Erasmuscon!

I swear, I still exist. I just live under a thick layer of dust and between moving boxes. Fortunately, our house is slowly getting more and more beautiful. The 70's bathroom is no more! We have underfloor heating! A second toilet! Electricity with more than three groups! Sewer pipes without asbestos! Laminate flooring! Forest and galaxy murals!

But we also have ceilings consisting of insulation only, walls that lack wallpaper, door frames that are half-painted, or rooms that don't even have a door. So yes, we are not done yet.

Our renovation work is on pause, though. Last weekend we went to Castlefest. We go here every year and have been camping for the past few years. Very awesome festival! I didn't have time for a new costume (geez, I wonder why...) but I didn't mind pulling Lady Astra out of her moving box. Last year, I could barely wear her because the weather was awful. This time, it was perfect!

And when you think you're done with one event, the next one is knocking on your door: Erasmuscon! A conference for fantasy and science fiction enthusiasts, 16 to 19 August in Rotterdam (NL). Unlike Castlefest, this is not located in the gardens of a castle, but "just" at a conference centre. Lectures, workshops and panels are held in several rooms. I am there, but not as a visitor - I am part of the program team! I'll host several panels and organize two workshops!

Friday: moderator of the panel "ziltpunk - scifi in the low countries". How do sci-fi writers and climate scientists feel about the Netherlands in the future?

Saturday: moderator of the panel "painting someone else's picture". How do you work as an illustrator with a client?

Sunday: workshop cosplay crafts. Make a halo crown from zip ties.

workshop making fantasy maps. But geographically correct ones, otherwise my inner earth scientist will get angry. For this workshop I've made templates and printed instructions, see photo below!

Monday: member of the panel "you name it". How do you come up with names for your world?

Check the rest of the programme on their site! https://programme.erasmuscon.nl/Programme-Erasmuscon-2024.pdf

A busy program indeed, and to make the stress even worse, I also participate in the Erasmuscon art show! AND THE PRINTS I NEED FOR THIS HAVE NOT YET ARRIVED. That's to say, I do have prints, but most of that batch came in damaged. The print shop has sent replacements, but it takes a loooong time for the new prints to get here. Aaaahhh!!! Fortunately, I do have some merchandise to sell.

And in case you're thinking: "there is art in that photo I have not seen before," well spotted! I drew some things especially for Erasmuscon. So come and have a look! Is fun! Is great! Here's a link: https://www.erasmuscon.nl

PS: If you can't make it, but still want some art: I'm setting up a shop on my site! Take a look!