HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE! Hope you all have a great holiday season. May heaven bring
you joy and blessings this Season and into the new year.
We had a great meeting this Wednesday at IHOP. We we're only three strong, but we
talked on cementing projects we will be working on for the new year. In attendance were Jack Frost, Erik Miller, and myself. We spoke on projects that
we hope to see come to production by summer, and others that should be out by 2011.
We won't elaborate on anything yet but we hope to have a lot more product published
in the new year.

We hope all your productions see the light in the up coming new year, and that all
your projects are successful. Peace, and God bless. Hope to see you on the second Wednesday of January.

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.
G.Ford

Getting towards the Holidays we get very busy with family, friends, shopping, and the daily concerns of life. In these days of economic stress, and serious social concerns we hope this Holiday season brings relief, love, and healing to our members, friends, our nation, and our world.

Our last meeting was very low key as there were only two in attendance Jack Frost(Writer), and myself. Still we managed to have a good discussion of projects we are working on, and the influence of some of comics most notable talents on some of our current work.

We all have heros in the business, and talents we have met, as well as others we would like to work with, in the future. Our hope for this season and the coming New Year is that we can hone our talents and working methods, to be productive and marketable in the years to come.

http://www.myspace.com/506532622http://gxillustrated.weebly.com/

Our next meeting is December 30th 7:00PM at IHOP on Maryland Pkwy.

God bless, and have a Merry Christmas.
Thank you
Geoffrey T. Ford
Artist And Animators Alliance

ARTISTS & ANIMATORS ALLIANCE MEETING 11/25/09

We wish to thank IHOP again for hosting the Artist & Animators Alliance, for our
pre-holiday meeting. We also wish to thank noted Las Vegas Artist DERYL SKELTON, for
being our special guest speaker on the night. We learned quite a bit about him, and his artistic journey in and out side the world of the comic art field.

In attendance were artist Deryl Skelton, writer Jack Frost, and myself G. Ford. Topics ranged from asian culture to getting things done as an artist in today's market. Of great interest were Deryl's current projects which include a children's book and another self publishing venture with which we wish him well. You can check out his current projects, and his extensive background works at his website @:

http://skeltonartist.com/

Thank you again Deryl, for the SPIDER-MAN sketch this weeks art addition.
If you were at the Vegas Valley Comic Festival this month you may have had a chance to see his art and meet him and the other comic creators at the panels they hosted. We had a great time sharing coffee, stories, and sketches, and hope to share more experiences in the future. As we'd love to have him back, and invite all art enthusiasts to sit down and share our table at the next Artists & Animators Alliance meeting December 09 2009, 7:00 PM @ IHOP on Maryland Pkwy. by the Blvd. Mall.
Peace, and Happy Thanksgiving to all.
G. Ford

Spider-man copyright Marvel Comics oops or should that be Disney:)

Had a great time.

It was a very interesing meeting of the minds at the 11/11/09 meeting of the Artists & Animators Alliance. In attendance where Artist Erik Miller, Writer/Photographer Jack Frost, and Myself. We had a nice time discussing where we are at on various projects; over chicken fingers and a basket of fries. Jack and Erik are currently collaborating on a series of interesting newspaper comic strips; some of which can be seen at Creations Ink on myspace @ http://www.myspace.com/506532622

While I am currently working on a freelance T-shirt design assignment.

The discussion hit to the heart of the beginnings of the Artist and Animators Alliance as a group formed to bring together artists and creators to help one another learn, grow, and collaborate on various projects, to their mutual benifit. The three of us are much like a microcosm of the Vegas art scene. We three have known each other for months, and discussed working together in the past. However different projects would come up, or bad timing has prevented us from collaborating on paper. However, with this meeting we've made a renewed effort to find a project to collaborate on, and I look forward to working with them in the future.

Jack has great plans for the comic strips he and Erik are working on, and is putting together a website to showcase his writing, and Erik's amazing artwork. Look for "THE GUYS", and "THE GAB" as well as other comic strips from this amazing creative team. See other projects from Jack Frost and Erik Miller at:
http://www.myspace.com/506532622 as well.

And check out our online magazine, Graf-X Illustrated @:
http://gxillustrated.weebly.com/

We would like to thank IHOP again, for their awesome service. We only wish we had more to give for your generosity in hosting our meetings. We invite all creative thinkers and those interested in the arts to come to the next Artists & Animators meeting November 25th right before the holidays kick off.
Peace, and God bless you all with a Happy Holiday Season.
G.

Artist & Animators Alliance of Las Vegas Meeting Wed 10/28

We had a great meeting at the fourth Artist & Animators Alliance Meeting Wednesday night. We thank Mrs. Ruby Zandra Waller our guest speaker for the knowledge and wisdom she brought to the discussion on how she got into publishing, and the different ways she is working with her publisher to market her 1st publication,"MURDERER AMONGST US".

