University

5:30pm at San Jose State University: “The Art of John Picacio” — a FREE, open-to-the-public slideshow lecture about my science fiction/fantasy art career, featuring working process of my book cover artworks and product illustrations for properties such as Star Trek, the X-Men, and George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, plus my own reimagining of the classic Loteria cards. There will be Q+A, as well as a short reception immediately after. (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library • Room 225)

ALSO: Heads up, Mexicanx (people of Mexican American heritage or Mexican citizens)! If you’re a fan of science fiction / fantasy literature or art, or aspiring sf/f professional, and have always wanted to attend a World Science Fiction Convention, let me know why you should come to Worldcon in San Jose and you might just get sponsored for a free Attending Membership ($230 value) to this summer’s convention, courtesy of The Mexicanx Initiative. Offer open to SJSU students and faculty. Drop a comment below, if interested.

THURSDAY • MARCH 15TH

Daytime: Student-Only Appearances at San Jose State University

7pm at San Francisco’s Borderlands Books: LOTERIA GAME NIGHT + POSTER SIGNING — Come win fantastic prizes! I’ll be hosting several rounds of Loteria, the popular Mexican game of chance (AKA ‘Mexican Bingo’). It’s free, fast-paced and easy to play. Open to the public. I’ll also be signing my limited-run Loteria Grande Art Cards and Posters while supplies last!

See you soon, Northern California!

San Antonio Pop Con 2018!

Snapshots from the first San Antonio Pop Con, hosted by the SA Main Library. Photos by San Antonio Public Library, IG: Gojira22, Laura Burress, IG: leppahcetssalc, Allison Stanley Art, Jason Limon, John Picacio.


San Antonio, we just might have turned a corner toward the better yesterday.

I’ve seen comic book and pop culture events come and go through this city. Amongst them, we witness all of the hard work that Apple De La Fuente and Austin Rogers put into Alamo City Comic Con every year. Their show largely focuses upon celebrity culture, while the San Antonio Book Festival carries a very different model, somewhat evocative of the larger Texas Book Festival. Between these models lies a lush, wild frontier where science fiction/fantasy authors and well-branded, independent artists of the fantastic can thrive within their own event, if allied with the right partnership.

I think The San Antonio Public Library may have just blazed that very trail for this city, possibly for years to come, depending on how they play it from here. Yesterday, Saturday, March 3rd, the first San Antonio Pop Con happened at downtown’s Central Library, and San Antonio embraced it. The people came and they KEPT coming all day long. They bought books and sold out titles. They bought artwork and prints by the stack. They filled the gaming tables. They made their own wands and cosplayed their hearts out. This was not just a day-long event where people discovered and met some of the best authors and artists in the sf/f industry. It was not just a day of loud, energized, young, diverse people having fun. This was a day where San Antonio said the library is cool.

‘Cool’ is a precious, elusive thing, and you can’t calculate it. You can’t just put it on and take it off like a jacket. You can’t buy it. You either are, or you aren’t. And on Saturday, Pop Con branded SA’s Central Library as a temple of cool because entire families by the thousands came to meet talented writers, artists and craftspeople they can’t meet anywhere else in one place. They came to see DR. STRANGE co-screenwriter C. Robert Cargill talk film commentary while screening the blockbuster film. They came to see former Pixar artist Armand Baltazar talk about his epic illustrated novel TIMELESS, soon to be a major motion picture, produced by Ridley Scott. They got books signed by visionary authors like Stina Leicht, Xavier Garza, Robert Jackson Bennett, David Bowles, Christopher Brown and more. They bought prints and talked process with singular artists like Jason Limon, Freddy Lopez Jr., Allison Stanley, and Matt Frank. And yes, I’m grateful to every single San Antonian that swarmed my own table looking to score some Loteria Karma. 🙂

This was a rainy, drizzly, drippy Saturday with a lot of competition for San Antonio’s weekend attention, and the city lined up bigtime for an event where the authors and artists were the pop culture. That doesn’t happen without a dedicated staff led by two visionaries who dreamed this up — Rhonda Woolhouse and Daniel Garcia. It doesn’t happen without Haley Holmes, Marcie Hernandez and a never-say-die team of librarians who believed this could happen and *made* it happen. It doesn’t happen without volunteers hungry for this city to be something more. It doesn’t happen without people like Rhonda thinking through the details — such as commissioning her chef brother to make delicious beef and sweet potato empanadas and gourmet delicacies for the pros’ green room, delighting even the most jaded veterans. It doesn’t happen without people like Rene Guzman, Randy Beamer, David Martin Davies, Stephanie Guerra and other media boosting the signal.

Pop Con was the SAPL’s first attempt at an event like this, and it was a hit.

It made this city look like it can be world-class, providing experiences that no other SA event is currently built to do. Let’s see if SAPL decides to swing for a sequel in 2019.

CONDFW XVII

Hey, Dallas/Fort Worth: Here’s where you can find me at ConDFW XVII, February 16th-18th. I’ll be signing Loteria Grande Cards and Posters, plus a wide selection of my book cover art and A Song of Ice and Fire prints. See you there!

FRIDAY

2pm-4pm • Dealers Room

4pm • The Art of A Song of Ice and Fire
(Main Programming)

5pm-6pm • Dealers Room

7pm • Opening Ceremonies
(Main Programming)

SATURDAY

10am-2pm • Dealers Room

2pm • The Art of John Picacio
(Main Programming)

3pm • Loteria!
(Main Programming)

4pm-6pm • Dealers Room

SUNDAY

10am-11am • Dealers Room

11am • Creating Cover Illustrations That Sell
(Programming 3)

12noon-1pm • Dealers Room

Your 2018 Hugo Awards MC Is….

