VanCAF Comic Arts Festival May 26

VANCOUVER COMIC ARTS FESTIVAL

This weekend is VanCAF, the Vancouver Comic Arts Festival is taking place at the Roundhouse Community Centre in Yaletown May 26-27. Admission is free, and list of artists in attendance is very good! This is the first VanCAF, so there's lots of excitement around this event.


I'll be there releasing my Homeless Quatchi & Friends comicbook! I've been working hard to get this finished!


Oh, and as of this week, I've quietly launched HOMELESSQUATCHI.com. The hub for all things Homeless Quatchi.


Please come by and take a look at the show! VanCAF is doing a great job organizing the event! 


http://www.vancaf.com/


Hope to see you all there!

Albert Art So So Happy Moodee Custom Qee Toy

SO SO MOODEE

Here's a full reveal of my custom Qee for the So So Happy Project collab with Toy2R. The travelling toy show features many cool artists, and will be on display at various cons, and art shows throughout the year. The most popular ones with the most feedback will probably go into production, so be sure to let Toy2R and So So Happy know which toys you like! Hint Hint.

Circle me on G+

https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/106042054698715164922/106042054698715164922/posts

Fan me on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Albert-Art/45649548740

Albert Art Fan Expo Vancouver 2012 Recap

FAN EXPO VANCOUVER 2012

The first ever Fan Expo in Vancouver, went off with a bang, that included a large turnout of convention goers, many of whom have probably never been to a convention of this size before.

Vancouver has had for many years small scale cons, for anime fans, and gatherings for comicbook people, but none like Fan Expo originally from Toronto. The Vancouver-spin-off proved popular, enough to bring back next year, at a much larger scale.

As an artist showcasing in the Artist Alley, I didn't know what to expect, but was surprised to see the event packed with people.

Beth Wagner and veteran illustrator/storyboard artist Craig Wilson were my artist alley neighbours for the weekend, which made my time there pretty entertaining. 

I had a chance to introduce many con goers to my vinyl custom toys, and Homeless Quatchi made some new friends!

Check out the pics below, and on Google Plus and Facebook.

(I will be at Vancouver Comic Con, Heritage Hall Main st. May 13.)

Circle Albert Art

https://plus.google.com/b/106042054698715164922/

Become a fan

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Albert-Art/45649548740

Albert Art Banner Vinyl Fan Expo Vancouver

ALBERT ART EVENT BANNER

It's here, it's finally here! Okay, so it only took a week to get, but it was a long wait. Glad it turned out so nice! 

The new banner is printed on poly vinyl material, very thin (10oz), but notoriously difficult to rip and is quite durable.

I'll be using this banner at various shows, cons, and events. The banner will appear at Fan Expo Vancouver April 21-22 at TABLE A65 ARTIST ALLEY. http://www.fanexpovancouver.com/artist-alley-list

Very happy with the result from Rayacom Printers. I highly recommend this shop if you have banners to print. Custom sizes available. http://www.rayacom.com/

GDC 2012 - DYAD Racing PS3 PSN GDC PLAY

DYAD - Through the wormhole. 
Among the many games showcased at GDC Play, DYAD had to be my favorite. For one, I'm a sucker for audio-centric 'art' games. I'm a big fan of Jeff Minter's Tempest 2000, and the Atari Jaguar's VLM. I'm also a big fan of Tetsuya Mizuguchi's Rez, and Dylan Fitterer's Audiosurf (and soon to be released Audiosurf Air). And let's not forget TRON the movie, which stylistically seems to permeate through all of these games and has defined the visual style for all things retro digital, and futuristic cool. 
Over the years there has been quite a few indie developers creating unique music based gaming experiences that pulse, ripple, and echo in euphoric psychedelia, where the gameplay is very much part of the soundtrack. DYAD is the latest entry into this category.
From Toronto based developer Shawn McGrath, the objective is to propel yourself forward through a visually stunning wormhole by attaching, or 'hooking' yourself to enemies (particles), while avoiding them. The more strategic connections you make, the faster you go. The game is described as an abstract racing game, though I don't think there is a multi-player competitive mode.
Playing the demo at GDC Play, there were several tracks to choose from. I was able to get a hang of the game, after hitting several particles which slowed me down. The player can rotate around the tunnel, much like Tempest to find the best line. Once I got into the rhythm of the game, it was pretty entertaining and I could see myself getting hooked. Despite comparisons to other games, DYAD is an experience unto its own.
The game had been submitted to festivals, but seems to not have won over any of the juries. However, I'm sure that gamers will enjoy the combination of sounds, eye melting visuals, and gameplay.
DYAD is set for PS3/PSN, with possible PC release.
Looking forward to it!
http://www.dyadgame.com 

