Apr 4, 2008 - Barry Malzberg Cancellation - We regret to announce that Barry Malzberg will not be appearing at I-CON 27.

Apr 4, 2008 - Jon Rosenberg and Steven Cloud will not be appearing - Due to circumstances beyond our control, Mr. Rosenberg and Mr. Cloud are unable to appear at I-CON 27.

Mar 28, 2008 - Conrad Brooks Cancellation - Due to circumstances beyond our control, Conrad "The Gielgud of Bad Movies" Brooks will not be appearing at I-CON.

Mar 27, 2008 - Rocky Horror Picture Show! - It's a contest! You can be a mad scientist, biker zombie, or suburban housewife losing her inhibitions. Win fabulous prizes!

Mar 18, 2008 - RepRap Demo Cancelled - We regret to announce that RepRap.org's Zach Smith will be unable to attend I-CON. The RepRap demonstration has been canceled.

Mar 16, 2008 - BattleStar Galactica Season Premiere! - Come see the season premiere of the hit series on a big screen, with 700 of your closest friends. Win BSG DVD sets!

Mar 9, 2008 - GM Signup - Interested in running an RPG? Sign up to be a GM.

Mar 9, 2008 - Awards Banquet - Tickets are now available online for the Awards Banquet. This event is held each year honoring guests for outstanding achievements in their field or genre. This year, the Awards Banquet will be held at the Holiday Inn Ronkonkoma on Saturday April 5, 2008 starting at 5:30pm. For more information or to purchase tickets please visit the Awards Banquet page

Mar 9, 2008 - Cosplay Competition - This I-CON 27 Cosplay Competition is now open to all types of cosplay, not just anime! Registration closes March 28, so hurry over to the Anime page to register online!

News Archive

Website: http://www.carisaswenson.com/

Though she has been drawing animals and other mythical creatures since a young age, Carisa’s professional career as an artist officially began when she was discovered at Lunacon 2000 and offered a freelance job by art director and Magic artist Ed Beard Jr. Recently she has stepped into the world of children’s book publishing with several illustration jobs for Scholastic Inc.

Originally entering college with the ambition of becoming a veterinarian owing to a passion for animals since a toddler, Carisa quickly realized her mistake after stumbling through such classes as chemistry and advanced mathematics courses. After a sad farewell to her veterinary dreams, she switched into illustration, another constant in her life. Graduating in ’96 with a BFA in illustration, and minor in English, Carisa worked steadily on her portfolio (incorporating numerous animals, of course), and along with the encouragement of friends and family she began attending and showing at sci-fi/fantasy conventions. Which led to the beginning of her professional illustrative career.

Due to an abundance of books in the house from her father who was a high school English teacher, an over-active imagination, and an only child, Carisa spent hours creating fantastical beasts and worlds. Much to her mom’s relief, none of these creatures ended up gracing the walls of the house. Already enamored with strange beasts and dragons, movies such as The Last Unicorn, Dark Crystal and Clash of the Titans only served to fuel the fire. Many a mythology book’s spine in her father’s collection has been broken from repeated readings.

To this day Carisa continues to be an avid reader of world mythology and folklore books, especially those by the renowned Joseph Campbell. Other interests which are represented in her burgeoning bookshelf include Edward Gorey, the Pre-Raphelites, Art Noveau, a multitude of books on various flora and fauna, and a sizable collection of children’s books.

Though much of her time is taken up by her 9-5 job as a graphic designer, Carisa spends as much time as she can allow working towards her goal of full-time illustrator. She currently resides in Brooklyn with her two cats who delight in sitting on whatever illustration she happens to be working on and asking for belly rubs.