Eve Myles: The Consistent Conventioneer
Eve Myles has attended every convention since 1993, 25 in all. This lady is always on the go! After over a year of trying to catch up with her, I was finally able to track her down and ask her a few questions via email.
Interview Transcript
Q: It seems you are the only person to attend every caricature convention since the inception of the NCN, is that true?
A: Yes, I have been to every convention. I have loved them all! I think Mel Lothrop is #2 in line, so be sure to keep in good contact with him. He has been a truly loyal member throughout the many rough times in the NCN and the wonderfully smooth times of ISCA!
I used to participate politically and used to organize the conventions and give seminars (typical topics were how to draw wiggly children, how to handle difficult situations, etc.)
Nowadays I still participate in the competitions. I love the “likeness” - I am always proud of my drawings until they are up on the wall. ...then I am simply proud that I was courageous enough to compete! I love the fact that so many artists interpret in different ways yet all get a “likeness.” That to me is the soul of caricature.
Q: I have heard stories about the very first convention. Wasn’t it in Cancun or somewhere? Can you tell us about it?
A: The first convention was in Cozumel. Our founder, Buddy Rose, wanted so much to make this little group work, he paid for most of it himself!
He organized convention rooms, hotel accommodations, community events, classroom sessions, competitions and an awards banquet very much as we do it today. He invented it all, even the “Golden Nosey” Award.
The only difference is there were 12 of us. The next year, also in Cozumel, we numbered 25. The next year 50 in Las Vegas. Next year 100. One year we reached about 200 and it seems to be the same ever since.
Q: Which location was your favorite?
A: My favorite location was Cozumel, a delightful fantasy- island getaway. Not at all as built-up as it is today. I’ve always thought Las Vegas was the perfect location. Having organized two conventions, I was very aware of the most important factors: Cost (a lot of our members had little money). Location (easier to get to than most places). Comfort (we had to consider our elderly and handicapped). Most of the hotels in Las Vegas had huge convenient convention rooms at very low cost. To me it was a given. I even thought we should have all our conventions there!
Q: Did you ever serve on the Board for the NCN?
A: Yes, as Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President and President. And Convention Organizer twice. Every year, during the convention, we had a meeting in which we would elect a new board. People would be nominated and then elected. It was quite simple and quick. One year, no one wanted to be treasurer. Everyone who was nominated declined. It was getting late and frustrating. Something had to be done. I got up and said, “I have no experience. In fact I don’t even balance my checkbook, but I have friends that can help me and most important, I’m honest.”
Q: How have things changed since that first convention?
A: At the beginning, I used to give a seminar at almost every convention. Usually I would discuss how to draw difficult people. At most of the seminars because the attendance was so small, the audience would participate. There was always a tremendous amount of laughter. It was customary to draw each other all the time. At restaurants we would draw on napkins. One time someone started drawing on soft tacos. We ended up flinging them at each other across the room. We were asked to leave. The very first year in Cozumel, on the menu was “squid in black ink.” Of course we ordered that and drew each other with squid ink. Technology is interesting. The first year, I learned something amazing: the glove-and-chalk technique. Someone else did color with makeup. Some people drew on clear acetate and projected it on a screen. Wow! Then came opaque projectors. The next amazing step was airbrush. One person demonstrated. The next year, there were more airbrushers, and more each year. Then computer art. Incredible stuff! Then laptops and smartphones. Nowadays, the innovations are mind blowing. Three-dimensional art and art that moves. Where will we go next?
Q: What keeps you coming back year after year?
A: Why do I keep coming back? Every year, I say I can’t believe the level of art! It can’t get any better! And sure enough, the creativity and technical skill get more outstanding every year!
To look around the room at 4:00 on Thursday when the walls are finally full of art, it is like going to your favorite world-class museum...only for some reason, the art critics that love to extol Picasso and Warhol are not there...nor are millions of worldwide museum goers...there are only two or three hundred people who have the privilege, the honor, of viewing absolute masterpieces of art. By the way, congratulations to all those who put their artwork on the walls; whether you win prizes or not, thank you for sharing your gifts!
I love the speed competition. Standing in line, hearing the murmur of joking and laughter, drawing as fast as possible, and again being happily in awe of the winners! Also the seminars and competitions, since their inception in 1992 have been excellent and FUN!
Q: Do you have T-shirts from every convention?
A: Yes, I have T-shirts from every convention. Most of them are slightly remodeled ( scoop neck, fringed sleeves, ragged hem)
Q: Do you have any memorable moments from conventions that you would like to share?
A: Memorable moments. Hmmm, let’s see...if I forgot some, that doesn’t necessarily mean they were not worth remembering...but it’s so hard to choose....
Q: Do you have any advice for people who have never attended a convention before?
A: If you’ve never attended an ISCA Convention it’s probably because you’re afraid of the competition or you think it’s too expensive. Do you remember your first time doing something you were afraid of and everyone was yelling “You can do it!” and the exhilaration you felt afterwards? Well, this is really not like that. The competition is only in your mind. Some folks want to win awards, others go because they want to improve their skills. Others go for the fun and the art. If you save 50 cents each day, eventually you’ll save enough to go to a convention.
Q: Anything else you care to add?
A: I know from experience the kind of work that goes on behind the scenes, deciding on the venue, the guest speakers, the seminars, the art suppliers...running a convention is a tough job. We are lucky to have such great volunteers. Special thanks to you all!!! (And special, special thanks to Cece.) While I’m at it, thank you, all you members. It took courage to come and “leave your ego at the door.” Thank you for coming back!
Q: Will we see you at the convention in Orlando?
A: Hmmmmm, let’s see...!
Annual Convention Locations
| 1992 Cozumel, Mexico 1993 Cozumel, Mexico 1994 Las Vegas, NV 1995 San Antonio, TX 1996 Houston, TX 1997 Cocoa Beach, FL 1998 Las Vegas, NV 1999 Orlando, FL 2000 San Diego, CA |
2000 San Diego, CA 2001 Atlanta, GA 2002 Las Vegas, NV 2003 Orlando, FL 2004 Orlando, FL 2005 Las Vegas, NV 2006 Orlando, FL 2007 Reno, NV 2008 Raleigh, NC 2009 Sandusky, OH |
2010 Las Vegas, NV 2011 St. Petersburg, FL 2012 San Antonio, TX 2013 St. Petersburg, FL 2014 Reno, NV 2015 Sandusky, OH 2016 Phoenix, AZ |
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