I am thrilled to announce a convention that I will be attending in 2026! Notices went out last week, and I can now announce that I will be returning to the main show of Illuxcon in Reading, PA, in October 2026. We love IX, and it is a truly unique experience to attend and be a part of. I will share more once we get closer to October. And with the crazy year ahead of me, come October, I will have a lot to share!
In many ways, I am still processing IX 2025. This was the eighteenth year, and I have been attending since year two. A long time to be involved in multiple cities at multiple locations. Post-COVID life and conventions have been weird, and it feels like it still hangs in the air at events, but this year's IX felt different. There was an energy, an excitement, a feeling, and a vibe I haven't felt in easily five years. This year, it felt like it did before COVID. And it was truly and completely wonderful.
I wish I could put my finger on it, but it was all different for me this year in all the best ways possible. For me, this was a FANTASTIC event this year. I brought everything that I could. The entirety of the Grand Bazaar was on display, and it was all very, very well received. Yes, sales were up over the last few years at IX, but it was much more than just that. I felt like I was connecting better with people. I had a thousand amazing conversations about art and life. I saw so many friends and my heart was refilled. We met so many new people, and people who have been on the fringes of our bubble were brought in. As much as IX is about art, it is also about friends, community, and fellowship. You are among your peers, mentors, coworkers, and patrons for a week, and it was the best time I have had there in a good long while. Not that IX is in any way lacking, but the car troubles of two years ago, the lingering gloom of the COVID years, and the state of the world have had their effects on things. But this year it was all gone for me. I was in a wonderful art bubble for a week, and I want MORE.
I have said it before, and I will continue to say it, IX is a one of a kind event and you owe it to yourself to attend. Do not worry about showing, just go. Be a part of the workshops and panels, tour the galleries, and talk to EVERYONE. There is no other event that gives you this much time and access to working artists. I am already looking ahead to next year.
Here are some images and thoughts regarding this year's IX!
The main section of my booth at IX.
For those who do not know, the rug at IX in my booth is from my studio.
So a portion of home is with me at IX.
Before it looks like the first photo, it looks like this.
Across from the main section of the booth is a second part where I stand with smaller items and my books. I have done similar setups, but nothing this size, and I loved the arrangement. It allowed me to look at my art all week, which is really important for me from time to time. And it allowed me to display everything I brought with me. IX grants me the space to do this, and I couldn't be happier to use it all.
Here is a little video of the booth to get a feel for how everything was set up.
After making a big splash last year in the Showcase, Mietze has arrived at the Main Show.
What started out as a bit of a joke last year has become a well-received experience. Mietze's work really resonates with people, and he was sold out by Friday. Hopefully, he will decide to create a new series moving forward.
A little about the artist.
Now, for a little look around the gallery. I once again did a poor job of photographing everything, but others have taken up that job after I had it for so many years. This is the view to one side of my booth.
And a look out from the other side of my row.
And a look from the front of the fourth-floor gallery I was in this year.
And one more view of the gallery.
The second-floor gallery was amazing... and I apparently took this single photo.
The Warren went to a forever home!
Some of the artist proofs I did at the show this year, with the owl being my absolute favorite.
And just like that... it was all over and the gallery was cleared.
Another amazing week in the books and another awaiting us next year.
Sunday night is a bittersweet time. It is the last time for most of us to really hang out and socialize, and it is the last time we will see one another for six to twelve months. So we laugh, shout, sing, party, and celebrate the week, art, and the ups and downs of a life as an artist. While IX might be galleries full of amazing art, this photo is what makes IX so special. Until next year!
That's all for another exciting Monday on the blog. See you back here on Wednesday! Until then...
For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability, head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com
3Next week, I will be appearing in the main show of Illuxcon in Reading, PA, October 22- 26, 2025. Now that the show is nearly here, I can update you with additional details on my panel schedule, location at the show, and more.
In addition to the two following items I am sharing, I wanted to mention that I will be debuting new art from the Grand Bazaar, some of which hasn't been seen by anyone. In addition to the work from the Grand Bazaar, I will have available for the first time my work on the Stranger Things Dungeons & Dragons set, Welcome to the Hellfire Club. AND I will likely have some additional surprises for those who see me at the show.
Magic Artist Proof Panel
I will be a part of one panel this year, the aptly named Magic Artist Proof Panel. Moderated by Donny Caltrider and will include your truly, Sarah Finnigan, Donato Giancola, Will Smith, and Alex Stone. The panel is described as:
Join Magic: The Gathering artists and collectors as they chronicle their journey with artist proofs, the extremely limited, white-backed versions of the game cards, now turned into traditional artworks and miniature masterpieces. You’ll learn what an artist proof is, where to find them, and how each artist approaches them in their unique style. Stay to the end for several AP giveaways, and an exciting announcement of things to come!
I am really looking forward to being a part of this. I will add that, as I am a part of this panel, I will not be a part of the live artist proof art event later in the show. You will just have to come to my booth at the show.
Find me at Booth 422 on the Fourth Floor.
And speaking of my booth, you will find me at Booth 422 on the fourth floor of the Googleworks. This is the spot I first showed as part of the Main Show at IX, and it will be fun to be back. I hope to see you all up there in the very back. This is where the fun happens!
That's all for another Wednesday on the blog. See you back here on Friday! Until then...
