williamhlawson

I would never try to sell to a customer or attendee, that is clearly and obviously unacceptable.  I am not worthy of walls and would just worry with anything along those lines in my possession the entire time. Thanks for the advice.

Ok gang, I'm breaking out my con newbie reveal in grand fashion. Is it considered bad form to bring some books to a con to attempt to sell?? I wasn't thinking anything GA unless maybe a low grade reader or two (Superman, Cap) and some very decent Bronze/Coppers in grade that I don't really care about anymore.  Funding art is the point.  Stuff like ASM ann 1 VG, Swamp Thing 1 - 10 from f-nm (true), # 1 signed by Berni.  Dark Knight 1 - 4 never read extra set.  Conan 23 nm-/nm stuff like that.  Nothing high end, just popular items that seem easier to move for dealers.  My 4th con ever, only Sunday and enroute to NYCC.  Just wanting to know if this is a bad idea, frowned on, etc.

1 hour ago, skrilla1212 said:

Anthonys set up is noteworthy. He has portfolio after portfolio stacked up to rummage through like comic long boxes.

I've only been once in recent history (2013 I believe) and I remember he was there then, but there were several others set up as well.  Very comic-centric show; wondering if the close proximity to the NYCC caused art dealers to pass or if this is now a yearly occurrence? Looking forward to seeing the Simonson's tomorrow as they are not attending NYCC.

3 hours ago, NelsonAI said:

"The Block" is not in artist alley.  It is usually on the main level on the south side of the convention center (34th Street). 

Thanks, I found the link on NYCC site, and thanks for pointing it out. My friend from NY has informed me this is now on the agenda, great idea too.

Anyone at BCC happen to take pictures of walls and dealer set-ups as I've seen in the past done on here for other cons?  Will be attending Sunday and just wanted a little preview if at all possible.

My first con of this size ever, I am lucky enough to have a New York native waiting on me to hold my hand.  This con, however, appears to be quite overwhelming so I'm glad you asked.  The panels list alone is exhausting and so thorough that I wondered if they were repeating (they weren't).

Not on topic, but damn do they make this process from ticketing, to badging, to authorizing, to pre-registering via email linked/authorized badge a total headache.  Must be to make the anime crowd feel far superior due to their mad IT skills. 

Restroom scouting, great damn idea and never thought of that specifically.  I've always just worried about coffee and ended up in a line dancing around like a person_too_unaware_of_social_graces.

Is 'the block' interior or exterior? Artist alley in location? 

I've heard generally negative things about this con as far as layout, execution, venue, lines, time, etc...compared to many others.  Hoping this isn't quite as bad as expected. I will make the most of a rare event regardless.

4 hours ago, aokartman said:

P.S. Note how many lots are "attributed" to famous artists.

Attr =Always an issue.  Always from 'a private collection', so there is no accountability on authenticity or provenance.  Never published for some reason either. 

With that many red flag sale wide? It may be that a boring Boring increases it authenticity.  A good fake is still a fake, NOT saying this is, but it always has a voice for it's authenticity that is muffled and doesn't ring quite right, especially regarding history and origin of the piece.

Absolutely the worst ticketing system, idea and execution I have ever experienced.

On 8/30/2018 at 10:36 PM, Madman1138 said:

I worked in the event industry for many years, mostly in high-end hotels, and after all the events they just left them to be thrown away so I would gather them and bring them home and before long filled a closet lol. So they were free to me and have lasted me for years. (and I ship a lot!) 

But sign shops and FedEx/Kinkos sell the signage type which is sturdier than the stuff you find at Michaels or the Dollar Store. As for online, Uline has them on the website and for much less than masonite. I recommend the 24"x36" because you cut it into quarters and get four 12"x18" boards per sheets, which perfectly protects 11x17 art. Here's a link. https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-11752/Foam-Board/Foam-Core-Board-24-x-36-White-3-16-thick 

The package you sent me a year ago had those foam boards with some really wacky printing on them...printing officially explained.  They were perfect, the foam core boards are light/strong and were re-used to ship art.  The masonite is heavy, but I've never had anything bent that way either.  IMHO the bottom line is...the more layers of protection the better.  The method I've used for shipping has been to bag/board art, secure within and to sandwich (of any kind-again more layers the better), re-bag to stabilize against movement, larger box by at least a few inches, peanuts in bottom, art in middle, stuff with peanuts, tape securely, finally and sincerely - wish for safe arrival.  

I hang those same curtains to this day and sleep on that immortal (somewhow) pillowcase from 1977.  This is a great deal for those looking from your area.

26 minutes ago, PhilipB2k17 said:

Zeck’s covers to Secret Wars #1 & #8 are “A” Pages, we all agree? 

All depends.  On what you believe.  I agree these both rock and are A pages, but if you could chose one based on appearance alone, the choice is probably obvious (to me anyway). The historical significance (although they both are imho), of the one out "A's" the other probably to most.  On appearance and art basis alone, the # 1 kills the # 8.  Now...does the art on that # 8 beat the Punisher's, the Kraven's, the Caps, Joe covers, the etc, etc. requires background of the field to say with absolute certainty.  If anyone believes the 'art' content of SW8 beats that of say Captain America Annual 8, I'd say their opinion is heavily swayed by historical significance.

4 hours ago, Nexus said:

If you bought a piece you considered "A", but others considered "B", then you can 1. try to understand why there is this difference of opinion, 2. recalibrate your eye (especially if one is a new collector, and others have been around a while), and/or 3. be happy with what you got, be happy with your assessment, and to hell with what anyone else thinks.

Another point is especially for the new collectors, if they bought a piece they considered A and others consider B or C...then they most likely overpaid by a wide margin (especially at an auction venue).  Just a thought as this can drive some away quickly. 