GDC 2012 Sample Sumo Music Technology GDC Play

GDC PLAY 2012 - SAMPLE SUMO AUDIO RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY

So it's been a few weeks since GDC 2012, and I'm finally getting around to going through all the business cards I've accumulated over the week at the conference. With so many social events, it's easy to forget where certain cards came from, but in the case of Sample Sumo a Belgium based tech company, I immediately recalled it was from GDC Play.

GDC Play is a separate area from the the main Exhibit Hall, and Conference area. it is the equivalent of a convention's 'Artist Alley' but for independent developers who wish to display their games and products. Sample Sumo's audio technology demonstration was pretty memorable. Using sounds to trigger gameplay behaviour, the user could either tap, pots and pans, or wood blocks to get the correct sound effect, which the microphone would then pick up.

Being demoed at GDC Play was Cows 'n' Order.

It's a neat technology that could be applied to something like Microsoft Kinect, or Sony Move, or even without a camera, or controller. Seems like all you need is a microphone, and well, sound! Would work well with handheld gaming on smartphones or PS Vita, and Nintendo DS.

Read more about Sample Sumo at GDC http://www.samplesumo.com/node/48


Sample Sumo
http://www.samplesumo.com/

RECAP Vancouver Retro Gaming Expo March

RECAP Vancouver Retro Gaming Expo March

March 17, 2012 - The first ever Vancouver Retro Gaming Expo went down with packed crowd and a sold out event.  Sponsored by Portland Retro Gaming Expo, Game Deals, RL Events, and Seattle Retro Gaming Expo, the event was held at the historical two-level theater, The Columbia, at 530 Columbia St. in New Westminster.

The vendor area, freeplay gaming, and stage shows took place in the theater, whole panels took place upstairs. It was pretty different from your regular convention hall. The crowd was very enthusiastic overall and the volunteers were pretty helpful. As an artist showcasing at the event, I was pretty happy with the turnout, and the response to my videogame art. Thanks to all who stopped by and/or bought something. The poster prints did quite well!

The only thing that I think was missing, was live music from videogame themed bands/musicians. No live chiptunes, was a bit of a disappoint.

 Also, there wasn't much of any communication in terms of PARKING for the event. As an artist with stuff to bring to sell, where can I park without getting towed? In addition to that, the Table sizes were on the small side, for the high price.

Though these are things that should be improved over time. I'm looking forward to the next one. 

I took a few pictures, but due to a technical error, a bunch were erased from my phone when transferring them over to the PC. Fail. This is a bit of what was salvaged.

Sega Saturn Bomberman competitions

Admiral Snackbar (Bowser) vs Mario cosplayer.

I donated a 'Link' print to the charity auction at the Vancouver Retro Gaming Expo. Starting bid was $5, and went all the way up to a whopping $15 for Child's Play Charity! Sold to a gentleman from the Seattle Retro Gaming Expo. Save the children through ART!

In support of Megaman Legends, these Servbot masks were being handed out by a fan.

A random assortment of more auctioned items for Child's Play Charity

http://www.vancouvergamingexpo.com/ 

http://www.childsplaycharity.org/ 

http://www.thecolumbia.ca/ 

EVENT Vancouver Retro Gaming Expo March 17

ART EVENT! Vancouver Retro Gaming Expo

The first ever Vancouver Retro Gaming Expo, is set for this Saturday March 17th, 2012 at The Columbia, (530 Columbia st.) in New Westminister.

I will have some large poster prints of these wonderful pieces, originally created with marker on board.

Hope to see you there!

