JadeGiant

Hopefully you stayed in the shallow end of the spending pool and your freshman year tuition was not too expensive.

Ah, so that is where it ended up going. I took a very long look at this one when it came out. I agree that this is probably the piece to get from the arc and I nearly pulled the trigger as well. Congrats on a nice piece. I am of a similar mindset as some have mentioned here – I don’t like the idea that GL has such a reputation for photo-referencing for his artwork … but not so much that I have written him off as an artist from whom I would consider adding their art to my collection. The DPS on fanfare is also nice and I gave it some consideration. The recent Heritage Auction had a nice Planet Hulk cover that was appealing but I had more interest in other pieces so I decided not to bid.

I don't think I am going to set a specific goals list this year.

one piece caught my eye but looks to sell higher than I would like to go

I think I would have to know as well. Additionally, why not make a high grade copy (ala an artist edition) print of the original art and put the paste up on that so you have an example of both.

my immediate thoughts as well. Congrats - this is really nice

placed a few bids but was soundly defeated on an item that went above FMV. I didn't want it that badly

Ugh, that is terribly disappointing. Maybe a new thread exposing this at the time of their auction may motivate them to provide better service.

Couldn't agree more. I used to do it this way ... then the shilling fiasco brought a lot to light about the HA bidding process ... not part of my plans any longer

Agreed! Completely!

I have seen that signature but can't recall ... sorry, I know that doesn't help

He was asked about this and he doesn't feel he can draw him - sounded like he might not have seen him enough. I can't recall exactly why but he wasn't able to do it.

Good luck - keep us updated!

I am going to look into these. I have loved my North Face for many years but I have to admit the idea of being able to saddle it up as a true backpack is appealing. The North Face can put a lot of pressure on your shoulder, especially after a long day/weekend hauling port folio(s) and sketch books around. Gene, Dave - any drawbacks that you have noticed with these?

I have to agree (except for the sniping bit as I do snipe). All my experiences as a buyer have been really good and my last 2 purchases (this year) have yielded artwork at prices quite a bit lower than I was prepared to go.

Sounds good. Might not be sold any more. I think that is what happened with the North Face bag I bought.

This is what I use.

Do you have a link?

Scott Hepburn commission from Heroes Con https://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypiece.asp?piece=1507714

Cost basis (your first comment) and FMV aren't always the same. No snark intended and nothing being "pushed back on you" ... anyway. Not looking for an argument.

This seems to presume that the “significant other currency” is always negative on hobby purchases. If that is always the case, your problem might not be in buying art – time to look elsewhere for the source of the problem IMO. I think there is another presumption – that the average collector has a 6-7 figure cost basis for a hobby. That’s not my cost basis in a year (or any close range of time). Average Joe collector doesn’t have to explain such large expenditures on art IMO. I have friends that spend more than I do in art at the golf course, country club fees, new equipment, golf vacations, etc. The enjoyment factor is enough in those cases to justify the expenditures because their significant others appreciate the enjoyment they get out of it.

I tend to look at buying art (and any other collectible) like this: the price you pay is for how much you will enjoy owning/viewing/appreciating the item. If I buy a commission for $400 (like one I had done at Heroes this year as example), I am OK with the price and the possibility of how it will turn out and write off the cost as part of the hobby. If I get money back out of it someday great, if not, that is fine as well as I don’t really have a plan for this stuff 20 years from now – likely some will get sold and some will go to my kids if they appreciate it. For larger purchases, ROI comes into the picture of course. But not from the perspective that I need to see a gain as I would in an investment. If I buy a piece of art for $3K I would only do it because I love the art and plan to keep it. If I would sell, I am OK with some loss on the piece as the difference would be the cost of owning the piece and the enjoyment would be worth it to me. All that said, I want every piece of art I buy to be worth more money than I paid, and significantly more would be great … but that is not an expectation I hold out for. I know I am on the plus side of many pieces I have bought and on the minus side on many pieces I have bought and that is OK because it is a hobby. Check back with me in 20 years if/when I am selling and I will let you know how I feel if comic art has become nearly worthless and I take a bath on everything I own.

LOL ... wait, are you joking? CC is almost completely off my radar due to how hard it is to use their site.

they have auctions?

I'd be interested to read the story as well. Post here? Or send via message if you prefer. I think nice scans would make for an interesting thread personally.