I left Wizard World LA early on March 15, because author and artist (and friend) James A. Owen had a gallery show at Storyopolis (in Studio City), with artwork from his novels Here, There Be Dragons and The Search for the Red Dragon.
The gallery showing was also in conjunction with artwork for Frank Beddor’s novel. I was intrigued enough by that art, and Frank’s presentation, that I’ve put his work on my list of “things to read”.
Among the pieces for the show were two large drawing James had done in conjunction of other work. I’d seen them when I’d visited his studio back in November. But “at home” the pictures hang in a corridor, so it isn’t easy to get a straight on look at them. Did I mention that they’re really, really large? Anyway, it was nice to be able to really examine them. James has a knack for incredible detail, and these two works are chock full of fun little things.
James arrived, always an impressive presence. When he did his presentation (one he does often, I gather), he likes to do a drawing of a dragon head. He’s developed a design, and instructions for how others can do this particular dragon head. The original intention was for the drawing he did during the presentation to go to a lucky person in a drawing of lots. But amongst those present was a young fan of his (aged 9, I believe) with whom he’d had an email correspondence. Young Norah was quite obviously thrilled to meet her hero. And James decided that she should get the drawing he did during the presentation (he’d do another for the lot drawing). He autographed it for her. I was about to leave (this was, after all, at the end of the day I’d spent trudging around the Wizard World convention), so I got a picture of James, his wife Cindy (with whom I’d had a fun conversation – lovely lady) and Norah. A very lovely evening.
James and Cindy Owen with young fan Norah
