PaulKM wrote:No matter what we'll be stuck with original and someone will end up owning it, so to get my limited print I'm willing to pony up my cash and wish the owner of the original the best of luck.  If we don't concede the original must be auctioned or given away the whole idea dies, and that would suck.

One thing that's not clear is whether we're asking EO to create a painting, or asking EO to create a print.  There's a huge difference.  

In the first case, presumably we obtain the rights to the painting and take it somewhere ourselves and create a limited edition print of that painting.  (And do God knows what with the original.)

In the second case, the prints are the original artwork.  We don't need the rights, because we're not reproducing the work.  Whether or not EO can print more depends on what's negotiated, but that will affect the commission price.  This is the only way I see us managing 40 copies within a $2k budget.  

stratochamp wrote:i think this is a great idea. i think the idea of having acaeum worked into the piece is a great idea. i love the idea of having a nice framed piece of art hanging in my living room done by e.o. i also love the concept that 20 or 30 or 40 members of this forum will have the same. now, in addition to wanting to thank scott for drawing us to this place by giving him the original (which he has pleasantly declined) was the idea that "we" would really own this unique piece of gaming history. i liked the idea of scott having it; it goes without saying i'd like to own it (and would be willing to pay for it at an auction), but i'd be equally happy if someone else here had it and could bring it to acaeum gencon dinners or north texas acaeum meetings etc. that's the vision that i saw when benjoshua posted this: something tangible that we could point to as being ours, created by us and for us.

You a preacher or something?

I'm definitely in, in case that wasn't clear above.

I'd be happy to contact Erol if no one else is closer to him?  We continue to discuss various publishing projects, at least two of which will come to fruition one day

I like the idea of raffling the original among the buyers, or selling it to donate to charity---perhaps at the GenCon auction, although an eBay one might draw in more $$$ if getting $$$ into the charity's hands is the driver; heck, we could even donate it to Habitat for Humanity in honor of Chris' dad!

Count me in for one!

Count me in for one  

Also, I will now up my personal count to 2 prints.

martin

As I reviewed this thread, I count 28 people definitely interested in an 18x24 color print!  If there is a question mark by your name, then I wasn't sure if you were in, or if there was some other issue keeping you from committing.

The list I have, in the order of their registered interest, and the quantity they desire are:

Benjoshua 1
Mars 1
smarmy1 1
le Rahib 1
bombadil 1
misterspock 1
simrion 1
grodog 1
PaulKM 1
mdr003 1
Badmike 1
Gyg 1
jasonw1239 1
stratochamp 1
dbartman 1
carrejo 1
Serlean ?
Rakeesh sah Tarna ?
mbassoc2003 1 (edit: maybe more)
Center_Stage_Hobbies 1
jasonw1239 ? (Edit: This entry is a duplicate, jasonw1239 wants 1)
Kingofpain89 1
deimos3428 ?
Prufrok 2
Yaya 1
Tharizdun ?
Plaag ?
FoulFoot 1
Grug Greyskin 1
Blackmoor 1
AdderMcOne 1
lawrenson 2
edit: JohnGaunt 1
edit: The Collector's Trove 2

Let's tidy up this list in the next couple of days, say by Sunday night.  There's a chance a few Acaeum members still haven't seen this and we'll give them the weekend to finalize their interest and intent.  Chop, chop!

While there are always a few people who will say they'll ante up and then don't, I agree with Badmike that Acaeum members are made of sterner stuff and will get the job done.  My guess is that we are looking at a minimum print run of 30 by the time it's all done.  If I have to buy the last two to see that happen, I'll do it.

I also agree with Badmike that someone from the Acaeum is superior and we have an offer from grodog to handle these affairs.  While other people have offered their assistance privately, I have had personal business transactions with him and like his style.

Now, let's be clear; the time for democracy is drawing to a close.  We have heard lots of opinions, and I appreciate them all, but we have a solid group of people who appear to all want the same thing. If you are in, great, if not, sorry it wasn't what you wanted.  Please do not PM me with complaints.  If you have decided you want out, this is a great time to say no thanks.  Nobody has to participate.

Let's review and finalize what we want: The members of the Acaeum web-site are seeking to commission from the artist Erol Otus, thirty, color, Limited Edition, signed and numbered 18x24 horizontal prints of a party of four characters (dwarf fighter, human cleric, elven thief and human magic-user) fighting a red dragon in a cave with the word "Acaeum" visible somewhere in the print.  The content could be something like what is found on the covers of Dungeon Crawl Classics #6, #11 or #30.  If there is an original involved, it will be auctioned off on the Acaeum web-site to the highest bidder.  All business dealings with the artist will be handled by Acaeum member grodog including the collecting of funds to pay for the artist's services.  The cost for each print will be $50.00 (US).  This may not include shipping.

There are pieces missing from this equation, but what does grodog get paid for his services?  I say he gets a free print, but let's see if he'll still agree to this now that he has a better idea of the parameters.  The mechanics of when we pay, the length of time we allow for completion and such have been intentionally left out to give grodog freedom to negotiate a workable deal with the artist.  Grodog will not approach the artist until the parameters of our request, and the number of likely participants are finalized.  The EO Print Committee of Badmike, Paul (KM), grodog and myself will determine the final draft of our proposal and the print order total which will be posted on this thread following any feedback.  We want our first offer to be our best offer.

Do not pay any money yet!

Let the final feedback begin!

mbassoc2003 wrote:I may be up for more than one copy, but need to know figures and details of rights ownership and possible reprints etc. before I commit to multiple copies.
If you number them 1 through X, how do you decide who gets number 1?

The committee decides that after feedback from this community.  There are lots of good detail questions like that which will come up, but for everyone to decide those kinds of things just isn't going to work.  If I am indeed on the committee, then I will attempt to keep things as transparent as possible.  If people like our decisions, they'll stay in, if not, they'll leave.  We will gain a few and lose a few before it's over.  Good question.