(And now I take a break from fangirling over Macross Frontier to address some sudden traffic...)

DA has nice tricky features that let me keep track of certain things. Clearly there is now a lot of curious traffic coming in for several reasons.


1> I was not at Otakon, so please refer to 's very well-thought out journal here: [link] if you are seeking some more clarification on something you may have read. The thread in which the original information was posted (and appropriately taken up FIRST with conventions taff) is a members only post so only those who are members of the board can view that information. Please do not ask me about Otakon, as I wasn't there . I'm reading about it like the rest of you. I have formulated an opinion and at this point after reading the journal and considered the words and statements of some very decent people who I have known for several years to be honest folks, not waivered in the conclusion I drew.

However, I respect your right to hold doubts or ask for more information. That is really only fair. It's hard to understand things without context.

2> I was in the 2008 Anime Expo Artist Alley, and became aware through my surfing of blogs, DA and by talking to attendees and artists of something that was questionable with respect to one of the aforementioned artists. If you are that curious, you can see my earlier journal and the referenced discussion at the anime expo forums: [link] and at [link] . (Edit: FOrum threads have been deleted by staff. )

While those forums are available and open for those of you to peruse, please be assured that the staff there have already responded, are very aware of many issues aside from accountable registration practices and are actively addressing concerns.


3> And for the reason why I think some of you are now here visiting the page, as alluded to, I will be at AWA. I actually am not soliciting information in any active manner, but I am not afraid to raise questions if others have information that they want to pass forward and are feeling afraid to do so.

But I would encourage individuals to not be afraid to try on their own either. [Edit: I would recommend that you please talk to the staff, who are already well aware of the situation, having been alerted by others in the LIvejournal community.] Be patient if there is a concern, and do your best to be calm and present your information in a logical manner. (Ask someone else who you trust to be your proofreader /sounding board if you are not sure how to present your information.)

I have faith in the staff . Past experience has shown they have listened to all complaints in previous conventions and therefore I believe that the Alley will be its usual fun place.

That said, I do NOT expect there to be issues thanks to the efforts of other artists to finally give the rumors that have been percolating since earlier this year some real substance.


Lastly, I want to say that people need to take a deep breath and try to be constructive about this. I think it's fair to say all of us like the Alley and want it to stay a place where we don't all become consumed with strategy, money, having to run around being detectives, etc. We all want it to be something, obviously.

The issue of multiple tables being purchased under false cover isn't just about someone having more space. It's not a personal attack on popularity of people. The people raising these concerns are successful in their own right. The issue is about honoring the rules the convention put in place to make the place FUN and avoid trouble. It's about letting more artists in to have that space... the team of folks just starting out, or that awesome artist from DA who has never done an alley... it's about trying to improve the aspect of community between artist and convention goer.

Digging deeper, though, this isn't just an issue of space, but of accountability. Money exchanges hands. We're supposed to get a permit to sell. You're supposed to report it. You're not supposed to sell your stuff under someone else's name. Get it?

Secondly, we have strict rules about quantities because of the legality of fanart issue. Now you're selling fanart under separate cover? Yeah. Now that's a loophole that allows me to go past what I am supposed to sell even more so.

Alleys operate under the good will of industry and the convention. Artists are subletting the space that the convention leases. They are dependent on the donations of industry as well as our admission fees to keep going. We're being naive to think that industry pays no attention to the alley. They walk around the art shows and alleys, you know, and have been pretty tolerant so far.

That could change when people become so flagrantly abusive of that good will and trust.

This is why we all should really be more concerned about the issue at hand. It's not about space. It's about the future direction alleys will be forced to take if artists do not show restraint.


Earlier I noted that AnimeIowa has moved to a no fanart policy. Can you imagine why? Liability. It's a big deal... no fanart in the alley or art show, except for commissions. Even that is a grey-area really but this is where many fantasy conventions have gone because of the issues of legality.

Be concerned. Artists who do not behave with restraint and without an ethical framework that works for all other interested parties are putting your convention experience at risk.

Photo gallery and journal
[link]
Conventions I'll be scaring in 2008
Megacon - Done!
Momocon - Done!
AX - Done!
AWA - CONFIRMED. YEAHHHHH