This weekend, the 76th World Science Fiction Convention announced me as the Master of Ceremonies for this year’s Hugo Awards in San Jose, CA, while also opening the Hugo Awards’ Nominations Period! Having won two Hugos for Best Professional Artist, I know how much the Hugos mean to the sf/f field, and it’s a huge honor to serve this stage in front of my colleagues and heroes. Worldcon 76 asked me to be the 2018 Hugo MC last August so it’s been fun keeping that under wraps the last five months, even after being announced as this year’s Artist Guest of Honor.

There’s some history that comes along with this role.

• I’m the first visual artist to be named a Hugo Awards MC. I think this could perhaps be a harbinger of Hugo Ceremonies to come. Many of our best visual creators — such as Brom, Todd Lockwood, Ruth Sanderson, Gregory Manchess, and more — are becoming author / artist / storytellers, conjuring the words and pictures of their own bestselling books and media. Our next generation of illustrators are aspiring to tell their own stories, just as much as becoming hired guns. I suspect there will be more artists following through the Hugo MC door behind me, and they’ll likely come from this expanding universe of hybrid, contemporary artists. (Note: If anyone discovers another visual artist MCed the Hugos, let me know, but from the records I’ve seen, it hasn’t happened yet.)

• I’m only the third Worldcon Guest of Honor to also serve as Hugo Awards MC at the same Worldcon. I believe Connie Willis and David Gerrold are the only others to do this in the con’s 76-year history. We must all be insane. 😉

• I’m especially proud to be the first Mexicanx to ever serve as a Hugo Awards MC. I love being first, but the most important thing is that I’m not the last. With the daily assaults upon our DREAMers, villainizing of our culture by racists, and terroristic threats against our citizens, we’re living in an important moment for Mexicanx north and south of the border. I’m looking forward to sharing my spotlight with all of them.

This year’s Hugos are going to be epic, people. We will celebrate the best authors, artists, editors, filmmakers, and works in our field, and I can’t wait to see you all there.

The Mexicanx Initiative

As Artist Guest of Honor of the upcoming 76th World Science Fiction Convention, I’ve decided to create ‘The Mexicanx Initiative’ — an effort to sponsor Worldcon attending memberships and award them to FIFTY Mexicanx artists, writers, filmmakers, culture shapers, and fans. We need more Mexicanx representation in science fiction and fantasy, and together with my incredible sponsoring teammates, we aim to do that at this year’s convention.

So how does a Mexicanx sf/f professional or fan apply for one of these sponsored memberships? Simple. Answer this:

“Why do you want to attend this Worldcon?”

The rules are short and sweet. You must be Mexicanx — that is, of Mexican ancestry, whether a citizen of Mexico, Mexican American, Mexican Canadian, etc. As the sole judge and jury, I will review all submissions. I will research candidates as best I can. There is no word count limit, but please don’t craft an epic. Keep your statement simple — even something as short as 100 words can be effective. Just make it you. Make it from the heart. You may post it here, or email me. In some cases, I may ask if it would be OK to email or phonechat a few followup questions.

This business, this field, this life is about relationships. It’s about your stories and your dreams. I’m doing this because our world needs more Mexicanx stories, more Mexicanx sf/f pros and fans, and more DREAMers. To own our future, we must own our narratives, lest we continue to be villainized, abused, and butchered. It’s time for us to represent, gente.

My amazing sponsoring teammates so far are:

• Author John Scalzi (THE COLLAPSING EMPIRE)

• Photographer Ctein

• Author Ty Franck (one-half of James S.A. Corey)

• Author Christopher Brown (TROPIC OF KANSAS)

• Super-agent Joanna Volpe (President, New Leaf Literary & Media)

• Super-fan Chris Rose

• Super-fans John and Christine O’Halloran

• Author Mary Robinette Kowal (THE CALCULATING STARS)

• Author Kate Elliott (COLD MAGIC)

• Author and editor Richard Flores IV (FACTOR FOUR)

Fast Forward: Contemporary Science Fiction (Kathi Overton, Tom Schaad, Mike Zipser)

• Super-fan Kat Angeli

• Super-fan Canadiense Anónima

SF in SF and Rina Weisman

• Super-fan Randall Shepherd

• Super-fan Elizabeth B. McCarty

AMAZING STORIES / The Experimenter Publishing Company

• Author Mur Lafferty and husband Jim Van Verth

BWAWA (The Baltimore-Washington Area Worldcon Association)

ALAMO (Alamo Literary Arts Maintenance Organization)

I’ve wanted to launch this endeavor since I was first named a Worldcon GoH back in August, but only recently has it achieved liftoff — and wow, is it ever rising FAST. I announced on Wednesday, January 24th, that I would sponsor two Worldcon memberships, and within minutes, my good friend Scalzi offered to match with two of his own. We continue to gain teammates and we now have FOURTEEN sponsored memberships to distribute.

Shoutout to Mexicanas: So far, I’ve received very few submissions for these memberships from the ladies, while witnessing a strong wave from the men. Keep those submissions coming, one and all — but women, please don’t let the men have all of these memberships.

UPDATE (2/24/18): Thanks to my incredible teammates, we have now achieved our goal of 50 Sponsorships, which means a total of 50 Worldcon Attending Memberships will be granted to deserving Mexicanx pros and fans in the coming weeks. I want to thank ALAMO (Randy Shepherd, Scott Zrubek, Bill Parker, and the entire Board) for being the party that pushed this sponsorship effort across the finish line. Muchas gracias, all!!

Thank you to Worldcon 76 for its very generous support and enthusiasm for The Initiative. Our team goal is to bring FIFTY of the best Mexicanx creators and fans to this year’s convention, and together, we will make that dream happen.

In Loteria We Trust.