I wonder if The Acaeum as a group would be interested in a commissioned work by the artist Erol Otus?  If, by some chance, there were 20 or more of us willing to shell out say $50.00 for an 17x24 limited edition print, I think Mr. Otus would take more interest in that offer than one person requesting an individual piece of work at $250.00.  Each print could be individually numbered and signed.

Is there any kind of consensus on what the artwork should be?  If it were up to me, I'd choose a horizontal print of a party of four characters (dwarf fighter, human cleric, elven thief and human magic-user) fighting a red dragon in a cave.  Something like what is found on the cover of DCC #6, #11 or #30.  Even the D&D Basic box cover is close to what I'd like.  I'd prefer it be in color than just black & white.

So, let's first determine the parameters of the size, medium and content of this commission before we determine how many takers we actually have.  Realize, the bigger this thing gets, the more money it might cost.  I'd also like options on whether we invite other forum members to participate(like DF).  The more takers, the better chance we have for success and the lower the individual cost might be.  DO NOT send me any money!  I don't even know if this might work.

Excellent idea... Color 17x24

ditto  

Who voted "no interest"?  What are you, the anti-Otus?  

Great idea, Chris.

I'd definitely go for an 16"x20" piece, since that's a standard-sized picture frame (in the US at least):  11"x17" is too small IMO, and not as readily-frameable (custom frames would cost a significant amount).  If we're looking at a custom frame job, 'd truthfully perfer something the comparable to size of Robert Gould's "Magician" (Elric from SFBC) piece:  http://www.chimerapublishing.com/script ... ?poid=1007 (which is 15.75"x27.5" unmatted).  

If Erol's not already in touch with a prints publisher/printer, a friend of mine owns/runs http://www.chimerapublishing.com/ (they used to attend GenCon regularly, but started to bail in the late '90s as booth prices went through the roof), and would likely at least be able to make suggestions for printers if Erol's not interested in working with Norm.

bombadil wrote:Who voted "no interest"?  What are you, the anti-Otus?  

I am indifferent to his artwork (And I am the 2nd voter of said category)

I think it's a great idea... a limited run of 20 @ $50 each, I'd definately be in and I doubt you'd have any trouble finding the other 19.

How would you decide on the composition? Would you run a committee, have people submit ideas and vote, leave it to Erol?

Regards

Mike

Ironically, I suggested this very thing many, many years ago (right before Goodman Games began using other TSR vets besides Erol Otus) as a method of putting money in the hands of older artists (limited quantity art sketches) but there wasn't a lot of interest.  Great minds do think alike though!!! Maybe I was just ahead of my time and now is a better juncture for a project like this; definitely there are some people out there much better equipped to handle the coordination of something like this.

I think way back when someone pointed to the fact that Otus is not computer savvy and does virtually nothing online, and is somewhat reclusive (not in a bad way, just that he doesn't have a lot of contact outside his Goodman Games contacts and a few trusted others). I think anything of this sort would have to go through intermediaries to see if there is any interest.  My suggestion way back when was for someone to coordinate a portfolio of Otus, Roslof, Dee and Holloway, perhaps 2-3 sketches each, have them in signed and numbered editions, and let the money roll in.  The logistics of something like this might be daunting, though, unless it was through someone like Goodman Games.  Anyway, Otus only is fine by me and I would be in.

Mike B.

If it can stay in the $50-$75 range then I'm in.