Earlier this week I made my first official public appearance as the ‘guy who does that Zen Pencils site’ when I gave an informal presentation to the Victorian chapter of the Australian Cartoonists Association (the oldest cartooning organisation in the world).
Now, normally when I’m asked to do something that makes me uncomfortable I resort to my default introverted instincts and say “No thanks, not interested”, and the fact that it was public speaking made it much more daunting. But seeing as how a few of my comics and quotes are about ‘doing what you’re afraid to do’ and ‘fear is the mind-killer’, I thought I should practise what I preach and accepted the invitation. And (like all things we initially don’t want to do, but end up doing because we know it’s good for us) I’m glad I did.
Everyone at the meeting (if you can call people sitting around drinking beer and eating schnitzel a meeting) were either current professional cartoonists or former pros so it was an honour to be asked to talk about my work. A lot of them are from the old-school generation who aren’t that familiar with webcomics, blogging, internet marketing and social media so I covered some of that and talked about my history, what Zen Pencils is all about and what plans I had for the site in the future (unfortunately the projector wasn’t working so I had to show my work on a laptop). Everyone seemed to be interested, there were a lot of questions and all in all, it was a great night and I got to talk shop with some fellow cartooning addicts.
That is awesome. It is always nice to be asked to give a presentation to your peers.
congratulations gav!
Awesome! That shows you’re moving up in the world.
)
Good on ya mate! Best wishes for your future.
Congratulations! Bringing some young blood into the industry.
There is a similar group of illustrators who get together weekly in Cincinnati. Some amazing people that have done some work that many have probably seen.
Great that you got out there. It is always nice to have some peer validation of your work.
That´s awesome. Your work is fantastic and this is just the start. Your future as an illustrator/cartoonist is bright in my view. Your artistic and aesthetic way of drawing and the topics you covered so far is just THE thing on catoonists´s heaven.
Thanks all you’re the bestest
Congratulations! It’s always great to read about someone “feelin[ing] the fear and do[ing] it anyway”!
I know know what you look like. I will hunt you down and give you some skittles. As soon as I find out where Yahtzee lives.
You looked like a pro speaker already. It’s what every introvert good at. Nobody knows we don’t like the extrovert work since we seem to do it so well. But the thing is extrovert can’t always do what introvert can, and that’s a plus.
Congratulation!
Wish we could have come to be your fan club!
Best presentation there’s been in ages: glad I was there.
Great meeting you Alex!
i only have one word for you mate, “Congratulations!”
Thanks!
Wow! That’s really awesome!
I have actually declined some opportunities to speak publicly because of fear. This should serve as an inspiration 
I love how this website’s personal to you just as much as it’s personal to us, your avid subscribers
That’s really nice, thanks Aleandre
Congrats mate ! Keep it up !
This is terrific! So wonderful to read about how you’re doing and how the site’s progressing. Amazing job Gav
May You Go places, Bro !
Is the Dune reference a hint that there’s a Paul Muad dib themed cartoon some time in the near future?!
Way to go Gav. Love your comics and your interpretation of the quotes
You are doing AWESOME stuff in a different way and “business model” (if I may call it that!