grapeape

Mike I saw your donation on her GO FUND ME page. You're one of the good guys. Anyone moved to help please do. The link for TD ART auction(live) and the Go Fund Me are within this thread. Thanks everyone and share this story with everyone. I don't have the pull but we just need one big media break to get this thing viral and meaningfully change Conny's fortunes for the better.

You said it. I've been thinking it but dare not ask. Prayers.

I suspect this has become overwhelming for Conny. I won't speak for her but I have hope that she will rebuild and rise from this awful time.

Lots of kind folks sending Conny well wishes and making donations to her Go Fund Me page. Thanks for helping. Everything counts and helps. If you would like to just donate money to Conny, a GoFundMe has been started here:https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-conny-valentina-rebuild?teamInvite=irpnRZgQuNhommK9FIjhnuMvyyDqw2WceP747SIHK9R8nyqnqPQWI5ZJDb9tXx3k

Unbelievable and heart wrenching.

Unbelievable and heart wrenching.

Her biggest concern was her two lost pets. a heart of gold. a tragedy for sure.

Many of you might know Australian artist Conny Valentina. She is a CAF member delighting fans with her own art work as well as amassing a gorgeous collection from artists of all backgrounds. I just found out from a post on Comic Art Fans that Conny lost two pets, her home and her entire collection of artwork valued at half a million dollars. Devastating and no doubt a cautionary tale. She is one of the kindest human beings you could ever meet or talk with. I found some links and posted here about the fire and a couple of ways folks are trying to help. Read below and of course due diligence before committing resources. God awful story and my heart and prayers go out to Conny. Hey gang this fund raiser is stalling out (see page 1 story and Go fund me). Can anyone help me get this story to the media? Everyone's been great. Your caring and giving spirit amazing. I just need help getting Conny's story out there so we can help her get through this. Thank you so much. £6,651 of £10,000 goal https://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=1556446&GSub=181856 Artists and Art Collectors! http://www.tdartgallery.com/newsdetail.asp?n=58 As many of you may know, our beloved Conny Valentina lost her home (including all her art and her beautiful cats) in a fire this week. https://7news.com.au/news/disaster-and-emergency/mount-barker-house-fire-kills-two-cats-destroys-500000-of-art-c-160939 In order to help her rebuild, I will be hosting TWO events. 1. Art Auction – I am looking for people to donate artwork that I will auction via TDArt Facebook page, with 100% of the proceeds going to Conny. You will send me over scans/photos/info about the artwork, I will auction it, then you will ship directly to the winner. Once the art is received I will send the money all directly to Conny. 2. Beautification – Conny is an artist AND a collector. She lost her entire collection and now doesn’t have the beauty and memories to surround her. This second piece of the project is to collect artwork that will be given to Conny to help her smile. All of this art will be sent to me and I will mail it off to her as one package. There will be a size limitation so I can send all of it. You are welcome to include a note in there for her as well. Deadline to participate in the art auction is this Saturday, with the auction running next week. The art to send to Conny project I’ll likely extend so people have time to draw something, etc and get it to me, so I’ll update on the deadline for that. This information is broad so if you are interested please email me at TDArtSales@gmail.com and we can discuss details for either option above. If you would like to just donate money to Conny, a GoFundMe has been started here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-conny-valentina-rebuild?teamInvite=irpnRZgQuNhommK9FIjhnuMvyyDqw2WceP747SIHK9R8nyqnqPQWI5ZJDb9tXx3k Social/Sharing

happy ending! We all have a packaging horror story but you made it through. congrats.

Enigma. Abundance of creativity. R I P Steve Ditko I came home from work one day and my wife says, " you have a letter on your desk from Steve Ditko."

How great is that? Black background seals in the flavor.

ha ha yes he does

ha ha. I love Neal. I was at SDCC many many years ago and a buddy of mine was contemplating a commission from Neal and the price was $600.I think my buddy took to long to decide and a grumpy Neal snapped, " You wanna go online and see what people are selling my art for?" It was so awkward. We love Neal though and it shows the precarious relationship we have with the artists sometimes. Even today "fans" request a sketch or autograph for free than throw it up on ebay to profit. This is the kind of stuff Neal was lecturing us about at the Con. I can see that frustration but there must also be this concession. As fans our mad desire to possess original art has driven prices toward Mars. So Neal I'll pay $20 per Croc if you'll draw me a small Batman head sketch with Sharpie on the heel.

