Last week saw another Fan Expo come and go in Toronto. I was lucky enough to take part again. The fans are truly what make this event such a joy year after year. Thanks to all who came to see me. Chris, who took time out to chat with me at Niagara Falls Comic Con earlier this year, greeted me at Fan Expo with cookies! Thank you Chris. What a thoughtful gesture.

Here’s a photo of my new friend Chris from Niagara Falls Comic Con earlier this year.

Chris bought a book and asked me to draw something inside. It’s either what I imagine Chris doing with all the stuff he bought at the convention, or maybe cleaning up after a dispute took a grim turn. Click the image to get a closer look.

It makes me so happy to see all the costumes parade by my table throughout the Expo. One of the most memorable for me was a shirtless Joker who had written FROWN across his upper back, upside-down. Brilliant.

Somewhere in the world is this incredible home-made Deadmau5 head with my signature on it.

Spamalot anyone?

The costumes are pure art, aren’t they?

Groot-astic!

My son Grey came along, as he usually does on Thursday. He was demonstrating his new Minecraft sword. He’s got the technique down!

So much is happening right now in my life that I will have to elaborate in future posts. For now, let’s just stick to the quick and dirty.

First, I received the greatest email a few days ago. It was a beautifully crafted note of thanks bursting at its electronically stitched seams with praise. It was from the incredible Linda Bailey, who is not only a prolific and acclaimed children’s  author, but she wrote Seven Dead Pirates, the magical novel I was privileged to illustrate the cover for. Let me throw my humility out the window with these words from Linda Bailey: “The book is getting lots of great notice, and a big part of that is your cover — which I’m sure is getting great notice as well. Thanks for bringing my story so beautifully to life.”

Click to enlarge image.

Seven Dead Pirates, published by Tundra Books, was released September 8th, which means it’s available to buy NOW! Go out and get it! Or stay inside and click some computer buttons that make people send you the book to your mailbox. Do it now!

Lastly, I have an exciting announcement – I’m launching a brand new art exhibition at Vesuvio Pizzeria & Spaghetti House in Toronto next week, and it will run for a month. I’m showing and selling original artwork from my new book Shadow Abuse. If you have been following my work, you know that the Vesuvio show is an annual tradition. I love showing at Vesuvio. I love the owner and I love the people who dine there. Details about the exhibition will be posted here in the next couple of days.

You can purchase your very own copy of Shadow Abuse from my online shop.