Hello from beautiful Portland, Oregon!

SPX this year was one of the best shows I’ve been to.

I was able to attend the Small Press Expo through a generous Professional Development Grant from the Regional Arts & Culture Council.

They helped me pack my suitcase, fly across the country, sell my wares, meet new readers, attend lectures, and meet some of my favorite artists and writers. Thank you, RACC!

All of my non-cartoonist friends kept saying “Where are you going, again?” and I had to explain, “Beautiful Bethesda, Maryland!” where I stayed in the confines of a Marriott and its surrounding Vietnamese restaurant for a solid 60 hours, mere spitting distance of Liz Prince the whole time.

Liz Prince, noted Tomboy, sold out of books on the first day!

The person jumping out of frame created a book of lady cartoonist trading cards!

My dear friend and fellow CCS instructor, Jon Chad, author of “The Bad-ventures of Bobo Backslack”.

What Else: I saw the magical Lynda Barry, told Charles Burns I “loved his brush work”, met Mimi Pond, got John Porcellino’s new book, was dazzled by Sascha Velour, and got to sit by my fantastic friends Alec Longstreth and Greg Means all weekend!

BONUS: Guess why we are all making these faces.