The Voord shows so much class here. Zanga this was a case of tough love.I also feel that you might be better off returning the art. It's not what you believed it to be. I truly want you to gain a measure of satisfaction so you do not sour on this neat hobby. Again if you like the art and are satisfied that's all that matters. All the best!!!!!

Ask the gallery for a refund. OR if you like it keep it. We will never likely know who created this. Sometimes galleries sell things of dubious origin. They use vague language suggesting a value or provenance that simply does not exist.In this case it sounds like they inferred that the piece came from a specific time period and by insinuation you are to conclude it had to be a pro artist from that time. I am not going to pile on you because you seem like a good guy. Your comment, "I’m unsure as to why people think this is a poor copy of the ams 21 as it looks almost identical imo." means you like what you see. However compared to a professional work the chasm in talent is Grand Canyon wide and deep.Take heart. This is a tough business/hobby and when we are guided by emotion we miss obvious clues. My best wishes to you and never lose your joy for collecting art:-)

Dang it. He signed my Crocs for $20

That stinks. They hammered at $385,,,could've been worse. I've seen so many fakes on ebay over the years. Buyers get burned because of 1) lack of knowledge 2) Unchecked thieves as ebay looks the other way. Buyer beware. Buy directly from an experienced dealer, the artist or his/her Rep.Or get references for some of the good people here on the Thread. On the Comic marketplace there lots of quality legit opportunities. I went through hell a couple of years ago trying to get ebay to warn bidders about fake Calvin and Hobbes art. The seller coincidentally lived in a city close to where I live and I arranged a "meet up" at the Mall to see them in person. Once I saw them up close I was 100% sure they were fake. They used at least 3 separate ebay ID's trying to sell a variety of OA. Below is a pic of art and my CAF Warning. You are witnessing the workings of evil doers on ebay:-( The photo above is of a FAKE,This "original" CH with "LOA" currently on ebay seller snugglebug2009 is a COMPLETE FRAUD!!!!Upon spotting this great "find" I took note of the LOA on Andrews McMeal letterhead authenticated and supposedly signed by Kirsty. I reached out to her via phone and made her aware of the auction.She immediately and without hesitation called it a fraud and sincerly told me not to waste my money:-)Kirsty is working on getting this taken down.I am reporting this to you all because I love Bill Watterson for the gift he gave us in Calvin and Hobbes.I also care about all my CAF friends and want to do whatever I can to protect the legitimacy of our hobby.My thanks to Kirsty Melville, President and Publisher, Andrews McMeal Universal.My sincere love and gratitude to Bill Watterson for ten years and beyond of joy and critical thought.My thanks to Doug Gillock ComicLink for his expert advice and offers of assistanceThese folks are the SUPERHERO

Smart move to get them all at once. Really good storyteller and a neat ending. Guys off the charts talented.

These are Timm at the height of his power. So so good!!!!!!

For what it's worth I emailed the seller. See his reply below. New message from: devizioncomics (652) got this from Bruce at the San Diego Comic 2015 yes for 2 sketches Reply Your previous message Hi just a few questions. Did you get these from Bruce directly? Also this auction is for two sketches? One of Harley and one Joker? Thanks for your time..Mike

This is brilliant. I have let Mike know he really got a special piece.

Yeah I've heard the same thing. Very fun show though. If they would cut out the fake Chumlee bits they could spend more time showing us interesting items.

Very envious of Rick. My main love is original comic art. But anyone who was a kid in the last 50 years remembers this story. I'd love to have just one piece of the art rick got hold of. Thanks for posting this.

Actually, I just consider you a great artist. Period.

I don't know the science, but I think your instincts are correct. Why take a chance? Damned if you don't learn something new every day. Translated to "something to worry about."