The Columbia.
530 Columbia Street
New Westminster, BC
V3L 1B1 

http://www.vancouvergamingexpo.com/ 

As always! Become a fan!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Albert-Art/45649548740 

https://plus.google.com/106042054698715164922/posts 

PARTY! 8BITSF POW DNA LOUNGE CHIPTUNES

PARTY! 8BITSF POW DNA LOUNGE CHIPTUNES (PICS, and VIDS)


To kick off GDC, 8bitSF hosted 'POW: Indie Music and Developers Collide' event at DNA Lounge. The night was filled with chiptune performers on stage, with indie gaming kiosks set up around the event.


The Glowing Stars, Zen Albatross, and Virt were among my favorites. The Yobble Air Guitar was also a fun little game for iPhone.


If you weren't at the event, you definitely missed out on some good stuff.


Check out the pics and video below.

DNA LOUNGE 
http://www.dnalounge.com/ 


8bitSF 
http://www.8bitsf.com/2012/02/8bitsf-presents-pow-indie-music-and.html 

PARTY! GDC 2012 IDA Ireland Bourbon and Branch

PARTY! GDC 2012 IDA Ireland Bourbon and Branch

The IDA Ireland party was held at Bourbon and Branch, a very cool 1920's style speakeasy establishment. Located in downtown San Francisco's Jones st., the location is very easy to miss because of the unmarked exterior. I walked past it once, then realized I had missed it when saw some people who were dressed unlike the surrounding homeless characters, enter this door. 

With the password for the event, I entered, and was led through the bar, and to a back room that had to be unlocked, which opened up to this really cool room. I at first felt slightly out of place since I was the only non-Irish in the room. The Irish people were actually quite friendly. After a few drinks, I didn't feel so out of place. 

The bartenders made a variety of strong drinks, which I never got the names of. Definitely worth a return trip. Really interesting experience. It felt like I wasn't even at a GDC event.

Bourbon and Branch is reservation only.

Industrial Development Authority Ireland - Big Fish Games
http://www.idaireland.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qgr2bjWydro

http://www.bourbonandbranch.com/
501 Jones Street  San Francisco, CA 94102

PARTY! GDC 2012 Super7 Insert Coin PixelJunk 4am

PARTY! GDC 2012 Super7 Insert Coin PixelJunk 4am


Super7 has always been on my list of toy shops to hit up if ever I was in town, I just never had a chance to visit the shop until my recent trip to San Francisco. It seemed like the forces had aligned and I had an opportunity to check it out. Fresh off the plane, I was in a bit of a groggy state, going out into the night and in need of a party. 


Super7 is a well known Kaiju figure shop with a side of Japanese Star Wars figures, and limited print graphic tees. I knew the place was cool, I just didn't know how awesome it was until I got there. 


With the Game Developers Conference in town, they threw a party for the launch of their new line of gamer tees called 'Insert Coin', so I jumped at the chance to check it out. After a sardine packed BART ride from downtown, and a walk through a dark street towards Haight St., (fearing I would be stabbed), I found Super7. Then I realized, I could have just taken the bus! (Their previous location had been in Japantown, and is now located on Haight.)




The party was packed with art fans spilled on the side walk.  Sony's PixelJunk 4am was being demoed at the event. Using the Sony Move controller, users can create and layer sounds and beats using the visualizer on screen. The experience has been described as similar to the music process of a DJ, transitioning through beats, with the ability for people to spectate. 


The visualizer is like an instrument, with button inputs creating different sounds, when the controller is waved around, or whether buttons are held then released. I could definitely see the depth in program like this. Though I don't think was a way to save out the audio into a convenient format to create and share. (PixelJunk 4am was also set up on the Expo floor at GDC, Sony booth.)


The Insert Coin tee designs were all pretty creative, taking retro gaming and design and slapping it on a tee is a tall order, but these artists did a great job. Unfortunately, I didn't pick up any of the gamer tees, and instead opted for the In-N-Out secret menu tee by artist Josh Herbolsheimer. Fans of burgers should appreciate this.











The boys and girls over at Super7 were very chill. Keep up the good work guys!


Check out the pics from the event!

http://super7store.com

ADDRESS

Super7 Store
1427 Haight St (@ Masonic)
San Francisco, CA 94117