05/16/2026
I needed a little time to put my thoughts down, and I've honestly rewritten this like seven times, but I really don't feel like words can even begin to express my gratitude for everyone who put work into and/or came out to DAI-Con this past weekend. And as much as I hate having feelings at all, I'm finding myself at a bit of a loss as I try to express them adequately. (it's a long one, but I'm not sorry.)
To the Special Guests, Kimberly and Artee, I am truly honored that you came to Denver for ANY reason, much less our event. You are both so genuine, so welcoming, and just beacons for artists and creatives alike, I don't completely know how to explain how having you here elevated the entire Expo beyond our own expectations. Any level of gratitude is nowhere near enough.
To all the Featured Artists: Chris, Derick, DK, Frank R, Dani, Frank S, Gabby, Rosie, Hunter, Jose, Dewey, Ty, Sean, Alex, Tashy, Logan, and Mikey: being so open to this whole concept, offering up not only your art and your time, but your advice and input, you are all invaluable. I am in complete disbelief at times that any one of you would take us seriously, much less ALL of you, and I feel a little like a child left in the toy store after-hours when I think about it. My appreciation for you is eternal.
To all the Attending Tattoo Artists, Cosplayers, Artisans and Vendors: you are what makes this community so great. Seeing so many of you open the weekend as strangers and close it as friends and colleagues is the achievement we strove for with this Con, and we can only hope that sense of togetherness, openness, and forward-thinking continues to grow and expand to include so many more amazing souls as we move into further endeavors together.
To Cartographer, Bassdrip, and FOXCVLT, letting the senses finally experience each of your performances live reminds me why I ever got into the arts in the first place, and rekindled a fire in me that I truly assumed was forever extinguished. You are all charged with an energy each your own, defined purely as a love and commitment to your craft, your expression, and your vulnerability. Thank you for sharing those pieces of yourselves, we are better for it.
To my PsykoCosm family:
Jordan, thank you for being naive enough to even think this could ever work, and as big a dreamer as you are to find a way to make it a reality. Even if I do want to choke you most of the time, you are like a brother to me. A brother I want to punch a lot, but a brother nonetheless. Thank you for locking in, even with the naps.
Sabrina, I can't express enough how this literally would not have happened without you. So much of what has come to fruition these past few years is because of you, and I consider it an honor watching you grow as a tattooist, as an artist, as a model, as a creator, and mostly as a person. I know we joke about it a little to glibly, but you are 100% the ruler of your domain, and I am forever in your debt.
Fallon, we've been through so many storms together that it should come as no surprise that we have weathered yet another endeavor. Yet I am once again in awe of how you always seem to deliver at your utmost, even when you're simultaneously being crushed by your own universe. Thank you for continuing to allow me in your orbit.
Soph, KT, Em, and Dom: you are my literal spirit guides. Soph, you are a fortress holding back the elements, my safe space when I need it most. KT, you are the reason and the organization in the constantly-warring halves of my brain, and my time-piece. Em, you are my GPS, always reminding me to look ahead, and keep pushing in new ways so that I might never lose sight of where I'm supposed to go. Dom, I would not be alive without you; you have saved me from myself more times that I can count, and certainly exponentially more than I deserve. You make me better, just by being you.
As someone with a questionable soul and even more questionable control of my thoughts and emotions, you are all the compass I know without doubt I can rely on to keep me going. I wouldn't be standing without each of you, and this event would have fallen completely apart without your time and ambition to keep it all in one piece. In point of fact, I would be dust without you.
Skies, FINALLY getting to experience a Con with you was everything I could have hoped for and so much more! Thank you for bringing Cartographer into our world. Thank you for allowing yourself the healing and the time to discover yourself, and for allowing us all to witness your growth as you walk your path. I feel like I've gotten to watch your Pokemon evolution, but I also feel like you haven't even begun to morph into your final form. I can't wait to be there for that.
Zane, there aren't enough ways to explain the pride I have for you. You stepped into far more than should have been asked of you, and not only did you surpass yourself, I think you learned something through all this that I hope you carry forever. Thank you for always being the bright spot, even when we're all buried in chaos. And thank you for always reminding me that this is supposed to be fun, for never letting me lose sight of that.
Jane, I know it hasn't been “officially” announced, but please know that you are already so much a part of this group that I can't even imagine getting through these past couple months without your beautiful sense of the world. You are joy when the world is dark, and don't ever let yourself forget that.
Marcus, I know we jokingly throw those “Bruthurrrrr” comments at each other, but know that I consider you to be exactly that. Every experience with you has been absolutely mind-opening, and I genuinely hope that continues until the moment I drop. And I hope you are filming however that happens, and you make millions from it.
Meadow, Violet, Derby, Thorne, Kandy, and Vanylla: performing at an event like this is a daunting task, and you all showed a level of professionalism and grace that I truly hope you are each proud of. The entirety of the show was made better by each of you as an individual, and all of you as a sum, and I hope beyond hope you all feel the same!
My lens-trapped gluttons for punishment: Angel, Nick, Pumpkin, and Jason, you all continue to impress me with every single event, session, and discussion. Each and every one of you stepped up in MONSTROUS ways, and I will never be able to repay you. Not in any way. I feel truly blessed to get to learn from you all.
To the crew: Dobby, Griffin, and Jshun, having the ability to just know that issues were being handled in real time was a huge weight off my shoulders. You all proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are dependable on a level rivaling Roman architecture.
Bastian, Alexander, Pamela, Gil, Jack, Trista and the Stencil Cru, Caitlynn, Damian, the entire DJ and sound crew who came with TattTunes, and every amazing person with Cameron's security team: thank you for putting up with me. For keeping me level. For anticipating problems and helping to cure them as they inevitably arose. For working as a team and a cohesive unit to get through what for many of you was a wholly new realm for you in a manner that is admirable.
Cesareo's A/V crew, and the amazing people behind the National Western Complex, you all delivered well beyond what would have been “standard practice”, and we all had a genuinely enjoyable experience because of all of you!
AND TO EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED IN ANY FASHION OR MANNER, WE WOULD NOT EXIST WERE IT NOT FOR YOURSELVES!!! You are the air we breathe, and you gave us so much love and support than we ever could have hoped for. We can only hope that in some small manner, you feel the same. Thank you!
- the Paperwork Guy
