Check out my new imagination cartoons. A series that deals with how important it is to live in your imagination. I will update these on off days. There is no set dates, since I am just doing these for me and my kids, but I felt that it is important to share.

To see the first one just click Living in your Imagination. As more are added you can just click the living in your imagination category to see more. The goal is to remind people that you can literally do anything you set out to do and that life is meant to be enjoyed.

Also just finished up chapter 11 and I am now starting on the artwork to chapter 12. I am really excited how things are progressing and I am looking forward to starting the kickstarter project in a few weeks. Gonna be a fun time.

Well keep creating and keep enjoying the grand adventure-

trav

So many cool things happening right now. I wish I honestly had a little more time to get even more done. The biggest news is blog post

Bean vol 3: Broken Souls & kickstarter preview…

This is exactly what it means. The 3rd book of bean has a name and will start it’s kickstarter run very very soon. I felt it was important to share what the rewards were going to be early. There are some really special ones as well, including maps to the underground and the brokenmoon.

Also I am working through several other projects. Pirate Bears, Commissions and more Bean Pages. I am feeling pretty energized.

I do hope you are enjoying the story right now… and you know- lets do some Q&A today. We’ll talk bean. Ask away and I will answer as much as I can spoiler free.

So keep creating my friends- and enjoy the grand adventure that life has to offer.

trav

Can you believe we are about to break the 390 mark. I am a little blown away by that. The scary thing is we have a long ways to go and I am just at the tip of the ice-berg.

Well last night we got in at about 12:30. I am a little tired. Some of you might have noticed that I hadn’t posted my normal update with the comic. After 4 days of traveling and 3 full working days at a show, I was thinking of only one thing last night and that was sleep.

So here I am now, with a quick report of the ACE comic con in New Mexico. I will give a more in-depth review later.

The show was fun. I saw a lot of neat people, some familiar faces and many new ones. Talked with some old friends and also got a few pages drawn. My wife went with me and let me tell you, she truly is an incredible lady. She ran that show and the constant shoulder rubs were fantastic. I really enjoyed working with her. We were kidless this  last weekend, which made for a unusually quiet, yet adventurous weekend. We were also mugged. I met yet another Travis Hanson, and had Stan Lee walk by us and tell us good morning. That was nice. In a nutshell, I had a good time and if they invite us back I will prob go. I will though be posting a full review later.

Other than that, I get home to a full workload before SDCC. Several Commissions and ton of Bean and Bear work. It’s gonna be a wild few months.

Well keep creating and more updates to come-

trav-

I am traveling today to the ACE show in New Mexico. If you are in Albuquerque stop on by to the Albuquerque Comic Expo. As usual if you are in the area and want a FREE sketch stop on by.

It’s been a busy week and there have been all sorts of projects old and new that I have been working on. Some are for the show, a few new commissions and two books.  I am plugging away pretty hard on Vol 3. There is just so much to tell. I am now starting chapter 12. Only 38 pages to go before we start the kickstarter project for it,

As several people know I like to do a lot of small b/w art pieces. None of them have much to do with Bean. Until now. In fact if you just scroll down you will find 6 new pieces that are dedicated to story of the Bean- before the events of our story. I really like telling a quick story with one picture. So if you want to get some close personal glimpses of the Bean and his friends of Silver Dagger, just look below. I think they will enhance the story- and maybe add a spoiler or two. Click here to enjoy the artwork.

NOW for the other big news. I finally have felt that it is time for the Teddy Bear Pirates of my print series to have their own book. Yes it is time for an adventure and these Bears are the stars.

I will start posting Bear pages in a few weeks. I am having a blast working on these pages along with the Bean. It has been a long time coming.

The main difference is the bears are a picture book and will not be a comic book. I could not handle to epic stories in comic form, but a picture book will not be a problem. It feels right.

Also the Bears will be available pre-order as a kickstarter project as well. I will post people the updates as soon as I know. Yet the only way this will work is with everyone’s help.

Well I think that this is enough excitement for one day. I sure appreciate everyone’s help and I look forward to seeing where the future goes.

Keep Creating- Trav-

prepping for ACE this weekend- I will post more in a bit- promise.
keep creating
trav

Trav’s Tidbits & Other Notes:

There is something to be said about a good comicon. If the show is good, it can do re-jump start an artist in a very positive way. Phoenix Comicon was that show. It was a show I needed this year and one that has put an extra boost in my step. Especially with how my year started. I have not been this pumped about my art and stories in a long time. Which is an incredibly good thing.

In fact I have some new energy and a new drive to put things on the right track and looking forward to accomplishing even more. I want to thank all those people that have supported me over the years and continue to do so. Thank you- as I read back through the last few posts and comic updates, I was touched by the support, even from those that lurk. You do not know how much this means to me or how much I need to hear it every now and then. Thank You.

I also came to a realization that the game is always changing. As an artist or creator, one needs to continually evolve. That’s a hard thing to do. Constantly figuring out how to improve and get ahead in the game. The phrase “Don’t tell me how bad you want it, show me.” has more meaning than ever before. That is a good thing.

The other thing I found out, is that my family backs me up and supports me. I am pretty humbled by that, as I watch my wife and children work very hard to keep our life afloat. If there is one thing that I could not stress more is to have a spouse that supports you and encourages you to keep going forward. A lot of great talent gets lost because there is no support network inside of the home, so they stop believing in their own talent and just wander through life living a bunch of “what if I had…”.

