(Image credit)

Donato Giancola said it best last year, and as I look at the image painted by artist Gregory Manchess and hear Donato’s words reverberating in my head, it all comes back to me. For I too was there. And it was an unforgettable experience.

In less than two weeks the event that rocked the fantastical art world returns to Kansas City, Missouri–Spectrum Fantastic Art Live 2–and if there is ANY way that you can manage to get here, you need to do so.

200+ artists, unfettered access to beautiful artwork and some of the genuinely nicest creative people you will ever meet, inspiring panels, the Oscar-style Spectrum 20 awards ceremony, and lots of reasonably priced swag for you to take home with you. All for only $40 for a 3-day weekend or $20 for a one-day pass. When I think back to what my $40 allowed me to participate in last year it is enough to bring tears to my eyes. The experience was INCREDIBLE.

The cool thing about the $40 option is that it gets you an extra preview day on Friday, May 17th. Five hours of VIP access to the artists and their work plus the after-event party. There will be fewer people there on Friday and it will be very special, I assure you.

The commercial is great, but I tell you from first hand experience that it does not do this event justice. Neither do the arguably amazing billboard-sized Michael Whelan advertisements all over town.

On the website recently, hosts Cathy and Arnie Fenner put up a few words that I feel are important to copy here that may answer some of your questions about the show:

✦ In the feedback we received from last year’s show someone mentioned that people didn’t understand that:

(1) non-artists were welcome,
(2) that art would be for sale, and
(3) that there would be affordable things to purchase.

(3) There will be stuff for sale at all price ranges, from extremely modest to very expensive and everything in between. If you’re on a budget you will certainly be able to pick up sketchbooks or prints for very little—and you can ask the artist to sign them for you, essentially making them into uniquely personal keepsakes. And if you have money to spend, of course, you’ll have the opportunity to do so (and make the artist you’re buying from extremely happy).

I am really excited about the Special Guests this year:

The only person really new to me is Terryl Whitlatch, but given that she has done character design for Star Wars I already feel a bond.  I’ve long been a fan of both Peter de Seve and Tara McPherson thanks to being introduced to them through the annual Spectrum art books.  De Seve’s work has a sense of life and humor that always makes me smile. Whenever I see his work I want to meet those characters.  McPherson’s work is unique, iconic and wickedly lovely.  Her work is intense and powerful and I cannot wait to see her in person as one of many who will be gushing over her creations.  Charles Vess is one of the premiere fantasy artists working today.  His art brings fantasy worlds to life, whether it be through solo work or in collaboration with authors.  And of course I’ve been a fan of Michael Whelan since I was a little kid.  His cover art for fantasy and science fiction novels dominate my earliest genre reading memories.  It would be impossible for me to describe what his work means to me.  I had the pleasure of conversing with him several times last year and I’m glad he is back as a guest of honor this year.

And those are just the special guests.  There are so many more amazingly talented people.  Some that you have heard of and whose work graces book and cd covers in your homes right now and others who may be lesser known but are no less talented.  And all of these people will be in one location in a setting that allows you to truly interact with them.  Last year I knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime event.  Thankfully I was wrong and it is happening again.  You don’t want to miss out.

I am really looking forward to meeting seeing a lot of the artists. One special meeting will be seeing John Picacio once again. We connected over the internet years ago and met in person for the first time last year. He is a fantastic artist but an even better person. Can’t wait to see him again, and I’ll get to do so twice this month as he is artist guest of honor a few weeks after SFAL2 at Conquest, a local convention here in KC.

If you are planning to go, or suddenly decide that you absolutely need to be here (and believe me, you do) let me know so that we can hook up.  I’ll need someone to pinch me occasionally to assure me that I am not dreaming.

Over the next few days I hope to have some artist spotlights for you to enjoy.  Given the rapidly approaching deadlines the many interview requests/questions I’ve sent out over the last few weeks may not be able to occur.  Fingers crossed that some will, though, and if not before maybe we can pick their brains afterwards.  At any rate, go check out the Spectrum Fantastic Art Live 2 website, scroll down slightly for the large guest list with links to their individual websites, and see what you could be a part of.

*billboard picture courtesy of the SFAL2 Facebook page.
**Special Guest image courtesy of SFAL2 Tumbler page.