My dream of making greeting cards has come true!

I fantasize about working for Hallmark making greeting cards, but I’m sure the job in my head doesn’t resemble reality. My twisted mass of grey matter imagines a vast open office space, and my spot in front of a large window. I’m sitting atop a tall stool under a swing-arm lamp clamped to a drafting table. I start Monday morning with my steaming cup of coffee, giggling as I sketch out my latest greeting card ideas. After lunch, I present my ideas to the creative group in a long room at the head of an equally long table and we choose the most promising ones that I will develop throughout the week. At the end of Friday I put my finished artwork boards in an oversized orange envelope and drop it on the office mail cart for the reproduction department. At 5pm I switch off my lamp, fold my jacket over my arm, and whistle happily as I skip to my car.

I know, it’s kind of a boring fantasy. Don’t judge!

Headless snowmen greeting card by Dan Holst Soelberg

The front of my headless snowmen Christmas card. See what’s written inside here: http://danholstsoelberg.storenvy.com/

The reality is I don’t have a job at Hallmark, but I decided to go ahead and make greeting cards anyway. I started a couple years back with my headless snowmen Christmas card. It’s been a consistent hit with multiple reprints. I think it’s the message written inside that has captured the essence of the holiday season. Click here to look inside. I then created a couple of birthday cards that went over well and prompted many requests for more. Well, since I have this little Hallmark job fantasy, I was happy to oblige! Without further ado, here are my latest birthday cards available for purchase now:

Dan Holst Soelberg don't look your age Birthday Card - cover

Dan Holst Soelberg don't look your age Birthday Card

You can buy this card at my online shop: http://danholstsoelberg.storenvy.com/

Dan Holst Soelberg give you a hand Birthday Card

To see what’s written inside the card, click here: http://danholstsoelberg.storenvy.com/

Dan Holst Soelberg kill two birds birthday card

To see what’s written inside the card, click here: http://danholstsoelberg.storenvy.com/

Dan Holst Soelberg don't age any more Birthday Card

To see what’s written inside the card, click here: http://danholstsoelberg.storenvy.com/

Dan Holst Soelberg Octopus Bard

To see what’s written inside the card, click here: http://danholstsoelberg.storenvy.com/

 

If you want to browse my birthday card collection in person, I’ll be at Art-O-Con in Burlington this Sunday. It’s located at 3063 South Service Rd, Burlington. I’ll have all my books, prints, 2017 calendars (yes, I reprinted!) and other things available.

Admission is $8 for adults, $2 for kids aged 12 and under. There will be over 90 vendors there. You can see some of the other vendors at the official Art-O-Con news site.

art-o-con_2016_info

Standard

This is dedicated to the Fan Expo fans

This year’s Fan Expo took place the first weekend of September, and I would be remiss if I didn’t give some seriously earned kudos to all the people who attended. The Expo organizers deserve a shout-out for doing their usual event-hosting magic, but let’s give due credit to all the devoted fans who bring their energy, enthusiasm and excitement! Please accept this as my humble offering of most sincere gratitude. This message is devoted to you. I am your biggest fan!

Dan Holst Soelberg with Emma at Fan Expo

Dan Holst Soelberg with Emma at Fan Expo

Emma bought a book and was kind enough to come back the next day for more. Thank you!

My first ever event/expo as a vendor was Fan Expo Toronto 2012. At the time, I had a couple self-published books to my name and I thought Fan Expo might help me find kindred souls who enjoyed macabre humour as much as me. Maybe I’d make a buck while I was at it to fund my creation factory. Four years later and five consecutive Fan Expos later, I am a believer in the Expo. And I appreciate the amazing people who share my weird, dark humour and have bought my offbeat creations.

The lovely Jaime with six-year-old Grey (left) and three-year-old Shaw (right).

The heart the operations, Jaime, with six-year-old Grey (left) and three-year-old Shaw (right).

Of course, my family gets a big chunk of my gratitude. For the past couple of years, my wife Jaime has joined me on Thursday with my son Grey. Grey had to get used to the crowds and the noise, but he always settles into the Expo groove. Since last year he has been a Minecraft fanatic, attracted to anything and everything Minecraft related. It’s because of him that I have Stampy’s voice on perma-loop in my brain. It’s been a huge education for me. This year was first time we brought Shaw, my daughter. It was amazing to see her immediately take to the Expo like it was home! She is a natural-born party girl, and the Expo is her scene. Cosplay is definitely Shaw’s jam. The look on her face when she first saw Spider-Man in person was priceless. Pointing and shouting “It’s Spider-Man, look! It’s Spider-Man!!!”. The pure joy rushing through her was palpable and contagious.

visitors to Dan Holst Soelberg's table

The Thompsons: Stacey, Maggie and Gord.

Visits from old friends are always a welcome and exciting surprise for me. It was a special treat to see the Thompson family this year. And, if you’ve visited me the last couple of Expos you’ll be familiar with my table partner Alexandria. Alex is an amazing friend and purveyor of exquisite taste. She turned me onto Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki. “This One Summer” has a special place in my heart.

Beetle Juice and Spiderman. Side by side, naturally.

Beetle Juice and Spider-Man. Side by side, naturally.

Fan Expo is inspiring for me. Meeting the people who actually like what I do is both an honour and humbling. It gives me the drive to keep going. For everyone who took time out of their busy Fan Expo day to visit me, thank you.

The constant stream of people that move through the Metro Toronto Convention Centre all weekend long.

The constant stream of people moving through the Metro Toronto Convention Centre all weekend long.

Standard