I like the Cap page btw, I do the A B C thing based on a variety of feel oriented things (if its a D, its unownable for some reason).  You know, the whole 'you just know it when you see it' thing.  I'd call this a lower B to upper C "overall" page, based on artist, content, title, story sequence (historical?, important?, classic story? pop culture now? here), action, characters, artist's execution of the piece (regardless of name), page 'completeness' (i.e. a panel page that is a self contained portion or end of a portion of a story is a plus for display - splashes and covers are considered 'complete' imho)... 

If referring to a specific artists A, B, or C material you need a broad, knowledgeable depth of their work before even attempting.  By which I mean, if judging Zeck covers in A, B or C material...you're going to need to do some legwork to back it due to volume and time working.  Zeck work overall, wow...pack that lunch.  Just one artist I chose as an example, not being specific, he just seemed to fit the bill.  A working knowledge of what titles he worked on, characters he is best associated with, characters he created, etc...comes into play as well.

Just a few thoughts, rainy outside.

2 hours ago, jeranimal said:

Yeah, I'll let you know how it goes.  Are you interested in the con tomorrow in Tysons?  Only $3 to get in  

So...I spent last night at the Doubletree in Tysons so I could get a feel for this small show.  Too bad I was a day early.  Laughed at myself, drove the hour home, be back tomorrow.

1 hour ago, Lago32 said:

Can anyone confirm what Art Cons are confirmed for the remainder of this year? I assume that the NJ Art Con is on for September 8th but I haven't seen any recent announcements or promotion of it? Also, will there be another NYC Art Con later this year or just the usual New York Comic Con in October?

Thanks!

Mike

info from yesterday posted...

3 hours ago, Not A Clone said:

believe the store has to buy the "release party" package in order to get these variants. Not really sure how much a "party" costs. I'm sure there are some here who know though.

Ok, thank you I was just just wondering why and where the term was from.  Funny how terms just 'pop up' in a hobby over time.

Hi all.  Just wondering why some variants have the word 'party' attached to it.  Are these retailer only items given out at release parties?  Do they just arrive with their orders?  Are they based on a ratio of print run?  Sorry, just not familiar with this concept after being out of hobby for a bit.

And the 'trophy wall' commission idea is stuck in my head.  A mere 3 days after posting my never again commission story on another thread... I see me, relaxed in a large, lush leather armchair, legs crossed with a smirk on my face.  Pipe and snifter in hand. An eyepatch just for the hell of it (I hope).  Mounted all over the wall behind me will be finely miniaturized, framed versions of my all time favorite pieces I own (published mostly, LOL).  With one empty frame for those long lost ideas that wander the desert of dead commissions...

So...for all of 15 minutes I was excited about Thursday and Friday only attendance.  My first 'big' con in 15 years, and then I read the reality of NYCC is as above.  I can only hope that I won't regret skipping B'more (which I did enjoy having been to once)...skipping the SImonson's for a Simone...I have a 'local' guide, so that should help a bit.

Giving this a go...very excited as I've gotten a few larger pieces lately that I couldn't scan!  I used to ponder this idea and always ended with, 'nah', we'll never have the tech to do that'....

12 hours ago, PhilipB2k17 said:

Isn't PayPal supposed to make you whole?

Obviously not.  Ask eBay...it must have left them feeling a little empty inside so they moved to a younger hotter Dutch lass. 

But...on topic.  I had one commission done circa 2004 and just decided I'd take what I see finished and in front of me for sale out of prudence.  If a dealer has a finished commission I must have; I attempt to get it from them.  I certainly miss the 'personal' touch of dealing with artists, but I lost all illusions to 'personal' upon meeting my initial art idol of 30+ years at my second con.  I got nothing signed, I simply wasn't going to pay $20 for a sig after a lifetime of buying his works on top of the most expensive piece of art purchased to that time.  I went home and sold every issue with his art in it, commision included the disappointing DAY it arrived, as I found it weak, lacking and mass produced.

Due to the increasing(?) number of fakes for sale..and the ever oscillating number of 'original' pages created due to modern techniques (surely a thread is near the top)...I have simply decided to purchase published pieces from reputable dealers/reps, or published / finished pieces from the artist's directly.  I know this 'limit's' my collection in personalized subject matter to some, but my collection is limited mostly by funding anyway. 

I was out of the hobby for 10/12 years or so and boy did I miss some tech changes.  I really hate all the various methods used now, they add layer after layer of problems for collectors of art imho.  Each process or stage added (digital work, blue, pencils...)creates authenticity issues for collector's, as you must research every single piece of modern art you buy and often the methods of the creator in question.  I really would make exceptions for single person produced pieces such as you state... but I just feel dirty owning art printed by a computer and then inked.  I prefer pencil and ink on one board, a blue line prelim printed on just seems extraneous to me, but I am not worth a damn creatively.  I love art, always have, always will so maybe I'm a little silly about it.  Stared at Van Eyck's Annunciation for about 6 hours before the guard asked if I was okay LOL....I guess I am a fan of the artist who carries all his own weight on one damn board kinda guy.  2.5c

Point taken (kinda).  For me...the next panel...vertical 1/2 page splash...doesn't even need a picture, crushed me.  Etched.

3 hours ago, aardvark88 said:

Frank Miller DD #181, still powerful after all these years:

Just wow.  Seriously, just called my friend who lives in Seatlle and asked if he was up for a visit.  This is a must it would seem, cross country be damned.

16 minutes ago, MagnusX said:

I just watch this page in January,
it was part of the Guillermo del Toro exhibition...

Truly magnificent in person...

 

Truly jealous.  Maybe.  I might still be awake had I seen it in person that recently.  Thanks for sharing!!