Dec 13, 2016 Holiday Pop-up powered by kids
Wendy and I often drag our daughter around to museum shows, punk rock concerts, book readings, and art galleries that we want to see. Luckily, Eloise is open-minded, curious about everything, and great at hanging out with our adult friends. But last weekend we actually attended a kid-related event in Pasadena.
I met my pal Adam through the worlds of indie art and video games, and we have stayed in touch as parents who encourage our kids to do interesting stuff. He and his friend Layne were organizing a holiday pop-up event where his son Dante could show off vintage video game-inspired apparel and Dante’s schoolmate Aidan could present Pokémon and dinosaur zines. When Adam asked if Eloise would like to take part, I said of course! Luckily, she said yes.
Eloise makes stuff all the time–concert flyers, holiday cards, comics, dinner menus, etc., in addition to just screwing around–but this would be her first commercial work. Because the pop-up was timed with the holidays, she drew gift tags by hand. Themes included Miyazaki and Star Wars cats. (Value priced at three for a dollar.)
She also made punk rock 1″ buttons with holiday and cat themes. Who doesn’t like holidays or cats? (Two for a buck.) There was also custom pet portraiture on acid-free paper cut for easy framing. Pet owners carrying photos of their pets on their cell phones and Eloise’s fast and fearless approach to illustration made this possible. (Only two dollars.)
Beginning at noon, there was a steady stream of friends and family from all three kids, as well as curious customers and passers by. Eloise was kept busy nonstop, and when her stock began to run low she drew more stuff on the spot–including many commissions. A set of Miyazaki gift tags took no more than a minute or two each and turned out amazing.
When the pop-up ended at 5:00, Eloise made $39 and knew exactly what she was going to do with it: Donate 1/3 to CCED (Chinatown Community for Equitable Development), save 1/3 for her college fund, and spend 1/3 of it at Comic-Con next year. Thanks to Adam and Layne for setting this up and Luxe Tots for hosting! Thanks to Dante and Aidan for being cool! And thanks to everyone who showed up and supported the kids. When’s the next show? Eloise loves to make stuff and help causes and could use some college and Comic-Con money, too!
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