Messages

@Lil Moon: I agree that non-paper crafts shouldn't be singled out, but I think most of the crafts found in artist alley tend to compete with licensed material (simply because the materials are cheap and easily available).  If you are doing a craft not officially available then I applaud you and hope it doesn't get banned/restricted.

@Lil Moon/Laggy/Chibimonster: First I want to say that I wasn't singling any particular person out so don't take any of what I said personally.  Not everybody is out just for money and I can appreciate that.  Perhaps my wording was a bit harsh, but my argument that fan art is making art alleys worse is based simply on the legalities of the situation.  I understand that people are fans of a particular anime/game/show/etc. but there is a fine line between showing admiration and trying to cash in at another's expense.  You must realize that if you are trying to make a living from your fanart sales then you are no different from a forger.  That said, I am only aiming this at those that are blind to the ethics of this situation.  If you feel this doesn't apply to you then I have no issue with you and happily look forward to seeing you at the con.

The proposal for "graduation" is based upon pure profit.  This means that you cleared about $200 AFTER you subtract all material costs, labor, table costs, reg costs, hotel and transportation, and any other con costs you endure.  Also, the price I threw out was a generic example and not meant to be taken literally.  If the cost of a dealer table is $650 then the graduation point would probably be more like $800.  The argument that this would crowd the dealers hall is simply false.  The convention makes alot of money based on the dealers costs as well as their draw.  Most conventions would be more than willing to expand dealers rooms to make room for more if they can.  The argument that the dealers room isn't for art is also false.  What you are truly afraid of is the fact that if you "graduate" then you can no longer rely on fanart and that was the whole point of my proposal. 

I apologize if this gets long, but it seems as if nobody has really considered the other side of this argument (which I am guessing the alley staff are considering and what has started this action in the first place).  I do NOT speak for alley staff and I am not directing any of my comments at any particular posters here.

As some have stated before, the actions against fanart are likely based upon legal issues.  I would guess this is primarily coming down from dealers who are tired of having to compete against the art alley and its grey market.  Having acquired and selling officially licensed materials, they are well within their legal rights to demand such limitations be placed on the art alley and I am sure the staff are working hard to come up with an acceptable "middle ground."  Please do not forget that the alley itself is an accommodation provided by the convention and can just as easily be retracted.  If nothing else, you can always get a table in the dealers room and enjoy the same protection and restrictions they enforce.

Secondly, I do feel that the artist alley has slowly built up a sense of greed and lack of etiquette in some artists and I have a proposal.  With many artists simply using fanart to cater to fans despite the obvious legalities to garner the most monies, I propose a profit cutoff scheme.  If an artist is profiting more than double the cost of the table (based on current fanime/AX prices or perhaps just the dealer table fees) then they graduate from artist alley and may only purchase dealer hall tables from that point on.  The alley is meant to help promote new artists and ideas, not earn a living (especially when it is primarily done through copyright infringement).  If an artist is just interested in making money then let them compete on a level field with all the other dealers.  Having been an artist in the alley for nearly 7 years now, I have never gone looking to make a profit (only recovered the cost of the table once) and usually share my table to help promote others and am more than happy when people appreciate my art whether or not they buy anything.

Finally, I would not be against the banning of fanart entirely.  This isn't to say I don't want any, just that if the alley staff decides to go that path then I am wholeheartedly behind their decision.  I will admit to being one of the few people who love to stroll the alley looking at not WHAT people draw, but HOW.  I don't care about the 15th print of Sasuke with a frown or smile...  I want to appreciate your artwork and skill, not what you drew to cater to others.  These past few years I have hardly purchased anything in the alley because many are following the masses in both style and subject.  A ban on fanart would force artists to actually care about not only what they are drawing but how it is perceived.  The argument that it doesn't sell is a lazy one.  Are you truly afraid that without following the crowd that you cannot come up with something that somebody out there will enjoy?  If so, then I ask why are you an artist?  Yes that might be harsh, but if you want a career in art this is something you will need to work out for yourself.  If you are an art hobbyist like myself then please just consider this a challenge to not only improve your skills but find fans that truly enjoy your work for what YOU put into it.  I personally believe a ban on fanart will bring out a huge change to the alley and I would be extremely excited to walk around and see what everybody has come up with.  I would probably be stopping at every table to not only see the art, but converse about the originality of ideas and most likely spend a whole lot more money than I should...  With that said, I would also understand that with registration already started that such a policy might be best suited to next year.

Heck, lemme just end this with a challenge.  If there is no outright ban on fanart, I challenge the artists of the ally to wow me with something completely original.  If you can do this, I will help promote your table and donate to your table cost (outside of anything I am bound to purchase from you).  I'm not a rich man, but I'm willing to put my money on the table to show that I'm not joking nor looking for a soapbox.