Artist Alley Adventures: Three Conventions, Countless Connections
The past few weeks have been an incredible whirlwind of artist alley events, and I'm excited to share the highlights from three very different but equally amazing conventions. From intimate local shows to my biggest convention experience yet, each event brought its own unique energy and opportunities.
Batavia TCG Show: Small But Mighty
Sometimes the best opportunities come at the last minute! The TCG show in Batavia, NY was exactly that – a spontaneous decision that turned into a wonderful experience. Sharing booth space with the awesome folks at Relic Forge TCG, I set up a smaller display of my work and was thrilled to connect with fellow Pokemon art enthusiasts.
What made this show special wasn't just the new faces I met, but the familiar ones too. Having repeat customers from previous Buffalo-area conventions find me again was incredibly heartwarming. It's moments like these that remind me why I love what I do – building genuine connections through art that resonates with people.
Batavia Card Show Booth Setup with Relic Forge TCG
My booth setup from the Batavia Card Show a couple weeks ago! I shared the table with Relic Forge TCG and brought a smaller setup featuring my drippy art stickers, custom trading cards, prints, and skate decks. Always a fun time connecting with collectors and fellow artists!
Rochester Anime Fest: Full Illymakes Experience
Rochester Anime Fest was a game-changer! Having my own dedicated Illymakes booth allowed me to showcase my full range of Pokemon-inspired artwork, and the response was phenomenal. The energy at this convention was infectious, with attendees from all over the region discovering my drippy skull Pokemon art for the first time.
The real magic happened both during and after the show. Not only did I have strong sales throughout the weekend, but many attendees followed my Instagram and continued supporting my work through my Etsy store after the convention ended. This kind of lasting connection is exactly what every artist dreams of – turning convention encounters into ongoing relationships with art lovers.
illymakes Booth Setup at Rochester Anime Fest 2025
My full booth setup from Rochester Anime Fest 2025! This event was such a fun one—tons of great conversations, fellow artists, and fans who recognized my drippy skull art from social media. I brought my full setup this time, with sticker boards, skate decks, trading cards, and more! Can’t wait to come back next year.
ConnectiCon: My Biggest Convention Adventure Yet
ConnectiCon in Hartford, CT was absolutely massive – my largest convention experience to date! Sharing booth space with both Relic Forge TCG and Sunfyre, I brought a curated selection of my traditional canvas paintings and painted skateboard decks. While I didn't have my full setup, the pieces I brought made a strong impact.
ConnectiCon 2025 Badge and Drippy Skull Art Display
All checked in and ready to vend! Here’s my badge from ConnectiCon 2025 in front of my booth display, featuring new painted decks and some fan-favorite drippy skull pieces. Thank you to everyone who stopped by and supported my art this weekend!
The highlight of the entire weekend? Meeting Jason Paige, the legendary voice behind the original Pokemon theme song! Not only did he sign some of my artwork, but we got photos together that I'll treasure forever. The surreal experience continued when he performed the iconic theme song with my friend's band at the Convivial Fest across the street. Talk about a convention moment I'll never forget!
With Jason Paige at ConnectiCon 2025 + Autographed Charmeleon Art
One of the absolute highlights of ConnectiCon 2025—meeting Jason Paige, the voice behind the original Pokémon theme song! I had him sign my Charmeleon print, and he was so enthusiastic about the art. A surreal and awesome moment for this lifelong Pokémon fan.
Beyond the celebrity encounter, ConnectiCon introduced me to an incredible community of artists and musicians. The connections made, Instagram, TikTok, and Etsy Store follows gained, and conversations shared reminded me why the convention circuit is such a vital part of growing as an artist.
Reflecting on the Journey
Each of these conventions taught me something different about my art, my audience, and myself as a creative entrepreneur. From the intimate connections at smaller shows to the energy of major conventions, every experience has shaped my approach to sharing my work with the world.
The Pokemon art community continues to amaze me with their enthusiasm and support. Whether it's repeat customers tracking me down at different shows or new fans discovering my drippy skull style for the first time, these connections fuel my creativity and drive to keep pushing boundaries.
Here's to more artist alley adventures, unexpected opportunities, and the incredible people who make this journey so rewarding!
What's your favorite convention memory? I'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
