misterspock wrote:
Don't you mean NC-17?

Mike

Shouldn't that be NPC-17?

benjoshua wrote: The best news is that we are in contact with the artist, and we believe we can reach a workable agreement.

I also want to extend deep appreciation to Deimos for making a private chat room available for us to discuss, plan and dream.  Plans are coming along slowly but surely.  Unfortunately, we really don't have much to report yet.

Official Wait List

1)davidc
2)Artur
3)shaggymatt36
4) The Egg
5) johnhuck
6) stumbling tiger
7) mark1107
8 ) edit: Gus Landt
9) edit: jcp
10) edit: Grimball
11) edit: brute

bbarsh wrote:
In all seriousness, I would definately suggest we keep it rated G. This really has potential and, in a way, will be reflective of the Acaeum - not its members. There will always be a direct Acaeum connection to this artwork - that is what will make unique.

I am not trying to be a prude, but there it is anyway.

If we want another piece with scantily clad (or no clad   ) FEMALE adventurers in gory battle, I am all for it. But not as an Acaeum (tribute) piece.

Yeah, it's always been a point of realism with me that in comic books, or even rpg materials, that the monsters/bad guys rip off almost all the clothing of the heroine except where it pertains to keeping her rated PG13.  I'm sure there are many comic books where the artist isn't so prudent, and I don't buy comic books for the cheap thrill, but it's funny to think about.

Returning to the topic at hand, I don't envision a R rated print or even a PG13 print.  I personally hope it will be something we can be proud to show our children as we inspire them to glorious adventures of their own.

Please bump me to the bottom of the waiting list, and shift everyone up by one.  

I am not backing down on my commitment to this project, and will continue to underwrite one copy, so if by some absurdity another 6-7 people drop off "copy #50" is still covered.

benjoshua wrote:
I also want to extend deep appreciation to Deimos for making a private chat room available for us to discuss, plan and dream.  Plans are coming along slowly but surely.  Unfortunately, we really don't have much to report yet.

Are you the one who's been in direct contact with Lord Otus?

jcp wrote:Please add me to the list as well.

   

benjoshua wrote:I wonder if The Acaeum as a group would be interested in a commissioned work by the artist Erol Otus?

Hi All,

I am an infrequent lurker and I just found this thread.  It seems to me that much of this discussion depends greatly on how Otus identifies as an artist as opposed to an "illustrator for hire".    As an artist myself - and assuming that Otus comprehends his own iconic standing as a collected artist - I thought I would add a few comments to the conversation.

Since so many of you are collectors surely you will recognize that, even if the end goal of this project is not one of investment value, the artist is obligated to protect the investments of other clients or collectors out there who have purchased original work or prints (at potentially much higher prices than $50 or even$2500).  For example, I am a sculptor who has a verbal agreement with a gallery not to privately undersell work similar (in look, size, material, subject matter) to the work or mine that they have for sale.  The fear being that I could hurt the client relationships that the gallery has already established with collectors.   Essentially, it may be unethical for Otus to let these hypothetical prints go for so very little.

When I say "very little" I should say ridiculously, absurdly and nearly criminally cheap!  Only a few months ago it cost $50 to fill your car with gas (twice for some).    Hell, I advise student artists (I teach too) to price such minor efforts as 10 x 12 black and white photo (digital) prints for $75 - $150 each!  Rarely are these prints limited by a print run or gain any value by being "signed". Even so, at those prices they are considered dirt-cheap and usually sell like hotcakes.   Needless to say prints, paintings, sculpture (unique works and editions) all get priced much higher.  While you can get quotes for printing up editions of a commission, you are not ordering motivational posters here!  The expectation for the cost of pricing an art print usually reflects such abstract notions as years of training, artist notoriety and generally availability work by the artist - in addition to the technical/actual printing of the works.  I honestly don't know what collectors are paying for his work on eBay, but I suspect it is much higher than $50.  Remember too, much of the "value" is the artist signature itself.  From the perspective of an artist, I would think anyone who thinks $50 is pricey would be just as happy framing up an Otus illustration form a worn copy of an old AD&D supplement.  While the idea of approaching an artist as a community (fans and serious collectors) to make a piece for reproduction is fantastic -- doing it as cheaply as proposed is simply begging for charity.  

That said, perhaps a better approach is to present the project AS charity.  Again from my own experience, I will occasionally donate work to charity auctions with buyers who would normally not be able to afford original art.  Most artists understand similar charity as a way to recognize support from a particular community or cause.  Perhaps a more realistic approach is to write a letter to Otus as a community of dedicated fans, old school gamers, and collectors of his images (original or otherwise) and see if he is willing to offer up a small run of prints as part of an Acaeum community auction or charity drive - all to benefit a good cause (perhaps even one he names).  I cringe a bit at the "business as usual" that has been largely discussed here thus far with respect to the project -- rights of reproduction, cost of printing, first come - first serve opportunity.  Like they say, you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.  Why not BE a community -- and find a way to give the entire forum a chance to contribute to something that goes beyond the typical nostalgia or buying/collecting/trading that typifies forum activity?  I bet Otus would be into it - after all, isn't he some old hippie?

Of course you might have to contend with fewer prints to go around -- making an auction or buying into a lottery a much more equitable way to go.  Those that win the prints  - get the good, of course, but those that don't walk away with the knowledge that they contributed to a good cause and had a fair shot at some awesome artwork.  If the event is a good community builder, then you simply invite another artist or a collector here puts forth a rare(ish) item next round…and repeat.

Of course, I could be completely wrong about Otus.  Perhaps he is hard up and could use $2500 for some new pens. Illustrators are fickle creatures that live by their own rules.  I would stress that even if the project goes through as you have already proposed that you adopt a lottery system for determining who gets to "buy in".  Compiling the total number of people willing to invest might be a helpful way to convince Otus of the (overwhelming) interest.  However, at this point you may have fewer people putting forth their interest due to the 50 people limit cap already being met.  Like myself, many seem to have simply found the thread too late to make the first cut.  Why not open it up to a lottery in the spirit of community inclusiveness (and in the grand tradition of a good old fashion dice-off!).  If you do decide on a lottery -- please add my name.  

Oh, one last thing, artists of notoriety generally resist anyone telling him or her what the subject matter should be.  You might put him off the project if you dictate too much.  I suspect -- given the group -- he will have a sense of what you are after.  

Thanks for your ear.
I hope this project is successful!  

cheesepaws

Cheesepaws..........

......... after all, isn't he some old hippie?

.......... simply priceless............