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Brian Sherwin
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Joined: 19 January 2005
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Posted: 31 July 2007 at 6:40pm | IP Logged | 1  

Someone should point out to Golden that there are other virtues, like responsibilty, integrity, and honesty (just to name a few).

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Vinny Valenti
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Posted: 31 July 2007 at 6:45pm | IP Logged | 2  

The thing that gets me is that Golden claims that Gerry got what he asked
for. But I don't know about you, but I think that most people, JB included,
would expect that when you pay for a commission of a character, you can
reasonably expect that, oh, I dunno, said character's _face_ would be
actually drawn, unless requested otherwise.
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John Byrne
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Posted: 31 July 2007 at 6:53pm | IP Logged | 3  

"Got what you asked for" is a very dubious choice of words, ethically. Of course, if Gerry asked for a drawing of Dr. Strange, he "got what he asked for". But as I strove to illustrate with the link to what I provided Gerry with when he gave me the same request, there are certain things that the paying customer takes as a given in the description. Such as not having to say "Please do the best work you can."

And taking that as a given, without having to be told, is the definition of "professionalism" which seems to have eluded Michael and Renee.

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Ray Schirmer
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Posted: 31 July 2007 at 6:56pm | IP Logged | 4  

I would sell the "Patience is a virue" piece on ebay.  It now has a history, you may get some of your investment back.
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Jason Czeskleba
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Posted: 31 July 2007 at 7:53pm | IP Logged | 5  

"Gotten what he asked for."  Heh.  I guess Gerry should feel lucky Doctor Strange is not wearing a tutu and giving oral sex to a goat, since he did not specifically ask for the character to be in uniform or not engaged in bestiality.  JB's point about doing your best is also well taken.  It's one thing to do a drawing of Doctor Strange with his back turned, face obscured by shadows, giving a snotty message to the customer.  But it's compounded by the fact that it's a lousy drawing of Doctor Strange with his back turned, face obscured by shadows, giving a snotty message to the customer.  The quality of the art and the overlooked "t" suggest this piece was done very hastily.  

Edited by Jason Czeskleba on 31 July 2007 at 7:54pm
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Jeff Gillmer
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Posted: 31 July 2007 at 7:55pm | IP Logged | 6  

I was going to start a thread on "Good Sketch Stories", but since so many others have posted theirs here, I'll just do the same.

Back in the early 90's, I was at a con (probably one of the smaller cons put on by Shelton Drumm) and Paul Chadwick was there.  After signing a couple of issues for me, I asked him how much a sketch would cost.  If I'm remembering correctly, it was $20.  So, I gave him my money and waited.  He got his equipment in order and asked me to go away because he didn't want to have me watching while he worked.  I figured it was pretty rude for just a sketch, but I wandered off for an hour or so.  When I got back, waiting for me was not only a sketch, but inked and even some background on it.  WAY more than I was expecting!  He even included Tripod (Concrete's dog) in the drawing.  So far, it's my only piece of original art...at least until I can figure out what I would like JB to do for me.

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Bradley Dean
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Joined: 26 March 2007
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Posted: 31 July 2007 at 8:05pm | IP Logged | 7  

Awwww, all these great posts starting, gosh I wish I had some original art of
my own:( I am a big JB Alpha Flight fan, and have been trying to find an
original Alpha Flight page (prefably with Auroa or Northstar or Sasquash) in
the 150-275 range with no luck (because I earn so little and have little
disposable income to get my own commission thats all I can really afford), I
think its all been gobbled up long long ago.

Seeing these nice artits is encourging. When I am earning more in the years
to come I look forward to buying my own piece of work hopefully from my
favorite artist JB.
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Mark McConnell
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Posted: 31 July 2007 at 8:24pm | IP Logged | 8  

Mr. Byrne explains professionalism very well. It's a case of, "The customer is hoping for the best possible image of that character you can imagine, for the price you quoted." Mr. Byrne doesn't harrass a fan for not accepting a commission he drew. He also doesn't take payment until he's done. AND he makes good enough work that we all want to see them, so he shares them here with us. That's not professionalism then. It's simply gracious.

If that's the best that Mr. Golden can offer, I'm saddened. All he had to do was face Dr. Strange to the viewer. The hand gesture, while it doesn't look ambiguous to me, is ambiguous by Mr. Golden's statement. This is not what I would consider a $500 sketch. A single figure drawing pencilled and inked, sure, but not one that uses every shortcut you can imagine (including getting off your duff to check and see if you spelled the word correctly).

I like all of the other positive commission stories I've read, including Mr. Larsen's tale. He felt bad about taking too long, so he offered something to make up for it. I even like Alex Maleev's response. He doesn't do commissions simply because he doesn't want to fall into a mire that he wouldn't want.
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Jesus Garcia
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Posted: 31 July 2007 at 8:44pm | IP Logged | 9  

These days, I work in Quality Assurance. When pressed for my definition of QUALITY I answer:

The degree to which a product or service corresponds to the stated, AND UNSTATED, expectations of the customer.

There are many unstated customer expectations: that the staples don't fall out of the comic, that the CD comes in a non-broken case, that the wine doesn't taste 100% like cork, that the support person on the phone can understand what you're saying, etc, etc, etc.

One of my unstated expectations is not to be poked fun at by the fellow who pockets my hard-earned dough.

Seems to me that "professionals" like Michael Golden might want to review their definition of quality.

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Al Cook
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Posted: 31 July 2007 at 8:57pm | IP Logged | 10  

JB, having worked with her, can you say you are surprised by Renee being
attached to this kind of situation?

(I realize it was just a comic book character, but I always enjoyed her
appearances in She Hulk).

(I also realize that she can't be held responsible for Golden's concept of
"professionalism".)

(Hell, I also realize you probably should just go ahead and ignore this
question.)
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Emery Calame
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Posted: 31 July 2007 at 9:04pm | IP Logged | 11  

Okay then!
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Michael Terry
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Posted: 31 July 2007 at 10:40pm | IP Logged | 12  

Scares the hell out of me..
I commission a sketch at the ECCC this year from Mr Golden.

Did not get that it may take a year or more.
And if I inquire from time to time will I get such a sketch?

Lucky I didn't pay as much as Gerry, still it was as much as I could pay.
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