LIGHTBOX EXPO - a guide for anxious artists (like me) 😬👍

[@erikathegoober]

Anything I missed? Let me know! Also - if you see me at LightBox, say hello! ✨ I will have stickers!

[@pyeitme508]

Wiw

[@konamax9]

Wow that was great! Thank you for such a thoughtful and informative video. I'll be attending for my first time this year. I'm an artist but have no intention of being a professional, but I just want to meet my heroes (like you). I'm also bringing my 8yo daughter who loves to draw, loves graphic novels, cartoons, etc. So I was wondering if you think that she'll have a good time as a little kid?

[@erikathegoober]

@@konamax9 I’m glad you found it helpful! 💖 I’m not sure she would enjoy any panels but I think walking around the exhibitor hall and looking at the art would be fun for her! There’s so much to see in that room! 3DTotal (the book publisher) usually has a ton of books for sale along the back wall which she’d probably enjoy looking at as well! Hope you both have a great time! Definitely say hi if you see me!

[@konamax9]

@@erikathegooberawesome thank you! We will be sure to stop by

[@kcmoon2214]

Hmmm I'm curious what's the updated portfolio review section look like now? Cause I went in 2022 and it was disastrous. 😑 I heard it's a bit better now but I'm not sure. 🤔

[@kaylalian19]

Thank you for making this video and sharing your thoughts! This will be my third year in a row attending LightBox, and as much as I love it, I definitely get in my own head sometimes because I'm not a professional artist and am not looking to join the industry anytime soon. I just really, really love making art and want to absorb as much as I can from panels and talking to other artists, but sometimes that self-doubt really does creep in when the majority of attendees are either professionals or aspiring to be ;-; So that affirmation you gave at the end truly means a lot for us passionate hobbyists!! Hoping to have a more open and positive mindset this year

[@mightyheadcanon4487]

this was so wholesome. I'm debuting my first printed art ever this weekend at a con and this gave me a boost of confidence! Thank you!:)

[@CateTenmatay]

Urth Caffe is close to the Pasadena Convention Center. :)

[@whereaboutsunknown3822]

Thank you sooo much for making this video. I’ve also been to all the LBX expos but this year in particular I felt more self doubt than ever. And it’s because of my guilt for procrastinating, and not putting in the work to improve my art. Even if I don’t draw as much, I still love art and that’s why I go, but man did I still feel bad about where I am. Videos like yours mean so much. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and advice. They really help a lot.

[@erikathegoober]

I feel this so much. The first day this year I walked around and felt really insecure about all the things I saw others doing that I wasn't. For example, I've been doing a lot more sketching this year and trying to improve my draftsmanship but that's come at a cost of more colored, finished illustrations. Seeing so many beautiful pieces of art was inspiring but also briefly made me feel like I wasn't doing enough. That's when I have to try to remind myself of the things I HAVE done this year and that I'm really proud of how my skills have grown. We can't do it all at once so a perspective shift to show ourselves some grace is the best thing I think we can do. I've learned it's quite difficult to get to creating things you love in a headspace of "I'm never doing enough". If you haven't seen it already, I think the video I made last year about Falling Behind as an Artist would also be helpful! I really appreciate you sharing. It makes me so happy that this video helped you! 🩷

[@DrunkState]

La usually cold during this time. Might be sunny but with some wind.

[@ItsGuffle]

Learned this lesson the hard way last year 😅 Please keep warm!

[@itskasrole]

This video is so inspiring! Thank you so much for it! I’ve been heavily debating on attending light box for the longest time, I started tabling at cons and don’t see myself as professional/ or the type to get into the industry in any way. But the part about getting great talks/figure drawing/and possibly meeting new art friends is even more tempting! Thank you again for this video

[@erikathegoober]

Thank you! ✨ I think you’d really enjoy it! My first year I went I was trying to get into the animation industry but I’ve since moved on from that dream because I found something that works better for me - freelance and running my own business. But I still try to go to lbx every year and enjoy it just as much (maybe even more now because I don’t feel the stress from trying to get an industry job!)

[@mojavecyclone]

Thank you for all the advice! As someone trying to be a bit more confident and also as a general first timer for this event, this was incredible helpful and I'll make sure to keep all this in mind when attending. I'm not a professional artist or animator trying to get a job but I'm definitely trying to learn new things and expand in my own projects (Games and Personal art) so I'm really looking forward to experiencing this for the first time and meeting up with new art friends I made along the way, and this is really helping me get ready for what to expect!

[@jinhyohuh]

Thank you for your lovely words & the gradient in your hair is so pretty! The end made me feel seen, as someone who just decided to get into the animation industry without a portfolio I'm proud of yet. Quick question, I was wondering if LightBox officially opens at 10am? Will need to line up beforehand to get my badge 🥺Thank you and hope to see you there!

[@erikathegoober]

Thank you so much! Definitely say hi if you see me! 🩷 Friday starts at noon but I would get there early! (I’m going to try and line up at 11) You might be able to pick up your badge before the show officially opens. I would check the website to see if there’s any info about picking up badges (mine was mailed to me so idk!)

[@natashakhankazi]

This was such a sweet and helpful video! I hope I get to meet you at LightBox. 💜

[@Karinuts.a]

Omg thank you for all the tips! I will be going to Lightbox this year and I needed all this info! I hope to see you there and talk about BG3!!

[@ItsGuffle]

Wooo! Great video Erika! Good luck and have fun next week everyone! It’s gonna be an awesome time! 🎉🥳

[@spazyazysart]

Yay! You are back! Love your art as always 💖

[@pyeitme508]

LEGIT!

[@JenniferTato]

Thank you SO much for making this video Erika 🥹 I cried when you talked about the self doubt that can happen leading up to and during the expo because this is my first time going and it hit the nail on the head with how I’m feeling. I have no one in real life that loves to draw and create art as much as I do so I’ve built up this expo in my head so much that I’m starting to get so anxious I almost feel paralyzed. This really helped to calm my nerves. Thank you!! Stoked to potentially meet you and other artists and just have a good time :)