Phoenix also taught me the importance of getting guidance from the right sources. Young artist need to learn who to listen to. Listen to those that are already successful in the business. Follow their model. Don’t copy their style, copy their work ethic.  Learn from their devotion and their passion. Plus, when they give you advice, put yourself in the right frame of mind so you will actually listen and not counter with opinion.  Keep this mind as well, not all advice is good, remember that, but those that have been on the road longer than you are well worth listening to, than those that have just started.

Feeling rejuvenated is a fantastic feeling. One that is needed by all people, regardless of the field that you are in. Life is meant to be happy and though sad things happen, we still choose at the end of the day what our emotions we will be.

I find that the more my outlook is positive, the better my art gets. The more the ideas flow and the stronger the drive becomes.

ALSO – NEW SHOP TALK UP TODAY- CLICK TO READ. Subject – the power of webcomics.

So keep creating my friends, but most importantly – look for ways to just be happy. There is truth in the saying, “Count your many blessings”. It actually might surprise you.

trav-

Each year I get to travel to about 8 to 10 shows. Sometimes as a guest and all the time as an exhibitor. Each show is unique on how it is run and the vibe you feel. There are shows that I have chosen not to go back to, due to many circumstances,  such as poor attendance, lack of organization by the show itself, how I am treated,  and if I can cover my expenses. Then there are shows that I will return to religiously because of how well it is run and how much fun we have with the other guest and the fans.

Phoenix Comic is a show that is dear to my heart. It is one of the best run shows on the west coast. It ranks up there with Emerald City Con and is much better that SDCC, especially since SDCC cant expand anymore. It is also a show that my family is willing to drive out for a day and then drive the 5 hour drive back. That says something about a show. It is very very family friendly.

So let’s talk about the show this year and what worked and what didn’t. No show is perfect and sometimes things happen that are not the organizers fault but the convention hall itself.

This year I had to rework my team. It was bound to happen, and I was sad not to see my brother or brother-in-law with us, but family comes first in our homes, and I completely understand.

So my oldest boy stepped up and took over. He did a fantastic job as well. His ability to manage and organize is uncanny and I am really grateful he was there. Plus he makes a nice booth babe, cause several young ladies kept coming by. His uncles trained him very well.

Also new to the crew was Mike and his lovely wife Terasita – Mike helped us through the whole weekend and we would have been sunk without him. When you have 2 booths it’s really hard to run the show with only 2 people. They are welcome anytime to help with the show. I also wanted to tell my adopted family Daniel, Donna and kaid- thank you for taking care of us. My family sure loves you guys.

Ok back to the review.

The show has grown since mesa. The walkways were a little bigger this year to. I had two incredible handlers this year. Plus the staff as usual was right on in making sure our needs were taken care of. They do know how to run a great show.

Highlights of the show-

I drew about 800 Free Sketches.

Got to draw on the blade of a wooden sword that sold in the charity auction that benefited “kids need to read” for a $1000.

Spoke on 2 panels (the kickstarter one was the best with Spike of templar arizona. It was really informative. ) The writing panel was ok.

Participated in a very fun sketchoff with some really awesome and creative talent

Got to see the really cool “goblin boy” hut.

Found some really awesome new artist and picked up some new artwork.

Got to hang out with my wife and kids who trekked out friday and saturday. Plus drew several sketches with sophia (3 year old) asleep on my lap, proving that I can multi-task

Also meeting someone by the name of Travis Clark Hanson- Pic to come soon- What are the odds of that happening- and no he was not an underwear model.

And we sold out of our exclusive by Friday at 2 –

Plus jeremy bulloch recognized me and stopped to say hi in the aisle

It was also nice to see Tony Parker, Ben & Julie, Joe and his family, Brandi, Faith, Matt, James Owen and clan, Rebecca and James  plus so many more…. I would name all of you, yet I would be here all day and I need to get back to drawing the bean and commissions today.

Yet there were a few things that one would consider hiccups. Most not the fault of the organizers by any means, yet more of an issue with the convention center itself.

Wi-fi dropped sat morning to sunday night in the hall- (this made cc transactions for most of the venders impossible.) This was due how far we underground and the lack of repeaters. Hopefully they can fix it. Really only one provider worked.

The other issue was the diamondbaks- that were playing. They got out of the park at 4:30 which waylaid the convention hall exhibitors from getting out on time. This delayed our trip home by about an hour or so.

Yet  those issues are minor compared to the incredible art vibe and spirit the phoenix community has. It truly is a show where you can still talk to the artist, enjoy time with the family and not deal with insane lines. In my opinion it is what SDCC needs to return to an that is a more relaxed show.

So next year mark your calendars. What better way to have 4 day show that ends with letting you have a day off to recover because of memorial day. Seriously. It’s family friendly, good people and a lot of talent, I will always come back to that show.

And thank you to the organizers of the show- You know who you are. I appreciate what you do, the time you dedicate and

trav

As usual I am sketching for FREE all weekend long. Plus there is an exclusive print that you can only pick up at con. I do one each year for them. They are first come, first serve. This years print is the image at the top.

The Bean Leaf Press booth is 401-403