For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability, head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com
Now that it is October, it is time to remind everyone that I will be appearing in the main show of Illuxcon in Reading, PA, October 22- 26, 2025. We love IX, and it is a truly unique experience to attend and be a part of. As the event nears and final schedules are announced, I will share with you some of the things I will be a part of at IX. And I should have a surprise or two as well.
I am thrilled to announce another convention that I will be attending in 2025! Notices went out a week or so ago, and I can now announce that I will be returning to the main show of Illuxcon in Reading, PA, in October 2025. We love IX, and it is a truly unique experience to attend and be a part of. I will share more once we get closer to October; I am sure I will have a surprise or two planned.
There has been much to do since IX, which is why my IX 2024 is several weeks late. Much to do, AND it now takes time to Shade and Glaze my images, so it is a double blow to getting posts up quickly after events.
Now that IX 2024 has come and gone and I have had some time to think about it, it was, of course, amazing. Save for last year (which was 110% the fault of my car having a catastrophic unrecoverable event), every year at IX is simply the best. It is a time for celebration, community, fellowship, and art love. You have to go to one to know what I mean. It is a long show, but it also flies by, so there is a bittersweet aspect to it. It is so wonderful, but the moments do fall through your fingers. It was wonderful to see so many friends and familiar faces. IX is usually my last event of the year, and it is such a great completion of the convention year. I feel like I should be saying more, but if you know, you know, and if you haven't attended, you truly owe it to yourself to attend one year, even if you only attend and don't show. Here are some photos from IX 2024.
The Google Works building is where it all happens (except the Showcase, which is at the Double Tree).
They are in the midst of doing some major updates and renovations to the building. We saw just a little bit of their work while at the show, but they had displays of what they planned to do, and it was all very impressive. They will be bringing a lot to the building and the community.
My booth this year. IX is the one place I can bring the entire Grand Bazaar.
All of my available with were on display, as well as prints, MtG APs, books, and more were with me this year.
Not to mention the rug and chairs!
I tried to do a better job getting photos of the show this year. Here is a photo from the first floor.
Here is the second floor where I was set up.
Peaking out from the Grand Bazaar at the rest of the second floor.
I took part in the first of two Magic the Gathering artist proof drawing sessions.
I was seated at a table with Donato Giancola, which, you know, is super cool. It was surreal to be sitting there as peers doing parallel play as we drew, painted, and talked. FUN TIMES!!!
The Ancient Carp I did during the session - SOLD
The Festering Mummy I did during the session - AVAILABLE!
The artist jam session returned this year, and there was some serious rocking to be had.
Here are some additional photos from the first floor of IX this year.
The Showcase was amazing, as always, and there was so much great art and excitement in the room.
AND there was Destro with an actual (mini) HISS tank! Grant Cooley killed it with the costume this year!
So, more photos from the second floor.
And some photos from the fourth floor.
A little salivating raccoon on an artist proof.
All good things must come to an end.
After helping others, I was in a mad dash to get packed up and out of the way as the walls came down.
Where there was once IX on the second floor, there is now only space...
...as with the first floor.
A new tradition has been to get dinner together at a great Asian restaurant around the corner from the hotel. They can take a massive crowd, and we chair-hop to chat with everyone.
Another amazing year, the 17th IX, to be exact. Here isto 17 more! We are already looking ahead to IX 18 in 2025. I hope to see you there!
That's all for another exciting Wednesday on the blog. See you back here on Friday! Until then...
For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability, head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com
IX is finally here! The IX Art Show marks my final show of the year, so I am gearing up to end the convention season with a bang. I will be returning to the Main Show at the GoogleWorks building in Reading, PA, with the Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia and the rest of my monsters. I will be debuting new art from the Grand Bazaar, and if things unfold as hoped, I will have new client work to debut as well. As with all my events this year, I will have Magic the Gathering artist proofs, original art, books, pins, and more.
See you at the Main Show of IX at the GoogleWorks in Reading, PA!
I am in booth 218 - head to the second floor of the Googleworks, you will find me in the back of the gallery.
In addition to being in the Main Show, I will be taking part in the first of two Magic SketchFests. At the SketchFest, groups of Magic the Gathering artists will gather in Studio 411 and work on Magic Artists Proofs while fans and attendees talk, ask questions, and purchase the artist proof. I took part in the first one a couple of years back, and I am thrilled to be back and taking part again. It was a lot of fun, and I hope to see new and familiar faces there.
See you at the first of two Magic SketchFest!
Thursday, October 24th, from 3:00-5:00pm in Studio 411 in the GoggleWorks Building.
There are many amazing looking panels, demos, and discussions planned this year, and there is part of me that wishes I was not showing so that I could attend all of the events. And don't forget that on Friday and Saturday nights, the IX Showcase will be taking place in the convention hotel. The Showcase is ALWAYS a blast, and there should be tons of amazing art. I hope to see you in Reading next week!
That is all for another exciting Wednesday on the blog. See you back here on Thursday! Until then...
For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability, head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com
I am thrilled to announce what will hopefully be one of several events that I will be attending in 2024! Notices went out a couple days ago, and I will be returning to the main show of Illuxcon in Reading, PA, in October 2024. We love IX, and after the bumpy journey this year with all the car trouble and craziness, we are doubly pleased to have a nice long trip next year - hopefully with 1000% less chaos. I will share more once we get closer to October; I am sure I will have a surprise or two planned.