We also thank Daniel Blodgett, Jack Frost, and Laurie Morton, for braving the freezing winds of October, and joining in on an engaging conversation that went
from upcoming projects to the upcoming vote on Health Care Reform.

We thank IHOP for their service, and hosting the event. And I very much enjoyed the Pecan Pie Pancakes I ordered. We ask you to check out Mrs. Ruby Zandra Waller's book
,"MURDERER AMONGST US", which some of the proceeds will be donated to Team Obama and Health Care Reform. Check out her sight @ http://rubyzandra.ning.com/

You can see some of our upcoming projects @ http://gxillustrated.weebly.com/index.html

P.S. We will be in attendance at the Vegas Valley Book Festival Comics Expo
With speakers, artists, vendors, films, book signings and workshops. Saturday, Nov. 8 – Clark County Library -1401 E. Flamingo Road



God bless you all, and hope to see you there, and on November 14th.

Third Meeting

It was interesting that on the third meeting there were three creators present. Dave Dace the painter, Jack Frost the photographer, and myself Geoff Ford, the illustrator, were all gathered together for a very intresting discussion on the topics of the day. We started with an in depth look at the Marvel comics Disney merger, and what it may mean to the comics industry. This touched especially on what it may mean to artists; from artist alleys at conventions to those trying to break into the field. We also discussed the treatment of minorities in Disney's animated features; the latest of which is the upcoming,"The Princess and the Frog". As well as how Marvels many characters will be seen in upcoming films and media.

The discussion then turned towards marketing, for those of us seeking to put out art publications which their seem to be a proliferation of titles to soon see publication. In this new economy we find ourselves in it will be interesting to see how the public's spending habits adjust this holiday season, and how businesses take advantage of their advertising outlets and spend their advertising dollars.

In the spirit of new publishing ventures Starlight Graphics is embarking on a new publishing venture with the magazine Graf-X Illustrated. It will feature graphic stories and art from some of our Artist & Animators Alliance attendees as well as other professionals and amatures. Look for it on stands in early November. You can view the new website here: http://gxillustrated.weebly.com/index.html

We wish to thank IHOP for being such accomodating hosts, and ask that you join us again on Wednesday October 28th for our fourth meeting. Hope to see you there.
Peace out.
G. Ford

Week 2

Week two was very interesting. I would like to thank special guest attendees Teresa, and Chad, of the movie production, "HAUNTING KIRA", as well as all others who attended. We would also like to thank our host Ihop.

We enjoyed a very frank discussion on the marketing of movies, as well as other works of art. We also touched on the versatility of production when it comes to creating a marketable product. You could call it," Zen, and the Art of Pleasing the Money Man.". Believe me we tend not to be so mercenary; however, when marketing your product it is key that the artist learn not only his market demographic, but the marketing
techniques that will get the sale, and the paycheck. First it is important to know yourself, and the art you enjoy, and want to produce. Because; you must know what you are taking to market, to be a success at marketing. In todays economy it is important to remember, art skills cannot be limited to the drafting board, but must be honed in the marketplace as well.

Artwork done by DANIEL BLODGETT @ A&A Alliance meeting week two.

Thanks Dan!

To find out more on the movie "HAUNTING KIRA", or on the art of movie making, and marketing, check out these sites:

http://www.gorify.com/
and
http://www.pollystaffle.com/

Thanks again to all who attended, and feel free to leave any comments you feel led to. Your attendance was both enjoyed and appreciated, and your input is always welcome.
God bless.
G.

ARTISTS & ANIMATORS ALLIANCE

This past Wednesday started the first meeting of the Artists & Animators Alliance of Las Vegas. We are a group open to all artists, animators, moviemakers, and writers. in the Las Vegas area. Coming together to discuss ideas on how to make a breakthrough in today’s market. We also invite organizations and businesses to come and sponsor contests and workshops to make the connection between the artist and the business market place.The meetings are the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at IHOP on Maryland Pkwy: by Best Buy, and just south of the Blvd. Mall. They start at 7:00 PM until 9:30, or until you wish to leave, as it is a 24 hour restaurant. Please bring a drawing pad, or a laptop, or your portfolio, if you like, as we intend to have drawing contests and perhaps critiques that we hope will help you hone your skills, and showcase your talents. So feel free to come, eat, and enjoy the food and discussions and speakersat the first ARTISTS & ANIMATORS ALLIANCE MEETING of Las Vegas.For more information please contact Geoffrey T. Ford @ www.myspace.com/starlightg or starbolt5z5@yahoo.com

Thank you and hope to see you there. God bless, and Peace out.

Geoffrey T. Ford

Image copyright Marvel Comics Group.